Page 46 of Seven Secret Spellcasters (Kitchen Witch Mysteries #7)

M ia followed Mark into the log cabin–style restaurant and immediately was overtaken by the smell of warm maple syrup and pancakes. And maybe sausage or bacon. Mia’s stomach rumbled, and Mark laughed at her warming face.

“I told you I’d buy lunch. If you don’t mind brunch, we can eat here.” He approached the hostess stand. “Two in that booth in the corner, and we need to see Patty.”

“She’s cooking, but I’ll tell her. Name?” The girl grabbed two menus and two sets of silverware rolled in paper napkins.

“Chief Baldwin. She’s expecting us.” He motioned Mia into a seat and took the one that put his back against the wall. Old cop trick. She’d noticed he’d done the same thing at the school. He didn’t want to be blindsided.

At least not by a person.

“The caramel-apple topping is homemade and pretty amazing,” he said as they studied their menus.

After the waitress took their order and brought coffee, a woman in kitchen whites came out and approached their table. She hugged Mark, then smiled at Mia. “This isn’t your lovely wife, Mark. I’m Patty. Chief cook and bottle washer around here.”

Mia liked the woman immediately. Some people had that glow around them that told you they were fun. “Mia Malone. I own a delivery and catering business in Magic Springs and work at the Lodge.”

“Oh, I’ve heard of you. Good food coming out of your kitchen.

My mom lives in town and gets her meals delivered.

” Patty nodded at Mia, then looked at the clock.

“Sorry, I don’t have a lot of time, so I’ll get right to it.

That leprechaun guy was here with a woman.

She handed him an envelope. I have my staff watch for those things around here—too many drug deals since we’re so close to the Nevada border.

Anyway, she never took anything back. So, Janie, your waitress, she was confused.

She almost didn’t tell me, but she’s a good girl, and she listens. ”

Mia glanced at Mark. “Do you have a picture of Howard?” She was hoping it wasn’t the one from the morgue.

“I got one from Brandon last week.” Mark opened his phone and showed Patty. “This was the guy?”

She narrowed her eyes. “I know a leprechaun when I see one, Mark. But yes, that was him. The woman paid the bill in cash and wore a hat and coat. It was one of those gorgeous, warm fall days here, and she wore a coat. Talk about standing out. Anyway, I came out and visited the couple in the next booth. They’re regulars.

I heard her talking about an incubus in town.

I thought maybe she was talking about Halloween outfits.

You don’t see one of those guys around much.

I don’t think I’ve even heard of one being out this far west. Unless you’re in Nevada. ”

An idea was beginning to form in Mia’s head. Where had Blake been on Wednesday? Had she hired the leprechaun to take care of the incubus without knowing that he and Edmund were friends?

It was crazy enough to be true. Mia didn’t have a picture of Blake in her phone.

Their meal arrived, and Patty returned to the kitchen. She’d added bacon to both of their orders, because it was the best bacon in town.

As they started eating, Mia waved a strip at Mark. “You’re right. This place is so good. Is Patty involved in the local group?”

He nodded as he ate a bite of the pancakes. “Sarah and Patty went to school together. Patty moved to Twin to open this place, and Sarah quit the group so she could marry me.”

“Connections, it’s always about connections,” Mia said as she focused on her food. “Do you mind dropping me off at the Lodge? I’ll have Trent come and get me when I’m done.”

“You think you know something.” He studied her over his coffee cup. “Are you going to let me in on what you’ve found?”

She shook her head. With this connection, maybe Blake had killed Howard because he’d taken her money to scare off his friend.

“It might be nothing, but if I find out who paid for Howard’s first night at the Lodge—if he was even there—I think it might turn into something.

Especially with what Patty just told us. ”

“Okay, but I don’t want you to put yourself in danger.” Mark raised his hand to indicate they were ready for a check.

When Mark dropped her off at the lodge, he repeated his warning. “Call me if you get in over your head.”

“If I’m in over my head, I’m probably not going to be able to call,” Mia pointed out. When Mark stared at her, she shook her head. “Don’t worry so much. I’m not doing anything dangerous. Just looking at some accounting records.”

Mark’s phone beeped. “That’s Sarah, seeing when I’m coming home so I can get ready for this shindig. Miss Adams had better appreciate all the dolling up I’m doing to attend.”

“I’ll make sure to point out how nice you look in your suit. See you soon.” Mia closed his truck door, and as she walked through the lobby to her office, she texted Trent to pick her up in thirty minutes. Hopefully, that would give her enough time.

James caught her in the staff hallway. “What are you doing here?”

“Just a little work. I’ll be gone in a few minutes. How’s the day going?” Mia unlocked her office door. Or she thought she did. She pushed on it, but the door didn’t move.

“Did the boss change the locks?” James teased as he leaned against the doorway.

“One could only hope.” Mia turned the key again, and this time the door opened. “Did Abigail and Finn drop off the food?”

“About thirty minutes ago. You missed them. Abigail walked our kitchen staff through the final prep steps. That woman could lead an army brigade of cooks. She had a system for everything.”

“I know, she’s organized and prepared. I’ve learned a lot from working with her.” Mia dropped her tote and logged on to her computer. “Huh.”

“What’s up?” James now leaned in the doorway. He leaned on everything.

“My mouse was in the wrong place. Maybe the cleaners wiped off the top of my desk.” She pushed away the thought and tried to find the file she’d been looking at. It wasn’t there. “I thought I put that file on my desktop.”

“Check the trash. I always seem to find stuff there I didn’t delete. Or I thought I didn’t. Anyway, it looks like you’re busy, so I’ll chat you up tonight. You’re going to love my tux,” he said, closing the door behind him as he left.

Mia found the file in the trash, just like James had predicted, but she never threw anything away.

She checked the first reservation and then went to the payment method.

Edmund had said that Howard didn’t pay for anything he didn’t have to, so when the name of the credit card matched the reservation, she made a note on the spreadsheet she’d created, then went to the next name.

When she started looking at the third name, a knock on her door distracted her.

This file had a Lodge credit on the room.

Now she had to find where the credit came from.

She glanced at her watch. Maybe she could ignore whoever was out there.

But it was probably about the event tonight, and there was no reason for the person to call Abigail and bother her while she was getting ready.

She let the computer do its work and called out, “Come in.”

Carol Hathaway, from the front desk, stepped into the office and closed the door behind her. “I’m so glad I caught you. The rooms are disappearing fast for Sunday night, and I wanted to know if you wanted me to save you a room.”

Mia shook her head. “Trent and I will be heading home after the party. Between Cerby and Mr. Darcy, we can’t leave them alone, and all my usual babysitters will be here at the party. But thanks for thinking about us.”

“I’m sure it’s hard to leave a hellhound alone for any amount of time.” Carol walked over and looked at Mia’s screen. “I can’t believe you’re working right before Christina’s big party. Don’t you want to head home and get ready? I can finish whatever it is you are working on.”

Mia frowned. Carol wasn’t usually this pushy, and did everyone in the coven know about Cerby’s secret? And if so, did they also know about Buddy? “I’m fine. I am just matching up some rooms with events so we can make sure we charge correctly for the ballroom.”

“That’s not what you’re doing.”

Mia felt the change in the woman’s demeanor.

From helpful coworker to predator in thirty seconds.

Her gut tightened as she glanced at the clock on the computer screen.

Trent wouldn’t be here for another nineteen minutes.

Could she stall that long? “Of course it’s what I’m doing.

You know Blake and her reports. I need to get last week’s numbers to her before I go home to get ready for the party.

She’ll come find me and drag me back to the office if I don’t. ”

“That’s not last week’s numbers. That room reservation was from two weeks ago. You’re looking to see who paid for Alfred Howard’s room on Tuesday.” Carol’s voice had turned to steel. “I’m sorry you got involved in this, but it’s one more body count that Blake will have to deal with.”

“Blake killed Howard?” Mia now knew that wasn’t the right answer, but keeping Carol talking could keep her alive. And hopefully, Trent would hear the cry for backup she’d tried to send him telepathically.

“You and I both know that she didn’t, but everyone else will think she did.

It’s a good thing he couldn’t resist cookies.

And I know how to bake.” Carol giggled a little.

“Frank was a better boss. He kept his nose out of my business. Now I’ll have to train a new boss when your friend arrests Blake. ”

“I’ll tell Mark she didn’t do it.” Mia sounded a lot more confident than she felt.