“I had no intention of incurring any debt to bring them here. I was simply asking you to hear their request.”

“The answer is no. I hate to refuse you, Olivia, but here I must. The lamiae may not come to Cainsville.”

“Under no conditions?” Gabriel said. When she looked at him, he said, “I’m not offering to incur any debt myself. I am attempting to negotiate a settlement because this situation impedes our ability to pursue this case. I want these fae in a safe situation so they will not seek protection from us.”

Ida’s eyes narrowed. “It isn’t enough that Olivia is helping find their killer? They now expect her to protect them?”

“They expect no such thing. Yet they obviously hope for it … and not from Olivia.”

Walter looked at Gabriel and said, “Oh.”

“Yes, oh. While this Matilda situation most obviously affects Olivia, fae have discovered that I am …”

“King of the Faeries?” I offered helpfully.

I got a sidelong glower for that.

“Sorry,” I said. “But as much as you might hate that particular title, the point is valid. Fae like the lamiae have no idea exactly what it means to be Gwynn ap Nudd. They only know that he’s the legendary king of the Tylwyth Teg.”

“And therefore, they have certain expectations,” Gabriel said. “I would like to disillusion them. However, at this moment, I’m rather busy solving these murders. While I do not want the lamiae to think they can call on my favor, it seems in the best interests of all to shunt them off to temporary safety. I propose that those affected be allowed to come to Cainsville for a maximum of one week. In return, they will be placed under any restrictions the elders impose. They will also, naturally, owe the Cainsville Tylwyth Teg.”

“What could we possibly want from lamiae?” Ida said.

“Anything. They will also owe me, for negotiating this arrangement. That is me, not Olivia. It is less likely local fae will mistake me for a soft touch, and in future I will make it clear I am no benevolent …” He struggled for a word. “Figurehead.”

“That seems reasonable,” Walter said. When Ida turned on him, he said, “Gabriel has a valid point. He and Olivia should be free to investigate, in case these murders are a sign of anything greater.”

Ida sniffed. “They aren’t.”

“But your consort also has a point,” Veronica said. “Let Liv and Gabriel sort this mess while we give the lamiae a place to stay, under very strict conditions and as an exception rather than a precedent.”

Ida turned to us. “I disagree. But as this is a democratically run town”—her tone implied deep regret at that—“and two of the elders support your suggestion, we must take it before the others. You will have your answer before nightfall.”

CHAPTER THIRTY

I got my checkup at the doctor’s, and then we swung by the diner to pick up a late lunch and a scone for Grace. When I got to my apartment building, though, there was no sign of her. I went inside and looked around.

“I’m sure she hasn’t gone far,” Gabriel said.

“Oh, I’m not trying to find her. I’m just making sure she isn’t around to catch me checking in here …” I walked to apartment 1B. I’d mentioned to Gabriel what Ricky had glimpsed when he opened the door. Now I glanced over my shoulder, to be sure he wasn’t going to stop me. Silly question. He was right behind me.

I took one last look around. Then I reached for the knob, turned it, and—

“Locked,” I said.

He took out his picks and two seconds later I heard the click. I sighed. “I need so much more practice at that.”

A faint smile. “I also have a natural talent, don’t forget.” He turned the knob. The door cracked open and—

“May I help you?” Grace said from behind us.

Gabriel had the door shut and the pick hidden before we turned.

“I, uh, thought I heard something in there,” I said. “We were knocking to be sure everything was all right.”

Grace peered up at me. “You’re fae, child. Surely you can lie better than that.”

“Ricky had an odd experience opening this door while searching for TC,” Gabriel said. “In light of everything Olivia has gone through, that concerned me. I was breaking in to investigate.”

“Much better. The best lies contain a generous dose of truth.” She turned back to Gabriel. “The answer is no, and if I ever catch you picking the lock on one of my apartments, I will curse you with boils, Gabriel Walsh.”

“Bogarts have no ability to invoke curses.”

“Fine, if I catch you doing it again, I’ll be very unhappy. And you don’t want to make me unhappy.” She shook her head. “You’re no better than children, either of you. Sneaking about, playing detective, solving murders, jumping off bridges. You do realize it’s entirely the wrong time of year for swimming, I hope.”

“Our mistake,” I said.

“Go on and open the door, then,” she said. “Just this once.”

I looked to be sure she was serious. Then I reached out and turned the handle. It opened. I pushed and—

The door opened into an apartment filled with dust motes.

“Oh, I’m sorry,” she said as I stepped inside and looked around. “Were you expecting something else?”

I glowered at her. She only said, “When you agree to hear the elders out, all the doors of Cainsville will be open to you, Miss Olivia. Including the ones you’d rather stayed shut.” She snatched the scone bag from my hand and thumped toward the front door. “Close that when you’re done. You wouldn’t want to catch a chill.”