The Monstrous Seven (A Hannah Hickok Witchy Mystery Book 4)

by Lily Harper Hart

  “He’s still looking for a bullet,” Cooper explained.

  Boone made a growling sound deep in his throat. “The coroner told him that there was never a bullet in the body.”

  “Apparently he doesn’t believe that. He’s making them look again.”

  “I can’t even—” Boone broke off and rubbed his forehead. “What else? Did he say anything to you?”

  “Basically he ignored our existence,” Tyler replied.

  “Even though your face looks like that?” It was the first time Boone had commented on the bruises his friends were sporting and Hannah was thankful he wasn’t making a big deal about it.

  “We told him the horses got loose and we needed to track them down,” Cooper explained. “He seemed willing to believe that.”

  “Then he must not know a lot about horses,” Boone grumbled.

  “In his defense, I probably would’ve believed that, too,” Hannah said. “I mean ... it sounds reasonable. Horses are big.”

  Boone slid his eyes to her and shook his head. “No. You’re smarter than that. You might’ve tried to force yourself to believe but, in the back of your head, you would’ve wondered if we were telling the truth.”

  “It’s possible he doesn’t believe us,” Tyler offered. “I mean ... he’s obviously out here because he thinks he’s going to catch us doing something nefarious. Maybe he thinks that if he pretends to believe, we’ll be more likely to drop our guards around him.”

  “I guess, although that seems ludicrous.” Boone rubbed his chin as he sank into a chair, his lips spreading into a smirk when Jinx rested his head on the sheriff’s knee and offered up a pleading expression. “Does the good boy want his treat?”

  Cooper practically choked on his laugh as he shook his head. “Listen, I’m not saying Agent Hoffman is the smartest guy in the Bureau. It is possible that he’s messing with us, though. If he is, I have to give him credit. We have no idea what his intentions are, and that means we’re on our toes constantly.”

  “He didn’t see anything last night, right?” Boone queried.

  Hannah shook her head. “Everyone was quiet and went to bed early. We ate tacos for dinner and then separated. Cooper checked the street a few times before we knocked off for the night but all he saw was Jacob out there walking the street with his tape measure.”

  “Tape measure?” Boone’s eyebrows practically shot off his forehead. “Are you kidding me?”

  “No.”

  “I just ... he is unbelievable.” Boone let loose a sigh and then grabbed the takeout container Cooper handed him. “Okay, let’s talk about serious stuff. From the text I got, two of our enemies are down. That means five are left. Do we have any ideas on how we’re going to fight them?”

  Cooper shook his head. “No. They should all come at us differently. I’m not sure how we’re going to deal with it. In fact ... .” He trailed off when he heard footsteps at the saloon door. Upon lifting his head, he expected to find the FBI agent watching them. Instead, he found two of the bartender candidates standing there expectantly. Ray Simon and Nikki Dobbs. He remembered their names from the interviews ... which seemed like a very long time ago given everything that had happened over the past few days.

  “Hello.” Ray’s smile was open and friendly, although he looked as if he felt out of place. “I ... um ... is this a bad time?”

  Hannah’s expression was blank as she regarded the two individuals. “I don’t know. I guess that depends on what you’re doing here.”

  “We’re here for the orientation,” Nikki replied. “I mean ... this is the date and time you emailed us, right?”

  Hannah was at a genuine loss. “I ... .” She looked to Cooper, confused, and found him staring back with a sheepish look on his face. “Do you know something I don’t?”

  “Actually, I do.” He felt like a complete and total idiot. Given everything that had happened over the past few days, though, it was no surprise that he’d forgotten. “Um ... I hired Nikki and Ray.”

  “You did?” Hannah tried to keep her face neutral even though she was dumbfounded. “No offense, but I wish you would’ve told me.”

  “Right. Um ... the thing is, it happened right before we went outside to see what the ruckus was the other day.” He held out his hands in a placating manner even though, if their roles were reversed and she’d forgotten to tell him she’d hired two people, he would’ve been annoyed ... to say the least.

  “We were talking about who we liked,” he explained, feeling awkward. “You liked Ray and Nikki and since you’re the boss, I thought it would be faster if I just gave you your way and emailed them to come for orientation and a bit of training today.”

  “Oh.” Hannah wasn’t sure what she was supposed to say. “I can’t help but feel I should be angry,” she admitted after a beat.

  “I planned on telling you right away, and then letting you kiss me as thanks for readily agreeing to your people, but then things ... got weird outside.”

  Amusement flitted across Hannah’s face. “That’s a nice way of putting it.”

  “I’m sorry.” He moved to stand. “I’ll have them come back ... once this all is settled.”

  At first, Hannah thought that was probably the best idea. Then she thought better about it. “Wait ... .” She reached out and grabbed his wrist before he could move more than a foot away. “Maybe they should stay.”

  “I can’t help but feel we’ve come at a bad time,” Ray hedged. He was a gregarious guy, chiseled cheekbones and perfect hair. In truth, Cooper had been annoyed with the man’s good looks and the way he flirted with Hannah from the moment he set foot in the saloon. That didn’t mean he wouldn’t be a good worker, and he had an impressive resume.

  “It’s not that,” Hannah reassured him. “Well, actually it is that ... but not the way you think. It’s been a rather interesting few days.”

  “I heard.” Nikki was solemn, her youth serving to make her look naive. “You guys have been on the news, although no one has information about how that guy died. People are saying there was no bullet ... but how can that be?”

  “It’s a mystery,” Cooper replied. “We’re still trying to figure it out. That’s why we weren’t ready for you today. I honestly forgot I sent the emails because we’ve been ... just dealing with stuff.”

  “It’s okay,” Nikki reassured him quickly. “We understand. Um ... do you just want us to wait until you contact us again or what?”

  “That would probably be best,” Cooper answered.

  “Actually, I think we should start the training today,” Hannah countered, catching Cooper by surprise.

  “You do?” He was incredulous.

  “I do.” Hannah managed to keep her smile in place, although it felt odd given the way everyone was looking at one another. “We’re technically shut down but that means it’s the best time to teach you guys the ropes. We won’t have to worry about tourists coming in, which means things will go fast. You can learn the basics today and then come back on the first day we’re open again. I mean ... if that’s okay with you.”

  “I happen to think that’s a great idea,” Nikki enthused. “I’m dying to get a tour of this place.”

  “I’m honestly looking forward to being able to wander around, too,” Ray admitted. “This place is ... amazing. I used to come here all the time with my parents years ago. Now I get to work here. It’s like a dream come true.”

  In Hannah’s mind, Ray was trying a bit too hard. Of course, he’d basically interrupted a private breakfast and was left to awkwardly stand there for a good five minutes before things were sorted out. She couldn’t blame him for feeling out of sorts.

  “Well, why don’t you join us for breakfast?” She inclined her head toward the takeout containers. “I’m sure Sheriff Boone brought plenty.”

  “I did,” Boone confirmed with a smile, although he didn’t look altogether thrilled at the thought of eating with virtual strangers. “I always get two meals for everybody because
Cooper and Tyler eat like horses ... and Jinx enjoys his scraps because he’s a good boy.”

  Hannah smirked as Boone handed Jinx another sausage link. “Once we’re finished eating and you guys have loaded up on caffeine, we’ll get to work. Honestly, it will be ten times easier teaching you guys what’s necessary when there are no customers to slow us down. I think it will be good.”

  “It sounds good to me.” Nikki smiled shyly as she took the seat next to Tyler. “This all smells wonderful. I was too nervous to eat before I left the house.”

  “Well, dig in.” Tyler grinned at her, enjoying the way she studied his black-and-blue face. “I have a feeling you’re going to fit right in with us. You might as well have a meal and start the introductions on a high note. That’s when we’re at our chattiest.”

  “I’m looking forward to it.” She said the words but appeared leery. Still, she was game to give it a try. “Can somebody pass the coffee?”

  16

  Sixteen

  Even though she initially thought it would be an uncomfortable situation, Hannah found that having two new faces to focus on was a great way to free her mind. She was keyed up, waiting for another attack, which meant her mind was always firing and taking little downtime. She was a firm believer that she got her best ideas when passively figuring things out, so that’s what she hoped would happen today.

  “It’s pretty easy, and you guys are experts anyway,” Hannah offered as she showed off the various coolers beneath the bar. “We keep the imports on this side and the domestics on this side. Behind the saloon, there’s a locked storage building. Between rushes, we restock the coolers and whatever liquor we might need. It’s important that you lock the storage building after each trip. It’s a liability issue.”

  “I bet the insurance on this place must be massive,” Ray noted. “I can’t imagine having to foot that bill.”

  Hannah shrugged. “It is what it is. The payments are part of the profit plan so I honestly don’t think much about it.”

  “But ... what about the guy who died out here the other day?” Nikki asked. She had a rag in her hand and was already wiping down the hand-carved counter. She was the industrious sort, didn’t like sitting around doing nothing when she could be bettering her environment. Hannah liked that about her.

  “What about him?” Hannah asked, confused.

  “Won’t you be on the hook for a payout to his family? I mean, I’m not an expert, but that seems like standard operating procedure to me.”

  “Well, it’s a little convoluted,” Hannah hedged. She didn’t begrudge the young woman her curiosity, but she was genuinely uncomfortable talking about the situation. “The death is ... a little weird.”

  “How so?” Ray was busy taking in the bar situation, acclimating himself to the location of the gins, vodkas, whiskeys, and rums. “I should think that would be pretty straightforward. My understanding is that some guy went nuts, stole one of your performer’s guns, and shot another guy. Am I missing something?” His eyes were lit with interest when they locked with Hannah’s more somber gaze.

  “Well, it’s more difficult than that.” Hannah hesitated and then barreled forward. “I probably shouldn’t tell you this but, since you’re going to be working here, I figure you have a right to know. The thing is, the coroner couldn’t find a bullet in the body.”

  Ray’s eyebrows hiked. “Doesn’t that just mean there’s a bullet buried in the ground somewhere?”

  “They’ve looked. Everywhere. Plus ... there was no bullet path inside the body. It’s all very weird and nobody knows how to explain it.”

  “But ... you’re saying that you’re likely not on the hook for the death because they can’t prove how he died,” Ray pressed.

  Hannah found his intensity a little off-putting but managed to keep her smile in place. “It’s a difficult situation. We’re still trying to figure it out. I don’t know what to tell you. Honestly, I’m in the dark.”

  “Hey, it’s good for you, right?” Nikki’s smile was wide. “That’s the most important thing.”

  Hannah held out her hands and shrugged. “I think the most important thing is that two men are dead. I can’t see much past that.”

  “Well, right. Still, you won’t lose your property. That has to make you happy.”

  “I’ll be happier when I know exactly what’s going on.” Hannah’s smile was tight. “Come on, though. You guys wanted a tour of the town. Now is as good of a time as any to give it to you.”

  Ray nodded perfunctorily. “I’m really looking forward to it.”

  COOPER WALKED THE TOWN UNTIL JACOB finally stirred, appearing at the bottom of the steps that led to the second floor of the brothel. The FBI agent looked freshly showered but hardly bright-eyed. In fact, if Cooper had to guess, the agent would’ve been happier sleeping the morning away rather than doing his job.

  “Good morning,” Jacob called out when he found Cooper watching him.

  “Good morning.” Cooper tilted his head in greeting, although he felt mildly embarrassed at being caught staring at the federal law enforcement authority. “I was starting to wonder if you were still here.”

  “I’m still here.” Jacob winked at him. “Sorry to disappoint you.”

  “I’m not disappointed,” Cooper reassured him quickly. “In fact, I’m happy you’re here. This situation is ... uncomfortable ... for everyone concerned. We need whatever help we can get.”

  “Well, then this works out well for everybody.” Jacob dragged a hand through his damp hair and glanced around. “Things are quiet. Is anybody up here besides you and Hannah?”

  “Tyler is over in the paddock with the animals. Boone is running around somewhere, although he mentioned having to check on a few things in town, so it’s likely he might’ve left ... although he’ll come back eventually. Hannah is training two new bartenders and you might see them walking through town. She plans on giving them a tour.” He hesitated before continuing. “Jackie and Danielle are taking advantage of the lull in the schedule and reorganizing the seamstress shop. It’s something they’ve been talking about for months and they finally have the chance.”

  “I see.” Jacob’s expression was hard to read but, for some reason, Cooper got the feeling that he wasn’t happy with the news. “I guess I thought it would just be a few of you ... like last night.”

  “Hannah and Tyler are the only ones who live up here full time,” Cooper explained.

  “Yes, but you were up here last night, too.”

  “I ... .” Cooper felt put on the spot, but he barreled forward. “Hannah and I are together. I spend almost all my nights up here.”

  “So, you live up here, too.”

  “Not technically. I still have a place outside of Casper Creek.”

  “Do you spend any time there?”

  “Not really.”

  “So, for all intents and purposes, you live with Hannah.”

  “I ... we’re very close.” Cooper didn’t like the direction of the conversation so he decided to extricate himself from it. “I should actually check on Hannah and see how her morning is going. Then I have to see what Tyler is doing. If you want to touch base later, I’ll be around.”

  Jacob waved off the suggestion. “I’ve got everything under control.”

  “Really?” Cooper couldn’t help being dubious. “Do you know what happened?”

  “Not yet, but soon.”

  He was full of himself, Cooper realized. Basically, he was a law enforcement legend ... but only in his own mind. As far as Cooper was concerned, Jacob Hoffman couldn’t investigate his way out of a box. That didn’t mean he couldn’t create trouble for Hannah if he didn’t tread lightly.

  “Well, then I’ll let you get to it.” Cooper forced a smile that he didn’t feel. “If you need anything, don’t hesitate to track me down. I want to help you any way that I can.”

  “I’ll keep that in mind. You have a good day now.”

  “You, too.”

  HANNAH
KEPT ONE EYE ON COOPER and Jacob as they talked down the street and the other on the blacksmith shop as she gave Nikki and Ray their tour.

  “Basically everything in the town works as it’s supposed to,” she explained. “That means that everything in here could be used if it ever came to it ... and some of the stuff is used for demonstrations. We try to be as authentic as possible.”

  “This place would be great to hide out in if there was ever a zombie apocalypse,” Nikki enthused, her eyes sparkling as she glanced around. “I mean ... it’s not an easy location to access because of the mountain. Sure, zombies could come in through that side road, but they would be easy enough to cut off and I bet you have fences and stuff around to stop them from getting in.”

  Hannah had no idea what to say. “Um ... I’ve never really considered that, but it makes sense ... kind of.”

  Nikki beamed at her. “I watch a lot of horror movies. I’ve even given some thought to exactly how I would want to survive should it happen. I think this place would be great.”

  “I ... guess.” Hannah rubbed her cheek. “Honestly, I can’t say as I’ve ever really thought about surviving the zombie apocalypse ... at least in any meaningful sense.”

  “I would totally kill the apocalypse,” Nikki said on a laugh. “I’ve even drawn up plans and know where to go to grab food right away to wait through the initial bloodbath.”

  Hannah’s laugh was hollow ... and she didn’t know what to say as a follow-up. The silence was heavy as it hung over them, and then Ray made a tsking sound and shook his head.

  “You must be so proud, Nikki. You’ve thought through a scenario that is unlikely to ever happen. Bravo.”

  Hannah froze at the word. It felt pointed, not an off-the-cuff remark. Slowly, she tracked her eyes to Ray and found him studying her with an intensity that she found off-putting.

  “Oh, now you’ve done it, Ray,” Nikki intoned in a voice that made the hair on the back of Hannah’s neck hop to attention. “You just couldn’t leave it alone for another few minutes, could you? We almost had her isolated at the edge of town.”