A Taste of Magic (A Sugarcomb Lake Cozy Mystery Book 1) by Alaine Allister

to follow up on any and every possible lead.  I’m just doing my job.  So where are we headed?” 
    “Gynecologist,” Clarissa replied without missing a beat.
    The color drained from Parker’s face ever so slightly before he realized she was joking.
    “But seriously, you can go away now,” Clarissa told him, pushing the elevator button so that they would stop at the next floor.  “You’re not riding on my coattails.  Go do your own sleuthing and quit trying to profit from my hard work.”
    “I know something you might be interested in,” Parker replied, standing his ground as Clarissa tried to invade his space and push him off the elevator.
    “Doubt it,” she yawned, trying to sound disinterested.  She was still irritated with him.  Everything he did irritated her, and every word that came out of that oh-so-kissable mouth of his made her want to scream at him.
    Wait...what?
    “Are you sure you’re not interested?” Parker pressed.
    “I don’t want you!” Clarissa insisted.
    He stopped dead in his tracks and gave her a quizzical look.  “Pardon?” he asked.
    She blushed furiously, mortified by what had accidentally tumbled out of her mouth.  “I don’t want you in here with me!” she told him, clumsily trying to backtrack.  “Your, uh, your cologne stinks!” she informed him, even though it actually smelled quite nice.
    “Any luck finding a roommate yet?” he asked, catching her off guard.
    “No.  What does that have to do with –?”
    “I can’t imagine why not,” he said sarcastically.  “You’re such a joy to be around!”
    Clarissa gave him a dirty look.  “If you hate being around me so much then why are you following me?  Spare us both the torture and get off the elevator!” she urged, motioning for him to move.
    “Newsflash:  you don’t run the world.  And the elevator doesn’t have your name on it.”
    Deeply aggravated and more than a little flustered, Clarissa wished the elevator would just come to life and boot Parker off for her.  That would solve one problem, at least.  Without that thorn in her side, life would be a whole lot easier.  If only that could actually happen!
    “Ouch!” Parker exclaimed suddenly.
    It seemed the open elevator doors had malfunctioned.  They had stopped sensing that his hand was between them and had shut on it.  They hadn’t closed hard enough to injure him or anything, but he nonetheless looked annoyed as he stepped back into the elevator.
    Clarissa was so startled by the coincidental timing that she missed the opportunity to gloat.
    “Are you okay?” she asked.
    “Fine,” he said tensely. 
    “I know the elevator doesn’t have my name on it,” Clarissa acknowledged sheepishly.  “Sorry.”
    “What if I said I believe you?” Parker asked, rubbing his hand.  “I know Bonnie didn’t do it.”
    Clarissa snuck a look at him.  “What changed your mind?” she couldn’t help but ask.
    “I took a look at how Jed Black spent his final days,” Parker announced.  “I retraced his steps.  He was pushing hard at the time of his death for some new bylaws to be enacted.  It was rather dull stuff, mostly to do with loitering and panhandling.  But there was one person in particular who fought him tooth and nail.  She said she had been personally targeted.  Things got heated.”
    Parker reached into his pocket and pulled out a photograph.  “Her name is Nora something-or-other.  No one I spoke to was quite sure of her last name.  Best I can tell she’s a drifter who’s become a pretty prominent fixture in Sugarcomb Lake.  Do you recognize her?”
    A quick glance was all Clarissa needed. 
    “Yes, I recognize her.”
    Clarissa’s eyes widened when she saw eccentric multiple-dress-wearing, crazy-haired, aura-seeing lady staring back at her.  Immediately she thought back to that night in the woods.  She had heard the gunshot, a man had run through the forest cursing under his breath and then lightning had