Murder by the Cup

by Abigail Thornton

  Despite Roderick’s encouragement, Wynona still found herself feeling depressed. It felt as if her whole life had been on hold until Granny helped her escape, and now that she was away from her family, Wynona felt like a failure.

  She plopped down in a seat, the tablecloth squished in her lap. “Three months is all it took, Granny,” Wynona said to the empty room. “Three months for me to ruin everything.”

  She sighed in despair, her stomach feeling sick as she tucked a piece of hair behind her ear. Her ponytail just didn’t seem capable of holding her thick head of hair, and right now it was driving her crazy. Everything was driving her crazy. Even the small sounds trickling in from the street were setting her nerves on edge. Self pity was settling on her like a blanket and it was smothering.

  Where was the determination she had pulled on when Roderick suggested she leave things be? She should be feeling gung-ho right about now, with her friends all supporting her and wishing her well. Instead, Wynona found the voice of worry in the back of her head growing louder. Three days just wasn’t much time. How in the world was she supposed to clear her name and open a business in a mere seventy-two hours?

  “This isn’t the way it was supposed to be,” Wynona murmured to herself. How she wished she could talk to her granny. Granny would know exactly what to do in a situation like this. In fact, with as sharp as the older woman was, Wynona had no doubt that Saffron Le Doux would have had this case solved already.

  The bell above her door tinkled and Wynona jerked upright. She wasn’t expecting anyone and she wasn’t open yet, so who in the world would be coming in? “Hello?” She set the tablecloth down in a wadded up ball and moved to the front entryway. “Hello....oh! Ms. Caseis.”

  The secretary stood in the doorway, her eyes darting around and her hands wringing against each other so hard Wynona could practically hear the woman’s knuckles creaking.

  “Can I help you?” Wynona asked, stepping a little closer.

  “I...” Delila bit her lip. “I just thought...” She held out a hand. “I mean, you were so kind to me the other day and believed me when I said that I wasn’t involved with Chef Droxon...”

  Wynona frowned. “What is it, Ms. Caseis? What’s wrong?”

  The siren shook her head. “Delila, please.”

  “Alright,” Wynona said carefully. “Delila. But that still doesn’t explain why you’re here.”

  Every time Wynona saw her, Delila looked ethereally beautiful. Her hair was pulled back in a low bun, but the hairdo only brought attention to her perfect features, letting her pouty lips take center stage, along with those large brown eyes. Eyes which were filled with tears at the moment.

  Wynona tried very hard not to be jealous. She bet Delila never had to deal with unwanted blushes or having her face turn bright red in front of a handsome gentleman. The woman’s tears, however, proved to be just the thing to help Wynona move past her own insecurities and jump into action.

  “Why don’t you have a seat,” Wynona said, waving a hand at Delila, beckoning her into the dining room.

  Delila nodded her thanks and followed Wynona to a table.

  “Relax a moment and I’ll grab you something to drink.”

  “You don’t have to go to the trouble,” Delila argued.

  Wynona smiled kindly and put her hand on Delila’s shoulder. “It’s no trouble,” she said softly. “This is what I do.” Taking just a moment, Wynona studied the woman, letting the energies and emotions spill over her. Once she had settled on just the right mix of herbs, Wynona gave Delila one final pat, then headed to her cupboard. Luckily, she had everything she needed.

  Tossing in three different herbs, Wynona quickly and efficiently filled an infuser with ginseng, sage and thyme. Her percolator whistled that it was ready and Wynona filled a cup, dunking the star-shaped infuser inside. “There now,” she said, setting the cup and saucer down on the table in front of her guest. “Let that have three minutes and then it’ll be ready.”

  Delila leaned down and took a long inhale. “Mmm...what is it?”

  “Ginseng for clarity, sage for wisdom and thyme for courage,” Wynona explained.

  Delila’s perfectly shaped eyebrows rose. “What made you pick those herbs?”

  Wynona shrugged. “I don’t know. It’s just a knack I have.”

  “Is that part of your magical heritage?” The siren pulled the cup up closer for another sniff.

  Wynona shook her head. “No, actually I...” She hesitated, but just as before, decided that in the end, it really didn’t matter. “I don’t have any magical powers.”

  The cup rattled on the saucer. “But I thought you were a Le Doux?”

  If Wynona had a dime for every time someone said that... “I am,” Wynona said patiently. “But I was cursed at birth.”

  “Oh my goodness, how awful,” Delila gushed. “Do you know why? Or who did it? Don’t you miss having magic?”

  Wynona shrugged. “They never found the culprit, no one knows why, and you can’t really miss something you’ve never had.” Lament, yes. Miss, no. “But we’re not here to talk about me.” She smiled. “What brought you to my shop this afternoon?”

  Delila stared at the cup for several long seconds. “I didn’t know where else to turn.” She looked up from under her lashes.

  The look had probably brought many men to their knees at Delila’s mercy. “For what?” Wynona pressed.

  “I...” Delila paused yet again, to Wynona’s frustration. “The police believe I killed Chef Droxon.”

  That’s funny, Wynona wanted to say. That makes two of us. “How do you know they suspect you?” Wynona tilted her head, pushing that errant strand back yet again.

  “Chief Ligurio is convinced that Chef Droxon and I were a...thing,” Delila said, her eyes back on her lap. “How can I prove to him it’s not true?”

  Wynona made a face. She just couldn’t keep up with the chief. His thought process was completely different from hers. “What do you gain by his death?” Wynona asked. “What do the police think your motive was?”

  “They think I was after his recipes,” Delila said with a delicate sniff.

  “And why would they think that?” Wynona pressed. “Surely something had to give them the idea?”

  Delila blinked rapidly, a few tears spilling down her cheeks. Her large, hazel eyes pinned Wynona in place. “Chef Droxon and I didn’t always get along very well.”

  Wynona handed the woman a napkin, but otherwise waited.

  “You see...even though we weren’t a thing, it doesn’t mean he didn’t try.”

  “Ah.” Wynona nodded. “Your work environment must have been a little difficult.”

  Delila nodded and dabbed at the corner of her eyes. “Oh, it was. He was very forceful sometimes, but the pay and benefits made it all worth it.” Her eyes skittered away, like they had when Wynona had first met her, sending an immediate red flag up in Wynona’s mind...again.

  “Are you sure that’s all it was?” Wynona asked, leaning back in what she hoped was a casual manner. “That’s all the police have on you?”

  Delila shook her head. “No. The real reason they’re looking for me is because I lied.”

  CHAPTER 19

  “You lied?” Wynona asked, her mouth gaping open. Before she could say anything more, the front door opened and loud voices infiltrated the entire shop.

  “Delila Caseis!” a deep voice shouted. “We know you’re in here!”

  Delila stiffened, but made no attempt to flee. Wynona, however, jumped to her feet, not sure what was happening.

  When Rascal’s face appeared first around the corner from the front entry, Wynona blew out a breath and started to relax, but the look on his face said she should do otherwise.

  “I’m sorry,” he mouthed, the entryway behind him filling with officers. “Ms. Caseis?” Those golden eyes turned to Delila.

  Delila’s head hung down, and she didn’t respond to his call.

  “You’re under arrest for
the murder of Chef Atherton Droxon.” Stepping to the side, Rascal allowed the men with him to come inside.

  One of the officers grabbed Delila’s upper arm and pulled her to her feet before turning her around and winding a glowing thread around her hands.

  “Is that really necessary?” Wynona asked. She started to step forward, but a shake of Rascal’s head had her backing up instead. Even without magic, it was clear to see the thread being used was enchanted, and Wynona worried it was painful.

  None of this was right. Yes, Wynona had suspected that Delila was lying from the beginning, but deep down, she just didn’t feel like the secretary had killed her boss, uncomfortable workplace or not. Taking the chef’s recipes didn’t seem like something the woman would do. What would she do with them? And what about the thief, Joksac? Even if the doppleganger had been in Chef Droxon’s form, why would Delila have been at the tea shop? From the way the woman looked around when she first arrived, it was clear she had never been in the building before.

  “They won’t hurt her unless she tries to escape,” Rascal said softly.

  Wynona snapped her head in his direction. She had been so caught up in watching Delila’s reluctant form that she hadn’t heard the shifter approach. Or maybe his wolf side was simply that light on its feet. “What won’t? The thread?”

  He nodded. “It’s an old hag hex,” he explained. “As long as she cooperates, she’ll be fine.” For the first time since Wynona had met him, the twinkling humor was gone from Rascal’s face. He looked weary and upset and Wynona felt a pang of concern mixed with pity. It must be hard to have a job where a person saw the worst in humanity at every turn.

  “While I’m glad of that,” Wynona whispered, “I think you have the wrong killer.”

  The other officers were now ushering the secretary out of the room. Those wide hazel eyes caught Wynona’s before she was gone and Delila shook her head slightly.

  No words needed to be exchanged for Wynona to know that Delila was saying she was innocent. Somehow the siren had known this was coming, but that didn’t stop it from being wrong.

  “She lied to us about her alibi,” Rascal responded just as quietly, breaking the staredown between Wynona and Delila.

  Wynona looked up, resting her hand on Rascal’s arm. “That doesn’t mean she killed him.”

  Rascal sighed and pushed a hand through his thick hair. Wynona found her fingertips itching to comb down the strands. There was something so appealing about a man’s messy head, but the sensation was new to Wynona and slightly worrisome. All these new feelings and desires between Roderick and Rascal just reminded Wynona of how inexperienced she was with men.

  A loud squeaking sound came from the bookcases and a purple streak darted across the floor. Wynona barely managed to keep herself from jumping when Violet climbed her pants and shirt, coming to rest on Wynona’s shoulder.

  The tiny creature nuzzled Wynona’s neck, as if offering comfort, all while chattering in a soft tone.

  Rascal grinned. “I’m glad to know you’re not alone around here.”

  Wynona rolled her eyes. “I’m starting to feel like I’m never alone.”

  “Do you want to be?”

  The question stopped her short. While peace and quiet were nice, Wynona knew that the chaotic life she was living with her friends was much better than the outcast lifestyle she had had with her family. She shook her head. “No. I shouldn’t have complained.”

  He gave her a half grin. “You weren’t, and I was just curious.” His large hand came up, waiting in the air near her shoulder.

  “Oh, she probably won’t—” Wynona’s eyes widened when Violet jumped from her shoulder to Rascal’s outstretched hand.

  Rascal chuckled, though the laugh still sounded tired. “I’d ask what happened to you, but the color looks good.”

  Violet stood on her hind legs and smoothed down her fur as if it were a fine dress.

  Wynona’s eyes widened. Somehow, her little mouse was not only acting a little too human, but it was flirting with Rascal.

  Rascal caught Wynona’s astonishment and gave her his usual wink. “It’s the animal in me.”

  “But you’re a predator,” Wynona stammered.

  “Maybe so, but she can see I’m not a threat.” He looked back at Violet. “Can’t you?”

  Violet chittered and curled around herself until she lay in a small pile of fluff in his hand.

  “Deputy Chief, sir?”

  Rascal looked up.

  “We’ve got the suspect in the car.”

  If Rascal was embarrassed at having been caught with a purple mouse in his hand and chatting with Wynona, he didn’t show it, though his face did drop the humor from a moment ago. “Good work, Officer Heskill. I’ll be there momentarily.”

  Wynona almost smiled at the official way Rascal spoke. He was normally so casual, but she bit back the temptation.

  Carefully, he set Violet back on Wynona’s shoulder. “Lucky mouse,” he muttered with a soft smile.

  Wynona’s cheeks answered him immediately. She really was going to have to find a way to keep from blushing so often. Maybe another witch could make her a spell? “What are you going to do with Delila?” she asked, changing the subject and keeping herself from fangirling.

  “She’ll go through interrogation first,” Rascal said, his smile gone once more.

  Wynona mourned its loss. “And then what?”

  He shrugged. “That’ll depend on her. We have evidence that puts her at the scene of the crime.”

  Wynona didn’t bother pointing out that Delila worked there, so evidence shouldn’t have been hard to come by. “And her motive?”

  Rascal rubbed the back of his head. “Look, I gotta go, but you’re welcome to follow if you want.”

  Wynona pinched her lips. That was probably a good idea, but she hated being gone from the shop so much. She really should be here getting things ready.

  “Wolves.”

  The darkly muttered word caused them both to turn. Lusgu was glaring at Rascal from the doorway to the kitchen.

  “Lu!” Rascal said loudly, opening his arms wide. “Good to see you, buddy!”

  Lusgu shook his head. “Messy, messy, messy.” Spinning on his heel, he was gone before Wynona could say anything.

  Rascal laughed. “One of these days, that brownie and I are going to be best friends.”

  Wynona rubbed her forehead. Why did it seem like everywhere she turned, she was out of her element?

  Rascal stepped away. “You coming?” he asked.

  Wynona sighed and nodded. “Yes. If only to talk to your chief about why Delila is innocent.”

  Rascal shrugged. “Good luck. Evidence is against her.”

  Wynona chose to take her scooter rather than ride in the police vehicle and they were all inside when she arrived.

  “Hello, Officer Nightshade,” Wynona said pleasantly. “How are you today?”

  The vampire smiled, her white teeth gleaming in the fluorescent lighting of the office. “Good to see you again, Ms. Le Doux,” she said pleasantly. “It appears that this time you have permission to be around.” The officer shuffled some notes. “Deputy Chief Strongclaw said you were to be sent back, no questions asked.”

  Wynona felt her neck heat at the sly look Officer Nightshade gave her. “He brought in a friend of mine,” she said, hedging the truth just a little. Delila wasn’t exactly a friend, but acquaintance didn’t have the same ring to it.

  Officer Nightshade nodded. “They’re at the end of the hall, last door on the right.”

  “Thank you.” Wynona smiled as she walked away, but the pleasantness melted away as she drew closer to the interrogation room. If only she could figure out what she was missing. Delila had mentioned she had lied, but about what? Her alibi? Wynona had already suspected that.

  But why lie? And to what extent did she lie? The idea of the secretary taking the recipes still didn’t make any sense. And what about the will? What would Delila gain by tak
ing the will? That was a family matter that had nothing to do with her. Plus, there was the fact that the siren had shown up at Wynona’s tea shop. Again...why? What did Delila think Wynona could help her with? And why was she so insistent that she hadn’t carried on any kind of a relationship with her boss?

  Wynona paused with her hand on the doorknob, pulling in a deep breath and forcing her mind to calm. She wouldn’t be any good to anyone if her thought processes were so chaotic she couldn’t see straight.

  She had a bunch of bits and pieces, but none of the reasons. Hopefully, if she listened to what was and wasn’t being said, she could start to put tags on what she knew. Then they could figure out that key piece that was keeping them from solving the whole case.

  “Knock, knock,” Wynona said in her most polite tone as she pushed open the door.

  “Wynona!” Delila cried, jumping up from her chair.

  Rascal gave Wynona a welcome look, though the rest of the officers appeared confused by her presence.

  She hurried over, grabbing a chair along the way, and sat down, pulling Delila with her. “Now...catch me up on what I missed.”

  “I told you they think I killed Atherton.” Delila sniffled.

  Three handkerchiefs were thrust in the siren’s face.

  “Thank you,” she murmured, grabbing one without looking at the officer who was handing it to her. She wiped her eyes and nose.

  Wynona glanced at Rascal, who was seated across the desk from them. When he gave her a subtle nod, she began to ask questions. “Delila, you told me you lied. Tell me what you lied about.”

  The siren blinked repeatedly. “I lied about my alibi. I wasn’t at the office the night of the first murder.”

  “Where were you?” Wynona tilted her head, trying to meet the other woman’s gaze, but Delila refused to give in.

  She shook her head. “I can’t.”

  “Can’t or won’t?” Rascal interrupted. He set out some papers on the desk. “Your security footage shows us the building was empty all night.” He raised his eyebrows. “Ms. Caseis, we can’t help you if you don’t cooperate.”