Poor Hux began doubting his ability to save Macy from the electric chair—yes, he went there. As it turns out, we’re waiting for Hux to get the issue of my sister’s case before a judge so bail can be set.
As for Jasper, I’m not upset with him as much as I am upset with the situation. I know justice will prevail, even if I have to bring it about myself.
However, life goes on.
The inn is bustling this morning, sans any sign of a wonky quilt takeover.
Grady, Nessa, and I have been working nonstop processing guests who are coming and going. It’s not until noon do we even catch a breather.
Fish hops along the creamy marble counter.
If we’re done here, I’d like to visit Auntie Macy in the slammer before Jasper has her shipped to Timbuktu.
I bite down on a smile. Fish may have been privy to a small argument Jasper and I had last night. Mostly it was me arguing and Jasper reassuring me that my sister wasn’t being shipped off to the aforementioned destination. Georgie was kind enough to take the kittens from me yesterday when all heck broke loose, and they ended up spending the night at her cottage.
Sherlock barks up at Fish. It’s not permanent. Jasper made that clear. His head twitches my way. Bizzy, if I may suggest, I think a little bacon could make this all go away.
“I wish,” I whisper as Nessa nods over to me.
“I heard what happened with your sister.” Nessa gives a quick glance around before stepping in close. “You must be frantic. But don’t worry. The same thing happened to me, remember? And you really saved the day. I have no doubt you’ll pull your sister out of the pokey in no time. So who’s your next suspect?”
“I think I’m going to circle back to one I’ve already questioned.” I don’t dare even whisper Flint Butler’s name in a lobby full of people. The man has a seat down at city hall. A rumor like this could spread like wildfire and could land me in court for libel. “I’ll need to speak to Marigold first before I go charging in. But if I’m right, there could be an entirely different arrest taking place in just a few hours, and my sister will be back to her ornery self. Not that she’s any less ornery now. Has either of you seen her come down for breakfast?”
“Marigold Sweet?” Grady squints at the computer screen in front of him. “She checked out this morning, just a few minutes before you came in.” He steps my way with a stern expression. “She wanted to apologize for not thanking you for the room herself, but she said she couldn’t stand another minute in this haunted hotel. Her words, not mine. And when I asked her if anything new had happened, she said that her window kept opening and shutting on its own all night. She said she was so afraid she locked herself in the bathroom and fell asleep in the tub.”
My hand presses to my chest. “You’ve got to be kidding me.” I give a few quick blinks, unable to process the thought of it actually happening.
Grady nods. “I know. I didn’t believe it either—until the guests from the room on either side of hers reported hearing violent thumping all night long. She’s been coming in late all week, so I thought maybe that’s what the other guests were hearing, but they confirmed the thumping was going on right up until the sun hit the horizon.”
Nessa groans. “I’m sorry, Bizzy, but I don’t do ghosts. Either you get this place cleared of its supernatural visitors or I’m walking.”
“Good Lord, I might just be walking, too.” I scoop up my things in haste. “Grady, did Marigold say if she was heading home?”
Fish lets out a yowl. I bet her husband is back from his trip. If Marigold thinks she’s being haunted, I doubt she’d want to go back to the big house she was trying to avoid in the first place.
I nod her way because she’s most likely right.
Grady thinks about it for a second. “She mentioned something about an inn south of us.”
“The Blue Horse Inn!” I belt it out as if I was giving the winning answer on game night. “I have to get out of here,” I say, circling around the counter and practically bumping into Emmie while she does her best to pull a tray brimming with apple cider mini donuts out of my way.
“Whoa, where’s the fire?” She takes a step back and examines me. “You’re off to see another suspect, aren’t you?”
“You better believe it. I’m going to do everything I can to pull my sister out of the cell they’ve got her locked up in. Grady, would you mind watching Fish and Sherlock for me?”
“I’m on it.” He mock salutes me. “Half the time I feel as if they’re the ones watching me.”
Fish belts out a sharp meow. Bring back a killer, Bizzy!
Sherlock jumps side to side. Jasper is not going to be happy about this. I distinctly remember him saying to leave this one to him. I’d put some bacon in your pocket if I were you, Bizzy. You might need it just to settle him down if you get caught. That is, if the killer doesn’t catch you first.
“I’ll be fine.” I give Sherlock a quick pat before stealing a donut from Emmie. “I’ll see you all in a bit.”
“I’m coming with you.” Emmie slaps the platter onto the reception counter.
“Fine,” I say. “But let’s keep this little adventure to ourselves. Jasper wouldn’t be all that thrilled to know I was heading down there. But it’s just Marigold. And I have a feeling she might
