Read Online Opal Fire by Barbra Annino - Free Book Online Page B

mushrooms.
    “Thor,” I hissed, “bad boy.” I pulled him from the food and chastised him some more. He dropped his head and slumped to the piano, looking guilty yet unrepentant, while I went about the business of damage control.
    It appeared Thor had stolen six mushrooms before he was busted. I scanned the room for a fresh platter but didn’t see one.
    “Now, won’t you follow me to the refreshments?” I heard Fiona say.
    The buffet was piled high with napkins so I swiped one and checked the presentation of the appetizers. The plate didn’t look too bad. Just some slobber and maybe a hint of hair. Certainly wouldn’t kill anyone.
    I sopped up the goo and rearranged the mushrooms, then stuffed the napkin in my pocket just before Smalls and Fiona entered the room.
    Oh, please. You would have done the same.
    Fiona motioned for the insurance agent to help himself to the snacks. He hovered over them for a minute, planning his attack. Then he plucked a tiny tray from the sideboard and filled it with apples, cheddar cheese, and three mushrooms, one of which had a short, tan hair waving from it.
    Fiona flashed her eyes at me, then at the dog, who was still licking his lips. Smalls poked the mushroom into his mouth.
    I kept mine shut.
    “So, Mr. Smalls,” Fiona began, “what brings you to our humble town?”
    Here we go. I couldn’t wait to see how this would play out. My experience in entertaining guests at the inn has, to put it gently, not gone smoothly in the past. So far though, no guest has accused a family member of a felony.
    Until now.
    I leaned back against the piano and crossed my arms. Thor laid his head on my feet.
    “Actually, I’m investigating an arson,” Smalls said, unfolding a napkin.
    “Oh, my,” said Fiona.
    I straightened up. “Excuse me, but that’s an alleged arson. We are still innocent in this country until proven guilty.”
    “Miss Justice, I appreciate your passion for the judicial system and your pride for your cousin, but I am confident there is sufficient evidence to support her involvement in the incident.”
    Incident was emphasized. As if I didn’t know what the little weasel was talking about. The more time I spent around this guy, the more I wanted him to give him a wedgie. I wondered if there was a spell for that so I wouldn’t have to touch him.
    Fiona piped up. “Cinnamon? No, sir, you must be mistaken. She is a good girl. She may get a bit hot under the collar now and again, but that runs in the family.”
    I cleared my throat and sent Fiona a ‘you’re not helping’ look. She went about straightening the doilies on the sofa.
    “Well, I have all the proof I need right there in that bag,” Smalls said and pointed to the leather satchel he left in the foyer.
    Only it wasn’t there.
    “Where’s my bag?” Smalls looked around the room. He set his tray down and searched behind the curio cabinet, beneath the piano, and near the buffet.
    “Are you certain you left it in here?” Fiona asked.
    “Yes, I did, it was right there,” Smalls was growing agitated, eyes still circling the room. “She said I could pick it up later.” Smalls lifted his head towards me. “You!” He pointed to me. “You took it.”
    “What?” I asked.
    “Where is it? Where is my bag?”
    Thor lifted his head and perked his ears.
    “I don’t know, maybe the bellman carried it upstairs,” I said.
    I admit I liked screwing with the guy. Which turned out to be a big mistake.
    “Is it possible you brought it to your suite?” Fiona asked.
    “No, I haven’t been to my room yet.”
    “Well, let’s have a look, just in case.”
    We all climbed the stairs and Fiona produced a key when we got to the third room on the right.
    She opened the door and Smalls stuck his head inside. Apparently, there was no sign of the bag.
    Sweat beads popped up all over Smalls’ forehead and his face was tomato red just before he grabbed me by the shoulders. Through gritted teeth he hissed, “Give me back