“Yes. Ms. Caseis,” Wynona reminded her friend. “You mentioned she’d had a bad reaction to news of the murder.”
Prim pursed her lips and nodded vigorously. “Oh, yes. My informant said she nearly threw a tantrum when the police spoke to her.”
“She was calm when I managed a few minutes of her time,” Wynona said with a frown.
Prim shrugged and tucked a piece of neon pink hair behind her ear. “She must have calmed down by then. But they said her screech could be heard two blocks over.” She raised an eyebrow. “You know how sirens can be when they’re upset.”
“I thought that was banshees,” Wynona said with a small laugh.
Prim’s tinkling giggle filled the room and Violet stirred from the nap she had slipped into.
“Anyway,” Wynona said, pressing forward. “That leaves me a list of three suspects, including the secretary.” She scowled. “But I can’t for the life of me figure out a motive. Mrs. Droxon and Kayne have motives. Mrs. Droxon has an alibi, but I haven’t met the son yet.” She took a sip of tea. “Since the police haven’t arrested him, I’m going to assume he has one as well.”
“Didn’t Delila have an alibi?” Prim asked. She had picked a flower from the vase in the middle of the tea table and was rubbing the petals. A sweet, floral fragrance floated through the air and the flower itself seemed to lean into Prim’s touch.
Wynona held back a sigh of resignation. She just couldn’t seem to get away from envying all the magic going on around her. It was beautiful, most of the time, but it was never going to be her life. That might have been the one thing that being locked up in the castle had done for her. Seeing what she would never have made it much more difficult not to be jealous. “Yes, Ms. Caseis says she was working late.”
“And yet you told me you don’t believe her,” Roderick pointed out. He drummed his fingers on the tabletop. “Said she was shifty when she answered you.”
“Yes...” Wynona frowned. “There was something...off...about her answer, but I have no way to prove my theory. Having a gut feeling wouldn’t hold up in court.”
“It sounds to me like we just need more information,” Prim suggested.
Wynona sighed and drank the last of her tea. It was cooler than she liked it by now, but still tasty. “I suppose I’ll have to do some more digging.” This detective work wasn’t exactly something that came naturally to her, but when it came to saving her business, it would be worth it. At least it would as long as she could help the police figure out the real murderer.
“Might be best to start with the son,” Roderick mused thoughtfully. “It seems to me his motive is more than likely the strongest. I agree that Ms. Caseis doesn’t seem to have a true reason for attempting to kill her boss. Not unless she is holding back information.”
“Which we think she is,” Prim pointed out.
“True enough,” Wynona agreed. “I might just need to make the rounds again. With this new information, I’m more prepared to ask the right questions of everyone, including Mrs. Droxon.”
“Is there anyone else we think might have committed the murder?” Prim inserted. She held her hand out toward Wynona’s shoulder, eyes eager.
Violet squeaked a few times, but nuzzled into Wynona’s neck, obviously not wanting to take the invitation.
Prim’s lips pursed into a pout.
Inside, Wynona couldn’t help but feel slightly relieved, though she worked hard to hide it. For some reason, she was a little protective of the tiny scamp and it was nice to know Violet returned her affection. Reaching up, she rubbed the top of the rodent’s soft head.
“I certainly hope not.” Wynona huffed. “Having three is already too many in the time frame I’ve got left.”
Roderick gave her a sympathetic look. “How many days until the opening?”
“Well, provided I actually open, it’s only four,” Wynona replied. “I really need this situation done and gone, but it seems the more I learn, the more I realize I’m missing.”
Prim patted Wynona’s hand. “Don’t worry. I have complete faith in you. You’ll figure this out.”
Wynona gave her friend a grateful smile. “Thanks, Prim. What would I do without you?”
“Hear less gossip?” Prim asked with a wink.
Wynona and Roderick both laughed as intended. “Maybe so, but if your gossip is correct, it could help me solve the case.”
“And that’s why I’m here.” Prim stood, leaned over to kiss Wynona on the cheek and headed toward the door. “Thanks for the tea! I need to get back to my flowers, but when you learn more, be sure to let me know.”
Wynona watched her friend go, feeling slightly melancholy. How she wished life was less complicated. That she could share a cup of tea not because of necessity, but because they were simply two friends enjoying each other’s company.
Someday.
Roderick cleared his throat.
Wynona turned back to him. “Have a meeting you need to get to?” she asked with a smile.
He returned the gesture. “As a matter of fact, I do, but I wanted to leave a little advice before I left.”
“Oh?” Wynona raised her eyebrows in anticipation of his words.
“Be careful,” he said in a low tone. He held up a hand to stave off her automatic response. “I know you’re not the reckless kind, but this town isn’t always as safe as your family would have us believe.”
Wynona felt her cheeks heat at the reminder of her family and her folly in the alley. Violet rubbed against her cheek. Whether enjoying the heat or trying to comfort, Wynona was unsure, but the soft gesture felt nice.
“We don’t yet know if your attack was random or planned, and until we do, I think you should be on your guard.” He went to stand but paused when Wynona spoke.
“You think someone targeted me?” she asked, her jaw going slack. It was an angle she hadn’t considered before. They had just seemed like street thugs and she had been easy prey.
He finished standing, then shrugged as he adjusted his suit. “I don’t know, but I don’t want you to underestimate anyone or anything.” His eyes turned into warm, liquid silver as he looked at her. “You’re a special woman, Wynona. It would be a shame to see anything happen to you. And we both know that when we’re talking about money in the amount Chef Droxon has, people will do outrageous things to keep it.”
Wynona had dropped his gaze when he spoke about her. A small fluttering in her stomach began from the tenderness in his voice. She was wholly unprepared for a man such as him to make those types of remarks about her, but also couldn’t deny how good it felt.
She could feel his large presence move around the table and stop at her side before long fingers tucked under her chin, forcing her to look up at him.
“Promise you won’t put yourself in danger?” he asked, his thumb caressing her jawline.
Wynona swallowed hard. “I promise to do my best.” It was all she could offer. She didn’t like empty words and she wouldn't purposefully look for trouble, but if yesterday was any indication, it might find her whether she was careful or not.
His half smile was deliciously charming. “That will be enough.” With one last rub of his thumb, he nodded goodbye and sailed out the door.
Wynona slumped in her seat after he was gone, nearly upsetting Violet from her shoulder. “Sorry,” she whispered, reaching up to pet the creature again. “That man has me all discombobulated, Vi.”
Violet squeaked animatedly and Wynona wished she spoke mouse, but in her magicless state, she had no such luck.
Laying her palm flat, she invited Violet to climb on, then moved the mouse to the table. While doing so, a flash of golden eyes and messy brown hair passed through her mind. Another shot of warmth hit Wynona’s chest, but she pushed it away and shook her head.
“I don’t have time for men,” Wynona said to Violet, who was now devouring a cookie. “I have a murder to solve.”
“Men are messy,” Lusgu grumbled, walking by with a dustpan in hi
s hand. “Don’t ever learn any manners.”
Wynona smiled. She didn’t quite agree on the manners part, but messy? Absolutely. Two handsome men were messing up her life at the moment and Wynona had no patience for it. Her shop needed to come first. “Well,” she said to Violet, “looks like I’m back to the drawing board.” Standing up from her seat, Wynona went to grab her purse. Another round of interviews was in the works.
CHAPTER 15
Since Wynona had no idea how to find Kayne Droxon, she decided her best bet was to go back to the Droxon bakeries and try to talk to Delila Caseis. There was something nagging Wynona about her alibi. The woman had been strong and defensive, up until that moment, and it brought up a red flag in Wynona’s mind.
The darting eyes and failure to make eye contact all screamed that the woman was lying. But how to prove it? Or how to get the woman to confess?
Ideas, none of them good, swirled through Wynona’s brain as she rode her scooter through the town. A small amount of trepidation churned in her belly as she rode down to Runes Road. She wasn’t going through an alley this time, but she had still been attacked here only yesterday and the feelings of fear and helplessness were close to the surface.
As she drove closer, however, everything drained away, except for the fear. The front of the building was completely blocked with police vehicles. Sirens had been turned off, but the lights flashed across the side of the building and onto the cars that slowly passed by.
Getting as close as she dared, Wynona parked her scooter and hurried over, slinging her purse across her chest as she went. “What happened?” she asked the officer standing guard in the doorway.
The man scowled. “Move along, please,” he said gruffly. His height, combined with the gravel in his tone, left Wynona assuming he was some kind of troll. The angles of his face were sharp and the muscles beneath his uniform bulged. A rock troll. The problem here was that they were known for being as stubborn as they were strong. She would have to handle this delicately.
“I’m Wynona Le Doux,” she said carefully, making sure her last name was clear. Oh, how she hated using it to gain advantage, but in times such as this, it was a blessing in disguise. “I have business with Chef Droxon and his secretary, Ms. Caseis. Please let me inside.”
Large arms folded over an equally large chest. It was no wonder they put this guy at the door. He filled up the entire entryway, which happened to be two glass doors wide. “No one goes in.”
“Deputy Chief Strongclaw is expecting me.” The little white lie nearly got stuck in her throat, but she knew Rascal would back her up.
The guard’s eyebrows furrowed. He stared her down, but Wynona stood tall. She needed to know what was going on. That same gut instinct that told her Ms. Caseis had been lying was saying that whatever was going on had to do with the murder in her shop.
Reaching toward his shoulder, the officer pressed a walkie-talkie and spoke into it for a minute. It crackled to life and the distinctive honeyed tones of Chief Ligurio came pouring out. “By all means. Let her up.”
Wynona swallowed hard. She didn’t like the way the chief had said that. He had almost sounded gleeful that she had arrived.
The guard moved to the side and waved an arm toward the entrance. “Tenth floor, Ms. Le Doux,” he said in his harsh tone.
“Thank you,” Wynona said politely. “I appreciate you letting me through.”
The officer gave her an unimpressed look as she walked past and turned back to the front once she had gone inside.
Sighing in relief, Wynona made her way to the elevator. The bottom floor seemed deserted and she guessed the building had been evacuated. The elevator was straight ahead and Wynona hurried over. She didn’t like the heavy, depressive feel of the abandoned area.
Luckily, it only took a few moments for the elevator to open and soon she was on her way up. Soft music played in the background, which seemed in direct contrast to her pounding heart. Something bad was going to happen. A heavy sense of doom weighed her down, but Wynona forced herself to stay upright.
She watched the digital numbers at the top of the elevator. The closer she got to the top floor, the thicker the air became until it was difficult to breathe. The door dinged, then opened, shocking Wynona out of her near hyperventilation.
Sucking in a much needed lungful of air, she pushed her legs into action, stepping out before the doors closed on her again. Whereas the bottom level has been silent, floor ten was buzzing with activity. It was like a hive of sprites, all dressed in blue uniforms.
“Ah, Ms. Le Doux.” Chief Ligurio’s voice was as smooth as ever. Those darn vampires and their charm magic. It seemed in complete odds with his grumpy personality.
Wynona smiled. “Hello, Chief. Thank you for allowing me to come up.”
He curled a long, white finger at her. “Perhaps you would like to see what brought us here?” His black eyebrow rose. “Or perhaps you already know.”
Wynona shook her head. “I have no idea what’s going on.”
“Ms. Le Doux!” Rascal came up behind his boss’s shoulder. Wynona was grateful he was on duty this afternoon and had only been off for the morning shift. She’d need a friendly face in this crowd. “I heard you were coming.” He gave her an apologetic grin. “Come on back and I’ll show you where it happened.”
Wynona looked back and forth between the chief and his deputy. “Where what happened?”
Chief Ligurio sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. “Where were you between twelve and two o’clock, Ms. Le Doux?”
“Having tea with friends.” She folded her arms over her chest. “Now will you please explain why you feel the need to ask me that? I still don’t understand what’s going on.”
“Chef Droxon is dead.”
Wynona’s arms fell to her sides. “What?”
“You said friends,” the chief continued. “I’m assuming they’ll corroborate your story?”
“Of course they will,” Wynona sputtered. She stepped forward, her mind still reeling. “Chief, I don’t know why you are so dead set on this being my fault, but this is the first time I’ve ever been in this building. Ever. I had nothing to do with the chef’s death and nothing to do with the man’s death in my shop.”
The chief eyed her with clear disdain. “Time will tell, I suppose.” Turning on his heel, he led the way through the crowded space.
Wynona rushed over to Rascal and together they followed. “He’s really dead?” she asked, putting a hand on her churning stomach. She knew something bad was going to happen.
Rascal nodded. “Yep. Just like before. Turned to ash.”
“Are we sure it’s really the chef?” Wynona asked. “Last time we were fooled as well.”
“Coroner has already examined the ash and confirmed it,” Rascal whispered. “We’ve been here for over an hour collecting evidence and questioning the entire building.”
“And it happened in broad daylight?” Wynona asked, looking around at all the open windows.
“Sort of. Middle of the day, yes. But you can only see one way through these windows, so no one in a neighboring building would have noticed a thing.” He stepped aside and let her walk through a doorway first. “And Droxon’s office, as you can see, is closed off from the rest of the floor.”
Wynona looked around, noting that Rascal was right. The office space was quite large, with a full kitchen off to one side and sitting area on the other. If it weren’t for the oak desk and massive wall of filing cabinets, it would have looked like they had entered someone’s home. Her eyes finally settled on the outline of a body. Apparently, Chef Droxon’s remains had already been removed, but the police had used tape to mark where it had been.
She noted that the shape, this time, was correct. Short and round. Exactly right for a gnome. “I would have thought the department was keeping an eye on him,” Wynona whispered, glancing up at Rascal.
He scratched his chin. “We were. No one saw anything unusual. No struggle, no fight,
no shouting for help.”
“Then how did this happen?”
Rascal shook his head. “We’re not sure. Ms. Caseis called it in. She had tried to call him over the intercom, but Droxon didn’t answer. After a while, she went to check on him and found...this.” He waved his hand toward the markings.
Back to Ms. Caseis. She seemed to show up a lot. “Is she still around?”
Rascal raised one of his thick eyebrows. “Why? Want to ask her some more questions?”
Wynona nodded. “Please,” she added when Rascal didn’t respond right away.
He sighed and tilted his head toward the front of the office. “Come on. She’s in one of the other offices.”
“Thank you,” Wynona said softly.
He grinned. “We’ll be lucky if I don’t end up fired after this case.”
Wynona stopped. “Do you really mean that?” she asked. “I wouldn’t want to do anything that might cost you your job.”
Rascal shook his head quickly. “Nah. I’m joking.” His grin grew. “But it’s nice that you’re worried about it.”
That dang blush. There was simply no hiding it and when it shot up her cheeks, Rascal’s eyes were immediately drawn to the color. Wynona cleared her throat. “Um, which office is she in?” A change in subject was her only defense at the moment.
Rascal never stopped grinning as he led her to the far corner. He knocked twice on the door and poked his head inside, speaking to someone before opening it fully. “Go on in.”
“Thank you,” Wynona said softly, slipping past him. Rascal didn’t leave her much room, so her shoulder brushed against his chest. It was a good thing her cheeks were already on fire, because getting even the smallest feel of his muscles was enough to send her temperature through the roof. “Ms. Caseis?”
Delila looked up from dabbing her eyes with a soggy handkerchief. “Ms. Le Doux?”
Wynona gave her a kind smile. “Wynona, please.”
Ms. Caseis nodded. “Delila.”
Walking over, Wynona put her hand on the siren’s shoulder. Even grieving, she was stunning. A slight red rim on her eyes was the only true sign that she had been crying. Well, that and the garbage full of tissues at her feet. “I’m so sorry for your loss.”
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