“Ugh.” Galen slid Lilac an annoyed look as he slipped around her and walked toward me. “Don’t listen to Lilac. That’s not how I phrased it.”
“No?” Now that I had settled a bit, I was in the mood to fight. “What word did you use?”
“I said you were quiet, and that concerned me.”
“You said ‘zombie-like,’” Lilac argued. “I remember exactly what you said. You said ‘Hadley was acting zombie-like and I thought she might have lost her marbles all over the beach so I need you guys to get over here.’ I was very worried.”
I didn’t want to laugh – it seemed inappropriate given what had happened on the beach thirty minutes ago – but I couldn’t stop myself. “Well, at least people care enough to worry I’m losing my marbles.” I rubbed my forehead, a rare tension headache brewing. “I need to sit down.”
I grabbed the bottle of water from the counter and slid into one of the chairs at the table, my temper threatening to come out and play when I saw the worried looks Galen and Booker exchanged when they thought I wasn’t looking.
“Stop that,” I hissed finally, extending a warning finger. “I won’t fall apart. And, contrary to popular opinion, my marbles won’t spill out all over the beach.”
“Of course they won’t.” Lilac made a sympathetic clucking sound as she sat next to me. “We’re in the kitchen now. If your marbles spill, it won’t be out there.”
“I don’t think that’s helping, Lilac,” Galen complained, moving to the open chair to my left and drawing my attention to him. “How are you feeling?”
“Annoyed.”
“That’s good. I like it when you’re annoyed. It makes my blood run hot.”
“Well, as long as you’re happy.” I offered a tight smile as I twisted the cap off the bottle of water. “Do you have any idea who did this?”
“No.” Galen shook his head. “We’re still working on it. We believe the shot came from a spot down the beach, close to that stand of trees near where we took off our shoes before wading the other night. Do you know the one I’m talking about?”
I dully nodded. “Yeah.”
“Did you see anyone hanging around those trees before it happened?”
“If I had, don’t you think I would’ve said something?”
“I think you were in shock when I first got here.” Galen was calm as he rested his hand over mine. “I’m not sure you remembered anything at the time.”
“I remember everything.” That was mostly true. “You don’t have to treat me as if I’m breakable. I’m not going to break.”
“It’s okay if you do,” Lilac offered, her eyes shining with sincerity. “What you saw out there … anyone would break because of that. It’s okay.”
“Well, I won’t.” I was firm. “I’m fine.”
Galen squeezed my hand. “Okay. Tell me what you remember.”
“Starting when?”
“Um … how about when we separated after breakfast?”
“I tracked down Booker at the tourism center and bugged him until he gave in and told me what he was,” I replied dully. “He wasn’t happy, but he did it. Then I went to the grocery store. I bought steaks for dinner tonight – mushrooms, onions, potatoes … you know the whole yummy pile of things we’d need because I thought we could grill. I got stuff for breakfast … and I even bought you a razor and toothbrush in case you forgot what I’d said this morning.”
Galen tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. “I didn’t forget. Thanks for that. It might come in handy tonight. Then what happened?”
“I came home and put the groceries away,” I answered. “I called for May because I had questions about cupids, but she didn’t answer.”
“Oh, can we not talk about that?” Booker made a face. “There’s a dead body outside. Let’s focus on that.”
“Leave her alone,” Galen chided, his expression darkening. “I told her to tell me everything. That’s what she’s doing.”
“Oh, you just want her to say something goofy about what I told her,” Booker grumbled. “I know how you are.”
“Yes, I want to turn Gus’s death into open season for jokes about you being the island’s resident sex maniac,” Galen drawled. “That’s exactly how I roll.”
“Knock it off,” I ordered, annoyed. “We’re talking about me right now, not you guys and your complicated relationship.”
Galen sobered. “I’m sorry. Continue.”
“I decided to go to the third floor because I needed a book,” I volunteered. “I remember the room felt off, like someone had been there and changed things while I was gone.”
Galen straightened his shoulders. “Wait … what?”
I nodded. “I thought for sure someone had been in the room. Things seemed off.”
“Why didn’t you call me?”
“Because nothing was missing. I thought some of the herbs were out of place and that maybe someone had opened the Book of Shadows. But nothing was missing. It was a feeling I had no proof to back up. I mean … I’m not even sure of everything that’s in that room. I haven’t conducted an inventory or anything.”
Galen opened his mouth to say something and then apparently changed his mind. “Okay. We’ll talk about that later. Tell me what happened next.”
“I went downstairs to grab a banana and bottle of water.” I searched my memory for the proper chain of events. “I went out to the patio because I was going to take a break from researching.”
“What were you researching?”
“Cupids. I can’t wait to see you ride a dolphin, by the way, Booker.”
Booker scowled. “I knew telling you was a mistake. I just … knew it.”
Galen snickered. “I’m happy you told her. I was getting sick of fending off questions.”
“You should’ve told her. It would’ve saved time.”
“That’s what I said,” I interjected. “He said it wasn’t his secret to tell.”
“And I stand by that.” Galen moved his hand to the back of my neck and rubbed at the tension there. “So, you were upstairs researching and decided to come downstairs on a break. What happened then?”
I shrugged. “Not much. I saw Gus walking the beach and went out to talk to him. He was distraught, talking about Trish and how his life was essentially ruined. I think he was going to kill himself. Er, well, I think that was the plan … although I’m not sure how I know that. I think I might’ve picked up a stray thought from his brain or something. Either way, he didn’t do it. Maybe he was trying to gear himself up for it or something.”
“He had a gun in his pocket,” Galen noted.
The information took me by surprise. “He did?”
Galen nodded. “A small handgun. It was loaded. If you think he was considering killing himself, it’s a fairly good bet that he was.”
“Someone beat him to it, then,” Booker mused, taking the remaining seat at the end of the table and rubbing his chin as he ran the scenario through his head. “Someone had to be watching what was going down on the beach and decided to act at a certain time.”
“Do you remember what was happening right before the shot was fired?” Galen asked gently.
“I … .” I broke off, my memory clicking firmly into place. “I remember thinking that something bad was going to happen. I remember trying to get Gus to run … but he wouldn’t.”
Galen’s eyebrows flew up. “You knew something bad was going to happen?”
“It was as if I had an inner danger alarm in my head and it was screaming at me to get out,” I replied. “At first it wasn’t easy because of the shimmering.”
“Shimmering?”
“What? Oh, the water was shimmering.” I shook my head to dislodge myself from the reverie. “I don’t know how else to explain it. The water was shimmering, like there was a floating cloud and it was heading my way. I felt kind of dreamy while it was shimmering, but it was as if I knew somehow – like really deep down – that it shouldn’t be shimmering and I managed t
o break through. I’m not explaining it very well.”
“You’re doing fine.” Galen patted my hand and flicked his eyes to Booker. “What do you make of that?”
“It sounds as if someone tried to put her under a spell,” Booker replied without hesitation. “If I had to guess, I think whoever did the shooting wanted Hadley out of the picture for the deed, perhaps so she wouldn’t fight what was about to happen.”
“Or maybe it was something else,” Lilac suggested. “Maybe someone tried to put Hadley under a spell because he or she wanted to frame her for Gus’s death. I mean … Hadley somehow slipped through the cracks. That’s amazing, by the way, for a novice.” She beamed at me.
Unfortunately, I couldn’t return the smile. “Wait a second … are you saying that you think someone hid in the bushes, tried to put a spell on me, shot Gus with the intention of framing me for murder and then managed to escape without anyone seeing him or her?”
“I think that’s it in a nutshell,” Galen replied. “You were out of it when I arrived. At first I thought it was simply because of Gus’s death. That would be enough to drive anyone around the bend. Now I think it was more than that.”
“It was the remnants of the spell,” Lilac said, nodding. “I’m sure you’re right. When whoever it was realized Hadley was free of the spell they had to run because it was either that or get caught. Finishing the frame job wasn’t an option because Hadley was conscious … and possibly a real threat.”
I balked. “I’m not a threat.”
“Oh, really?” Booker challenged. “That story about you throwing an ax-wielding assailant out of a second-story window has made the rounds on the island. I’ve been asked about it at least three times. Whether you like it or not, you are a threat … and people know it.”
“I’ve been questioned about it too,” Galen admitted ruefully. “People are curious about Hadley. That first show of power could’ve been a fluke, though, and our culprit might’ve thought she couldn’t pull it off a second time.”
“The shimmering she described, that sounds like a powerful spell,” Lilac argued. “I think there are only two or three people on the island capable of casting a spell like that. I mean … she might be one of them eventually, but that’s a large bit of magic.”
They were talking around me as if I wasn’t present, and it was driving me insane. “You guys know I can hear you, right?”
“You have a very strong presence that’s hard to forget,” Galen drawled. “Of course we know you’re here.” He patted my hand and gave my fingers a squeeze. “It’s just … you shouldn’t have been able to break that spell. You’ve barely tapped into your magic. My guess is you did it instinctively – because that seems to be how you do everything – but what you managed to accomplish today is fairly amazing.”
“Yes, she’s a true goddess amongst men,” Booker drawled, annoyance dancing across his handsome features. “We need to focus on the individuals who could pull this off. One of them clearly has a grudge against Hadley … although, for the life of me I can’t figure out why. What benefit would anyone find in framing her for murder?”
“Maybe someone wants to buy the lighthouse,” Lilac suggested. “It is a prime piece of land.”
“So soon after Ned failed at the endeavor?” Galen didn’t look convinced as he shook his head. “No, this is about something else. Who could weave the bit of magic Hadley described?”
“I’m not a hundred percent sure, but those witches out on the north shore might be able to,” Lilac replied.
“The ones from that hippie commune who refuse to shower and shave their pits?” Booker made a face. “Why would they possibly leave La-La Land and come to town to kill Hadley? They haven’t even met her.”
“They’re feminists,” Lilac argued. “Feminists don’t shave their pits.”
I didn’t point out that was stereotypical … and often altogether wrong. It didn’t seem like the time.
“Who else could cast the spell?” Galen persisted. “I mean … who here has enough magic to do what was done today?”
“Off the top of my head the only one I can absolutely say without hesitation is capable of doing what Hadley described is Madame Selena,” Lilac replied. “I have no idea why she’d want to attack in this manner. I mean … it’s not like her.”
“No, it’s not.” Galen’s eyes were thoughtful as they snagged mine. “But she is a nut.”
“Oh, she’s the nuttiest of the nutty,” Booker agreed. “That doesn’t explain why she’d go after Hadley. What’s her motive?”
“She and May were never really tight,” Galen pointed out. “I never got the feeling May liked her all that well.”
“Madame Selena essentially said that to me,” I said. “She said they weren’t friends, but they respected one another.”
“I don’t think May respected her all that much,” Booker argued. “May thought she had evil tendencies.”
“How do you know that?” Galen asked.
“She told me. We hung around a lot because she was immune to my charms. You know that.”
“I know.” Galen’s expression softened. “You did a lot of odd jobs around the lighthouse for her, and for free most of the time. You were good to her.”
“She was good to me.” Booker furrowed his brow. “Other than Madame Selena, can you think of anyone strong enough to cast a spell on Hadley?”
Lilac and Galen shook their heads in unison.
“No,” Lilac said finally. “Maybe the north shore witches, but like you said, they have no motive. They haven’t even met Hadley, and they never come to town.”
“So, Madame Selena is our prime suspect.” Galen rolled his neck and stared at the ceiling. “She’d better hope I don’t get my hands on her if she’s guilty.”
“I think that goes for all of us,” Lilac said.
“So how do we find her?” I asked.
“That shouldn’t be hard,” Galen replied. “She usually hangs out at her house, storefront or festival tent. There’s not a lot of variation in her schedule. I’ll make a call. If we can track her down for questioning, I want to do it tonight.”
23
Twenty-Three
Galen’s deputies searched the entire island – at least the areas they could get easy access to – for signs of Madame Selena, but came up empty. Lilac and Booker left after dinner. We all enjoyed the fresh steaks, Booker grilling them as he ignored the evidence and medical teams toiling on the beach. Lilac added corn and potato salad to the mix and we had a virtual feast.
Once Galen realized I was flagging, he suggested Lilac and Booker call it a night. Lilac obviously wasn’t thrilled with the idea, but Booker was smart enough to trick her into leaving.
“Come on.” He slid his arm over her shoulders. “I’ll take you to the festival and visit the beer tent with you. If I remember correctly, that’s one of your favorite activities. I’m sure you’ll forget Hadley’s woes relatively quickly.”
Lilac made a face. “Exactly what sort of friend are you accusing me of being?”
“The best kind.”
“Oh, well, I guess that’s okay.” Lilac’s cheeks turned pink as Booker winked. “Let’s go to the beer tent. You’ve won me over.”
I grabbed Booker’s arm before he could disappear into the night, lowering my voice so Lilac didn’t overhear. “Don’t do your Booker thing,” I warned. “She’s not another notch for your bedpost.”
Booker chuckled. “What makes you think she’s not already a notch?”
I was taken aback. “I … is she?”
Booker shrugged. “I don’t kiss and tell.” He took a step away from me and fixed Galen with a serious look. “I’ll keep my ear to the ground. If I hear anything about Selena I’ll call you.”
“I don’t care what time it is,” Galen stressed, standing so close to me that I could feel his warmth against my back. He ran hotter than anyone I’d ever met. I figured that had to be a wolf thing. “She can’t have gotten off this
island. That means she’s here.”
“And if she were innocent, she’d be at her tent,” Booker surmised. “I get what you’re thinking. She realized right away that she screwed things up and is on the run. Where do you think she’d go?”
“I have no idea.” Galen rubbed his hand up and down my back, the action soothing as I battled to stay awake. “All she has is that golf cart thing, the purple one with the storage bins for all her stuff. That won’t go unnoticed.”
“I’ll keep my ear to the ground,” Booker repeated. “Some of her pals might be at the beer tent.”
I knit my eyebrows, suspicious. “Is that why you suggested going to the beer tent? Lilac thinks you did it to cheer her up. Don’t disappoint her.”
Booker flicked the end of my nose. “You can’t have it both ways. I can either take her to bed or disappoint her.”
“That is not funny.”
Booker chuckled. “Everything you say is funny. Don’t worry about Lilac. We’ve been friends for years. She’s in good hands. I won’t let anything happen to her.”
“It’s true,” Galen offered. “Booker and Lilac are friends … and not the sort of friends that will make your head implode. You have nothing to worry about.”
Weariness forced me to believe them. “Fine. I’m too tired to get worked up anyway. Call if you find Madame Selena. I’ll be able to sleep better if I know where she is.”
“I’m on it.”
Galen locked the door, double-checking that it was securely fastened before sliding the security chain in place. Then he did the same with the back door before hitting the lights and pointing me toward the staircase.
“You’re practically living here now,” I noted as I climbed. “You’ve been here every night for … well, days.”
“It’s not for fun,” Galen argued. “I’d be happier if I were practically living here because you couldn’t keep your hands off me.”
I snorted, genuinely amused. “One day I’m sure it will happen.”
“Not tonight.” Galen didn’t sound particularly sad about the realization. “Tonight you’re getting some sleep. Then, tomorrow, we’ll find Madame Selena and figure all this out. Once that happens, we can focus on the fun stuff again.”
Witch Out of Water Page 21