We all turned toward the space then. A moment earlier, it’d just been an empty table. Now, it felt eerily symbolic.
“You should take it,” Leon said to Elwood. “You can drop off your payment for it next week.”
“I don’t need another table.”
“Is this about money?” Leon asked. Why was he always so fixated on the idea that Elwood was broke? “Fine. You can have it for free. We can’t have an empty table.”
Elwood sighed. “Can’t we put out a couple more chairs under the tent and a sign to invite people to sit there? It’s going to be hot and sunny. People will be looking for a place to sit in the shade.”
Leon looked dubious, then he slowly nodded. “I suppose that could work. Are you sure you don’t want another table?”
“I’m sure.”
“Very well. I need to find Jim. Get him to get that organized.” Leon glanced around at the crowd. “I don’t know where that man is hiding. I haven’t seen him for at least an hour or more.” Heglanced down at his wristwatch. “I don’t have time to run around looking for him.”
Then Leon charged off into the crowd, presumably to look for Jim. Personally, I wouldn’t want to be Jim, but I guess he was getting paid to be at Leon’s beck and call this weekend.
After we finished arranging the product, I took a few pictures of it and a few of the other booths. I was supposed to be helping with social media for the festival committee, so I should probably start. I posted a few of the pictures to generate some pre-event hype. It was all I could do for now, but I hoped to be better prepared for the next event.
I returned to Elwood’s stall to find him staring blankly at the display.
“Elwood? What’s wrong? Did we forget something?”
“Something doesn’t feel right.” He rubbed his arms. “Are you sure you don’t feel it, too?”
I tried to open my senses, but I was probably doing it wrong because I didn’t feel anything particularly noteworthy. Unless that itchiness along the back of my neck was what he was talking about. Honestly, though, that might just be my shirt label irritating my skin. I shrugged and turned to my grandfather for answers.
“I think I need to smudge the tent…” Elwood frowned. “Maybe the whole festival grounds.”
Well, then… that didn’t sound good. Was that because the killer was wandering around? Or was something else going on that we didn’t know about?
Chapter Fourteen
Not what anyone expected
Gideon
It didn’t surprise me to find Az sitting at the bar waiting for me when I got back from the café. I’d known news of my lunch with Declan would spread quickly. Ravenstone may have been filled with supernaturals, but they were no more immune to gossip than humans were.
“So I hear you had lunch with Elwood’s grandson.” He raised one eyebrow and waited for me to fill him in.
“I did. He doesn’t know anyone here, so…” I shrugged.
“Right. ’Cause you always kiss people who are new to town.” He smirked. Of course the demon knew I’d kissed him.
“Only the special ones.” I couldn’t hold back my smile. I hadn’t been interested in anyone for more than a night in a long time, and while I wasn’t sure where this thing would go with Declan, I was looking forward to finding out.
“Wow. You really like him.”
I raised one eyebrow at him.
“It’s a good thing, my friend. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you smile like that.”
“Hopefully, we’ll figure out who killed Winston, and then Declan and I can focus on getting to know each other. I’d really like to take the man on a date.”
“Well then, what’s the plan? Have you heard from Grady?”
“I talked to him today, but they don’t have anything concrete.” I shook my head and let out a sigh.
