Ghoul's Paradise (Spellbound Ever After Paranormal Cozy Mystery Book 7)

by Annabel Chase

  “Anything?” Daniel pressed.

  “No, he’s talking, but there’s no audio.” I kept my gaze pinned on him and tried to determine the words his mouth was forming but to no avail.

  The werewolf ghost began to gesticulate in frustration.

  “No need to be rude,” I said, after a particularly impolite gesture. “I’m doing my best.”

  Daniel looked at me, agape. “He’s being rude to you after all you’ve done to try and help?”

  “It’s all right, Daniel. He’s frustrated and so am I.” I’d really hoped this would work and we could end the investigation. I stroked Diana’s head. “Lorenzo, I’m so sorry, but I can’t hear anything you’re saying. The spell only seems to work for visuals, not audio. I’ll have to see if we can come up with another spell and try another time.”

  The werewolf ghost nodded, and I sensed his air of disappointment. If only I could read his lips, but even that seemed too challenging.

  Without warning, Diana chucked her rattle at the werewolf ghost and it sailed right through his incorporeal form. He looked over his shoulder to where the rattle landed on the ground and Diana burst into tears.

  “Okay, I think this little experiment is over,” Daniel said. He rushed forward to retrieve the rattle. It was sweet how concerned he was whenever Diana cried.

  “I don’t know why I can’t hear him.” And he didn’t have Gareth’s poltergeist skills. Otherwise, I would’ve directed him to use a stick to draw his answers in the dirt.

  Lorenzo gave me a mournful look and I felt a pang of guilt. As much as he disliked me, he had to know I was his only shot at solving the murder.

  “I’ll be back, Lorenzo. I promise.”

  The werewolf faded into the darkness and, with him, any hope of clarity.

  Chapter Fourteen

  With no viable suspects, Sheriff Astrid and I decided to interview the werewolves that had been proposed as Alex’s mates to replace Darcy. It was entirely possible that one of the jilted women exacted revenge on Lorenzo for forging a new agreement with Alex. As it happened, they were all gathered in the same place tonight. Apparently, country line dancing at The Spotted Owl drew a crowd of shifters. The idea didn’t appeal to me, but clearly I was in the minority because the bar was packed with the pack. Most of the women wore swirly skirts and kitten heels and a vast majority of the men wore white collared shirts with black jeans. I suddenly felt out of place in my cropped khakis and a plum top with scalloped sleeves. The group was mid-dance when I arrived, so I strolled to the bar and hoped I wouldn’t have to strain my voice over the loud music.

  I didn’t recognize the little green bartender. It was rare to see a leprechaun behind the bar, mostly because they could barely reach the countertop. This one seemed to have a raised platform that allowed him to be seen by customers as well as access everything he needed.

  “Can I get you a sarsaparilla?” the leprechaun asked. His name tag read Chuck.

  “Is that the drink du jour?” I asked.

  He smiled. “It is on country line dancing night. They like to experiment by putting different shots in it.”

  I cringed. “I’ll stick to ale, thanks.”

  “Something sweet?” he offered. “I have a thwackle ale or a nice burstberry flavor.”

  “Burstberry is good.” I glanced at the door, wondering when Sheriff Astrid would arrive. I wasn’t planning to interview all these werewolves on my own. I’d be here all night and it was my turn to wake up with Diana later. I hoped our visit to the cemetery would help her sleep later, but it was probably futile.

  A woman broke away from the line and hurried over to the bar. Her forehead glistened with sweat and her lips appeared slightly chapped. Who knew line dancing could be such a workout? She leaned against the counter, seemingly out of breath.

  “Another melon ale, Bunny?” Chuck asked.

  At the mention of Bunny, I perked up. This had to be Bonita.

  “Please, before I die of thirst.” She wiped away the strands of dark hair that were struck to her forehead. With her thick hair and deep brown eyes, she was an attractive werewolf. I would’ve pegged her as a few years older than Alex, but so was Darcy for that matter.

  Chuck poured my ale first and placed the glass in front of me before setting to work on Bunny’s.

  The werewolf turned to smile at me. “You joining in?”

  “I don’t think that would be wise. I’m not that coordinated.”

  Chuck slid the glass of melon ale across the counter to Bunny. “Anything else?”

  “Not right now,” Bunny said. Her gaze flicked back to me. “You sure? I’d be happy to help you. It’s a great way to burn calories.” She raised the glass to her lips. “And then add them again.”

  “I’m not here to dance, but it’s fun to watch,” I said. “I’m surprised to see so many werewolves here tonight. I would’ve expected the pack to be in mourning.”

  Sadness flooded her features. “Lorenzo wouldn’t expect our lives to stop. Werewolves don’t shut down when the unexpected happens. We celebrate life.” She tipped back her glass and sucked down half her ale.

  “Is Alex here tonight?” I asked.

  She scowled. “No. Not sure how welcome he’d be anyway.”

  I feigned surprise. “That seems like a strange thing to say about your new alpha.”

  She snorted. “He’s not going to be our new alpha if he can’t figure out how to win us over.”

  “I guess you’re talking about Darcy.”

  She cocked an eyebrow. “You know her?”

  “She’s my neighbor,” I said.

  Bunny nodded. “It’s nothing personal against the harpy. She’s just not a werewolf.”

  “And you don’t think Alex should be the new alpha because he’s dating a harpy?”

  “He had better options,” Bunny said. “He didn’t take them.”

  I looked her in the eye. “You mean you?”

  “Among others.” She inclined her head. “As far as I know, there were a few contenders. I see Tawny—that’s her in the powder blue skirt. There’s Kay—she’s in the pretty black skirt with the lace trim.” She scanned the crowd. “There’s June, looking like the slut she is.” She shook her head. “That one’s understandable.”

  “When you say contenders, what do you mean?” I asked. I wanted to see whether her story corresponded to what we’d been told.

  “It doesn’t matter now,” Bunny said. “Not with Lorenzo gone.”

  “Was he trying to…arrange a marriage with Alex?” I asked.

  Her lips curved into a vague smile. “Something like that. Lorenzo was trying to help the guy out, but Alex is stubborn and opinionated, which I guess is a plus in an alpha.”

  “Did Lorenzo want you to marry Alex?”

  “He spoke to me about it first, to see whether I’d be willing. He only wanted the best pedigrees to be considered, especially because he didn’t have his own kin to raise up to alpha.”

  “I didn’t realize there were pedigrees among the pack.” I nearly choked on the last word. I felt uncomfortable discussing the werewolves like they were actual dogs.

  “What can I say? I’ve got desirable genes.” She polished off her ale and smiled. “I’ve got desirable stamina too. On that note, I’m heading back to the line.”

  I didn’t want her to go before I’d had a chance to fully question her. “You told Lorenzo you weren’t willing?”

  Bunny glowered at me. “What makes you say that?”

  “Because you’re not together. Alex would have to be crazy to pass up the chance.”

  She relaxed. “That’s my attitude. I’ll admit, I was furious when I heard Alex passed on me.”

  “I bet you were angry with Lorenzo for putting you in such an awkward position too.”

  She shrugged. “It’s hard to be mad at Lorenzo. He has a way of charming you.”

  Really? That seemed unlikely to me. “Did he offer you something in return for getting together with Alex?
”

  She laughed. “Honey, you wouldn’t have to offer me more than the other side of his bed. He is one fine-looking werewolf. Too bad he has garbage taste in women.”

  Bunny seemed annoyed more than angry and her annoyance seemed solely reserved for Alex’s decision.

  “You must’ve been shocked when you heard about Lorenzo. Do you think that maybe his death could be connected to the situation with Alex?”

  Bunny blinked. “Stars and stones, no. Not at all.” She narrowed her eyes. “Is that what everyone is saying?”

  “No, no,” I said quickly. “How close were you with Lorenzo?”

  “Close enough to know that he’d sooner kill a clown than wear the suit for one.”

  I took a thoughtful sip of my ale. So she knew about the outfit. “Where did you hear about a clown suit?”

  “I overheard a couple pack members gossiping about how weird it was. I don’t even believe it’s true.”

  I bit my tongue. “Which werewolves did you overhear?”

  She pointed to the dance floor. “June and Kay.”

  One more question and then I’d let her go. “Where were you when you heard the news? Was it the same night he was killed?”

  She nodded. “I’d just come out of church.”

  “There was a church service that evening?”

  “I prefer to go in the evening when the water is at its holiest.”

  I squinted. “How can water be at its holiest? It’s either holy or it’s not.”

  Bunny gave me a pitying look. “You’re a heathen, aren’t you?”

  My brow lifted. “I beg your pardon?”

  “It’s cool. I don’t judge.” She raised her eyes to the heavens. “I leave that to someone else.”

  An impatient huff escaped me. “Can we talk about when you heard the news?”

  Bunny seemed upset by the memory. “One of the younger werewolves came running with the news. Made me want to turn straight around and go back inside to light a candle.” The music changed to a more upbeat tempo and Bunny passed Chuck the empty glass. “I’ll be back at the break.”

  The bartender moved to the other end of the bar to wait on more customers. I watched the other three contenders and waited for one of them to break for a drink. Tawny was next. She seemed younger than Bunny, with flawless skin except for a mole on her cheek that reminded me of Cindy Crawford. Her hair was poofier than the usual style but Tawny wore it well. She took Bunny’s spot at the bar and gave me a critical look.

  “I know you,” she said, uncertain whether this was a positive or negative.

  “I’m Emma Hart,” I said. “I’m the town defense attorney.”

  “You’re that statue.” She held up a finger to get the bartender’s attention.

  “I think you’ll find I’m flesh and bone.”

  She giggled. “Yeah, sorry. You know what I mean.”

  Chuck popped up behind the counter. “Another daiquiri?”

  “Don’t mind if I do.” She inclined her head toward my empty glass. “How about you, town savior? Can I buy you a drink?”

  “I’m okay for now, thanks.”

  “You hanging out solo tonight?” Tawny asked. “If I were you, I’d be tangled under the covers with that handsome husband of yours. I remember your wedding well. I memorized most of the details. Thought they might come in handy someday.”

  “For your own wedding?” I asked.

  “Not that there’s one to speak of.” Her expression clouded over. “I don’t know what a girl has to do around here to land a husband. I wear the right clothes. Walk the right way.” She patted her high hair. “Wear the right styles.”

  “Your hair looks great,” I agreed. I’d look like an escaped mental patient with that hairstyle, but Tawny had the right look for it.

  “I’d rather it look a mess after a hot night with my man.” She heaved a sigh. “I was so close too.”

  “Are you talking about Alex?” I asked. No point in beating around the mulberry bush, or whatever country line dancers did.

  Tawny registered surprise. “How do you know about that?”

  “Lorenzo informed the council,” I lied. “He felt that it was an important pack matter that the council should be aware of.”

  Her lip lifted in a way that reminded me of Elvis. “I didn’t realize you were on the council.”

  Ooh, good point. “Sometimes I sit in on meetings because of my job. I happened to be there when Lorenzo mentioned wanting to pair you with Alex.”

  She examined her sharp red nails, her features hardening. “It’ll never happen now.”

  “Alex is still alive,” I said. “And still going to be alpha as far as I can tell.”

  She sniffed. “Lorenzo threw me under the broomstick before that. According to my sources, Alex said I was too much work and Lorenzo agreed. Next thing I know, Alex is still with that harpy.”

  “And Lorenzo is dead,” I added.

  Tawny stretched out a muscular leg and rotated her ankle. “I can’t say I’m feeling particularly emotional about that backstabber.”

  Her reaction was promising. “You blame him for not securing the match with Alex?”

  “Of course. Who else? I was the best choice for the next alpha’s mate. I’m strong. I’m sharp and I line dance better than all these yahoos combined.” She made a sweeping gesture.

  “I can see why you were upset.” I tried to scrutinize her without being too obvious. Were there any physical clues? Had there been flakes of red polish at the scene or on Lorenzo’s body? I didn’t think so. “Did you find out that evening about his death?”

  Tawny nodded. “I had the expected reaction at first. Shock and horror. I mean, Lorenzo Mancini…” She blew out a breath. “He’s been our fearless leader forever.”

  “And then?” I prompted.

  She shrugged. “Then I felt angry. I’d be top dog right now if I’d managed to secure the match with Alex.”

  “Where were you when you heard the news?”

  Tawny seemed taken aback by the question. “Does it matter?”

  “Some of the pack was attending evening services at church. I wondered whether you were with them.”

  “No.” Her eyes flashes with resentment. “I don’t go to church. I was in the town square with a couple of girlfriends. We’d just finished dinner. It had gone on longer than we planned because Kiki announced her engagement.” She twirled a strand of hair around her finger. “I was both thrilled for her and pissed off. I mean, where’s my rock? Don’t I deserve happiness too?”

  Hmm. A longer than expected dinner with friends meant that it was unlikely Tawny was responsible for the murder. “Who else was with you?”

  She reeled off a few familiar names. “Thank the gods I was a little tipsy when we heard the news or I might’ve said things publicly that I’d regret. I mean, I’m telling you because you’re not a werewolf, but I wouldn’t say what I told you to members of the pack. They’d have my hide.”

  “Well, your secret is safe with me,” I said. And it was because, assuming her alibi checked out, I’d now crossed her off the suspect list.

  A break in the music resulted in the bar being flooded with wolves. Tawny moved on to flirt with an older gentleman at the far end of the counter. I spotted Kay and June a few feet away and decided to get the rest of these interviews over with. I’d have to update Astrid whenever she got here—or tomorrow if the Valkyrie didn’t make it for some reason. There was probably another incident that she had to handle. No rest for the sheriff.

  Kay and June were in the middle of a heated exchange when I approached them. “If you hadn’t worn that low-cut blouse…” Kay was in the middle of saying.

  June folded her arms and glared at her friend. “You think he rejected me because of that. Ha! You don’t know Lorenzo as well as you think. He was a boob man.”

  “Leg man,” Kay insisted.

  “Excuse me,” I said, offering a friendly smile. “Is everything okay?”

  They
both looked at me, bristling with annoyance. “No,” they said in unison.

  “June thinks she can steal my dance partner because she couldn’t steal Alex,” Kay said.

  “You can’t steal anyone,” June shot back. “Paranormals aren’t objects. Men have free will. If they want to leave, they leave. If they want to stay, they stay.”

  “Are you talking about Alex?” I asked. “Isn’t he with Darcy Minor?”

  June growled. “It’s ridiculous. There are so many healthy females to choose from in the pack. Why bond with an outsider?”

  “You don’t always get to choose,” Kay said. “Sometimes it happens when you least expect it.”

  Well, at least Kay didn’t seem too hung up on Alex’s failure to choose her.

  “You’re just saying that because you didn’t want to marry Alex,” June said.

  “And I like Darcy,” Kay added. “I think she’s a good fit for him and as close to a werewolf as he can get without selecting one. She’s like us—tough and beautiful.”

  June relented. “We are tough and beautiful, aren’t we?”

  “How are you handling Lorenzo’s death?” I asked.

  June flicked her hair over her shoulder. “Aside from being horrified that he died wearing some kind of weird costume, we’re pretty shaken up.”

  “I still think someone made up that part,” Kay said. “Can you seriously picture Lorenzo in a wig and mismatched clothes?” She shuddered. “No one who spends as much time and money having his suits tailored as he did would spend five minutes in an outfit like that.”

  I didn’t have to picture him because I actually saw the spectacle in the flesh. I thought it best to keep it to myself though. If they wanted to remember him as their dapper alpha, I wasn’t going to be the one to sully their memories.

  “Can you think of any reason someone would want to hurt him?” I asked.

  June and Kay shook their heads at the same time. “I wasn’t upset with him about the whole Alex situation,” Kay said. “I didn’t really want to be in contention. I could see it was a losing battle anyway. That wolf is super in love.”