That explained Imogen’s change of heart, but I kept circling around to what Graeson had said about females in heat breaking up otherwise solid relationships. “How did Graeson resist?”

“Some men can think with the head on their shoulders.”

Laughter burst out of me, and I covered my mouth.

“I know my way around men.” Her eyes sparkled. “Dell would hardly be here if I didn’t.”

Nape on fire, I ducked my head and let her lead me to her home, where she hustled me and Graeson through the door. “Now.” She poured herself a mug of coffee that was two-thirds whiskey. “What brings you to the Lane?”

“The Garzas.”

After a long draw on her brew, she offered to pour some for me. I declined. I wasn’t much for alcohol…or coffee. Meemaw didn’t strike me as the type to sip chai, so I decided my thirst could keep until I got back home.

Sinking into a battered recliner, she peered at me over the steaming expanse of her mug. “What do you need with them?”

“I have a few questions about the incident at Sardis Lake.” I touched my bracelet. “I’m also hoping they might be able to help me locate someone the way they tracked the movements of Marie’s killer.”

Her eyebrows drifted upward. “Can you afford them?”

Money wasn’t the problem. This was worth splurging for. I was more hesitant to leave a paper trail with me at its head. “Will they charge for a consultation?”

Laughter sloshed coffee down the front of her shirt. “Ha.” She wiped tears. “Witches practically bill you to answer the phone. They might as well set up hotlines that charge by the minute.”

I stood, realized I didn’t know where anything was to get her a towel, and she waved off the spill. I sank down and crossed my ankles. “Dell’s been keeping an ear to the ground for me, but she hasn’t heard anything yet, and I can’t afford to keep waiting on them to grant me an audience.”

“She’s the only one outside of Bessemer or Graeson who deals with them. The young one, Enzo, is smitten with her.” Still hooting softly under her breath, she wiped tears from her eyes. “Witches consulting for free. That’s the best joke I’ve heard in weeks.”

A loud thud rattled the floorboards, and I started to rise.

“I’m okay,” Dell’s muffled voice called from deeper in the house. “That body-butter crap is slicker than a greased pig.”

“That’ll be her getting out of the shower.” Meemaw set her mug aside with a shake of her head. “She said something about shaving her legs for tonight.” A nest of wrinkles gathered on her forehead. “What are you girls up to?” Her gaze dropped to Graeson. “And are there men involved?”