Page 31 of A Seer and Present Danger

She twisted a braid between her fingers. “I get it. I’m worried too. He should tell Delaney about the dream. Maybe he lost his seer sight and somehow gained dream vision. Stranger things have happened.”

“No kidding.”

“Lemonade!” Jules swished back into the room with three glasses. “What did I miss?”

“Piper told me about Yancy.”

“And that you’re not looking for the killer,” I said hoping she caught on to my little fib.

Jules nodded. “Right. That’s right. Leave the mysteries to the police. That’s me. Minding my own business.”

“Auntie…”

“Oh, Please,” Jules chuckled. “When would I have time to chase down a criminal? I have the Rookery opening this weekend and we are so far behind. But maybe this will be all settled by then. I’d love for you to come.”

Jean smiled, but I could tell she was sad. “I’m sure it will all work out. I’m innocent.”

“I know you are. I know.” Jules squeezed her hand.

I sipped lemonade, a fire building in my chest.

I didn’t like seeing my friends sad. I didn’t like seeing how worried they were for each other.

I was going to find the murderer. I was going to make it so Jules and Jean didn’t have to tell each other everything was all right when it wasn’t. I was going to—just this once and only a little bit—use my free will to make things turn out the way I thought would be better.

I was going to sleuth my heart out for my friends and catch a murderer.

“Piper,” Jean said, “Please promise me you won’t get mixed up in this either.”

“I’m kind of already mixed up in it. I was there that night. I found him. I found you.”

“But the investigation,” she pressed. “I don’t want you trying to find the killer. It’s too dangerous.”

I sipped my drink. “I can keep my eyes open, though. Lots of people come through the diner. They like to talk. Maybe someone will mention something.”

“But for real.” Jean gave us both a look. “I want you two,” she pointed, “to leave the crime solving to the police.”

We were quiet a moment while Jean waited for our promise.

I raised my hand like I was in class. “Is it against the rules to listen to people gossip?”

“It is not,” Jules said with confidence. “Or I’d have been kicked out of town years ago.”

“Yay!” I lifted my lemonade in toast. “To gossip!”

Jean narrowed her eyes, then shook her head. “Okay. I’m trusting you to stay out of the investigation. And to keep each other safe.”

“Will do,” I said.

Jules just tipped her glass in another toast.

“Have you remembered anything?” Jules asked. “From when you…um… found the body?”

“I think there might have been someone out there when I got there. I have a vague memory of motion. Of…something. But every time I try to see a face or even a general shape, I go blank.”

“Out there?” I asked. “You mean the back of the diner? Was it near the body? Near the door? By the picnic table?”

“I can’t remember where. But you’re not investigating this, right?”