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Wynona continued walking around the desk, looking for anything else that was amiss, but the room seemed clean other than the body and papers. “Can anyone tell what he was hit with?” she asked. “The only thing I have in here are books, and I don’t think that would have killed him.”
“If hit right, they could,” Daemon murmured, his eyes roaming the room. “But I agree, I don’t think the wound looks like a book hit. It had to have been something else.”
Rascal was bent over the body. “But what?” he asked. “It must have been heavy, the perp must have been fairly tall, and to catch him on the back of the head means that the victim trusted the other person enough to turn away from them.”
Wynona shook her head. “Or he didn’t hear them coming.” She tapped her fingernails against the desk. “I still think it’s possibly a robbery gone wrong, even though I have no idea what they would have wanted to steal.”
“Look through your files,” Chief Ligurio ordered. “See if anything’s missing.” He paused. “Do you own this place?”
Wynona shook her head. “No. It belonged to Roderick, remember?” The first case Wynona had ever helped with had started just like this. A dead body in her office. But that time, her landlord had been the one involved and she had helped put him behind bars. “His properties were all turned over to his corporation after he died. I’m currently owned by a board, not a single entity.”
Chief Ligurio huffed. “Sounds about right.” One black eyebrow rose high. “And you really can’t think of anything worth stealing? What about your antiques? Anything that might have caught some interest there?”
Wynona paused. “I hadn’t thought of that, though all the teacups I’ve bought have been at thrift stores, so it would be odd.” She shrugged. “But not impossible.” She looked over to Daemon. “Would you come help me see if there’s extra magic in anything?”
The large officer nodded and together they walked out of the office and down to the dining room. Wynona led him to the huge cupboard where she kept her collection. “I’ll look for anything missing and you look for magic that doesn’t belong?”
“Right.”
The next few minutes were quiet between them, though the crowd of officers milling about the shop kept up a steady chatter. Once again, however, Wynona came up empty handed. “I don’t see any cups that are missing. There are no holes and nothing looks like it’s been rearranged to hide a theft.”
“Agreed,” Daemon said in a serious tone. “All the traces of magic I see are attached to a cup.”
Wynona put her hands on her hips. “This is so weird. Why was he here?”
Daemon shook his head. “I’m not sure. But maybe they thought there was something here and it wasn’t? Maybe your friend was killed over a misunderstanding?”
“He’s not really my friend,” Wynona corrected. “I don’t think he’d count me as one either.” She chewed on her bottom lip. “I suppose it’s also possible he was just upset about yesterday and trying to cause trouble, but then why the death? Vandalizing the place is one thing. Killing is another.”
“Agreed.”
Wynona walked back to the office. She swallowed when she got inside and saw the coroner there.
“Blunt force trauma,” the red cap said in his nasally tone. He adjusted his hat and pushed his spectacles up his nose. “I’ll be able to look better for things like fibers or splinters when I do a full autopsy in the office.”
“Any guesses on time of death?” Rascal asked.
The coroner shrugged. “Sometime between eleven and two last night? His body has cooled a decent amount.”
Chief Ligurio nodded. “Thank you, Azirad.” The chief began taking some notes. “I think our best lead is the girlfriend.”
Wynona paused. “What?”
Red eyes turned her way. “Your employee? You mentioned they’re dating?”
“Well, yes, but you...you think she killed him?”
The chief stuffed his notes back in his pocket. “It’s our most likely story.”
“What about a robbery?” Wynona argued back.
“You said there was nothing to steal.”
“Maybe not, but that doesn’t mean he knew that.” She waved at the dead body, which was finally being zipped into a bag. “Why in the world would Thallia kill her boyfriend?”
“Lovers quarrel all the time,” Chief Ligurio said casually. “They probably used your office as a meeting place and something got out of hand.”
Wynona shook her head. “There’s no evidence for that.”
“There’s no evidence of anything,” Rascal muttered. He sniffed. “I don’t like it. The robbery and the lover story both lack a foundation. There has to be something we’re missing.”
Chief Ligurio growled but nodded. “Fine. I sent Heskill to pick up the family. Let’s interview them and go from there.”
“Did anyone check to see if Dralo had family?”
“He doesn’t,” came a squeaky voice from the doorway.
Wynona spun. “Prim! What are you doing here?”
Prim was in her fairy form, which was unusual when she was around so many human-sized creatures. She said it made her feel at a disadvantage. But her wide pink eyes and pale skin told Wynona the fairy was in shock. She turned those pink eyes to the chief. “He moved here a few years ago, right out of high school. At least those are the rumors. They say he was a foster creature, so no family that anyone’s aware of.”
“Still,” Chief said, his tone a little softer now. “We’ll do some digging, but thank you, Ms. Meadows. That gives us a starting point.”
She nodded, her movements slightly jerky.
Daemon shifted, his large body coming to stand a little closer. “Why don’t I walk you to the dining room, Primrose?” he asked softly. His black eyes darted to Wynona. “I’m sure Wynona can get you something to help settle your nerves.”
Prim started to nod, then stopped herself. “No...wait.” She took a deep breath, obviously steadying herself. “He was dating Thallia Pearlily. It was all very...” Prim made a face. “Forbidden, for lack of a better word,” she said with an apologetic tone. “Her parents hated that he was from the other side of the tracks, if you know what I mean, but Thallia...” Prim shrugged.
Wynona should have known that Prim would know the Pearlily’s. It was apparent that Thallia came from money, and that more than likely meant they were a prominent family in the fairy community, of which Prim was a member. Plus, Wynona’s pink-headed friend loved a good bit of gossip and forbidden relationships would have been at the top of that list.
“Mr. Pearlily is known for being...very vocal,” Prim said carefully about his disdain for Dralo.
Chief Ligurio turned to give the fairy his full attention. “Do you believe him capable of killing, Ms. Meadows?” Ever since Chief LIgurio has accused Prim of murder and then found out she was innocent, he’d been much more formal and polite in how he addressed her. It was, most likely, the only apology Prim was going to get from the vampire.
Wynona was holding back an inappropriate giggle at the way he was speaking. He’d been formal with her for a long time as well, but seeing the vampire speak to a tiny fairy in such a polite way just struck Wynona as a little humorous.
You mean he’s getting his just desserts? Violet offered. Eating humble pie?
Wynona pressed her lips together. Not helping, Violet.
Someone has to call it like it is. She sniffed.
Wynona shook her head and went back to focusing on the situation at hand.
Prim was shaking her own head. “No. I’m not accusing anyone of anything. I’m simply saying there were high tensions among that family and that Dralo wasn’t exactly known for being...”
“A law abiding citizen?” Daemon offered.
Prim looked up at him and nodded. “Right.”
Wynona studied the pair. It was an interesting comparison. Even for a human, Daemon was tall, coming in several inches over six feet, and his features were dark. His skin was tanned and his hair as black as his eyes. He was handsome and well built, and Wynona adored him as a friend. But her best friend, Prim, was exactly the opposite of Daemon’s steady and calm nature.
Prim was flighty and easily excitable. She tended toward the dramatic and was always eager to jump in with both feet. Her pink hair and eyes were as bright as her personality. The only things missing were wings. A fluorescent set would have been a perfect match for Prim’s demeanor, but just like Wynona had been dealt a raw deal when she was born with bound magic, Prim had been born without wings. It made her an outcast among fairies, but perfect for Wynona.
The fact that the black hole and fairy were beginning to have feelings for each other made Wynona look at the situation with a more critical eye. Could two such opposing personalities work? Would Prim’s effervescence eventually drive Daemon crazy? Would his solid foundation make Prim feel like she was being held back?
Why don’t you let them figure that out? Rascal teased.
Wynona turned away from the couple and met her soulmate’s eyes. Sorry, she said sheepishly. I just can’t help but wonder. I love them both, so I want them both to be happy.
They’re both adults, Rascal sent her. If they want to see if they can find happiness with each other...they’ll take care of it themselves.
Spoilsport, Violet huffed. She twitched her tail. Love life meddling is a woman’s right.
Rascal rolled his eyes and Wynona shook her head. I wasn’t planning to meddle. I was just curious.
Tomato, tomahto, Violet sent back.
Hush, Wynona said finally. This isn’t important right now. She ignored when Violet protested. They needed to work on figuring out Dralo’s killer and whether or not it was a violent crime. “Is it at all possible that there was simply an accident?” she asked.
Rascal made a face, then shook his head. “I don’t think the crime scene lends itself to an accident. We have no murder weapon, the blood is pooling on the floor and not smeared through the doorway to indicate he was dragged in here from somewhere else, and if it was an accident, I think there would be a bigger mess. Don’t you?”
Wynona nodded, knowing he was right, but it didn’t mean she had to like it.
“The simple answer is often the right one,” Chief LIgurio said softly. “And I think all of us know this isn’t an accident. I don’t like it any better than you that another body has been found in your office, that your shop will have to be closed or that you’re involved in yet another investigation, Ms. Le Doux,” the vampire explained. “But there truly is no other explanation for what we’re seeing.”
“And Thallia?” Wynona pressed. “You really think she’s the best suspect?”
Chief Ligurio shrugged. “Either her or her father, it sounds like. We’ll have to talk to them to find out their alibis.”
Wynona nodded and rubbed her forehead. She was getting really tired of all these dead bodies popping up when her life was so complicated.
Are you seriously asking people to only get murdered when you’re bored? Violet asked.
“I didn’t say that,” Wynona hissed, then paused when she realized she’d said it out loud.
Rascal tried to cough to hide his laughter, but it was no use.
“Sorry,” Wynona said sheepishly. She pointed to her shoulder. “Someone’s in a mood this morning.” Her mental blocks had never gone up so fast when Violet decided to respond to the allegation.
The mouse ran down her shoulder and continued chittering as she marched across the room and ducked under her favorite bookcase.
Prim’s eyebrows were nearly to her hairline as she watched the scene. “I think she’s mad,” she whispered.
Wynona shook her head. “I’ll bring her a cookie later. It’ll be fine.”
Not likely! Violet shouted.
Wynona rolled her eyes. Sometimes her familiar was more work than she was worth.
Prim covered her mouth and laughed softly. “Sorry,” she said between giggles. “I think I’m still in shock.”
Wynona smiled back. “No. It’s fine.” She walked over and took Prim’s arm. “Let’s go get that tea.” Before they left, Wynona looked up at Daemon. “Would you come sit with her while I take care of things in the kitchen, please?” It took all she had not to react when Daemon’s chest puffed out a little.
“Of course,” he said in an official sound tone.
Wynona led the way, bringing Prim with her. “Have a seat here,” Wynona said, settling Prim on the couch. “I’ll be back in a minute with your drink.”
Prim nodded and her eyes fluttered to Daemon as he stood next to the sofa.
“Feel free to have a seat, Officer,” Wynona said casually over her shoulder. “I need to talk to Lusgu as well as make the tea, so I might be a couple minutes.” Not hearing anything behind her, Wynona paused just inside the kitchen door and peeked back, grinning when she noticed Daemon inching closer and closer to the cushion on Prim’s right.
Not a meddler, huh? Rascal teased.
I was simply providing an opportunity, Wynona sent back. She smiled when he laughed at her. Her smile remained while she got the tea ready. Odd as the pair might be, watching to see if something actually developed between the two creatures might be a bright spot in an otherwise stressful time. The idea of keeping her eyes peeled for more than just clues to the case appealed a little too much.