“Sorry. I can tell this is painful for you. I won’t pry. But can I ask about the brunette he pulled onto the stage with him? She didn’t look too thrilled to be a volunteer.”
“Bernie? She’s an old pro. She was his assistant for years at the Magic Castle. They were together for a while. Things ended abruptly. I’m not sure why. She was really in love with the guy. I mean, honestly, when I saw you gushing about your fiancé earlier, that’s who it reminded me of. Bernie and Julian looked as if they had it all. Anyway, for whatever reason, they called it quits, and then Bernie left her position as his assistant. She’s the head waitress there now. So she still had to see him night after night. But I guess she won’t have to worry about him anymore.” And neither will I.
Another customer comes by and she takes off to assist them while I change back into my clothes.
I scoop Macy, Juni, and Georgie up, and all the way home they talk about the phone numbers they got, at least two apiece.
Talk about getting lucky.
Julian wasn’t so lucky, though.
But listening in on Michaela’s thoughts made it sound as if the fact he bit the big one—well, it was her lucky day.
Something tells me Bernie will feel the same way.
“Rest up, girls,” I say as we get out of the car. “Keep tomorrow night free on your calendar. Next up is a trip to the Magic Castle out in Edison.”
Chapter 6
The coastline of Maine is glorious just about every time of year, but there is a magical transformation that occurs in our neck of the woods as soon as autumn takes the throne. Every tree in the state crowns this season with color. Rich ambers, luscious golds, deep maroons, and orange as bright as a sunrise grace the branches of trees all around, save, of course, for the evergreens which, in keeping true to their moniker, hold fast to their verdant hue.
It’s late afternoon, and the sun is steadily sinking when I decide to take Sherlock and Fish out on the walkway around the inn that skirts the sand.
A few of the guests stroll the shoreline with their shoes in hand and peacoats pulled tightly over their chests. Now that fall has firmly closed the door on warm, summer days, it’s time to sip cider by the fire, put on warm, fuzzy socks, and spend some time curled up with a good book. Which is exactly what I intend to do once I get back to my cottage—and hopefully, I’ll get to do it with Jasper at my side.
Sherlock gives a little bark. Where’d you go today, Bizzy? You missed all the excitement. Jordy let me help him roll pumpkins all over the inn.
A tiny laugh brews in me at the thought, but before I can answer, Fish jumps in front of him and yowls.
She was questioning a suspect. Fish gives him a playful swipe of the paw. Lord knows it’s entirely up to her to solve this case before her wedding arrives. What does Jasper do all day anyhow? I’ve only ever seen him eat.
Hey? What’s wrong with eating? Sherlock chases Fish right into the sand, and I pluck off my shoes and head after them as he barks up a riot. Are you saying my Jasper can’t solve a case?
Fish stops abruptly right in front of him, her paws spread out as if she were about to pounce on her prey.
I didn’t have to say it, she hisses. You said it for me.
Sherlock pounces first, and soon he and Fish are wrestling it out as sand goes flying every which way.
“Hey—you two,” I shout. “Be nice.” I scoop Fish up and head for the shoreline. “I did see someone today. I’m not sure I’d classify her as a suspect.”
“Is that so?” a male voice says from behind, and I turn to see the handsome face of my future husband. “Hello, beautiful.” He frowns just enough to let me know he doesn’t approve of the fact I was speaking to anyone even remotely attached to the case. “Did I hear you say you saw someone today? Who exactly is it that you wouldn’t classify as a suspect?”
Sherlock greets Jasper with a yippy bark. He’s onto you, Bizzy. See that? He’s a good detective. And I bet he’s going to eat soon, too.
Fish mewls. Maybe that’s why he’s got such a sour face. He’s hungry. But nobody is crankier than Bizzy when she needs a snack.
My mouth falls open, and yet I feel so seen.
Sherlock nips at her tail with a growl. He’s just trying to keep you safe, Bizzy. That’s his job. He told me so himself.
A smile coils on my lips as I meet up with Jasper Wilder’s lightning gray eyes.
“For your information, Detective, I went shopping for a wedding dress.” I land Fish back in the sand and take up Jasper’s hand as he lands a lingering kiss to my lips. And if I’m not mistaken, that kiss comes with promises of naughtier things to come.
He pulls back with a smile. “Find anything you like?”
“Maybe, but I’d have to rob the inn for the next year and a half to pay for it. How did things go at the station? Any leads on the missing girl? Any leads on who could have killed Julian?”
Jasper gives a wistful shake of the head.
“Nope to both.” He lands a kiss over the back of my hand. “But I don’t want you to worry about any of that. Let’s focus on something better. This is the anniversary of when we met.” He nods to the navy Atlantic churning out one whitewashed wave after another. “Right out there.”
Sherlock barks. That’s right! Fish lured me to sea. I could have died. Fish could have died. Jasper and Bizzy could have died. Georgie once told me that death
