Swords and Fallen Lords: Paranormal Cozy Mystery (Mitzy Moon Mysteries Book 7) by Trixie Silvertale

Author:Trixie Silvertale [Silvertale, Trixie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781734022117
Publisher: Sittin' On A Goldmine Productions LLC
Published: 2020-06-15T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 11

Arriving at the back gate of the Renaissance Faire on a not-open-for-business day is a bit like stepping behind the curtain in the Wizard of Oz. The faces look somewhat familiar, but without their elaborate garb and phony accents, the magic evaporates. I push my dime-store sunglasses into place and head to the existing pickle stand, hoping that Joan will be on-site to give me instructions and assistance regarding pickle palace part deux.

As I approach the pickle stand, I observe Joanie and Simon in a heated argument. The two of them normally seem so close that it’s hard for me to imagine what they could possibly be fighting about. I stop and pretend to tie my shoelace.

“Why did you get involved with her, Simon? I told you she was poison.”

“For the twentieth time, Joanie, I wasn’t involved with her. She’s lying. I don’t know why, but she’s absolutely lying. I promise.”

Peeking over the top of my sunglasses, I see Joan cross her arms and turn away from her half-brother.

He places a strong hand on her shoulder. “Joanie, please. You’re not just my sister, you’re my best friend. I can’t stand it when you’re mad at me.”

Her arms slowly unwrap and fall to her sides. “Promise? I see the way she looks at you. I know it’s, like, definitely crossed her mind.”

“She looks at everybody like that. It’s probably just to get back at the Lord Mayor. I’m not even sure she would follow through.”

Joanie flicks his hand off her shoulder and places a hand on either hip. “Are you defending her now?”

“I’m not defending anyone, except myself. I didn’t have an affair with Ursulina. That’s the truth. If I can’t even get my own sister to believe me, how do you think the cops are gonna react?”

“Maybe you should’ve thought of that before you made her that deadly spike.”

Simon hangs his head, and I have to push my psychic senses into the mix to hear his mumbled regret.

“I feel terrible about it, Joanie. Just terrible, okay?”

She’s quick to put a hand on his shoulder and pat his back. “Sorry. It’s not your fault. And I do believe you.”

I finish fake tying my shoe and jog to the pickle stand.

Joanie eyes me with irritation when I stop next to the cart. “Does it look like we’re open?”

The tone catches me off guard. “It’s me, Arwen. I know, I look different without the wig and the elf ears.”

She presses a hand to her chest.” Oh, my gosh, I’m so sorry. I was such a ‘B’ right then. I just thought you were some mundane that snuck in the back and thought they were going to get a pickle on Tuesday!”

We share a laugh, but Simon doesn’t join in.

His deep voice shatters the humor. “What’s your real name?”

Clearly there is no convincing him that it’s Arwen. So I dig into my rather shallow bag of tricks and pull out my previous Birch County Community College fake identity and reply. “Darcy Brown.”

His clenched jaw softens momentarily and Joanie giggles.

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