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“Well, I had to talk the developers down,” she said. “They weren’t too thrilled to hear about my arrest.”
“They didn’t take you off the project, did they?” I responded, alarmed. She’d been so proud of landing such a big client so early in her designing career, and I knew she’d be devastated if she was fired because of this mess.
“No,” Victoria said. “They just wanted to voice their concerns that my ‘legal troubles’ might prevent me from fulfilling my contract. I assured them everything was fine and that I wouldn’t have any problems getting all the designs finalized on the timeline we’d agreed upon.” She paused there and let out a small breath. “And I know that’s the truth, because my lawyer told me he doubted we’d be going to trial for at least a couple of months, and the model homes are supposed to open the second week of November, but….”
“But you didn’t need the extra stress right now,” I finished for her.
“Exactly,” she said, a tired smile just barely lifting the corners of her mouth. “It’s okay, though. I’m just going to keep my head down and get as much done as I can before next weekend.” Another pause, and she added, “We’re going to have to cancel our spa day, though.”
“I figured,” I responded. “But it’s okay. I’ll make some calls. I’m sure I can find someone to squeeze us in somewhere.”
And I would…even if it meant offering extra-large tips to any salon who shuffled their schedule around or stayed open late to accommodate Victoria’s wedding party.
“You don’t have to do that — ” she began, but I only shook my head.
“What else is a matron of honor for?” I asked, then went on before she could reply, “You haven’t given me many duties, so this is the least I can do.”
“Thanks,” she said, the expression of gratitude on her face so obvious that I knew she was being completely truthful. “I’ve always told myself I can handle whatever comes my way, but this — ”
“This is a big old pile of crap,” I told her. “We all know that. So if there’s anything Hazel or I can do to lighten the load, you just let me know.”
“I will. Now, though, I need to grab a few things I forgot to pick up yesterday.”
“That’s fine,” I said. “I completely cleansed the studio, and there’s absolutely no sign of a ghost, so spend as much time up there as you need.”
Victoria was used enough to me that my airy remark about ghosts and cleansing didn’t even earn me a blink. “Good to know,” she said easily. “Especially since I really need to be back here on Monday. But you have a good rest of your day — and thanks again, Selena.”
“That’s what I’m here for,” I said with a smile.
This time, the smile she sent me in return was a lot less weary, and I hoped my words of encouragement had helped, if even a little. She headed out the back door just as Melanie returned with a cup of iced tea. Good thing I was paying her so well, or she would’ve blown half her salary on keeping up with her caffeine fix at Cloud Coffee.
“Was that Victoria?” she asked, clearly having spotted my friend’s departing form as she headed into the rear lobby.
“Yes, she needed to pick up a few things from her office,” I replied.
“And is she doing okay?”
“Mostly,” I said. “I’m glad she’s only here to get some work and then go back home, though. I have to think it’ll help for her to have a few days away from the office to give her some mental space.”
“I suppose,” Melanie said, and now she looked a little dubious.
“‘You suppose’?” I repeated.
At once, she looked abashed. “Sorry,” she said. “It’s just that I heard people talking at the coffee shop, and — ”
Of course, people were gossiping. That’s what they seemed to do best around here. Still, I tried to keep myself from sounding too stern as I replied, “Yes, a man died under suspicious circumstances in Victoria’s studio, so the police chief felt he needed to arrest her. But she did nothing wrong, and I know she’ll be exonerated soon enough.”
That comment was my signal that I didn’t want to discuss the subject any further, and Melanie took the hint, telling me she was going to stock the incense display, if it was all right with me. That was just fine, as far as I was concerned; the shop had been busy so far today, but it wasn’t anything I couldn’t have handled on my own.
My assistant headed back to the stockroom to retrieve the incense packets, and I allowed myself a sigh. I’d definitely sounded confident when I’d said I had no doubt the charges against Victoria would be dropped soon…but I didn’t feel that way inside. No, not at all.
Exactly a week from now, she was supposed to marry Archie. The conditions of her bail would allow her to do so, but what kind of wedding would it be with that sword of Damocles hanging over her head?
I had to figure this out.
I just had to.
The day had been warm enough that Calvin offered to barbecue our dinner, and I was immediately on board with his plan. Even kitchen witches liked to get the night off occasionally.
