I glanced at my watch and decided I could hit the bead shop later. “So what do you know about the Vanderhei kid, Cas?”

He shrugged. “Nothing, really. I know more about the family in general. Very conservative and very wealthy. The rumor I heard is that Jim Vanderhei was one of the major backers behind the Prop Thirteen resolution two years ago. Remember?”

“Um . . .” I didn’t follow politics closely. “A little help?”

“Oh, girl!” Casimir sighed dramatically. “You can’t afford not to pay attention to these things. Prop Thirteen? The one that would have required registered voters to get DNA testing to prove they are a hundred percent human?”

“Oh, right. But it didn’t pass.”

“Not that time, no. It doesn’t mean they won’t try again.” He narrowed his eyes at me. “What do you want with freshwater pearls, Miss Daisy? I heard the boy drowned by accident.” He paled beneath his artfully applied foundation. “Oh, sweet goddess, tell me a member of the community wasn’t involved! Because that is all the Vanderheis need to turn personal tragedy into a political crusade.”

Oh, crap.

Glancing around, I made sure no one else had entered the store. “I don’t know, Cas. On the record, we’re just covering all the bases. But between you and me, the chief’s watch was spinning like a top.”

Casimir’s Adam’s apple bobbed up and down as he swallowed hard. “Best you try to keep that under wraps, girl.”

“I know.” I pointed at him. “You, too. But if you hear anything, let me know.”

He nodded. Casimir might put up a frivolous front, but you don’t get to be the head of Pemkowet Coven without being able to keep a secret. Matter of fact, even I don’t know who all the members of the coven are. “You be careful out there, Miss Daisy. You know there are folks in the community who are none too fond of you and what you do.”

“Yeah, I know. I got hissed at by a milkweed fairy yesterday.” It seemed like ages ago. “But if I hadn’t intervened, we’d be scouring the dunes for a missing child on top of everything else. What can I say, Cas? I believe in the rule of order. A society as mixed as ours can’t function without it.”

He raised his hands. “You’re preaching to the choir, girl. Just remember there are plenty who believe otherwise.” He lowered his voice again. “And they’re not going to worry that messing with you could breach the Inviolate Wall, Miss Daisy.”

I shrugged. “This might turn out to be nothing. I hope it does.”

“I hope so, too.” Casimir looked worried. “Just watch your back.”

“I will,” I promised. “And don’t worry; I’m not working alone. Cody Fairfax is the lead officer on this case.”