Game of Bones: A Cozy Witch Mystery (Magic Market Mysteries Book 3) by Erin Johnson

Author:Erin Johnson
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 2020-01-24T05:00:00+00:00

23

QUESTIONING

“Oh, no no no….” I staggered back into the middle of the street.

Daisy’s hackles rose, and her dark eyes darted around, looking for the source of danger, and even Peter drew his wand, before remembering the humans nearby and hastily stowing it away.

“Jolene—what’s wrong?”

My heart thundered in my chest. I hadn’t been back here in years, not since the Bruma Eve party when my life imploded. And it was the last thing I wanted to do this morning. My muddled brain searched for an excuse.

“I’m—not dressed for it.”

Daisy barked. Lie!

Peter gave me a warm smile. “You always look beautiful.” His cheeks reddened as he caught himself. “I mean—so does Daisy. She looks beautiful. It’s a, uh—a beautiful day. Lots of beauty—you fit right in.”

I let out a combination chuckle/whimper. Why did he have to be so kind to me? And I knew it was kindness, too, because in my current state, I definitely didn’t look beautiful.

“I just—I’m so tired and not really feeling well.” I let out a weak cough.

Daisy barked again. Liar! Stop lying to Peter!

I gritted my teeth and shot her an exasperated look. Can it, Daisy!

Peter, a pained look on his face, glanced from his barking partner to me. “Look, Jolene.” He took a few slow steps toward me, eyes on his feet. “I know you have your reasons for not wanting to question Emerson… or maybe for not wanting to work with me?”

My chest tightened. I hated him thinking that.

He lifted his eyes to mine. “And I don’t want you to feel pressured to tell me what they are…” His eyebrows pinched in the center and he shot me a weak grin. “Though, that’d certainly help me understand…?”

He looked at me hopefully, but I kept my lips pressed tight together. I wanted to tell Peter everything, I really did. I glanced up at the law firm—I was probably about to be exposed anyway.

But snakes—my stomach twisted—what if I told him the truth and he turned away from me, like every other nonshifter I knew had? My stomach turned again. Or worse—what if knowing the truth about me somehow put him in more danger from Ludolf? My little visit to the sewers was still heavy on my mind.

After giving me time to jump in, Peter licked his lips. “Okay. That’s okay. You don’t have to tell me your reasons.” He scratched the back of his neck. “I—I don’t mean to be that guy, but I’m paying you—I mean, the department’s paying you to do a job. We need you on this one.”

I scrunched up my nose. “Then don’t pay me.” I waved it away. “I barely questioned those fish the other night—no need to pay me for it. I’ll sit this one out.” I spun on my heel and started back down the hill toward home, eager to put distance between me and ol’ Watts, Baker & Low.

Peter jogged ahead and cut me off. “Listen—please.”

I stopped dead, surprised at the desperation in his voice.

“I really need you on this one.

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