“It’s all right,” Ash whispers to me under his breath. “We’re not done yet.”
“Miss Merriweather,” the magistrate says.
“Yes?” I squeak.
“One of the society’s inspectors found a lure in your tea garden. Were you aware it was there?”
“No, I had no idea.”
“You recently inherited the tea shop, is that correct?”
“Yes, at the beginning of the summer.”
“Did you see any sign of gnomes when you first arrived in Moss Hollow?”
“I did not.”
“When did you notice the gnomes?”
“A fellow shopkeeper’s young son spotted one a few weeks ago, climbing over the back wall.”
“What’s on the other side of the wall?”
“A public park.”
“Do humans frequent the park?”
“They do, sir. Moss Hollow caters to human tourists.”
“Even though you were aware of that, you didn’t contact the Preservation Society when you first discovered the gnomes’ presence?”
“Your Honor,” Ash interrupts. “If I may, Miss Merriweather has barely been scraping by since she arrived in town. Not only did she inherit a struggling business, but the roof is caving in, there’s extensive damage to the attic, and the stipulations of her aunt’s will have made it difficult for her to resurrect the property. She neither maliciously nor willfully endangered the lives of the gnomes. She simply didn’t know how to move forward and was pausing to assess her options.”
I glance at Ash, not loving the picture of a flailing pixie he’s painting, even if it’s probably more accurate than I would like to admit.
“On top of that, we believe she was purposely sabotaged by an influential local who has repeatedly offered to buy the tea shop.”
“Yes,” the magistrate says. “I see here you requested a magic match be made on the lure.” He turns to the mountain dwarf, who’s waiting quietly in the corner with his staff. “Jeremiah, please call in Mr. Eastwilden.”
I tense, terrified. I didn’t realize he’d be here today.
The smug leprechaun walks into the audience chamber, swinging his cane.
“Have a seat, Mr. Eastwilden,” the magistrate commands, gesturing to a chair facing his throne. “I have a few questions for you.”
“I’m more than happy to help, Your Honor. Upholding the law is a personal priority of mine.” He glances at me. “I think that everyone, no matter how unassuming or charming they might be, should be held responsible for their actions.”
“Yes,” the magistrate says, unimpressed. “Let’s begin. You were the one who notified the Preservation Society about the gnome presence at the Merriweather Tea Shop, correct?”
Mr. Eastwilden puffs up, feeling important. “Yes, Your Honor.”
“And how did you discover the gnomes?”
“I happened to see them one day while I was taking tea in the garden.”
I gasp at the outright lie, but Ash gestures for me to keep my mouth shut.
“So, you’ve been in the tea garden?” the magistrate says.
