Poisoned Pin: A Cozy Mystery (Brenna Battle Book 2) by Laney Monday

after their attempts at debunking didn’t work, the owners of Blackberry Inn had decided to make Reiner House appear too dangerous. Or maybe they’d simply killed the guy who was planning to renovate and open it up as an inn, as a real competitor. It all seemed so far-fetched. But then, I lived in Realville. Others might not be so closely acquainted with reality.  
    Like Harvey. He was pretty disconnected from reality … unless … could Harvey be faking it? Playing the crazy card in order to get Derek out of his way? But Derek himself had said Harvey was always nutty. But then, that was coming from Derek. At the time, it had been to Derek’s advantage for everyone to think Harvey was looney. Something strange was going on here. Something very strange.
    “Harvey,” I said, “I think we should call the police.”
    “The police have no authority over Moira, and she knows it!”
    I tried hard to think of a way to tell Harvey it was possible an actual, living person had rigged his chandelier. But who would have a motive to do something like that, now that Derek was gone? And how could I broach that possibility without making Harvey feel like I thought he was crazy? Harvey needed to believe someone was on his side. And those of us trying to figure out what was going on needed him to believe that too; I felt it in my bones. I’d just decided to ask Harvey where the restroom was, and secretly call Riggins from there, when I heard sirens outside. Harvey and I both ran to the front window and pushed the heavy drapes aside. A patrol car pulled up right in front of Reiner House. Another one pulled up behind it; not just any other patrol car, but the police chief’s SUV. Uh-oh. This could not be good for Harvey.
    Harvey yanked the curtains shut. I saw it the look in his eyes. He was about to bolt. I side-stepped in front of him. “Come on, Harvey. I’m sure the police just want to talk. Maybe someone heard the chandelier fall and called 9-1-1. Let’s just let them know that you’re alright.” That was highly unlikely. No way Chief Sanders and—I peeked out the window again—Riggins had gotten a call and come here that fast.
    Harvey hesitated. There was a firm knock on the door. “Coming!” I called. Man, I hoped they could hear me. The last thing I wanted was for them to break down the door of this beautiful old house while I found my way there. Harvey followed me, grumbling. Well, it was better than going into a fury like he had at the dojo, or locking himself in the closet.
    I opened the door, and Chief Sanders looked at me in perplexity. He was tall and thin, and his adam’s apple wobbled as he cleared his throat. “Good morning, ma’am. Is Mr. Thompson at home?”
    “Brenna?” Riggins said. Again? He didn’t say that part, but it was written all over his face.
    “Hi.” I forced a smile. “He’s right here.” I gestured to—the empty space behind me. “Harvey?” I spotted him, or I should say, I spotted his foot, sticking out from behind the corner at the back of the foyer. I tiptoed toward him. Harvey didn’t budge. I found him flattened against the wall, eyes squeezed shut. I tiptoed back to the police officers. “He’s a little spooked.” I cringed at the unintended pun. “Maybe you could say something reassuring?”
    Chief Sanders narrowed his eyes at me. “Step aside, ma’am.”
    Oh-kay. I stepped as far aside as possible.
    “Mr. Thompson!” the chief bellowed, “we have a warrant for your arrest. Come out with your hands up!”
    “‘Come out with your hands up?’” I cried. “That’s not reassuring!”
    Riggins shot me a chagrined look. I couldn’t tell if he was angry and embarrassed at me, or at being part of the Bonney Bay PD. Frankly, I was too mad to care. But, smart enough to know I’d just made a dumb, dumb move, I clamped my mouth shut and put my own hands in the air for good measure. Chief Sanders had probably been waiting his whole career to say that. I stood wa-a-ay