“Georgie!”
“I’ve got a crime podcast on the cusp of going viral. I needed a moment like this to meet my stretch goals.”
I gasp. “You filmed a crime scene for podcast content?”
“It’s documentary evidence,” Georgie corrects. “It’s very different.”
Mom is about to explode, but Mackenzie waves it off. “I was at the inn when Nessa broke the news that Bizzy killed someone else, and I just had to see it for myself.” She gestures back toward her car. “I had just come from the gym anyway, and the furry brigade jumped in before I left the lot.” She grabs my arms and shakes me, her eyes glowing with something that looks disturbingly close to gratitude. “I can’t believe you would do this for me,” she hisses it out all in one word. “I can’t tell you how grateful I am. In fact, expect decent regifted items this next holiday season. You’re back on my nice list.”
I blink at her. “What are you talking about?”
Georgie elbows me. “I think she’s talking about souping up your Christmas gifts, Biz. Say thanks, and if you don’t like the goods, I can help you pawn them.”
Mackenzie shakes her head. “I’m talking about hacking down another victim just to prove that I’m not the killer around here. You are. And believe me, I’ve never been so relieved.” She beams at me. “Way to take one for the team. And points for creativity.” She cranes her neck past me, trying to see around the deputies. “So who’d you off this time?”
An entire river of words jams in my throat and leaves me gagging. This lunatic thinks I murdered someone. For her. As a favor.
Mom shakes her head. “I hate to burst yourbubble, but Bizzy didn’t do it.”
“And the deceased is another one from your Couture Coven,” Georgie adds with a nod.
Mackenzie’s face goes from triumphant to horrified in half a second. “Who?”
“Tamsin Rowe.” I wince as I say the poor woman’s name. “We came down to ask her a few questions.”
Mom nods. “But by the looks of it, someone beat us to it. You wouldn’t have happened to have been in this neck of the woods today, would you?”
Mackenzie’s face goes white. Her eyes bulge out slightly, and for a second, I think she might actually pass out.
“We all were,” she says finally. “I mean, my coven and me.” She pauses to glare at Georgie. “There was a Zumba class.”
I nearly choke. “And I wasn’t invited?”
Mackenzie shoots me a look that could stop a charging bull. “I didn’t think you had the time, between mothering and animal husbandry and running that haunted inn of yours into the ground. But then, I suppose you always find time for murder.”
That stings more than it probably should.
Leo appears at Mackenzie’s elbow, his phone in his hand and his expression serious. “Mackenzie, care to explain what I just found on the security footage?”
She straightens, and the rest of her color drains away. “Fine. I had an argument with Tamsin in the foyer of the gym. I wasn’t exactly hiding it.” Her lips press into a thin line. “She tore into me for wearing last year’s yoga wear.”
Last year’s yoga wear. A woman is dead and we’re talking about athleisure fashion cycles.
Mackenzie lifts her chin. “And she may have ribbed meabout being the sort of person who’d stick a knife into the back of one of their friends.” Mackenzie’s voice grows tight. “The others laughed. I may have tossed a few barbs myself. It was harmless. Then I left. I’m sure your footage will show you that as well.”
“No, it won’t.” Leo shakes his head as Jasper joins us again. “The wires were cut to the exterior cameras. Whoever did this to that woman made sure they wouldn’t get caught.”
Mackenzie’s mouth falls open. “Are you trying to?—”
“That’s right, Toots.” Georgie chuckles, adjusting her bedazzled kaftan. “He’s trying to accuse you of whacking two of your besties in cold blood because you didn’t like their attitudes.”
“That’s not funny,” Mom says, shaking her head at Georgie.
“Doesn’t mean it’s not true,” Georgie points out.
The balmy breeze picks up, carrying the smell of car exhaust and gym disinfectant. The crowd is growing thicker as the chaos continues to grow.
Mackenzie throws her head back and screams.
