Witch on First: A Jinx Hamilton Mystery Book 4 (The Jinx Hamilton Novels) by Harper Juliette

Author:Harper, Juliette [Harper, Juliette]
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub
ISBN: 9781943516728
Publisher: Skye House Publishing
Published: 2016-06-29T16:00:00+00:00

14

We saw the Sheriff’s car pull up in front of the shop when we were about halfway around the square. John Johnson spotted us, too, and stood there waiting with crossed arms until we joined him.

“Thought I’d come by and tell you what we know so far,” he said, “and maybe drink a cup of that fancy ex-press-o stuff while I’m here.”

Smothering a laugh at his exaggerated pronunciation, I said, “Hi, John. I’ll make the espresso myself if we can talk in Chase’s shop instead of mine.”

“How come?” Johnson asked.

For just a fraction of a second that little Evil Jinx, who sits on my shoulder some days wanted me to say, “So our possessed chessboard won’t hear what you say and send messages back to the mother ship,” but I caught myself.

Instead, I smiled and said, “My customers have bat ears, John. Anything you tell us will be all over town before you get back to the station.”

Johnson chuckled. “Yeah, reckon you’re right about that. We’ll go in the cobbler shop.”

“I’ll be right back with coffee,” I said. “Chase? Vanilla latte?”

“Please,” Chase said. “And if there are any of those bear claws left . . .”

“Bear claws?” Johnson said, his face lighting up.

“Coffee and artery-clogging pastries coming right at you,” I laughed, opening the door to the store.

As I walked past the seating area, I noticed our usual afternoon regulars at their favorite tables. Mrs. Larson, a retired schoolteacher, had her head buried in a cozy mystery and two old men were absorbed in a game of checkers. The musical chessboard sat untouched in its usual place. I knew it was just my imagination, but I could have sworn I saw an evil, glowing aura around the damn thing.

Tori was behind the counter. When I joined her, she asked, “Where’s Chase?”

“Next door in his shop with the Sheriff, who is getting ready to fill us in on what he knows about Fish Pike,” I said, “as soon as I get back over there with coffee and bear claws.”

“Well,” she laughed, “I know who gets the bear claws. I hope John’s wife doesn’t find out we’re helping him sabotage his diet.”

“Actually, it was Chase who asked for them,” I said. “How he can put pastries on top of all the pepperoni pizza he just ate is beyond me.”

“Vanilla latte for him?” Tori asked, moving toward the machine.

“Yep,” I said. “Double espresso for the Sheriff, and a cappuccino for me. I’ll get the bear claws . . . oh, and we’re going to have company tonight.”

“Company?” she said. “Who?”

“The triplets.”

She stopped in mid-coffee grind. “Here? In fur coats?”

“Yes, here, and I have no idea how they will be . . . dressed,” I said.

“Well,” she replied, going back to the espresso machine, “this ought to be interesting.”

“That’s what Chase said,” I said, sacking up the bear claws.

“Great minds,” Tori quipped.

She finished making the drinks, snapped lids on the cups, and secured them in a cardboard carry tray, which she held out to me with the firm admonition.

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