Page 24 of In Dangerous Water

“I can always put in more security,” she began.

“While I appreciate your offer, the answer is no.”

“What about your job at the aquatic center? What will you do?”

“The aquatic center will be closed for the next several days, until they can process the scene.”

She made an agreeable sound. “To do all that important detective work and so forth.”

“Right.”

“Perhaps those detectives can find time to pull their heads out of their asses and figure out who is behind all of this.”

“Grandma…” I tried not to sound disapproving. Instead, I snickered and failed.

“All I would need is ten minutes alone in that room,” she predicted. “IknowI could come up with a real lead.”

“Like a witchy version of Sherlock Holmes,” I agreed.

“Do you doubt my powers, Cordelia?”

“Never,” I said immediately. “You’re the most talented Witch I’ve ever known.”

“Well…” She seemed placated by my answer. “Perhaps youdoneed to find a place out of Alton, temporarily.”

“That’s what I’m considering. If I’m harder to find, then I’m harder to harass.”

“Perhaps while you’re in Ames Crossing today you might look around to see if there is anything private, or out of the way, that’s available to rent.”

“Good idea,” I said.

“If you need anything else,” she said. “Anything at all. You let me know.”

“I will. Thank you, Grandma,” I said.

“I’ll see what I can do about the situation with your young man.”

“Please don’t,” I said. “It’s personal...a private matter.”

“Pfft,” she said in dismissal. “You know what’s more personal? Breaking my granddaughter’s heart.”

“Grandma, just let it go.”

“Oh, relax. You know I won’t do anything unethical,” she said. “I may, however, see to it that he and I have a little ‘come to Jesus’—as the mundanes would say.”

“Grandma.” I tried to sound stern.

“I love you, sweetheart,” she crooned, and I fought against some very inappropriate laughter.

“Troublemaker,” I said. “I love you too.”

“I’ll speak to you again in a few days. Bye, honey.”

“Bye Grandma.”

Taking a calming breath, I stood and exited Arianna’s home office. I locked up after myself and made my way back to the house, deciding I’d take the day to see if there were any rental properties in Ames Crossing. Arianna might know, and if not I bet one of the daughters of Midnight would.

It wasn’t my style to ask for help, but after yesterday I needed to make some changes. Whether I liked it or not.

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