18. Hattie

HATTIE

" B anister, Venetta," Killion rises from his seat for a moment right here in the back patio of Grimm's ghostly delights, "please, join us."

"I wouldn't miss this for the world," Venetta says as she sweeps in with her hot pink gown, more witchy couture—which shimmers like a black magic spell under the twinkle lights.

She's accompanied by none other than Banister Grimm, who looks every bit the charming rogue in his tailored suit and devilish grin—and well, furry face to go along with the rest of his werewolf attire.

"You look fabulous," I tell him.

Cricket perks up from her perch on my lap. The poor man has gone to the dogs. Although give Killion another month and that moppy mess on his face will be twice as furry.

She's not wrong, but then, Killion is pretty good at keeping his furry face in check.

"You've really gone all out." Killion mock socks him on the arm as the four of us settle in.

"It's that time of year." Banister gives a hearty laugh, and there's something affable about him, a boy-next-door appeal with a devil-may-care gleam in his eyes.

It's an intoxicating combo. I can see the appeal for Venetta. Although I honestly wouldn't have pegged him for her type. I'm pretty sure Venetta Brandt strictly has one type, and his name is Killion Major Maddox. I suppose that's one thing Venetta and I actually have in common.

"One eye of newt and one house beer on tap," Banister says, landing our drinks in front of us and we quickly thank him.

"Killion." Venetta leans in and offers him a kiss on each cheek as if suddenly we were in Paris.

A growl emits from me without meaning to.

Oh heck, I meant it, and I hope she heard it, too.

"Hattie, darling!" Venetta exclaims with a bout of faux enthusiasm, kissing both my cheeks as well—albeit mine were air-kisses distributed from a safe distance so as to not get her eyes scratched out in the process by either my cat or me. "I see you've brought your furry little entourage." Have fleas, will travel.

I'm not shocked at the dig.

"I sure did," I reply, smiling sweetly. "We wouldn't miss a chance to dine with our pets. They're like family to us." I give Killion's hand a quick squeeze and Venetta's eyes sink to our conjoined fingers.

What I wouldn't do for a machete right now, she muses to herself internally and I all but roll my eyes. Hattie Handless Holiday does have a nice ring to it.

My mouth falls open. I try not to judge people for their thoughts, but there's no denying Venetta is a psychopath.

"Banister"—I turn my attention his way—"the place is so atmospheric and the food smells divine."

Banister laughs a rich, velvety sound that matches the ambiance perfectly. "Flattery will get you everywhere, Hattie."

"Hattie's brother just jumped into the restaurant game recently," Killion is quick to tell him.

"Oh, he did?" Banister looks pleased as punch by this news. "So where's my competition located?"

"The beach," I tell him. "He bought out the Lobster Boil a few months back. He's planning a big grand reopening right after Halloween."

"I love that place." Banister laughs. "It's one of the inspirations for me opening up my own restaurant, in fact. I have more of a turf-based menu than I do surf, but I loved the food. You can bet I'll be there for the big grand reopening."

" We'll be there." Venetta quickly picks up Banister's hand, and for a second the two of them lock eyes as if there's not another soul on the planet.

Wow. Maybe Venetta Brandt is actually over Killion? This looks like the real deal. And if she's acting, I say give this woman an Oscar.

"So, Banister"—Killion begins swilling his beer—"how's business? Any new ventures on the horizon?"

"Oh, you know me." He laughs at the thought. "Always looking for the next big thing. I'm opening up several different restaurants right here in town. And I'm actually opening up another place just like this one about twenty minutes from here. Once this place took off, I knew I had to strike while the iron was hot. The goal is to franchise the place."

"It's going to be spectacular." Venetta nods like mad, all the while wrapping herself around the poor man's arm as if she were trying to pluck it right off his body. "Banister is letting me handle all the décor for his upcoming place." She turns and gives Killion a sharp look. "We do everything together. We hardly leave one another's side. I've never felt so appreciated by a man." She quirks a brow his way as if awaiting a response.

"Well, good for you," I say and I almost mean it. "I'm so glad the two of you found one another."

"Me, too," Killion says with a wistful tick of his head.

He's more glad than they'll ever know. Rookie gives a soft woof and it sounds like a laugh.

"Hey there, big guy." Banister gives Rookie a healthy scratch between the ears. Just the distraction I need to take the spotlight off Venetta and me. The woman is like a hurricane in a teapot, he muses to himself. I've never met anyone as driven and determined to get my attention. It almost makes me question if she's got ulterior motives. Strange thoughts, I know.

Let's hope not.

I offer Venetta a tight-lipped smile. It's a relief to know that her obsession with Killion was short-lived—or rather short-lived after I came into the picture.

Hey? Maybe Venetta and I can actually be friends?

Killion nods to Banister. "I'm sorry about your friend."

Talk about keeping on topic. Sometimes I wonder if Killion is a mind reader, too.

Banister shakes his head as his mood grows somber. "Silas was a good man. I don't know who in the world would want him dead."

I wanted him dead. Venetta doesn't miss a beat with the lethal thought as she takes a moment to coldly inspect her blood-red manicure.

A gasp emits from me and Killion's eyes dart my way.

Did he confess? Killion is quick to shoot me the thought, but I shake my head, refuting it.

Although I'm not counting out Venetta's bizarre internal ramblings as a confession. As much as I'm relieved that she's no longer interested in Killion, there's a small, bitter part of me that wouldn't mind sending her up the river on a murder wrap—so long as it's not my murder.

"I know it's shocking," Banister says my way. "And I just heard they found that reporter dead in the alley yesterday. What's going on around here?"

"A serial killer is on the loose," Venetta is quick to ramble. "And it's not me." She jumps in her seat as she says.

Me thinks the witch doth protest too much, Cricket mewls in her best Shakespearean voice, and I nod her way.

Me thinks the very same thing.

"What makes you think it's a serial killer?" I lean my head toward her in hopes of garnering an internal confession. Although Venetta is such a dunce, she might actually give it verbally. No one is ever going to accuse her of being a genius, evil or otherwise.

"Two other men were stabbed recently, Hattie," she spits my name out like an expletive. Come to think of it, her entire tone was condescending. "Don't you care at all about Killion's work?" She refocuses her attention on him. "I would be right there helping you solve each and every case if I were in her shoes. I like to show my men extreme interest in their career endeavors. I'm supportive and loving that way."

Killion's eyes flit my way. "Believe me, Hattie has been more supportive and loving when it comes to my career than I'd ever want her to be. I prefer to keep her safe and out of danger."

"That's because she's known to meddle before," Venetta says, just as a couple of drinks are dropped by the table by a waiter dressed as a bright green ogre. A glowing pink concoction for Venetta and a glass of red wine for Banister.

"I don't meddle." I shake my head at Banister in an effort to save face. And didn't she just admit to have meddled if given the opportunity? Again, not too bright.

"Meddling? Well, that's up for debate," Killion says and I shoot him a look that could slice hard cheese. "I'm teasing." He brings my hand to his lips and kisses the back of it. "Hattie is quite the detective herself. In fact, she's solved a few cases for me."

"No kidding?" Banister inches back and inspects me in this new light.

"Nope," Killion says. "But if either of you have any idea what could be going on in this town, I'd appreciate it if you brought your information directly to me."

Banister shakes his head. "Hattie, if I hear anything, you'll be the first to know."

We share a quick laugh at that one.

"So you really caught a few killers?" Banister marvels at the fact. "Boy, you really are the whole package—gorgeous and smart. You're a lucky man, Killion." He tips his head. "Hattie, I admire your tenacity to put your life on the line like that. Sounds like you make an excellent detective."

"Oh, I leave the real detective work to Killion," I reply, giving Killion a wink. "But thanks for the vote of confidence."

Killion takes a swig of his drink. "Yeah, let's just say Hattie has been known to magnetize toward trouble on occasion. It's a wonder she hasn't tripped over another body on the way here."

"Not yet," I say a touch too cheerfully. "But the night is young."

Venetta's smile tightens. "Yes, well, I'm sure you'll keep us all updated with any new developments." Can this night end already? Pretending to be interested in their mundane lives is exhausting. I wonder if Banister is picking up on how much effort I'm putting into this whole ordeal. He better, if he knows what's good for him.

What ordeal? I wonder as I tip my ear her way.

I have a feeling things are about to get interesting.