Tilly elbows me. “Step off my territory, sister. You can’t have ’em all. And I’m still not thrilled about that defunct vision you gave me.”
“Yeah? Well, I had another one and there’s no way I’m sharing that one with you.”
Jackson pauses at the entry to speak with a couple of women, but from where we’re standing, I can’t quite make them out.
“You had another vision?” Tilly yanks me close by the elbow. “Speak or forever hold your keister after I kick it.”
“I’m pretty sure that’s not how the saying goes.”
“So what. I like to put a spin on things. What have you got?”
“Fine.” I nod over to Jackson. “He was there and said something about giving me a night to remember.”
Tilly bucks and moans as if she were in physically pain.
“Well hell.” She glances around. “I’d better get to knitting me some socks. If I’m going to grow old alone, I may as well warm my own feet.” She takes off just as Jackson strides this way with not one but two familiar women on his arms, and I gasp.
Not only am I being treated to Kiera Hillerman, but he’s got Sophia Hathaway pinned to his other side.
I’d better text Shep and let him know we’ve got a smorgasbord of suspects to choose from.
Jackson presses out a smile as he steps up with the blonde and the redhead.
“If it isn’t the lovely Tilly Teasdale and the lovely Bowie Binx.” He scans the area, momentarily confused. It’s almost as if he rehearsed his lines before Tilly took off and he forgot to modify the script. He gives an amicable nod my way. “When my mother invited me to bring a couple of friends along for drinks in the library, I had no idea we’d have such lovely company.”
Tilly swims over to him and scooches Sophia out of position. “I believe you called me lovely.”
“And I mean it.” His lips curve with naughty intent. “While I have the two of you here, I want to invite you to the mourning mixer I’ll be hosting at the Hathaway estate over in Sterling Lake next weekend. Sophia’s father was quite fond of Maddie. I tried to arrange for a gathering here in her honor, but he insisted we host it at his home.”
Mourning mixer? Wow, the rich do everything on another level. Even their funerals sound better.
Sophia’s mouth twitches. “Yes, Daddy misses Maddie as much as the rest of us. She was an invaluable employee and cherished friend.”
Jackson nods. “Of course, there will be drinks and lively conversation.”
“A booze and schmooze?” Tilly has that squirrely look in her eyes as if the cute boy in class just invited her to prom. “We wouldn’t miss it.”
“For sure,” I say. “That was very nice of you to extend the invite. And I hope you don’t mind all of this.” I give a quick wave at the library. “Tonight is Stitch Witchery, one of Opal’s most famed social events here in Starry Falls.”
Tilly nods. “We craft up a storm, gossip, and get boozy ourselves.” She winces at a group of teenage girls congregating around the teacups who look as if they’re getting a little too close to the whiskey at hand. “Jessie?” Tilly crows. “Don’t you think about getting near my liquor. I’m not carrying you home again.” She takes up Jackson’s hand. “Come on heart-attack-Jack.” She offers him a flirtatious wink. “Let me show you what I’m capable of with my gene pool.” They trot off and I’m left standing with Kiera and Sophia, both of which look as if they need a stiff drink, stat. I’m getting close myself.
“Are either of you girls crafty by nature?” I’m not sure why I asked. I’m pretty sure I know the answer. And it would be yes, but crafty with these two socialites has an entirely different meaning.
A dark laugh strums from Kiera as she looks to Sophia.
“Come on, Soph. Pick up a couple of knitting needles and show us what you’ve got.”
Sophia tucks a crimson lock behind her ear. “Now, now, Kiera. Everyone knows you knitted that crooked scarf you wore last winter yourself.”
“Crocheted,” Kiera barks back before gasping.
“Ah-ha!” Sophia snaps with glee. “Knew it. You’re a closet crafter.” She says those last two words as if they were the slimiest words on the planet.
“So what if I am?” Kiera roars.
If it wasn’t clear we had a situation brewing before, it’s pretty apparent now.
Regina slinks up to my side with a maniacal giggle bubbling from her.
“There’s nothing like a couple of billionaires about to have a slug-fest.” She does her best to whisper. But Kiera shoots her a look, assuring us she heard.
“I’ll have you know, neither of us are billionaires.” Kiera turns her full rage back where it belongs, on the redhead in front of her. “And so what if I’m a closet crafter? Maybe if you did something other than sit on your behind, you wouldn’t be in the predicament you’re in.”
Sophia glances my way before huffing at the thought. “If by predicament, you mean in love, then so be it. And what’s this?” She inches forward to the contemptuous blonde. “I think I see a hint of a unibrow forming. I always knew you were nothing but a Madeline Swanson knockoff. And once you braid your brows together, the rest of the world will know it, too!”
“What’s wrong with that?” Kiera grunts. “Madeline had style. She was unique, which is more than I can say for you.”
“Oh, please.” Sofia clasps her hand over her chest as if she just took a bullet. “I’m the one who has to step into Maddie’s shoes now that she’s gone in order to keep my father’s philanthropy endeavors from capsizing. All you do, day in and day out, is ask people to sniff your feet!”
Regina leans in. “She’s not wrong.”
“Ha!” Sophia barks out a laugh. “Hear that, Kiera? This woman knows I’m right. You think you have the universe dialed
