I bit back a groan. So far, I’d gotten out of being conscripted into service for this month’s community event. I’d done my time at the Skate and Cake, just like Delaney had done her time at the Rhubarb Rally. And Jean had…that’s when it hit me.
Jean had not gotten roped into any of Bertie’s schemes.
The little sneak.
“You little sneak,” I said.
Jean blinked hard. “What? Me? I didn’t do anything.”
“No, you didn’t, did you?”
“Myra,” Delaney said in her boss voice.
“Jean’s skipped out on all of Bertie’s schemes.”
“Schemes?” Bertie had a good set of lungs on her for a woman who looked like she was in her delicate years.
“Are you implying, Myra Reed, that the events tying our community together, events bringing in tourists and therefore tourist dollars to support our community, are schemes I inflict upon you for my pleasure and entertainment?”
“No, Bertie,” I said. Never argue with a Valkyrie. Never.
“Do you think I go through all of this trouble, all of this work to force people to do my bidding as if I were a queen?”
“Actually…” Jean started.
“No, Bertie.” Delaney gave Jean ashut-uplook. “What you do is important.Andit’s for the betterment of the town. It brings us all together, human, god, and supernatural. We know that. What did you want to talk about?”
Bertie paused, her head tilted slightly to the side as if testing the wind for the scent of rotten insincerity so she could swoop in for the kill.
We all held still. Even the demon. He might be a lying, cheating creature of the Underworld, but even he knew better than to talk back to a Valkyrie with ruffled feathers.
“I’ll expect full participation from Ordinary’s police department during the Serenade,” she intoned.
“Of course,” Delaney said. “We’ve already extended our hours to deal with all the tourists coming into town, and we’ll be hiring on more reserve officers.
Jean was giving me big eyes while she mouthed, “please don’t.”
“Jean wants to help,” I said. “She missed out on most of the events.”
“No, I…” Jean said, but Bertie’s attention swiveled to my cotton-candy-haired sister.
“You usually work the night shift, do you not?”
Darn it.
“Yes,” Jean breathed. “I’m so busy. At night. Working. At night.”
“Good news,” Delaney said. “Jean’s switching to days.” Delaney sent me a wink.
Yes!
“Oh?” Bertie asked, scenting blood.
“Since Roy’s retiring, we need someone on the early shift,” Delaney said. “Jean volunteered.”
“You did?” I asked at the same moment Hogan asked, “You did?”
Jean went from annoyed to kind of shy in an instant. Hogan pulled the early shift at his bakery, and Jean worked nights. I knew it took a lot for them to find time to see each other. Jean didn’t look at me, but when Hogan hooked her pinky with his, she grinned. “Worth a try, right?” she said. “Unless you’d like to open a nocturnal bakery?”
