My lips purse as I look to Shep. “Did you happen to speak with Kiera Hillerman last night?”
Shep starts to say something before he closes his mouth once again.
“Bowie,” he says my name deep, with a stern expression, and both Regina and Tilly break out into titters.
Regina gives a husky laugh. “Oh, come on, Wexy, toss old Bowie Binx a bone. She just wants to know if the girl she’s trying to pin the murder on has been arrested yet.”
Shep looks over at me with a penetrating stare.
“We don’t know if a homicide has taken place yet.” He takes a breath. “We were only able to ascertain rudimentary information last night. And, if need be, I will be conducting a full investigation. Nora gave the case to me since it happened to occur at my stomping grounds.”
“My stomping grounds.” I give a sly wink.
Regina scoffs. “She’s goading you. As soon as the homicide is official, I demand you arrest her. The thought of a murderous witch roaming the streets of Starry Falls gives me the shivers.”
Tilly gasps as she looks my way. “If there’s a homicide, that means we get to investigate! I’m ready and raring to go. How about we trek over to Scooter Springs later tonight to see what’s cooking in that ratty tat town?”
“No.” Shep doesn’t hesitate with the command. “You can do what you like this evening, but not in the name of an investigation.”
A crowd wanders in, and Regina scoops up a stack of menus.
“If you’re going to Scooter Springs, count me in.” She glowers at me a moment. “Heck, if you’re investigating, I want in on that, too. No fair that Tilly gets to have all the fun around here.”
“What do you call playing Frisbee with Jackson?” Tilly calls after her as they both take off.
Shep’s phone buzzes over the counter and does a little spin before he picks it up and glances at the screen. He takes a deep breath as he knots up his lips.
“What is it?” I try my best to snoop, but I can’t see a thing.
“It’s the Madeline Swanson case. It was just ruled a homicide.”
Chapter 5
A homicide.
“No way, Bowie.” Shep shakes his head my way. “I recognize that look on your face.”
The Manor Café is still hopping this morning, and Shep just broke the news that Madeline Swanson’s death was, in fact, brought on by the hand of another.
“What killed her?” I quickly take the seat next to him, leaning in so hard my knee touches his thigh—and don’t think for a minute I don’t feel the Sexy Wexy burn.
Shep gives a quick glance over his shoulder before bearing those silver-blue eyes my way.
“Potassium cyanide.”
I suck in a quick breath. “Cyanide?”
“Yes.” He gives a quick nod. “Nora is briefing the family. I suggest you and I plead the fifth if we’re asked what killed the woman.”
“You bet.” I make a zipping motion across my lips before pulling out my phone and looking up my number one suspect, Kiera Hillerman. Not only did she have not-so-nice things to say about the deceased, but that vision I had painted a grim picture regarding her innocence.
The screen quickly populates with all sorts of things about a company called Goober, Inc., located someplace out in Sterling Lake. Apparently, killer Kiera runs the outfit.
Shep leans over, and once he spots what I’m looking at, he grunts.
“No.”
“Yes.” I pull my phone to my chest just as a shadow darkens the area before us.
“Bowie Binx,” a deep voice rumbles.
I look up to find Jackson Mortimer is dressed to the nines—I’m guessing it’s a lovely Mortimer quirk, and lucky for me, not one I’m opposed to. He gives a slight bow my way.
“Your eyes shine like ambers.” He glances to Shep. “Detective Wexler.” His lips expand a moment, and about ten different women crane their necks this way, momentarily confused by who to give their full attention to—Jackson and his bedroom eyes or Shep and his strong jawline filled with tension.
“Bowie.” Jackson quickly takes up my hands, and before I know it, he’s kissing the back of each one. “It’s been far too long since I’ve visited Starry Falls. How about a tour of this lovely town by yours truly? I’m sure I can arrange to give you the afternoon off. I have an in with the owner.” He gives a sly wink and about three girls sigh—Tilly, Regina, and Thea to be exact.
An idea pops to mind. “Why, I would love to. Just give me a second to pop my lasagna into the oven and give the cooks a couple of instructions. Hey, I’ve got an idea, after I give you the nickel’s worth tour of Starry Falls, how about you take me on a tour of that fancy place your friend Kiera owns, Goober?”
Both Tilly and Regina scoot our way.
“Goober?” Tilly’s eyes bulge as she looks at Jackson. “Last year I splurged and bought that candle that smelled like a wealthy woman’s feet.”
Regina nods. “And I have the responsibly harvested organic cotton tee from her spring line collection. It set me back ninety-five big ones.”
Thea gasps. “Regina, you could have bought that same thing from Dollar Duds up the street. You can count me out of this little field trip. Everyone knows Goober is nothing but an overrated, overpriced, elitist bid on capitalism to make the general masses feel inferior.” She wrinkles her nose at Tilly. “If they have any free samples, pick me up a few.” She nods my way. “I’ll help with the lasagna.”
“Then it’s settled.” I look up at Jackson. “Give me fifteen minutes.”
Shep takes a deep breath and
