Magic & Mishaps

by Annabel Chase

  I stifled a laugh. Was I allowed to laugh without the talking stick?

  “As you can probably surmise from Ember's reaction, no,” Alec said. “I very rarely rush into anything. I'm quite methodical. Even when I write my books, I'm what's known as a plotter, not a pantser.”

  “Then why do you think you formed such a quick attachment to Holly?” Dove asked.

  Alec fell silent. As tempted as I was to take the talking stick from his hand and give my interpretation of events, I resisted the impulse. One of the points of therapy with Alec was to get him to open up and that wouldn’t happen if I constantly tried to speak for him.

  Dove waited another beat before trying again. “What attracted you to Holly in the first place?”

  Inwardly, I cringed. I didn't really want to hear this.

  “She could have been purple with a head like a gremlin for all I cared,” Alec finally said. “I only wanted to stop thinking about Ember. I thought another woman was the best way to ensure that. It was a misguided notion, I realize that now.”

  “And why did you need to stop thinking about Ember?” Dove asked.

  “She is the niece of my boss. As you know, Hyacinth Rose-Muldoon is the most powerful witch in Starry Hollow, if not the most powerful paranormal full stop. If I embarked on a relationship with Ember and it soured, it could cost me my career.”

  “And yet here you are,” Dove said in a mild tone. “Why else?”

  Alec flinched. “Must there be another reason? I would think career suicide would suffice.”

  Dove untucked his legs. “You’re a best-selling fantasy author. Everybody knows you only helm Vox Populi for fun. There was no real professional risk to you. So what else?”

  Ooh, snap. The shaman was sharper than his wrinkles suggested.

  “Hyacinth is a formidable witch…”

  I retrieved my phone from my pocket to see whether Marley had texted or called. I noticed another attempt by Linnea. It wasn't like her to be so persistent, so I decided to click on her most recent message.

  “Let's take Hyacinth out of the equation,” the shaman was saying.

  My heart seized when I read her message. I snatched the talking stick from Alec. “We have to go.”

  Dove frowned. “Ember, I'm sure whatever reason Alec has is worth hearing.”

  “I’m sure it is, too,” I said, “but right now, I’m the one who needs to be heard.” I turned to Alec. “Linnea’s been trying to get in touch because she's in the middle of a crisis.”

  Alec regarded me with a curious expression. “What kind of crisis?”

  “It's the guest we met last night,” I said. “Bonnie Rydell. She's dead.”

  Chapter Three

  Unsurprisingly, Linnea looked distraught by the time Alec and I arrived at Palmetto House. I tensed when I spotted Sheriff Nash's car out front. Hopefully, he would be too distracted by the crime to give me one of his guilt-inducing glances.

  “I can't believe something like this happened here,” Linnea said, wringing her hands. “The kids and I were asleep downstairs. What if something had happened to one of them?” Her porcelain skin was flushed with worry.

  “Where are the kids now?” I asked.

  “They’re with Wyatt,” she said. “Thank the gods he was on time for once. I didn't even find Bonnie until after they'd gone. I went upstairs to see if she wanted breakfast. When she didn’t answer, I started to get concerned that she’d had more to drink last night than I realized, so I opened the door.”

  “It was unlocked?” I asked.

  “Yes,” Linnea whispered. “I could tell the moment I saw her that she was dead.”

  “Too much alcohol?” I asked. “Pills?”

  Linnea balked. “Oh no. Much worse. It was nothing she did to herself, I can tell you that much.”

  My gaze shifted to the ceiling. “Is the body still up there?”

  Linnea shook her head. “No, it's just Granger and Deputy Bolan searching for evidence.”

  The mention of the children prompted me to call Florian and ask him to check on Marley at the cottage, now that I’d be later than the time I promised. I didn’t tell him why. No need to derail Marley’s progress by telling her I was late because of a murder.

  Deputy Bolan was the first to descend the stairs. He spotted me and grimaced. “My breakfast is suddenly repeating on me. I can’t imagine why.”

  Sheriff Nash followed closely behind. He was better at hiding his reaction. “Good morning, Rose. Didn’t expect to see you here.” He ignored Alec.

  “Linnea texted me. What did you find?”

  “The room was wiped clean,” Sheriff Nash said. “Couldn't even find prints for the victim.”

  “Any sign of a break-in?” I asked.

  “Not that we could find,” the sheriff said. He looked at Linnea. “I’ll need a list of everyone here last night.”

  “Well, you’re looking at three of them,” Linnea replied.

  The sheriff's brow lifted. “Hale, too?”

  Beside me, Alec stiffened. “Yes. Ember and I dined with the family and returned home afterward.”

  The sheriff flinched. “Whose home?”

  “Does it matter?” the vampire asked.

  “I have other guests,” Linnea said. “A lovely couple from Spellbound.”

  The sheriff surveyed the main floor. “Where are they now?”

  “They left early this morning to go to Balefire Beach,” Linnea said. “Emma was so excited. Apparently, she wasn’t allowed to go to beaches as a child and…”

  “Any idea when the couple will be back?” the sheriff asked.

  Linnea frowned. “You don't think they had anything to do with this, do you? She's about to give birth. I remember how I felt at that stage. No way did I have the energy to hurt anyone. I was too tired to drag myself into bed and ended up on the couch half the night.”

  “I’m sure Wyatt loved that,” the deputy mumbled.

  “I’d like to speak to them when they get back,” the sheriff said. “The husband…Any chance he's a vampire?”

  My ears perked up. “Why is that relevant?”

  Sheriff Nash glanced at me. “I wasn't asking you, Rose.”

  “Then I’ll ask,” Linnea said. “Why is that relevant?”

  “Because of the puncture wounds and the fact that Bonnie Rydell's body was drained of blood,” the sheriff replied.

  “The body was nothing more than a husk,” the deputy added.

  Linnea blanched. “I knew it was bad, but I didn't really stay long enough to take a closer look. I ran straight downstairs to call you, Sheriff.”

  “Puncture wounds,” I repeated.

  The sheriff scrutinized Alec. “I’ll have to ask you to come to the station with me, Hale. Answer a few questions.”

  I nearly lost my temper. “You can't be serious. You know perfectly well that Alec had nothing to do with this.”

  “I know nothing of the sort,” the sheriff said. “That's why we have investigations, to figure these things out.”

  I advanced toward the werewolf, my hands balled into fists. “Just because you’re upset with me doesn't make it okay to take it out on Alec.”

  Linnea and Deputy Bolan each took a step backward to put distance between them and us. Whatever was about to go down, they didn’t want to be in the middle of it.

  “Are you questioning my professional integrity, Rose? Because I would advise you not to do that.” Sheriff Nash did not look pleased.

  I took another step forward. “Are you threatening me, Sheriff? Because I would advise you not to do that.”

  In the end, it was Alec who stepped between us. “It isn't a problem, Ember. If the Sheriff would like to obtain a statement from me, I am more than happy to comply. I have nothing to hide.”

  The sheriff gave a crisp nod. “Why don't you two head to the station and I’ll meet you there? I just need to take care of a few more items of business here before I leave.”

  I was still radiating anger
by the time Alec and I returned to his car. “What is he thinking? He's just trying to get back at us. I can't believe he would do something like this. It’s completely unprofessional.”

  Alec covered my hand with his. “It'll be fine, Ember. Try not to worry. The sheriff is devoted to his job. I don't think he would let his personal feelings interfere with the murder investigation.” He pulled away from the curb and headed for the sheriff’s office.

  “We should call my aunt,” I said.

  Alec’s grip on the steering wheel tightened. “I can handle this. There’s no need to involve Hyacinth.”

  “If he tries to arrest you, you'd better believe I will use every weapon in my arsenal to set you free,” I said firmly. And Granger would hate every second of it. He resented my aunt's influence in this town, but I was willing to use it if I had to. If the sheriff was still bitter about our breakup, then he needed to take it out on me, not Alec. Arguably, pointing the finger at Alec was taking it out on me.

  “I was with the victim last night,” Alec said. “And Bonnie appears to have been killed by a vampire. I know you think his emotions are clouding his judgment, but perhaps it's the other way around.” He shot me a quick look. “Not that I blame you, of course. It's reassuring to see you rise to my defense without hesitation. To be honest, I'm not accustomed to such wholehearted support.”

  “I guess that's something we should talk about in therapy then.” I knew very little about Alec’s history and he had a difficult time sharing it. At least it was an issue we were both aware of and willing to work through.

  “I’m not exactly focused on our next therapy appointment at the moment,” he said.

  “Fair enough.”

  Alec parked at the sheriff’s office and we entered the building to wait for the sheriff. He must've called ahead because we were directed straight to one of the interrogation rooms where a glass of water was already on the table. We made ourselves as comfortable as possible under the circumstances.

  “Do you have a lawyer?” I asked. If not, I would ask my aunt for hers.

  Alec offered a patient smile. “Ember, I have been taking care of myself for much longer than you’ve been alive. There’s no need to coddle me.”

  My body relaxed slightly. What was I thinking? Alec ran a newspaper. He owned a gorgeous house. He had a chauffeur and a book deal. Of course he had a lawyer.

  “I’m sorry,” I said. “I just really don't like any of this.”

  “I think you've made that clear, Rose,” the sheriff said, swaggering into the room. Deputy Bolan scrambled to keep pace with the werewolf’s longer strides.

  I zeroed in on the leprechaun. “You’re not going to waste our time with good cop/bad cop, are you?”

  “Calm down,” the deputy said, motioning downward with his hands. “This is a simple conversation.”

  “Remember what I said in the car, Ember,” Alec said softly.

  He was right. I was overreacting, but only because I was afraid. When you’d suffered loss the way I had, it didn't take very much to trigger intense fear that someone I loved would be taken from me.

  The sheriff turned his chair around and straddled it. Deputy Bolan perched on the edge of the chair beside him. My inner mean girl wanted to offer to get him a booster seat, but I resisted the urge, not wanting to make things worse for Alec.

  “Why don't you tell us more about dinner last night?” the sheriff asked in a conversational tone.

  “Linnea had invited the three of us over for dinner,” I started.

  Alec placed a hand on my thigh. “I do believe the sheriff is speaking to me.”

  I shrank back against my seat. “Sorry,” I mumbled. I considered leaving the room, but I wanted to keep an eye on the situation. I would just have to restrain myself.

  “And you met Bonnie at dinner?” Sheriff Nash asked.

  “Yes, she was a guest at Palmetto House,” Alec said.

  “And what did you think of her?” the deputy asked.

  The vampire bristled. “I’m not sure I understand your question, Deputy.”

  “Did you enjoy her company?” Deputy Bolan asked.

  “She was quite engaging,” Alec replied.

  “Did you find her attractive?” Deputy Bolan pressed.

  Alec hesitated. “I can’t say I noticed.”

  Sheriff Nash barked a short laugh. “Somehow I doubt that. Based on our information, Bonnie Rydell was an attractive nymph.” A deliberate pause followed. “You dated a nymph recently, didn’t you?”

  Alec balked. “Holly?”

  The sheriff snapped his fingers. “That's the one. You were dating her right up until you decided to change partners and took up with Ms. Rose here. Isn't that right?”

  “I don't see what Holly has to do with any of this,” the vampire said. “Yes, the women were the same species, but they’re nothing alike. Even if they were, my relationship with Holly ended amicably and I'm quite content in my new relationship.”

  Sheriff Nash looked at his deputy. “Remind me what the victim was wearing when she was found?”

  “A red dress,” the deputy said.

  Sheriff turned back to Alec. “A tight red dress,” he said. “That’s your favorite color on a woman, isn’t it? If memory serves, you find it hard to resist.”

  Alec leaned back and folded his arms. “I’m sure you’re enjoying this, Sheriff.”

  Sheriff Nash suppressed a smile. “I won’t say I’m not enjoying it.”

  “As a general principle, I prefer not to speak ill of the dead,” Alec began, “but I can see that you will leave me no choice. The truth is I did not find Ms. Rydell attractive in the least. She wasn't my type.”

  “What was wrong with her?” I asked. Bonnie was attractive, had a killer body, and seemed like enjoyable company. I would’ve thought she was every man’s type.

  “Nothing was wrong with her,” Alec said.

  “Then why wasn’t she your type?” I asked.

  “Because she wasn't you.”

  Deputy Bolan rolled his eyes and groaned. “You don't have to keep trying, you know. You won. She's yours.”

  The sheriff flinched at his deputy’s statement.

  “I also found her a bit off-putting,” Alec added.

  I reeled back. “Alec, how can you say that? She was wonderful company.”

  “Spit it out, Hale,” the sheriff said. “I can tell you’re sitting on information.”

  Alec inhaled sharply. “I fear this won’t help my case.”

  Alarm bells rang in my head. “What won’t?”

  “She hit on me,” he admitted. “After dinner at the inn.”

  My eyes popped. “She did what now?”

  “She demonstrated a sexual interest in me.”

  On the one hand, I understood. Alec was undeniably handsome. I mean, who wouldn’t want him? On the other hand, Bonnie had spent an awful lot of time quizzing us on the origins of our respective relationships. She seemed to exhibit an enthusiastic interest in love. Considering that she’d just died a horrible death, it seemed ridiculous that my feelings were hurt by her, and yet they were.

  I smacked Alec’s arm. “Why didn't you mention it to me?”

  “Because it seemed unimportant and I didn't want to upset you.”

  “How exactly did she hit on you?” Sheriff Nash asked. “Is it just that you’re that irresistible to all women?”

  Alec’s nostrils flared. “I stepped outside to take a call from a member of my staff. When I finished the call and turned to come back inside, Bonnie was behind me. She made it clear that she was interested.”

  Now that he mentioned it, I remembered that Bonnie left the table after Alec took the call. She’d said she was going to the bathroom.

  “How did she make it clear?” the deputy asked.

  Alec cleared his throat. “She touched me in an inappropriate place.”

  I was fairly certain I had cartoon steam coming out of my ears. “She what?”

  “She was intox
icated. I quickly moved away and told her that I wasn’t interested,” Alec said. “I returned to the table and gave the matter no further thought.”

  “Did she try anything else?” the sheriff asked. “Maybe she invited you back to her room for a nightcap?”

  “Nothing of the sort,” Alec said. “She returned to the table and picked up the conversation with everyone as though nothing had happened, and I did the same.”

  “Did it upset you that she touched you without permission?” the sheriff asked.

  “It was more of a surprise than anything else,” Alec said. “Usually you can tell when a woman is interested. Bonnie’s actions didn’t seem genuine.”

  “Didn't seem genuine?” I said. “She grabbed your…” I struggled for an appropriate word.

  “Junk,” the deputy finished for me.

  “Thank you,” I said. “How was that not a genuine expression of her intentions?”

  “I don't know that I can explain it any better than that,” Alec said. “The fact that she returned to the table with such ease only seemed to support my instinct.”

  “When was the last time you saw her?” the sheriff asked.

  “When Ember, Marley, and I left,” he replied. “She was still on the main floor, drinking with Linnea. The other couple had already retired for the evening.”

  “And then what happened?” the sheriff asked.

  “I drove us back to the cottage,” Alec said.

  Sheriff Nash shifted in his seat. “Did you stay the night?”

  “No,” Alec said, and I noticed the sheriff’s eyes flicker with relief.

  “So you were home alone all night?” the sheriff pressed.

  “I went straight to bed because Ember and I had an appointment this morning,” he said.

  The sheriff's interest seemed piqued. “What kind of appointment?”

  “Why is that relevant?” I asked.

  “So you don't have an alibi?” the deputy interjected.

  Desperation coiled in my stomach.

  “What about Wyatt?” I blurted.

  The sheriff’s jaw clenched at the mention of his brother. “What about him?”

  “Doesn’t he have a key to the inn? He comes and goes there all the time.” I pressed forward, despite the sheriff’s hard expression. “He could’ve been inside at any point in the night without anyone knowing. Let’s face it, we all know he has experience slipping in and out of women’s bedrooms.”