Murder and mayhem may be ruling the roost at the moment, but truth and justice are about to take over.
Now all I have to do to achieve that is catch a killer.
Noah
The Murder and Mayhem Festival at the B&B looks to be a success by anyone’s measure.
All of Honey Hollow seems to have shown up and then some, and every last soul is circulating around the glass conservatory—and I’m betting a few of the disembodied are in there, too. Tables line the entire periphery of the room as authors hock their wares, and there are plenty of people lined up to speak with each of them. I spot Fern with her red hair and outstretched smile, laughing at her table by the entry to the room.
She’s my mark for the night, and I’m not going to miss it.
The sound of classical music strums overhead and the smell of my favorite chocolate chip cookies sings to me like a vanilla-scented siren song.
For the most part, the B&B is a quaint little inn with a handful of friendly ghosts to give it that quirky factor, which just so happens to be the heartbeat of this place. But once my father got hold of it, like everything else he touches, he turned it into a pile of hot pink rubble.
Cormack and Cressida would be responsible for that bright, somewhat caustic hue. They have it on the floors, have splashed it on the walls, covered the outside of this palatial mansion, and even on the ceiling in some places. Out in front, in the grand mahogany entry, they’ve erected two larger-than-life floor-to-ceiling paintings of their likeness, and you can’t go ten steps without looking at yourself in a gilded mirror.
A black velvet banner hangs along the back of the conservatory that reads Welcome to the Murder and Mayhem Festival, where homicide makes us happy.
I frown up at the wording.
I’m not sure homicide should make anyone happy, but at the end of the day I’m happy I’m getting a paycheck because of it.
My eyes skirt the room and I see all of the usual suspects, Lottie’s sisters and their plus ones, Evie and her friends, my dad and Miranda helping out at one of the tables, and even my brother Alex is here with his new girlfriend, Serena Digby. Serena was our birthing instructor a few months back. She’s also transmundane like Lottie—and just like my mother come to find out, although my mother is slow to admit it.
Mom is a beguiler to be exact.
I shake my head at that one. If I had to guess, I’d say my mother’s abilities weren’t all that strong because she couldn’t beguile my father into being loyal to her. But then again, he was sneaking around, so just maybe she used her powers to get rid of him. In that case I have to give her credit for using her powers wisely.
Speaking of Lottie, she let me know about this mystery event unfolding at the B&B, so once I was through at the station I made a beeline over. The funny thing is, I had already planned on being here to talk to Fern Cranston. It’s just like Lottie to keep one step ahead of me.
The refreshment table is to the right, and that’s exactly where I find the love of my life, standing at the helm of the dessert spread with both Lily and my mother by her side helping to dole them out. Lottie has Lyla Nell sitting in that baby sling strapped to her chest, and the baby looks cheerful and alert as she takes in the crowd with both her arms and legs wiggling.
“All of my favorite ladies are here,” I say as I lean in and offer Lottie a kiss to her temple and quickly drop one to the baby as well.
“Thank you, Noah,” Lily says with a wink. “I’ve always suspected you had a thing for me.”
“Really?” My mother looks more than a little hopeful. “Why, I think you’d make a fine couple!” Her eyes grow wide. “In fact, Lily, why don’t you and Noah tour the room while Lottie and I pass out cookies?”
Lottie shoots her a look that assures me she’s not ready to pass me off to anyone just yet, and I’d be lying if it didn’t warm me to know it.
Carlotta steps up. “How’s it going, Foxy?”
Lottie huffs out a dull laugh. “Suze is trying to sell him off to Lily.”
Carlotta squints my way. “Watch it, Foxy. Lot’s got all those hot mama hormones coursing through her veins and she knows her way around a murder weapon or two. I’d be on my best behavior if I were you.”
Lottie makes a face at her. “The only weapon in my arsenal tonight is this sweet little angel.”
“Here, hand her to me,” I say, taking the baby carrier from her and landing it over my chest. “Hey, princess.” I smile down at Lyla Nell as she does her best to fly right out of this contraption.
“Wow, Noah.” Lottie leans against my shoulder as we stare down at this tiny masterpiece together. Lottie put a bright pink bow in Lyla Nell’s hair and she looks like the living doll she is as she gasps and does her best to reach for my face. “She’s really responding to you.”
“I’ve read to her enough, cradled her enough, I’d like to think she knows me by now.”
Lottie gives my facial scruff a light scratch. “I think she loves you. I know she does. We missed you today.”
“It feels good to be missed. But I did have a productive day at the office.”
“Something new with the case?” Lottie’s eyes light up. She’s just as hungry to solve a homicide as I am, and that’s one of the things I love about her.
“Yup. Did a little digging and discovered that Candace had a boyfriend back in college who accidentally”—I cup my hands around Lyla Nell’s little ears—“killed himself.”
“What?” Lottie pulls me to the side. “Who was he?”
“His name was Ben Jenson. You probably would have discovered this on your own. I was able to stumble upon it after a simple internet search. He was the drummer in a rock band. He was taking a few classes at Ashford University, and that’s where they met. Apparently, he fell off a three-story frat house rooftop one night at a party. He had enough amphetamines in his system for it to have been an accident. Friends and family say he wasn’t a jumper. Had everything going for himself. All he needed to do was clean up his act a little.”
“Wow.” She gives a few blinks. “You know Fern is here tonight. She and Candace went to college together. I bet she knew Ben. I think I’ll bring that up when I question her.”
I’d correct her and let her know I was about to do the questioning, but I think we both know I’d be wrong.
“And I’d like to be there with you if you don’t mind.”
Her lips curl into her cheeks as she inches back. “Noah, you’re the lead investigator. She might clam up in fear you’ll pin every murder in the last one hundred years on her. You’re an intimidating presence in the event you didn’t realize it.”
“Fine, I’ll hang back, but I won’t take my eyes off you.”
“Sounds good. Why don’t you show Lyla Nell around? I’m going to sneak off and use the restroom alone for once and maybe take a short nap sitting on the toilet. Oh, and don’t forget to indulge in all the chocolate chip cookies you want. You know if I would have had the time to make these myself I would have thought of you while I did it, just like the old days.” She gives my cheek a little pinch as she takes off.