by Erin Johnson
He gave me a tight grin and gently squeezed my hand. “I sure hope so. We could use some.”
Daisy trotted ahead, ears pricked, on high alert. She swiveled her head from side to side, growling at every little squeak of a bat or rustle in the bushes. We’d nearly reached the palace and now walked through one of the posh neighborhoods on the top tier, with their gated estates and lush landscaping.
I let out a quiet woof, as we were the only ones on the street. Pretty sure we’re in a safe neighborhood, Days. You can relax.
She turned and curled her lip in a snarl. I’ll relax when I’m dead.
I nodded and let out a quiet whine. That’s the attitude.
She growled. You’re not the one they put a freezing spell on, Jolene! That’s an attack on a police officer! I’ll catch them all and drag them to jail myself if I ever see them again!
She ran up to a gate and barked at a squirrel until it clambered back up the tree and disappeared into the foliage.
“Daisy! Shh. There, girl.” Peter dashed over, me in tow since I was pretty sure he wouldn’t be letting go of my hand for the next couple of months.
He petted her head and stroked her back. “Come on, girl, we’re all just a little rattled. It’s alright.”
I nodded and let out a small bark. Peter says you’re doing great. Super healthy way to handle your anger—taking it out on innocent squirrels. Definitely keep it up—I think there’s still a few people in the neighborhood you haven’t woken up.
Daisy flattened her ears and shot me a glare, but after one more snarl, walked away from the fence. She paced ahead of us, huffing and growling to herself. She glanced back at me. Maybe if you were less prone to getting yourself in trouble, I could relax a little.
I grinned and whined back. Aw, Days. I pressed my free hand to my heart. I didn’t know you cared.
She huffed. Don’t get too full of yourself. I just don’t want Peter to get all depressed again, which he would if you got yourself kidnapped or killed.
I grinned and woofed. You wouldn’t even miss me a little?
She glanced back and rolled her eyes, huffing. I guess I’d wonder who would sneak me bacon when Peter wasn’t looking.
I winked and whined. Keep it on the down low, Days.
The tip of her tail wagged just the tiniest amount, and she winked. I glanced up at Peter to find him watching our interaction with a twinkle in his eye.
30
A Cure
A palace servant showed Peter, Daisy, and me back to the healing wing. The long, cool space that had been so quiet before buzzed with excited energy.
I grinned at Peter, and we picked up the pace as we headed down the center aisle to the back, where several tall tables stood covered in potions and spell books. Healers decked out in smocks and gloves bustled about, and I spotted Prince Harry and Princess Imogen as well as several of their friends among them.
Princess Imogen, her baking flame in a lantern on the table in front of her, glanced up and beamed at me. “Jolene!”
Maple, beside her, looked up and squealed when she spotted us—or should I say, Daisy. “Puppy!”
I doubted I could get away with calling Daisy a puppy, but she didn’t seem to mind when the princess’s friend did it. Maple ran forward and dropped to a crouch, cooing over Daisy and scratching behind her ears.
Within moments, Daisy had rolled onto her back, eyes closed, and was happily accepting belly rubs. Maple, raking her fingers up and down Daisy’s fluffy tummy, let out a wistful sigh. “Sam would’ve loved to pet her. I hope he’s okay.”
The royals and their friends hopped off their stools and came over to join us. Princess Imogen squeezed Maple’s shoulder. “I’m sure he’ll turn up sooner or later. Amelia, Kenta, Rhonda and Francis, plus half the palace staff are out searching for him.”
Maple nodded as Daisy continued to soak up the attention, her long tongue hanging out the side of her mouth. She groaned. A little to the left.
I scanned the room, searching for Will and Heidi. I spotted them lounging on one of the beds, Will stretched out with his ankles crossed, and Heidi sitting, legs crossed, with the sloth wrapped around her neck, reading a magazine.
“Hey, friends!” I waved, and they both glanced up as we approached.
“Did you hear?” Heidi beamed at me, closed her magazine, and then patted Will’s legs. “C’mon.”
He kept his eyes closed. “Do I have to?”
She rolled her eyes as she pushed off the bed and onto her feet. She poked his ribs. “You’ve been napping all night. C’mon.”
He huffed. “These have been the first days off I’ve had in about five years, so cut me some slack, alright, sister?” He opened his eyes and flashed them at her.
Heidi just giggled and bounded over to give me a hug. “They found a cure,” she whispered in my ear.
I grinned at her, torn between joy and hesitation. I’d had a lot of good things turn sour in my life, and it wasn’t always easy for me to believe they might be turning around. “Really? This isn’t some cruel prank?”
She shot me a flat look. “Like I would do that.” She smirked. “See for yourself.”
I froze, my heart racing—had they already cured one of the trapped shifters?
The prince, who’d by this time joined our little group, swept an arm toward an old man sitting on a stool. A few wisps of white hair covered his otherwise bald head. Several healers fussed over him, handing him tea and checking his vitals. “Jolene Hargrave, officially meet Carthamus Cook.”
The old man shot me a watery grin. “We’ve met.” His voice sounded hoarse and strained, as though he hadn’t used it in many, many years. “I was the raccoon.”
The raccoon. I grinned, tears stinging my eyes. “I’m glad you won’t be hanging around my apartment stealing all my earrings and rings anymore.”
He grinned back, his dark eyes twinkling. “Sorry about that.” He shrugged his thin shoulders. “I like shiny things; what can I say.”
A few of the healers chuckled.
I bit my lip, trying to hold back the strong emotions washing over me—a mix of relief, sadness, excitement, and a sudden, profound appreciation for the gift I’d for so long viewed as a curse.
If I weren’t able to speak to animals, this man, Carthamus Cook, would likely have lived the remainder of his days trapped in raccoon form, no one knowing what had happened to him. While he’d lost a lot of years, maybe now he’d get justice and see Ludolf Caterwaul pay for his crimes.
Heidi nodded, patting the sloth’s back like it was a baby. “You were such a troublemaker.” She winked at Carthamus. “So cute though.”
The old man grinned back at her. “Thank you, Miss Heidi, for all the care you took of us.”
She beamed. “Happy to.”
The sloth in her arms let out a couple of slow squeaks. You’re… so… pretty.
I raised my brows at Heidi. “You’ve got an admirer.”
She sighed wistfully down at the sloth. “Can we change him last? I’m gonna miss carrying this little guy around.”
Prince Harry looked at his wife, then back at us. “We think we should move as quickly as possible to cure the shifters.”
Princess Imogen nodded, her thick curtain of bangs bobbing. “They’ve spent enough time trapped.”
Heidi pouted down at her sloth.
Will finally dragged himself out of bed and came to stand beside me. “Not to mention, once Ludolf gets a whiff of this, he’ll be hightailing it out of here to save his own hide.” I glanced up, and my friend flashed his eyes at me. “We need to move fast.”
I nodded and spoke to the whole group. “This is—amazing.” I looked at Prince Harry and Princess Imogen. “What you’ve done… it’s way beyond what I ever imagined. So thank you.”
They beamed at each other, then at me. Prince Harry lifted his palm. “It’s just the start. We’ll do our best to repair the damage my father’s done to the shifter community.” He looked down, brows pi
nched, and the princess nudged him with her shoulder until he met her eyes.
“Your dad’s pretty awful.” The princess raised her brows. “Luckily, you’re nothing like him.”
The prince grinned.
“And your brother is turning out to be a pretty good king.” Princess Imogen shrugged. “I know this seems scary and hard, but we’ll figure out how to handle it—together.”
Iggy nodded solemnly. “That’s what she said.”
The princess’s brows pinched together for a moment as she puzzled it out, then realization dawned on her face. She hauled her flame’s lantern up to face height. “Iggy!”
His flame shuddered as he cackled.
Daisy, still on her back with Maple fawning all over her, peeled an eye open. She frowned, rolled onto her side, then rose to sitting and stretched her neck out as long as she could, gingerly sniffing the air in Iggy’s direction.
The little flame leaned out of his lantern, and Daisy recoiled a bit from the heat. “Hey, doggy.” He looked to his right toward a fireplace—and a pile of wood beside it. “Fetch your pal Iggy a stick? Linden, please. Go on, doggy, be a good girl!” He looked at me. “Jolene, a little help?”
I chuckled, but he continued to stare at me expectantly.
“Oh—you’re serious.”
“As a clam.” He flashed his eyes. “You can translate, right?”
Wiley stood nearby, with the odd monster pet, Cat, perched on his shoulders. Cat, pug eyes bulging, whipped his head from Iggy to Daisy, back and forth. Then he smiled, a sharp-toothed grin, and the strange flood of voices sounded in my head.
Daisy jerked her head up at Cat and whined, ears pinned back, tail tucked. What is that thing?! Why is it—
The dog froze, staring straight into Cat’s eyes as lights flashed across their depths. Stiff-legged, Daisy marched over to the pile of wood, picked up a small stick as drool poured from her mouth, and marched back, her eyes glazed as though hypnotized. We all watched, spellbound. She returned and held the stick out to Iggy.
Cat chittered and clapped its little raccoon hands together, then batted its eyes at Iggy.
“Oh, uh—” Iggy’s flames dimmed, and he crept to the back of the lantern. “I’ve suddenly lost my appetite.”
The princess hauled the lantern up to her face and hissed, “Take the stick, Iggy.”
“I’m too creeped out to eat.”
The princess plastered on a smile and nodded at Cat but said between her teeth. “Yeah, but that was him being helpful. What if you offend him?”
Iggy moaned like he was going to be sick. He crawled forward and extended a fiery arm, grimacing at Cat. “Oh, Cat… you shouldn’t have.” His flames licked at the stick as he took it gingerly from Daisy. He made a show of gnawing on it. “Mm, yum.”
Cat clapped and chittered again.
Maple gushed over him. “Aw—Cat, that was so thoughtful.” She scratched his head, and the lights stopped flashing in his eyes as the whispers stopped.
The princess and her flame exchanged horrified looks, and Daisy blinked and shook.
She whined. I had the strangest dream…
I waved her over and whined. Not a dream, Days—maybe let’s not play with the creepy monster.
She flattened her ears and scampered over to hide behind Peter.
31
Inspiration
I bit my lip and tried to get us back on course. “Now that we’re curing the shifters and should have some witnesses against Ludolf…”
Carthamus Cook looked my way. “I for one will be happy to do anything I can to put that despicable man behind bars where he belongs.” He shook his head, a fire in his eyes. “The coward.”
The prince nodded at him, then at me. “We have a few others cured already—they’ve all vowed to make a case against Ludolf Caterwaul.”
I blew out a gust of air. “Good—that’s good.” My mind slid into lawyer mode. We’d have a strong case—many credible witnesses, plus the prince and princess themselves and the royal healers to testify that they’d all been shifters trapped in animal form. We finally had the proof we needed that directly tied Ludolf to some major crimes. Now we just needed the man himself.
I lifted a palm. “Ludolf could easily slip off the island and disappear—escaping justice forever.”
Carthamus, still sitting nearby on his stool, shook his head. “We can’t let him get away.” He held a steaming cup of tea, while one of the healers poured out several more cups from a silver teapot.
“Agreed.” I shrugged. “So how do we trap him?”
Maple looked up from scratching Cat’s head. “Could you find him down in the sewers and arrest him down there?”
Will and I exchanged doubtful looks. I shook my head. “Honestly, it’s a maze down there, and I don’t know it well.”
Peter cleared his throat. “Even if we did have a thorough understanding of the tunnel system, we’d need quite the police force to get through Ludolf’s guards, as I understand.” He shook his head. “It’d be a bloodbath.”
Maple whimpered, and her boyfriend, Wiley, squeezed her to his side. Their odd little pet leaned down from his shoulder and patted the blond’s head with his little raccoon hands. I shivered.
“Maybe we could trick him into coming out somehow?”
Will snorted. “Good luck, sister. What possible reason would we give to lure Ludolf out of there?”
Prince Harry nodded. “I imagine he’ll be on high alert after his failed attack on Sam and highly suspicious of any attempts to get him to leave his hideout.”
I nodded. “Yeah, good point. He sends his cronies to do just about everything for him anyway. I’m sure he’s going to be more inclined to do that than ever.”
“Ooh!” Heidi, the sloth still on her hip, grinned. “Jolene—he went to that party, remember, at the sanctuary? Would he come out for something like that?”
Will stroked his beard. “Maybe we could stage something that would tempt him.” He turned to the healer, who offered him a cup of steaming tea. “This has milk in it? And two lumps of sugar?”
She grinned. “Yes—your usual.”
Will nodded primly and took the tiny porcelain cup in his enormous paws of hands. I shot him a flat look. “They’re healers, not your personal waitstaff.”
Will looked down at me over the rim of his cup. “Who says they can’t be both?”
I shook my head at him but grinned.
“Ludolf might be more easily tempted to come out for a big event like that—but again, he’s going to be suspicious. And we’d need to plan some sort of party and include other corrupt cronies that Ludolf wants to rub elbows with. And the longer we wait and the more people we involve, the greater the chance that someone tells him what we’re up to and he bolts.”
“I like it, I like it.” The little flame bobbed his fiery head. “So we can’t nab him in the sewers, and we also can’t nab him out of the sewers. So many good options; let’s keep it going.”
The princess shot him a flat look, then smiled and thanked the smocked and gloved healer who handed her a cup of tea.
Prince Harry lifted a palm. “Horace said that he and Ludolf had crossed paths before—maybe he knows of a way.”
The princess nodded. “It’s a good thought. I just have no idea where Horace is at the moment.” She turned to me and shrugged. “He’s mysterious, and we never know what he’s up to.”
Iggy scoffed. “But isn’t that his charm?”
I folded my arms and tapped my toe. Think, Jolene, think. We needed to get Ludolf out of the sewers without tipping him off to our plans or igniting a battle between cops and shifters. Ludolf had the upper hand down there… what could we use against him?
I glanced up as the princess took a sip of her tea, then lowered the flower-patterned cup from her lips. Bright red lipstick that nearly matched her hair stained the rim of the cup. Lipstick. Just like Polly Pierre’s cup. I blinked, pieces sliding into place in my mind. Tonya’s purse—the e
vidence locker!
I whirled to face Peter. “I’ve got it!”
I beamed up at him as he raised his brows. “Yeah?”
Prince Harry raised his brows. “You know how to catch Ludolf Caterwaul?”
I turned to him and winced. “Uh—not so much. Sorry.” I turned back to Peter. “I think I know how Polly Pierre was murdered… and who did it, too.”
His eyes lit up. “What do you need?”
I squeezed his hand. “We need to go back to the evidence locker. There’s something I need to check.” I whirled to face Will, Heidi, the royals, and their friends. “Sorry, guys—the murder investigation calls.”
Wiley, with Cat still scampering over his shoulders, grinned at me. “See if you can get inspiration to strike about this whole Ludolf predicament.”
I grinned back. “I’ll try.”
Peter whistled. “C’mon, Daisy! C’mere, girl.”
On her back again, with Maple rubbing her belly, Daisy turned her head to face Peter. She blinked at him, upside down, her long tongue hanging out of her mouth, and whined. Do I have to? Just a couple more minutes.
I let out a woof. Quit acting like we never feed you or give you pets.
She huffed, but rolled over, gave Maple a quick kiss on the cheek and then trotted over, grumbling to herself. Fine—what’s the emergency?
I barked at her as Peter and I waved goodbye to the others and strode down the long aisle between beds to leave the healing wing. We’re about to solve a murder—you might even get to bite someone.
Daisy’s ears perked up, and she picked up the pace.
32
The Teacup