Free Wicked Weaves by Joyce Lavene, Jim Page A

that might’ve been overlooked yesterday. Something they can use to make a case against Mary.” Chase took a sip of his drink, never taking his eyes off the scene in the street.

    “I’m surprised they didn’t make all of them dress like us.” Debby pointed at one of the blond reporters whose short skirt and sexy blouse was hardly something you’d find during the Renaissance.

    “They were out of costumes this morning,” I observed. “Besides, I’m sure the strain of outfitting that many extra people would’ve popped Beth’s buttons.”

    Chase laughed and looked across the table at me for the first time (at least it seemed that way to me). “You’re probably right. I don’t think the police officers would’ve gone for it anyway. Can you imagine them in tunics and tights?”

    Tony, minus his armor but still attached to the pretty fairy, entered the coffee shop and glanced around until he saw me. He and the fairy made a quick dash through the long line waiting for coffee. “There you are! I’ve been looking all over for you.”

    I was surprised and moved by his show of brotherly love. It never occurred to me to tell him what had happened yesterday. I didn’t think he’d care. “I’m okay, thanks. It’s been crazy, but I think I’m in the clear anyway. The police said I might have to testify, but they know I’m innocent, even if it was my weave that killed Mary’s husband.”

    His clear brown eyes looked startled at first then confused. He drew up a chair and the fairy perched on his lap. “What are you talking about?”

    “I thought you heard about Mary and the dead guy.”

    “What dead guy?”

    I drew a deep, ragged breath. “Why were you looking for me?”

    “It’s kind of complicated, Jess, but I was wondering if you could loan me a few dollars until payday.” He smiled and nodded at Chase and Debby, checking Debby out with the fairy sitting right there.

    This was one of many times I wished I was adopted. That way I wouldn’t have to claim Tony as my brother. It makes it much worse that he’s my twin brother. You know all that stuff they say about twins thinking alike and finishing each other’s sentences? That’s never happened with us. I can only assume it’s because when the egg split, he got all the good looks and I got all the brains.

    “I can’t believe you.” I sipped my iced mocha and turned my head. “Everything that’s happened and you want twenty bucks to make it through the week.”

    Tony smiled, while Debby and Chase looked the other way, probably pretending they didn’t know us. “Actually, I need more like forty, Jess. I have a few necessary expenses.” He put his hand on the fairy’s glittery thigh, and she giggled.

    “I don’t have any money. Except for that hundred you already owe me. If you have necessary expenses, I suggest you get a second job. A real job.” I knew it sounded harsh, but I had to draw the line somewhere.

    “Jessie, you’re embarrassing me here.” Tony smiled at the fairy and nodded at Chase and Debby.

    “Too bad. Find someone else with money.” I wondered how the fairy he didn’t even bother to introduce felt about my loser brother. “Maybe your friend has some in her costume.”

    Tony shot to his feet. Chase joined him. He took some money out of his pocket and gave it to my brother. “Maybe that’ll hold you.”

    Tony grinned and pocketed the money. “Thanks! I voted for you for bailiff, by the way. It’s nice Jessie has made some friends. She’s never been very good at that.”

    Chase didn’t blink. “Don’t ask her for money again, or you might find yourself in the dungeon for the night.”

    “I don’t think you have that authority.” Tony laughed, and the fairy joined him. “Don’t worry about it anyway. We’ll get paid soon, and then Tammy and I are off to Vegas. We’re gonna score big and never come back to this dump. Well, we might visit and buy a few pretzels or something.”

    I didn’t say