Miss Frost Ices The Imp: A Nocturne Falls Mystery (Jayne Frost Book 2) Read Online Free PDF

defense, the butter was really far away.
    As I dipped my napkin into my water glass to work on my sticky tresses, Greyson rested his knife on the edge of his plate. “You didn’t say why you want to know about the Greshams. Is there more to your line of questioning?”
    “Yes!” How had I forgotten? Chocolate-chip banana pancakes were very distracting, that’s how. “Do you think Francine might have been selling stuff from the shop at the estate sale? Like, supernatural stuff? Because one of things I picked up seems like it might have done… something to Spider.”
    “Many of their things were of a supernatural bent, so it’s possible. And yes, I’m sure a lot of the items up for sale today were left over from the shop. What exactly did you buy, and what did it do to your cat?”
    I lowered my voice and leaned in. “I bought this fancy decorative box, which Spider proceeded to knock off the coffee table in one of his catnip-induced rampages through the apartment. Anyway, I thought the top was stuck on, but the fall cracked it open, and now he can talk.”
    “Spider?”
    “Yep.” I stabbed a hunk of pancake.
    “You mean he meows a lot?”
    “No, I mean he spoke to me.”
    Greyson blinked a few times. “Your cat can talk. In actual words. English words.”
    I nodded. “Yep. I swear on my uncle’s beard.”
    “And you think the box and this new…ability are related.”
    I shrugged one shoulder. “I can’t think of what else might have caused it. There’s some green iridescent powder inside the box. Like a magical dust maybe? Or the residue of a spell. Or some other kind of magical thing. That’s really all I have to go on. I figured if I could talk to whoever owned the box and find out what was in there, I’d at least know what I’m dealing with.”
    Greyson nodded. “Francine might see you. She’s not exactly the type that takes visitors, but this is a special case.”
    “I’d say. Having a talking cat is a little unnerving.”
    He picked up his fork again, this time going after his home fries. “I know someone who might be able to get you in to see her.”
    “Who’s that?”
    He downed a mouthful of potatoes before answering. “The most connected werewolf I know. My good friend, Birdie Caruthers.”
    Half an hour later, despite the paperwork waiting for me back at the office, I walked into the sheriff’s department with Greyson so he could introduce me to Birdie. No time like the present and all that. The takeout bag containing Juniper’s cinnamon roll hung from my hand. Greyson had gotten another one as a gift for the woman we’d come to see.
    The older woman behind the reception desk, who I assumed was Birdie, was on the phone. “You don’t say?” She gasped. “Are you certain? Well, bless her heart, that is highly unusual. I don’t see how a deputy can help, but I’ll send someone over. Yes, right away. All right. Y’all take care now. Bye-bye.”
    She hung up and turned to us, her face lighting up with a big smile when she saw Greyson. “Well, now, Greyson Garrett. This is an unexpected pleasure. What brings you in here? Did you get called in for something? Because if you did, no one said a word to me about it.”
    “No, I didn’t get called in. But I did bring you a cinnamon roll from Mummy’s.” He put the container on the counter in front of her.
    “That was so thoughtful! You know how I love those things.” She popped open the container and inhaled. “Oh, that’s going to ruin my lunch and I don’t even care.” She closed it and set it aside. “Now I was born at night, but it wasn’t last night, so out with it. What exactly are you after?”
    He touched his hand to his chest. “I’d say I’m insulted that you think so little of me, but I appreciate a woman who gets to the heart of it.” He shifted his hand to my shoulder. “I wanted you to meet a friend of mine. She’s new in town. And since I know how much you like Christmas, I thought you ought to meet