“Delphine is the librarian, isn’t she?” Aster asked. “The quiet, pretty witch?”
I jumped right in. “Yes, that’s her. Very knowledgeable, too. She’s helping Florian and I with our history papers.”
“That’s where I got the idea,” Florian said. “That history class is paying dividends. Such a good idea, Ember.”
“I admit I was skeptical when you mentioned attending the class,” Aster told her brother. “I was sure there was a woman involved.”
“What makes you think there isn’t?” Florian countered.
“Delphine isn’t your type,” Aster said. “She’s far too appropriate.”
“And Dr. Timmons is, shall we say, a wee bit older than your usual date,” Thaddeus added.
“Good thing I’m there to learn, isn’t it?” Florian said. “Will you do me a favor and mention to Mother how my history class has added value to the tourism board?”
Aster moaned. “Can you possibly do anything without a selfish motive?”
“Does it matter?” Florian asked. “You’re benefitting from my selfishness and no one’s getting hurt by it.”
He made a good point. “I think we should consider his idea,” I said. “If you market it the right way, maybe you would attract a broader range of tourists than just treasure seekers. Promote it as old-fashioned family fun or something.”
Aster tapped her slender fingers on the table. “The whole idea is growing on me. Let’s talk more about it later.” Her phone buzzed and she whipped it out of her pocket. “Thank the gods. Sterling’s home.” Some of the tension faded from her body language and I realized how affected she’d been by his tardiness.
“Text him now and ask him about dinner one night this week,” I said.
Aster’s expression darkened. “Oh, I don’t want to bother him when he only just arrived home. The boys will be climbing all over him.”
“He doesn’t have to commit now,” I said, nudging her. “Just float the idea.”
“I suppose it can’t hurt.” She shot off a text. “You’re very sweet to offer. I know how busy you are. I’m not a single mother, but I can imagine the difficulties.”
“Marley is old enough now that it’s not so bad,” I said. “Your boys are still at needy ages. It must be hard to not have that second pair of hands around.”
Aster seemed to feel the weight of everyone’s stares. “I have plenty of help if I need it. And Sterling is an excellent husband and father. It’s only a temporary distraction…whatever it is.”
I couldn’t decide who she was trying to convince more.
The phone buzzed again. “Sterling says he’ll need to check with his assistant.” Aster tried to suppress her disappointment.
“Okay, just text me with a date and, hopefully, we can make it work,” I said. Marley needed marital role models and I was in no position to help. With me a widow, Linnea divorced, and Florian a content bachelor, it was up to Aster to represent the happily married couple faction, and I was willing to do whatever I could to keep their marriage intact.
Chapter 12
“Can we skip the usual lesson today?” I asked.
Marigold and I were in Rose Cottage, preparing to tackle more telekinesis.
“So you can what? Nap on the sofa?” Marigold clapped her hands. “Time is precious, Ember. You want to grip the day by its lapels. Make the most of it.”
“And how is moving a fork across the table with my mind making the most of today?”
Irritation marked her features. “It’s a building block.”
“What I need is for you to make the most of your time,” I said, “with Smithers.”
She perked up immediately. “Time with Smithers? What on earth do you mean?”
“You have another plan to meet up with him, right?”
“Yes, today, as a matter of fact.” Marigold narrowed her eyes. “How do you know that?”
“Lucky guess,” I said. “When you’re with him, I need you to take a quick peek in his head, rummage around in his thoughts.”
She reeled back. “Heavens no. I couldn’t possibly.”
I sighed. “We need to rule him out as a suspect. If you could poke around in his mind and find out why he’s reading books about famous vampire pirates, that would be a tremendous help.”
She steadied herself with a hand on the table. “Smithers is a suspect? Nonsense. He’s as forthright as they come. I’ve known him for years.”
“Just one look,” I pleaded. “We need to know whether the books are a hobby or something more sinister. You can help us cross his name off the list.”
Marigold paused. “If he did happen to stay on the list, would he need to remain in town indefinitely?”
Oh no. “Marigold, you do not want Smithers to be a suspect just so you can play banana in the fruit salad.”
She cocked her head. “Is that a human world phrase? Why do so many sex euphemisms involve food?”
“I don’t know. Hunger?”
She gave me an indulgent smile. “Smarter than you look, Ember.”
“Um, thank you?”
Marigold folded her arms. “But I’m not going to do it.”
“What? Why not?”
“Because it’s an invasion of privacy and trust. Do you have evidence that Smithers was involved aside from his choice of literature? Because if being a history buff is a crime now, I guess you and Florian should be suspects, too. I already thought Florian enrolling in a community college class was suspicious.”
“That’s completely unrelated,” I insisted. “Besides, Smithers had opportunity.”
“So did a hundred other butlers at the convention center when Higgins was killed. Will I be reading all of their minds, too?”
“Fine. Forget it,” I grumbled. “I was also hoping that you could show me how to do that linking spell. That way, you don’t have to show up for my lessons with Ian, since I could tell it made you uncomfortable.” Smarter than I look, indeed.
Marigold pursed her lips. “It would be nice to shift that responsibility. It’s a disruption to my routine. Slotting in your psychic skills lessons was hard enough, but Hyacinth insisted.”
“I’m a fast learner,” I said. “Must be those Rose genes.”
Marigold considered me. “You did pick up astral projection at an impressive pace. It strikes me as odd that Hazel complains so often.” She clamped her hand over her mouth.
“I don’t need psychic skills to know that,” I said. “Hazel and I don’t see eye-to-eye on the importance of the Big Book of Scribbles. A clash is inevitable.”
Marigold visibly relaxed. “Let’s do it then. Your aunt will be pleased to hear you’ve advanced in at least one area.” She held out her hands.
“No wands?” I queried.
“Not for this,” she said. “Many psychic skills don’t involve wands.”
“Let me get Raoul,” I said. “He’s outside.”
“How do you know?”
I tapped the side of my head. “Familiar bond.” And because I told him to wait there until I called him.
Raoul climbed through the open kitchen window and joined us in the living area. Thankfully, PP3 was asleep on my bed. One of the advantages to an older dog with hearing loss.
I took one of Marigold’s hands and one of the raccoon’s paws.
“You don’t actually need Raoul to form the link,” Marigold said. “He can watch and learn, but the link between us will essentially pass to him, like a hall of mirrors, since he can already read your thoughts.”
“Only when I want him to,” I said. “I’ve gotten better at cloaking.” Thanks to Alec.
Raoul seemed disappointed to be left out. He went to the corner and sulked.
“You need to focus your will, as always,” Marigold said. “It’s very important because you need to connect to the right mind. You won’t always have the luxury of being the only ones in the vicinity and you don’t want to end up in the wrong head. Trust me, been there, got the psychiatri
c ward visit.”
That sounded…unpleasant.
“There are several options to choose from,” Marigold continued, “although I prefer connectio. It seems to form the quickest, most adhesive link. It’s like a hook and eye, if you don’t line it up just so, it slips away.”
“Got it,” I said. “And how do I unlink?”
“The link is not designed to be permanent,” she said. “It’ll fade once you’ve been physically apart for a reasonable amount of time.”
“Should I try now?”
“Yes, yes,” Marigold said. “May as well see if you can follow instructions.”
I closed my eyes, focused my will, and said, “Connectio.” I felt the shift this time, like a door opening in my mind.
Well done, grasshopper, Marigold said.
My eyes popped. I did it! I was so pleased that, for a moment, I forgot the whole reason I forged the link in the first place.
“This is a special skill to be used carefully and respectfully,” Marigold said.
“Of course,” I said. “Ian gave me a whole lecture on it.” A lie that I shielded from Marigold.
“Ian.” She sighed heavily and released my hands. “He’s very by the book, isn’t he?”
“So?” I said. “You’re a stickler, too.” I tried to concentrate on her thoughts.
“Which is why I prefer someone who isn’t,” Marigold said. “I don’t need someone else with a critical eye and a can-do attitude. I already have me for that. I need more of a balance.”
Like Smithers, she thought to herself. He’s the perfect antidote to all that…exactness. Plus, he’s built like a fine-tuned machine.
Couldn’t blame her for finding those qualities attractive. Of course, murderer might negate all that.
“Ian mentioned you two had a history,” I said. “Anything you care to share?”
Her cheeks grew flushed. “Absolutely not. It was a long time ago and not worth mentioning.” And I prefer to steer clear of him. No need to dredge up the past with every encounter.
Hmm. There was definitely a story there. I listened again, but heard nothing. Stupid hook and eye! I didn’t think I’d lose the link so quickly. I only had a tiny window of opportunity to eavesdrop. If I couldn’t do it, I needed someone who could. Fast. There was only one paranormal that fit the bill, although I hated to ask him.
“What time are you meeting Smithers?” I asked.
Marigold checked her watch. “Fifteen minutes, so I should go. His hotel is halfway across town.”
“I’m headed to the newspaper office,” I said. “Would you mind dropping me off on your way?”
“Not at all.”
Marigold left me on the sidewalk in front of Vox Populi and continued to the hotel. I hurried inside to see if Alec was around. If Operation Eavesdrop was going ahead, then we needed to hurry.
I knocked on the closed door of Alec’s corner office. We’d been successfully avoiding each other since his return. It was my understanding that Holly was still in town and I intended to give them a wide berth.
“Come in,” came the muffled reply, and I flung open the door.
“Alec, I need you,” I said, and suddenly wanted to snatch back those particular words. “I mean, can you help me with an urgent project?”
Alec studied me. “Why do I get the sense that this urgent project involves the potential for trouble?”
I flashed an innocent smile. “Because you know me so well?”
Alec only hesitated a moment before rolling back his chair. “Where are we going?”
“To the Kraken Hotel,” I said.
He cocked an eyebrow. “Pardon?”
“Don’t worry. We’re not getting a room. We’ll eavesdrop from the hall.”
“We cannot eavesdrop from the hall,” he said in a clipped tone. “If you intend to listen properly, we shall need to do it from an adjacent room.”
He sounded like he had eavesdropping experience--a question for another day. “Then I guess we’re getting a room. We can expense it, right?”
Alec guided me out of his office. “Perhaps we should worry about that later. If the matter is as urgent as you suggest, we need to move swiftly.”
I was relieved that Alec was willing to help without too much resistance. I didn’t know where I stood with him these days, other than he wanted as little to do with me as possible.
“I wish I had my own broomstick,” I said, as we stood outside the office building. “I could get us there in a heartbeat.”
“You’ve earned your license?”
“Not yet,” I said. “But Florian is giving me lessons and he says I’m a natural.”
Alec offered a vague smile. “That’s excellent, Miss Rose. I’m pleased for you.”
My spirits lifted. It wasn’t every day that Alec made a heartfelt remark, not unless he was under a spell.
“While I can’t fly, it’ll be faster if I can carry you,” Alec said.
Of course. Vampire speed. “That won’t look weird to passersby?”
“They won’t even register us,” he said. “Up you get.”
I looped my arms around his neck and he held me against his chest as he sprinted to the hotel at a rapid clip. We arrived so quickly, I was reluctant to let go so soon. Then I remembered the importance of eavesdropping on Smithers and I got my head back in the game.
“We need the room next to 302,” I said, as we hurried into the lobby.
We approached the reception desk and Alec gave the elf an engaging smile. “Good afternoon, miss. My girlfriend and I are here to celebrate our anniversary and we were hoping that room 304 is available, for nostalgic reasons.”
The elf sighed dreamily. “How nice.” She checked her computer screen. “Oh, I’m so sorry, but that room’s taken. There’s a conference in town that’s been extended and we’re dreadfully busy.”
I elbowed him in the ribs. “Darling, you’re such a knucklehead. Our room was 300.” I looked at the elf and rolled my eyes. “How quickly they forget.”
She shot me a sympathetic look as she checked her computer screen. “You’re in luck. Room 300 is available.”
“Great,” I said. “Could you make it fast?” I linked my arm through Alec’s and squeezed. “It was a long ride to get here and we’re in a hurry, if you know what I mean.”
I felt Alec stiffen beside me. He reached for his wallet and handed the elf his business credit card.
The elf gave me the key and I dragged Alec to the elevator.
“Why do I get the feeling this is what you would actually be like if the circumstances were real?” he said with a trace of amusement.
I felt a rush of warmth—it was nice to hear Alec speak to me like a friend rather than an associate. I nearly offered a flirtatious reply but bit my tongue. I didn’t want to reopen those wounds. Not when they hadn’t had time to heal.
We rode up the elevator in silence. It was a smaller, older elevator, and I was very conscious of Alec’s body close to mine.
“You’d think they’d have a magical elevator like the one at the Lighthouse,” I said, in an effort to diffuse the tension.
“The tension is only in your imagination, Miss Rose,” Alec said.
Sweet baby Elvis. I was so focused on the task at hand, that I’d forgotten to put up my mental shield.
“Third floor,” I announced, a tad too loudly.
The doors opened and we stepped into the corridor. I turned left, remembering the way to Smithers’ room.
“Is this a crime in progress, by any chance?” Alec asked in a hushed tone.
“No, but if you listen closely, you might pick up information on the butler’s murder.” I knew Marigold wouldn’t be able to resist asking about Higgins and the books. I’d planted the seeds. Now it was time to see if anything grew.
We crept into room 300 and clicked the door quietly closed behind us. No need to alert the next room to new neighbors.
Alec strode across the room for a glimpse at the view. “Not
very exciting.”
“No one books this place for the view,” I said. “It’s centrally located for the conference and the restaurants.”
“I suppose.”
I pressed my ear to the wall and struggled to listen.
Alec regarded me. “We’re not checking up on your boyfriend, are we, Miss Rose?”
“My boyfriend?” I sputtered. “The sheriff is not my boyfriend. And this is official business, I swear.”
His hand rested on my shoulder. “It’s quite acceptable if he is your boyfriend, Miss Rose. There’s no need to hide your romantic life from me, unless you’re uncomfortable with your boss knowing personal details of your life.”
I pressed my cheek against the door, unwilling to face him. “Is this because of Holly?”
“No, Holly is irrelevant,” he said. “It’s as we’ve previously discussed. Nothing has changed.” He moved to stand beside me. “What would you like me to focus on?”
“The name Higgins,” I said. “Anything connected to the murder at the conference. Thoughts of treasure or a map. A butler named Smithers is in there with Marigold, and I’m willing to bet good money the topic comes up.”
Alec’s breath was hot on the curve of my neck, resulting in an involuntary shiver. I couldn’t think straight with his body so close to mine.
“Cold, Miss Rose? Perhaps you can adjust the thermostat.”
“I’m fine,” I mumbled. “Just listen so you don’t miss anything.”
His lips twitched. “They’re talking about their missed engagement. A lunch.”
Ooh, perfect. “Anything about Higgins?” I jostled him.
He put a finger to his lips. “Quiet, please.” He cleared his throat. “Smithers’ thoughts are as you would expect.”
I shot him a quizzical look. “Is he admiring his bald head in the mirror again?”
“He’s admiring something, but it’s not a part of his own anatomy.”
“Ugh. Marigold?” I tried to block the image from my mind. “What about her? Has she mentioned Higgins yet?”
“Miss Rose, stop talking and I shall tell you.”
I pretended to zip my lip.
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