Unbelievable.This was my life now, catering to a nosy neighbor and her dreaded cat while wading through the quicksand that was my partnership with Derrick. Tack on murder with a side of haunting, and a permanent vacation from the kingdom was starting to sound like a good idea.
“I’ll think about it.” I guided Sylvia down the walkway and set her in the direction of her house.
“Wonderful! What’s his favorite meal?”
“Rosemary chicken and glazed potatoes.”
Sylvia narrowed her eyes. “That’s your favorite, dear.”
“Well, what do you know? It’s kismet.” There was no way I’d submit Derrick to Sylvia’s meddling, but maybe, if I was lucky, I’d get a home-cooked meal out of the lie.
She sniffed the air and made a face before trudging back to her cottage. Derrick would be furious. He hadn’t wanted me around to begin with, and now, I was more involved than before. Steeling myself for his lecture, I headed into town.
***
The agency was busier than ever. Publicity from the paper had people standing around the entrance, hoping to catch a glimpse of the famed detective cavorting with the local witch. I ducked down a side street and peered around the corner. So far, no one had spotted me, and I wanted to keep it that way.
Scooting further down the alley and away from the onlookers, I noticed someone break away from the crowd to follow behind. The urge to run vibrated in me. I’d need to go in through the side entrance since the last thing I wanted was to conduct interviews on the street. I scrambled backward and collided into a stack of crates, which crashed to the ground, taking me with them.
The man caught up and hovered over me, offering his hand. I sucked in a breath and rolled, trying to get out from beneath the crates. It was him. The man I’d found hiding in the hedges at the crime scene.
“Stay back!” Adrenaline boiled my magic. I needed to regain some control before I could harness it. “I saw you at the palace.” The words slipped bravely from my mouth, an accusation I feared might do more harm than good.
He took a step in my direction, flexing his gloved fingers. His face was all angles and sharp lines with deep-set brown eyes. He was younger than I’d thought, with thin lips pressed into a determined crease.
“Don’t come any closer. I’m a witch. I’ll turn you into a toad.” Probably. Hopefully. My lips trembled. I didn’t want to die in an alley, a hundred feet from the royal agency. It wouldn’t look good. I could see the headline now:Famed Detective’s Paramour Found Dead Steps From Help. Her Spells Couldn’t Save Her. Detective Swears to Never Love Again.The last part, I added for my own benefit. I would be the dead party after all, so I should be mourned properly and with devotion.
The man’s deep voice captured my attention. “I won’t hurt you.”
“No. I wouldn’t advise that, unless you want to eat flies and live the rest of your days in a swamp.”
He shook his head, and the hint of a smile curved his mouth. Great. My threats were funny to him.
“I just want to talk.”
“You could have made an appointment.”
“Will you at least listen to what I have to say? I won’t come closer.”
I gave him a curt nod and climbed to my feet. “Why were you hiding behind the hedge at the crime scene? And why did you threaten to come find me?”
“It wasn’t a threat. I didn’t know if I could trust the authorities, but you’re not one of them. My story might be safer with you.”
“Why can’t you trust the authorities?”
A dry laugh escaped his lips. “They work for the royal family. Their loyalty is with the king. Anything that puts the royal family in a bad light may be ignored. I could disappear.”
He had a point. “Who are you?”
“My name is Liam Barber. I was one of the servants assigned to the prince the night of the ball.”
“I see.” I relaxed, and the fear drained from my muscles. “What do you want to talk about?”
“I need your promise that you won’t tell anyone you spoke with me.” His gaze darted to the end of the alley, where the crowd mingled out of earshot.
“I’ll keep your identity a secret. You have my word.”
“What about your friend, Detective Chambers? I saw the papers.”
