“And you think that’s suspicious.”
“In this town?”
He sniffed in agreement, then scanned the crowd. “I haven’t seen anything out of the normal. The uh…petting zoo has been…entertaining.”
“Tell me they aren’t talking.”
“No. Stina is ruling that pen with an iron fist. She’s good at keeping her thumb on the troublemakers.”
The troublemakers were undoubtedly the demons.
“Good. There’s a new god in town. A goddess. Tala.”
Shoe scrunched up his wide face. “I’m unfamiliar with her.”
“Morning star. Than seems to have some kind of history with her.”
His face split into a smile. “Well, this is going to be fun, isn’t it?”
“I hope so.”
He nodded, then spotted something over my shoulder. “I better get rolling. Say, where’s Ryder?”
“He hasn’t checked in.”
“Want me to slap some smart into him?”
“I can take care of my personal life all on my own, thank you.”
“Sure, Boss. But if you need back up.” He tapped his chest, right over his badge and his heart. Then he was off, moving like a slow-rolling bulldozer through the crowd.
A whistle down the street made me turn that way. Since it was Hogan, pointing at a cup in his hand, a cup that was probably filled with coffee, I more than gladly headed that way.
“Hey, Delaney,” he said, holding out the cup.
“Is that more tea?”
“Not even a little.”
I took a sip. Coffee, rich and black. Not the way I usually took it, but with all the sweets and floral tea I’d been noshing, it was a welcome change.
“Wish come true,” I sighed.
He chuckled. “I aim to please.”
“How’s it going?” I asked.
“Great. Lots of new people coming in.” He glanced back toward his shop. “How much do you think a delivery van costs?”
“Why?”
“I’ve had six offices and five hotels ask if I’d keep them stocked in pastries.”
“Sounds like a good way to expand.”
He frowned, but he was nodding. “I’ll have to hire on.”
“We got a new god in town. She’ll be looking for a job.”
