“I’m sorry about the chief,” I said. Divorced or not, I knew Margaret had to be struggling to come to terms with his sudden death.
“Thank you.” She slammed the ball across the court with such force that Lance actually missed the return.
“I absolutely adore your intensity, Margaret,” Lance said.
Margaret curtsied in response.
Chief Fox cleared his throat. I’d almost forgotten he was standing next to me.
“May I introduce the new chief?” I said. “Chief Fox, this is Margaret, Chief O’Neill’s ex-wife.”
Lance’s gaze travelled over the chief. “Well, aren’t you precious?” He tossed his racquet over his shoulder and crossed the court to shake the chief’s hand. “Lance Hardaway. If you have any interest in joining the country club, I can definitely pull the necessary strings.”
“It’s not that kind of club,” I said. “Anybody can join.” As long as they could afford the fees.
“Nice to meet you both,” Chief Fox said. “Ms. Kowalski, would you mind if I asked you a few questions about your husband? He left a lot of paperwork and I’m trying to make my way through it. It would be helpful to have your input.”
“Of course, dear.” She sashayed off the court, swinging her wide hips for Lance’s benefit. Bless her.
Chief Fox glanced at Lance. “Would you mind giving us a few minutes? Maybe grab yourself a drink.”
“How about I get you one while I’m at it, you thirsty boy?”
“I think you’re the one who’s thirsty, Lance,” I said pointedly.
“I’ll take a water,” Chief Fox said. “Thanks.” He seemed oblivious to Lance’s efforts to charm him.
Lance headed back to the club with a spring in his step.
“What is it you need to know?” Margaret asked. She dropped onto the bench, letting her fatigue show now that Lance was gone.
“According to documents in my possession, you’re still the recipient of your ex-husband’s insurance policy,” the chief said.
I watched Margaret closely for a reaction.
“That doesn’t surprise me in the least,” she said. “He was never good about following through with things. Why do you think I’m the one who filed for divorce? If I didn’t take care of something during our marriage, it didn’t happen. Vacations? Bills to be paid? I did it all.”
“He was dedicated to his job,” I said, almost apologetically.
“That he was,” Margaret agreed. “At the expense of his marriage. Nothing else mattered.”
“To be fair, it is an all-encompassing job,” Chief Fox said. “That’s why I’m still single.”
I’d kind of hoped he was single, so it was nice to have it confirmed. Not that I planned to date him. I only just moved back to town. The last thing I needed was to start a relationship with the new chief of police and set tongues wagging. As an FBM agent, I had an obligation to stay below the radar and do my job without attracting attention.
“So you didn’t know about the insurance policy?” I asked.
She grunted. “Nope. How much is it?”
“Seven hundred and fifty thousand dollars,” Chief Fox replied.
She whistled. “Are you serious?”
“I’m surprised you didn’t know,” I said. “If you were responsible for all the paperwork.”
“The policy was acquired during the marriage,” Chief Fox added.
Margaret stared into space. “I’d pestered him about getting one for ages. His line of work was dangerous, and I worried a lot when we were younger. I never wanted to be a young widow. I didn’t realize he’d actually done it.”
“Well, he did it,” Chief Fox said. “Do you know his attorney, Jayson Swift?”
Margaret snorted. “Unfortunately. Is he the one I should talk to?”
“I’m sure he’ll be getting in touch,” Chief Fox said.
“Any idea why the chief was at the waterfront the day he died?” I asked. It was a long shot, but worth asking.
“I didn’t keep up with Mick’s schedule,” Margaret said. “I did think it was odd when I heard how he died, though. Mick avoided water whenever possible. He wouldn’t even honeymoon in Barbados like I wanted to. No islands, he said.” She shook her head. “He was such a stubborn fool. I should’ve known right then the marriage wouldn’t last.”
Chief Fox’s interest was piqued. “Why did he avoid water?”
“Because he couldn’t swim,” Margaret said. “Never learned and then was too old and embarrassed to get lessons. He didn’t advertise the fact, but you’d never see him at the pool here at the club.”
“Funny place to live for a man who hates water,” Chief Fox said. “You’ve got the Chesapeake on one side and the river, too.”
“He grew up here,” Margaret said. “He wouldn’t leave unless…” She sighed. “Well, only death could part him from Chipping Cheddar. The O’Neill family goes back generations in this town.”
“Any reason to think someone would want to hurt him?” the chief asked.
Margaret met his penetrating gaze. “He was the chief of police. I’m sure there were plenty of people who wanted to hurt him.”
Chief Fox didn’t flinch. “What about his personal life? The family that’s been here for generations? Any grudges you’re aware of?”
Margaret appeared thoughtful. “He and his brother Ted had a longstanding dispute over the parcel near Cheddar Gorge.”
“A parcel of land?” Chief Fox asked.
“A family property,” Margaret said. “Their uncle had left it behind when he died but he didn’t have a will. Ted insisted that he was the favorite nephew and their uncle would’ve left it solely to him.”
“The uncle died without a wife or children of his own?” I asked.
“That’s right,” Margaret said. “Lots of girlfriends but never one good enough to marry in his eyes. Probably for the best. He was a philanderer anyway. He wouldn’t have made any woman a good husband.”
“Where can I find Ted O’Neill?” Chief Fox asked.
“The lighthouse,” Margaret and I replied in unison.
The chief blinked. “He lives in the lighthouse?”
“No, he works there,” I said.
“But he spends a lot of time there,” Margaret added. “It’s your best bet to catch up with him.”
“Great, thanks for your help,” the chief said. He retrieved a card from his pocket and handed it to Margaret. “If you think of anything else, will you let me know?”
She took the card. “You think I don’t know the chief’s number by heart?”
The chief gave her a sympathetic smile. “I’m sorry for your loss, Ms. Kowalski.”
“Thank you.”
Lance returned with two bottles of water and handed one to Chief Fox. “To quench your thirst, Chief.”
“Thank you, Lance.” The chief unscrewed the lid and took a deep drink, his lips wrapped around the bottle’s neck.
I watched Lance’s reaction with amusement. He gaped at the handsome chief with his mouth hanging open.
“Show’s over, Lance,” I whispered, as the chief put the lid back on the bottle.
Lance clamped his mouth closed.
“Shall we resume play?” Margaret asked her instructor.
“Yes, I believe I need to work off some energy,” Lance replied.
“It was nice meeting you,” Chief Fox said. “I’m sure I’ll see you around. Thanks again for the water.”
“Thanks again for the dreams I’ll be having tonight,” Lance said, softly enough that only I could hear him.
I suppressed a laugh.
Chief Fox and I walked back to the car in silence. Only when I slid into the passenger seat did he finally speak.
“What do your instincts tell you, Agent Fury?”
“She’s innocent,” I said.
“That’s what I figured,” the chief said. He put the car in reverse and pulled out of the parking spot. “Where can I drop you?”
“You don’t want to talk to Ted?” I asked.
“I have a few inquiries to make before I’m ready to do that.”
“Like get the deed information for the property?”
He cast me a sidelong glance. “Among other things.”
“Ted is an interesting character,” I said.
“I guess so if he spends most of his time in a lighthouse,” he said.
“I don’t mind coming with you when you go,” I said, and then quickly added, “if you want someone to smooth the path for you.”
“Ted’s that much of a character, huh?”
I wore a vague smile. “You’ll see.”
I opened the door to my father’s kitchen and was surprised to see my cousin Rafael and his family, as well as a man I didn’t recognize.
Rafael broke into a broad smile when he saw me. “Will you look at that absolute vision of loveliness, everyone?” He stood at the counter with a variety of ingredients spread in front of him. As a warlock and a master chef with his own restaurant in town called Chophouse, Rafael was never far from a chopping board.
I crossed the kitchen to give Rafael a hard squeeze. “Hey, cousin.”
“Eden, we’re so happy you’re home.” His wife Julie planted a wet kiss on my cheek. Julie and their sixteen-year-old daughter, Meg, are werewolves. No one knew what to expect when Rafael and Julie got married. We’d never had a shifter in the family before, but, by all accounts, Rafael and Julie were blissfully happy.
“Our little flower girl is all grown up,” Rafael said, smiling. He glanced at his wife. “Remember our wedding?”
“How can I forget? Not every flower girl eats the flower petals she’s meant to be scattering,” Julie said, and sighed at the happy memory. “You were so entertaining.”
I held up a hand. “Okay, no reminders necessary.”
Julie beamed. “I want to hear more about this. Did you get sick? Were they poisonous?”
“Speaking of trips down memory of lane,” my father interrupted, “Eden, do you remember Gustav, my old friend from university?”
I squinted at the squat man with the bushy white mustache. Although I remembered vague stories of pranks and shenanigans from their university days, I didn’t recall much else about Gustav.
“Nice to see you, Gustav,” I said politely.
“He’s in town for a little while,” my father said. “Isn’t that great? It’s just like old times.”
Sally offered a pained smile. “Yes, they’ve already dusted off some of their old tomes.”
I gave my dad a sharp look. “Do. Not. Summon. Anything.” I already had Chief O’Neill’s death to deal with. I didn’t need to clean up my father’s mess.
Gustav waved his hand. “Not to worry. There’s no time for anything major. I’m on my way to visit my sister in Wilmington. I just couldn’t pass up the opportunity to see my old roommate.” He whacked my father on the back.
“Gustav brought news from Otherworld, too,” Sally said. “He was kind enough to drop in on my Aunt Sara before coming here.”
“She sent me with this.” Gustav gestured to the miniature ceramic dragon on the counter. “It took ages to get through security and customs because of one tiny trinket.”
“But I do appreciate it,” Sally said. “Aunt Sara is so talented. I’m glad to see she’s still creating.”
“Her place was full of ceramic dragons,” Gustav said. “I was tempted to get one for my nephew—he’s obsessed with dragons—but I figured I’d wait until I go back.”
“And what’s your creation, Rafael?” I asked, inclining my head toward the counter.
“He’s making a potion for your father’s rheumatism,” Sally said.
“Why can’t you get one from Mom?” I asked. My mother’s side was perfectly adept at making potions.
My father pulled a face. “I don’t want to be poisoned. I want relief.”
“Mom would never poison you,” I said.
My father barked a short laugh. “You’ve clearly forgotten our trip to Cabo.”
“That was the water!”
“That’s what she wants you to think,” my dad replied.
“I don’t mind making it,” Rafael said. “I figure it’s a good teachable moment for Meg.”
The teenager rolled her eyes. “I’m a werewolf. I don’t do potions.”
“You’re a teenager,” Julie said. “It seems to me you don’t do much of anything.”
“There’s magic in your blood,” Rafael said, pointing the knife at her while he spoke. “You can be like a wizard and learn spells from books.”
Meg rested her chin in the palm of her hand. “Fine. Carry on.”
Rafael inhaled deeply, preparing to work. He’d always had a flair for the dramatic. “One does not simply cut the eye of newt. One must dice it.” He wiggled the knife. “But in order to properly bruise the lemongrass, I must use the dull side of the blade.”
Meg pretended to snore. “You can imagine what he’s like when he cooks dinner at home.”
“So the cheese and crackers aren’t part of the potion making?” I asked. The plate of nibbles nearby was making my mouth water.
“Help yourself,” Sally said. “The cheese is local.”
“I’d be disappointed if it wasn’t,” I replied. I took one cracker and plopped a chunk of cheese on top. Delicious. I often wondered whether I’d love cheese as much if I’d grown up elsewhere. The answer was probably.
“How’s the investigation?” Sally asked, immediately wiping away the trail of crumbs I left on the counter. “Any leads?”
“None that have panned out so far,” I said. “I’m meeting the new chief to interview a suspect.” I didn’t mention Ted’s name. I knew they’d object to me even questioning Chief O’Neill’s brother. For evil supernaturals, they were oddly loyal.
“I was sorry to hear about the chief,” Rafael said. “He was a frequent customer in the restaurant. The man liked his porterhouse.”
“Such a nice man,” Julie agreed. “He caught me in the woods once—I’d forgotten to take my blocker that month and had shifted—and he didn’t bat an eye. Thought I was naked because I was hooking up with a boy.”
Meg’s jaw unhinged. “What happened?”
“He got me a blanket from his patrol car to preserve my modesty,” Julie said. “Told me to go home before I ran into any trouble.” She smiled vacantly. “He didn’t have a clue, bless him.”
Meg popped a piece of cheese into her mouth. “I will never forget to take my blocker.”
“I met this Chief Fox at the Cheese Wheel,” my father said. “I don’t care for him.”
Rafael handed him the finished potion and my dad gulped it down without protest.
“He seems okay,” I said. I didn’t want to sound too defensive and risk an inquisition.
“If Mick’s death isn’t avenged…” my dad began.
I cut him off. “We don’t even know if there’s anything to avenge. It still might have been an accident.” I didn’t want my father getting any ideas. It was one thing to carry out revenge plans in other jurisdictions, but he had to realize what a difficult position he’d put me in to take action here.
“Eden’s on the case, Uncle Stanley,” Meg said. “She’ll keep the new chief on his toes.”
“Or on his back from what I’ve heard,” Sally murmured.
I fixed her with a hard stare. “I need to go, but it was good to see everyone. Enjoy your visit, Gustav. Try to keep my dad out of trouble.”
“We’re going out tonight,” Gustav said. “So no promises.”
“Take more cheese,” my dad said. He pushed the plate toward me. “You can’t reap vengeance on an empty stomach.”
“Dad!” My father was exasperating at times. “Vengeance is not my job. I’m an FBM agent.”
“You’re a fury, first and foremost.” My father cracked his knuckles. “But if you can’t handle it, let me know when you find the culprit and I’ll be happy to administer my parti
cular brand of vengeance.”
“Stanley, mind your joints,” Sally admonished him.
“I’ll see you all later,” I said. Now that my father was threatening to take action, I felt more motivated than ever to find out what happened to Chief O’Neill.
Chapter Eight
The Chipping Cheddar lighthouse is one of the town’s most iconic structures. It towered over the Chesapeake Bay, providing navigational assistance to the bevy of boats that frequented the area. Ted had served as the lighthouse keeper for as long as I could remember. Between the O’Neill brothers, the town was well protected.
“So what makes this guy such a character?” Chief Fox asked. He parked the police car not far from the lighthouse. I was trying to ignore the fact that he smelled like fresh pine and sea salt. If a candle existed with his scent, I’d totally buy it.
“He never married…” I began.
“Oh, well, now I understand.”
I frowned. “You’re teasing me.”
“It’s kind of fun,” he replied. “An added benefit of our official time together.”
There it was. Official. Although I knew he only desired my company in a professional capacity, I couldn’t help but wish he had a personal ulterior motive.
“I guess I’ll have to go back to my dark office when this is all over.”
“Your office is dark?” he asked. “Do they have you in a dungeon or something?”
I explained my location between the donut shop and tattoo parlor.
“But donuts,” the chief said encouragingly.
“True, but last time I checked, donuts don’t provide natural light.”
“They do have holes,” he said.
I laughed. “I’ll bear that in mind.”
We vacated the car and trudged toward the lighthouse. The air wrapped around me like a warm blanket and I heard the call of seagulls overhead. I didn’t blame Ted for spending so much time here. It was an idyllic spot.
“How many steps?” Chief Fox asked.
“Why? You don’t look out of shape,” I said.
He puffed out his chest. “We strippers need to keep our physiques up to snuff.”
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