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“Yerba. For concentration. Careful,” Wynona warned as she set a cup of steaming tea in front of Prim. “It’s hot.”
Prim rolled her pink eyes. “No kidding?”
Wynona huffed. “Sorry.”
Prim grinned. “It’s fine. You just have a nurturing spirit.”
“Indeed,” Roderick said into his tea cup.
That blasted flush heated up Wynona’s cheeks and she quickly raised her own cup, hoping it would look like the steam was causing her to overheat instead of the compliment.
“What good is nurturing if you can’t keep your house clean?” Lusgu muttered as he walked by, guiding a broom around the table they sat at.
Wynona ignored his complaint, something she was getting quite good at, but she couldn’t help looking longingly at the way his fingers danced, making the broom do his bidding. It must be so nice to have such easy access to powers.
Roderick cleared his throat and Wynona blinked herself back into the present. She smiled. “Looks like we’re all...” Her voice trailed off when she felt something shift against her leg. She stiffened and her eyes widened. Was Roderick playing footsies with her? Seriously?
“Oh my goodness!” Prim squealed, bouncing in her seat and pointing at Wynona. “Now our circle is complete!”
Wynona relaxed when she realized the movement on her leg had been Violet.
“You look stunning today, Violet,” Prim gushed.
If Wynona didn’t know any better, she would say the purple mouse now sitting on her shoulder was preening. The thought, however, was entirely ridiculous. After cleaning her face, Violet turned her twitching nose toward Wynona.
“Hungry?”
Violet squeaked.
Picking up a bit of biscuit, Wynona handed it to the small rodent, who took it and settled in for a nice snack.
Prim put her face in her hand. “Do you think she’s your familiar?” the fairy asked.
Wynona shook her head, careful not to knock off her guest. “I don’t have powers, remember? A familiar would be attracted to the magic since that’s how they connect with their masters.”
“True.” Prim sighed. “Still, I can’t believe you tamed a mouse.”
The thought made Wynona pause. Really, she hadn’t tamed Violet at all. A few crumbs shouldn’t have been enough to tame any wild animal, but nonetheless, there was no denying Violet’s friendly personality.
“Why don’t we jump to why we’re here?” Wynona said, changing the subject. She didn’t have answers as to why she was suddenly friends with a mouse and her head couldn’t take more than one mystery at a time.
“Oh, yes,” Prim said quickly, straightening her tutu. She was in her human form at the moment, which meant the tuft of tulle was quite short, but Prim loved to dress dramatically. “Do tell us everything you’ve learned.”
Roderick had been sitting quietly the whole time, but his eyes had followed the conversation...and the mouse.
“I already told Roderick a few things earlier, but I now have more information, which changes what I already knew.” Wynona spent the next twenty minutes going over what she knew and the added information from Rascal. Knowing Mrs. Droxon gained nothing from the baker’s death put a massive shift in her direction.
“So, the wife would gain nothing? Not even a penny?” Prim said in disbelief. She crossed her slim legs and sipped her tea. “That seems rather harsh.”
Wynona shrugged. “I agree, but apparently it’s been that way since the beginning. She signed the prenuptial agreement.” Wynona paused. “Or at least someone in her family had her do so.”
“She does come from a rather wealthy background,” Roderick added. “I suppose it was a way to make sure she wasn’t marrying Atherton for his money.”
“And yet, that’s exactly why I believe she married him,” Wynona mused.
Prim shivered delicately. “Lifestyles of the rich and famous. I just don’t see the appeal. Give me a bed of roses and I’m happy.”
Wynona smiled at her sweet friend.
“But what about the son?” Roderick asked, looking back to Wynona.
Wynona sat up straight. “Son?”
The landlord nodded. “Yes. Mrs. and Chef Droxon have a son. What does the will say about him?”
Wynona pinched her lips together. No wonder Rascal had been so smug. He’d held back more information than he’d let on. If this wasn’t a one and done thing on the solving mystery front, Wynona knew she would need to become much better at picking people’s brains. “I didn’t even know there was a son.”
Prim’s pink eyes gleamed with intelligence as she leaned forward in a conspiratorial manner. “Funny you should ask that.” One side of her pale pink lips pulled up into a grin. “The Curl and Die was buzzing with his name today.”
“What were they saying?” Wynona asked, passing another bit of biscuit to Violet.
“That dear Kayne had been cut out of Daddy’s will.”
Wynona paused. “How would they know that?” That seemed like a bit too much of a coincidence, but it did add to her list of suspects. Both the wife and the son were cut off? Would Mrs. Droxon have killed in order to preserve her son’s standing as heir? Possibly before Chef Droxon could change the will? Would this Kayne have killed for his own sake?
Prim shrugged one delicate shoulder. “I’m not quite sure, but Gypsy is never wrong.”
Wynona worked to hold back her smile. She adored Prim, but her penchant for gossip was amusing at times.
Roderick raised a skeptical eyebrow. “Never?”
Prim glared at him in challenge. “Never.”
He nodded and turned to Wynona. “While I don’t necessarily have quite as much confidence in everything that filters through those doors, I do have to admit that the ladies there have an uncanny ability to know the pulse of the town.”
Wynona crumbled a cookie as she considered the situation. “Did anyone know why he was cutting Kayne off? Did they just have a falling out? How old is Kayne?”
Prim tapped her lips. “I believe he’s in his early twenties.” She grinned. “Awfully handsome, that one.”
Wynona’s eyebrows went up. Chef Droxon was anything but handsome. Another gnome might find his short, bulbous features attractive, but they weren’t anything Wynona would fawn over.
As if knowing exactly what Wynona was thinking, Prim waved a dismissive hand through the air. “Don’t worry, he takes after his mother.”
“Ah.” Wynona understood the appeal now. Elves could be very attractive indeed. The few males Wynona had run into since being free all held a sense of mystery about them that was quite alluring, even if their magic level was quite a bit less than a warlock’s. Not to mention, Maeve had been exceedingly lovely. Which was more than likely why she was Chef Droxon’s wife. He could afford the best.
“Anyway, as the only child of our famed chef, Kayne Droxon grew up...how to put it nicely...” Prim ticked her head back and forth. “Spoiled?”
Wynona laughed softly. “That’s putting it nicely?”
“It was the only word that worked,” Prim said with an unrepentant grin.
“I can imagine he was the apple of his mother’s eye,” Roderick added, setting his teacup down. He reached for a cookie. “Especially since her marriage was apparently not a happy one.”
Wynona nodded. “Yes. It would make sense. But still, most fathers don’t cut off their sons just for being spoiled.”
“Unless the spoiled child acts out against the father,” Prim offered.
“Maybe.” Was it as simple as that? Right now, Wynona wasn’t sure. Mostly, the information gave her an added suspect and a new motive. Instead of bringing clarity, it seemed as if her work was getting harder.
“So we have the neglected wife, the prodigal son and the secretary, right?” Prim asked.
“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 his 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.