Leo takes a breath and nods. “I won’t. And thank you for that—your blessing. It means a lot to me. And I know it will mean the world to her, too.”
“Just do me a favor,” I say. “If you ever feel like you want to tell her about…our transmundane status,” I swallow hard, “I want to be there, too.” Hot tears streak down my cheeks. “I just hope I don’t lose her.”
“You won’t lose her.” He pulls me in for a quick embrace. “And I wouldn’t dream of telling her without you. It’s not happening for a while, Bizzy. Don’t worry about it for now. Goodnight.” He takes off with a wave.
I don’t want to lose Emmie.
And I don’t want to lose Jasper either.
Then why does it feel like they’ve both slipped out of my grasp?
Fish is asleep, and I carefully land her onto the sofa before pulling out my laptop and curling up beside her.
I look up Channing Neville, Somerset, and everything I can find out about the Order of the Skulls.
Sorry, Jasper, but there’s nothing like a little homicide investigation to take my mind off my troubles.
Wyatt Sanders had far more serious troubles than I’ll ever have.
And I’d like nothing more than to solve them all.
Chapter 16
On this dark, clear night, Main Street is decorated with a canopy of twinkle lights that are strung from one side of the street to the other, giving off a magical appeal that makes my soul sing. It’s Friday evening, the very first of the Summer Nights Festival in which the entire state of Maine is welcome and highly encouraged to roam the streets of Cider Cove.
Bodies line the sidewalks, the street itself is closed off to traffic, and it too is teeming with wall-to-wall people. Every business and vendor in Cider Cove is here displaying their wares. The barbeque restaurant down the street is grilling out in the open, and the air is scented with its undeniable deliciousness.
Jasper said he would stop by as soon as he could. After he had Killer Books dusted for fingerprints once again, he’s been working nonstop. He said he spoke to Thomas about the money missing in both the register and the ground safe and Thomas confirmed it should have been there.
Killer Books was definitely robbed the night of the murder. Jasper said he couldn’t be sure if the people or person who stole from the place were the same people or person who took the first run Agatha Christie, or if any of the above killed Wyatt.
Three mysteries. With perhaps three different crimes and suspects.
It’s all a bit overwhelming. And to be truthful, Jasper and I are feeling that strain personally. I’ll admit, I’m a little hurt there might be details Jasper is holding out on me. Of course, he’s doing it to protect me. But then why does it hurt so much?
Macy groans, “Is it wrong that I’m craving beef ribs while eating all the lemon tarts I can cram into my mouth?”
“Nope. It’s just an occupational hazard when you work in such a yummy environment.”
The Country Cottage Café has a booth right here in front of Lather and Light. Macy has her own table set up next to me, so we’ve been elbow-to-elbow for the last hour while indulging in the lemon tarts Emmie has supplied us with. In fact, Emmie and Leo just went back to the inn to retrieve a few more boxes.
I glance back through the window of Lather and Light to find Fish curled up on the counter.
“Fish is loving all the attention she gets from both your customers and employees alike,” I tell my sister. “She’s already requested a regular outing to Auntie Macy’s shop.”
Macy gives a curt nod. “Are you kidding? She’s my best salesperson. Not only is she hired, but you may not get her back.”
Sherlock lets out a quick bark. I’d better get in there and try to drum up some business myself. I want Auntie Macy to hire me, too. She likes to give me the bread off her sandwiches. She says she hates carbs and men.
He takes off and I chuckle.
“I think you just gained another employee.”
Macy watches as he strides right up to the counter and begins blinking those big brown eyes at the customers.
“A competitive pooch,” she muses. “I like that. He’s a carb vacuum and a moneymaker. Do you think Jasper will notice he’s gone once I dognap him?”
Gatsby touches his paw to my thigh before I can answer, and I give him a gentle scratch on the head. Both Fish and Sherlock Bones are busy at work, but Gatsby has opted to stay close to me.
“You’re pretty amazing yourself, Mr. Gatsby. Ignore my sister. She’s not dognapping anyone.”
Thank you, Bizzy. Speaking of amazing, how did Thomas and Brooklynn end up in front of Killer Books with boxes of Wyatt’s things?
I glance in their direction before elbowing my sister.
“Would you look at that,” I whisper. “Jasper said Thomas and Brooklynn asked permission to sell the surplus at a discount to the public. I guess the bookstore will most likely be closing.”
Macy shivers as we watch them rake in money hand over fist.
“I can’t believe they’re selling the inventory. A man was stabbed to death in there. There was blood everywhere. There’s probably blood on those books.”
I shake my head. “Nope. Jasper said these books were in a storage facility nearby. Mostly used paperbacks Wyatt had collected for a used book section he was thinking of opening in the back of the store. Jasper said they mentioned something about ending their lease at the storage facility.”
“They?” Macy cocks her head to the side. “It almost sounds like they’re a couple.”
“Huh.” I startle at the thought. “It sort of does, doesn’t it?” Brooklynn said she sold her shares as a silent partner over a year ago. Maybe her attachment to the place is her interest in
