“See you in a couple of hours,” she said, opening the door. “Don’t do anything stupid, Janelle.”
“Who me? I was only the second biggest troublemaker in the classroom, remember?”
“That remains to be seen. Marli is probably all talk and no action.” She stared at me, compelling me to meet her big dark eyes. “Don’t go back to the library. I know you want to.”
I broke the gaze and opened a cabinet. “Who’s the psychic now?”
“I don’t need to read your mind to know that. Past behavior is the best predictor of future behavior, or however that saying goes. You always want to get to know the new dog. But the library is under investigation.”
“I know. I promise I won’t finagle my way in, even though I want to.”
She sighed in relief. “Thank goodness, because it’s been going so well between you and Drew.”
“You and Ethan, too,” I said, trying to head her off at the pass. They had one amazing date under their belt but scheduling was difficult. As a restaurateur, Ethan Bogart worked late and Ren worked early. In her case, as well as mine, slow and steady was probably for the best, anyway.
Renata sidestepped my decoy. “Right now, Drew’s busy trying to convince everyone you had nothing to do with Angus MacDuff’s death. Aren’t you worried about being a suspect?”
“Not really. Minerva wouldn’t have called on us to help Ruthann if she thought I had a hand in it. The mayor is just as good a psychic as I am.”
“Better,” Bixby said. “Because she’s trained hard. The only reason she didn’t realize you and her familiar were colluding today is because Minerva blocked her.”
“You think?” I turned to find him spread out again. The dachshund unwelcome mat. “That cat must be good.”
“Old as the hills,” he said. “Been around the block a few times. I can smell experience like Bijou smells poison.” Getting to his feet, he shook all over. “I grudgingly admit she looks pretty good. For a cat.”
“Any idea why the mayor needs protection beyond Minerva?” Ren asked. “She’s a powerful you-know-what.”
I thought about it, shook my head and then shivered. “It can’t be good, because I sensed fear. And if Ruthann is scared, well—”
I hiccupped.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
“Iwonder where those pesky sunflowers shot up,” Bixby said with a chuckle as we walked along Main Street an hour later. “It used to be very localized but it seems you’re expanding your range.”
I shivered in the December chill. The sun was long gone and it felt more like winter now. “That’s not a good thing. What if they bloomed in City Hall? Or at the library?”
“No point worrying about what you can’t fix. At least until you solve the problems you can.”
Pulling my scarf tighter, I picked up speed. I’d need to give up on my stilettos soon but I was glad to have them today. They made me feel more confident, when I was erupting in ways that showed otherwise. “Maybe I should see a doctor. Liberty was so sure the hiccups would pass like hers did, but they’re going in the opposite direction. Remember how Oscar Knight took the frizzled remains of a sunflower and used it to find me? That could be happening right now.”
“I don’t trust doctors. Or veterinarians, for that matter. How do you know they won’t make it worse?”
“Guess I’d need a good recommendation from someone reliable.”
“And your little black book is just full of those.”
“Unhelpful, Bixby. Unhelpful. Keep it up and I’ll trade you for Bijou. This you-know-what has options.”
“You think I don’t?” He chuckled again. “Anyone would be lucky to get a pedigreed dachshund with my special gifts. Sinda would be glad to have me on her arm, for starters. Or maybe Big Red. How would you feel about that?”
I smirked. “Drew is barely on the power spectrum yet. You’d be bored.”
“Red already bores me, so you have a point.” His ears perked up. “But that new girl seems like a firecracker. I bet she goes full throttle and I could have a front row seat.”
“If you think Marli’s your type, I wouldn’t want to hold you back.”
A woman with bags full of groceries stared as I passed. We’d been having our quarrel out loud.
I turned down the volume. “You know I wouldn’t trade you for all the floricide in greater hill country.” Brianna had created a botanical spray to spot kill sunflowers but it wasn’t always practical. Spritzing around public places would only attract more attention.
“Less sunflower, more murder,” Bixby said. “We’re on the clock. And if you want to try to sneak past the police into the library, we need to be sharp about it.”
I shook my head. “Can’t do it. When we went by on our way home there were six cop cars and two vans. Besides, I’d be very surprised if the magical police weren’t also investigating, given the circumstances. They could probably see right through my invisibility spell.”
Normally Bixby would argue for the risk, but this time he hesitated. “I don’t feel quite as bold since the poodle sniffed me out. If she can, others might, too.”
“I doubt that. Bijou has one heck of a nose. But tonight, we’ll play it safe and just walk by. See if Skye comes to the window. If magical cops are there, I’d like to know she’s okay.”
“The upside of being dead is there’s not much anyone can do. Except you.”
We were nearly at the Beanstalk Café when the dog stuck out his front paws, like brakes. “My sniffer’s got a hit.”
“Mr. Crossword? Doubt he’d appreciate a drop-in. His hour as a teacher seemed to have exhausted his patience.”
“Not him.” Bixby swung his muzzle toward the window. “There she is. Friend or foe?”
Inside the well-lit café, Octavia Knight sat at our usual table. We’d had a number of clandestine meetings there when she was at odds with Oscar, but after they reunited, her visits tapered off. I hadn’t seen her in a couple of weeks. She still looked amazing, with her blonde highlights and glowing skin. Wyldwood’s anti-aging properties were working for her, too.
