Lies are Forever by Downer C. Jean

Author:Downer, C. Jean [Downer, C. Jean]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Bella Books
Published: 2023-12-29T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seventeen

Sloane woke the following day to the aroma of cinnamon and coffee. It meant only one thing—Dorathea. Elvina was perched in the kitchen window behind the sink. Dorathea was hand-washing a pile of dishes.

“Can’t you just snap your fingers and clean those,” Sloane asked as she grabbed a coffee mug from a cupboard.

Nice of you to finally join us , the familiar said. Your coffee’s ready.

Dorathea wiped her hands with a towel and turned around. “I often do the dishes like Nogicals. I find it relaxing.” She eyed her. “I understand you had a difficult night after we left and sought solace in a bottle.”

Sloane looked at Elvina. “What? Now you’re tattling?”

I only told her why you were still in bed.

Sloane rubbed her temples. “Not so loud. My head hurts.”

“Serves you right.” Dorathea grabbed an oven mitt. “Elvina tells me you have grieved your past relationship for two years. And now your mum?”

“Are you kidding me?” Sloane stared at the familiar. “Elvina needs to keep my business out of her chitchat.”

“Don’t blame her. I asked what was causing your peculiar behavior.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“I hardly need to spell it out. You drink into a stupor and dress in shabby clothes. You are a sad caricature, indeed.”

“Good morning to you, too.” Sloane stepped past Dorathea, wrapping her cardigan tight. “This happens to be my favorite sweater.”

“Obviously,” Dorathea said.

Sloane poured a cup of coffee and watched Dorathea retrieve a coffee cake from the oven. “I thought you only baked scones.”

“Freya taught me a new recipe.” Her face softened.

“Smells good. Stop nagging me like Jane, and I might stay for a piece.”

“Hmm.” Dorathea snapped her fingers, and the coffee cake, the carafe of coffee, and a teapot reappeared on the breakfast table. “Are you in a hurry to leave?”

“I have a meeting with Quinn Reed.” She sat at the table. “Why? Did you want me to train this morning?”

“No. Not yet.” Dorathea sent the teapot to Elvina’s cup and back to hers. “Have you been practicing the detection and disarming spells?”

Elvina looked up from her plate. Every chance she gets. It’s annoying.

Dorathea smiled. “I recall you felt the same about Jane’s practicing when she was young.”

Elvina returned to her coffee cake when suddenly the plate slid to the other side of the table.

“Well, well. You have learned to silently disarm. Quite impressive, indeed.”

“Thanks. I guess.”

Thrilling, isn’t it? Elvina flicked her tail, and the plate returned to her.

Sloane’s phone rang. “Listen, I need to take this call.” She walked onto the patio. “Garcia, where’ve you been?”

“Hey, how about a great to hear from you or something.”

“Yeah, yeah. Sorry. How are you?”

“Sorry?” Garcia laughed. “You’ve only been in Canada for a week. And they got you apologizing?”

“Funny. How about you give me the info I need.”

“Okay. Okay. The number ending in zero seven is registered to Lore Emilie Reed. The number ending in twenty-two belongs to Gannon W. Ferris. None of your suspects have priors. I’m still waiting for Morris’s records.”

“Nothing on Gannon?”

“That’s right.

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