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But it is the present Bailiff who will be involved in the murder case. This is your chance to start back to where you want to be.”
    She was right. But she didn’t have to be so happy about it.
    “Are you on your way in for coffee?” Canyon asked.
    “Yes. I’m so glad I ran into you.” I smiled like I was happy about it too. “I wanted to talk to you about the murder in the Village. Have you started investigating that yet?”
    “Not really.” He held the rounded door open for me. “You know how I hate these things. I was hoping Detective Almond might solve it before I had to get involved.”
    Starshine flew in with us like a large, blue bird. She hovered at a table. Canyon and I took a seat.
    The rough wood tables and chairs fit the Renaissance air of the bakery. This was the only place in the Village where no one paid the employees. The monks of the Brotherhood of the Sheaf took their vows to make bread seriously and did so in a religious fashion. I wasn’t sure with the changes around me who was head monk at this time. I saw Brother Carl in his black robe, but Brother John was also there.
    “I’ll get us some coffee and cinnamon rolls,” Canyon offered. “I know how you like it, honey. You just sit right here and relax.”
    He was trying to be nice. He just wasn’t Chase.
    Starshine made a buzzing sound that I hoped she wouldn’t do very often. It reminded me too much of a large bee.
    “Look! There he is!” she whispered.
    I didn’t need to look to know it was Chase. I could feel that he was close by. He and I had a bond that was difficult to explain but it was very strong. Knowing it was gone made me want to cry.
    “Jessie. How are you this morning?” He sat close to me, concern in his eyes. “You look much better.”
    If I have to win you back, I might as well start now.
    “I look like a wet dog. That’s what happens when you spend the night at a frat house and sleep in wet clothes.”
    He laughed. “I didn’t notice that part. Really. I meant you don’t look so sad and confused.”
    “I think I’ve found an answer to my problem. Thanks for helping me last night. You’ve always been such a good friend.”
    It was true. For years before we were lovers, we were friends. We joked around when we saw each other. I went to watch him at Vegetable Justice where visitors and residents could hit people with squishy fruit and vegetables when they were angry at them. We liked each other before we loved each other.
    We still had that between us here, wherever here was. I had to find that spark that had brought us together in a more romantic way.
    “Well I’m glad things are better for you. You scared me yesterday. You know how people sometimes go off the deep end. I’m glad that didn’t happen to you.”
    “Me too. I’ll see you later.”
    He gave me a quick kiss on the cheek and squeezed my shoulder. It wasn’t anything he wouldn’t have done for any other woman in the Village that he considered a friend. That was just the way he was.
    Canyon arrived with our coffee and rolls. He nodded to Chase and sat possessively beside me. “Manhattan.”
    Chase nodded. “Britt.”
    We watched Chase get into the line for coffee. Canyon put his arm around me.
    “What is it with you and him?” He stared at me. “Have you got a thing for him or something?”
    “No.” I sipped my coffee, feeling like a spider in the middle of a web. “Of course not.”
    He chuckled. “I knew it. Why would you want leftovers when you could have the main course?”
    “That’s what I was thinking.” I smiled and touched his hand. “Now tell me what you know about the dead fairy.”
     

Chapter Five
     
    I convinced Canyon to walk to the Good Luck Fountain with me. I tried not to feel guilty for pretending to like being with him. This wasn’t a real place anyway. I had to stay focused on what was important—getting Chase to love me and figuring out who killed the fairy.
    “Don’t forget he must help you solve the