Her gaze drifts a moment and the gun lowers a notch, so I take my chances and lunge at her.
Both Sophia and I sail to the ground, but the gun remains staunchly in her possession.
“You won’t get away with it,” I stammer as I struggle to reach for the weapon.
“You won’t live to see it either way.”
Sophia kicks her knee into my chest and I fall back onto the ground, my head thumping over the paver stones like a melon.
She staggers to her feet and points the gun directly over me, a perfect kill shot if ever there was one.
“Freeze,” Shep howls, but Sophia is relentless as her finger bends to squeeze the trigger.
A loud clap of thunder goes off and my entire body coils in on itself. My mind races to identify the epicenter, but I don’t feel an ounce of pain.
“Oh my God, I’m dead,” I bleat as I open my eyes to see Shep’s hand as he helps me to my feet.
“Bowie.” He pulls me in and holds me tight.
“Did she shoot me?” I pull back in time to see Nora handcuffing Sophia. “She confessed,” I call out. “She killed Madeline Swanson. She stole the money and the key to the formula,” I say as I look back at Shep. “She worked hard to pin it on everyone. She was determined to get away with it.”
“But you weren’t about to let her do that.” A dull laugh rattles in his chest. “She had no idea who she was dealing with when she met you.” His lips twitch. “And neither did I.”
Shep’s arms remain locked around my body a moment too long before he steps back and gives me an amicable nod. “Congratulations, Detective Binx, on another case solved.” His expression hardens to stone. “Don’t let it happen again.”
“I’ll try not to.” I swallow hard as I take in this handsome man under a pale wash of moonlight. “Shep? I know you’ll be busy tonight at the station while you close this case out, but when you have a chance, could you stop by my place? I solved another mystery tonight as well. I know exactly who has been sending those notes and gifting me with jewelry. Swing by, and I’ll fill you in on the details.” I take a step back as Nora calls for him.
Shep’s eyes remain trained on mine. “I’ll do that. Be safe, Bowie.”
I take off to find Opal and Tilly, and all the while I wonder if I’ll ever truly feel safe again.
Chapter 17
True to my word, I have Tilly stop off at just about every grocery store between Sterling Lake and Starry Falls as we scoop up all the banana pies, bread, muffins, and cookies we can find.
Opal noshes on a banana nut muffin as we pull in front of the manor and she steps out.
“You know, I think we should consider adding muffins to the menu,” she says as Tilly and I flank her on either side.
“We have muffins on the menu,” I’m quick to fill her in. “But I’m glad you approve.”
Since the café is still open, I thought I’d run in to see how things are going. And seeing it’s so late, I might as well help close up shop.
A throng of cats swarms us as we head up the steps and Opal does her best to scoop up as many as she can, as do Tilly and I.
The café is brightly lit with nary a customer in the place, save for Mud sitting at the counter, getting chummy with some blonde.
Regina is already back, and is the first to shoot a snide smile our way as we walk through the door.
“Well, look who’s here.” She sheds a greedy grin, and all sorts of alarms go off inside me.
The blonde turns around, and I nearly pass out.
“Ste—”
She cuts me off at the chase.
“Lola.” My sister winks over at me. “And I was just on my way back to your place when I realized I must have left my purse behind at the café. Mud here was nice enough to help find it.” She pats his shoulder with that flirtatious look in her eye she gets right before her mouth morphs into a bear trap.
A goofy grin breaks out on his face. “Geez, Bowie, you didn’t tell us you were hiding a hot sister out in New York.”
Regina squints my way. “I thought you said you were from Connecticut?”
Steph stiffens. “New York, Connecticut.”
I close my eyes a moment. It’s moments like these I’m positive we’re related.
“Chicago, Connecticut,” Opal corrects as she extends a hand to my liar of a sister. “Opal Mortimer. Charmed to meet you. Bowie has been a treasure as are you, I’m sure.”
“She’s something, all right.” I offer a tight smile. “Lola, meet Tilly Teasdale. It seems you’ve met just about everyone else.”
Stephanie shakes Tilly’s hand. “I’m the outgoing fun sister. My apologies to all of you for Bowie the bummer.”
“I’ll give you a bummer,” I say as I pull my sister close. “I’d better get my sweet little sis settled. We have a family reunion to tend to, and a lot of banana pie to nosh on in the process.”
We say goodnight as Tilly offers us a ride back to my cabin.
No sooner do Stephanie and I lay out the banana flavored haul onto the kitchen counter than a knock erupts at the door.
“Ooh.” Steph hops over, holding Pixie hostage in her arms. She always did have a soft spot for both the color pink and kittens—Pixie is sort of a two-for-one in that department. “I bet that’s Stud Muffin.”
I glance out the side window and, sure enough, there he is.
“You’re right,” I whisper. “It’s Sexy Wexy. Play it cool, would you?”
I swing the door open and Shep’s eyes widen in horror as he spots my blonde look-alike.
“Lola Buchanan.” My sister extends a hand his way and he stares at it blankly
