Page 22 of Ogre on Patrol (Monsters, PI #5)

Chapter 22

Ellie

W e had breakfast together and while he washed the dishes, my first customers arrived. After giving him a quick kiss that felt incredibly natural, I went outside, humming under my breath. I wouldn’t mind waking up this way every day of my life.

That thought made me pause, but I decided to let it roll through me, not to overanalyze it.

I had work to do and he… Well, he had work to do also.

Customers kept me busy all day, and whenever I had a lull, I worked on cleaning the sabotaged greenhouses. Sadly, I couldn’t salvage much. I had space in one of the others, and I took time to start new seedlings. They’d grow and take the place of the others, and those who sought me out for exclusive plants like this would keep coming. I’d restart the ordrids next spring.

There was no competition for what I offered in the area, and I grinned as I placed the last seed in the soft soil. “Grow babies,” I whispered, casting a light spell to keep them secure until they poked out of the dirt and toward the sun.

Thain had gone into town to take care of a few things at Monsters, PI, but he arrived back a few minutes before three. I turned the Open sign on the gate around to Closed and met him by his truck.

“Ready?” The warmth in his gaze thrilled through me. This guy… I was falling all over again for him, and from the way I felt now, I had a feeling my love for him this time would be deeper.

“I am,” I said.

We left Crouton inside the house, curled up on my sofa.

The drive to Elias Fenwick’s place felt longer than it really was, the quiet stretching between us like a silky ribbon. I stared out the passenger window, watching the fields and trees blur past, my thoughts looping around one simple question: How could someone who’d been my best friend, almost like a sister, be part of something so destructive?

Thain didn’t push me to talk. His presence beside me was both a comfort and a reminder of why we were doing this. At least he had a plan. I was trying to keep my feelings from veering off a cliff every ten seconds.

When we pulled into the sprawling drive of Fenwick’s estate, I sat a little straighter. Of course, Elias’s greenhouses would be immaculate. His fields stretched in neat, precise rows, framed by the shimmer of glass-domed buildings that sparkled under the afternoon sun. It was the kind of operation people like me envied. State-of-the-art, efficient, and probably backed by investors with more money than I’d make in a decade. Not that I was bitter. Much.

“This him?” Thain asked, parking the truck in the gravel lot beside what had to be a storage shed. The clean lines and sleek design of the buildings screamed wealth, contrasting sharply with my greenhouses, which were more functional and homey than corporate and shiny.

“This is Elias Fenwick,” I said, nodding toward the estate in front of us, though it felt like I was saying the obvious. “Or at least his empire.”

Thain turned off the engine, his jaw tightening as he scanned the surroundings. “Nice setup.”

I reached for the truck door handle, pretending I didn’t notice the edge in his voice. “Yeah, he’s got quite the operation. But big doesn’t mean better. Sometimes it’s the small details that matter.”

His lips curved up as he glanced at me. “And no one’s better at details than you.”

The compliment caught me off guard, and for a second, I forgot how to move. A flutter of warmth spread from my chest to the tips of my fingers, and I forced myself to look away before I melted into a gooey puddle in the seat. “Sometimes, Thain, I don't know what to do with you.”

His lips quirked up on one side. “If you'd like some ideas, I have a list.”

I snorted. “A list, huh?”

“Only with you. ”

There went my heart again, flipping around in my chest. “We need to talk later.” I'd come to some decisions, and it was only right I share them with him.

“Anything I need to worry about?”

“Probably not.”

“Now I'm worried about the probably in that statement.”

“I think it's…good.”

“I’m also worried about that hesitation.” He took my hand and kissed my knuckles. “Know you can tell me anything. I can handle it, one way or the other.”

“Thank you for everything.”

“That sounds like goodbye.”

“Actually,” I popped open my door and slid over to the opening, “I think it's more like hello.”

“Ah.” His grin rose to full blaze.

We got out of his truck and met up in front.

I adjusted my jacket and tried not to let the sheer size of the place bother me.

Lumina Acres was practically a small city, all polished glass and gleaming metal. The main greenhouse alone stretched wider than three of mine combined, its vaulted roofs catching the late-afternoon sunlight and dazzling the gravel path meandering along the side. Perfect lines of foliage peeked through the transparent walls, buzzing with an efficiency that bordered on sterile. I doubted I'd find scuffed floors or mismatched pots here. Everything would have a place and purpose. Elias probably had people who came in each night and cleaned. I was a one-witch operation, and, okay, it showed.

A sprawling field of commercial crops flanked the complex, the rows so orderly it felt like nature had been strong-armed into cooperating.

Beside me, Thain took it all in with a low whistle. “This is impressive.”

“And excessive,” I muttered. My own greenhouses might be smaller and scrappier, but they thrived on heart and the kind of care you couldn’t buy with corporate funding. Still, I couldn’t deny the dismay curling in my belly. How could my little corner of the world compete with this?

Thain’s gaze flicked to me. “Hey,” he said, just loud enough to break me out of my head, “this place might be flashy, but it doesn’t have your touch. People come to you because what you grow feels alive. Personal. That's something you can't buy.”

Warmth spread through me, settling somewhere beneath my ribs. I liked that he was reminding me not to let my insecurities shake down my self-confidence. I took his hand and squeezed it, grateful for how he seemed to know when I needed a boost.

“Let’s see if we can get someone to talk to us.”

We passed through a sleek front entrance framed by modern steel beams, the company logo etched dramatically into the glass doors. It swished open as we approached, revealing a reception desk flanked by towering potted palms. The frosty air-conditioned room felt more like a museum than a business .

An assistant glanced up from her station, her finger hovering over a tablet. “May I help you?”

Thain leaned on the counter, all charm. “We're here to see Valerie Greene if she's available.”

The assistant raised an eyebrow but didn’t ask questions. “One moment. I’ll see if she’s free.” She tapped a button on her tablet. It took no more than a handful of seconds before she nodded. “She’ll meet you in Greenhouse Three. Follow the path straight ahead, then take the first left. There’s signage.”

Thain gave her a polite nod while I said thanks. We left the reception area, stepping through a side door and out into a fairytale garden. It would take days to see all the cute details. Even the discreetly placed trash buckets had flowering vines growing all over them. The paths were spotless, each stone laid with precision. It was hard not to feel small here, like my greenhouses back home—messy, loud, though full of life—were being silently judged.

Greenhouse Three was easy enough to find, marked with a brushed metal plaque that gleamed in the sunlight. The moment Thain opened the door, a gust of balmy air hit us, carrying the usual mix of sunlight and flowers. A row of oscillating fans hummed gently overhead. Valerie stood near a bed of greenery, her frame encased in a dark dress that looked more suited for a garden party than actual gardening.

Her honey-colored curls framed her face and when she turned to us, she arched her brow. She studied us for a moment, her gaze assessing before she smoothed a hand over her skirt and stepped closer. “Ellie.” Her gaze fell on Thain, and her voice carried the faintest edge of surprise. “To what do I owe the pleasure ?”

Thain didn’t waste time. “I'm Thain Develon from Monsters, PI. I'm investigating some recent sabotage at Ellie’s place.” His tone was all business. Professional enough to make even the most confident person squirm.

Valerie tilted her head, her eyes narrowing. “Sabotage? That’s a strong word.”

I met her gaze. “Someone’s been trying to destroy me.”

Her lips curved into a faint smile, one that didn’t reach her eyes. “Well, if you’re asking me, I wouldn’t know anything about that. I’ve been busy with my work here.”

“What about runes? Cast any of those lately?” I asked. Just seeing her sparked the anger I'd felt when I discovered what she was doing behind my back. It rushed to the surface and was taking control of my tongue. Thain's tap on my arm reminded me to let him handle this.

“Runestones?” She sniffed. “I wouldn’t even know where to begin with those. I’m a wind witch, Ellie. All breezes and gusts, not runes or ruins.”

Thain’s jaw tightened. “You’re saying you’ve had no involvement. That you haven’t heard or seen anything unusual at all related to Ellie’s business?”

Valerie’s shoulders relaxed as she leaned casually against one of the workbenches, her nails tapping a soft rhythm on its surface. “That’s exactly what I’m saying. Look, whatever issues you’re having, I'm sorry. I wouldn't wish runes or sabotage on anyone, not even an enemy. But I don’t have time for gossip or accusations.” Her lips pursed. “If you don’t mind, I have work that actually matters to get back to.”

Thain's eyes stayed trained on hers. “Surely you have a few minutes to answer some questions.”

Valerie folded her arms on her chest, tilting her head enough to look superior, like she found the whole situation laughable. “Sure, why not? Ask away. But I've just told you I don't know anything about what's happening to Ellie or her greenhouses.”

Thain's posture tightened but you'd probably have to know him well to see it. “We didn't say the sabotage was at her greenhouses.”

“Why would anyone bother with her house?” Valerie asked. “Greenhouses is a natural assumption on my part.”

Thain’s stance shifted. His arms hung loosely at his sides, but tension rippled through him. “You work in this business. Have you heard something we haven’t mentioned?”

“Can’t say that I have.” Valerie’s smile didn’t falter, but the rapid blink of her lashes made unease coil through me.

Thain nodded once, slowly, like he was letting her think she’d gotten away with something. He’d once said people hung themselves with their own rope if you gave them enough chance to do it.

Thain's voice stayed calm, and I admired how good he was at this. He wasn't allowing emotions to influence him, something I'd given way to almost immediately. “Where were you…?” He named the date of the first sabotage.

Valerie’s brow arched, and she brushed an invisible speck of dust off her dress. “Here, of course. I rarely leave the estate unless it’s necessary. Too much to do.”

“You live here?” I asked.

“Of course.”

“Why?”

“I don't believe you need to know that information.”

But I did. As far as I knew, jobs here didn't come with housing, though maybe they did.

“Can anyone verify that you were here on that night?” he asked, shoving his hands into his pockets.

“Elias himself could confirm it if it matters that much. I have no issue being transparent. I’ve got nothing to hide.” Her delivery was smooth, but there was just enough hesitation beneath the polish to make me suspicious.

“What about protest signs?” Thain asked, tilting his head. “You haven’t been painting any messages or whipping up slogans in your free time, have you?”

Annoyance flickered through Valerie’s eyes. “I don’t waste my energy on stuff like that.”

“Have you heard of anyone who specializes in runes?” His tone remained casual, like he was tossing the question out for idle conversation.

Valerie paused, her nails tapping the workbench again. “Runes are advanced magic, far beyond anything I dabble in. But there are people out there capable of that kind of work.”

“Humor me,” Thain said. “Anyone come to mind?”

Her fingers stopped tapping, and she frowned at the floor. “Misty Stanley is a rune crafter.”

Misty? I hadn’t heard that.

“She’s talented,” Valerie said. “Though her prices are outrageous. If someone wanted her services, they’d have to pay more than I could afford with my wages.”

Had she made a recent purchase from Misty? Although, I couldn't imagine why she'd go to all this effort and cost to get even with me for firing her. She knew she was in the wrong. She'd even apologized.

But Misty Stanley? I didn't know she could cast runes. My grandmother must, though. Misty had gotten into trouble after she brewed a few spells that made people sick. My grandmother made the final judgement on her case as well, and Misty had to pay a stiff fine.

My grandmother had made a lot of enemies. Were they trying to get even through me?

“Where can we find Misty?” Thain asked.

“She works in town,” Valerie bumped away from the bench. “Look, I've got to get back to work.”

Thain nodded. “Thank you for your time.”

She started to stride away but turned to me, her face softening. “I’m sorry you’re having trouble. Truly.”