“I suppose so,” Bernard replied, still deep in thought. I picked up the cork to place back in the neck of the wine bottle. “I honestly don’t know. I guess that could be the reason I don’t remember anything after that moment.”
I read somewhere that poison was a woman’s most preferred choice of—
I hurled the cork toward Leo before he could finish his sentence. The last thing we needed was for Bernard to once again get despondent over the fact that Mabel could indeed have been the one to poison him.
Granted, I was still leaning toward Harold Lykos as being the culprit.
There had to be a way to speak with Harry about his father or grandfather, which I had yet to figure out who Harold might have been. Again, I didn’t know too much about lycanthropes.
They are hairy, smelly, and should be avoided during full moons. Those details were in the lesson plan from over six months ago, before the vampire lecture and after the zombie tutorial. Get with the program, Raven. You are absolutely the worst student.
For a familiar with memory issues, Leo could certainly recall specific details when it suited his purpose.
In this case, that was to my benefit.
It is? Oh, I see what you did there. This is really going to cost me, isn’t it?
“Leo, you and I are going to have lunch with a werewolf tomorrow.”
Sweet angel of mercy, you’re as bad as Skippy. You really are trying to kill me off, aren’t you? You know perfectly well that K9s disagree with me.
Chapter Thirteen
“Good morning, my dear Raven,” Beetle exclaimed as he breezed into the teashop around eleven-thirty the following morning. I’d manned the cash register, but Beetle had the afternoon shift. I had almost given him the entire day off for working all of Saturday for me, but I was so glad that I’d forgotten to make that call. “Good morning.”
“Morning,” I greeted with a smile, loving his enthusiasm for the job.
I don’t know how the man can have enthusiasm when he has to wake up next to the Mistress of the Dark every morning. It’s enough to make me want to hack up a hairball. Did you ever think that sheer terror is what actually motivates him?
I quickly veered my thoughts in another direction, not wanting to go down that rabbit hole. I’ll admit to not being thrilled when I first heard that Beetle and my mother had gotten engaged, nor when she’d announced that she was moving in with him.
Don’t get me wrong.
I have no desire to stand in the way of her happiness.
It was actually nice to have her on my side for a change. She’d hidden our lineage from me for thirty years, in an attempt to deceive me into leading a normal life. Somewhere deep down inside, I’d known all along that I wasn’t normal.
I was unique, and Nan had known exactly where I’d belonged all along.
Exactly, which is why she would be completely against us having lunch with the resident sasquatch. Or dinner with the prehistoric crypt keeper, for that matter. I mean, you’re basically going to accuse one of the yeti’s ancestors of murder. I’m not seeing where this lunch doesn’t end up with us being the meal. The only bright side is that we can’t go to dinner if we’re already dead.
“Leo, my boy!” Beetle exclaimed, straightening his bowtie as he made his way over to the display window. Even though the weather was beautiful, that never stopped the man from wearing a bowtie with a cardigan sweater. “Have I got a treat for you today! I sure do! What do you think of strawberry infused catnip flavor edibles?”
I love this man so, so much.
“I’m going to head out to lunch,” I told Beetle, grabbing the keys to my car. I was wearing one of my favorite broomstick skirts that had pockets, so there’d been no need to carry a purse. “Text or call if there’s an issue of any sort. I left this week’s receipts in the usual location.”
It’s not Beetle who’s about to end up being picked out of a werewolf’s teeth with a steel toothpick, Raven.
“I’ve got things covered, dear,” Beetle assured me, checking to see if the sample teas needed to be refilled. The wisps of his white hair flowed gracefully on top of his head as he walked toward me, reminding me of Bernard. “You go and enjoy your lunch. Enjoy.”
His propensity for repeating words had taken a while to get used to, but eventually it was just one of the adorable quirks that separated him from everyone else. He also had turned out to be a great salesman, somehow even managing to get my backlog of inventory off the shelves after the holidays.
“I’ll be back soon,” I called out over my shoulder, enjoying the sound of the bell above the door. Every time it pealed, I was reminded of how lucky I was to have Nan’s support, even if it was from the afterlife. I held the door open and arched an eyebrow in Leo’s direction. “Don’t make me come over there.”
I had major plans for my Monday afternoon. You’re ruining a very good trap that I was hoping to set for Skippy or one of his ninja misfits. I need a prisoner to interrogate.
It didn’t take a genius to figure out Leo’s plan.
I’d seen the bright pink feather he’d somehow confiscated from Mindy’s boutique. He most likely planned on somehow planting the feather on one of the squirrels, and then having Mr. C chase the squirrel back to their so-called secret headquarters.
That’s why I’m the genius, Raven. Tell me that isn’t the best plan that I’ve come up with yet? I strategized the most amazing…
Now that Leo was all animated to share the details of said plan, he’d hopped down from the display window and marched outside, all the while talking nonstop about how Mr. C couldn’t let a good bright-colored feather get away.
I waved toward Albert and Eugene, who were in front of Monty’s hardware store playing checkers. I was pleased to see that the board was getting used and not collecting dust in my hutch cabinet.
…once Satan’s mini-dragon flies overhead in a high-speed pursuit. Then, I will…
Leo continued to explain his strategy of how to seek out the neighborhood squirrels’ hideout while I lifted a hand to my brow in an attempt to cut down the sun’s glare. I’d texted Liam about our plans, being vague in my wording just in case Eileen had been standing next to him when the message went through.
As a dispatcher, Eileen knew everyone and everything that happened in this town. Too bad she hadn’t been around this place in the 1920s. I would have had my answers within seconds.
You’re not listening to a word I say, are you? And you wonder why I have a complex.
“I’m just surprised that Liam hasn’t replied to my message,” I replied with chagrin, knowing exactly how it felt to be ignored when I was talking things through with Leo. He had a habit of doing it as well, leaving me talking to myself. “I’m sorry. Keep telling me about your plan.”
I’ll forgive you this time, but only because there is a good chance that I’ll be consoling you by the end of the day over the demise of the good sheriff. Now, where was I?
I’d been about to unlock my car door when Leo’s words registered. My keys landed with a plop on the asphalt as I finally connected the dots on why Leo would say such a thing.
Liam always checked on Agnus come Monday morning.
He’d as much said so this past weekend, and I’d completely forgotten to tell him that maybe he should skip today’s visit.
Are you going to stand there all day or are you going to unlock the door? It’s getting stuffy in here. If I end up perishing, I’ll haunt you for all eternity.
I quickly scooped up my keys, unlocked the door, and settled behind the steering wheel as fast as I could without panicking over the endless possibilities of Liam’s fate. How could I have completely forgotten about his weekly visit to Agnus?
“Leo, this is terrible,” I exclaimed, turning the key over in the ignition to start the engine. “I’m a horrible girlfriend. That’s what it comes down to, and now karma is finally going to—”
The sound of a car horn blowing had me and Leo coming off our seats by
a good inch or two. My heart stuttered and fear shot through my body as my eyes struggled to register that Liam had pulled to a stop beside me, smiling through the open window.
Look at that, would you? The prehistoric crypt keeper let the good ol’ sheriff live to deliver us a message. I don’t see Ivan anywhere, so at least we know that no one is about to meet their maker.
By the time I had rolled down my window, Liam’s grin had vanished and been replaced with a frown. He was most likely attempting to figure out why I was acting like the time I’d thought he’d keeled over in town square, only to discover that a sheriff from a neighboring town had been poisoned unknowingly by his sister-in-law.
This probably isn’t the best time to point this out, but we do live strange lives that sometimes have little to do with magic.
“What’s wrong, Raven?” Liam asked, shifting the sheriff’s car into park. I was used to seeing him drive his personal truck, even during official business. The fact that he hadn’t today told me that he’d already driven out to Agnus’ place, and he’d wanted her to know that he was there to check on her officially. “Are you okay?”
“You saw Agnus.”
Of course, I’d constructed a statement versus a question. I already knew the answer, but now we needed details.
Do we? Do we really?
“Yes,” Liam replied, resting his forearm on the steering wheel without realizing he’d answered Leo’s question. Liam was even wearing his khaki buttoned-down dress shirt with his star pinned to the pocket. “Otis rode out there with me, otherwise I would have called and told you of my plans. I didn’t want to take any chances of altering my routine. Otis was the one who’d started the weekly check-ins with her, and he rides out there with me every so often. She acted no different than any other week, and she even mentioned that she was looking forward to her dinner with Gertie tonight.”
Do you smell that? Leo lifted his nose in the air, his whiskers twitching with each sniff. Something fishy is in the air, and the odor isn’t coming from the bay.
“Did she say anything else?” I asked, completely on board with Leo and his suspicions.
“Not a thing,” Liam assured me. “Are you still going to pay a visit to Harry?”
See? Even the good ol’ sheriff doesn’t think it’s a good idea to confront a werewolf about the possibility that one of his ancestors poisoned Bernard. I mean, what respectable werewolf uses poison? We really haven’t thought this through with much common sense.
I’d never really thought it about like that, but Leo did have a point.
A werewolf wouldn’t have chosen poison if he’d wanted to get rid of someone, right? Unless the flavor of the brandy that Bernard had been drinking had been nothing but a coincidence.
I’m assuming if Bernard’s death had been brutal enough that there was a good chance that he wouldn’t have remembered it.
The word brutal says it all, doesn’t it?
“Leo and I are heading to the library now,” I replied as I aimed one vent toward Leo and one toward me. The cool air was nice, especially after having gotten my air conditioning fixed last summer. Leo was having none of it, because his groan of frustration over my determination had him collapsing in his seat. “I was thinking of taking some lunch with me, but I’m not certain what reaction we’re going to receive once Harry knows my real reason for dropping by.”
For the first time today, I believe you just displayed a bit of intellect. Go figure.
“I’d offer to go with you, but I highly doubt that Harry would reveal anything in my presence,” Liam said, pulling a face of regret. He had a sworn duty to this town, and he didn’t want Harry to get the wrong idea. “It’s best that Harry continues to feel safe here. Maybe you should take your mother.”
Taking the Mistress of the Dark with us is like pouring gasoline over an open fire. My respect for the good ol’ sheriff is somewhat diminishing.
“Leo doesn’t think that’s a good idea, and I agree.” I gave Liam a shrug before bidding him a good afternoon. “Stay safe, and I’ll do the same. I’m more than capable of handling Harry. I’ll text you after I talk to him. Oh, and don’t forget that I have dinner at Gertie’s tonight.”
Liam waved back as he put the sheriff’s vehicle in drive, checking his rearview mirror to make sure he was still clear. Downtown traffic was quite light on Monday, though it should start picking up during the lunchtime hour. I gave him a smile and waved back, counting my blessings that I had someone to walk with me side by side on this supernatural journey.
As far as I can see, the only place we’re heading is toward two rows of sharp teeth that happen to belong to a werewolf. At least tell me that you brought the silver bullets.
“We’re talking about Harry,” I reminded Leo, checking my side mirror as I pulled out of my parking space. “He’s almost as sweet and gentle as Ted.”
Yeah, well, Ted doesn’t turn into a beast that can…
Leo’s gasp of excitement told me that he’d completely thrown out his previous plan for the squirrelpocalypse.
You’re a genius! Sometimes, you amaze me. This is going to be epic! Skippy and his ninja misfits don’t stand a chance against a werewolf. Step on it, Raven! We have ourselves a werewolf to see.
Chapter Fourteen
“What is it that you’d like to know, Miss Marigold?”
That Darth Vader voice gets me every time. My plans for the squirrelpocalypse are shaping up to be the battles of all battles!
Harry Lykos resembled more of a yeti or the fictional character of The Addams Family, Cousin Itt. Leo had pointed out those similarities to me before, and they were quite accurate. Harry’s silky brown hair was longer than mine, and he had a full beard that would make any biker jealous. Even though this supernatural being could shapeshift into a large beast depicted for centuries in folklore, his gentle nature reminded me that looks could be deceiving.
Besides, Harry was our local librarian.
He had two little tots who were like mini-clones, and a beautiful wife. He went out of his way to help any of the residents, and he’d even aided in one of our mysteries that we’d solved last year.
“Did you have a father or grandfather by the name of Harold?” I asked quietly, getting straight to the point. “He would have been alive circa 1920s.”
Harry and I had never officially come out to one another about being a werewolf and a witch. I’m pretty sure he knew of my lineage, just as I’m positive that he was aware of my knowledge about his ancestry.
He didn’t respond to my question, but instead slowly let his dark gaze wander across the various patrons who were either reading at a table or scanning the aisles for their next journey into the land of imagination. It wasn’t my intention to disrupt his day, but I had to think about the floating head in a hand mirror that still happened to be sitting on my mantel.
“I was just about to take my lunch out to the park bench under the shade of the large oak tree,” Harry said, waving to his young intern. Every year, the library hired someone for the summer reading program. It was usually the local high school valedictorian or the salutatorian, whoever needed to fulfill a community volunteer position for their college application. “Tyson, would you please take over my duties while I enjoy my lunch break?”
“Yes, sir,” Tyson responded with an energetic nod and smile. “Enjoy your lunch.”
You better hope that we don’t end up as his meal. Otherwise, my well-laid plans will be all for naught.
The library was pet friendly, so Leo had escorted me inside.
We both trailed after Harry as he made his way through the heavy front doors of the library. The sun was still shining, but I noticed that it wasn’t as loud as it usually was with all the nature sounds. Once in a while on our walk toward the empty bench, I could make out a couple of chirps from the birds. Other than that, the squirrels and chipmunks seemed to be missing in action.
I’m not sure what that says about us, Raven. How is it that our self-preserva
tion drive is less than that of a chipmunk?
“My wife always makes me more food than I can eat, so we’ll share.” Harry sat his lanky frame down on the bench, making sure there was room for me. The shade provided relief from the sun, so Leo sat back on his haunches directly across from Harry with a sigh of pleasure, looking rather disheveled with the bald spot on top of his head. “Here you go.”
I heard bald is in, you know. We’ll ask my soulmate later today. Her sense of fashion is par excellence. Not to change the subject on my ruggedly good looks, but what is that concoction in your hands?
Harry had handed me what looked to be a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. How was it that a werewolf would rather have a PB&J instead of a rare T-bone or steak tartar?
For all we know, nuts and fruit are the appetizer. Maybe he eats a balanced diet. Don’t push your luck and ask, Raven. For once, have a will to live beyond today.
I arched an eyebrow Leo’s way, but he was too busy keeping an eye on Harry, who was in the process of spreading a napkin over his lap. His hair somehow remained behind his shoulders, whereas mine fell forward every time that I looked down.
“Harold was my grandfather, and he was not responsible for Bernard Williams’ death.” Henry took a bite of his sandwich as the peanut butter in mine got caught in the back of my throat. I was still trying to swallow the thick sticky substance as he asked me a question. “Is that what you wanted to know, Miss Marigold?”
I can win the squirrelpocalypse another way, Raven. We should probably leave now, don’t you think? Hi-ho, hi-ho, it’s off to—
I would have agreed with Leo if Harry hadn’t just admitted to knowing about our little mystery concerning our phantom. If the local werewolf had known all along that Bernard Williams had been murdered, then he most likely knew about Agnus.
Look, I haven’t had enough catnip today to deal with a werewolf and a druid at the same time. Is there a reason that you are tempting fate again? We should regroup, and then send your mother in by herself wearing some raw meat perfume. The good ol’ sheriff evidently knew what he was talking about earlier when he made such an obviously stellar suggestion.
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