Dog Days of Murder

by Addison Moore

  And my mother has bought out all the orange burlap in the land, along with wire wreath frames and has the other half of the room fashioning together gorgeous fall wreaths. There’s just a smidge of green burlap up top to make it look like a pumpkin.

  At least both Mom and Georgie are sticking to a theme.

  I’m about to make my way over to them when Camila lets out a sharp cackle.

  “I certainly hope so,” she says to Gwyneth, loud enough for everyone in the vicinity to hear, so I decide to rearrange the napkins in the event she wants to extrapolate on that little tidbit. “It’s been so long since I’ve shared a meal with your son. I can hardly wait for tonight.”

  Tonight? Which son? My God, is she talking about dinner with Jasper?

  Gwyneth sighs. “I’ll be sure to make an early departure. I’ve arranged for a date to meet me there. As soon as I spot him, I’ll bolt. The two of you really need to have some good one-on-one time together.”

  One-on-one? As in a date of their own?

  My blood boils at the thought of it. Jasper just mentioned that he wanted to spend more time with me. Clearly, going to dinner with Camila is a step backward in the endeavor.

  Camila pauses from her wreath-making a moment and glances my way, inspiring me to spin back around to the refreshment table and pour myself a cup of cider.

  I don’t see why not. There’s plenty enough for me to drown my sorrows with.

  “I wonder what he wants to speak with me about?” she says it a notch quieter, for Gwyneth’s ears only.

  I suck in a quick breath. Wait a minute. Talk to her?

  Hey? Wait a minute. That was my bright idea.

  Gwyneth laughs. “Oh, my dear, that’s just an old ploy to get you alone. Once you’re together, that old spark will reignite. Be sure to dress to enchant. Don’t waste a single moment while trying to get back in his good graces. He is a man, after all. They respond to one thing and one thing only.”

  One thing? Good grief. Why do I get the feeling good old Gwyneth is rooting for Camila and Jasper to join the three a.m. club?

  They share a laugh because, apparently, they can now read my mind, too.

  The room breaks out into a collective coo as if a litter of kittens had just emerged from all that burlap my mother is trying to wrap the world in, and I turn to find Nessa smiling as she takes Peanut for a lap through the crowd.

  I’ll admit, he is show-stoppingly cute.

  I stop playing with the napkins and meet her halfway.

  “Good work,” I say as I bend over and give Peanut a scratch on the head.

  Nessa gave me bacon. He wags his little stumpy tail. She said if I’m extra nice I’ll get another piece, too! I like pieces of bacon, Bizzy. And I need all the pieces I can get.

  I can’t help but laugh as I straighten. “Do I sense a bacon bribe?” I say to Nessa and she rolls her eyes.

  “I swear, Bizzy, sometimes I think you have a sixth sense.” Good thing she can’t read minds. I think I’d be toast if anyone could.

  I frown over at her. The last thing I want to hear either verbally or otherwise is a confession coming from her.

  “Is everything okay, Nessa?”

  “As okay as it can be. Grady is watching the desk, so I thought I’d make the rounds with this adorable creature.”

  “No problem. I think it’s good for both Peanut and the guests. Poor thing needs all the love the world can shower him with.”

  “Oh, I plan on showering him with all my affection.” Nessa watches as a couple of women dote over him. “In fact, if he needs a good home, I’d be happy to keep him. I’d spoil that baby boy rotten.”

  Peanut stops short and quickly traipses over.

  Oh, Bizzy, can she keep me? Can she? Can she?

  “I think someone understood exactly what you said.” I laugh. “I don’t see why not. No one has come forth to claim him. And Ginger is the last person I would have let take him.”

  He whines at the mention of her name.

  Nessa squeals with delight. “Really? I’m going straight to Pet World after work to pick up a dog bed and those cute little ceramic dishes with paw prints all over them. And, oh, some toys! Lots and lots of toys.”

  Peanut dances in a spastic circle. His thoughts are on overload as he basks in the joy.

  “It’s a match made in Country Cottage Inn heaven,” I say as we part ways and I head over to the double trouble stationed at the head of the room.

  “Ladies,” I say to both my mother and Georgie. “I’m in love with both of these ideas. The two of you really are creative. Can I get ten of these to go?” I say to Georgie, holding up an adorable red and black flannel pumpkin.

  Mom scoffs. “I hear they really come in handy if you keep them in the bathroom.”

  Georgie waves her off. “Oh, you. And I hear your burlap really comes in handy if you need to tie up an intruder. Speaking of strange men roving into your home at all hours of the night…” She elbows my mother in the ribs. “You still entertaining a certain gentleman caller?”

  Mom glances my way. Her blue eyes brighten her face a notch, and I can’t help but note she has a dewy youthful glow about her.

  “Maybe. Maybe not.” She makes a face. “I think I’m too old for this booty call business.”

  “Eww.” I inch back. “TMI—as in too much information? Is that all he wants from you?”

  “Well, no. I mean, I invite him in for a drink and, of course, we talk. But then, one drink leads to much more aerobic activity that happens to last well into the wee hours of the morning.” She tosses a mound of orange burlap to the table in front of her. “How do I tell my thirty-something boyfriend that I prefer to be in bed by eight? I’m not sure how much longer I can keep up with him. The man has boundless energy. He cooks in the restaurant all day and—”

  Georgie lifts a finger. “He cooks in the bedroom all night.”

  “And this is where I leave you.” A laugh percolates in my chest. “Good job, ladies,” I say as I head for the entrance, but a certain deputy speaking to Camila stops me dead in my tracks. It’s Leo.

  He glances my way. Hello, Bizzy.

  I nod over to him. Hey, Leo. Rekindling an old flame? I’ll be the last to stop you.

  Camila follows his gaze and frowns. I bet she’d love to see me run back to this one. Sorry, Dizzy. One of us doesn’t get what she wants in this equation, and that one would be you.

  I avert my eyes as I head for the lobby, and Leo follows me right out the door.

  “Bizzy?”

  I pause as he heads my way. “It sounds as if Camila is set to give you a run for your money.”

  A dull laugh pumps through my chest. “I try not to let myself be ruled by aggression or fear.” Camila just so happens to dole out both.

  He laughs. “That she does.”

  I give a quick glance around. “The other day you were telling me about those who are transmundane. You alluded there were other abilities.” It took everything in me not to call them powers.

  He nods. “There are at least a handful of other known powers that we know about.” He gives a bemused smile when he puts the emphasis on the word powers, and I cinch a wry smile.

  “Boy, I must be an easy read,” I say.

  He lifts a dark brow. “The pure at heart often are.”

  “Don’t keep me in suspense. What are these powers? How many of us are there?”

  Leo’s lips part, but his attention is hijacked by something behind me and I turn to see Jasper stalking on over. He looks lean and mean and drop-dead gorgeous in a dangerous way.

  “Jasper.” I straighten as if I were caught with my hand in the Leo Granger cookie jar.

  “Hey, Bizzy.” His lips curve, but he’s missing a smile. “I’m afraid I’m here on business.” He glowers at Leo momentarily.

  What’s it going to take to keep this guy away from her? Every time I turn around, he’s doing his best to lock her into a conversation. And to think I entertained the idea of letting b
ygones be bygones. It’s clear Leo is still gunning to eviscerate me. I will never understand what happened between us. We were closer than brothers. It was as if he always knew what I was thinking.

  I’m tempted to swat Leo, but decide to hold back for now. Of course, Jasper thought that. It was true.

  It was. And I did care about him like a brother. Leo nods to Jasper. Still do. I’ll find a way to fix things. I just don’t know how or when.

  I clear my throat as I look to Jasper. “You’re here on business? What kind of business?” I run my finger down his tie absentmindedly and something in me heats. Okay, fine. I’ll admit, that conversation about my mother’s late night hookups has my hormones cruising in all kinds of interesting directions. A small part of me thinks the only Baker woman who should be indulging in a Wilder man is me.

  It’s wrong, I know.

  I take a moment to shoot Leo a look because I happen to know he heard and he bounces his brows as if to affirm this.

  “I’m sorry, Bizzy.” Jasper pulls me in and wraps his arms around me momentarily. “I’m here for Nessa.”

  “Nessa?”

  No sooner does he say her name than Peanut bounces by with Nessa laughing along.

  “Just as I suspected”—she pauses next to us and Peanut hops backward—“the little guy was a hit. I think I’ll take him to the café for that treat I promised him.”

  Bacon, bacon, bacon. Peanut spins in a circle as if he were crazed.

  “Nessa”—Jasper’s chest expands as he steps to the side—“I’m afraid I’m going to have to bring you down to the Seaview Sheriff’s Department for more questioning.”

  “Why?” Her eyes bulge, and her tawny skin lights up bright pink from the shock of it.

  “Forensics came back. The bullet that killed Shelby Harris was a match.”

  “Oh my God.” Nessa presses her hand to her chest. “But we knew that.” She shakes her head vigorously. “I already told you—someone fired my gun. But it wasn’t me.”

  Jasper closes his eyes for a moment. “I know we covered that, but a witness has stepped forward.”

  “A witness?” both Nessa and I sing it out like a choir.

  Jasper nods. “And he has informed us that you were having a full-fledged argument with Shelby in the courtyard where she was killed.”

  “I”—Nessa gives me a nervous glance—“It’s true, but it’s not what it seems.”

  “He said it got physical.”

  “She pushed me.” Nessa shakes her head in horror. “Bizzy, you have to believe me. I didn’t do this. I’m not going to Seaview. I’m not going to prison for something I didn’t do!”

  Jasper’s lips harden, but his eyes are full of sympathy for the poor girl.

  “I’m sorry, Nessa. You’ll have to come with me.” He glances my way. “I’m sorry.”

  Jasper carefully navigates a panicked Nessa to the door as Peanut runs in a circle around my feet and I quickly pick him up.

  Go save her, Bizzy! Go get my Nessa!

  “I wish I could,” I say, dotting his fur with a kiss.

  Peanut whimpers in her wake. I’d give all the bacon in the world to save her.

  My arms tighten around the sweet angel.

  Leo takes a breath. “She sure sounds convincingly innocent. But then, most of them do.”

  “Well, she is,” I say it with only half the conviction I once had. I suppose everyone is capable of a dark moment or two in their lives. “I’m going to use my powers for good, Leo. I’m going to find out who really killed Shelby Harris.” My heart pumps wildly at the thought of what I’m about to say next. “And I want you to help me.”

  Chapter 12

  Nessa was arrested.

  Arrested.

  I can’t seem to wrap my head around this. Her family is down at the Seaview Sheriff’s Department right now trying to convince anyone who will listen that she’s innocent—but now I’m beginning to wonder about Nessa’s innocence myself.

  Nessa’s older sister, Vera, is furious at me of all people. And the rumor mill—that would be Emmie—has it that Vera is plotting her vengeance against yours truly.

  My phone pings and it’s a text from Jasper.

  How about dinner?

  I wrinkle my nose at the screen. I hardly have an appetite after the news with Nessa. A thought comes to me and I text him back. Are you sure you’re free for dinner?

  I hate to be the one to remind him about his quasi-date with his ex, but I’m not looking for any more drama today.

  My phone lights up again with another text from Jasper. Shoot. I just remembered I told my mother I’d have dinner with her. Please join us. My mind has been all over the place today. I could really use your company.

  Ugh. His mother? That’s right. The big scheme I overheard her dreaming up. Who knows, maybe I’ll get lucky and Camila will cancel.

  Far be it from me to turn the offer down, so I put on my little black dress, my fancy houndstooth black and white coat—a discard of Macy’s—and my long, black, suede boots that look as if they have their own naughty intentions.

  Jasper brings Sherlock over to my place so he can hang out with both Fish and Peanut and we take off to a restaurant called A Fork in the Road. It’s an Italian-Asian fusion restaurant that I’m not entirely sure knows how it feels about itself. Yes, I said that correctly.

  A Fork in the Road has been sitting on the distal tip of Main Street for a couple of years now, but for some reason, I’ve never ventured past its doors.

  Inside, it’s dimly lit. The sound of exotic twanging instruments filters through the speakers, and the hushed whispers of the patrons just beyond the foyer sounds like the undercurrent of excitement that only a Friday night can bring.

  “Bizzy.” Jasper pulls me to the side a moment. That wicked half-smile on his face lets me know he’s hungry for far more than food. “You look amazing tonight.”

  My cheeks heat. “You may have mentioned it a time or two, but I’m not going to stop you anytime soon.” I hike up on my tiptoes, land a kiss to his lips, and make it linger. “Thank you, by the way.”

  A dull growl works its way up his throat. “I say we eat and run.”

  “What? No dessert? That’s practically sacrilegious.” I blink up at him, not minding at all that I’m openly flirting.

  “We’ll pick up donuts on the way home. Or better yet, we’ll raid the café. Those pumpkin spice mini muffins are to die for.”

  I twist my lips. “No dying allowed tonight.” I crane my neck past him. “We’d better not keep your mother waiting. I don’t think she’s that impressed with me.”

  Jasper leans back. “What are you talking about? My mother loves you. Or at least she will once she gets to know you. She’s just a little stressed dealing with the flooding in her townhouse. It looks as if she’s going to have to move.”

  “Oh, that is terrible. Of course, she’s dealing with a lot. I feel horrible for saying that. I promise I wasn’t trying to make it all about me.”

  A dull laugh thumps through him. “Believe me when I say I want to focus on you alone. Let’s get going.”

  Jasper spots his mother, already seated, and begins to navigate us in that direction when I sense a disturbance in the force. It’s an odd feeling I get whenever something negative is about to—

  “Bizzy?” a male voice calls out.

  I turn to my right and suck in a quick breath. It’s Leo Granger seated directly across from Mack Woods.

  Oh my Lord up in heaven, now this is a pairing if ever there was one.

  I glance up ahead, and I’ve momentarily lost Jasper in the crowded restaurant.

  “Wow,” I say, still trying to wrap my head around the scene. “Mayor Woods, Leo.” I shoot him a bemused smile. You have a propensity for barracudas, I see.

  His eyes widen a notch. That bad, huh?

  Worse. I smile over at Mack, but she’s not smiling back.

  Jasper appears and says a quick hello. “Mayor Woods.” He nods her way.<
br />
  Mack looks cuttingly sharp tonight with her dark red lips and eyes lined like an Egyptian pharaoh.

  “Detective.” Her smile broadens. Now there’s a piece of meat I’d like to take a bite out of.

  I can’t help but lift a brow at Leo. As much as I’m trying not to say I told you so, I think there’s an entire choir of that very phrase going off in my mind.

  Leo shakes his head as if it weren’t a big deal.

  The man must have an ego made of steel.

  “Any word on our killer?” Mack addresses the question to Jasper.

  He expands his chest. “We made an arrest. Nessa Crosby. Things moved very quickly after forensics came back with hard evidence.”

  We’ve yet to discuss this so-called “hard evidence”. I didn’t want to pull us down that rabbit hole once he picked me up for our date. But as soon as we get back to my cottage, I’ll do a little interrogating myself. And I won’t let Jasper leave until I get a complete confession out of him. I’ve got a few tricks up my sleeve to make sure he tells me everything I want to know.

  Mack’s mouth falls open. “Nessa?” She looks just as affronted by the arrest as I feel. Mack is good friends with both Vera and Nessa. And for once, I’m glad about the fact she’s conned the good people of Cider Cove into giving her so much political power. Maybe she’ll put it to good use for once—like pardoning a prisoner. “I always suspected that girl was up to no good.”

  “Mack!” I squawk her name so loud half the restaurant turns in our direction.

  Her eyes narrow in on mine. “What’s the matter, Bizzy? Are you upset you didn’t get to the killer first? Or, let me guess—you were about to give her a free pass just because she works at your silly little inn.”

  A choking sound emits from my throat. “Silly little inn?”

  Jasper offers them both a quick wave as he wraps an arm around my waist.

  “Enjoy your dinner,” he says. The two of you just might deserve each other.

  A tiny laugh bubbles up my throat. Although, I’m not sure if I agree with him entirely. Leo can’t be all that bad.

  Thank you, Bizzy, Leo says from afar and I turn and shoot a sly smile his way.

  Jasper stops short just shy of his mother and I crane my neck trying to look past his shoulder.