by Julie Chase
“I hope you’re hungry,” he said.
“Always.”
His cat, Jezebel, loped in my direction and collapsed at my feet. Her flat face and dark muzzle made her a dead ringer for the grouchy Internet cat everyone loved. I scooped her into my arms and cuddled her before putting her back where she came from.
Jack held my gaze as I climbed onto a high-backed stool at the counter. “I shouldn’t have snapped at you earlier.”
“I shouldn’t have taken advantage of you while you were under the influence of magic cookies.”
Jack snorted, then came to stand before me. He lifted my chin with strong fingers and kissed me. “I’m not going to get used to the fact I can do that for a while, so bear with me.”
I smiled.
He headed back to the stovetop and flipped another sandwich. He’d changed into an outfit nearly identical to my own. Sweat shorts and a T-shirt. He’d skipped the hoodie, but considering the fact that my delicates were drying in his bathroom, the hoodie was a good choice for me.
“Will you stay with me tonight?” he asked. “I don’t like the idea of you being anywhere alone right now.”
“Sure.” I nodded, feeling the butterflies return. I set my phone on the counter and texted my mom. “I’d better tell my parents where I am so they don’t worry.” I gave Jack a careful look. “You’re in charge of keeping me safe. What do you think Mom will say about me sleeping over?”
“I think she’ll be glad you aren’t alone tonight. That cake terrified her, and she’s seen you in grave danger once already this year.”
I blew out a puff of breath. “I meant about us. Do we tell her, or should we keep it quiet a while?”
“She knows,” Jack said.
I nearly dropped the phone. “What? How? I just found out.”
“She saw right through me the first time I spoke to her about keeping you safe. She reads people. It’s what makes her such a good leader, and it’s the reason people choose to follow her. She would’ve made an excellent detective if the position of all-powerful socialite had already been taken.”
I thought of the way she’d warned me about falling in love with a cop. She’d known exactly how Jack felt when she’d cautioned me against the potential heartache. “She knows how I feel, too.”
“Probably,” he said with a wicked grin.
I snagged a slice of apple off a plate on the island and smiled as I dragged it through a peanut butter mix he’d set out. I thought about how much fun Chase, Willow, and I had had eating her fruit dip and dancing. I’d had a horrible day before picking her up on my way home. If the dip wasn’t magical, then what? Maybe I was just really relaxed and happy with the company that night. And Jack was feeling the same way tonight.
Willow’s cookies had put Imogene in a good mood, too, but maybe they were just delicious cookies, and Imogene was thrilled to know her best friend had finally found her great-granddaughter.
Jack flipped the burner off on the stove and grabbed the kettle. “New Orleans’s magic is in our history, music, food, and people, not some hippie’s mystical powers.”
I laughed. “Willow is a total hippie. I really like her.”
“Me too,” he said. “She’ll be good for Henri. He can be uptight.”
I laughed again, then helped myself to half a grilled cheese. The bread was golden brown, and the cheese was stringy. There were thin slices of ham and pickle inside. “I think Willow was right about figuring out who had the most to lose,” I said. “Veronica’s burnt pride aside, do you know how many people were paying off the MC and judges? Do we have names? Were any of them at my party tonight?”
“We’re looking at Viktor’s financial records, but it’s a slow process,” he said. “We’re hoping we can trace something back to someone in New Orleans this week, but we know Viktor accepted cash. There’s a good chance there won’t be any records to find.”
“What about relationships?” I asked as Jack set two cups of tea on the island, then climbed onto the seat beside mine. “If it wasn’t about the money, it could have been about love or jealousy. Do we know if Viktor was involved romantically with anyone? Maybe that person had another lover or spouse that found out about the cheating?”
Jack swigged his tea. “I’m on that now. I’ve been digging through everything in Viktor’s computer and phone records, trying to link him on a personal level to one of the pet owners, PAs, or crew. I’m also looking at peripheral players, like his agent or an ex-wife, things like that. Anyone who might’ve reasonably come to visit him, then killed him and left unnoticed.”
I chewed a bit of sandwich thoughtfully. “You said Viktor came to you to ask about safe neighborhoods. He was planning to stay here.”
Jack nodded. “He got some vague threats demanding that he resign, so he planned to step down after this show and start something new.”
“Did he have any idea who was threatening him?”
“Not really,” Jack said. “He thought it might’ve been an obsessed fan of the show.”
“That’s Mrs. Smart’s theory too,” I said. “Mom mentioned it tonight.”
“It’s not a bad one. Could be someone obsessed with him or someone who didn’t like his outlandish behavior onscreen.” Jack shook his head. “The same over-the-top antics that ticked some people off also got the show’s ratings up and earned Viktor all those spin-off deals and media attention.”
I set my sandwich aside and reached for my tea. “Whoever killed him might’ve been the same person demanding he resign.”
Compassion pooled in Jack’s eyes. “Yeah, and he was going to do what they wanted in less than a week, but he never got a chance to make the announcement.”
I cradled the mug between my palms and inhaled the sweet scent of chamomile. “That’s tragic. He didn’t have to die and the other person didn’t have to become a killer. Everything would have worked out if the angry party could have held his or her temper a few more days.”
“That would be true,” Jack said, “if that theory is correct.”
“You don’t think it is?”
He tipped his head. “I don’t know. I’m still looking at some other leads.”
I sipped my tea and tried to look less eager. “Like?”
“Eva Little’s boyfriend, for starters.”
I’d completely forgotten about him.
Jack stretched back in his seat. “I’m going to double down tomorrow, hopefully find a link between Viktor and someone who was bribing, blackmailing, or threatening him, maybe even someone he was bribing, blackmailing, or threatening. I haven’t ruled out any possibilities. Henri will be the footman, reviewing interview notes with fresh eyes and visiting anyone we need more information from, including Eva’s boyfriend.” He set his palm on my knee and gave it a gentle squeeze. “I think you should stay with me until it’s time for the pageant tomorrow night. Don’t go to work. Don’t go anywhere alone. I can work from my office here, and you can relax. Swim in the pool. Sleep. Whatever you need. Then I’ll drive you to the Tea Room tomorrow night and stick close during the event. We can swing by your place after breakfast to collect Penny and Buttercup.”
I set my hand on his, immensely thankful Willow’s cookies weren’t magical.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Furry Godmother’s advice on breaking news to your mother: Bring a flask.
Imogene opened Furry Godmother on her own and stayed until lunch. She promised to put a sign in the window on her way out announcing we were closed for the afternoon. It was the first time I’d slept past eight in over a year, and it was glorious. I made a mental note not to wait until someone else threatened to kill me before taking another morning off to rest and pamper myself. On my third lap through the warm saltwater of Jack’s pool, I had an epiphany. What if I spent half as much time giving myself the things I needed as I did on fulfilling the needs of my store? I’d never had balance before. I’d juggled too many things all my life, letting the chores and responsibilities consume me
. But what if I didn’t?
I made lunch for Jack and took it to him in the living room, where he sat surrounded by printed reports and files, his laptop balanced precariously on the arm of the couch. “Hungry?”
He seemed startled at first, as if he might have forgotten I was there, or where he was. Consumed, I thought. Another thing Jack and I had in common. A slow smile spread over his face, and he patted the cushion beside him. “Absolutely.”
I cleared a couple of feet of space on the coffee table to set the lunch tray down, then took a seat and pulled my feet up beside me. “What are you working on?”
“I’m reviewing the details Eva gave me about her and her boyfriend. He’s got a bit of a record, but I spoke with him after I spoke with her, and he corroborated her statement. So, they either got their stories straight before that, or they’re both telling the truth.”
“But you believe Eva,” I said.
“Yeah. My gut says she’s as clueless about Viktor’s death as she says, but I’m torn because the new love of her life isn’t someone I thought she’d share the same sidewalk with, let alone a bed.”
I blushed on Eva’s behalf. “Maybe he tricked her, and she doesn’t realize he’s not who he says he is.”
Jack helped himself to an apple. “I just want to be sure he didn’t trick me.”
* * *
I baked all afternoon in the most glorious kitchen on earth, stocking up on treats for Furry Godmother and tweaking the sandwich recipe I would present to Grandpa Smacker for the Fall Food Festival. It was a much-needed vacation and personal respite just ten minutes from home.
Jack spent the bulk of his day on the couch, accompanied by stacks of files and a laptop, but at five o’clock sharp, we were dressed and ready for whatever the night would bring. Fifteen minutes later, we parked outside the Audubon Tea Room, facing the final night of the National Pet Pageant. Tomorrow’s crowning ceremony would be short, sweet, and thankfully without need of judges.
“You ready for this?” he asked, pressing his shifter into park.
I checked my hair and makeup in the visor mirror, then adjusted the deep V of my vintage pinup-style gown. “I think so. How do I look?”
To his credit, Jack’s eyes never dropped lower than my lips. He shook his head and laughed quietly. “Like I must be dreaming.”
I kissed him for that one, then reapplied my lipstick before climbing out of his truck in my new favorite gown. The dramatic red soft chiffon was fitted at my torso and covered in a layer of silver sparkles that twinkled with my every move. The skirt was a thousand layers of the same, draping all the way to the ground, where it met a matching pair of red stilettos. The gown was nowhere near pastel, but it did match my lips, nails, and clutch, so I called that a win.
I hooked my hand in the crook of Jack’s arm as we moved toward the Tea Room doors. He was stunning in black Armani. His coordinating red pocket square was a quick addition made after he’d taken one look at me in my new dress.
We cut through the foyer and headed to the green room in search of my mother. Eva was with the committee ladies in the green room and beamed when she saw us.
“Lacy!” She wrapped me in a hug, then shook Jack’s hand. “Thank you both so much for speaking with me. It feels great to breathe again. To know the truth is out to the people who matter most and will be out to everyone else very soon. It’s really freeing, you know?”
Jack squeezed my fingers, and I smiled.
“I know,” I said.
“Lacy?” Mom’s voice cut through the white noise of the room as she headed our way.
Eva glanced at my hand in Jack’s and made a worried face before kissing my cheek and getting out of there.
“What’s this?” Mom asked.
“I know it’s not pastel,” I said, releasing Jack’s hand to lift the layers of my amazing skirt, “but I love it.” I curled an arm protectively around my middle.
Her gaze swept appreciatively over the dress. “The gown is spectacular, but that’s not what I meant.” She turned her stare from my eyes to Jack’s. Her hands dropped to her sides. “You told her,” she said.
“Ma’am?” he asked, stiffening slightly at my side.
“You told her how you feel, and now you’re a couple.” She clucked her tongue.
Mrs. Smart and the committee ladies moved in our direction, curious eyes sweeping over us.
Jack bowed his head to my ear. “Told you.”
I smiled sweetly, wishing we didn’t have a little audience but recalling that this was Mom’s kingdom. Her Garden District socialite life was also mine, and it wasn’t so bad when the spotlight was off. “What are you and Dad doing after the pageant tonight?” I asked Mom, hoping to reschedule the current conversation to a place more private in case she killed me. “Maybe Jack and I can swing by for coffee.” Or a stiff drink. At least Jack carried handcuffs in case Mom went completely bonkers.
She scrutinized us. “You’re both coming?”
I nodded.
“And we’ll talk about this?” she asked, turning her eyes back to Jack.
“Yes, ma’am,” Jack answered.
I shook my head at him. “You’re going to have to be less agreeable to her now.”
Mom’s lips twitched before curling into a small, mischievous smile. “Fine. I’ll let your father know, and we’ll be waiting. Don’t dally.”
“No, ma’am,” Jack said.
I elbowed his ribs. “Knock it off.”
Mom heaved a sigh. I couldn’t tell what it meant, but I was sure I’d get plenty of details at her place later, so I let it go. “Well, Jack,” she said, “I guess you’re keeping her close, which means she’s safe, but where are you on finding the person who’s threatening my daughter?”
“Working on it,” I interjected, “and getting close, so I don’t want you to worry.” I swung my gaze pointedly at Mrs. Smart. There was no reason for her to continue to worry about the state of the pageant. Jack was cleaning up any remaining bribers and extortionists. Henri was reviewing every interview and revisiting every witness or suspect. And I had complete faith in the both of them.
“How close?” Mom asked.
“Very,” I vowed. “It won’t be long now.”
I grabbed a bottle of water and some snacks for the judges’ table while Mom and Jack had a little conversation I wasn’t sure I wanted to hear. He kept a close eye on me as I moved through the room, and Mom broke away before I returned.
She met me near the nuts and mints and caught my arm as I passed. “Are you sure about this?” she asked in a voice I could barely hear. I followed her gaze to Jack.
“Yes, ma’am,” I mocked, a broad smile on my lips.
She smiled back. “Good, because I might’ve been wrong before.”
I kissed her cheek. “I’ll see you tonight. Don’t embarrass me.”
I headed back toward Jack, ready to take my place with the judges before the lights dimmed.
“There you are,” Chase said, smiling brightly as he strode into the green room. His sandy hair was perfectly gelled. His pale-gray suit was cut to fit and generously reflecting the bright green of his eyes. “Whoa.” He stopped to take in the dress, then circled a finger, indicating I should spin.
I obeyed with a coy look over one shoulder as I turned. The airy material of my dress lifted, floating around me as I spun.
“Oo la la,” he said, catching me with one long arm as I finished and pulling me against him in a strong rocking hug. “Wait.” He set me free. “What’s wrong?”
My gaze flicked to Jack, who watched silently from a few feet away.
Chase’s brow creased. “Oh.” He dragged the word out for several syllables. “No, no no.”
I moved back to Jack. “Guess what?” I said.
“Ugh.” Chase dropped his head forward and mimed stabbing himself in the chest.
“I’ll let you take care of that,” Jack said, motioning to Chase, “and I’ll meet you at the judges’ table.” He tucke
d his phone into his pocket, kissed my cheek, then extended a hand to Chase. “Sorry, man.”
Chase groaned. “Liar.”
Jack smiled, then walked away.
“He’s not sorry,” Chase said.
I laughed.
* * *
Chase continued to pepper me with questions about Jack for an hour after the show began. I did my best to answer the least obnoxious of his inquiries while scanning the crowd for someone who looked like they wanted to kill me.
No one fit the description.
“At least tell me the two of you are planning to take it slow,” Chase said as Mom took the podium to announce intermission.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” I asked. “Slow compared to what?”
Chase made a series of strange faces.
“Are you choking?” I asked.
He heaved a sigh. “You know exactly what I’m saying,” he said as Jack approached behind him.
I wrinkled my nose. “I assure you I do not.”
The room burst into motion, and I stood. Intermission had commenced, and I needed a break.
“I’m going to powder my nose,” I told Jack, turning my eyes to the ladies’ room directly across from us. I preferred the roomy, better-appointed private restrooms reserved for event staff, but those were down the hall past the green room, and I wanted to stay within Jack’s line of sight. “Meanwhile, Chase has a lot of wonderful questions. I’m running short on patience, but maybe you can help him with some of the vaguer ones involving my virtue.”
Jack kissed me chastely, and Chase dropped his head onto the table as I hurried away.
I beetled into the ladies’ room to freshen up before the line got too long, and I tried not to think about how incredibly stupid it might have been to leave Chase and Jack alone. I checked my reflection in the mirror and fluffed my hair while I waited my turn at the front of a long line of stalls.
I dialed Scarlet while I waited. We hadn’t spoken since my party last night, and there was plenty I needed to tell her. “Hey,” I said when the call connected.