Page 17 of A Dash of Wolf

“I don’t believe you for one second!” Ivan jabbed a finger toward her. “You and your weirdo friends and that demon cat⁠—”

“Demon cat?” Princess Muffin Top screeched. “Demon cat?” She unsheathed her claws for the second time that night. “I’ll show you demon cat, you bridge-dwelling troll.”

“Chief, I demand you⁠—”

“That’s enough, Johansson,” Chief Wolfe snapped. “This is my investigation. Not yours. Back off.”

Ivan leaned in closer. “Then you might want to actually investigate, Chief.” He leaned back and smirked. “Before I go to the council and demand they fire you.”

“You threatening me now, Johansson?” Chief Wolfe said it casually, but he took a step forward, and the troll took a step back. “Because I can add that to the report.”

Adeline took in the gawkers and wished like heck she could think of something to do or say to ease the tension. The standoff lasted another three seconds before Ivan cursed under his breath and stormed off.

“Party’s over folks,” Chief Wolfe said. “You can move it along. Unless you plan on buying some delicious sweets and caffeine.”

“Yoo-hoo! Chief Wolfe!”

Granny Edna Ashgrove came bustling through the market with a small glass bowl cradled in both hands. She was beaming and grinning, water sloshing out from the bowl with every step she took. She stopped in front of their table and thrust the glass bowl at the chief.

“Granny Edna,” Emory said. “What do you have?”

“I just won this darling little girl at the ring toss.” Granny Edna said proudly, and Adeline saw a single orange goldfish swimming in lazy circles. “But I can’t keep her. Not only is it another mouth to feed, but I’m gone from the house morning until night most days. It wouldn’t be fair to her.”

Chief Wolfe frowned. “It’s a goldfish. It doesn’t require a lot of supervision.”

Granny Edna pressed the bowl into the chief’s large hands. “Consider it a housewarming gift, Chief. Every home needs a little life in it.”

The perplexed werewolf stared down at the goldfish swimming in the bowl. “Ma’am, I don’t really need a⁠—”

“Nonsense.” Granny Edna waved her hand dismissively through the air. “She already likes you. I can tell.”

“How can you tell?” Chief Wolfe asked, frowning down into the bowl.

“A fairy just knows these things.” She stepped back and clapped her hands together. “Now, I have to go find Mrs. Abernathy. She wanted to try the new spice blends at the Moonlight Bay Spice Company table.” She wiggled her fingers at Adeline and Emory before disappearing into the crowd.

“Congratulations!” Princess Muffin Top exclaimed sarcastically. “It’s a girl. You don’t want it? I’m kinda hungry.”

Chief Wolfe pulled the bowl in closer to his chest. “I don’t think so.” He sighed and glanced down at the goldfish swimming in the bowl of water. “I should go. I need to...put this somewhere.” He looked at Adeline. “But I meant what I said. We need to talk about the bulldozer situation.”

“You know where to find me,” Adeline said. “I’m usually at the bakery. Or getting arrested. One of the two.”

He snorted. “When you’re done here tonight, do you need help taking down your booth?”

Emory squealed, which she quickly converted into a very unconvincing cough.

“That’s not all he wants to help you take down,” Princess Muffin Top murmured. “Or take off.”

Adeline whipped her head around to glare at her cat before turning back to the chief. He was watching her with those dark blue eyes, and she hated how much she liked it. “I appreciate the offer, Chief. But Emory and I have a system. We’ll be fine.”

He nodded. “Understood.” He turned to go, then looked back at her. “For what it’s worth, Ms. Beaumont, I don’t think you touched that bulldozer.”

Adeline watched him go. She watched him all the way past the Moonlight Bay Spice Company booth and the funnel cake stand. He greeted citizens while holding the goldfish bowl, as though it was perfectly natural.

“You’re staring,” Emory whispered.

“I’m not staring.”

“You’re absolutely staring,” Princess Muffin Top said. “And it’s embarrassing. Next, you’ll be drooling.”