Murder by the Cup

by Abigail Thornton

  The man barked a laugh. “I didn’t have a question, sweetheart.”

  She frowned. “Oh, but I thought you said I could return the favor.” She gave him an innocent smile. Right on cue, his hand relaxed slightly on her arm. Wynona didn’t wait another heartbeat. She quickly wrenched her arm free and stepped back, grabbing a broken piece of wood from the ground.

  She wielded it in front of her like a knife, knowing it would do little good, but all she needed was to buy herself some time. If she could just get close enough to the street to scream, surely someone would come help. “It’s been fun, gentlemen,” she said tightly. “But I think it’s time I go home.”

  The three men were openly glaring at her, their arms spread out to the side as they tried to herd her toward the building.

  “I don’t think so, sweetheart,” the leader sneered. “We helped you. Now it’s your turn.”

  “I offered,” Wynona said. “But now I really must go.” She swung her weapon around, trying to keep all three men in her sights and walk toward the street at the same time. She’d only made it a few steps when a growling sound caught their attention.

  Her attackers froze, ears perking up like the animals they were. “Get her and let’s go,” the leader snapped, pointing to Wynona.

  Sim nodded and lunged.

  Wynona screamed and swung the piece of wood blindly, her eyes closing as she prepared herself for the impact of his body.

  The alley filled with shouts of anger and pain and Wynona realized no one had grabbed her. Carefully she opened her eyes, only to have them shoot open like saucers and her jaw nearly hit the ground.

  Two of her attackers were lying on the ground, unconscious, with their hands cuffed behind their backs, while Rascal sat on another and was finishing locking the handcuffs while his captive squirmed. “Don’t make me knock you out,” Rascal growled at the man, giving his head a shove while he stood up.

  “What did you—? How—?” Wynona shook her head. She had only had her eyes shut for a few seconds. How in the world had he managed to subdue three men in that time? And where in the world did Rascal even come from?

  “Are you alright?” he asked, walking toward her carefully. He held his hands out as if to keep her from bolting, but Wynona wasn’t about to leave the protection that had just arrived. Maybe she wasn’t cursed after all.

  She rubbed her upper arm. “Bruised and coming down from a heart attack, but fine,” she managed.

  Rascal’s lips twitched. “Do you mind if I take a look?”

  Wynona frowned. “Are you trained in medicine as well as police work?”

  He shrugged. “I used to be a first responder. I know enough to keep someone alive.”

  Wynona shrugged. “Sure, but I really am fine. I just need a cup of Rose Petal and Matcha, a long nap and I’ll be as good as new.”

  “How about we start with your arm?” he asked, closing the distance between them.

  Wynona allowed Rascal to slip off her suit jacket. She would be burning it when she got home anyway, along with the pants and boots... Well...maybe she’d keep the boots. She just knew she wanted to get rid of any reminders of what had just happened.

  “That’s gonna be rough for a few days,” he murmured, feeling around at the darkening ring on her arm.

  “Ouch,” she whispered as he touched a particularly tender spot. “I thought you said you had training.”

  “Guess I’m out of practice.” Rascal winked at her. He seemed to do that a lot. “Sorry.”

  “It’s fine,” Wynona said with a sigh. She rubbed her forehead. “I’m sorry. I’m not trying to be rude, but I really would like to go home. Can I do that now?”

  Rascal’s playful look turned to one of sympathy. “I’m afraid not, Ms. Le Doux. You’re going to have to come with me.”

  “Oh? Why?”

  He jabbed his thumb over his shoulder. “I need to book these guys at the station and I’m afraid I’ll need your statement to do that.”

  Wynona groaned. “Just what I needed.” She was losing time. Her shop was set to open in five days and if she didn’t get this murder solved, she could kiss it all goodbye. And that was if she could solve it before all of her customers cancelled because they thought she was a murderer.

  Rascal put his hand on her mid-back. “Don’t worry,” he said. “It won’t take too long.” Gently, he led her to the street, where a blue truck was sitting on the curb.

  “That’s quite the parking job,” Wynona said with a laugh.

  That wink came at her again as he helped her buckle up in the passenger seat. “Perks of the job,” he teased.

  Closing the door, he disappeared back down the alley, leaving Wynona to her thoughts. A soft tingling sensation in the middle of her back held most of her attention, however. It was pleasant and soothing, a far cry from the rioting emotions of earlier.

  When she watched Rascal emerge from the alleyway, a man thrown over his shoulder and his muscles bulging, that same heat traveled to her chest, neck and face. Wynona forced herself to look away. “Murder,” she reminded herself. “You’ve got a murder to solve. Then a business to open. And then, if things are going well, you can think about men. But not before.”

  She couldn’t help but glance at those wide shoulders one more time. “Definitely not before.”

  CHAPTER 11

  “You still haven’t explained why you were at the Droxon Headquarters,” the chief of police snapped, tapping his pen on his desk. He leaned forward, incisors flashing in his irritation. “You were wandering around, in broad daylight, at the building of a man who is possibility a target in a murder that occured in your own shop.” He tilted his head and gave her a penetrating stare. “Does that not sound suspicious to you?”

  “Why is walking around town suspicious?” Wynona argued. “Is it against the law to walk? I hadn’t heard that. I’m sorry.”

  A growl emerged from between his pale lips. “You’re playing with what little patience I have left, Ms. Le Doux.”

  Wynona wanted to ask him what patience he was referring to, but she kept her mouth shut. Just because she thought it, didn’t mean she needed to say it. A skill she had lots of practice in. “Look, Chief Ligurio. I’m sorry that we keep running into each other, but I promise I wasn’t doing anything nefarious. I’m just looking for answers.”

  “What answers?” he asked carefully.

  “Answers as to who tried to kill Chef Droxon,” Wynona explained. “And what they plan to do now that they failed.”

  “Those are police matters,” he snarled, jabbing his pen in her direction.

  “Yes,” she said slowly, nodding her head in agreement. “But there’s no law that says I can’t ask a few questions.”

  His palms slammed against his desk and he leaned forward. “Don’t make me lock you up, Ms. Le Doux. Prison doesn’t agree with rich, spoiled women like yourself.”

  Her eyes widened. “Excuse me? I’ve broken no law.”

  “You still don’t have an alibi for the night of the murder.”

  “I absolutely do,” Wynona argued. “I told you, I was home that night.”

  “With no witnesses.”

  “No witness, you are correct,” she agreed. “But until you can prove otherwise, I’m considered innocent.”

  “And yet you’ve just admitted to poking your nose into police business,” Chief Ligurio snapped.

  “I said I asked questions,” Wynona corrected. “I haven’t broken into anything and I haven’t bothered anybody.” She paused. “Speaking of which, did you know Chef Droxon is abusing his wife? If ever someone had a motive to kill, it’s a wounded woman.”

  “Chief?”

  Wynona almost breathed a sigh of relief when Rascal poked his head in. He’d dropped her off at the chief’s office while he booked her attackers, but the time had been far from pleasant. She was ready to see the face of someone who didn’t want to strangle her.

  “What?” Chief Ligurio grumbled. Rascal had opened the door
just before he could go off on Wynona and while she was grateful, it was obvious the vampire was pouting.

  “The guys are all already in the system, so it won’t take much to put them back behind bars.” Rascal stepped farther into the room. “If you want, I can take Ms. Le Doux’s statement and then see her home.”

  “See her home and then see that she stays there,” Chief Ligurio said tightly. “She needs to keep her nose out of our business.” He pointed a long, slender finger at Rascal. “If she interferes again, I’ll count you personally responsible.”

  “Yes, sir.” Rascal gave his chief a salute, then smiled at Wynona and offered his arm. “Ms. Le Doux. If you’ll just follow me.”

  Wynona smiled back. “Thank you, Deputy Chief Strongclaw.” She slipped her hand into his elbow and they walked out into the busy police station. Wynona whistled low under her breath. “You certainly are hopping in here.”

  “Today is a rough day,” Rascal agreed. “Everyone is still going crazy about the murder, and Chief is acting like he hasn’t fed in months rather than days.”

  Wynona nodded as they walked into a much quieter office. “Yes, about that.” She sat and then leaned toward Rascal. “What in the world have I done to make him hate me so much? Or is it just witches in general he can’t stand?”

  Rascal snorted as he sat behind his desk. “As far as I know, Chief doesn’t have anything against you, but even I have to admit that he’s been on edge lately.” He furrowed his thick brows. “Despite our eyewitness, which I’m very aware is not even close to being reliable, we don’t have anything to pin you with and yet Chief can’t seem to open his eyes to any other possibility.” His look became sympathetic. “I’m sorry. I really don’t know why he’s in such a mood.”

  Wynona shrugged and looked down at her slacks, smoothing them out. They were a mess and there was a hole in one knee. “It’s no big deal.” She was used to people not liking her. She didn’t enjoy it, but it was a common enough response in her life.

  “Wynona.”

  She looked up at the tender tone in his voice.

  “Are you alright?” he asked, his eyes searching all over her.

  She smiled, feeling very tired all of a sudden. “As well as I can be. I hadn’t exactly planned for my day to include a near mugging and a trip to the police station.”

  Rascal chuckled. “Nobody does.” He raised his eyebrows and tilted down his chin. “But you’re sure?”

  She nodded. “Yes. I’m sure.”

  “Okay.” He opened his computer and began typing. “Let’s start at the beginning and you can tell me why you were in that alley.”

  Wynona sighed and leaned back in her seat. Deceit wasn’t in her nature, so she explained her whole morning to Rascal. She knew Chief Ligurio wasn’t going to be happy about it, but she hadn’t broken any laws. Mrs. Droxon had seen and spoken to Wynona of her own free will.

  Rascal leaned back in his chair. “You’re going to get yourself in trouble if you keep it up.”

  Wynona nodded curtly. “I’m aware of the dangers. Thank you, Deputy Chief Strongclaw.”

  “Rascal,” he corrected. That playful grin crossed his face. “We’ve been through this.”

  “That we have,” she agreed, returning his smile. “Forgive me.”

  “No need,” he said breezily. “But we do need to talk about you trying to solve this murder.”

  Wynona sighed and pushed a hand through her hair. “My entire business is relying on this being solved,” she explained. “I’ve got customers calling and cancelling because your chief refuses to admit to the media that I’m innocent. And in five days, I’ve got a grand opening that has been planned down to the very last detail in order to help me start a new life.” She leaned forward, pleading with him to understand. “I’m not trying to step on toes or get in anyone’s way, but while this is all in the line of duty for you and your coworkers, this is my life. This is the only chance I’ve got to make a go of it.”

  Rascal tilted his head, studying her. “Why do I sense there’s more to your story than you’re sharing? How come no one even knew you existed until a couple of months ago when you bought that rundown shop and started renovating it?”

  Wynona groaned. She didn’t want to dredge up her past. She wanted to move forward. “I don’t think my family and their choices have anything to do with our situation now,” she said, slowly sitting up straighter.

  Rascal blew out a breath and nodded. “Fine. If that’s the way you want it.”

  “I do.”

  He didn’t look happy, but he nodded again and went back to his computer.

  The silence stretched uncomfortably while Wynona waited for Rascal to tell her she could go. Twiddling her thumbs, she let her eyes wander around the office. Behind her the window blinds were open and she could see the rest of the precinct bustling around their normal activities.

  Several of the workers stopped in their tracks and Wynona couldn’t see why until she spun in her seat to see Delila Caseis waltzing through the desks, chatting with one of the officers. “What is Chef Droxon’s secretary doing here?” she murmured.

  “We brought her in for questioning.”

  Wynona whipped around, feeling slightly guilty. “Oh?” She tried to act nonchalant. “About?”

  Rascal gave her a look that said he wasn’t buying her act. “About who might want to kill her boss.”

  Wynona waited, but Rascal went back to his computer. “And?” she prodded, slightly impatient.

  Rascal looked up and grinned at her. “It’s killing you, isn’t it?”

  Wynona scowled at him. “I know you don’t have to share what you know, but I did come here offering my own information.”

  “Her statement is part of an ongoing investigation, Ms. Le Doux.”

  She rolled her eyes. “Please call me Wynona.” She gave him a smile. “We’ve been through this before.”

  He chuckled. “Okay, okay.” His eyes went out to the rest of the building, then back with her. “I can’t give you specifics, but I can say she has an alibi.”

  “No clues as to what it is?”

  “Can’t tell you that...Wynona,” he said pointedly.

  She quickly picked up her purse. “You don’t mind if I run an errand, do you?”

  “I promised the chief I’d take you home.”

  “And I appreciate that, but first there’s something I need to do.” She held her breath.

  Rascal pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed. “I’ll meet you out front in ten.” He pointed at her. “No more.”

  “That’s fine,” Wynona sang out as she dashed out the door toward the front of the station. She just hoped Ms. Caseis was still around.

  If the crowd out front was any indication, Wynona wasn’t too late.

  She poked her way through all the police uniforms. “Excuse me? Ms. Caseis?”

  The siren turned from her admirers to find Wynona. “Yes?”

  Wynona finished wiggling her way into the center. She dropped her voice. “My name is Wynona. I was wondering if I could ask you a few questions?”

  The secretary’s look could only be described as disdain. “Are you a reporter?”

  “Oh, no.” Wynona waved off the notion. “This is all strictly confidential.”

  Delila peered more narrowly at her. “What did you say your name was again?”

  “Wynona.” She swallowed hard. “Le Doux.”

  Delila’s eyes widened. Without speaking, she waved off the men, who disappeared grudgingly, but obediently.

  “You’re related to President Le Doux?”

  Wynona nodded. “Yes. But that’s not why I’m here.”

  Delila crossed her arms over her chest. “Then by all means, explain.”

  “The man who was murdered two days ago, the one dressed like Chef Droxon, was killed in my tea shop.” Wynona stood a little taller. “I’m trying to piece some things together that don’t make very much sense.”

  “Such as?”

>   “Such as where you were on the night of the murder?”

  Delila scowled, but even that couldn’t take away the stunningness of her face. “Are you accusing me of trying to kill my boss?”

  Wynona shook her head. “No. I’m just covering all the angles. Mrs. Droxon informed me that you worked for the chef longer than any other secretary.”

  “And you think that means I was sleeping with him?” Delila snapped.

  Wynona gave her a sad smile. “Actually, I’m hoping that means the exact opposite.”

  Some of the tight defensiveness in Delila’s shoulders melted away. “What makes you say that?”

  “Well, from what I’ve heard, Chef Droxon went through women rather regularly.” Wynona shrugged one shoulder. “If you were one of his lovers, odds are you wouldn’t have stuck around so long because he would have moved on to someone else.”

  Delila’s arms fell to her side. “Thank you,” she said softly. “You’re the first one to believe me when I say there was nothing between us.”

  Wynona nodded. “Despite that, I’d still like to know where you were.”

  “I already told the police, but I was working late that night.” Delila’s deep hazel eyes darted away from Wynona. “I was catching up on paperwork.” She looked back, understanding in her face. “You’re the one with the contract starting next week for the tea shop.”

  Wynona nodded. “Yes, that’s me.”

  The siren smiled. “It sounds like a delightful place. I plan to visit.”

  Rascal stepped out of the police station and Wynona stepped back. “I’d like that, Ms. Caseis. I’ll look forward to seeing you again.” Before the secretary could say anything more, Wynona spun and walked to Rascal’s side.

  “Get what you needed?” he asked wryly.

  Wynona grinned and shouldered her purse. “Yep.”

  He shook his head. “Come on. My truck is out back.”

  “Do you mind if we pick up my scooter on the way home?”