He was tempted to ask Evie about taking George Norton’s practice, but he wanted to ponder it a while longer. “Warn Iddy that Pris might be after the raven next.”
Evie’s grin lit the dim cellar. “Oh, that is choice, thank you. Mavis called to say you should take the job. I hope you know what that means.” She headed up the stairs, hopefully to prepare food for more than the cat.
Jax turned to find his friends watching him with interest. “What? You think I ought to buy a law firm because the local psychic says so?”
From their grins, Jax guessed his badly damaged friends thought just that. They’d finally found a home—where they weren’t the only crazies.
* * *
While Evie preparedlunch by flinging together cans of beans and tomatoes and whatever vegetable was still alive at the bottom of the refrigerator, Loretta read the lists of potential mayoral candidates her family had spent the morning gathering.
“Honest people, for the most part.” Evie pondered the list as she chopped peppers. “Reading their auras doesn’t tell me if they’re capable of running for mayor or doing the job.”
“Mrs. Thomas is Black and runs a school. She should be good.” The principal had been first on Loretta’s list.
“Mrs. Thomas is an educator and the teachers need her. We need someone who understandsbusiness. And are we doing the right thing by discriminating according to race? Or gender? Should we be looking at either of those, really?” Evie cut up a half-dead carrot and added it to the broth. She needed to go shopping.
Or hire the cook Loretta’s allowance covered. Having spending money just confused her.
“Only look for people who know business?” Loretta pushed her glasses up her nose and studied the lists as if she were studying for college exams. “There’s Mr. Williams who runs the hardware store.”
“Hank? He’s old and thinks Apple is a fruit. Besides, he’s already on the council. Keep going.”
By the time Jax wandered in, Loretta had multiple lists labeled Black, Female, Business, Combination, and they still hadn’t decided. They even had cantankerous Gertie from the café in the line-up, although they hadn’t decided whether she qualified as BlackorFemale. She definitely ran a business, though.
Jax examined the lists, but unfamiliar with most of the townspeople, he wasn’t any help. “What we need to be doing is make lists of chores to be divided. This place is turning into a commune.”
“Engineers take out the trash. Lawyers pay the bills.” Evie dumped an open box of rice into her kettle. “Children make their beds and do their homework. Dog walkers walk dogs.”
“You don’t own a dog, and you’re making lunch.”
“I cook and talk to ghosts. We go where our talents are. Engineers can wash dishes and make their beds. Lawyers go to work so they can afford the bills. It’s simple. Are you staying then?” Evie had been stewing ever since she’d heard about him talking to George Norton’s family, and he hadn’t thought to mention it to her.
“What do you know about George Norton and his clientele?”
A wave of relief swept over her. Finally, someone appreciated her talents. She almost kissed him. Being into self-preservation, she shot Jax a grin instead. “George was Mayor Block’s lawyer and handled his real estate business as well. Don’t pay them for that part of the practice if the mayor is going to jail.” Trying not to do a happy dance, she got out the last of the ham and threw that in, too.
“Ah, now that’s the most practical information I’ve received so far. I’m guessing the mayor has hired a criminal lawyer for his defense, but he’ll need access to all those real estate contracts for Witch Hill. I’m now thinking I’ll empty my savings to get my hands on that firm.”
Evie couldn’t help it. She turned from the stove and hugged her straight-laced lawyer tenant. “I’ll loan you my bicycle so you can get to work faster.”
“Your bicycle has no tires. I checked.” Jax crushed her against him for half a moment, before setting her aside. He smelled deliciously of hot male with a hint of spice.
“That’s the old bike. Loretta and I bought new ones, remember? Or you could buy one of Toby’s old Harleys. The mayor is probably selling off everything he can get his hands on to pay for his defense, and his garage is full of his son’s junk. I am a fountain of information. Ask, and ye shall receive.” Evie returned to stirring her soup, gratified. She might not be the next mayor, but she could be the power behind the throne—as soon as she decided who would sit on it.
“Huh, a Harley might work. I should go visit Ariel and see if she needs a pet. You do know it’s June and this house has no a/c and hot soup is the last thing we need?” He checked the fridge and removed the prepared tea.
“Soup is what you get when the fridge needs cleaning. Being warm on the inside should make your outside feel cooler.”
“Yeah, right. Loretta’s allowance should cover a cook.” Jax added ice to a glass.
Evie had heard that before. She glanced around the straight-out-of-the-sixties kitchen and grinned. “Do cooks like avocado green?”
Jax sucked down the entire glass of tea before answering, probably to prevent rolling his eyes. “Not even harvest gold. Do you have any bread to go with that soup?”
“Rolls in the oven. Tell the guys I cook but do not serve. If they want to eat, they need to come get it. And wash up after, being engineers and all.”
“You’re nuts but a good nuts.” Jax jogged out the kitchen door.