Len’s stiff posture visibly relaxed, and the barrel of his weapon veered slightly away from Issy’s neck, pointing toward the ceiling instead. Seizing his opportunity, Dex lunged for Len, knocking the gun from Len’s hand and sending it flying across the living room. Both men tumbled to the floor, allowing Issy to scramble away to relative safety beside her still-comatose cousin.
Dex wrestled with Len, throwing punches when he could and attempting to trap his opponent’s hands behind his back so he could restrain him. Len was stronger than he looked, however, and managed to squirm out from beneath Dex and make a run for the open front door.
“Get him!” Issy yelled to Dex.
Adrenaline and determination buzzing through his system, Dex jumped to his feet and headed to block Len’s escape. Len turned quickly and veered toward the kitchen instead, most likely hoping to escape through the breezeway. Dex was faster, though, and tackled him to the tile floor, this time managing to get a set of cuffs on the guy.
Standing, but keeping a foot on Len’s back to prevent him from running again, Dex stared out into the murky half-light of the living room and spotted Issy helping her cousin to sit up. Apparently sometime during the scuffle Ember had awakened. Ember frowned at Issy then glanced over at Dex. “You just saved my life. Issy’s too. Which means you guys are even. Not bonded anymore.”
Bonded? What the heck did that mean? He shot Issy a confused look.
Issy gave him a reassuring smile. “Never mind Ember. I think she’s got a concussion.”
“There is nothing wrong with my head,” Ember said, frowning at Issy. “I’m just pointing out—”
Len bucked beneath Dex’s foot, and he scowled down darkly at his prisoner to quell any signs of rebellion. Len Childs was going to jail, then to trial, and Dex fully intended to see justice served. He pulled out his phone and hit the speed dial number for Owen, holding the phone to his ear with his shoulder as he peered out at Issy once more.
Ember might be a bit kooky sometimes, but Dex understood what she was saying. Issy had saved his life that night at Enid Pettywood’s, using her magical skills to protect him. By doing so, she’d made Dex feel unworthy, made him feel like a failure for not defending those under his care. For the second time in his life, he’d screwed up—first the kidnapping case, then Issy. Tonight, he’d redeemed himself. Tonight, they’d become equals again.
“Where are you?” Owen said, his voice terse as he answered Dex’s call.
“Jerry Blaisdale’s kitchen. I’ve got Len Childs in custody and need backup to bring him in.”
“I’m en route and should be there along with DeeDee in five minutes.” Owen ended the call before Dex could say more, and he couldn’t help but chuckle as he shoved the phone back in his pocket. Issy and Ember hugged in the living room. Issy’s smile lit up Dex’s entire world, and the double-edged sword of love and regret pierced his heart. It was then that he knew.
Issy wasn’t hurt, she’d done a good job of staving off Len and keeping him from shooting her or Ember. He knew that Issy was mysterious and magical and would always rush into danger. And he also knew he couldn’t always be there to protect her.
It was then that Dex made his final decision on the lease for the bungalow.
27
Two days later…
“Have I mentioned lately how nice it is to sit outside and not have to fend off a flurry of toads?” DeeDee said, taking a seat at what had become the Quinns’ regular table outside The Main Squeeze.
“It’s wonderful that we are having this unusual warm spell,” Raine said. She’d foregone juice completely in favor of a plain bottled water. “It’s brought a lot of townies out.”
The outdoor tables were more crowded than usual. People stood in line for pizza. Issy squinted at the front of the line, where a charcoal-gray cat sat just under the pizza counter. He turned one golden-orange eye toward her and winked then flicked his mouth up to catch an anchovy Luigi flipped from the counter. Leave it to Brimstone to get a handout at a pizza joint.
“We were just discussing Len’s arraignment hearing yesterday.” Issy turned her attention back to their table and took a sip of her Pomegranate Passion. “Poor Troy sat there through the whole thing, looking completely mortified. I guess he really didn’t have any idea Len had anything to do with Sarah Landers’s murder.”
“Yeah.” DeeDee took a drink of her Sunrise Special. “I talked to him outside the courthouse after the hearing, and he said he was horrified. More so that his father’s plan to help them avoid the limelight and scandal for the family name had inadvertently created an alibi for Len to get away with the killing of that girl.”
“Then there’s poor Scott Brundage,” Raine said. “He got blamed for what happened down in Florida, and his whole life was ruined.”
“At least Troy tried to help him out,” Ember said. Her new Green Goddess Smoothie sat untouched on the table as she snuggled her familiars in her arms. “He gave Scott money for all those years to make sure he had food and clothes, not to keep him hooked on drugs like we thought.”
“I heard this morning Troy Holland is starting a new charity in town devoted to feeding the homeless of Silver Hollow,” Gray said. “Guess he’s one of the good guys after all.”
“Yep,” Issy agreed, holding her hand up over her eyes to block out the bright midday sun. “Jerry Blaisdale? Is that you?” She waved the town mechanic over. “How was your vacation?”
“Good, really good,” Jerry said, stopping by their table on the way into the juice bar. “Man, what a mess to come back to, though, eh?” Jerry shook his head and frowned. “I feel bad I didn’t know Troy and Len were lying about the internship program that summer.”
“They fooled us all,” Issy said.
“Yeah. They fooled me twice, though.” Jerry shook his head. “Len gave me that bogus free vacation back then too, said I’d won some contest at the paper mill. It worked. Kept me out of town during Scott’s trial so I couldn’t repudiate what they’d said in their testimony. I never even knew about it.”
“I’m surprised no one questioned you about that program back then,” Raine said.
Jerry shrugged. “Well, I was just a security guard, so no one asked me anything. Especially after the internship program supervisor verified Len and Troy were there the whole time. No need to ask any more questions after that, right?”
“What about Linda saying you wanted to be a PI?” Gray asked. “Was that true?”
“Oh yeah.” Jerry smiled. “I’ve always loved a good mystery, so when Linda Brewer contacted me to help her investigate the murder, of course I said yes. I tried to get Adele to tell me about Scott’s state of mind back then, and that’s why she and I argued during the wake. I felt bad, though, and went outside to cool off, and that’s when Marcy talked to me. Poor thing was so distraught over losing Scott and the fact Adele wouldn’t give her anything to remember the man she loved by, that I told her I had an old camera from back in the day that might have pictures of Scott on it.” Jerry wrinkled his nose and looked away. “Of course, Len couldn’t have those pictures getting out, so he sent me on another free vacation before I was able to retrieve the camera from storage.” Sadness fell over his expression, and his right shoulder twitched, sending the drinks on the next table tumbling to the ground. “Len’s right. I am stupid.”
“No, Jerry. You’re not stupid at all.” Issy exchanged a look with her cousins. “You’re kindhearted and see the good in people. That’s not stupid. That’s brave.”
“Yeah?” he said, not meeting Issy’s gaze.
“Yeah.” She smiled. “Now go get your juice and some lunch.”
Jerry’s spirits seemed to lift a bit, and he squared his shoulders. “Thanks, Quinns. All of your next oil changes are on me, okay? You too, Deputy.”
“Okay.” The cousins grinned and waved as Jerry headed inside the shop.
“Thanks, Jer,” DeeDee called then took another huge gulp of her drink while she checked her cell ph
one. “Yes! Owen just texted me. He tracked down the garbage truck that emptied the dumpster at Holland Mills that day before it went to the incinerator. He dug through the trash and located Adele’s appointment book and several missing photo albums, even found some from when Scott was a baby. Basically, all of the ones Len confessed to stealing that night he killed Adele.” DeeDee switched off her phone and sat back in her chair. “Since Len didn’t know which albums had which pictures, he just grabbed them all and ran. Owen said he even found some more photos of the Tropic Ranch Hotel mixed in.”
“Speaking of Owen,” Issy said, pausing to kiss Bella’s cute little head. “Isn’t he supposed to join us here today?”
DeeDee snorted. “I wouldn’t expect him anytime soon. Poor guy said he’s on his tenth shower, trying to wash off the stink of all that garbage he had to dig through.”
“Ew.” Ember scrunched her nose and sipped her drink while surveying the bustling sidewalks of Silver Hollow. “And that’s exactly why I could never be a police officer.”
“Among other reasons.” Gray winked then glanced past DeeDee and grinned. “Um, don’t look now, Deputy, but I think someone has the hots for you.”
“Huh?” DeeDee pulled a face and swiveled. “Oh no.”
Issy glanced across the town green to see Caine Hunter, the hotshot movie producer, giving DeeDee an appraising head-to-toe stare. Issy didn’t miss the way her favorite female wolf shifter turned away fast or the telltale blush that stained her cheeks. Seemed DeeDee might be more interested in their new Hollywood big shot than she was letting on.
“He is so not the type of man I go for,” DeeDee said, toying with her nearly empty cup.
She protested a bit too much in Issy’s opinion. Caine was good looking, even Issy could admit that. And quite wealthy. Good with the ladies too, if the rumors were true. Not exactly the kind of man most women would kick to the curb. Doing her best to keep her tone neutral, Issy asked, “Why don’t you like him?”
“He’s too full of himself. Always strutting around like he’s a gift to the female population.” DeeDee rolled her eyes. “Who needs to deal with a man who’s prettier than you?”
The girls laughed, and Gray just shook his head.
“Besides,” DeeDee continued, “my oat-sowing days are almost over.” She gave a side-glance toward the sexy producer once more then frowned. “I don’t know. Maybe one last fling wouldn’t be such a bad idea. Not with him, though. I’ve been called out to the mansion where he’s staying once already on police business, and I have to say that I’m not impressed. I don’t like his style. Too showy and over the top.”
“Hey, Quinns!” Dex strolled up to their table with Gordon perched on his shoulder. “What are you all doing out and about this fine autumn day?”
“Hello, Dex.” DeeDee pushed to her feet and gave Issy a wink. “I was just leaving. Please, take my seat.”
“Oh, okay. Thanks.” He settled in beside Issy, and the tiny bearded dragon on his shoulder raised his front paw to her as if in greeting. She couldn’t resist reaching over and shaking the little lizard’s hand. Okay, so maybe he wasn’t quite so little anymore. In fact, he’d grown large enough he barely fit on Dex’s shoulder anymore. Still, he’d always be a baby to her.
Dex! Dex is here, Mommy! We like Dex, Mommy! We love Dex!
Bella pranced and panted on Issy’s lap, overjoyed to see her favorite FBPI agent again.
Issy did her best not to get flustered when Dex reached under the table and took her hand.
“Well.” Ember tucked her felines back into their basket before picking up her Green Goddess cup from the table. “I hate to drink and run, but I really need to go back to my shop. Busy day.” She elbowed Raine in the shoulder and gave her a pointed smile. “Don’t you have things to do as well?”
“No.” Raine frowned up as Ember poked her again. “Ow! Okay, fine.” She pushed to her feet and straightened the black cardigan she’d thrown on to cover her usual overalls and T-shirt. “Despite you two not being soul-bonded anymore, my money’s still on you getting together.”
Heat prickled Issy’s cheeks, and she hazarded a glance at Dex to check his response. If he had any, he didn’t show it, thankfully. “Right,” she said to her cousins. “Have a good afternoon.”
“You too.” Ember tugged Raine away by the arm. “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t.”
Gray chuckled and slapped Dex on the back then tossed his trash into the bin behind him and stood. “See you both later.”
“Be right back.” Dex headed into the juice bar, returning moments later with his own Pomegranate Passion.
“So,” Issy said once she and Dex were alone and settled again. She looked everywhere but him, stroking her fingers through Bella’s soft fur as the little dog stared up at Dex like he was a god on earth. As much as Issy wanted to be with Dex, he was leaving. He’d all but told her he was trying to get out of his lease when she’d been at his bungalow. Long-distance relationships never worked out, especially when the two people involved were so different. He might have accepted her magical abilities, yes, but that didn’t mean he wanted to live with them day in and day out.
Dex! Dex! Dex! We love Dex, Mommy! We love Dex!
“So.” Dex swallowed a large gulp of his juice before turning to face her, his hazel eyes warm with affection. “Nice day out, huh?”
“Yeah. I hear the temperatures are supposed to rise steadily by this weekend.” Small talk was the last thing she wanted to partake in, but words seemed beyond her at this point. “The colors are amazing now too.”
“Yep, gorgeous.” He nodded, his gaze never leaving hers as he took another sip of his juice then fed Gordon a slice of orange from his cup. “Listen, Issy…”
“Yes?” Her voice had gone all breathy without her consent.
Bella squirmed on her lap.
We love Dex, Mommy! We love Dex!
“I was wondering…” His dark brows drew together, and he cleared his throat, resting his forearms on the table. “Well, I was wondering if maybe you weren’t busy tonight, if you would possibly want to go out to dinner with me again? We could try that little French bistro once more or anyplace, really. I’d just really like to see you again.”
Issy’s heart skipped a crazy beat. This was what she’d wanted, what she’d hoped for and dreamed about for so long, but now that the moment was here, she was scared. Scared of how badly she wanted things to work out with Dex and how shattered she’d be if they didn’t.
She took a deep breath and narrowed her gaze, forcing the words out. “I’m not sure that’s such a good idea.”
“Why not?” Dex looked over at her, his frown darkening. “I thought you liked me, Issy. Lord knows I like you, way more than I ever expected.”
“I do like you, Dex. So much. It’s just that we’re so different, and I understand getting involved with a witch isn’t something most mortal men want to do. Maybe we should just leave things as they are and save both of us some heartache.” She blinked back the unexpected sting of tears and kissed Bella’s head again. “After all, you’re leaving town soon anyway, and I’m sure you’ll have no problem finding a normal girl who’ll love you.”
Don’t cry, Mommy! Dex is here! We love Dex! Dex loves us too!
“Leaving?” Dex straightened, scowling. “Who told you that?”
“You did.” Issy narrowed her gaze. “The other day at your bungalow you said you wanted to break your lease.”
He gave a short laugh and looked up into the clear blue sky. “Lord save me from assuming witches.” Then he looked at Issy again, the gold flecks in his hazel eyes sparkling with heat. “I said I wanted to get out of the lease. Not break it. I want out so I can buy the bungalow. You can’t get rid of me that easy.”
“Oh,” Issy said absently, too wrapped up in the tingles zinging through her bloodstream from his caress. When his statement finally penetrated her love-dazed brain, her eyes snapped to his. “Wait. You’re staying?”
�
�That’s what I said.” He grinned and reached over to slide a strawberry-blond curl behind her ear, his touch lingering on her cheek. “If you don’t mind, I’d like to stick around and discover everything magical about you.” His gaze flickered to her lips before returning to her eyes. He stood and held out his hand. “Besides, I need some help decorating my new place. I hoped maybe you could swing by and help me figure out where to put this new chair I bought.”
“Sure.” Issy placed Bella on the ground then took Dex’s hand and pushed to her feet. Her heart was racing, and she felt more alive than she could ever remember. All because of this man—this man she’d never expected to find but couldn’t imagine living without. “I’d be delighted.”
Bella pranced at her side and Gordon waved to passersby as she and Dex headed toward his Buick parked along the curb.
Dex! Dex! Dex! We love Dex, Mommy! We love Dex!
Yes we do, Issy sent back to her little Pom telepathically. Yes we do.
Just as they reached Dex’s vehicle, his cell phone buzzed. He pulled it out of his pocket and checked the screen as he held the door for Issy and Bella. “Darn it.”
“What’s wrong?” Issy asked as she got into the Buick then settled the tiny dog on her lap.
Dex shut her door then jogged around the front of his car to climb behind the wheel. “It’s Stan, my old partner. Remember him?”
Issy remembered. She suppressed a shudder as she fastened her seat belt. “Yes. Why?”
“Well, he’s all worked up about that new movie producer in town.” Dex started the engine. “He swears that new film of his is full of real vampires and werewolves. In fact, he’s coming to town next week to check it out.”
Taking a deep breath, Issy waited until they’d signaled and pulled out into traffic before leaning over and kissing Dex on the cheek. “Don’t worry. With what I know about paranormals and your knowledge of the FBPI, I think we can handle Stan.” Issy kissed Dex again just because it felt so darned good then squeezed his free hand in hers. “Right now we have a bungalow to decorate.”
Nothing To Croak About (Silver Hollow Paranormal Cozy Mystery Series Book 3) Page 16