Witch upon a Star (Witch Way Librarian Mysteries) by Sanders Angela M

Author:Sanders, Angela M. [Sanders, Angela M.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Kensington Books
Published: 2023-05-23T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

N ow I was eager to get to the café to confront Sylvia. Why would she have been going through Marcia’s things? Didn’t Jean tell me someone had searched Marcia’s room the day of her murder, too? Then there was Anders’s room at the Parker House. I took off in the dark toward the café.

As I crossed the levee, I glanced back at the retreat center. It stood dark and quiet, as if deserted and my conversation with Cookie had been a dream. A cawing crow drew my attention. With a clatter, he alit on the retreat center’s sloped roof. One by one, more crows swirled in the gloaming and settled next to him until they covered the roof in moving blue-black bodies and sharp beaks, crying out as if in warning—a warning for me. I caught my breath and turned toward town.

I passed through the Magnolia Rolling Estates and rounded left toward the café. Inside, Wilfredians chatted and dug into food-laden platters, and the air was warm with the comforting aroma of Darla’s cooking. The coaching workshop participants, including Jean, had pushed tables together to take over the dining room’s center.

“Too-da-loo,” Rex said. He stood at the head of the table holding a to-go box. Even in a puffy down jacket he looked like he was retiring to the pool house. Last I’d seen, he’d been at the retreat center. He nodded an expressionless hello as he passed me.

I took the seat he’d just vacated facing Jean and Sylvia. “Rex didn’t stick around for long.”

“He stopped by for something to-go,” Sylvia said.

“A slice of huckleberry pie for Cookie,” Jean added.

Rex was ready to step into the dead husband’s place without missing a beat. “How’s dinner?”

“Great, but huge. Want to finish my fish stew? What took you so long to get here, anyway?”

I pulled Jean’s bowl to my place. “After I checked the books, I dropped in on Cookie.”

Jean cocked her head, and Sylvia came to full attention. “Why did you do that?”

“She heard me on the landing. She wanted to reassure me that you’ll be fine, and that she’s keeping an eye on you.” In response to Jean’s warm smile, I added, “I underestimated her. And you. I’m sorry about that.”

One of the things I loved best about Jean was her willingness to forgive, but she wasn’t quite ready to let this go yet. “I was sure you’d understand Cookie if only you go to know her. Now I hope you’ll stop preaching to me about my decision to come here.”

I glanced at Sylvia, who was watching us like we were the final set at Wimbledon. “We can talk about this later.”

“No,” Jean said. “The sheriff is investigating the murders, and I’m safe. The rest is”—she fixed me with her gaze—“none of your business. If you really care about me, you’ll drop the subject.” She pulled her bowl back to her place. “It turns out I’m hungrier than I thought.” Her tone sweetened. “Sylvia, did you enjoy the discussion today?”

Oh boy.

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