English After-Doom Tea: The Magical Tea Room Mysteries by Erin Johnson

Author:Erin Johnson [Johnson, Erin]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2021-09-21T16:00:00+00:00

13

Rumors

I got back to work, helping the butlers serve and bus tables. With business hopping and the races drawing our biggest crowds yet, Gary and Timmy Pipe’s murder soon faded from my mind in all the hubbub. At the height of the lunch rush, Mim dashed in and flagged me down.

She got a few sour looks from those waiting their turn in line, but she ignored them and put a hand on my arm, breathless. “Doll, could you get me something to drink? I’m parched.”

I nodded. “Of course. Should I find you somewhere to sit?” We were swamped, but I could probably find a chair for her somewhere.

She shook her head. “No time.”

I frowned as I looked a little closer at my friend and mentor. Her skin was sallow, and dark bags hung under her bloodshot eyes. Her shoulders slumped below her crocheted shawl, and her breath seemed labored. “Are you alright?”

She gulped and waved me off. “I’m drained. It takes a lot of magic to keep those horses safe, plus a lot of concentration. Constant vigilance, you know? Never know when one of them’s going to take a jump wrong and stumble—or worse.”

My stomach tightened, and I lowered my voice. “You’re doing wonderful work, keeping those horses safe but… are you safe? I don’t want you to overwork yourself.” I didn’t know how old Mim was exactly, but she was no spring chicken.

Mim managed a wink, despite her weary state. “Don’t you worry about me.” She patted my shoulder. “I’ve survived much worse.”

Something about her tone made me think she’d seen a few things in her day. I suddenly realized that despite all the time we’d spent together during lessons, I didn’t know much about Mim’s past.

She interrupted my musings, her blue eyes wide and hopeful. “What have you found out?”

I knew she was hoping I’d be able to clear Jack’s name soon, and I wished I had more promising news for her. “I have a few leads.” I bit my lip. “Any chance the police have released Jack?”

She rolled her eyes. “No! The fools. He did call me though, from the station.” She leaned close. “Apparently, a security guard confessed that he let Penny Zhang into the stable with another jockey. The guard recognized her, but she signed in under a false name.”

I raised my brows. “Suspicious. So why is Jack still in custody?”

Mim planted her hands on her hips and glared. “Because the cops are grasping at straws to solve this case and desperate to close it. Penny claimed she saw Jack slinking around with a shovel in his hands.”

I grimaced. “The murder weapon.”

Mim flattened her lips together and nodded. “Convenient that she just happened to remember that little fact once they brought her in for questioning.” She huffed. “Jack says they already released her.”

I frowned, thinking it over. “What was Jack doing there?” I cocked my head. “And come to think of it, what was Penny doing there?”

She shook her head, her tightly coiled curls bouncing.

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