Peter gave me a knowing look. “Apparently the factory only closes for a few hours each night. Li Fan appears to have been killed during that time.” He shook his head, gaze far away. “The hours and conditions give me almost as much concern as the murder victim.”
A couple of bleary-eyed men sauntered past, arm in arm, glowing red potion bottles in their hands. They slurred out a sea shanty.
They looked like they were having a great time—I was half-tempted to join them. I glanced up at Peter and arched a brow. “And you need me because…?”
He lightly touched the small of my back and tilted his head to the right. “It’s this way.”
I swallowed, my back still tingling where he’d touched me. Wow. I shook my head at myself. Guess I was desperate for some male attention if that was all it took.
I followed Peter down a covered mall, all the clothing and trinket shops bright with their doors open. Shoppers slowly drifted down the thoroughfare, gazing right and left at all the wares, while shop owners sat outside on stools or lunged into the crowd, trying to drag buyers into their shops.
Peter stayed close at my side, the crowd parting with wide-eyed looks for the cop and his enormous dog. Peter, a decent, honest man from what I knew of him, was the exception in the Darkmoon District. Most cops I’d encountered were dirty or just looking for someone to abuse their power over. Everyone in the Darkmoon knew to steer clear of them, which made our going easy.
“Li Fan had a giant spider for a familiar.” Peter leaned over, his face close to mine as he spoke. “And Li Fan had a puncture wound and discoloration suggesting a venomous bite.”
I blinked up at him. “You think the witch’s familiar killed her?”
He shrugged. “It’s what it looks like. The spider’s fading fast—I’m hoping you can…” He bit his lip. “Read its mind?”
I nodded, mulling this over as we threaded through the shoppers. Witches and their familiars shared a life force, which made them stronger together but susceptible to injury or death if the other was hurt. If the spider killed her witch, it’d be akin to suicide.
I shoved my hands in my jeans pockets. One finger went through the hole in the bottom. “Well… this’ll be interesting, at least.”
Peter grinned. “So you’re really in?”
I chuckled. “I mean… I’m here, aren’t I?”
He pressed his lips tight together, but his mouth still curled up at the sides. “Good.” His grin flattened, and he picked up the pace. “But we’d better hurry—I don’t think the spider’s got much time left.”
WANT to know what happens next? Read Friday Night Bites to solve a fashion forward mystery with Jolene, Peter and Daisy!
Friday Night Bites is available on Amazon in ebook, paperback and audiobook at https://amzn.to/2CA2GBn
A NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR
I’ve always dreamed of being a full-time author, and now here I am! And it’s all thanks to you— my awesome, supportive readers.
I am so grateful to you for reading this book (and any others of mine you’ve picked up) and truly hoped you enjoyed it.
If so, please check out more of my Magic Market Mysteries or the Spells & Caramels series.
Happy Reading,
Erin
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
A native of Arizona, Erin loves her new home in the Pacific Northwest! She writes paranormal cozy mystery novels. These stories are mysterious, magical, and will hopefully make you laugh.
When not writing, she’s hiking, napping with her dogs, and losing at trivia night.
You can find Erin on Facebook and BookBub, or email her at [email protected]. She loves to hear from readers!
Copyright © 2019 by Erin Johnson
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
Table of Contents
Title Page
Dedication
Contents
Prequel Novella
1. The Reading
2. Pet Psychic
3. Back-Alley Vet
4. Anger Issues
5. Speak!
6. Poisoned
7. Dead
8. The Dragon
9. Eviction Notice
10. The Victim
11. Two Truths and a Lie
12. The Parakeet
13. The Feud
14. The Botanist
15. A Confession
16. Brew
17. Leftovers
18. Snooping
19. The Rendezvous
20. Half-Truths
21. Lady Amelie LeBec
22. Liar Liar
23. Boudoir by Bim
24. Jake the Snake
25. The Darkroom
26. The Black Envelope
27. Millie
28. The Secretary
29. The Tea
30. The Arrest
31. Extra Curricular
32. Another Runner in the Night
33. The Key
34. Blinded
35. Ironic
36. Take the Money and Run
37. Perks
Front Page News
Ludolf's Goons
The case
A Note from the Author
About the Author
Copyright
