Olive shrugged. “It’s slowing down a bit, but we could use a break.” She dried her hands off on a dish towel and turned to face me. “Can I help you with something? Are you hungry?”
“I’m fine, thank you. I wanted to ask a few questions about Boris. May I?” I asked.
“Sure, sweetheart,” she said, rounding the center counter to stand nearer. “What would you like to know?”
“Did he ever talk about how the inn was doing, or did he keep that to himself?” I asked.
Olive dusted off her apron. “He talked about it sometimes, but Griffin and I never really asked. That was his business.”
“Did you know Boris had a will?” I asked.
Olive parted her lips but hesitated to speak. “It’s a normal thing to expect from someone of his age.”
“Did you know?” I asked again.
“Why are you asking me this, Sterling? Am I a suspect?” Olive asked. Griffin must have told her I wasn’t just here to break the curse.
“I’m just gathering information. I don’t mean to make you uncomfortable, but it’s hard to ask Cassian and Jasmine. Allthese questions about their grandfather seem to be getting to them. Do you mind helping me out?” I asked, realizing I had come on a little too strong. I needed to ease back on my questioning, but her response seemed strange.
“Yeah, I knew he had a will, Sterling. Sure I did,” she answered.
“What did he tell you about it?” I asked.
“You know, he never really recovered from the news of his daughter’s death. Jasmine’s mother.” Olive shook her head. “Took him a long time to rewrite his will. He didn’t think he could take his dead daughter out of his inheritance without assistance, so I helped him out. I can’t imagine that kind of pain…”
I couldn’t imagine that kind of pain either. “How kind of you. What was she to inherit?”
“Lots of things. Some money, a property somewhere, and the inn,” she said.
“So you knew Cassian would replace Boris?” I asked.
“I did…”
“Did he say why he chose Cassian?” I asked.
Olive smiled. “All he said was that Cassian has the heart for it. I’m sure you know what he meant.”
I nodded, rubbing my chin. “Did you see the rest of the will?”
Olive’s eyes darted to the sink full of sudsy dishes. “No, only the sections regarding his daughter,” she said, heading for her sink again. “Is that all, Officer?” She plunged her arms beneath the steaming water and scrubbed a bowl with a sponge.
“Were you listed on his will anywhere as far as you know?” I asked.
Olive paused and then continued scrubbing. “Someone would have told me by now if I were…”
She was acting oddly, which made me think she knew. She also hadn’t answered the question. “So, that’s a no?” I asked.
“That’s a no,” she said in a singsong voice. Too casual.
“Thank you, Olive. Can I help you with anything before I go?” I asked.
“No, no. Thank you, though.” She threw a smile over her shoulder.
I ducked out of the humid kitchen and into the main lobby. On the sofas by the fireplace sat a few travelers, but there weren’t nearly as many as there had been yesterday. My eyes wandered across the room to Cassian, who chewed his nails and glanced around the room until our eyes met. His eyebrows hopped up, and he beckoned me over.
“What’s the matter?” I asked as I stepped up to the counter.
Cassian leaned across to hiss, “I think the donation loophole isn’t working anymore. Jasmine says we haven’t had a single new customer today. Look how slow it is!” He threw his arm out toward the two people in the lobby.
