| |
Normally Wynona hated to make a single pot of tea and share it with everyone. It felt so impersonal and didn’t allow her to cater to individual needs. This morning, however, it was all she could bring herself to do.
Every time she poured a cup for her friends from the pot, she wanted to apologize, but the grumpy, sleep-deprived side of her grumbled internally that she didn’t owe anyone an apology. Trying to come to a happy medium between the two voices, Wynona smiled pleasantly and distributed the cups. “Hope you like ginger lemon,” she said.
“Nothing like a little citrus in the morning,” Prim said.
“This is wonderful, thank you,” Roderick replied with a sly smile in her direction.
Wynona relaxed a little. After waking up this morning, she had automatically called her friends and asked them to come over. She had learned very little from Rascal last night, but the more Wynona thought about it, the more she was sure she was on the right track. “As much as I’d like to say this is supposed to be a social visit, I’m afraid I have an ulterior motive.”
Prim giggled. “I think we both knew that, Nona.”
Wynona gave her friend a sheepish grin. “When this is all over, I promise I’ll host a tea party just for your sweet company.”
Prim pointed a purple nail at Wynona. “I’ll hold you to that.” She set her cup down. “Now. What’s going on?” Her brows furrowed. “You’re supposed to open tomorrow. Is there no chance of it happening?”
Wynona immediately felt a migraine begin to build in the back of her head. Twenty-four hours. She had twenty-four hours to figure this out or the label murderer would continue to hang over her head and her opening would be ruined. “I haven’t given up yet,” she assured Prim.
“What can I do?” Roderick asked. He glanced over his shoulder. “Have the police cleared the crime scene?”
Wynona nodded. “Yes. My concern no longer lies with that, but the fact that customers are going to be terrified to show up. I’m down to about fifty percent of the bookings I had.”
“Aw, sweetie,” Prim cooed. “This is so ridiculous! Anyone who knows you knows you couldn’t hurt a sprite!”
Wynona nodded wearily. “Thanks, Prim. But right now I just need this case over and done. Then hopefully word will get out I’m innocent and the opening can continue as planned.”
“Right.” Prim straightened in her seat. “What’s new with the case?”
“A theory.”
Roderick slowly set his cup down. “A theory? Nothing more concrete?”
Wynona debated telling them about the tea reading, but just like with Rascal, she couldn’t quite bring herself to do it. If the impossible had happened and Wynona had actually performed magic, the worst thing in the world would be for her family to catch wind of it, and if others besides her knew, they would definitely hear about it.
Instead, she shook her head. “No, sorry. Just a theory.”
“Well...go ahead.” Prim’s eyes were wide in anticipation while she sipped her steaming brew.
Violet’s squeak broke the silence and she scrambled up Wynona’s leg. “Sorry,” Wynona said softly. “I wasn’t trying to exclude you.”
Violet’s eyes seemed to narrow and she chattered in an angry tone.
“If I didn’t know any better, I’d think you’re getting scolded from a mouse,” Prim said between laughter.
“I think you’re right,” Wynona responded with a chuckle of her own. “Here.” She picked up a strawberry from the fruit tray and handed it to Violet. “Better?”
Violet sniffed and took her bounty a little farther down the table, much to Wynona’s amusement.
“Now that the mouse is settled...” Roderick urged.
Wynona’s demeanor grew serious. “I think it’s possible that we’ve been looking at the first murder all wrong,” she said solemnly. “And I think it’s possible our would-be thief, Mr. Skinflayer, had ties to the paranormal underground.”
Prim choked and began coughing harshly, while Roderick’s blond brows shot up so high, Wynona was sure they would reach his hairline. “The mob?” he asked carefully. “Are you sure, Wynona?”
After making sure Prim was breathing and well, Wynona responded with a nod. “I do.”
“And how did you come to that conclusion?” Roderick leaned casually back in his seat, but Wynona could see that every muscle in his body was wound tighter than a sprite on a sugar high. He was reacting just like Rascal had, and the protective demeanors of both men were incredibly flattering to her.
“Hear me out,” Wynona said, leaning forward. “What if the killer wasn’t after Chef Droxon at all? What if they knew they were killing Joksac Skinflayer?”
Prim squeaked. “What would that mean for the case?”
“It would mean that someone was upset with Mr. Skinflayer,” Roderick said with a narrowed gaze. His fingers strummed rhythmically on the table. “But who? And why?”
“Mr. Skinflayer had been attempting to steal Chef Droxon’s binder of recipes,” Wynona continued. “Perhaps he wasn’t stealing them for himself, but for someone else.”
“Someone who killed him when his mission failed,” Roderick finished for her. He nodded slowly. “That is an excellent deduction, Wynona.”
“But then why kill Chef Droxon?” Prim inserted. Her lips were pursed. “If all they wanted was the binder, why did they kill the chef?”
“Perhaps they were caught in the act?” Roderick proposed. “The thief ended up killing out of self preservation?”
Wynona shook her head. “No...there had to be more to it than that. Chef Droxon was killed in the middle of the day. Why would a thief, more than likely a seasoned one, kill a person in broad daylight?”
“And wasn’t the doppleganger dressed like Chef Droxon?” Prim offered. “Why would he be in the chef’s clothes?”
Wynona scrunched up her nose. “I have to admit that I haven’t figured it all out yet. But I feel like I’m closer.” She rubbed her temples. “But there’s something I’m still missing. I’m positive that if I can find that one little clue, it’ll all fall into place.”
“Wynona,” Roderick said in a firm tone, catching her attention. “I don’t think you should continue this pursuit.” He held up a hand to stop her rebuttal. “I know you want to open tomorrow. I know how much work you’ve put into this shop and how much it means to you. I do. I understand, but just yesterday we were talking about the possibility of you chasing a clumsy, blind thief. Now we’re looking at the possibility of Hex Haven’s most notorious and evil criminals.” He shook his head slowly. “I cannot in good conscience allow you to continue. Not when it’s so dangerous.” He reached out and put his hand over hers.
The coolness of his skin was so different from Rascal’s heat, yet both were soothing in their own way. Wynona gave him an understanding smile. “Thank you for your concern,” she said softly. “As someone who has never had much in the way of friends, I can’t tell you how much it means to me. But I just don’t think I can let this go.” She pulled away from his touch and splayed her hands to the side. “I can’t open with the word killer hanging over me. I know I didn’t murder anyone. You two—” Wynona glanced at Violet, “three know I didn’t kill anyone. Even Deputy Chief Strongclaw knows I didn’t kill anyone, but my customers don’t. They were putting their trust in me before they ever met me, and now it’s coming back to bite them on the ankle.”
She sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose. “They deserve to come in here and relax, not worry for their lives.” She snorted. “If anyone even has the courage to come.” She actually had an appointment later that afternoon with a celebrity who was planning a private tea party. So far, the cat shifter hadn’t cancelled, but Wynona was on edge with the possibility that every text she received would be exactly that.
With so many people backing out, a good review from Ms. Akina Kimoko would go a long way in restoring Saffron’s Tea House reputation in the media.
Roderick sighed. “It isn’t safe,” he argued.
“It wasn’t safe before,” Wynona responded, though she understood his concern. They were talking about a whole new level of danger with her recent evidence.
“Promise me you’ll be careful,” Prim whispered, her white hands clasped tightly. “I know we haven't been friends that long, but I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
If Wynona’s eyes grew a little misty, no one could blame her. She had so few people she counted as friends. It was a new experience to have people worried about her, and Wynona hoped she never took it for granted. She stood and walked over to Prim with her arms out.
Prim jumped to her feet and wrapped Wynona in a tight hug. For as thin as the fairy was, she sure had a tight grip. “Please be careful,” Prim whispered thickly.
Wynona nodded against her friend’s shoulder. “I will.”
Prim pulled back, stared into Wynona’s eyes, then added, “Okay. I believe you.” She glanced at the wall clock. “But if I’m going to have all your arrangements ready for tomorrow, I have to flit.”
Wynona smiled and wiped at the corner of her eye. “Thanks for coming this morning.”
“I know I’ve been useless in this case,” Prim said. “But I really am willing to help if possible.”
“There isn’t anything you can do,” Wynona reassured Prim. “I’ve mostly been chasing shadows.”
“Sometimes what’s lurking in the shadows is hidden for a reason.” The stoic words came from Roderick, who still looked less than pleased with Wynona’s decision.
Knowing she would need to face him directly, Wynona saw Prim to the door first. This was a talk that more than likely required privacy.
He was still brooding in his seat when Wynona came back into the room. She sat down across from him and put her chin high. “Just say it, Roderick.”
At her declaration, the stiffness of his shoulders relaxed. “What can I say?” he said, his tone softer than she’d expected. “You seem to have made up your mind.”
Wynona relaxed a little, grateful this wasn’t going to be a shouting match. “I have,” she said carefully. “But I always want to hear what my friends have to say.”
One side of his mouth pulled up. “Friends? Is that all we are?”
Well, that came out of nowhere. Wynona had no idea how to answer. She clasped her suddenly trembling hands in front of her. Yes, she found him attractive. Yes, she was drawn in by his confidence and suave manner, but she hadn’t been willing to let herself entertain the thought of anything more with the case and the opening of her business hanging over her head.
Plus, none of that took into account that she felt all those same things for Rascal.
Roderick’s chuckle sounded anything but amused and he started to stand from his chair. “I suppose that answers that question.”
Wynona jumped to her feet. “Please understand,” she begged. “It’s not that...I mean, I’m...” Each time she tried to confess her thoughts and feelings, the words failed her. What could she say? She just wasn’t ready, yet at the same time, she didn’t want to lose him completely.
Tilting his head, Roderick gave her a considering look. When he moved, it was with the sleekness of a lion. He exuded power and strength, a man who knew exactly what he wanted and planned to take it.
His touch, however, was much gentler than his aura as he stopped just shy of her and cradled her cheek in his hand. Slowly, as if asking permission, he leaned forward and left the lightest of kisses at the edge of her mouth.
Wynona’s heart fluttered so wildly, she was sure it would leave her chest completely. How could such a small touch elicit such strong emotions? Wynona locked her knees to keep them from giving out and wished for yet the millionth time that she had the power to control the temperature in the room. Apparently her thermostat was in severe need of work.
“I can be patient,” he said, staying so close to her mouth that the breath of his words washed over her skin, leaving goosebumps in its wake.
She had no words for him. All she could do at the moment was feel.
Several seconds later, she fluttered open her eyes, only to discover he was gone. The sound of the door clicking shut let her know he had left the building, leaving Wynona a mess of tingles and anticipation.
Slowly, she sank to her seat and put a trembling hand to her throat.
Violet caught Wynona’s attention when the tiny creature huffed and chittered angrily.
“What am I going to do, Vi?” Wynona asked, her eyes stuck on the room entrance. “How do I choose?”
Violet grumbled and smoothed down her fur.
Wynona had no idea what the mouse was saying, but she was definitely upset. “No ideas?”
Violet snorted.
Wynona shrugged. “I suppose that makes two of us.” She shook her head. “But again, I can’t do this now. The case needs to come first.” She glanced at the clock. “Oh my gosh! Ms. Kimoko is going to be here in just a few minutes. I have to hurry.”
Gathering up the tea set, Wynona began to haul everything back to the kitchen area. She nearly ran over Lusgu as she went through the swinging door.
“Run me over,” Lusgu grumbled, waving his hand at a sink of sudsy dishes. “Snake in the grass.”
Wynona paused and frowned. “Is something wrong, Lusgu?”
The brownie shook his head. “Can’t see it. Can’t see it at all. Dirty, dirty, dirty.”
Wynona glanced at the tray of dishes. “I’m sorry to keep making such a mess. I can wash these if you want.”
The tray lifted from her hands and floated smoothly to the sink area.
Sighing, Wynona went to the cupboard in order to prepare another pot for her coming guest. Lusgu was always muttering about one thing or another, though his favorite line seemed to be about wolves. Most of the time, Wynona had no idea what he was talking about. Perhaps when things settled down, she would be able to take the time to really get to know her employee.
If she even had need of an employee after this.