Dead and Gone: A Violet Blackwood Mystery by LJ Swallow

Author:LJ Swallow [Swallow, LJ]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Emu House Publishing
Published: 2024-12-13T00:00:00+00:00

12

I gaze at the table where I last sat with the curator, mentally drawing lines between facts I've discovered in my investigation and piecing together what I can. Rowan and Leif stacked empty plates and cups in front of them, and Rowan now studies his laptop while Leif scrolls through his phone. I slide into the booth beside Leif.

"Any more Marvin posts?" asks Grayson, sitting beside and squishing me between the pair. "Reports of stolen gems?"

"Where were you?" asks Rowan curtly. "You're late."

"We took a detour through the graveyard," I reply.

"How romantic." Leif chuckles.

"To look for a Redridge grave as names of Arthur's relatives may be inscribed," I say firmly. "We're late because we were forced to deal with ridiculous insinuations about the reason for our visit from them."

The two guys we encountered now sit with two town girls on what appears to be a double date and steadfastly ignore us.

"And did you find anything interesting?" asks Rowan.

"Yes."

"A Redridge grave?" He sits straighter.

"No. Somebody followed us."

Leif shifts around to face me. "Who?"

"Unknown. I was about to pursue the person when the delightful boys over there interrupted."

"Why would someone follow you to the graveyard?" he asks.

"I had thought the stalker was one of their companions, but since they're at the cafe without anybody from the academy, I'm unsure. I didn't get close enough to detect if the guy was human or supe."

"But definitely male?"

"Well, I'm presuming from his build and height, but I could be wrong."

"Great." Rowan scratches a cheek and then lowers his voice. "Do you think whoever followed you knows about the museum theft?"

"Marvin?" I ask.

"No. You know what I mean." His voice lowers further. "The box we returned yesterday. Missing gems. This person could've seen us at or around the museum."

"Only if they knew to watch. Nobody detected us each time we snuck into the building. Someone might think we're trying to uncover something."

"Yeah, and they'll know Violet Blackwood is a dog with a bone when it comes to mysteries she wants to solve," says Leif. "Well, I've solved something for you, Detective Violet. Tamara works here." He subtly nods behind the counter at the girl with a long-blonde ponytail serving coffees. "Holly told us. Tamara is also part of Kai's circle."

I look around. "Where is Holly?"

"She left." Leif points at a third empty cup. "Her words were: 'I've had a better offer than sitting here all evening waiting for Violet.'"

"Perhaps a good thing. We can discuss more if Holly isn't here. Have you examined the jewels further?" I ask Rowan.

"The rubies are definitely the only ones with traces of magic. I wouldn't know for sure if the others are real gems. I can't exactly ask a jeweler without them questioning where they came from."

"I shall take care of the pouch." I hold a hand out. "I would like to examine them again too."

Rowan furtively passes the jewels beneath the table, and I shove the pouch into my jacket pocket. As I do, I survey my surroundings, and my gaze lands on a different table of humans than the ones who irritated me earlier.

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