Page 40 of Macaron Massacre
“No, no,” Greer is quick to deny, shaking her head in a frenetic manner that only leads me to believe the opposite. I’d like to think I know Greer plenty by now, and if I’m right, Greer Giles just spouted a little white lie.
“Fine.” Greer does her best to stomp her foot but to no avail. “Nell was just giving me a little snippet into your future.”
“Nell, you know the future? I can’t believe this. So, that’s how you knew I’d be a mother someday?”
“You will be, but I didn’t need to pry too deep to know that. I was simply telling Greer a few things I overheard.” Her wrinkles smooth out as she glances nervously to the B&B, and I can tell Nell is hesitant to fill me in on all the dirty details of what lies in wait for me.
“What things?”
Nell takes a deep yet unnecessary breath. “I hung around Claret the other night. That man she’s obsessed with is into some pretty dirty dealings.”
“He’s a mob boss,” I add quickly. “Can you believe it? Those people are dangerous. I’m so relieved my mother has nothing at all to do with Rich Dallas or his twisted family. And, believe me, I know how horrible that sounds.”
“Oh, I agree.” Nell shudders at the thought of my mother leashing herself to Rich for life. “Do you think the mob might be involved in Richie’s death?”
“I didn’t think of that, but it would be a perfect way for someone else to keep their hands clean. Hire the mob for a hit.”
Greer clutches at her neck. “But who would put a hit on the poor soul?”
“Who wouldn’t? His wife couldn’t stand him. Both of his daughters had a beef with him. His third daughter might still be an enigma to me, but I have a feeling she’ll be singing a familiar song. Even Meg wanted to slaughter him. And let’s not forget that Mayor Nash and my mother are being expertly pinned with the crime by the voting public. This is just such a nightmare.”
Nell nods as if she’s trying to convince me of something. “Good, Lottie. You’re thinking it through. Now who’s left in your pool of suspects?”
“Rich’s third daughter, Dawn.” I glance back to the B&B as a mass of bodies file in. “I suppose Mayor Nash. Hey? Maybe I can talk to Louie the Lion?” I shake my head. “Scratch that. If he put a hit on somebody, there’s no way he’d confess to it.”
Nell tips her head my way. “Killers rarely do.”
“Lottie?” a male voice shouts from behind, and I turn to see Noah Fox looking every bit as foxy as his surname suggests, and I hate that the thought just flitted through my mind.
“Go on.” Nell ushers me away. “I’ll be roving the premises seeing what I can glean.”
Greer rises a good ten feet into the air. “And I’ll be in the conservatory! I love me a good party!”
I take off for Noah, and he greets me with a warm embrace.
“Are you crashing my sister’s bridal shower?”
“No, I’m crashing the mayoral debate. Only I’m technically not crashing. I’m paid to keep the peace, along with a few deputies.”
“Probably a good idea, all things considering.”
He nods to the woods. “Were you speaking with Nell?”
“And Greer.”
“Greer?” His brows hike into his forehead.
“I may have forgotten to mention that she and her two-hundred-year-old boyfriend are haunting the B&B.”
A laugh barks from him. “So it is haunted.” He slings an arm around my waist as we head into the bed and breakfast. Noah presses his warm eyes into mine before we part ways. “You haunt me, Lottie. In the very best way.” He gives my shoulder a squeeze. “I’ll catch up with you before I leave.”
My heart aches just hearing his words. I watch as he takes off before I stride over to the conservatory. It’s an explosion of lavender and pink flowers, which perfume the room with a scent only heaven could dream up.
At the door sits an easel with a framed wooden chalkboard, about the size of a cutting board, that readsWelcome! Help us celebrate the future Mrs. Donovan!
Bodies swirl inside, well coifed and well perfumed. Every woman here is wearing a summer dress, or a colorful pantsuit, the click of heels persists throughout. In the back, a rose gold Mylar balloon spells outlovein fancy cursive letters.
“Well, look who’s here?” Meg shouts my way as she threads her arm through Lainey’s, and they head on over.