Something Wicked: A Violet Carlyle and Friends Mystery (A Smith Investigates Mystery Book 1) by Beth Byers

Author:Beth Byers [Byers, Beth]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2021-09-29T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 9

“Why aren’t you taking that criminal you’re married to?” Lila asked petulantly.

“Because I need someone who makes the woman feel obligated to answer her questions but also naive and stupid enough to not worry about realizing all the horrifying things happening in her house.”

Lila stared at me for a moment. “I see more and more what Smith enjoys about you.”

“Was that supposed to be insulting?”

“It’s simply true,” she replied. “You seem like this little sweet maid, and underneath all that efficient usefulness is something else entirely. It’s confusing.”

I shrugged. “I don’t understand Smith either.”

“You’re both good and bad.”

I frowned, not understanding what Lila meant.

“One, you’re pretty. But sneaky pretty. You hold yourself quietly, so only those looking realize how many colors are in your eyes or the delicate curve to your neck or how your clothes—at least used to be—not cut to accentuate your body.”

I clutched the wheel a little tighter in surprise.

Lila was more observant than I’d give her credit for. “That changed after Smith.”

It did. I breathed in and held it. I had hoped no one noticed.

“Don’t worry,” she assured me, obviously pleased with herself. “Most people still see what you want them to see.”

I glanced at her again and then turned into one of the poorer, darker parts of London where the tenements were crowded with too much humanity and not enough sun to thrive.

“But you also took Vi’s auto,” she accused.

“She won’t care.” I cleared my throat. She wouldn’t care, would she?

“She won’t care,” Lila agreed, “but that’s still about a step away from just stealing a random automobile.”

“Surely not,” I said but wondering. I knew Smith would approve. I thought Vi wouldn’t care, and I couldn't help but consider what the rest would think. Kate? She’d be generous, but she always was. Internally, would she be thinking about the definition of laws and friendship? What about Victor? He always leaned towards being more protective of Vi, so maybe he would disapprove. My neck grew tenser and tenser when the only one I was sure wouldn’t think anything of my taking the automobile was Denny.

I sniffed, knowing I’d stiffened, as Lila laughed and then gasped. She covered her mouth, and I jerked the car to the side as she vomited up the crackers and fizzy ginger beer I’d gotten her to eat. When she was done gagging, she moaned, “I hate you.”

“Still, though,” I said carefully. “I did wash your hair.” I was doubly glad I’d put it up away from her face, too.

Lila looked at me through her miserable blue eyes, staring daggers, and then she laughed. “You did.”

“You smelled bad.”

“Now I smell like vomit and lavender.”

It was a terrible combination, and she wasn’t wrong. I dug through my bag until I found the tin of peppermints I kept to use before a meeting.

Lila popped one into her mouth, leaning back and groaning. “I hate this baby.”

“Oh no,” I said.

“It’s all right.” Lila muttered. “Someone else will probably like him.”

I shook my head and then dared to start the auto again.

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