4. Four #2
Steve’s gaze moved to Landon. “Have you seen the naked dancing?” He seemed both curious and afraid to hear the answer.
“I’ve seen a lot of naked dancing,” Landon replied. “That’s how I know you don’t want to drink Aunt Tillie’s wine on an empty stomach. The hangovers hurt.”
“Do you dance with them?” Spencer asked.
“I don’t dance,” Landon replied. “I do, however, get drunk with my wife on a blanket and stare at the moon.”
“They’re prudes,” Mom offered. “They would never get naked with us. Landon would never get over the scandal.”
“I don’t do the naked dancing either,” Chief Terry offered. “I’ve been up there for the festivities. There’s no demon stuff.”
“Well, I guess that’s something.” Steve looked frozen in place. “What did you do to help Margaret Little today?”
“A memory charm,” I replied when nobody else answered. We’d come this far. There was no sense not to see it all the way through. “We’re removing the memories of the changeling in the hopes that she’ll snap out of her funk.”
“She would remember everything but the changeling? You can actually do that?” Steve looked tickled at the idea, which only served to make me nervous.
“Yes, but it’s considered a violation. We don’t like doing it. In this particular case, however, if we don’t, Mrs. Little’s life is over. This is something she seemingly can’t get past. She’s stuck … and we need to make sure that she doesn’t stay stuck.”
“But why do you want to help her?” Steve persisted. “She’s tried to make your lives hell. If she’s out of the way, your lives are better.”
“We don’t see it that way.” I had to search for the right words.
“She deserves a chance to get her life back. Yes, she’s put herself in a number of positions where she’s crossed paths with evil.
If we can help, we’re going to help, though.
Even if it’s just so Aunt Tillie can get back to torturing her when she’s back to normal. ”
Steve chuckled. “Your great-aunt is amazing. The stories we’ve heard about her, well, let’s just say if only a fraction of them are true, she’s hilarious.”
“She’s something,” Landon agreed darkly.
“I’m surprised she’s not here grilling us.” Steve glanced around, as if she was going to materialize. “Does she not like law enforcement?”
“She hates ‘The Man’ with a fiery passion,” I replied. “She was in the lobby a few minutes ago. I’m sure she’s around.”
“I saw her in the living room right before we brought the food out,” Mom said. “She said it was time to watch the new episode of Outlander . She said someone is getting naked tonight and she didn’t want to miss it.”
“She must have gone from the living room to the lobby for some reason,” I mused. “She was probably up to something.”
“That is the norm,” Mom agreed.
“Well, we should know more tomorrow,” Steve said. “I think, once we know who the dead men are, we’ll have a place to focus our attention.”
“Do you think they’ll identify them tonight?” I asked.
“That’s the hope. If I get any information, I’ll bring it with me tomorrow morning. If I’m not mistaken, you serve breakfast too.” He beamed at Mom, which had Chief Terry shifting uncomfortably next to me.
“We do,” Mom confirmed. “You’re welcome anytime. There’s little we love more than return customers.”
“Good to know.”
WHEN IT CAME TIME TO LEAVE, I CLIPPED Winchester’s leash on him near the back door and waited in the family living quarters as Landon hit the bathroom. He’d been nervous, and drank so much iced tea that his bladder was threatening to explode.
“What are you still doing here?” Aunt Tillie demanded when she appeared in the dimly lit room. She was back in her camouflage clothes, the paint on her face, and she looked annoyed to see me.
“I’m waiting for Landon and then we’re heading home,” I replied. “Why are you back in that outfit?”
“I happen to like my outfit. Also, it’s none of your business what I wear.”
“Okay, but you changed out of it before dinner. Why are you back in it? It makes me incredibly uncomfortable when you do things like this. Please tell me you’re not going back to Mrs. Little’s house.”
“If I were going back to Margaret’s house, it would be none of your business,” Aunt Tillie fired back. “I’m not, so don’t get your panties in a bunch. I’m just grabbing some water.”
I didn’t believe her. She never told the truth, not unless backed into a corner and had no choice but to get herself out of trouble. “The FBI will be in town tomorrow … and probably for a few days. You need to be on your best behavior.”
“I’ll do what I want and there’s no one who can stop me.”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah.” I waved off her bad mood as Landon appeared from the hallway and headed in my direction. “Thanks for keeping the clown under wraps as I asked,” I added. “Steve and Spencer seem eager to get this partnership off the ground. I think Crusty would’ve been a dealbreaker.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Aunt Tillie shook her head. “The clown is in my bedroom. We’re going to watch another episode of Outlander .”
“Lovely,” was all I could manage, shaking my head. If she didn’t want accolades for keeping Crusty out of sight, I opted to give her what she wanted. “We’re heading home. Steve will be here for breakfast tomorrow. You need to at least try to be pleasant.”
“We’ll see how I feel in the morning.” Aunt Tillie grumbled to herself as she headed for the sink.
“We’ll see you tomorrow,” Landon called out jovially as he took Winchester’s leash in one hand and opened the door with the other. “It’s going to be a lovely breakfast. I can tell already.”
“Stuff it,” Aunt Tillie tossed back.
“We love you too,” Landon taunted her.
“Leave or your beloved wife will never smell of bacon again,” Aunt Tillie threatened.
That was enough to propel Landon through the door. “We’re gone. We’ll see you tomorrow.”