Page 50 of Evidence of a Folktale

“Thanks, David,” Bel said.

“No problem. Besides, it’s been hectic. Beau Draven came in earlier, and a fight almost broke out. Thankfully, Officer Rollo was close by, so he stopped in for some crowd control.”

“Just what we need with two bodies in the morgue.” Bel shook her head. “Being spread thin because fans feel the urge to fight over an actor.”

“Hence the coffee to stop you from waiting in line.” David patted her back.

“I appreciate it. I’ll pay extra next time.” She left the line and crossed the room to where Violet and the deputy stood, and she didn’t miss the way her pretty friend turned bright red when she realized she’d been caught flirting.

“Hey.” Bel pretended not to notice for her dignity’s sake. “David told me there was a fight.”

“Kind of,” Rollo said. “For him, it probably felt like a fight, but it was mostly just loud.”

“So, no one got hurt?”

“No, thankfully.”

“Good,” Bel said. “We don’t need another crime happening here.”

“It’s why I rushed over when I heard Mr. Draven was involved.”

“Every life is important, but if something happens to the stars, it would ruin Bajka’s reputation,” Bel said. “Thanks for stopping by so quickly. And I just wanted to say hi. Violet, I feel like I haven’t seen you in forever.”

“Because you haven’t.” Violet hugged her. “You died, then you were with your family, and now this madness. We need to hang out because I still haven’t recovered from that news report.”

“News report?” Bel asked.

“The one that reported on your accident and death.” Violet shuddered, and Bel didn’t miss the way Rollo reached out to comfort her.

“I haven’t watched it,” she said. “I don’t want to.”

“You don’t,” Violet agreed.

“Eamon saw it though,” she said, and Violet’s expression fell.

“I know. He picked up Cerberus from me. I’ve never seen someone behave the way he did. It scared me. I knew you were dating, but I didn’t realize how much that man loved you.”

“The feeling’s mutual.”

“It is?” Violet lit up.

“It is.” Bel hugged her friend goodbye. “We’ll hang out soon, but I have to go. I need to stop by the bed-and-breakfast to ask some questions.”

“Okay.” Violet refused to release her. “I’m so freaked out that women are being murdered in our town. I won’t survive you dying again. Are you okay to be doing this?”

“Yeah…” she trailed off because sometimes she was, but then her body would grow cold.

“Want me to head over with you?” Rollo asked.

“Thanks, but Olivia’s meeting me.” Bel smiled at the handsome officer. It was kind that he offered, but asking some questions didn’t require three cops. Besides, Olivia’s matchmaking seemed to be paying off. She hated interrupting what might be a budding romance.

“Okay, well, if you need me,” Rollo said.

“I know where to find you.” She winked as she squeezed Violet’s hand one last time before leaving the coffee shop.

“Haveyou or your staff seen this man?” Bel slid her phone across the front desk so the owner of Bajka Bed-and-Breakfast could view Orion Chayce’s mug shot.

“I can’t say I have,” the woman responded. She was a silver-haired grandmother who looked perfectly at home inside the adorable inn, and Bel felt odd asking her about her guests’ murders. The bed-and-breakfast seemed too cozy with its cheery fireplace, grand dining room, and vintage bar for such topics.

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