Page 17 of A Jingle of Justice
I said, “We’d like you to play the harp at the tea.”
“Done.”
“And sing.”
Meaghan blanched. “I haven’t sung in years.”
Lissa petted Meaghan’s arm. “I hear you’re very good. It’s just a little ditty. ‘Fairy Nightsongs.’ You don’t need a big voice.”
Meaghan regarded me, one eyebrow arched. “Fine. I’ll do it for you, Lissa. Not for my pal who forgot to clue me in.” She grabbed a Christmas bun and headed out.
A while later, after Lissa and Glinda left, Fiona nestled on my shoulder, and I dialed Officer Reddick. I hadn’t expected him to report back to me yet, but the murder had occurred in my shop, and I needed answers.
He answered on one ring. “How can I help you, Courtney?” He sneezed and blew his nose.
“Bless you.”
“Thanks.”
I didn’t start with questions about what he’d learned. Instead, I attempted the soft approach. “I was wondering about the archaeologist and when he might arrive.” After all, I needed an idea of when he and his team would conclude their business so I could open the patio to customers.
“In an hour. I was just about to call you. If?—”
“Hold on. Have you spoken to Horace Elias?”
“We brought him in for questioning.”
“Is he a person of interest?”
Reddick chuckled. “At this point, everyone is because we have no viable leads. Nobody else in the courtyard noticed anything. No cameras caught the intruder coming or going.”
“Does Horace have an alibi?”
“He said he left the restaurant and went directly to his shop.”
“Except he departed way before Brady and I did, and he was still fumbling to get into Time Tinker when we ran into him.”
Reddick hummed.
“What about his dirty fingernails?” I asked.
“They were as clean as a whistle when we chatted.” Reddick cleared his throat. “However, I did ask him about that, and he admitted he had soiled his hands when tweaking his window boxes to remove slugs. He swears he was not digging for treasure. Any other thoughts?”
Fiona said, “Ask him if he plans to question Shara Popple.”
I did.
“She’s on the list. However, if she’s really good at seeing the future, she’ll contact us,” he joked.
“She’s not a medium. Tianna was. Shara makes fairy figurines.”
“Right.” He went quiet, listening to someone in his office ask a question, and then came back on the line. “Sorry, Courtney, gotta go.”
I stared at the phone, my jaw ticking with frustration.
Joss appeared, her face refreshed, the tears at bay. “What’s eating you?”
Fiona said, “Officer Reddick shut her down.”
