Every Picture Tells A Fury (Federal Bureau of Magic Cozy Mystery Book 8)

by Annabel Chase

  The older Grace nodded. “Very well. He even frothed at the mouth.”

  “I don’t remember that,” I said, bristling. It bothered me that everyone wanted to keep Helena trapped in the past like a dragonfly in amber. She wasn’t the same demon anymore. She’d long since mastered her abilities.

  “Oh, it was terrible,” Adele said. “He only asked her for directions. His bouts of senility had just started and he forgot the way to the pharmacy.”

  “I’m sure it was an accident,” I said, wishing they would let go of the past. “Helena has a good heart. She never would’ve hurt a helpless old man on purpose.”

  “She’s a danger to society, that one,” Husbourne said.

  “She isn’t,” I insisted, my temper flaring. “And I’d appreciate it if we could stop dragging her reputation through the mud when she isn’t here to defend herself.”

  “Relax, Eden,” Hugh said. “This is the whole point of the supernatural council, to be aware of any potential situation that involves our kind.”

  “There’s no situation, so everyone can drop it,” I said.

  “There is another item on the agenda,” Adele said, fingering the pearls around her neck. The witch seemed to sense that my tolerance had hit its limit. “Eden has proposed that we include Mayor Whitehead in future meetings. Shall we put it to a vote?”

  “I think we should discuss the pros and cons first,” Husbourne said.

  Aggie raised a hand. “I’ll start. As you know, I’ve been around a long time and I don’t think it’s necessary to open the mayor’s eyes. In fact, I think it will be a distraction from her regular duties.”

  I looked at the chief. “Do you think it’s been a distraction from your normal duties?”

  He considered the question. “Well, I guess that’s somewhat true, but only because I’m still getting used to the whole idea.” He laughed. “Everywhere I look, I wonder if I’m dealing with a human or a supernatural. I check for horns and fangs, even though I know I won’t be able to see them.”

  “But you’re still performing your job and performing it well,” Adele said smoothly.

  “Why not trust that the mayor can do the same?” I asked. “She’s proven herself capable and trustworthy.”

  The council seemed to weigh the options.

  “I’d like to hold off,” Aggie said. “Law enforcement makes sense to me, but the mayor is different.”

  “Don’t you think the mayor should represent all the residents’ interests equally though?” I asked. “How can she do that effectively if she doesn’t know?”

  “Mayors have managed for many years while living in ignorance,” Aggie said. “I don’t see a pressing need to change now.”

  “I serve on both councils,” Husbourne reminded me. “It’s my job to make sure our interests are being considered. If they’re not, then we maneuver to make adjustments.”

  He made a good point. “Fine. I withdraw the suggestion.” For now.

  Chief Fox splayed his hands on the table. “Well, I appreciate you letting me in the loop. I think I’ll perform my duties more effectively knowing what I do, and it helps to be able to consult with Agent Fury.”

  A smirk flashed across Hugh’s face. At least I thought it was. It seemed to dissolve as quickly as it had appeared.

  “I’d like to raise a glass to Chief Fox’s inclusion,” Adele said. “I feel as though we haven’t properly welcomed him to the fold.”

  Husbourne raised his glass. “Better late than never, I say.”

  “Salut,” Hugh said.

  Aggie held up her glass. “May your heart and mind be as open as your eyes.”

  I lifted my glass and smiled. “Welcome to our world, Chief Fox.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  I woke up at seven the next morning and made a point of eating a healthy breakfast of granola and fruit. I opened the door to let Princess Buttercup out for a run and then set my laptop on the coffee table. I’d been feeling stressed lately and decided to take a page out of Kirk Hastings’ book and make another effort to integrate yoga into my routine. I’d tried and failed before, but maybe this time would be different. Clara insisted I needed to practice self-care in order to reduce my parade of negative thoughts and emotions. Although I wasn’t interested in returning to the yoga studio with Clara and Sassy, I’d discovered the wonderful world of YouTube filled with plenty of options for beginners like me.

  I pushed back the sofa to make space for my yoga mat, hit play, and then dropped my hands to the mat for downward facing dog.

  “What are you doing?” Alice whooshed into the living area as my butt went in the air.

  “Ssh. I’m supposed to stay present.”

  “You are present. You’re right here.”

  I turned my head toward the screen so that I could continue to follow along with the instructor. I felt like I was in the middle of a game of Twister, which wasn’t remotely fun by yourself.

  “No, I mean mentally present. Be in the moment.”

  “Become a ghost, dear. Your only option is to be in the moment.”

  “I’m immortal, remember? I don’t think becoming a ghost is a realistic option for me.” I held my hands in prayer position and closed my eyes to focus on my breathing.

  “I thought you disliked yoga.”

  I popped open one eye to look at her. “I’m giving it another try. I thought practicing by myself might work better.” Princess Buttercup whined at the door. “Can you let her in?”

  Alice drifted over to push open the door and the hellhound came bounding inside, eager to see what I was doing. When I moved into downward facing dog again, she copied me. I tried not to let it bother me that she was much better at it.

  Alice floated in front of the laptop screen. “Your instructor is very fit.”

  “And flexible.”

  She continued to stare at the screen. “Not as flexible as I am.”

  I rolled my eyes. “That’s because you don’t have bones, Alice.” I rolled my shoulders and immediately winced as the tight muscles resisted the movement.

  “I would have thought you’d be less tense now that you’re living in the barn away from your family.”

  “Me too, but apparently not.” As I shifted to cobra, Princess Buttercup sprawled across the floor.

  Alice wagged a finger. “It’s that secret you’re carrying on. Best take care, Eden. Secrets are more of a burden than you realize.”

  “It’s not a total secret. I mean, I’m in a relationship with him so obviously he knows how I feel.”

  “But it’s still a secret relationship. You live in constant fear that your family will discover the truth. You can’t speak freely around them, worried that you’ll say the wrong thing and expose yourself.”

  “I have experience living a double life, remember? All supernaturals in the human world learn to live with secrets.”

  “Yes, but you worry about your family more than most do.”

  “Can you blame me? Who knows what they’ll do if they find out?” I positioned myself on all fours for cat cow.

  “It must take a toll on you.” Alice floated over to hover beside the fireplace. “All these years later and I still remember poor Eliza Bradstreet.”

  “Who’s Eliza Bradstreet?”

  “A friend of mine back when I was flesh and bone and far less flexible. She was hopelessly in love with Alexander Howe and he with her.”

  I shifted to a plank position. “And what happened?”

  “Well, her family didn’t approve.”

  “Why not? Did his family sit in the wrong section on the Mayflower?” I dropped to my stomach and copied the yogi’s baby cobra pose. I was in favor of any pose with the words ‘baby’ or ‘corpse.’

  Alice adjusted her ruffled sleeves. “The Bradstreets and the Howes were friends on neighboring farms until Mr. Bradstreet accused Mr. Howe of poaching some of his livestock.”

  “Oh, the old ‘you stole my cow’ dispute.” I clucked my tongue. “What
farm family hasn’t endured a disagreement like that?”

  “It was a sad and stressful time.”

  “Eliza and Alexander weren’t able to get married?” I returned to downward facing dog, now engrossed in Alice’s story. So much for clearing my head and being present.

  “They met in secret for two years until her parents arranged for her to marry someone else. She was devastated and the stress of their secret relationship became too much for them.”

  I rose to a standing position and swept my hands up and over my head. “Too much for them? This isn’t a depressing story, is it? I’m doing yoga to try to reduce negative emotions and you’re going to single-handedly unravel all my efforts this morning.”

  “She started complaining of headaches and stomachaches. The doctor couldn’t find anything wrong and told her it was all in her head.”

  “She was a woman. Of course that’s what he told her.”

  Princess Buttercup rolled onto her side, as though she expected a belly rub. She seemed to think that the yoga was for her benefit.

  “In this case, it was true,” Alice said. “It was the stress of being in love with Alexander and having to suppress her feelings. It exacted a physical toll.”

  I thought of the tightness in my neck and shoulders and knew there was a grain of truth to it. “Did she die?”

  “Eventually.”

  I cringed as I rolled onto my back and tucked my knees to my chest. “She didn’t throw herself off the top of the lighthouse, did she?”

  “No, she died of influenza about twenty years later.”

  I froze in position and blinked at her. “Wait, what?”

  “She married the man chosen by her parents and lived an unhappy life, so I suppose part of her died long before the influenza took her.”

  “Did she and Alexander continue to meet?”

  Alice shook her head. “No, but she continued to suffer from physical ailments for the rest of her life and I’m certain it was from the stress of those unresolved emotions.”

  I sat up and glared at her. “That was a terrible story, Alice.”

  “It was for Eliza, but that doesn’t mean it has to be for you.” She gave me a pointed look. “I appreciate that you’re taking pains to improve your mental health, but yoga might not be enough.”

  I reached for the keyboard and stopped the video before it continued to the next one. “I have to weigh the risks, Alice, and right now the risk of revealing my secret is far greater than suffering in silence.”

  Alice shrugged. “If you say so.”

  I rolled up the mat. “I do, but thank you for sharing that experience.”

  “It’s partially self-serving. I don’t want to listen to you complain about headaches and stomachaches for the rest of eternity.”

  I smiled. “Fair enough.” As I jogged upstairs to shower, Alice drifted in front of me.

  “What’s the rush? Shouldn’t you be taking your time?”

  “I would, but I need to meet the chief at the dry cleaner. Apparently, Mr. Takedo opens early and we thought it would be best to speak to him when no one’s around.”

  “This is about the missing artist?”

  “Nari.” I went into the bathroom and turned on the water to warm it.

  “I’ve been listening, but I haven’t heard anything.”

  “Thanks. Let me know if you do.” I shooed her out of the bathroom and stripped off my workout clothes before stepping into the shower. I let the next five minutes serve as my quiet time where I kept my mind blank and enjoyed the sensation of the water rushing over my skin. I had to admit, I felt a lot better afterward. Clear-headed and ready to face the day. Maybe today would yield the break in Nari’s case that we desperately needed.

  I met Chief Fox in front of the dry cleaner’s. As I fought my instinct to greet him with a kiss, I was reminded of Alice’s story about Eliza Bradstreet. I didn’t want to suppress feelings to the point where I made myself physically sick. That seemed like a bad tradeoff.

  “Everything okay?” he asked, cocking his head to scrutinize me. “You look a little green around the gills.”

  “I tried yoga this morning,” I blurted.

  “And what happened? You got motion sickness from all those fluid movements?”

  “Something like that.”

  “This isn’t anything to do with your cousin from out of town, is it?”

  “Helena?” The question took me by surprise. “No. Why would you ask that?”

  “Because of the meeting last night. Your feathers seemed pretty ruffled.”

  I relaxed slightly. “No, I’m fine. I’m used to defending her.”

  “What’s the deal with Helena anyway?” the chief asked. “Everyone talked about her like she was a monster.”

  “I know. She had growing pains, that much is true, but she wasn’t malicious.” Unlike other members of my family. “Just…messy.”

  “They sure seem to be holding a grudge.”

  “And I wish they’d stop. She doesn’t deserve it.”

  He nodded. “I trust your judgment, Eden. If you say she’s on the level, then I believe it.”

  I smiled at him. “She’s on the level.”

  He inclined his head toward the dry cleaner’s. “Now let’s see if this guy is on the level.”

  I peered into the window to see Mr. Takedo behind the counter. He was hunched over what appeared to be a ledger. “I’ll let you take the lead on this one.”

  Chief Fox pushed open the door, triggering the dainty sound of a bell. “Good morning.”

  “Good morning, Chief Fox.” The kitsune’s gaze flicked from the chief to me and his smile evaporated. “I take it you’re not here for dry cleaning.”

  “Not today,” the chief said. “This is a consultant of mine…”

  “Agent Fury.” He nodded to me.

  “You two know each other?” the chief asked.

  “I am aware that Paul Pidcock required a replacement right around the same time that Chief O’Neill left us.” He lowered his head. “A tragic time for the town.”

  “Agent Fury and I are investigating the case of a missing woman named Nari. Know anything about that?”

  The color drained from his face. “Nari is missing?”

  “You didn’t know?” I asked.

  “I was aware that she hadn’t shown up to the last gathering, but I assumed she was off on one of her artistic adventures. ‘Filling the well,’ as she sometimes referred to it.”

  “She traveled?” I asked.

  “A few times a year,” Mr. Takedo said. “She sought inspiration in many places.”

  “You mentioned a gathering,” the chief said. “Was it a party or some kind of meeting?”

  Mr. Takedo hesitated and I understood his concern.

  “It’s okay,” I said softly. “He knows.”

  “You’re a kitsune, right?” the chief asked. “That’s a fox shifter?”

  “I am a kitsune,” he said firmly.

  I’d have to teach Chief Fox the finer points of dealing with supernaturals. Like you didn’t call a werewolf a dog unless you intended it as an insult.

  “Apologies. I’m still learning.” The chief’s easygoing grin seemed to do the trick.

  Mr. Takedo smiled in response. “I am glad to have a police chief who understands. I liked Mick O’Neill very much, but I think he would have been more effective if he’d known the truth.” He directed his attention to me. “Was this your doing?”

  “Sort of.” Although if it hadn’t been for the chief witnessing my death, I don’t know that I would’ve told him the truth.

  “The gathering is our monthly meeting of kitsunes,” Mr. Takedo said. “We shift in the woods together and explore. Nari missed the last one, but, as I said, that isn’t unusual.”

  “Are you aware of any issues between Nari and another kitsune?” I asked. “Personal or professional?”

  He looked affronted. “No, never. Nari is loved by everyone. She is what you call a f
ree spirit. The pups in particular are drawn to her openness.”

  I could see that. “When’s the last time you had contact with Nari?”

  “I called her the other day to let her know her dress was ready for pickup, but I only left a message.” He smiled. “She spilled yellow paint on a black dress and I was able to remove the stain.”

  “Kudos,” I said. “That paint is extra potent.”

  “Tell me about. There were tiny crystals. I had to remove them without damaging the fabric. It was like performing brain surgery.” He wiggled his fingers. “Very delicate procedure.”

  “She never got your message,” the chief said. “I have her phone.”

  Mr. Takedo frowned. “That is distressing news.”

  “She’s not very active on it,” Chief Fox said. “There were a few texts and voicemails, but not many.”

  “No, Nari isn’t big on technology,” he said. “She only upgraded her payment system at the gallery recently. I only know because I helped her with it.” He tapped his computer. “I have the same one.”

  “Thank you for your time, Mr. Takedo. We appreciate it,” I said. “If you think of anything, will you let us know?”

  “Both of you—together?” he asked.

  “No, we’re not together,” I said quickly, before I realized his actual question.

  “Either one of us is fine,” Chief Fox said, suppressing a smile. “Thanks.”

  As we exited the building, he gave me an amused look. “If this FBM gig doesn’t pan out for you, don’t even consider acting.”

  “Hey, I’ve pretended to be human for twenty-eight years and I fooled you.”

  “Fair enough. Where are you off to now?”

  “I’m going to pay a visit to Aggie’s sisters like she suggested.”

  He stopped at his car. “Any plans for tonight?”

  “Cheese Wheel,” I said. “Sassy wants help drowning her sorrows over a cheating boyfriend.” I smiled. “Maybe you could happen to be there too.”

  He grinned as he opened his car door. “Maybe I could.” He closed the door and started the engine.

  “Wear something slutty,” I called, as he drove away.