“I would think, after all the trouble she’s caused you, that getting her out of your hair would be the preferable outcome,”Steve argued. “She’s called our office no less than ten times to report you for satanic sex rituals.”
Spencer snort laughed. “Yeah, she says you guys get naked on the bluff and worship demons.”
I gripped my knife and fork tighter but didn’t reply. After a few seconds, Spencer’s smile started to slip.
“Wait, that’s not true, is it?” He looked appalled at the thought.
“There’s no demon worship,” Mom replied. “We might like to drink wine and dance on the bluff under the full moon. Clothing is optional.”
Spencer’s mouth, which was full of chicken, fell open. “Get out.”
“It’s perfectly normal,” Mom argued.
Steve’s gaze moved to Landon. “Have you seen the naked dancing?” He seemed both curious and afraid to hear the answer.
“I’ve seen a lot of naked dancing,” Landon replied. “That’s how I know you don’t want to drink Aunt Tillie’s wine on an empty stomach. The hangovers hurt.”
“Do you dance with them?” Spencer asked.
“I don’t dance,” Landon replied. “I do, however, get drunk with my wife on a blanket and stare at the moon.”
“They’re prudes,” Mom offered. “They would never get naked with us. Landon would never get over the scandal.”
“I don’t do the naked dancing either,” Chief Terry offered. “I’ve been up there for the festivities. There’s no demon stuff.”
“Well, I guess that’s something.” Steve looked frozen in place. “What did you do to help Margaret Little today?”
“A memory charm,” I replied when nobody else answered. We’d come this far. There was no sense not to see it all the way through. “We’re removing the memories of the changeling in the hopes that she’ll snap out of her funk.”
“She would remember everything but the changeling? You can actually do that?” Steve looked tickled at the idea, which only served to make me nervous.
“Yes, but it’s considered a violation. We don’t like doing it. In this particular case, however, if we don’t, Mrs. Little’s life is over. This is something she seemingly can’t get past. She’s stuck … and we need to make sure that she doesn’t stay stuck.”
“But why do you want to help her?” Steve persisted. “She’s tried to make your lives hell. If she’s out of the way, your lives are better.”
“We don’t see it that way.” I had to search for the right words. “She deserves a chance to get her life back. Yes, she’s put herself in a number of positions where she’s crossed paths with evil. If we can help, we’re going to help, though. Even if it’s just so Aunt Tillie can get back to torturing her when she’s back to normal.”
Steve chuckled. “Your great-aunt is amazing. The stories we’ve heard about her, well, let’s just say if only a fraction of them are true, she’s hilarious.”
“She’s something,” Landon agreed darkly.
“I’m surprised she’s not here grilling us.” Steve glanced around, as if she was going to materialize. “Does she not like law enforcement?”
“She hates ‘The Man’ with a fiery passion,” I replied. “She was in the lobby a few minutes ago. I’m sure she’s around.”
“I saw her in the living room right before we brought the food out,” Mom said. “She said it was time to watch the new episode ofOutlander. She said someone is getting naked tonight and she didn’t want to miss it.”
“She must have gone from the living room to the lobby for some reason,” I mused. “She was probably up to something.”
“That is the norm,” Mom agreed.
“Well, we should know more tomorrow,” Steve said. “I think, once we know who the dead men are, we’ll have a place to focus our attention.”
“Do you think they’ll identify them tonight?” I asked.
“That’s the hope. If I get any information, I’ll bring it with me tomorrow morning. If I’m not mistaken, you serve breakfast too.” He beamed at Mom, which had Chief Terry shifting uncomfortably next to me.
“We do,” Mom confirmed. “You’re welcome anytime. There’s little we love more than return customers.”
