Yes. I remembered now. She’d walked out of the room to deal with a delivery, and I’d gotten up to stretch my legs.
I’d seen the Feather. Hatter was right. It was long, sparkling, and beautiful. She’d set it on the shelf with other little items, all of them special, but none of them looking particularly valuable.
The Feather was pretty but didn’t seem more valuable than the gold-and-jewel-encrusted trinket box, or the carved crystal falcon in flight, or the antique, filigreed silver sewing kit.
“Chief?”
“Yeah,” I said, shaking out of my mental drift, the headache receding. “I saw it on her shelf Tuesday. When did she notice it missing?”
“Yesterday. She said the High Tea Tide has kept her busy until now. Wants you to call her when you get the chance.”
“All right. One thing at a time. I’ll track down Jean and offload the demon. Let me know if you get any leads on the Feather.”
He gave me that quick grin. “Got it, Chief.”
I pulled out my phone and texted Jean.Where you at?
Her reply was quick.Day off, rembr?
You at home? I have something for you.
No
It’s a present.
No
I waited for her curiosity to get the better of her.
Hogan’s shop. What is it?
Bingo.
Be right there.
This better not be work. I have 2 days off, D. TWO
I thumbed the screen and picked up the dragon pig who was sniffing the desk lamp cord.
“Let’s go, buddy. Keep me in the loop, Hatter.”
“Can do, Boss.” The phone rang and he picked it up just as I left the station, the door swinging shut behind me to cover the conversation, which from first blush sounded like it had something to do with a sea lion and a bathtub.
Hogan’s bakery, the Puffin Muffin, was just a couple minutes away. In just a few minutes I’d be rid of the demon and have a couple interesting cases to take up my time.
Suddenly the whole day seemed brighter. I whistled a little tune as I strolled across the parking lot to my Jeep.
“Hello, Delaney.”
I stopped in my tracks, my heart racing, sweat instantly pricking under my arms. The headache was stronger now, an avalanche of jagged edges pounding inside my skull.
But the bigger thing filling me was fear. Fear of that voice and the creature behind it.
Chapter Six
I knewthe day was sunny. I knew there was a salty breeze blowing strands of my hair across my face. Vaguely, I could feel the weight of the dragon pig in my arms. I could see the Jeep, right over there, as distant and maddening as a locked exit in a horror movie.
It would only take me walking, one step after the next, just a few short feet, and I’d be in that vehicle. Door locked. Safe.
