Page 47 of Wicked Witch of the Wolf

I calmed down. It wasn’t ideal, but what about the situation was?

“Could Bronwyn have spent the night with someone?” I asked.

“I don’t believe so. She hasn’t had a boy or girlfriend since she moved here.” She tapped her index finger on the table. “There’ve been offers, but as far as I know, she’s sworn off the dating scene. You’d have to ask her why. That’s not my secret to share.”

“If the secret might help us find her, I’d like to know what it is. I wouldn’t tell anyone. I like Bronwyn, you know that.”

“Nevertheless, I cannot?—”

“Her ex-husband left her for another woman,” Maya said. She padded barefoot into the room and took a seat between Margaux and me. “And if that doesn’t tell you what a dumbass he was, I don’t know what will. Bronwyn is a total catch. Good morning.”

“Good morning,” I said. “Are you feeling better?”

“Yes. I could use some coffee, though. Or tea, if that’s what’s up for offer. Don’t go to any trouble on my account.”

“It’s no trouble.” I rose and loaded up the coffeemaker withfreshly ground French roast and water. “Besides, Ida will be here shortly. She’ll want coffee.”

Once the coffeemaker was chugging along, I sat back down. “This ex-husband. Is he a problem? Could he have something to do with Bronwyn’s disappearance?”

Maya’s already washed-out face paled, making me instantly regret my choice of words. “Disappearance? You mean Bronwyn’smissing?”

“Yes,” Margaux replied.

“We aren’t sure,” I said quickly. Maya looked ready to sprint out the door to look for her, and that was the last thing I needed right now. “We’re still trying to figure out the situation.”

We filled Maya in then went through the whole thing again when Ida joined us.

“I don’t think it’s him. She said he’s remarried and lives in Cleveland with his new wife and their three kids,” Maya said.

“Seems like Bronwyn’s disappearance has more to do with Maya’s soon-to-be ex-husband than her own. Told you to let me scare him.” She poured herself and Maya a mug of coffee and took the seat to my left.

“Next time I’ll listen,” I said, flashing her a small, quick smile.

“Oh gods.” Maya wrapped her arms around her middle. “This is all my fault. I should’ve left Desmond months ago, but I kept thinking I could fix the marriage if I just—” She sat up straight in the chair, threw her shoulders back, and wrapped her hands around her mug. “Where do we start looking first? Her house? Wicked? My—Desmond’s—house?”

“Wedon’t start looking anywhere. You’re going to stay here with Ida.” She opened her mouth to, presumably, argue. I said, “If I’m worried about you, I’m not fully focused on finding Bronwyn. You’ll be a distraction, and I know you don’t want that.”

She lowered her head. “No, I don’t.”

“The best way you can help us now is to give us every scrap of information you have on Desmond.” I grabbed a pad of paper fromthe junk drawer and found a pen. “Business contacts, rental properties, anything you can think of.”

“You really think he’s responsible?” Maya asked.

“We don’t know anything for sure,” Margaux replied, “but if she is missing, there’s a good chance he’s involved.”

I nodded, gritting my teeth against thewrongnessof agreeing with her.

“What if she’s hurt? Oh goddess, we have to find her.” Maya squeezed the pen between her fingers until the plastic cracked. “I can’t allow him to hurt her.”

“Bronwyn’s a smart, strong witch. She won’t go down easily,” Margaux said, with an uneasy glance at me. “As Betty has said, we’re not completely sure she’s missing. For all we know, she’s in hiding.”

“In hiding?” Maya didn’t look reassured.

“We don’t know.” I tapped the notepad. “Write down what you know about Bronwyn, too.”

“Okay.” She fiddled with the cracked pen, trying to get it to work.

“I know it’s frustrating not to be in the action, but sometimes the most important work is done behind the scenes.” Ida put her hand on Maya’s shoulder. “I’ll stick around and keep you company while these two are out there looking for her. If I know Betty, and after that time she drank too much spelled wine, stripped to her skivvies on my back porch, and jumped into the Britton’s hot tub, I definitely do?—”

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