“We wondered if dear cousin Susan had entrusted any of her beloved grandfather’s estate to you,” she said, attempting a smile but only achieving a pained grimace.
“Oh.” I put on my best innocent expression and deliberately did not glance over my shoulder at the crystal ball. “I don’t really understand. What estate?”
“I told you it was too soon,” Aloysius hissed at Cordelia, and she glared at him.
Wow. Family dinners with these two must be loads of fun. At least Aloysius wasn’t carrying the tote bag Susan had mentioned, so he probably wasn’t planning to shoplift anything.
Hopefully.
My profit margin was narrow enough that I wouldn’t survive any measurable loss from theft. I’d never had to worry about it much before. Dead End folk were pretty honest, and the vague rumors that I might be a magic user usually kept the tourists from stealing. Especially after they saw the potions case.
But I’d been specifically warned about these two.
“We’ll be on our way, then. I’m sure we’ll see you again, Miss Callahan,” Cordelia said, before sweeping around and sailing out of the shop.
Aloysius, who hadn’t moved to follow her, tilted his head and grinned at me so warmly I almost thought I’d imagined the ice in his eyes as he’d stared after Cordelia. “Sometimes, mothers can be a real trial, can’t they?”
“I wouldn’t know,” I said, my gaze steady. “Mine died when I was three.”
“Oh! I’m so sorry, Tess.” Something flickered in his eyes, like he was adjusting his approach on the fly, and his smile turned sad and sympathetic. A chill snaked down my neck as I realized that this man replicated emotions at will to suit the situation. Emotions that he clearly didn’t feel.
I read a lot of mystery novels. Alot.And Jack’s granddad and I watched a lot of true crime. Suddenly, I had a strong feeling that the man in front of me might have sociopathic tendencies, which were present in all the most successful con artists—and serial killers. He probably wasn’t a killer, but he absolutely looked at me and saw a young, gullible woman who’d fall for his charm. But I wasnotan easy mark, nor was I gullible—and amazingly white teeth do not equal charm.
“It was nice meeting you,” I lied. “I’m sure I’ll see you around town.”
It was a clear dismissal, and he was too canny to miss it.
“I’m sure you will,” he said, a hint of amusement in his voice. “I’ll be looking forward to it.”
I didn’t relax until the door closed behind him and I heard their car drive off. Then I threw a cloth over the top of the crystal ball to hide it and texted Susan.
Did you know the felonious Phleabottoms are in town? I just had an interesting visit. They want to know if you ‘entrusted’ anything to me. I didn’t tell them, and they didn’t see the crystal ball, but I thought you’d want to know.
A few seconds later, her response came in:
Crap.
And then:
Phelonious Phleabottoms would be a great name for a rock band.
There’s a reason Susan and I are friends.
5
Jack
I sized up the angry janitor for potential danger—soldier’s habit—and determined that he didn’t pose any real threat to me, although he’d be no pushover in a fight. But I wasn’t here for that, and I admired him for protecting the kids. So, instead of giving him attitude, I held out my hand.
“Jack Shepherd. Mrs. Hamilton can vouch for me.”
Recognition clicked in his expression, and he grinned and shook my hand. “Rick Peabody. The pig in the principal’s office?”
“That story just won’t die.”
He shrugged. “Good story. But, speaking of stories, what was up with Lily and Bug?”
“Is his name really Bug?” Poor kid.
