Queen…
“You look adorable.” I motion to her pretty costume as the moon lights up the silver threading in the brocade fabric, and she shines like an amethysts in the night.
“Thanks.” She slaps her thigh. “It’s my Renaissance Fair outfit. I’m a huge lover of the Renaissance Fair, so this is more of a way of life than a costume.” She gives a light laugh.
My lips part. “Tabitha, can I ask who the queen will be tonight?”
“That’s actually a surprise. It’s color-coded according to the rings we have.” She flashes a silver ring with a golden rose and a tiny purple stone, then retracts her hand just as quickly. “Oops! I wasn’t supposed to say that. The rings are sort of a surprise. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t apologize. In fact, Raven already told me about them. I’m looking forward to getting mine.”
“Oh good!” What a relief. For once Raven blew it first. “New girls get a green stone. It’s super pretty. And they say we’re only supposed to wear it to official meetings, but I’ve worn mine out before. It’s a shame not to.”
“I agree. And I won’t tell,” I say as we share a little laugh. “Did you hear? They’ve taken William Helsing in for Blair’s murder.” For questioning, but a part of me doesn’t think that’s relevant to mention. I’m hoping Jasper has already winnowed a confession out of him.
She takes in a never-ending breath. “Wow. I did not know that. I wonder if Sabrina knows?” She glances back.
Fish perks up. Why does she care so much about Sabrina? Why not ask about Raven?
Exactly.
I lean in. “Why would Sabrina care?”
Tabitha blinks back. “Oh, they dated. They were hot and heavy long before Blair stepped into the picture. In fact, Sabrina met him because she used to work in the administration building at that college he works at. She was there for years, and then one day out of the blue Dr. Feel Good dumped her and she lost her job. I’m guessing one had a lot to do with the other.” She wrinkles her nose. “Not everyone knows that. Sabrina was pretty embarrassed about it.”
My heart thumps wildly. “How did Sabrina feel about Blair and Dr. Feel Good getting together?”
Tabitha cringes. “She said she was over him and wiped her hands of the entire situation. She said she felt bad about the whole wife thing anyway.” She shakes her head. “A part of me thinks that was a lot of bravado, though. Although, Sabrina did move on eventually. She got that new position at the Snake Pit, and she’s doing pretty well for herself with the face painting and body art. Things were really tough for her afterwards, though—especially these last few months. She lost her condo, too, and had to move back in with her mother. That was tough because Sabrina’s mother is pretty demoralizing to her. She calls her all sorts of names and badmouths her every chance she gets. It’s enough to make a person lose their mind.”
“Is she back on her feet yet?”
She tips her head to the woods. “I think so. She mentioned something about taking a vacation to Atlantic City soon. So that’s got to be a good sign, right?”
“Right.”
Fish yowls hard. I smell a rat.
I take a quick breath as I force a smile. “I’ll see you in just a couple of hours, Tabitha.”
“I’ll be there with bells on.” She gives her tambourine a rattle before stepping toward the makeshift memorial.
“Tabitha?” I call out her name and she turns around. “I guess I should know what I’m shooting for. What color gemstone does the queen get?”
“Red,” she says brightly before dissolving into the night.
Red.
I know exactly who will be queen tonight, and suddenly all of the pieces to this murderous puzzle are falling into place.
I’m not so sure Jasper has apprehended Blair Bates’ killer.
But I have a feeling he’s apprehended exactly who Blair Bates’ killer framed for the crime.
Chapter 17
Every move she made was so well-thought-out. And yet every move was the wrong one, because ultimately, if I’m right, she’ll pay dearly for her grave error.
Despite my efforts, I couldn’t find my one and only suspect after I left Tabitha. So I went ahead and secured the cash for Georgie, Juni, and myself from the ground safe at the inn and headed to the woods behind the meadow at eleven o’clock just the way I was instructed.
The meadow is dark and icy at this distal end of the property. The din of music, of the overall revelry from the frightmare is slowly muted the deeper I head in that direction, and the moon up above washes the ground an ethereal shade of blue. It’s wall-to-wall people here tonight, and each and every person is dressed to impress—or more to the point, distress.
Camila is the first person I see, with her vampy witch’s dress and equally vampy face. She’s a stunner in that little black dress, and I have a feeling she knows it.
“Bizzy,” she hisses as she comes my way.
Fish peers out of the basket and groans. Here comes trouble.
Sherlock barks at the sight of her. And she’s a witch! I knew it! I knew it all along! Camila is a witch, Bizzy. Let me at her. I’ll bite her ankles until she hops back on her broom and flies for the moon.
“Sherlock.” I shake my head at him. Camila needs to stay calm so nobody bolts from this little mug and greet.
Sprinkles whimpers. I think we should all run for the hills before she casts a spell on us.
Camila growls at the trio of furry creatures. “Oh hush, all of you.” She snarls my way. “I’ve got my cash. Now what?”
“Camila, I think I know who did this.”
She clucks her tongue. “So do I, you dodo. Raven called and told me they arrested Billy the Kid, right here at the spot
