Page 25 of Spellbound After Midnight

“I appreciate your confidence, Miss Lancaster. If you think of anything else, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with the agency. Miss Daniels is at your disposal.”

She pouted, and her shoulders deflated. “Yes, of course. You must be very busy.”

He stood. I climbed eagerly to my feet too, stuffing the last of the biscuit into my mouth. I dusted the crumbs from my fingers and tucked my notebook under my arm. Miss Lancaster’s grandmother snorted in her sleep, and I had to bite my lip to keep from laughing.

Derrick led me out into the street. The interview had lasted most of the morning, and now, the midday sun warmed the cobblestones. It was one of the final pleasant days of fall. I stretched my aching muscles and turned my face up to the sun.

“Who do you think Ella was waiting for?”

“That’s a good question. Why don’t you ask her?” He cocked a brow, and I wrinkled my nose at his cynicism.

“It doesn’t work that way. Her memory’s light on details. She remembers little of the actual night. Flashes mostly. But now that I think of it, she did mention seeing the clock tower. What we need to find out is whether Ella was lured out to the courtyard or if she was a victim of circumstance.” A mild breeze lifted the savory aroma of freshly baked meat pies to my nose. “Can we stop for lunch?”

“You just had biscuits.” Derrick frowned and checked the time on his pocket watch.

“I hope you’re joking. I can’t survive on two biscuits alone. Besides, you never take a break to eat. It’s concerning.” I poked him in the abdomen, finding only rigid muscle. He caught my hand before I could explore further. Not that I would. My imagination was doing a fine job on its own.

“All right. A quick break.”

“I’ll be quick as a flash. Don’t worry, I won’t subject you to eating with the town witch any longer than necessary.”

He bristled at my tone. “I’m not embarrassed to be seen with you. There’s a lot to do and no time for leisure activities.”

“Lunch is a leisure activity?” I scoffed and dragged him across the street to a food stall. “I’m more concerned now than before. It’s a good thing I’m here, Detective.” I pressed my hand against my heart in mock horror. “How have you survived this long without me? Wait until you try these. They’ll melt in your mouth. You’ll thank me later.”

The unimpressed detective rolled his eyes.

I smiled at the vendor. “We’ll take two meat pies and two apple fritters, extra icing.” While he prepared our food, I cast a sideways glance at Derrick. “We’ve never discussed my stipend.”

“That’s because you don’t have one.”

My lips flattened, and I reached into my pocket. I had six royal coins to my name.

“How much?” I whispered to the vendor.

“Eight.”

Well, this wasn’t good. “Cancel one of the fritters.”

“Do you need money, Tessa?” Derrick studied my reaction, but I remained casual even as my mind wept at the loss of my limited fortune.

“No. This is my treat. A peace offering of sorts.” I slid the coins across the counter.

“Are we at war?” He leaned against the stall, a grin playing at the corners of his mouth. It made my pulse jump.

“To the death. A witch doesn’t take prisoners.”

He accepted a meat pie and tipped it in a salute. “To the death then.”

I watched him take his first bite and almost stopped breathing. As pleasure softened Derrick’s face, my heart did a somersault. If only someone would look at me the way he looked at savory fillings encased in a flaky crust.

“It’s good, isn’t it? You’re glad we stopped.”

“It’s fine.”

“Fine, huh?” My eyes narrowed as I chewed my own meal. “You’re hard to please, Detective, but I’m going to keep trying. To the death.” I winked.

Derrick choked, his eyes watering as he cleared his windpipe of a chunk of meat pie he’d inhaled too fast. I struggled to hide my amusement.