story parents tell their kids to keep them in at night.”
“She is—was—no yarn.”
Whitsun chewed on this. “Huh. You saying the Hag killed Eddie Furr?”
“Yes.”
The sheriff’s expression was thoughtful. “It explains the bizarre manner of death. So what happened to the Hag? Did you kill her?”
“No.”
Whitsun turned to Sassy. “You?”
“No.” Sassy met his gaze. “But I’m not the teensiest bit sorry she’s dead. She wasn’t a nice person.”
The corners of Grim’s mouth tilted. “Damning words, indeed, if you knew my wife.”
“I’ll tell Eddie’s folks his murderer is dead,” Whitsun said. “Maybe it will give them some ease.”
He turned to go and snapped his fingers. “Almost forgot. Went by the Luker place earlier this morning and found something.”
“What?” Sassy asked.
“Charlie Skinner’s boots. They were lying on Ora Mae’s doorstep. Peculiar. They were covered in slime and catfish whiskers.”
“Catfish whiskers?” Sassy murmured. “Do tell.”
“Yep. Whiskers must have been thirty feet long,” Whitsun said. “That’s one catfish I wouldn’t want to meet in the dark.”
Sassy and Grim exchanged glances. Gilbert had eaten the witch and spat out her boots. Clever, clever Gilbert.
“It’s circumstantial evidence,” Whitsun continued, “but it makes Ora Mae a person of interest in the murder of Charlie Skinner. I have questions for her when she returns.”
“I doubt she’ll be back,” Sassy said. “I have a feeling Ora Mae’s sins finally caught up with her.”
“Maybe so.” The sheriff lifted his hand in farewell. “I’ll be moving along.”
Whitsun left.
Sassy closed the door and leaned back. “What do you think of my idea to open a Jerkins pickle plant in Hannah?”
“I think it an excellent notion,” Grim said. “The mill was making you ill, a circumstance I would not allow to continue indefinitely. What of your mother? Do you think she will agree?”
“She’ll be tickled pink,” Sassy said. “It will give her an excuse to visit us. Often. Are you okay with that?”
Grim crossed the foyer in two strides and pressed her against the door. “I can handle anything, so long as I have you.”
He bent his head and captured her mouth in a kiss. Things were getting interesting when the doorbell rang.
Again.
“Lollipop? Big ’Un? You in there? It’s me.”
Grim yanked the door open. “What do you want?”
Evan slid inside. He took in Sassy’s flushed cheeks and Grim’s scowl, and grinned. “Am I interrupting something?”
“Yes,” Grim said. “What do you want?”
“Came to see if Sassy’s all right. For some reason, I don’t remember much of what happened yesterday. I was hoping you’d fill me in.”
“You monstered out,” Sassy said.
“Thought so,” Evan said. “Came to in the woods naked as a yard dog. Is the witch dead?”
“Yes.”
Grim relayed the events of the day before in his concise way.
Evan chuckled when Grim had finished. “Eaten by the monster she created. That’s perfect.”
“It does have a certain irony,” Grim agreed.
“Ding dong, the wicked old witch is dead and you get your prince, huh, Sassafras?”
“Yes.” Sassy put her arms around Grim and smiled up at her husband. “Don’t you love happy endings?”
“Gag,” Evan said. “One last thing and I’ll leave you two lovebirds to coo each other to death. Have either of you heard from Dell?”
In a move too fast to follow, Grim picked up Evan and slammed him against the wall.
“What do you know of Dell?” Grim shook Evan. “Tell me at once.”
“You and the Lolly were wrapped up in one another.” Evan tugged at Grim’s hands. “Dell was lonely. We started talking and became pals.”
Grim dropped Evan like a hot potato. “That is how you attained such a large sum of money. You exploited Dell for your own greedy ends.”
“What do you mean?” Sassy looked from Grim to Evan. “What money?”
“Dell and I visited the casino.” Evan straightened his twisted shirt. “We won a little money. It was fun.”
Grim clenched his jaw. “Three million of your dollars is not a little bit of money.”
“Evan.” Sassy stared at him aghast. “That’s cheating. How could you take advantage of Dell like that? That’s why he left. He figured out you used him. He must be heartbroken.”
Evan sulked. “We had fun. I’m not the one who created the poor guy and left him out in the cold.”
Grim turned away, his expression stricken.
Sassy gave Evan the stink eye. “I could kick you.”
She went to Grim and put her hand on his muscular arm. “Ignore Evan. Sometimes he can’t help but say mean things. Dell will be back when he’s ready.”
The doorbell rang.
“Goodness gracious grandma,” Sassy said. “What now?”
She flung open the door. Grim moved behind her.
A man in work-stained jeans