"There is an amulet, though. It won't really help you fight off anyone, but it will give you resolve."
"Where is it?"
"In Violet's bedroom."
It was a pretty pendant showing the phases of the moon. I'd never seen her wear it, but then, Cosmo told me to slide it underneath my shirt, so it touched my skin, before I headed out.
TheBlue Moonalso did a brisk business on days without an open mic or live music. They offered an extensive menu—from burgers to pasta to sushi.
Only when there was live entertainment did Harper and Reina insist that the day—or rather, the night—belonged to the artists and not to the noise of chewing people.
I might be overly sensitive, but for a second, I thought there was a lull in the conversation as I entered the main room. Harper was busy talking to the siblings behind the bar. She signaled to me to go upstairs as I walked past.
Nope, I hadn't imagined it. There were a few people watching me in a less than friendly manner. One of them muttered a few bad words about my aunt. Whoever was smearing her reputation had done a successful job.
I squared my shoulders and moved on through—through the games room, where Jimmy watched two of his pals battle it out. He gave me a warm grin.
"Hiya, Bex," he said.
"Hi, Jimmy."
I didn't stop to chat any further. Instead, I headed upstairs to the living quarters.
Reina pulled me inside. Ange was already there.
"How are you holding up?" she said.
"So, you've already heard."
"Yeah, news is traveling fast. And I do have news for you."
Why did my heart beat so fast? "I hope it's good news."
"I hope so too," she said. "Except… it might not be."
“What is it?” I asked. “And please don’t try to spare me. I’d much rather get the facts straight instead of going through what-ifs and maybes and have whatever possibilities and—” I stopped babbling.
“Why don’t you sit down first?” Reina offered me the most comfortable seat, with a view straight through the picture window.
I sat down, and she lit a candle that she put right in front of me on the low table.
“It’s official,” Ange said. “The police are going to look at your aunt in connection with Jake.”
“That was fast,” I said. “I mean, Louisa and I only discovered the missing foxgloves a couple of hours ago.”
Ange and Reina exchanged a bewildered glance.
“I haven’t heard about that,” Ange said.
“Then how do you know?” I asked. I thought that was a perfectly valid question.
“Louisa’s acquaintance”—she mimed air quotes—“drops into theSweet Surpriseonce in a while for couple of takeaway coffees or a few pastries.”
“And he told you?” I asked.
“No. I overheard him talking on the phone.”
“But wait a second,” I said. “When did that rumor start? No one mentioned it when we were trying to figure out who might have had a motive a few days ago.”
