Page 106 of The Case of the Missing Love Stone

Honey watches me with the shrewd look only a best friend can accomplish. “You two better be good to her.”

Roman’s humor fades.

Honey folds the empty bakery bag with precise, unnecessary care. “Scarlet acts like she’s made of swamp thorns and poor decisions,” she says, “but she remembers every hand that lets go. Don’t become one of them.”

“We won’t,” I say.

Honey studies us, and it feels like an interrogation.

“We’re staying,” Roman says.

Honey nods once, apparently deciding she believes us enough for today.

My phone buzzes. It’s Tom.

I step toward the back door. “Osprey.”

“I’ve got a mess at Cypress Kiss Rentals,” he says. “Tourist pack. Newly courted. Bond distress overnight. The omega stopped recognizing her beta and kept saying she wanted relief.”

My gaze returns to the flyer on the table. “Did she say where she heard the phrase?”

“Not yet. Bond medic’s trying to stabilize her.”

“Look for a protection bundle of some kind. If they used one, preserve the bundle and packaging.”

“They did. We’re on it.”

“Check festival permits for the old post office area. Also see whether Magnolia Event Florals supplied any registered vendors there.”

“Magnolia?”

“A possible word on a blurred shipping label. Nothing confirmed.”

Tom exhales. “I’ll pull the records. Meet me at Cypress Kiss in an hour.”

The call ends. I look toward the staircase.

Honey’s expression shifts from protective to entertained. “Going up?”

“To update Scarlet.”

“Of course.”

Roman keeps working on the photograph, though the corner of his mouth moves.

The upstairs hall smells like steam, rosemary soap, and Scarlet’s warm honeyed scent. The bathroom door stands partly open.

“Scarlet?”

“Come in.”

She stands in front of the fogged mirror in a moss-green skirt and cream tank, her hair falling down her back. A thin black cardigan rests over the edge of the sink beside a silver moon pin. Her eyes find mine in the mirror.

“Tom called,” I say.

Her expression turns serious. “The tourist pack?”

“The omega stopped recognizing her beta. She reportedly kept asking for relief.”