Thats exactly the point.
I shook my head, again surveying the shop that Layla called her second home. This store was a hundred percent Layla, through and through. Pink walls with a black, mysterious trim along the top gave off an interesting vibe; fun, but somehow strangely provocative.
Why am I here? I moaned. Taking a few steps out of the dressing room, I collapsed onto one of several plush couches in the waiting area. The one I landed on was black leather and very cushy"so cushy that I sank three feet into it. Besides hiding from the Chief, that is.
Youre hiding from the Chief? Layla held up a nightie in front of her body. I swear that woman owned this store for the sole reason of shopping for herself. Why?
Placing my hands over my eyes, I rubbed my temples where yet another headache was threatening to appear. Its a long story.
Weve got all day. Layla pushed a rack of clothes toward me so that it rolled, and it rolled, and it rolled, until it knocked into the side of the couch. You dont like the clothes I picked? Try something else. Ive got everything, you name it. Its easier to name what I dont have.
You said you had more information for me about tonight.
I do, Layla said slowly. Fill me in on your case, and then Ill give you my information. Thats fair.
I blew out a big breath of air, then I filled my friend in on everything thatd happened so far that morning. I laid it all out, from the very first phone call to the construction company, to the heart to heart chat Id had with Trisha, to the snooping Id done while she and the Chief chatted.
That snooping is going to get you in trouble someday, Layla said. Youve got to be careful because I havent decided if Ill bail you out yet or not.
What a pal.
So, what are your thoughts?
I spun around at Laylas twirling finger. I dont know, the whole situation is strange. Everyone seems like they love Hank. His clients, his friends"heck, even his ex-girlfriend couldnt say anything bad about him.
Thats tough. Layla tsked softly. What a shame about poor Hank.
I agreed. It only makes me more determined to figure out who did it.
Who are your options?
Thats the thing. I dont know.
Could the ex have done it?
I considered Trisha. She was kooky, and she saved too many things, but that hardly gave me reason to suspect her of murder. Plus, her reactions seemed genuine, and since the police hadnt arrested her yet, the Chief would probably agree with me.
She cried, I said finally. The Chief asked her where she was last night, and at first she got mad. Then, she explained that she was home alone reading a book. The Chief got the picture and left shortly after that. Even he didnt have any follow up questions.
Where does the crying come in?
After the Chief left. I shook my head, remembering those heart-wrenching sobs, the words shed told me about love. I shifted my weight from one foot to another, and this time it had nothing to do with the uncomfortable lingerie into which Layla was compressing my limbs. I didnt leave, since I didnt want to be seen. She cried, and cried, and cried, even when n.o.body was watching.
That doesnt sound like a murderer, Layla said. What about the other guy you visited?
Mr. Reynolds? I shrugged. I dont see what motivation he had to get rid of Hank. When I showed up this morning, he was surprised to see me, and he was surprised to get the news of Hanks pa.s.sing.
Humph. Layla grunted softly. That is weird.
Mr. Reynolds had nothing but nice things to say about Hank. It didnt seem like there were any hard feelings.
So a man who everyone loves is murdered, and n.o.body knows why? Layla scratched her head. Even Im intrigued.
See? Dont you think I should focus on the murder story instead of this whole Seven Days, Seven Dates story?
Nope, Layla said. Plus, I already plugged it. Im running advertising for you, girlfriend.
My gaze followed her finger to where she was pointing at the front of the shop. Somehow, in my haste to get away from the Chief, Id missed the huge poster out front. I groaned again, this one a mix between a sick cow and an angry kitty cat. Whyyyy?
There, on the door, was a life-size poster of my face with the t.i.tle of the blog series printed on my forehead. Shed hung a poster on both sides of the door, so I had a good view of myself.
While I blushed at the site of my enlarged face, a familiar sizzle snapped through the air. The door to a dressing room next to me shot open, almost popping straight off its hinges.
I blinked, then I closed my eyes. Unfortunately, Madrina hadnt only arrived, but shed arrived in style. Shed unearthed some form of lingerie from Laylas store, though I dont know when shed had time to go poking around. She wore long, silver gloves from her fingers to her elbows, and not a whole lot else. There were some ta.s.sels and a couple of strings, but Im not sure if they all sat in the right places.
Madrina, what is that? I gaped, my mouth falling open. No, no, no!
Do you always wear that under your robe? Even Laylas eyebrows had shot up high, and nothing surprised Layla. I never knew. How fun!
Can I layer discount for The Witches Britches? Madrina ignored both of our astounded gazes. The way Im looking at things, I should get the friend discount and the senior citizen discount.
Layla eyed up Madrina, wrinkling her nose as she noticed just how askew some of the strings had gotten. You know what? Its on me. Keep it.
I knew you were the nice one of the three. Madrina looked down for a moment, basking in the glow of her over three-hundred-year-old body. Or whatever she was looking at in the mirror. Anyway, now that we have the important stuff out of the way, I just thought Id pop in because you two sound stumped.
Were not stumped, I said. Were just talking about all the options.
You sound stumped, Madrina said again. Completely clueless. Who killed Frank?
Its Hank! And I dont know. I crossed my arms, feeling very uncomfortable wearing clothes like this in front of my fairy G.o.dmother. Were working on it. It hasnt even been a day yet.
You better get a move on, she said. I listened to your whole conversation, and if what youre saying is true, then you need to hurry up and figure it out. Because the second they confirm it was murder, Ill bet theyre going to arrest Jo, if they havent already.
My back stiffened. Oh my gosh. Jo. I havent talked to her.
Me neither, Layla said. Should I give the Chief a call?
I waved my hands. Were not involving the Chief. Lets think. If its not one of Hanks current clients, and its not his ex who else would have cared enough to get rid of Hank?
What about the guy who left the bad review? Layla said, leaning against the register counter. I mean, that dude seemed pretty p.i.s.sed.
A bad review? I twirled slowly on my heel to face Layla. What are you talking about?
Im talking about the only review on Yap for Hanks business. You know Yap? The new review website. Someone left it yesterday.
Someone left a bad review on the day Hank was murdered?
Layla nodded, then moved behind the desk. She turned on her work laptop, gestured for me to join her. I only figured it out because I wanted to snoop on your date. When you went out to dinner with Hank, I Googled him.
You Googled him for me? Thats sort of sweet.
Shes doing my job for me, Madrina said, leaning in, her nose inches from the screen. Jeesh, it sure is easier to be a fairy G.o.dmother in the Internet age. Before Google Id have to pick up the Yellow Pages or talk to people or something in order to find out who you were dating. Now, I can do my job in my underwear.
I looked over at Madrina, standing there in a collection of floss and pom-poms. Please keep your robes.
Stop being such a prude. Madrina waved a hand. Relax, girlie. I want to see this review.
I couldve argued, but I wanted to see the review, too. The three of us fell silent, reading the review in silence. When I finished, I sucked in a breath. Thats harsh.
And its his first and only review, Layla said. Double harsh. When I Googled his name, it was the only thing that popped up.
I glanced at the time stamp. It was left only thirty minutes before we met to go out on our date.
That explains why you didnt see it when you were researching him, but why I saw it when I started my research. You were probably getting ready for your date, or driving across town to meet him when I looked.
Scanning the review again, a shudder wracked my body involuntarily. The review was from a man who went by the Reviewer Name of CarGuy1968. The review went on, and on, and on; there were over four paragraphs of him ranting about Hank, berating his business, cautioning everyone against using his services.
Maybe Im wrong, but this doesnt make any sense to me, I said. Based upon this review, it sounds like CarGuy1989 had trouble with his vehicle and was stranded on the side of the road. Then he says that Hank pulled over and gave him a jump. When that didnt work, Hank said he was a handyman and offered to help look into the engine of the car.
This reviewer sounds like an ungrateful little p.r.i.c.k, Madrina said.
We dont know the full story, I said. We should talk to him.
I dont know. Layla tapped her fingernails against the keys. I agree with Madrina. This guy sounds loco.
But if we dont talk to him, we really are stumped, I said. Plus, something tells me this is too big of a coincidence to ignore. Think about it. Thirty minutes before a man"who almost everyone seemed to love and couldnt say a bad word about"is murdered, he gets his first scathing review from a guy who seems a little bit crazy. Dont you think its worth checking out?
I think its worth the police checking out, Madrina said. Why do you complicate my job so much? Why cant you just stay inside, warm up a TV dinner, and give me a bit of rest?
Its for Jo, I said. And Hank.
If youre going to talk to him, I require you bring backup, Layla said. If I tell you not to go, youll just ignore me and go anyway. Id rather have you go and be safe. You can either bring the police, or you can bring me.
Youd come with me? I asked, and then changed my mind. Its probably best if I go alone.
Ill go, too, Madrina said with a sigh. Its easier to be there when you get in trouble than to try and catch up after the fact.
Im not planning to get in trouble. I narrowed my eyes at her. I just want to see if I can get the full story.
You never plan to get in trouble. Madrina rolled her eyes. Yet somehow, it always seems to happen to you. Its like you have a skill. The gift of trouble-making.
You love it. I elbowed her. You say you want me to be boring, but I dont believe it.
Can I ask the Chief to come with us? Layla asked, reading the review once more. The more times I read this, the crazier it gets. CarGuys vehicle was already broken and Hank helped him. Sounds to me like this guy needs a punch to the nose.
Where are peoples manners going these days? Madrina grumbled. Sheesh. Its like all the good ones are taken, and all the leftovers are nuts.
No, you cannot call the Chief. I shook my head. Absolutely not. Were leaving him out of this.
Leaving me out of what? A voice rolled through the shop, followed by the light tinkle of the bell above the door to the Witches Britches. I want to be a part of the fun.
My spine stiffened. The voice belonged to the Chief.
I turned around, my neck bright red, my cheeks heating. There was no way to recover from the amount of mortification I was feeling. I could die now, and it would be easier than looking the Chief in the eye after this.
Go away, I said shrilly. As an afterthought, I added. Please.
The Chief took his time speaking, and the fact that his eyes lingered somewhere below my face wasnt lost on me. His gaze skimmed very quickly over Madrinas head, glanced towards Laylas face, and then turned back to me. I had a few questions regarding the case, and I was told I could find you here.
Well, here I am! I threw my hands up in the air, shooting for a confidence that I didnt quite feel. But youll have to talk to my face. Im up here, buddy.
The Chiefs gaze had slid somewhat downward, his forehead furrowing in alarm as he studied the straps on my legs with a concerned expression. At my words, his gaze shot up to my face, and for the first time that I could remember, he blushed. Uh, well start simple. What are you doing here?
You already asked that question, I said. Next.
You dont have to be so rude. Madrina leaned on the counter, sprawling out with confidence. Answer the question.
My face turned shades of pink that only belonged on Valentines Day cards. Im here visiting Layla. She owns the place, you know that.
We dont always do this. Play dress up, I mean, Layla said. But our girl here has a date tonight, so Im dressing her up in something fancy.
You wear that on a date? The Chief looked incredulous. Wow.
I didnt say that my date is going to see it, I said. Its a first date. Nothings going to happen besides dinner.
Then why are you wearing those strappy things? The Chief grimaced. It looks painful.
I turned to Layla. Why am I wearing this?
It makes you feel good, she said. Like you have a s.e.xy secret.
I dont want a s.e.xy secret.
Its not a secret if you flaunt it, the Chief said. Its more of a statement.
Oh, you dont even belong here, I said, gesturing around the room at the pink and frilly things everywhere. Its not really your style. Can we hurry up with the questions?
Who is your date with? he asked, his voice trying for light and disinterested, although I could hear a note of curiosity playing just below the surface.
You came all the way here to ask me about my love life? I blinked. Then, I gave Layla a pointed stare. Who am I going on a date with?
You dont even know? The Chiefs concerned expression turned into disbelief.
Its called a blind date, Layla said with a not-so-subtle wink in her eye. Its not strange at all. In fact, a lot of people find true love through blind dates.
Really.
Really! Layla grinned. Sometimes friends can see things that individuals cant. For example, maybe two people who know each other, and have known each other for a long time, are perfect together. The two of them might be too short-sighted to see it, but not their friends.