Better Than Hex (Spellbound Paranormal Cozy Mystery Book 5)

by Annabel Chase

  “Someone like you? What's that supposed to mean? Catherine, you are a tough, independent, highly educated woman. You don't take minotaur shit from anyone. I would think those are valued traits.”

  Catherine downed another drink. “I appreciate your support, Emma. But I know Lord Gilder well. If he’d been interested in me, he would have made it clear long ago.”

  “You don't think stopping by to help you every day was an indication? Maybe he thought you didn't return his feelings, so when he moved away, he didn't pursue you.”

  “I think we should focus on your crackpot theory,” Catherine said. “That's far more entertaining.”

  The sound of screeching bats indicated that we’d reached the end of the session.

  I glanced at Catherine. “This conversation isn't over.”

  She gestured toward the exit door. “It is now.”

  Chapter 13

  Astrid, Britta, and I walked over to a new building two blocks north of the Wish Market. The noise level told us that a construction crew was hard at work. It was quite a different sight from construction crews in the human world. The only similarities were hardhats and tool belts. Most of these guys and their tools floated in the air. The only members of the crew on ladders or on the ground were shifters and a lone satyr.

  A young, muscular man approached us and I recognized him as a member of the werewolf pack, although I didn’t remember his name.

  “You three just increased the value of this property tenfold,” he said, leering at us.

  I rolled my eyes. If he wolf whistled, I was out of here.

  Astrid grabbed the rim of his yellow hardhat and yanked it down over his face. “I'm the damn sheriff, you fool. Do you want to see a Valkyrie in action? Try disrespecting me again.”

  The young werewolf flipped up his hardhat and held up his hands, acquiescing. “It was meant as a compliment. My bad.”

  “Where's your boss?” Astrid asked.

  “I'm the foreman here,” he said. “Tommy Spinelli.”

  “Your boss is the owner of this building, not the foreman,” Astrid said. “Is she around?”

  Tommy shielded his eyes from the glaring sunlight. “She's in the trailer on the other side of the building. She likes to work on site.” He lowered his voice. “She’s a bit of a control freak, you know? Constantly checking on us.”

  “Thanks for your help, Tommy,” Astrid said.

  “Anytime,” he said, with a wink. “And I do mean anytime.”

  Astrid strode toward the trailer and Britta and I hustled behind her. The trailer was the size of a shed and clearly not intended for long-term use. The door was open so Astrid stuck her head inside.

  “Mrs. Bogan?” she asked.

  “Yes, yes. What is it? Come in.”

  The three of us crowded into the tiny trailer. Serena Bogan sat behind a desk that was covered in paperwork. She wore a navy blue business suit and a hardhat rested on the edge of the desk.

  “Sheriff Astrid,” she said, mildly surprised. Serena leaned back in her chair and examined her. “Angels above, it's good to see a non-moron wearing the star badge. Do you think this role will become permanent for you?”

  “I appreciate your support, ma'am,” Astrid said. “To be honest, I have no idea what the mayor intends. Between you and me, I don't know if she’s simply punishing Hugo or if she really intends for me to be the new sheriff.”

  “From what I hear, the entire town is thrilled to have a competent sheriff for a change. On that note, is there something I can help you with?”

  “As a matter of fact, there is,” Astrid said. “I understand that you recently had an argument with the building inspector.”

  “Ed Doyle.” Serena's cheeks paled. “Ah, I see where this is going. He's dead now, isn't he? I read about it in the paper.”

  “If you see where this is going,” Astrid said, “then maybe you can help it along by offering your side of the story.”

  Serena balked. “Oh, I have a side of the story, do I? I suppose I do. I wasn't happy when the building failed the initial inspection. My crew has been working overtime to prepare for the opening. Ed Doyle set us back two more weeks.”

  “Is that all?” Astrid asked.

  Britta elbowed her sister in the ribs. “You know that's not all. She tried to bribe him.”

  Astrid pursed her lips. “I was getting to that part. Just let me talk, okay?” She returned her focus to Serena. “How much did you offer him to pass inspection?”

  Serena folded her arms and glared at us. “I'm not saying a word. I'm not going to be implicated in any crimes. It's bad enough you’re questioning me about murder, but you're also trying to put me on the hook for bribing a public official.”

  “Listen, Mrs. Bogan,” I said. “Astrid is being polite because she respects you. If you give her a hard time, she’ll have no choice but to make you answer these same questions down at the police station. We all know that you'd much rather be on site, monitoring the construction. It's up to you, though. If you want to waste your time and everyone else's, we can bring you down to the station right now and keep you there indefinitely.”

  Astrid bit back a smile.

  Serena narrowed her eyes at me. “And you are?”

  “She's my consultant,” Astrid said. “Now that I'm in charge, I prefer a more collaborative approach to law enforcement. It's one of the ways Sheriff Hugo and I differ.”

  “I've never been a fan of collaboration myself,” Serena said. “I find I’m usually the best person to get the job done.”

  “Even as a shifter?” I asked. I thought all shifters had a pack mentality.

  “I’m a wereweasel,” Serena said. “We’re more self-reliant than other shifters. In my experience, other people just hold me back.”

  “Other people like Ed Doyle?” I asked.

  Serena ran her tongue over her top teeth, assessing me. “It's true that I was unhappy with the results of the inspection.”

  “So unhappy that you offered to bribe him?” Astrid asked.

  “If I answer you honestly, then I don't want to be charged with attempted bribery or any such nonsense,” Serena said.

  Astrid pressed her fingertips on the edge of the desk and fixed Serena with her hard stare. “It's not up to you to decide. You'll answer my questions honestly because I'm the sheriff and you are a citizen of Spellbound. Got it?”

  Serena's shoulders slumped in defeat. “Fine. Yes, I tried to bribe him. No, he refused to accept it. Happy now?”

  “Not quite,” Astrid said. “Did you kill him?”

  “Why would I?” Serena asked. “The damage had been done. He reported me and I failed the inspection. I had nothing to gain from murdering him.”

  “If he's dead, he can't testify against you in a bribery trial,” I said.

  “No, but his report could be admitted into evidence,” Serena replied. “I’m sure it would be enough for a conviction.”

  She was probably right. “When was the last time you saw Ed?” I asked.

  “In the Spotted Owl,” Serena said. “I was there with my construction crew after one of our long workdays. Ed was there with members of his bowling league.”

  “Did you speak with him that night?” Astrid asked.

  “I tried to buy him an ale,” she said. “He refused that, too. He was very concerned with the appearance of impropriety.” She shook her head. “Talk about an honorable man. You don't meet many of those.”

  It made me wonder how many others she'd successfully bribed in town over the years.

  “Did he drive his jalopy there?” I asked.

  Serena shrugged. “I have no idea. I was a bit tipsy when I left, so I can't say I took much notice of the parking lot.”

  “How did you get home if you were drunk?” Astrid asked.

  Serena's brow lifted. “Why? Would you like to charge me with drunk driving as well?”

  “No, but I might want to corroborate your story.”

  “Fine. Tommy, my foreman
, took me home.” She pressed a finger to her lips. “But don't tell my husband. He's not a fan of werewolves.”

  I suspected Mr. Bogan also wasn't a fan of a werewolf boning his wife.

  “Did you notice anything unusual at the pub?” I asked. “You said he was with members of his bowling league. Did they seem to be enjoying themselves?”

  Serena rubbed her chin. “Now that you mention it. They were in poor spirits. They’d lost a big game and seemed to be commiserating.”

  “Commiserating or arguing?” Astrid asked.

  “I really don’t know,” Serena replied. “But I recognized a couple of his teammates. Harlan Michaelson and Mitch Gannon. You might want to have a word with them.”

  “Thanks, we will,” Astrid said.

  “So you’re not dragging me down to the station?” Serena looked relieved.

  “Not today,” Astrid said. “But we may need you to answer more questions later on.”

  “It’s best to schedule me in after business hours,” Serena said, already forgetting which one of them was actually in charge.

  “I’ll bear that in mind,” Astrid said wryly.

  We left the trailer and Astrid glanced at her sister. “What do you think?”

  “Maybe she had one of her crew take care of the ladder,” Britta suggested.

  “Doubtful,” I said. “She made it clear that she likes to take matters into her own hands. If she’s the culprit, then she’s the one who tampered with the ladder.”

  Astrid eyed me curiously. “But you don’t think she did it?”

  I shook my head. “Like she said. She had nothing to gain at that point. Ed had filed a report and her building still failed.”

  Astrid nodded in agreement. “I guess it’s time we track down the bowling league.”

  “I have a better idea,” Britta said. “Why don’t head over to the Spotted Owl later and talk to them there when their guards are down? A few ales and everybody’s a chatty Cathy.”

  Astrid squeezed her sister’s arm. “That’s a great idea.”

  Britta looked shocked. “Really? Because it was only an excuse to drink and ogle hot guys.”

  “You can do that, too,” I said. “Two birds, one stone.” Sedgwick hated that expression, which only made me want to use it more.

  “Meet there at eight?” Astrid said.

  “Absolutely. Mind if I invite a few friends?” I asked. “Make it seem like a legitimate girls’ night out.”

  “The more, the merrier,” Astrid said.

  I took hesitant steps up the walkway and knocked on Elsa's front door. I knew it was a risk coming here. If she came back too soon and saw me, she might make sure that I took a hike from Daniel's life permanently. Or she might make a more concerted effort to excise me from his life.

  I inhaled deeply and tapped on the door.

  Are you sure about this? Sedgwick asked.

  I poked my head out from under the front porch to see him circling the house above. “What are you doing here? I deliberately didn't tell you where I was going because I didn't want you to follow me.

  If you are going to make a spectacular fool of yourself, I don't want to miss it, Sedgwick said.

  I stuck out my tongue at him. “Gee, you're such a good friend. What would I ever do without you?”

  I returned to the door just as it opened. Daniel stood there in his bare feet, his white wings spread wide behind him. I'd almost forgotten how breathtaking they were up close. The memory flashed in my mind of the feel of those wings when I rode on his back. They were soft, yet so strong. Like Daniel.

  “Hi, Emma,” he said, looking baffled to see me. “What brings you here?”

  “I feel like we haven't seen much of each other since the engagement,” I said. “I wanted to see how the wedding plans are coming along.”

  “Why do you come on in and we can talk about it?” He stepped aside to let me enter.

  The house was the same as the last time I'd been inside. Of course, that time I'd been invisible so neither Daniel nor Elsa knew I'd been here with them. Her taste was as stark and cold as she was.

  “I heard about your case with the nightshade,” Daniel said. “How's that going?”

  “They’re a tight-knit group,” I said. “I think because they are smaller than the werewolves, less information gets out if they don't want it to.”

  “At least you don't have to defend Fabio,” Daniel said with a laugh. “After your date, he'd probably rather go to prison than be defended by you.”

  “Hey,” I exclaimed.

  Daniel burst into laughter and it was a glimpse of the Daniel I knew. “Will is a really nice guy. Much too young to take on the responsibility that he has.”

  “Well, if anyone can help him, I know it's you.” As always, his compliment warmed me from the inside out.

  “And how's my buddy, Markos?”

  My cheeks colored. “You know he's just a friend.”

  “Like me,” he said.

  No, not like you, I wanted to scream. Instead, I simply said, “He's incredibly nice. I can see why everyone likes him.”

  Daniel nodded. “He's had a much more positive impact on the community than I ever have. You should consider him, Emma. He would take good care of you.”

  My blood began to boil. “No one needs to take care of me. I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself.”

  He seemed taken aback. “I didn't mean that you couldn't. Of course I know that you can. You've impressed me from the moment we met. I'm sorry. I didn't mean it that way.” He seemed so contrite, I couldn't stay angry.

  “Markos is great and he deserves to meet someone really special, but I don't think it's me,” I said, calmer now.

  Daniel slapped his forehead. “I’m such a terrible host. Can I offer you a drink? A cup of tea?”

  My ears perked up at the word tea. “Yes, please. What kind you have?”

  He broke into a broad grin. “Elsa makes the best gossamer tea. You need to try it.”

  I wondered if she kept the tea handy to give it to him in a pinch or if he'd make it from scratch. I watched as he retrieved the teabag from the cabinet.

  “I probably won't make it as good as she does,” he said. “But I'll do my best.”

  No, there'd be no magic potion in this one. Doubly lucky for me, although based on what I learned at the academy, since I already had feelings for Daniel, then the potion would have no effect on me.

  “I can boil the water if you like,” I said.

  He slid the mug across the counter to me and I tapped it with my wand. “Double, double, trouble and toil/bring this water to a boil.” I watched with satisfaction as tiny bubbles formed and steam Rose from the top.

  Daniel gazed at me in wonder. “You're really getting the hang of all this, aren't you?”

  “Some days are better than others,” I said. In so many ways. “You haven't mentioned anything to Elsa about me, have you?”

  He inclined his head. “What about you?” I waited for recognition to set in. “Oh, you mean your secret. No, of course not. I would never do that to you.”

  I relaxed slightly.

  “I think we can trust her, though,” Daniel said. “Elsa is so understanding and compassionate. And she loves me. She would never betray me.”

  I stared into his turquoise eyes. Could he possibly believe the words that were coming out of his mouth?

  Daniel backed away from the counter. “What is it? Why are you looking at me like that? Do I have something stuck in my teeth?” He moved to examine his reflection in the window.

  “No, don't be silly. I was fascinated by that look of love in your eyes when you spoke of Elsa. It's so charming. She's a lucky fairy.”

  He returned to the mug and removed the steeped tea bag. “I'm the lucky one,” he said. “I feel blessed that she’s willing to give me another chance. Considering how badly I messed up last time, it's nothing short of a miracle.”

  No, the miracle was that Daniel had any feelings for th
is fairy at all. The glazed look in his eye was unfamiliar to me. I was now more convinced than ever that he was under some sort of spell. It would make sense that it was strongest in the morning. She probably made his tea when he woke up, before she left the house. I had to figure out how many times a day she needed to give it to him to keep him under her spell.

  “Would you like any thing in your tea?” he asked. “Honey? I know you like things sweet.”

  “I really do.” Daniel was sweet. It was one of the qualities I liked most about him. Now Elsa was reaping the benefits of it. I hated how jealous I felt. It was an uncommon sensation for me. I tried to think of a time when I'd been jealous before, but nothing came to mind. The closest association I had was the envy I felt when I would see other children with their parents. It wasn't all the time, and it wasn't even necessarily special events. It would strike me at a random moment. I'd be in the grocery store and see a mother looking harried and bent out of shape, chastising her children for probably the fiftieth time that day. Such a normal moment in their lives and I wished for it more than anything. I wished for a mother who scolded me for knocking over the can of beans on the shelf. I would have accepted all of those moments of weakness in exchange for her presence—or my father’s—because mixed in with those moments of reprimands were peaceful moments. Loving moments. Riding bikes together. Sharing a cuddle at bedtime. Feeling the unconditional love that came with the parent-child bond.

  “So tell me about the wedding plans,” I choked out. The words were difficult to say, but I had to be able to continue this friendship if I hoped to save Daniel from Elsa’s deceit.

  He handed me the steaming mug. “I'm pretty sure my only job is to show up on time. Between Elsa and her mother, I don't get much of a say in anything.”

  “Does that bother you? It's your wedding too, after all.”

  “When I raised the point with Elsa, she reminded me that she's very good at organizing and planning. Those are not my strengths.”

  “How can you say that? You've been organizing and planning your volunteer efforts and doing a great job. The care home has benefited greatly from your organization and planning.” He and I were still regulars there, thanks to his philanthropic interests.