Joel continued, “I think I’ll have him drive up there. You can follow him home. You could get lost in a paper sack.”
It was an old joke between them, but, for some reason the familiar words irritated Sassy today.
She pressed her lips together. “Toodles, DJ. Give Mama my love and tell her not to worry. See you soon.”
Ignoring Daddy Joel’s sputtering protests, Sassy handed the phone back to the sheriff with a breezy smile. “My parents are such worrywarts. Know what I mean?”
“Nope.” Whitsun’s mirrored sunglasses reflected the glare from the sun. “I was raised by my aunt Weoka. She didn’t tolerate nonsense out of anybody, especially me. Do you know your hair is fizzing glitter?”
Sassy batted the colored sparks darting around her head. “New product,” she lied. How long before the fairymones wore off and her hair stopped reacting to her emotions? “Are we free to go?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Now that she’d been properly identified, Whitsun seemed relaxed, even pleasant. He took her by the elbow, walked her back to the Maserati, and opened the door. A real Southern gentleman.
“You take care, Miss Peterson,” he said. “You have any trouble while you’re in Hannah, any trouble at all, you let me know.” Whitsun’s gaze shifted to the huntress. “That goes for you, too, Miss Kirvahni.”
Taryn stared straight ahead. “I do not recall asking for your help, nor do I need it.”
“Duly noted. The offer still stands.”
Sassy paused with the car door ajar. “Actually, Sheriff, there is something I’d like you to look into.”
“If it’s fixing a traffic ticket, forget it.”
“Of course not. This is a criminal matter.”
“Let it go, Sassy.” Evan leaned forward in his seat. “I’ll take care of it.”
“Take care of what?” Whitsun gave Evan a hard look. “You got an issue with somebody in my county, you take it up with me.”
“No issue, Sheriff.” Evan relaxed with a grin. “No issue at all.”
“Evan, she drugged you and locked you in a shed.”
“Who did?” Whitsun was once more all business.
Sassy opened her mouth and shut it again. “I don’t know her name. But she’s horrible and belongs in jail.”
“That so?” Whitsun jerked his head at Evan. “You get this cockamamie story from him?”
“It’s not a cockamamie story. It’s the truth. I was there. If I hadn’t let Evan out of that shed, she’d have eaten him.”
“Cannibal, huh?” The sheriff looked skeptical, but his notepad came out. “Whereabouts does this man-eater live?”
“Down by the river in a little cottage,” Sassy said. “It’s very quaint, like something out of a fairy tale.”
Whitsun stopped in mid-scribble. “That sounds like Ora Mae Luker’s place. You telling me a little old lady drugged a grown man and held him prisoner?”
Evan reddened. “She’s stronger than she looks.”
“What kind of drugs she give you?”
“How should I know? She fed me tea and cakes. Next thing I know, I’m in the shed.”
“Seems odd.” Whitsun gazed over the car at nothing. “Ora Mae’s never been in a lick of trouble. Nonetheless, I’ll look into it.”
“Evan will be glad to make a statement,” Sassy said. “Won’t you, Evan?”
“No, I won’t. Law enforcement gives me a rash.”
The sheriff slid the pad back in his pocket. “I’ve heard that before.”
“I’ll be in town a few more hours, Sheriff,” Sassy said. “Come by my lawyer’s office. I’ll give you a statement. James Marvin, you know him?”
“Yep.”
“Spiffy.” Sassy cranked the engine. “Maybe I’ll see you later, then.”
She waved good-bye and guided the sports car back onto the road.
“Rule number one, Lolly,” Evan said, “Never involve the cops in kith business.”
“What’s a kith?”
“You are.” Evan crossed his arms. “It’s what demonoids call ourselves.”
“Oh. Is the witch kith?”
“She sure as hell ain’t no norm,” Evan said. “Ora Mae and I have unfinished business. I don’t want any bumbling county mountie getting in my way.”
“I, also, have plans for the witch.” Grim’s tone was tight with menace.
“Do not underestimate the sheriff,” Taryn warned. “He is a dangerous man.”
“Oh, pooh,” Sassy said. “Everybody’s so serious. Can you believe the witch’s name is Ora Mae? That’s so Dukes of Hazzard.” She threw her head back and laughed. “Do you realize if Daddy Joel hadn’t vouched for me, I’d be in jail right now? Isn’t that exciting?”
“You wouldn’t last a hot second, Lollipop,” Evan said. “They don’t have princess suites in county lockup.”
Maybe not, but if the sheriff had thrown me in jail, I wouldn’t have to leave Hannah.
Mother-of-pearl, did she want to stay in Hannah that badly?
Yes. More than a sneak preview of the “what’s hot and what’s