Page 17 of Bright Dark Curses

A ping sounded, and Fluffy let out a soft bark to let us know a text had arrived in someone’s phone.

Key checked hers and smiled. “Brett says no body in the trunk.”

We all exhaled in relief.

“What next?” I asked.

“We should check if someone local has a beef with the movie,” Shane said.

Key beamed. “Yes!”

“I’ll do that,” Dru said right away. Suddenly, she was all excitement about the whole thing. If there was one thing Dru liked above everything else, it was local gossip.

“You will?” Key asked, a little dubious. It was to be expected; she didn’t know Dru as well as I did.

“Sure thing. Leave it to me.” Dru rubbed her hands, then turned on her heel. “I’ll report later.”

“What about the PBOA thing?” I asked.

“We’ll resume tomorrow,” she said over her shoulder before striding purposefully toward the fast-food restaurant.

I turned to Key and Shane. “Should we involve Sonia?”

Shane arched his brows in a perfect impersonation of Ian, while Key looked like she was about to bolt.

“Sonia?” she asked. “Why?”

“She supposedly helped the mayor convince the movie people to film here. If there’s any local paranormal who disapproved of it, they probably complained to her.”

I wanted to add that since Sonia was most likely dating her uncle now, Key didn’t need to be as scared of her as usual, but I wasn’t sure I wanted to bring up Brimstone’s dating life.

“What if she involves the bounty hunters?” she asked.

“For a rumor? I doubt it.”

Key glanced at Shane, but he didn’t move. Still, some sort of silent communication seemed to pass between them because she faced me with renewed resolve. “If Dru can’t find anything good, I’ll consider it.”

I saluted. “You got it, boss.”

She giggled, and Shane’s eyes warmed. I’d definitely have to ask Key about her and Shane after we were done with this.

“All right,” I said, putting Fluffy down. Rufus immediately sniffed her neck and side, as if making sure she hadn’t been supplanted by an evil alien. Really, Rufus should know me better by now! “You two should go back to the set and keep an eye out on our suspects. See if you can catch them doing anything suspicious.”

“And you?” Key asked.

“Me?” I winked. “I got a shop to run and magic-detecting potions to make.”

SIX

Brimstone made his escape from the shop as soon as I got back. Now, whether that was because he was tired from his shift or because of the dogs, I would probably never know. Most of the customers left shortly after, so I decided it was near enough closing time to close up for the day.

I was helping the last customer with her bill when the door opened.

“Sorry,” I said, looking up from the laptop, “we’re about to close…”

Preston had entered the shop.

Somewhere in the back of my head, I heard a ding followed by, ready, set, fight!

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