The three of us entered Bits, Baubles, and Toadstools much lighter-hearted than we’d left the funeral home. (Those business calls Madeleine mentioned must have gone well.)
That lightness lingered until about two seconds before we entered Cornelius’s office.
And then was completely busted when he barked “Who invited her?” from behind the vast expanse of his desk.
Even Alex was taken aback, because he didn’t immediately reply.
But then Madeleine did what Madeleine did. She extended her hand, smiled, and said, “I’m Madeleine Bauer. So pleased to meet you.”
Cornelius did not take her hand. He didn’t even stand.
He narrowed his eyes, letting a glint of silver bleed into them.
But I was on to his tricks. He did that on purpose. Unlike my red glow that only bled out when I was swamped by u
