Page 3 of A Jingle of Justice
“You’re a gem!”
I smiled. “What’s with the costume?”
“The boss asked each of us to dress up until Christmas. She said customers purchase more goodies if they feel entertained.”
“Is it working?”
“You bet.” She dug into the belt bag slung around her waist. “Do you have change for a twenty?”
“No,” Joss said. “I’ve closed the register.”
I smiled. “I trust you. Bring money and cookies in the morning.”
“Will do.” Idris twirled, which made her elf hat teeter. “Happy Christmas.” She danced out of the shop, clutching the bell to her chest.
When the door closed, an overwhelming dread consumed me. I felt like I was being watched.
Fiona must have sensed something, too, because she whispered, “Courtney what’s going on?”
“I’m not sure.” I crouched and scanned the showroom below the display tables to see if someone had slipped in while we were chatting. The place was empty.
But when I stood up and my gaze landed on the cabinet filled with snow globes, a shiver coursed through me. “Joss, Fiona, look!” The glass door was hanging wide open. I never left the cabinet unlocked because children loved to grab the darling pieces nestled within.
Fiona flew to inspect further. “Uh-oh. One of them . . . one of them is . . .”
I nodded glumly. The snow globe with a replica of Santa’s Village and three elves carrying packages to a sleigh was shattered.
“Is it a sign?” Joss asked, her voice trembling.
“A sign?” I echoed.
“Of something evil coming.”
“Don’t be silly,” I said, but when the strands of copper bells started to chime and I didn’t detect a hint of a breeze, I shuddered.
CHAPTER TWO
Yet, when I come, the fairies fly
On rainbow-winged rosellas,
And all the treeferns standing by
Put up their green umbrellas.
Annie R. Rentoul, “In the Gully Green”
I ENTEREDTHE SHOP WEDNESDAY morning and unlatched the top half of the Dutch door to allow in a breeze. Carmel-by-the-Sea, due to its location on the central coast of California, could be chilly in December, but I loved drinking in the salty sea air. I was checking out the cabinet filled with snow globes, still stymied as to how one of them shattered, when Joss emerged from the office.
“Morning, boss.” She strode to the sales counter
“Morning. Aren’t you cheery?”
She’d donned one of her most colorful Hawaiian shirts, this one adorned with huge pineapples. “I’m feeling welcoming today.” Pineapples were widely recognized as symbols of hospitality and generosity. “You look nice, too.”
I had dressed in red capris and a winter white sweater. For a festive touch, I’d added a pair of jingle bell earrings.
“You, too, Fiona,” Joss said.
