Before Zane could answer, another voice called out across the store.
“Hey, Reed!” a selkie shifter shouted. “Wait up.”
I glanced over at the door, but the angry man didn’t slow down.
“Hey, Masterson!” the selkie shifter barked. “I’m talkin’ to you. You suddenly get a hearing problem?”
Reed Masterson slowed, his hand on the door. He turned to the other selkie shifter and smiled—but I could tell it was forced.
“I wonder what they were arguing about?” I mused.
I turned away from the door and headed for the counter. A stocky merman with a salt-and-pepper beard and gray beanie stood behind the register, ringing up a box of fishing hooks for a werewolf shifter. When the customer moved on, I stepped forward.
“We need to speak with Rayna Halter,” I said.
The merman looked me up and down, then glanced at Zane. I got the impression he knew who Zane was. “She’s pretty busy this morning.”
“Herman,” Zane said softly, “this is official business.”
The merman’s eyes widened. “Oh, then I guess you can go right on in.” He picked up a corded phone. “I’ll tell her you’re coming up.”
“Thank you, Herman,” Zane said.
We rounded the counter and climbed the three steps to the office door. I knocked once before pushing it open.
Rayna Halter sat behind her desk. Her dark hair was swept back into a high ponytail, and her hands were folded on top of a stack of paperwork. She looked far more composed than she had a minute ago.
“I know why you’re here,” she said, motioning for us to sit across from her. “My phone has been ringing nonstop since last night.” She shook her head. “I can’t believe Mari is dead.”
“You knew Mari Quinn?” I asked.
“Of course.” She narrowed her eyes at me. “And I know you saw us talking in the alley the other day, so you don’t have to pretend.”
“How did you know Mari?” I asked.
Rayna leaned back in her chair. “We went to school together. We’ve been friends for years. Since we were kids, really.”
“Do you know anyone who might want to hurt her?” Zane asked.
“No.”
I nodded. “Okay. Did you know Mari and Hunter were having marital problems?”
Rayna gave a small shrug. “Who doesn’t?”
I leaned forward in my chair. “Did you know Hunter and Sasha Carter were having an affair?”
Rayna’s eyes went wide, and her mouth dropped. If she was faking that response, she was good.
“Are you kidding me?” she demanded. “They’re seriously seeing each other?” She pressed her lips together, and I couldn’t tell if she wanted to laugh or if she was angry. “It was common knowledge Sasha liked Hunter when we were in school, but Hunter chose Mari.” She shook her head. “I guess now Sasha finally got her man.”
“And Reed Masterson?” I asked innocently. “I think I heard you dated him?”
Rayna glared at me. “Who told you that?”
I pointed over my shoulder, ignoring her question. “Was that Reed who just stormed out of here?”
“Yes. And he didn’t storm out of here. We were discussing the prices of fish. It’s how he makes a living, so I expect that. Nothing out of the ordinary.”
