by Tegan Maher
Ms. Warton gasped. “Is it Beatrice? Has something happened to my daughter?”
“No, ma’am,” Grant said. “Can we come in?”
“I’m in the middle of working on my formulas,” Ms. Warton said. “Is it really necessary you come in?”
“No, ma’am, we can stand out here and speak if you wish,” Grant said smoothly.
“Call me Liza, Detective.”
“Liza, we have an eye witness putting you at Tinker’s Antiques yesterday afternoon.”
“Yes, I was there. Probably around three or four o’clock.”
“Why were you there?” Grant asked.
“Well, it is almost Christmas, Detective. I do need to buy gifts for family members.”
“Are you aware Mr. Tinker was murdered yesterday?”
Ms. Warton gasped. “Why no, I was not. How dreadful!”
“Can you tell me, specifically, what time you left the store?” Grant asked.
“Ummm…let me see. I guess it would be around three-fifty or four o’clock. I only remember because Mr. Tinker mentioned he still needed to find a basket and gift to give to someone who would be there in an hour. I think he mentioned people stopping by around five. But that’s just a guess. I don’t know for sure.”
“The witness I spoke with placed you there around three, and you say you left around four. That’s nearly an hour inside the store. Did you buy anything?” Grant asked.
“I did, yes.” She put her finger to her lips, eyes twinkling. “But they’re Christmas presents so I can’t tell you.”
“Do you have a receipt?”
Ms. Warton frowned. “I suppose I do somewhere. Hold on and let me see if I can find it.”
She stepped back inside her house and closed the front door. I didn’t even have time to question the odd behavior before the door swung open and Ms. Warton stepped back outside, handing Grant a receipt. He nodded and handed it back to her.
“When you left at four,” Grant said, “Mr. Tinker was alive?”
Ms. Warton gasped. “Most definitely.”
“Did anyone else enter the store while you were in there?” Grant asked.
Liza pursed her lips. “I don’t believe so.”
“Did you see the Yule Log in the window when you entered the store?” I asked.
“Mrs. Songbird’s prized possession?” Liza asked. “Yes, I did. Stunning as always.”
“Serena tells me you sell your own skin care line in your store,” Grant said.
“I do.”
“Did you attend college on the mainland?” Grant asked.
“I did. I received a bachelor’s degree in Chemistry.”
I thought Grant was going to ask her another question, but instead, he handed her his card. “If you think of anything else that might help in the investigation into Mr. Tinker’s murder and the theft of the Yule Log, I’d appreciate it.”
Liza gasped. “The Yule Log? You mean Mrs. Songbird’s familial log is missing?”
“Did I forget to mention that?” Grant said.
“Yes, you did,” Liza said. “The poor woman. She must be going mad. I know how much that log means to her family.”
“Well, if you remember anything that will help in the investigation,” Grant said, “I’d appreciate you letting me know.”
“Of course, Detective.”
Liza closed the door, and we walked back to Grant’s vehicle. He started the car and pulled out onto the road. Once again I waited for him to start the conversation.
“I smelled it,” he said.
“What?”
“The smell I smelled on Laverne and in Mr. Tinker’s shop. I smelled it on Liza Warton.”
“That is so weird,” I said. “I haven’t smelled anything. But what would be Liza’s motive to kill Mr. Tinker and steal the Yule Log?”
“That I don’t know. There’s no crazy long-standing family feud between Mr. Tinker, Bronwyn Songbird, Laverne Swindell, and Liza Warton is there?”
“No. Not that I know of.”
“Liza Warton’s property isn’t near any of the others,” Grant mused, “so it can’t be a land dispute.”
“Maybe the chief was right,” I said, “and the murder had more to do with the Yule Log than of Mr. Tinker himself.”
11
“It’s almost one,” Grant said. “Do you want me to drop you off at the bakery?”
“Please. We have another hour before we close, and I’m sure they could use the help.”
“I’m going to follow up on some leads at the office,” Grant said. “You still plan on attending the Yule Parade of Lights and the Christmas tree lighting tonight?”
I nodded. “I am. Are you?”
“I’ll be working. Unless there’s a crack in the case.”
“Then I guess I’ll see you tonight,” I said.
He grinned. “Maybe we can grab a cup of cocoa or something.”
I grinned back. “Maybe.”
Ten minutes later, I gave Grant the evidence we’d collected, waved goodbye, and hurried inside the bakery. Piper wasn’t at the front door, so I figured we’d given away all the Christmas cookies.
“There you are,” Mom called from behind the counter. “Just in time to help Tamara in the back.”
I wove around the eight or nine customers inside the store, gave Mom and Tamara’s mom each a kiss on the cheek, then headed to the kitchen. Hanging my purse on the peg, I grabbed my apron and hurried over to Tamara.
“I guess we’re out of cookies?” I asked.
Tamara groaned. “It was a madhouse out there. I think Piper gave away her last cookie right before lunch. She decided to head over to the park to see what was going on and to do some Christmas shopping. But enough about that. What’s going on with the investigation?”
I motioned her closer. “I personally don’t think it’s Kyle Night. After we finished talking to both the Songbirds and the Nights, I feel pretty confident I know what’s going on there.”
“You mean something outside of the feud?” Tamara asked. “What?”
I grinned. “I think Brenna Songbird and Kyle Night are in love.”
Tamara gasped. “No! I can’t believe it. Their parents are going to freak.”
“Understatement.”
“So who does that leave?” Tamara mused. “Laverne Swindell?”
“Well, she was in town yesterday around four, so it’s plausible.”
“But you don’t think so?” Tamara asked.
“I honestly don’t know,” I said. “But get this…Liza Warton was at Tinker’s Antiques too. She’s probably the last one to see him alive.”
“What motive would Liza Warton have to kill Mr. Tinker and steal the Yule Log? That makes no sense.”
“I know. I’m truly stumped. Pun intended.” I picked up a cupcake and started frosting. “There’s something else.”
“More?”
“I think Detective Wolfe may have the wolf gene inside him.”
“What?” Tamara set down the cupcake she was decorating. “What makes you say that? I mean, that’s serious, Serena.”
“I know. Today when we were out, he picked up on things I couldn’t and…well, and a human couldn’t either. He noticed a high-pitch frequency and he kept smelling a certain scent I couldn’t discern.”
“Someone needs to tell him. The next full moon happens in a week and a half, right before Christmas.”
“I know. I want to ask him if he’s noticed any changes, but I’m afraid to. You know how weird he still is about everything revolving around the island.”
“Maybe you should,” Tamara said. “He needs to know. Or at least let his grandparents know.”
Could it be possible that Grant did, in fact, have the wolf gene? He’d been on Enchanted Island long enough to channel that capability if it was there, just lying dormant all these years. You either had it or you didn’t. If he did have the gene, he’d be the first in his line to have it, seeing as how it skipped his dad and grandfather. But st
ranger things had happened.
We worked until two, then closed down the bakery to go home and relax a few hours until we needed to be uptown for the Yule Parade of Lights and Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony.
“Good evening, Ms. Spellburn. Don’t you look lovely.”
I turned and smiled up at Grant. “Why thank you, Mr. Wolfe. Nice of you to say so.”
I’d taken a little extra care with myself tonight in anticipation of seeing him. My dark skinny jeans were tucked into black knee-high boots with a forest green sweater and a black knee-length cardigan. My matching red scarf and gloves made me feel very Christmas-y.
“I have to help direct traffic after the parade and then again after the Christmas tree lighting,” Grant said. “But maybe after that we can get a hot chocolate?”
“I’d like that.”
Tamara bumped my hip with hers. “I see my mom. I’m going to go talk with her.”
“I actually need to go,” Grant said. “I’ll text you when I have a free moment.”
Tamara and I had just crossed the street when someone bumped me from behind. I turned to say I was sorry…and stared into the angry face of Laverne Swindell.
“Sorry,” she said stiffly. “I didn’t see you there.”
“It’s okay.” I didn’t want to let her sour my good mood. “No big deal.”
“I didn’t realize you were seeing Detective Wolfe,” Laverne said.
I frowned. “Is that a problem?”
She stared daggers at me for a few more seconds. “Anything new with the investigation?”
“Even if there was,” I said, “I couldn’t tell you.”
She leaned in close. “Little thing like yourself should probably be careful where she wanders at night.”
I frowned. “Were you following me last night, Laverne? Did you leave that little present for me this morning on my door?”
She leaned back and shrugged. “I have no idea what you’re talking about. You have a nice night and enjoy the festivities.”
Tamara sidled up next to me and grabbed my hand. “Everything okay here?”
“Just fine,” Laverne said. “I was just telling Serena to enjoy her night.”
Tamara and I watched her flounce away.
“She sure is something.” Tamara handed me a couple Glowstick necklaces and bracelets. “Get dolled up. It’s dark enough for the parade to start any minute now.”
The Yule Parade of Lights went off without a hitch. This year’s theme was A Magical Candyland Christmas, and while each lighted float represented a character from the board game, the hook was each float had to have an actual edible food to pass out. Grandma Nutt—Nana—sat rocking and waving to the crowd next to her peanut brittle house while her helpers hurled baggies filled with peanut brittle to the crowd, Princess Lolly and her helpers tossed lollipops to the kids, Queen Frostine and her court passed out cupcakes, and even Lord Licorice got involved by trying to make kids take the licorice he and his evil minions threw out…of course, they were all rejected and even a few got tossed back! But the best surprise was the final float holding King Kandy—Mayor Stone—waving next to a massive gingerbread castle, while on the street next to the float were dozens of Gingerbread Kids scrambling to hand out gingerbread cookies under adult supervision.
“That was awesome.” Tamara looped her arm around mine, and together we followed the crowd to the park where Mayor Stone would throw the switch and light the tree to signal the start of the Christmas and Yule season.
We spotted Grant standing about ten yards back from the tree and stopped next to him. He grabbed on to me when the crowd threatened to run me over.
“That was the best parade I’ve ever been to,” Grant said.
“Wait until you see the tree,” I whispered.
Five minutes later Mayor Stone—still dressed as King Kandy—walked up the wooden platform in front of the tree and addressed the crowd. Once he finished his speech, he reached over and flipped the switch, and thousands of lights illuminated the tree. I could hear the oohs and aahs around me.
“What the—is that…” Grant’s voice trailed off in awe.
Rising to the top of the tree were two dozen lightning bugs. They perched atop the tree in a star formation, and then ten seconds later transformed into an angel, after that it was a snowman. On and on it went.
“Yes,” I murmured. “Those are the fireflies that chased us around the forest in the Halloween maze during Samhain. Every night they will return to be the tree topper.”
“I don’t think this night could get any better,” Grant said.
“Hold that thought,” I said.
Tamara and I knew what was about to happen.
“Is that—are those sleigh bells I hear?” Grant mused.
No sooner had the words left his mouth when squeals of delight, from kids to adults alike, permeated the air. I pointed upward for Grant to see. Flying high in the sky were eight reindeer pulling a waving Santa in a sleigh.
“Are those flying reindeer?” Grant asked. “Like actually flying reindeer?”
I laughed. “Of course. What else would you expect on Enchanted Island? It is a magical place to live, remember?”
“Flying reindeer,” Grant said, his head still lifted to the sky. “I’ve seen it all now.” He dropped his head and pulled me closer to him. “You’re right. I shouldn’t expect anything less on this magical island.”
12
The Bad Boys theme song blared in my ear. Groaning, I reached for the cell phone next to my bed.
“Hello?” I croaked.
“It’s me, Grant.”
“What time is it?”
“Seven.”
“You’re aware this is the only day of the week I get to sleep past four in the morning, right?”
He cleared his throat. “Yes. And I’m sorry to wake you.”
“Uh-huh.”
“But I have a development in the case. Are you interested?”
I perked up at that. “You know I am.”
He chuckled. “I thought as much. Pick you up in ten minutes.”
I threw back the covers, raced to the bathroom to brush my teeth and fluff my hair, then changed into jeans, thermal shirt, and zipped up my red parka. I was about to make coffee when Grant’s vehicle pulled into my driveway.
“So what’s up?” I asked, as I hopped inside the warm Blazer.
“I received a frantic phone call from Mrs. Songbird. I’m not exactly sure about the facts, but I got the impression her daughter was watching over the Midnight Belladonna flower this morning when she happened upon the Night property and saw the Yule Log.”
I gasped. “You’re kidding? That doesn’t make any sense.”
“Maybe we had this all wrong.”
“Love is never wrong,” I said.
We drove in silence the rest of the way. As we rode up the bumpy driveway, I could make out Mrs. Songbird and Mr. Night in the back pasture yelling and pointing fingers at each other. Not wasting any time with parking and walking to where they were, Grant veered off and drove the fence line to where everyone stood.
“Be careful,” he said as he turned off the engine. “You never know how this kind of thing will go. It could escalate quickly.”
The Yule Log, heavily damaged, rested on a fence post. Ribbons were shredded, and not a single charm or decoration hung from the log. Kyle and Brenna stood huddled together, their arms wrapped around each other, looking miserable.
“You two need to calm down,” Grant said. “And then, Brenna, I need you to tell me what’s going on.”
Brenna looked up at Kyle then cleared her throat. “I was on watch until early morning, and I—I heard a noise. I decided to walk over to where I heard the noise. It was near the Night property line.”
“You’re not welcome near our home, young lady,” Mr. Night said.
“Dad!” Kyle hissed. “Stop!”
“Don’t you talk to my daughter that way,” Mrs. Songbird said.
Gran
t held up his hand. “Enough. Continue, please.”
“So I—I cut through the property like I normally—I mean—” Brenna started to cry. “I’m sorry. I usually walk that way in the mornings.”
“What’s going on?” Mrs. Songbird asked. “There’s no need for you to go anywhere near the Night property, Brenna. What are you saying?”
Kyle reached over and hugged Brenna close. “Brenna and I have been seeing each other for about six months now. Seriously seeing each other.”
“What!” both parents exclaimed.
“I forbid it!” Mr. Night yelled.
“How could you do this, Brenna?” Mrs. Songbird asked.
“We didn’t want to tell you because we knew this would be your reaction,” Brenna said.
“I’ve asked Brenna to marry me,” Kyle said, “and she’s said yes.”
“Over my dead body!” Mr. Night said.
“That can be arranged,” Mrs. Songbird replied. “It wouldn’t be the first time my family has taken out a Night family member.”
“Enough!” Grant exclaimed. “Are you two listening to yourselves? You’re acting like children. Neither one of you even knew the original perpetrators of said offense. Right? I mean, you didn’t know your great-great-great grandma, and you didn’t know your great-great-great grandpa. So how about you put this childish behavior on hold until after we figure out who murdered Mr. Tinker, who stole the Yule Log, and why both were done. How’s that sound?”
No one said anything for a full five seconds.
“You’re right,” Mrs. Songbird said. “I’m sorry, Detective Wolfe.”
“As am I,” Mr. Night said.
“Now,” Grant said, “how about I get the full truth, Brenna. Tell me everything.”
Brenna nodded. “During the nights, while I watch over the Midnight Belladonna, Kyle walks out to keep me company. Usually he leaves and hides right before Mom or my sister comes to relieve me, and then I walk him home to our shared property line near his house. Only this morning, as Kyle was getting ready to go hide, we both heard this loud noise. We decided to see what was going on. As we neared the Night fence line, we saw the Yule Log sitting just like it is now on a post.”