A Candy Cane Cat-astrophe

by Addison Moore

  It seems as though a decent number of people are here today, each person bundled in their winter coat and scarf even though it’s plenty toasty inside. The checkout counter is decorated with poinsettias and evergreen boughs, and there’s a ceramic Santa holding out a fluffy velvet bag stuffed with candy canes. The words printed on the side of the bag read take one.

  I spot Kaila right away standing near the shelves marked fiction as she restocks books from off a rolling cart. Her red hair is pulled back into a sleek bun, and she has black rectangular readers on, giving her the appeal of the quintessential librarian. She’s donned a bright red turtleneck in keeping with the holiday theme, and a necklace made of miniature Christmas lights that blink on and off.

  As adorable as it is, I can’t help but think it’s a tad bit inappropriate, considering the way her boss was taken out.

  “Come on, chica.” Stephanie nudges Tilly in the ribs. “I bet that librarian knows how to have a good time in this place. Let’s have her point the way to the section filled with saucy bossy women who know how to wrangle their men.”

  I’m not sure if my sister realizes it, but she navigates us right up to the very suspect I’m here to shake down.

  My sister clears her throat, and Kaila gives a casual glance our way.

  Stephanie snaps her fingers in the air. “We like naughty books, and we cannot lie. The other readers can’t deny. If you show us where the dirty books are, we’ll get—”

  “Lost,” I finish for her.

  Tilly breaks into spontaneous applause at my sister’s impromptu, and if I must confess, somewhat catchy performance. Leave it to Steph to turn a visit to the public library into a rap concert with a literary slant. Now if only I can get her to use her superpowers for good, and I’m not talking about the transmundane powers she wields.

  Kaila gives a quiet laugh. “You girls came to the right place,” she says in a hushed tone—most likely hoping my sister will emulate it. “In fact, those books are right down this aisle about midway.” She points to her left, and both Steph and Tilly nearly run her over as they speed that way.

  “Forgive them,” I say, suddenly a little morose they didn’t have farther to travel. “It’s shaping up to be a long, cold winter for those two.”

  She ticks her head to the side. “Well, I can certainly commiserate. I’m between men, if you know what I mean.”

  “Between men? I’m not sure if I’m sorry to hear it—or happy for you.”

  She belts out a laugh before covering her lips with her fingers. “You’re a funny one,” she whispers. “Hey? I feel like we’ve met before, but I can’t quite place you.”

  “The other night at the tree lighting. There was one Mrs. Claus too many, and you were one of them. I’m Bowie Binx, S.J. Wexler’s girlfriend.” A pinch of pride swims through me when I say that last part.

  “Oh, that’s right.” She closes her eyes a moment. “Yeah, that was a crazy night.”

  “I bet that was a plot twist you didn’t see coming.”

  A sly smile rides on her lips as she glances to the checkout counter. “Well, let’s be honest, not every plot twist is all that far-fetched. Holly thought she was the heart and soul of this establishment, and yet if you look around, you’ll see this place is running just fine without her.”

  My heart sinks at how cold that sounded.

  “So what did she do here exactly?” I ask, taking a brief look around. In the back I can see a children’s reading room that looks like a miniature amphitheater, and in front of it the sign reads Don’t miss reading with Santa this Saturday!

  Kaila huffs a laugh. “She liked to boss people around. Which would be expected from the head librarian—just not in the manner she was accustomed to doing it.”

  Okay, so she was a pushy broad. I get that, but there has to be another component to this.

  “For what it’s worth, I’m sorry for your loss. And if you’re really interested in remedying that ‘in between men dilemma’, Mortimer Manor is hosting the town Christmas party two Saturdays from now. Be sure to wear your ugliest sweater—Mayor Wright’s request, not mine.”

  “I’ll be there, but I’m in no hurry to find a man. My dogs keep me plenty company. They’re my whole life.” Her chest bucks with a silent laugh. “And leave it to Mayor Wright to throw a party at a time like this. Oh, I get it, it’s the holidays and all that good stuff, but I’ve heard him say more than a handful of times that if Holly ever bit the big one he would celebrate as if it were a holiday.”

  “Wow, that’s harsh.”

  She shrugs. “The woman slept with his brother. Now that was harsh. Mayor Wright and Ford never got along again after that. But then, that was pretty much Holly’s MO in life. She sought to seek, kill, and destroy. It was the only way she knew.”

  “The mayor did mention something about Holly self-destructing, when I saw him at the tree lot yesterday.” I shrug. “My cat had to have her picture taken with Santa. She’s pushy like that.”

  A genuine belly laugh strums from her. “I’ve already got the Santa hats out for my dogs. I’ll be heading that way myself tonight if the snow lets up a bit. It’s really coming down out there.” She glances past me with a look of worry. “Did the mayor happen to mention what Holly was doing to self-destruct?”

  “Something about social media posts. Have you seen them?”

  Her head tips back a moment as another dull laugh pumps from her.

  “Oh, those.” She rolls her eyes. “Yup. Holly was posting some lewd things that made very little sense these last few weeks. Serves her right to have her level of crazy exposed for all to see.”

  “What sites were those on?”

  “Insta Pictures. She was always chronicling her food or showing off her latest hairstyle, or making pouting faces at the camera. Holly was all about me, me, me. Meanwhile, she tried to skewer those around her.” She shudders.

  “She tried to skewer you, didn’t she?” I say the words carefully and measured as if trying to prove to her that I’m on her side, that I sympathize with her.

  Her eyes flash like fire as she looks over at me. “What makes you think that?”

  “You look a little shaken.”

  “Trust me, we’re all shaken. There’s a killer on the loose. For all we know, she could be targeting innocent people.”

  “She?” A part of me wonders if that was a slipup.

  “Or he.” She shrugs it off. “God knows, Holly had enemies across gender lines.”

  “Yeah, I guess. Just like the mayor.”

  “Or his brother.” She grabs a book off the cart and studies it. “She ruined Ford’s life as much as she ruined anyone else’s.”

  “Why’s that?”

  She glances past me a moment once again as if she’s half-expecting Holly herself to show up.

  “The affair, of course. Ford and his parents aren’t speaking. Ford and Gus are only exchanging threats and barbs. That woman nuked an entire family. Holly Wright was a terrible, terrible person.”

  “But doesn’t it take two to tango?”

  “You don’t know Ford. He’s a gentle soul. She took advantage of him.” Her jaw redefines itself with what looks to be anger. “And she didn’t do it for the obvious reasons. It wasn’t just to stick a dagger in her ex’s craw, she wanted to stick a dagger in the heart of the woman he was interested in, too.”

  “What woman?”

  She startles. “Oh, I don’t know. Just some things I heard.” Her demeanor shifts, and I can tell she smells blood.

  I’d better make nice.

  “You mentioned dogs. I’m a big dog lover myself. What breeds do you have?”

  “Golden retrievers and a few others.” She pulls out her phone and holds out a picture on the screen of a few chubby well-loved furry four-legged creatures, and I note it’s coming from her own Insta Pictures account. In the upper right-hand corner there’s a thumbnail picture of a red and white mug.

  “Oh wow, they’re beautiful.” I lean in whi
le inspecting the cute pooches. “Hey? Is that a fox in the background?”

  She pulls the phone to herself before shutting it down and putting it away.

  “That was a toy. Looks real, though, I know.” She offers a tight smile my way. “I’d better get back to work. Now that Holly isn’t here, I’m pulling double duty.”

  “And I’d better get to the steamy book section before those two gobble up all the good stuff.”

  She chortles at the thought.

  “Kaila? Certainly you knew Holly best. Who do you think could have done something like this to her?”

  “I’m not sure.” Kaila’s eyes shift from side to side. “I mean, I know the mayor’s brother was upset, but I’ve known Ford all my life. He’s not a killer no matter how bad his brother might make him sound.” She sniffs at the thought.

  “I ran into Holly’s friend Carol yesterday, and she didn’t know either.”

  But Carol was certain Kaila had a motive.

  “Carol?” Her eyes enlarge. “Carol and Holly weren’t friends. Not anymore. In fact, they were outright enemies toward the end.”

  Knew it.

  “Oh? I heard they were solid.” I heard no such thing, but I have a feeling this woman is holding out on me big time.

  “Solid in a feud. When Holly got the boot from the distillery, she wanted Carol to leave with her, and when she didn’t listen to the merciless self-appointed monarch, things got tense between them. Holly actually accused Carol of getting her ousted from the distillery. She wanted Carol to leave with her, but she refused to go—Holly felt betrayed. There was so much drama brewing up—pardon the pun—Carol got demoted in the process. Holly was so ticked she was determined to ruin Carol’s life. She went as far as having an affair with Carol’s brother. Broke up his marriage, too. Personally, I think he was primed for an affair.”

  “Oh wow, things really got dirty between them.”

  She nods. “Hey? Maybe Carol killed Holly? And here I thought Holly would beat her to the punch.” She shakes her head. “If Carol did do it, I’d like to see the judge go easy on her. After all, she did this entire town a favor.” She rolls her cart past me, and my blood runs cold at that last comment.

  Everyone seems to think Holly Wright had it coming.

  And not one person so far is all that sorry she’s gone. Maybe I should listen to Mayor Wright and enjoy my holidays instead of trying to put together this murderous puzzle.

  Stephanie and Tilly check out about half a dozen bawdy books each.

  “I know what I’m doing tonight,” Steph says, perusing her selections as soon as we get back into my car.

  “Me, too.” Tilly wags a cover in my face with a shirtless man sprawled across it. “How about you, Bowie? You wanna borrow a book?”

  “No thanks. I have a hot date tonight at seven.”

  “Ooh.” Steph leans in. “Where’s Sexy Wexy taking us tonight?”

  Tilly moans, “I hope it’s surf and turf. I’ve been craving lobster.”

  “Somewhere quiet and private with seating for two,” I say, hoping they’ll take the hint.

  The two of them talk about their steamy new reads all the way home, and my mind is cluttered up with the fact a killer is lurking about in my cozy new town.

  Someone out there is most definitely on the naughty list.

  And I’m betting we’ll discover the killer has been under our nose all along.

  Four suspects were all seen arguing with Holly Wright that night.

  Now to winnow out the killer.

  Mayor Wright, his brother Ford, Carol, or Kaila.

  Which one of them did it?

  Which three will have a happy holiday season, and which one will go to prison for life?

  Which one indeed.

  Chapter 8

  Shepherd Wexler’s eyes nearly fell from his head when he picked me up at seven. I left that pneumonia trap of a uniform on but paired it with a heavy wool coat and thigh-high boots—a footwear decision I slightly regretted once Shep asked if I wanted to walk since the restaurant was less than five minutes away.

  We opted to eat dinner right there on Main Street at a place called the Gourmet Kitchen where Shep enjoys the garlic buttered grilled steak and shrimp dish, and I nosh on the ever delectable lamb chops with balsamic reduction.

  After the first few initial bites of our meals, I decide Holly Wright’s homicide should be introduced as the sparkling dinner conversation it is.

  “So how’s the case going?” I ask, trying to sound as if it really didn’t matter to me.

  Shep pauses from sawing at his steak to glance up at me with those pale eyes.

  “Bowie.” His lips attempt to arc upwards but decide otherwise.

  What is it about men who hardly smile that makes me antsy to have them? I blame that pack of mobsters I was raised by for the delusion that tough men are best. But in Shep’s case, I would be right.

  “Okay,” I say. “I’ll go first. I stopped by the library today.”

  He drops his fork and offers me that slightly disgruntled look while bearing into my eyes.

  “Relax, hot shot,” I say. “I had a totally legit reason for being there. Tilly and Lola were in need of some new reading material. And it just so happened that Kaila was filing books in the steamy reads section. So while my bestie and my sister filled their arms with all the books that had pictures of shirtless men on the cover, I engaged in a little chitchat with the librarian. I have news for you, Shepherd. I don’t need those kinds of books in my life. My boyfriend happens to be the hottest best-selling author the world over. Have I mentioned he wields a gun?”

  His lips twitch. “I’ll keep an eye out for him.”

  I give him a light kick from under the table.

  “Nice.” He strums his fingers. “Well, it just so happens that my girlfriend is the hottest, kindest, and perhaps the sassiest woman I know. Have I mentioned she doesn’t wield a gun?”

  My teeth graze over my lips. “Maybe we should skip dessert and head straight for your place. Talking about ourselves in third person is making me want to attack you in ways that would be frowned upon in a restaurant of this caliber.” I lean in a notch. “You were talking about me, weren’t you?”

  He nods. “Yup.”

  “I guess we’re officially official. I’ll be honest, Shep. After that nightmare with Johnny I never thought I’d have another boyfriend as long as I lived. I thought I was done with men and relationships, mostly because I thought I was headed to a women’s correctional facility, but I digress. You’ve made me feel things, you’ve challenged me intellectually, and you charge the deepest part of me in ways that make me feel more alive than I ever have before.” Tears come to my eyes, and I blink them back. “In a lot of ways, this right here, is my first adult relationship.”

  He takes up my hand and gives it a squeeze. “Then let’s focus on keeping you alive so you can continue to enjoy it. Believe me when I say, the best is yet to come. I feel the exact same way about you. I think about you constantly. You’re my first thought when I open my eyes in the morning and my last when I close them at night. And when I’m asleep”—the hint of a dirty grin blooms on his lips—“I dream of you. I wouldn’t want it any other way. I’m all in. I’ve jumped into the deep end with you, Bowie. And because of that, I need you safe. The fact you deliberately went to speak with Carol the other night, and now Kaila, lets me know exactly how determined you really are.”

  I’m about to remind him that we also spoke to Mayor Wright together but think better of it.

  “Shep”—I press my lips tight in hopes of keeping my emotions in check—“those words you just spoke. They were the sweetest things anyone has ever said to me.” My transmundane status comes floating to the surface of my mind. I had never shared that with anyone before outside of my family—and well, Tilly and Opal once I came to Starry Falls. But, to be fair, I already felt as if I was losing my mind at that point. “I just hope you continue to feel that way when you hear what
I have to share with you.”

  He inches back. “Of course, I will. Is that why you’re hesitating? Bowie, nothing you tell me can change my opinion of you. I’m already apprised of your past.” His brows hike a notch. “I’m in. No matter what it costs me. There is nothing you can say that can shake me. And if you have something in your past that you’re ashamed of, I just want you to know that I will never judge you for decisions you might have felt forced to make. And if this has something to do with an experimental phase—”

  “Oh my goodness.” I knock my head back. “Boy, you’ve really let your imagination run wild, haven’t you? Don’t answer that. There’s a reason you’re a best-selling author, and that imagination of yours has a lot to do with it. And what makes you think this has anything to do with my past? Of which there was no experimental phase, thank you very much.”

  Shep tips his head. “Because each time you have one of these episodes, you get this blank expression, your eyes go vacant. It’s almost as if you’ve checked out of this world and into another entirely.”

  “Yeah, well, you’re not that far off base. Props to you for being a very good detective. Speaking of which, I think we should talk about Kaila for a moment.” I clear my throat.

  “All right. What did you glean?”

  “She loves dogs, is in between relationships, is yet another person glad that’s Holly Wright was wiped off this planet, and thinks Carol was capable of pulling off the string light strangulation.”

  He turns his ear toward me slightly. “What did she say about Carol?”