Camila looks my way. “She calls them Sultry Scents. She has a few generic bottles, but mostly she specializes in creating a one-of-a-kind scent for you and your paramour.”
Tabitha leans in and her excitement is palpable. “First, she asks questions about you and then the guy you’re looking to snag. And once she gets a profile of the two of you, she creates a scent guaranteed to land your man. It worked for me.” She gives a quick look around. “I had my eye on one of my supervisors for months. The man is seriously hot. And well, after having Raven concoct the perfect perfume, I was able to claim him.” Just for a night. It turns out, the louse has a girlfriend. And how I hate that I inadvertently became the other woman. Not only that, but sleeping with him has all but guaranteed I’ll never move up in the ranks around here. Raven’s potions are more or less cursed. Just about every relationship she’s brought together with those ridiculous Sultry Scents has ended in tragedy. Lord knows Blair and Dr. Feel Good weren’t exactly what you would call a horseshoe.
Dr. Feel Good? I blink at the name. I could swear I heard Blair mention him the night she died.
I nod as if I was smitten with the smelly idea. “Sounds great. In fact, I’d love to have Raven come by. Maybe she can set up a booth at the Fall-oween Festival? I know that Sabrina will be giving tips on face painting soon. I’ll see if I can work something out where they’re together.”
“That’s great.” Tabitha’s face lights up with gratitude before her features darken a notch. Hey? Now that Blair is gone, maybe I can be the one to bring both Camila and Bizzy into the Maidens? I was the one inviting Camila to begin with, but as soon as Blair met Bizzy, she insisted on giving her to Sabrina. I’m not sure what that move was about. Everyone knows the rules. You find your own noble downline. And right now, I’m declaring these two are mine.
What in the heck is a Maiden? And downline? Why does that term sound familiar?
“I’m glad things worked out for you,” I say.
Tabitha gives Camila a sideways glance. Too bad they didn’t work so well for Camila. I can’t believe she told Raven that she wanted her money back after the love of her life married someone else. Although it was a bit comical when she said she’d pay twice as much as Raven was asking if she’d cook up some genuine poison in the cauldron of hers. It sounds as if Camila really has it out for whoever it is who stole her fiancé.
I look to Camila and roll my eyes.
“So Tabitha—” Camila must be able to read minds, too, because she is wisely getting down to brass tacks. “What’s going on with the girls? How are you all handling this? I know you were all a lot closer to Blair than I was.”
“Not on the night of the murder.” Tabitha gives a sly wink. “Kidding. I know you didn’t take her out.” She turns her head away for a moment, and that seemingly innocent move makes me wonder about her own innocence. “We miss her.” She shrugs as if she were truly indifferent.
Of course, I don’t miss her personally, Tabitha muses to herself. That wily witch can rot in Hell for all I care.
Then again, perhaps she’s not so indifferent.
“Were you and Blair close?” I nod over to her as I ask the question. I already know she didn’t like her. Now to squeeze the reason why out of her brain.
“We used to be.” A far-off look appears in her eyes as if she were reliving better times. “But life, you know, got in the way. She was a very important person. Blair was a realtor, and that kept her busy. And she was taking night classes at the local community college.”
“Oh?” I lean in. Camila already told me so much, but I want to see if that road leads anywhere before I abandon it. “Was she trying to earn her degree?” Maybe she didn’t finish when she went to school with Camila way back when? I went to college and didn’t finish, but only because I was afraid of actually succeeding at something. A horrible and long story that I’ve long since pushed out of my mind.
Tabitha squints to the ceiling. “You know, she never mentioned that. I think she was just taking it for kicks.” She shrugs. “Like I said, Blair wasn’t exactly forthcoming with the details of her life those last few months, not to me anyway. But we were still very connected.” The Maidens guaranteed that. Speaking of which... “I should probably take your orders and get back to my tables, but how about the three of us get together sometime? I’d love to continue the conversation. And Bizzy, I can tell right away that you and I are going to be great friends.”
My mouth falls open. “I can tell the same thing,” I say. “Name the time and place. I’ll be there.” With investigative bells on.
“Great.” Her eyes widen. Wow, that was easier than I thought. I can’t believe I have two live ones—and they’re mine all mine. “It’s sort of a mixer I’m a part of. It’s actually my turn to host.”
“Ooh.” Camila wiggles her shoulders. “I don’t think I’ve ever been to your place.”
“Sorry.” She cringes. “It’s not at my place.” Like I’d ever want to show anyone the hovel I’m living in. I’d have to instruct the Maidens to bring Tasers and mace just to walk to the door. “I’m still looking for a venue, but as soon as I have the details I’ll text you.” She
