A Murder in Mohair by Anne Canadeo Page A

go.”
    â€œI’m game,” Lucy piped up.
    Under the table, Phoebe tugged Lucy’s sleeve, her head subtly shaking. “Don’t do it,” she whispered.
    Lucy glanced at her and winked. Most of her friends thought she was so gullible. But she’d always thought Suzanne was nobody’s fool and she’d gotten sucked right in.
    I’m going to show them that this Cassandra just plays you, works with what she observes, and then feeds back what you want to hear. I won’t give her any clues at all, Lucy decided. Then let’s see what the cards say.
    The deck of cards was slid down the table. Lucy shuffled and split the deck into three piles, just like Suzanne had done.
    Cassandra moved around the table and Maggie moved her chair aside to make a space. Lucy felt intimidated with the psychic hovering over her shoulder in the shadowy light. Her otherworldly expression and strange eyes seemed even spookier. But Lucy focused on the cards and held fast to her resolve.
    â€œYou’re a bit tense. Just breathe, Lucy. Relax.” Cassandra closed her eyes and took in a deep breath herself. Lucy did the same, her eyes open, though.
    Cassandra studied the cards Lucy had turned faceup and nodded to herself with a small smile, as if acknowledging some private amusement.
    â€œThe Queen of Cups . . . fair and dreamy. Creative, sensitive, and gentle. Usually a water sign.”
    It was Phoebe who reacted with a loud gasp, turning quickly. “You are a water sign . . . Cancer the Crab. And she’s an artist, too,” Phoebe added.
    Lucy sighed, mentally thanking her . . . not. So much for not giving anything away.
    She glanced at Cassandra. “So that card is supposed to be me, the Queen?”
    Cassandra nodded. “Yes, it is. You don’t feel like a queen now, though. You are having some challenges in your kingdom. In your relationship sector.”
    Lucy forced a bland face, then realized she was trying to force it, maybe even sucking her lower lip.
    Her friends shifted in their seats, too. Except for Dana, who sat perfectly still, her hands clasped in front of her as she observed, as if from behind a one-way mirror.
    Hiding her own reaction was not as easy as Lucy had expected. At least she didn’t reply, just glanced at Cassandra.
    Cassandra looked at the next card. “Interesting . . . more cups. There’s some challenge or obstacle you’re facing in this relationship . . . maybe even a deception? This card, with the full moon and howling dogs . . . something is concealed. Things are not what they appear.”
    â€œThat’s often true,” Lucy said quietly, feeling a little sting as that arrow hit its mark.
    â€œThis card sometimes brings the message of a clandestine relationship, or a secret. But it also signifies that the secret will soon come to light. The action is happening at night. But in the full light of day everything looks different.” Cassandra turned, her blue gaze zeroing in on Lucy like a laser.
    Lucy met her gaze a moment and looked away, feeling quite uncomfortable. She was determined not to react but could feel the color rising warmly in her cheeks. Her fair, dreamy cheeks, one might say.
    She was facing an obstacle with Matt right now, wasn’t she? Suzanne seemed to think so. She certainly hoped there was no deception and reminded herself not to react. At least not openly.
    Matt was not deceiving her . . . was he? A clandestine relationship . . . did that mean an affair? Oh, he wasn’t having an affair, that was for sure. But there might be a secret. Something concealed. They were happy together. But things were not as they seemed. He wasn’t ready to get married and didn’t even want to talk about it?
    This is all baloney, Lucy. Don’t get sucked in.
    Cassandra flipped out a row of cards in the second pile. “There’s a tall