“Bay?”
“I’m okay,” Bay offered, standing so he could see that she was unmarked and free of blood stains. “I’m sorry I texted you the way I did, but I wasn’t sure what else to do.”
“Oh, I see how it is,” Thistle complained. “You texted him before you texted us. We were your second choice.”
“Of course you were,” Bay said. “He has a gun.”
“And I’m strong and manly,” Landon muttered, tugging Bay close for a hug. He ran his hand down the back of her head and whispered something in her ear. I had no idea what it was, but there was something tender about his expression. He loves Bay in an all-encompassing way. She doesn’t always see it, but I do. They’re unbelievably sweet when they want to be. They also fight when one of them decides to be stubborn, but sometimes I think they do that simply because they enjoy the way the other looks when they’re angry. It gets their blood pumping.
“Okay, tell me what happened,” Landon prodded when he pulled his head back.
“It was weird,” Bay replied. “I was in here working on my computer, just emailing some articles to the page designer. I locked the office door when I came in because I didn’t want to deal with tourists. I was determined to get out of work early because you showed up earlier to surprise me.”
“That sounds like a good plan,” Landon murmured.
“Anyway, I was at my desk when I swear I heard someone outside the front door,” Bay said. “I parked behind the building, and most people recognize my car, so anyone local should’ve known that I was here. I went to the front door because I thought that maybe Brian showed up and forgot his key, but when I looked through the peephole I saw a guy in a hoodie.”
“Did he look up at you?” Landon asked. “Did he have a gun?”
“I didn’t see a weapon. All I saw was white skin around his dark eyes.”
“I saw the eyes, too,” I offered. “He pushed me out of the way on the back porch, and I was up close and personal with him. I can’t put my finger on it, but there was something familiar about those eyes.”
“Do you think he’s a local?” Landon asked.
I nodded. “I think I recognize him. I just … I need to think. I’m sure if I have a little time when I’m not so traumatized that it will come to me.”
Thistle rolled her eyes. “Traumatized? You saw him for like two seconds. How were you traumatized?”
“It seemed longer to me,” I sniffed.
Landon ignored my interaction with Thistle and focused on Bay. “How did he get in the office?”
“He jimmied the lock,” Bay replied. “I was in the lobby and saw him working the handle. I knew it was only a matter of time until it gave. It’s old.”
“Well, it’s getting replaced before we leave here today,” Landon said. “What did you do?”
“I texted you. You didn’t get back to me right away and I didn’t want to risk calling because I didn’t want him to hear my voice. I thought there was a chance he didn’t know I was inside and I could get away with hiding in a closet.”
“That was smart.” Landon let his hands roam over Bay’s shoulders. “How long did it take him to get in?”
“About three minutes. I used my phone to message Clove, but she didn’t get back to me right away either. Then I stuffed my phone in my bra and hid in the closet.”
“You put your phone in your bra?” Despite the serious nature of the situation, Landon couldn’t help but smile. “What a lucky phone.”
Aunt Tillie cuffed the back of his head and scowled. “Only you could turn something like this into a reason to act perverted.”
“Oh, don’t sell yourself short,” Landon teased. “I’ll bet you could do it, too, if you set your mind to it.”
Aunt Tillie was agitated, but I didn’t miss the way her lips twitched. “You’re a funny guy.”
“I’m here all week.” Landon shifted his contemplative eyes to Bay. “Did he know you were in the closet?” I couldn’t be sure, but he almost looked as if he didn’t want to know the answer.
“I don’t think so, but I can’t be sure,” Bay replied. “I was inside trying to control my breathing when I heard Aunt Tillie yell about taking down The Hooded Marauder. The next thing I knew, I heard pounding footsteps and Thistle yelling for me.”
“The Hooded Marauder? Do I even want to know?”
“It’s like The Riddler, only weirder,” I offered.
“That explains everything,” Landon deadpanned. “Well, at least you’re okay.” He rested his brow against Bay’s for a moment before sobering. “I’m going to have the uniforms check for prints on the handle. Did he touch anything else?”
Bay shrugged. “I honestly didn’t see.”
“I didn’t either,” Thistle said.
“He put his hands on me,” I supplied, pointing toward my arm. “Right here.”
“Oh, here we go,” Thistle complained. “We’re never going to hear the end of this. It’s going to be like the time she claimed she saved the town from blowing up because she thought she smelled a gas leak.”
“I did smell gas!”
“It was on your pants,” Thistle argued.
I crossed my arms over my chest and ignored her challenging glare. “What are you going to do, Landon? I mean, if this guy keeps getting bolder, that can’t be good for any of us. I didn’t see a weapon, but that doesn’t mean he can’t get one.”
“I’m not afraid of any weapon,” Aunt Tillie sneered. “He probably has a tiny one in his pants, and that’s the reason he feels the need to manhandle women.”
“Thank you so much for that visual,” I said dryly.
“You’re welcome.”
“I’m not sure what I’m going to do right now,” Landon admitted. “We’re checking for fingerprints, and I’m hoping once Clove has a chance to process what she saw that she’ll figure out the missing piece of the puzzle.
“All I can say with any certainty is that I’m replacing that lock and fawning all over my woman for the rest of the night,” he said. “That’s my plan until further notice.”
Bay arched a confrontational eyebrow. “Your woman?”
Landon refused to back down. “Yup.”
“I’m going to punish you for that later.”
For the first time since finding out she was okay, Landon flashed a genuine smile. “That’s the best thing I’ve heard all day.”
Eight
Nancy arrived at the store five minutes early the next day. She seemed nervous but eager, and I immediately set her to work stocking shelves. The new gaggle of tourists seemed keen about grabbing as many herbs as possible, so that meant we were low in the front of the store. Thankfully, Thistle bagged extra in anticipation of the large group, so we had plenty ready to go in the back.
“Did you hear what happened at the newspaper office yesterday?” Nancy asked, sitting on the floor, her legs crossed, and reading some of the herb labels. Thistle made them up on her computer and they were nicer than anything I’d seen on comparable products at other area stores. They had an antique feel to them.
I nodded my head, momentarily fingering the coin before turning my attention to the voodoo dolls display. “I was there.”
“You were?” Nancy widened her eyes. “Why were you there?”
“Because my cousin is the editor. She texted when the guy tried to get in the building,” I explained. “Her boyfriend is an FBI agent, but he was out following a lead with Chief Terry. They couldn’t get to her in time, so we went instead.”
“Who is we?”
“Thistle and me … and my Aunt Tillie.”
“Aunt Tillie?” Nancy looked conflicted, as if she wanted to ask a question but was afraid she would offend me.
“You can ask,” I said, offering a kind smile. “Everyone is curious about her. They can’t seem to help themselves.”
Nancy smiled, sheepish. “Is she as scary as everyone makes her out to be? I’ve heard everyone talking for the past two days, and she see
ms to be the only person everyone believes to be the real deal.”
That was definitely an interesting development. We’re all the real deal, although Aunt Tillie definitely is stronger than the rest of us … sometimes combined. “I don’t know if ‘scary’ is the right word,” I hedged. “She has a good heart.”
“And?”
“And evil fingers,” I added, smiling when Thistle walked through the front door. She carried a tray with multiple gourmet coffees perched on it, and she looked less than thrilled to be working so early in the day. “Good morning, sunshine.”
“Don’t make me kick you in the face,” Thistle warned, resting the tray on the counter before greeting Nancy with a head bob. “I’m glad you’re here, and I’m sorry about what happened to your Christmas money.”
Nancy seemed shy in the face of Thistle’s entrance. “That’s okay,” she said after a beat. “Thank you for allowing me to work so I can earn some Christmas gifts for my daughter.”
“Don’t worry about it. We have everything a teenager could possibly love.” Sometimes Thistle is a pain in the butt – okay, she’s almost always a pain in multiple body parts – but she has a good heart. I could tell she would go out of her way to make Nancy feel welcome. “Speaking of that, has Chief Terry been in contact about the guy who robbed you? Now that he scared the crap out of Bay, I expect Landon to go on a rampage until he’s found.”
“Chief Terry said he would be in touch,” Nancy answered. “He’s been very nice, but I don’t expect to get my money back. I think that would be asking for too much … and I’m about the unluckiest person in the world.”
Thistle and I exchanged a quick look at the mention of “luck,” and then turned our attention back to Nancy.
“I think everything will work out,” Thistle said. “I’m a big proponent of karma.”
“And this Landon … this FBI agent … you think he’ll find out who did this?” Nancy looked hopeful despite her obvious resignation.
“I do,” Thistle confirmed. “He’s worked up over someone breaking into the newspaper office. He’s sticking close to Bay.”
“How will he work if he’s sticking close to his girlfriend?” Nancy asked.
Thistle jerked her thumb in the direction of the door as Landon pulled it open and ushered Bay in. “Because he’s shifting babysitting duties to us.” Thistle’s smile was evil, as if she enjoyed Bay’s outrage as our blonde cousin openly glared at her boyfriend.
“You can’t tell me what to do,” Bay barked, annoyed.
“I’m not telling you what to do.” Landon was clearly in no mood to argue, but he wasn’t about to let Bay run roughshod over his concerns. “I’m asking you to work from the store today. I think we’ll have this guy by the end of the day, and then you can do whatever your heart desires.”
Bay made a face. “Landon, this guy would have to be an idiot to try to get into the newspaper office again. You changed the lock yourself.”
“And I’m an FBI agent, not a handyman,” Landon shot back. “Why do you think Chief Terry is checking over my work right now?”
“Honestly? I thought you just wanted him to clap you on the back and say, ‘Good job, son. You’re manly and strong and handy with a hammer.’”
Despite the serious nature of the situation, Landon couldn’t stop himself from smirking. “Very cute. I’ll show you how handy I am later.”
“Oh, puke,” Thistle complained, shaking her head. “How can you guys go from fighting one second and staring at each other with heart-shaped eyes the next?”
“It’s a gift,” Landon replied, resting his hand on Bay’s shoulder. “Chief Terry believes that we have a good lead with the loggers up at Dead Man’s Hill. They’re new to the area, and witnesses say all of them have been wearing hoodies. It’s a good place to start.”
“That doesn’t mean I need to work here,” Bay pointed out. “I’ll be safe at the office. I promise.”
“I would prefer you be safe here,” Landon said. “Look at it this way: At the office you don’t have Thistle and Clove to amuse you. Clove thinks she has a magic coin, for crying out loud. That has to be entertaining.”
“Thanks,” I said dryly, sticking out my tongue.
Landon ignored the snarky display. “And don’t forget Thistle,” he prodded. “She’s playing a very dangerous game with Aunt Tillie and Mrs. Little. She’s playing both sides against the middle, and we both know that’s going to blow up in her face and she’ll end up cursed.”
Bay’s expression softened. “That could be fun.”
“It will be great fun if you’re caught in the crossfire and smell like bacon for the next few days,” Landon said, tugging a strand of Bay’s hair behind her ear. “I’ll feel better if you stay here. You’ll be entertained if you stay here. Isn’t that the best of both worlds?”
Bay heaved a sigh, resigned. “Will you call me when you know more?”
“I will.”
“Okay.” Bay held up her hands in defeat. “You owe me a massage later. I expect my emotional distress to be overpowering by the end of the day.”
Landon’s lips twitched as he leaned forward and gave her a kiss. “I will gladly let you punish me to your heart’s content.” He sobered as he turned his attention to Thistle and me. “Watch my sweetie.”
“We’ll do our best,” I said.
“Watch yourselves, too,” Landon added. “We have no idea how dangerous he is.”
I nodded in understanding. “We’ll stick together like glue.”
“Normally that promise would fill me with dread, but I’m strangely happy for it today.” Landon tapped the end of Bay’s nose. “I love you. Be good.”
A whimsical sigh escaped Nancy as she watched Landon go, a far-off expression on her face. “He’s … dreamy.”
“He’s okay,” Thistle said. “He’s bossy.”
“So are you,” I pointed out.
“He has his moments,” Bay said, turning to the stocking action. “So who wants to entertain me?”
Thistle made a groaning sound. “This is going to bite.”
“YOU GUYS are cousins, not sisters, right?”
We took a break for lunch, settling on the couch and chairs in the center of the store. After a few hours of listening to us mess with one another, Nancy was feeling a lot more relaxed.
“We’re cousins, but we were raised in the same house together,” I answered. “Most people assume we’re sisters, even though we look nothing alike.”
“We look like our mothers,” Thistle supplied. “They’re sisters, but they don’t look alike.”
“I’m surprised you admit that,” Bay teased, closing her laptop and placing it on the coffee table before reaching for her container of takeout. “You usually hate it when people think you look like your mother.”
“Look who’s talking,” Thistle shot back. “You hate looking like your mother.”
“No, I hate being compared to my mother,” Bay clarified. “She’s a bossy control freak.”
“Everyone in our family is a bossy control freak,” I pointed out. “Except for me, of course. I’m delightful.”
Thistle made an exaggerated face that caused me to giggle. “Yes, you’re the most delightful kvetch in all the land,” she drawled.
I narrowed my eyes. “I hope you know that orange hair color makes you look like a demented clown.”
“Don’t ever say that,” Thistle warned. “You know how I feel about clowns.”
“We all feel the same way about clowns,” Bay said, involuntarily shuddering as she shifted her eyes to the front window. “Chief Terry and Landon should be out at Dead Man’s Hill by now. Do you really think they’ll find the culprit?”
I’d been thinking about that myself, something that had been niggling the back of my brain all afternoon. “I kind of have a theory about that.”
Bay shifted her eyes to me. “And?”
“Well, I’m afraid you’re going to think I’m crazy.”
�
�We already think you’re crazy,” Thistle said. “Another bout of crazy won’t make it worse.”
“I’m not so sure, but I’ll tell you anyway,” I said. “I swear there was something familiar about those eyes when I saw the guy running out of the newspaper office. I just can’t put my finger on it. I’ve never seen the guys out at Dead Man’s Hill, so how could I recognize the eyes if it’s one of them?”
Bay shrugged. “Maybe you didn’t recognize him. Maybe you only thought you did.”
“I considered that,” I conceded. “That doesn’t feel right, though. I don’t think I know who it is well, but I do think I’ve seen him before.”
“Okay, if that’s true that would mean The Hooded Marauder is someone local, not an individual just passing through town,” Thistle noted.
Bay snorted. “I can’t believe you’re using that moniker now. That’s just so … Aunt Tillie.”
“I think it’s better than The Hoodie Bandit,” Thistle shot back. “That’s not nearly as ominous as this situation clearly demands.”
“And we’re all about being ominous,” Bay teased. “I didn’t see his face. I hid in the closet like a coward. I kind of wish I’d been braver so I could know what you were talking about.”
“I thought there was something familiar about him when he approached me, too,” Nancy said. “I don’t know the locals, so that can’t be it.”
I pursed my lips, intrigued. “Maybe we should retrace your footsteps,” I suggested. “You haven’t been around very long, so we can see where your memories and mine overlap.”
“That’s not a bad suggestion,” Bay offered. “How long have you been in town, Nancy?”
“This is my third day. I’ll be here for another two.”
“What inn are you staying at?”
“The Dragonfly.”
Bay stilled, flicking her eyes to me. “Well, that’s kind of coincidental.”
“Why?” Nancy asked, shifting on her chair. “Is there something wrong with The Dragonfly?”
“No,” I answered hurriedly. “Our fathers own it.”
“Oh. Jack, Warren and Teddy are your fathers?” Nancy appeared contemplative, but not overly surprised. “Now that you mention it, that makes sense. I saw you girls in photographs on the wall out there. I never really considered it until now.”
Four-Leaf Clover: A Wicked Witches of the Midwest Short Page 7
