Miss Frost Ices The Imp: A Nocturne Falls Mystery (Jayne Frost Book 2) (26 page)

He didn’t quite make it before he yacked up a hairball.

“Way to take the shine off the moment.” But nothing could dampen the way I was feeling. The madness was over. I grabbed some paper towels, cleaned up the mess, then sent out a group text to everyone I could think of, which was Greyson, Cooper, Delaney, Corette, Birdie, Juniper and Buttercup.

My phone blew up for the next fifteen minutes, and by the time I was done answering everyone, I really needed to get in the shower and get to work.

Jubilation amped up my speed, and I practically danced my way into readiness, my steps bouncy with joy and my heart helium-light. Knowing that I’d finally put the imp problem behind me made me feel like I’d saved the world.

I hadn’t, of course, and I knew that, but I’d kind of saved my world. There’d be no more dirty looks or questioning glances from the locals, that was for sure. And no more awful events to feel guilty over.

Jupiter came in early, and we did some extra happy dancing in the warehouse. Then I gave her twenty bucks and sent her to Mummy’s for a dozen cinnamon rolls with extra glaze. Why not? Wasn’t every day I thwarted the effects of gray magic in my new hometown.

While she was out, I called my dad on the globe and filled him in. Life was good.

Better than good, it was grand.

It was
glorious
.

At least until Francine Gresham walked into my office.

Juniper walked in behind her. “This lady says she has an appointment with you.”

Obviously, she didn’t, but the fact she’d told Juniper that was certainly confirmation of Francine’s propensity for lying. And since I wasn’t about to pull Juni any deeper into this mess, I just nodded and said, “Thanks.”

Juniper gave me a smile as she left and closed the door.

I glared at Francine. “What are you doing here?”

Her haughty gaze darkened. “You have something that belongs to me.”

“Oh? What’s that?”

“You know very well what I’m referring to.”

“I really don’t. I paid for everything I bought at the estate sale, so as far as I’m concerned, we’re square.” Did she really think I was going to give the imp back to her? Also, how fast did word travel in this town that two hours after I captured the thing, she was in my office?

She made a bored face. Like
I
was wasting
her
time. “I want the box back.”

“Just the box?” I really wasn’t interested in having a big, long conversation with her, but at the same time, keeping her here gave me a better chance of coming up with a way to make her confess.

“Miss Frost, your games don’t amuse me. The box. Now.”

If only I was recording this. I put my hand on my cell phone, but there was no way I could casually figure out how to video our conversation without her realizing what I was doing. I needed more time. “Are you prepared to refund the money I spent on it?”

That seemed to catch her off guard. “I suppose.”

“Good, because if you want that box back—”

“You do know we’re not just talking about an empty box, correct?”

I rolled my eyes. “Yes, I know that. And if you want it back, all of it, then I want my money refunded for everything I bought.
Everything
. And I’m not taking a check.”

There was no way she had that much cash on her. At least I was hoping she didn’t.

She snorted. “That’s ridiculous.”

I shrugged and started to fuss with the paperwork on my desk. “You can see yourself out, then.”

“Fine.” The word came out from clenched teeth. “Bring me the box.”

I raised a skeptical brow. “You have that much money on you right now?”

“Bring me the box, and I’ll bring you the money.”

“Hah! What kind of fool do you think I am? You’re not getting the box until I see the cash.” I stared at her. “How about I come by your house tonight after work? About nine. We can make the exchange then.”

“I can’t wait that long. You can bring it to my house in an hour.”

“Yeah, unlike you I have an actual legal business to run. So it’ll either be tonight after work or not at all.” I needed time to set things up. “What’s it going to be?”

Her eyes narrowed, and she seemed to be thinking it over.

“Look,” I said. “I don’t want that thing. At all. But I do want to be compensated for all the crap that happened and the ding to my reputation. So either pony up the dough, or I’m going to flush that little green monster right down the—”

“Tonight after work at my house.” She sniffed. “If you’re a minute past nine, the deal is off.”

I let the tiniest, smug smile creep onto my face. “No, it won’t be. We both know that. But I won’t be late.”

I also wouldn’t be alone.

I called Greyson and figured out pretty quickly that he wasn’t happy with my plan. The displeasure was plain in his voice. “There’s too much risk. You should let me do it.”

I hoped he’d still go along if he couldn’t come up with anything better. “She’s expecting me. I’m not sure she’d let you in. Not after your last encounter with her.”

“I suppose you’re right.” He sighed.

“Look, it’ll be all you once I get us inside. I’ll just step back and let you do your interrogation thing. Cool?”

“I guess. But it would be better if you weren’t a part of it at all. That way, if she was to say anything about it later, you’d be blameless.”

“She’s not going to say anything.”

“She will if this results in some kind of punishment. She’ll say she was coerced. That we pressured her into confessing with cruel and unusual means. That it was supernatural against human. The magical courts don’t look favorably upon that, you know.”

“First of all, that’s why we’re going to video the whole thing. As proof that all we did was talk. You can handle that, right?”

“Yes, I have that covered. Francine will have no idea.”

“Good. Secondly, what magical court would this go to? Because I can’t see this getting sent up to the North Pole.”

“I imagine they’ll convene a council right here in Nocturne Falls. Deal with it in-house, as it were.” He paused. “Speaking of, I imagine you already called the fireman?”

I grimaced, thankful he couldn’t see me over the phone. “No.” I’d wanted to include Cooper, but I didn’t want to get him in trouble by association. I imagined a fireman could lose his job for what we were about to do. Plus, I knew he’d want to get the sheriff in on it, and that just wasn’t going to end with the result I needed.

“Probably better,” Greyson said. “And I don’t mean that for any reason other than this could jeopardize his job. As much as I consider him my rival in all things Jayne, there are certainly far worse choices you could have made.”

“That’s what I was thinking. About not getting him involved, I mean.” It was nice to hear Greyson say that about Cooper. It made me feel better about both of them.

“You realize this makes us partners in crime,” Greyson said. “Literally.”

“Just so long as we don’t end up sharing a jail cell.”

“You wouldn’t share a cell with me?”

“I’m sure it would be great fun until you got hungry.”

A groan of disbelief left him. “You really think I would do that to you?”

“Wouldn’t it get to a point where your hunger left you no choice?”

“Perhaps. But that would take a long time.” He made a small, perturbed noise. “I’m not an animal.”

I made the same noise right back at him. “Well, I don’t know how these things work. We’ve never really talked about it.”

“You’re right. We haven’t.” His tone softened. “How about we do that? I’ll answer whatever questions you have. At this stage in our relationship, you shouldn’t be wondering about those sorts of things.”

“Okay. And thank you. But first, Francine.”

“Yes. Absolutely. I’ll meet you at your place at eight thirty. Unless you want me to come sooner? Maybe bring some Salvatore’s?”

“That sounds awesome, but I’m not sure I’ll be able to eat. I might be too nervous.”

He laughed. “Lass, I adore you, but I cannot imagine you too
anything
not to eat Salvatore’s.”

“No, you’re probably right. Come over at seven. With pizza.”

“You got it. See you then.” He hung up and so did I.

I stared at my desk for a moment, thinking about what lay ahead. It wasn’t going to be an easy night. But it had to be done. I kind of spaced out for a moment, which was why I didn’t immediately see the snow churning in the globe.

I grabbed it and pushed the button.

My mom’s face showed up. “Hi, honey. How are you?”

It was really nice to see her. “I’m good. How are you?”

“I’m just fine. Dad said you called earlier. I’m sorry I missed you.”

“I’m sure he told you I caught the imp.”

“He did. That’s great news. Good job.”

“Thanks.” I waited expectantly. “Everything okay or did you just call to congratulate me?”

“That, but also Dad said you wanted to talk to Aunt Martha. I’ve got her with me.”

My aunt stuck her head into view and waved. “Hi, Jaynie.”

“Hi, Aunt Martha. Thank you for the fudge. It’s been a big hit.” I didn’t bother telling her the imp hadn’t cared for it.

“Oh good, I’m so glad. Would you like some more?”

“I’d love some. And that’s kind of what I wanted to talk to you about. My friend Delaney, she runs the sweet shop here in town, well, I gave her a piece of your fudge, and she just about lost her mind over it. She said she’d never tasted anything like it and begged me to ask you if you’d be willing to work out some kind of a deal that would allow her to sell it in her shop for the holidays. Also, she gave me explicit instructions to tell you that she’s pregnant and the fudge would make the baby happy.”

Aunt Martha laughed. “Your friend sounds like a hoot. I’m tickled she liked it. But I can’t give away that recipe.”

My mother rolled her eyes. “Even I don’t have that recipe.”

“I’m aware. But maybe you could make the fudge and send it here through the Santa’s Bag? I mean, she could purchase it from you for whatever price the two of you work out. You could put the money towards…” I shrugged. My aunt didn’t need the money, so I wasn’t really sure what she’d use it for.

“Ooo…” Her eyes lit up. “I could finally buy myself that Bosch oscillating power saw. It’s got a universal adapter plate, you know.”

I didn’t, actually. I wasn’t even sure what a Bosch oscillating power saw was. Besides a saw, obviously. That oscillated. Did I mention my aunt had a thing for woodworking? “Why haven’t you bought it for yourself already?”

“Well, I have one. But it’s not a Bosch.”

“I see.”

“No, you don’t. You’re giving me the same look your uncle does when I mentioned getting a new piece for my collection.” She waved her hand. “Every time I order a new tool, your uncle gives me the business about it. Says I have enough already. But how else am I supposed to get my projects done?”

I shook my head like I completely sympathized. “What are you working on right now?”

She smiled brightly. “I’m building a new coat rack for one of the employee lounges in the stuffed-animal division.”

“That’s very kind of you. I’m sure they’ll love it.” I gently steered the conversation back to the fudge. “Does that mean you’ll make a few batches for her this December?”

She pushed her wire-rimmed glasses back and squinted at me. “I’ll think about it. Give me a day or two, all right?”

“All right. Thank you. I love you both, but now I must get back to work.”

“You’re so industrious,” my mother crowed.

Hah. If only she knew how much time off I’d taken because of this imp.

They waved good-bye. “Love you!”

“Love you too.” I pushed the button and disconnected the call.

Then my cell phone rang. I answered. “Hi, Birdie. What’s up?”

“You’re not going to believe this,” she whispered.

She must have been at the sheriff’s department and didn’t want anyone to overhear. “What is it?”

“I took the liberty of checking into Francine’s accounts—”