Her eyes widened. “No, it’s just a misunderstanding.”
“Is it?” I curled my fingers into a fist around the necklace. “Was it a misunderstanding when you told me that if I gave Graham the potion I’d never have to worry about him cheating again? Because it sounds like you knew he’d be killed.”
The crowd of onlookers crept closer, as silent as a noose tightening around a neck. A few pulled out their phones, recording everything. Riley nodded toward an officer who appeared at the edge of the crowd, a woman with a no-nonsense attitude, a short brown bob, and a pair of handcuffs. His friend had gotten here fast.
Riley frowned and turned to me. “Didn’t you say that Elaine was the one who told you to give Graham a love potion?”
I nodded, my throat tight and my voice barely a whisper. “And it was her idea to do it at the bookstore. I was going to give it to him at his apartment, but she couldn’t meet me there and said we should do it while he was at work instead. She was planning on there being witnesses.”
Riley swore and glared at her. “That’s why I kept being led to her. I thought it was you I was supposed to meet, but it was her. She set you up for this whole thing.”
I winced at his words, although it was no worse than what I was already thinking. Riley had come to the bookstore, but he’d barely missed Elaine. Then he’d run into me outside her house. Whatever instincts led him to his stories had tried to lead him to her, but he’d met me instead.
“And the worst part is,” I said, meeting Elaine’s eyes once more. “I think I saw the poison in your bag, but I thought it was part of your Halloween costume.” I rubbed at my eyes, thinking back on the “Drink Me” potion I’d glimpsed in her purse. “You poisoned the cookie while I fixed my hair, didn’t you?” The memory sharpened, the unforgiving details falling into place with painful clarity. What an idiot I’d been.
Riley’s mouth fell open. “You were the ‘E’ that Graham was going to meet later that night. We thought he was talking about Eve, but really he had two separate plans.”
“And you were one he brought the moonlight maple chai back for,” I said.
At the mention of the drink, Caleb’s expression crumpled, like he’d been holding onto hope and my words cut the last threads keeping him afloat.
“Graham was going to come clean, wasn’t he?” I asked softly. “He was going to tell people about you two, and you couldn’t let that happen, so you killed him.”
Caleb backed away. “How could you do this to me? To all of us? You tried to kill Kitty just now.”
“No, I’d never.” She shook her head.
“Then why did you borrow my jacket earlier?”
Her lip trembled, and she said softly, “I did everything to protect you.”
Whispers flew through the group like wildfire, and Riley squeezed my hand.
I sucked in a shaky breath. Suspecting my friend of cheating with my boyfriend, of murder, and oftrying to kill me was one thing—actually, it was a lot of things—but having it confirmed was something else.
Elaine fell to her knees, covering her face with her hands even though it did little to muffle her sobbing. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry.”
“Was Kitty right?” Riley asked. “Did you kill Graham because he was going to tell the truth?”
“Yes.” She wiped at the mascara running down her cheeks. “Suddenly he decided to be all noble. He was going to tell you and Caleb everything, and I couldn’t let that happen.”
“You’re the one who cheated on your boyfriend and tried to frame your friend.” I shook my head, hardening my heart. “I can’t believe I ever thought we were friends.”
“We are! What happened with Graham was a huge mistake, and then it spiraled.” She reached for me. “Please, Kitty. You have to understand.”
“No, I don’t.” I stepped out of her reach. “And I’m done letting you tell me what to do.”
She turned to Caleb. “I didn’t mean for this to happen. I love you.”
He stumbled back, the light from the bonfire flickering across his pained expression. “Then maybe you shouldn’t have cheated on me and killed someone to hide it.”
The police officer stepped forward, handcuffs extended. “Elaine Long, you’re under arrest.”
Chapter 13
Afewafternoonslater,I was back at Cupid’s Confections about to wrap up another shift when Ms. Bates came in, dragging her mother by the arm.
“Oh my goodness, Kitty. I’m so relieved they got that whole mess figured out.” She wrapped her bony arms around me in a hug, the paper clutched in her hand crinkling with the movement. “I can’t believe the police suspected you. I never doubted you for a moment. No, not for a moment. Isn’t that right, Mother?”
