Page 56 of The Hearth Witch’s Guide to Magic & Murder (The Hemlock Saga #1)

“What else? Based on what you know, and the information in there, what can you infer?”

Saga’s eyes traced over the photo of her medical ID and information about King’s College.

“King’s College in London was her alma mater, and it’s known for having one of the best nursing schools in the country.

She was smart—she would have had to be to be employed by Eira Goff, let alone be her caretaker.

Eira didn’t suffer fools, especially when it came to medicine.

We know Valentina was impulsive, much to her girlfriend’s disdain, and we know she and Rachel were separated, so she was living full-time at the Goff estate.

Having been Eira’s caretaker for a few years, she absolutely would have known Elis Goff.

Elis, we know to have a reputation for being a stereotypical handsome playboy…

” Her nose scrunched. “Were they hooking up?”

“What do you think?”

Saga harumphed and began looking for more empirical evidence in the photograph.

That was when she noticed the thin line around the back of Valentina’s neck and down either side of her chest. “She’d been on holiday recently.

Somewhere sunny. There’s a tan line from a bikini, it’s a little faded but still fairly recent.

Yet, we definitely haven’t had weather like that here.

Been like early fall as of late with the rain and wind…

” And she remembered a comment she’d made at Elis’s expense at the funeral.

“You know… Elis looked like he’d had too much sun not too long ago either…

And according to your source, he has a habit of taking expensive getaways… ”

Avery could not suppress the proud grin on her face. “So what would be your conclusion?”

Saga sat up on her knees, retrieving her mobile from her pocket. “I think Elis Goff owes us some answers.”

Avery touched her forearm gently. “What are you doing?”

Saga thought this would have been rather obvious. “I’m going to call him.”

Avery’s eyes narrowed. “How do you even possess his contact number?”

Saga blinked. “He gave it to me.”

“When?”

“At dinner, after the funeral.”

“And you accepted it?” There was something incredulous about Avery’s tone.

Perhaps it was Avery’s judgmental tone that brought out the sarcastic petulance, but whatever the reason, Saga found herself turning a deadpan expression to Avery.

“No, actually, at first I refused, but then he tied Leigh to the train tracks and laughed maniacally until I said I would put his number into my phone.” When Avery did not laugh, Saga shrugged.

“He offered, I thought we might need it.” When this did not wipe the concern from Avery’s face, she added, “It’s not like I took it for pleasure! ”

“I’d imagine not, he’s nearly twice your age.”

Was she being scolded now? “And if we count your winks, Sleeping Beauty, you’re at least seven times my age.”

“What the dickens does that matter?”

Saga stopped. It didn’t. Unlike Elis, Avery had not tried to hit on her.

Did she want her to? Yes, she found her companion attractive, there was no denying that, but was she attracted to her?

She was far too aware of the warmth of Avery’s hand seeping into her arm.

She spoke the next question cautiously. “Why does his age matter?”

Avery cleared her throat, pulled away, and shoved both hands into her pockets. “It…” She visibly wrestled with something, though whether it was what she wanted to say or how she wanted to say it Saga didn’t know. “I suppose if it doesn’t matter to you, then it doesn’t matter at all…”

“It doesn’t matter to me,” said Saga.

“Then it doesn’t matter to me either.”

Saga felt strangely unable to look away from her companion and for a dizzying moment, she wondered if they were still talking about Elis at all. “So can I make this call so we can bust him?”

Avery took a deep breath, and gave a reluctant nod. “Yes.”

Saga selected his number and put the phone to her ear. It rang a few times before someone answered. His voice had the slight gruffness of being used for the first time that day. “Well good morning…”

“Good morning,” Saga purred. “This is Saga Trygg, you gave me your—”

He laughed. “I know who you are, Saga.”

Saga could see Avery watching from the corner of her eye, and she felt strangely uncomfortable putting on this act with the half-fey in her eyeline. She stood, taking a few steps out of the reading nook. “Well, with your reputation, a girl has to wonder.”

“What have you heard?”

“A lady never repeats such gossip.” She kept the smile in her voice. Too many years working in customer service growing up had taught her what a world of difference that made.

“Well, perhaps I can clear up these nasty rumors.”

“I’d really like that,” she said softly.

“Are you busy tonight?”

For a moment, Saga’s smile was genuine. It was too easy. She inhaled through her teeth and feigned a cautious whine. “I have an early morning.”

“I promise I won’t keep you up late.”

“Mmm, I don’t know…” Again she pretended to hem and haw. “Could we meet at your place?”

“I’d love nothing more.”

Saga would bet on that.

“The Regent at Lowndes Square. Penthouse. I’ll give the concierge your name.” She could hear the creeping smile in his voice. “Seven o’clock?”

“Can’t wait.” Saga hung up and whirled around to face Avery triumphantly. Her grin faltered as their eyes met. There was something in Avery’s expression—was it suspicion? “What did I do wrong?”

“You were…” Avery hesitated before finding the right words to properly accuse her. “Flirting with him.”

“Yes, and?”

“…and he’s probably a murderer.”

“He’s super into me, Avery, he’s absolutely a murderer,” Saga agreed. She sauntered back to the nook, not allowing this moment of victory to be tarnished by Avery’s caution. “But we’ve got an interview at seven tonight…in Knightsbridge.”

Avery’s eyebrow raised. “Really?”

“Less than a mile from where Valentina crashed her car.”

A look of understanding followed by awe flashed across Avery’s face. “Very nice.”

Saga made a little curtsy. “Thank you.” She flopped back into her chair. “He does think it’s a date though, so I expect you to wear your finest.”

Avery scoffed. “He doesn’t think it’s a date with me.”

“No, but in the likely scenario we get thrown out, I will be wanting to get dinner. After we call Reza to have him arrested, of course. Most places in that area have a dress code.”

54 A recipe you’ll be able to find under “Viggo Trygg’s Caramel Apple Baked Pancake” on page 426.

55 Isengard was a solo project created in 1989 by the drummer of another Viking Metal band, Darkthrone.

It is in fact named for J. R. R. Tolkien’s Isengard and the figure in the band’s logo was taken directly from the Lord of the Rings RPG named Middle-Earth Role Playing.

It is not the only Norse metal band to take imagery and inspiration from Tolkien’s novels, and Saga’s father undoubtedly listened to them as well, because as it turns out, Viggo Trygg was not merely a thrill-seeking doctor metalhead… but also a huge nerd.

56 Despite sounding like a sneeze to English ears, this sweet eggy pancake is quite tasty and can be had as either breakfast or dessert.