I cleared my throat and looked down, a new wave of nervousness washing over me. So, what can I help you with, Chief?
I need to talk to you. He cast a glance at me, then looked pointedly at the two ladies flanking my sides. Alone, please?
I waited for a long beat, but I couldnt find a way out of this one. If I didnt talk now, hed keep coming back until he had his answers. Sighing, I shrugged. Fine. Layla, Madrina, do you mind giving us some privacy?
The Chief shifted his weight from one foot to the next. Maybe we could get out of here? Ill buy you a pretzel.
From Pretzels & Potions? I chewed on my lip, weighing the pros and cons of leaving the safety of my friends.
The Chief nodded.
Eventually, my stomach won out, since I hadnt eaten for so long that the thought of a hot, salted pretzel dipped in cheese made me drool.
Give me a second to get my clothes on, I said, disappearing into one of the fitting rooms. I called over the top of the stall for him to wait outside the store.
Before Id even finished speaking, I heard the tinkle of the bell signaling hed disappeared.
Layla laughed. Ive never seen someone get out of here so quickly.
He should have never been in here, I said. Layla, I thought you said youd hide me away.
I did hide you away, Layla said. But I never promised to keep anyone else from coming inside. Ive gotta earn myself a living.
Youre lying. Youve been trying to pair me and the Chief up for years.
Its so cute! Layla let out a dramatic, swoon-worthy sigh. Childhood sweethearts.
The Chief and I are nothing romantic, got it? I have a date tonight with someone else. Speaking of, you said youd have more information for me. Im here! Who is this date?
Im not telling you that, Layla said. That would take all of the fun out of the surprise. However, I will tell you to meet him in the Forest of Fairies at nine oclock tonight.
Nine oclock at the Forest of Fairies? Thats not even a date spot. I thought Id at least get dinner out of this.
Oh, this guy is a keeper. Layla smiled broadly. When I contacted him, I told him I was your secretary and that I was setting the two of you up on a date. He offered to plan the whole thing, and he prepared a picnic. Isnt that sweet?
I rolled my eyes. Then I stuck a finger in my throat. Gag-worthy. Its a first date, not a proposal.
First dates are supposed to be romantic!
First dates are like business meetings, I said. You show up, interview the other person, and then decide if theyre worth your time to go on a second date.
You are so cra.s.s, Layla said. I hope you find your true love tonight and then turn into a little optimist who writes about love and fairy tales and happily ever after.
Thatll be the day, I said. Nice try.
I happen to agree with her, Madrina said, her eyes twinkling. You never know when youll find love. Sometimes you find it in the strangest places I followed her gaze as it strayed outside and landed on the Chief, who was checking his watch.
Oh, leave me alone, I said, throwing some of Laylas store items on the counter. Let me pay for these, and Im getting out of here.
Layla rang me up. You better wear these tonight, or Ill know.
Fine. I looked down at my purchases, which were different, subtler than the ones Layla had thrust at me first.
The fabric for the undergarments Id chosen was a pastel lavender, quite beautiful. It covered all of the necessary body parts. Edged with black lace and soft as silk to the touch, I had to give Layla credit. Shed given me a lot of crazy, wild garments to try on today, but when the time came to find an outfit Id actually wear, shed pulled through. There was a reason she was so good at her job. Call it magic, call it intuition; Layla knew how to make a woman look and feel her best.
Go. Layla packaged everything beautifully into her discreet, black bag with pink tissue paper and a subtle Witches Britches swirled in fancy letters on the outside. Dont do any investigating without backup. Have fun getting a pretzel with the Chief, and be nice on your date tonight. Call me after your evening.
Did you leave me anything for dinner? Madrina called as I walked towards the door. Can I raid your fridge?
Chapter 13.
Theyre an interesting bunch, the Chief said as I joined him, trying my best to keep the discreet package even more discreet by hiding it behind my back. How do you live with them?
Luckily, Madrina only pops in long enough to steal food for dinner. If she lived in the cottages full time, Id be insane.
Youre not already? He raised an eyebrow as we started to walk down the street.
I made a little face at him and laughed. Both of us fell into an easy silence as we strolled on the sidewalk toward the pretzel stand. The sun was warm, the afternoon pleasant, and despite the stress of the days events, I felt more at ease than I had all morning.
Im sorry I walked in on you like that, the Chief said. I didnt know youd be so"uh Dressed down? I laughed again, finding it strange that Id laughed more in the past five minutes than I had all week. Dont worry, accidents happen, although Im sorry you had to see us like that. Its enough to scar anyones memory.
The Chiefs eyes crinkled into a smile and he laughed along too, lapsing into silence after the moment pa.s.sed. I got the sense that both of us were enjoying the fleeing moment of peace before we dived into our true issues.
Pretzel? he asked.
I pulled my eyes up from the sidewalk, where Id been studying the blooming flowers along the boulevard. That was a fast walk, I said in surprise. Sure, Ill have one. Extra cheese.
Hey Sam, can I get an extra-large pretzel, extra cheese, extra salt? The Chief looked toward me. And you?
The same. I leaned in. Extra, extra cheese, Sam.
Sam, a fifty-year-old man with the reputation for making the softest pretzels in the region threw up his hands. Children, quiet yourselves. Youll get the same amount of cheese, and if you keep arguing, neither of you get cheese.
The Chief and I both fell silent, stepping back from the stand.
After a minute, Sam had our pretzels ready, and both the Chief and I reached for our wallets.
He rested his hand on mine. Ive got it.
Really?
Really. It was my idea.
Thanks, I said, clearing my throat. Thats nice of you.
I just wanted to be your first date of the day. He winked in my direction. Whoever the goon is that youre meeting tonight missed his chance.
Youre not going to crash my date again, are you?
I didnt crash your date. Id say the fact that your date turned up DOA was the crash to which youre referring.
I half thought youd try to spy on me during my date tonight. You know, after the results of my first disaster date.
Wish I could, he said, the tone of his voice only slightly joking. I have a work thing tonight.
A work thing?
A meeting.
Oh. That sounds top secret.
He shrugged, but the seriousness of his expression gave me pause.
Is everything okay? I asked.
The Chief waited a beat. After a while, he gave a shake of his head. Not really.
Taking our pretzels, we turned off the main drag and headed down a small footpath. We ate in silence for a moment.
Finally, I couldnt take the tension any longer. What did you need to talk about?
Its about Hank, he said. I know we all expected it, but weve heard for sure. His death wasnt an accident.
Poison?
The Chief shook his head. It was an allergic reaction.
But I hesitated. That doesnt sound like murder, it sounds like a terrible accident.
The Chief inhaled a breath so deep his chest expanded visibly, before he blew it out in a rush. True. But we examined the wine he drank, and we compared it to the rest of the bottles of wine of the same brand. All of the other bottles of wine were identical.
But the one he was served from wasnt.
Exactly. He nodded. Itd been doctored to add a certain ingredient that is not poisonous to a normal human being. If youd had a sip of the wine, likely youd have had a small stomachache for a few hours, and then been fine.
I stopped chewing. So the ingredient isnt deadly unless the person has a severe allergy, and Hank had an allergy.
A lethal allergy.
Yikes.
He nodded. At first, I thought it had to be someone who knew him well.
That makes sense.
But then I googled his name, and he lists his allergy clear as day on his dating profile. Anyone could have figured it out; in fact, thats what gave me the idea to test the wine.
Any suspects?
He leveled his eyes at me.
I sucked in air. Jo? You cant possibly think its Jo!
I am not going to discuss police business with you.
But"
No, Rosie. Leave it alone.
But"
n.o.body touched the bottle between it being sealed shut and it being consumed"except for her. I like Jo. My job is based on the facts, however, and the facts lead me to a very simple conclusion.
Whats her motivation? I asked, my voice cranking up a few notches. She didnt even know Hank!
Based upon the Chiefs silence, he didnt have a good answer. Why are you waltzing around the neighborhood reporting for a fake magazine?
I turned my sullen expression toward my pretzel, but I was no longer hungry. My stomach clenched tight with worry for Jo, for Hank, for my date tonight, for my job security For everything.
Dont play coy with me, the Chief said. I know you talked to Reynolds and Trisha this morning.
I didnt have a good comeback, so I remained quiet.
Look, Rosie, I know this is a tough time for you. One of your friends is in jail, and your job is teetering on the edge of oblivion, and"
Well, that makes me feel better.
What Im trying to say is that I dont want to get you in trouble. He turned to me and tossed his napkin in a nearby trash can, along with my garbage. Then he put his hand over my wrists. I want you to be safe. If you back away from this case now, Ill forget I ever heard about you going around and asking questions, pretending to be someone youre not.
Ill stop impersonating people, I mumbled. I promise.
I want you to leave the case alone entirely.
As long as Jo is in jail, I cant promise that.
I admire your loyalty, but"
Im sorry, okay? I cant make that promise. I turned and walked away, leaving the Chief standing there alone. Maybe it wasnt my smartest decision, but in my life, friends came first"before rules, before cute policemen, before anyone else.
A friend unjustly convicted of murder was not okay by me, and I didnt plan on giving up until Jo was free, and the real murderer was behind bars.