Witchy Warning

by Kate Allenton

  “Be honest with him,” I blurted out before I could stop myself. If only my mother had been honest with me, I might have tracked down the Hexfords sooner, and they could have helped keep my mother alive.

  “Was there anything else you can tell me about the last time you saw Rockford?”

  Her brow furrowed before it smoothed. “He did mention that he was fighting with his partner at work about closing the business, but that’s all I can tell you.”

  Oh, that couldn’t be good. Wasn’t Rockford in business with Carson’s dad?

  “Thank you,” I said, rising, “and again, we’re sorry for your loss.”

  10

  The walk to the SUV was made in silence. The first five minutes into the drive, I struggled to keep my mouth shut. Rockford was in business with Carson’s dad. Didn’t this make the case a conflict of interest? I wasn’t ready to work with someone new. Not yet.

  “You….” I paused.

  He glanced at me, his face hard as stone. “I know.”

  “Does that mean they’ll assign someone else to the case?”

  “When I report it to my superiors, they will, but my father had nothing to do with this.”

  “Ah,” I answered and turned my gaze out the window to the passing trees. “But that check was written out of the company account, right?”

  “How did you know?” he asked as his grip on the steering wheel tightened.

  “I got a quick look at it, but I figured as much with the way you were looking at that check. Are you sure your dad isn’t involved?”

  “My dad may have been strict growing up, but he loved us. No way is he a killer.”

  Carson was adamant, and I’d be, too, if it had been my mother just listed as a suspect in a murder investigation. I don’t know what I would have done if I didn’t have somebody who believed me. “Why don’t we go ahead and knock this out with your father and ask him about it before you have to go to your superiors. He will probably be more honest with you than he is with anyone else.”

  A smile formed on Carson’s lips. “How do you feel about going to dinner to meet the parents? You will see that there is no way he had anything to do with this.”

  “You want me to meet your parents?” I rested my hand over my heart. “I’m flattered, but I’d hate to have them think I’m easy,” I said in my best southern drawl.

  His laughter filled the SUV. “They don't think we’re dating. They’ve already heard all about you.”

  I turned my gaze back to the window. I was sure when all of Mildred’s granddaughters showed up the rumor mill had exploded to life with suspicions.

  I was not ready to rule out Vivian as a suspect, nor her son who had mentioned he was picking up a new bat. Philip looked strong enough to have done the damage to Rockford’s severely beaten head. A ticked-off son would’ve had plenty of motive.

  Carson dropped me off at home after that. He promised to pick me up by six for dinner with his family so I could see for myself that his father wasn’t the killer type.

  I found Margo in the study with Theo. The table was filled with dusty spell books that she must’ve pulled from Tess’s room. “I hope you emailed or called Tess to tell her you raided her room.”

  “I did, but she’s missing a couple books. We pulled out the grimoire and started searching through it to see if anything like this had happened before to our family. I couldn’t find anything except for one notation about the symbol I painted and that was found at your mom’s crime scene.”

  I’d never forget that symbol. The answer of whoever killed her was the only reason I was still hanging around. How Mildred had figured it out before anyone else was a mystery even to me.

  “What was the notation?“

  “One of our relatives was killed for stealing the symbol from another family.”

  “Do you think they’re connected?”

  “I don’t know yet, but you’ll be the first to know. Your trip didn’t take long.”

  “He probably got tired of her and returned her,” Theo offered.

  “Funny,” I smirked. I wasn’t known for my people skills.

  “Did you figure out who killed Rockford? Hopefully, tonight, we won’t have a repeat of last night’s dinner performance.”

  “We haven’t figured it out yet, but I won’t be at dinner with you guys. Carson invited me to eat at his parents’ house. His father’s name came up…”

  My hand flew to cover my mouth. I realized the mistake as it was leaving my lips. If word got out that his father might be a suspect in this case, and it was my fault, Carson would never talk to me again.

  11

  I spent the rest of the afternoon trying to help Margo and Theo check through the books. We were on a mission now. Every corner and crawlspace was checked. I was confident that there were no more clues to find under this roof. At least any I was privy to. I still didn’t have access to the basement.

  It was only after my exhausting effort that I remembered what Auntie B had told me. She’d mentioned when I first arrived that Mildred liked to keep her important information and suspicious purchases at the antique store. Maybe more information on the symbol and origins would be under that roof.

  I’d yet to find them, but I’d make it a point to look harder now that we had a new threat headed our way.

  I was waiting on the swing when Carson rolled up the curb and parked his SUV. He lowered his window. I hopped up from my spot, and my dress lifted on a gust of wind. Carson’s whistle broke the silence of the evening. I didn’t wear dresses often, hardly ever, but I’d wanted to make a good impression on 5-0’s parents.

  I maneuvered through the yard, hoping that the worry did not show on my face about my earlier slip-up. Mentioning Carson’s dad might have something to do with the investigation would come back to bite me on the ass.

  It wasn’t like Margo knew many people in town to blab to, but it would be just my luck if it happened and that Carson figured out the information had been leaked by me.

  “It’s just a family dinner. You didn’t have to get all dressed up.”

  “I’m representing the Hexford family.” I pulled out the bottle of truth serum from my purse and showed it to him. “I don’t think it’s a good idea if we use this on your dad.”

  “You won’t need to use it on my dad. You’ll see that after meeting him. There is no way that he harmed Rockford. He’s just not capable.”

  We pulled up outside his parents’ house. It was exactly how I imagined it to be. The two-story brick house with the white shutters and picket fence was type of home I’d would have expected Carson to have grown up in.

  He’d probably spent hours up in the large tree that still held a tire swing. The rose garden offered a splash of color to perfectly manicured green grass. These were the kind of roots it would take more than an ax to eradicate.

  Carson walked into the house without knocking on the door. He closed the door behind us and rested his hand on my lower back, leading me toward the fantastic aroma coming from the kitchen.

  His mom was in the kitchen doing last-minute preparations to the food. She stopped when she spotted Carson and smiled before raising her brow in my direction. “I see you brought company to dinner.”

  “Georgia, I’d like you to meet my mother, Glenda. Mom, this is Georgia Hexford. I’ve told you about her and her sisters before. Her sister, Tess, is dating King.”

  “Of course. It’s nice to meet you, Georgia. Welcome to our home.”

  “I hope it’s okay that Carson brought me without telling you. My mother used to hate it when I would show up at the house without telling her I’d invited the neighborhood.”

  “Oh, don’t be ridiculous. I’m glad Carson is finally bringing a date with him. Our mandatory dinners are just about the only time we get to see him. He stays so busy at work.”

  This was hardly a date, but far be it from me to tell her that Carson was now bringing work to dinner. A woman about Carson’s age walked into the house carryi
ng a casserole dish. She almost tripped when her two kids ran past.

  “Hi, Granny and Uncle Carson,” the kids yelled as they made it to the back door in a chaotic whirlwind.

  The exhausted-looking woman blew the hair out of her eyes.

  “Georgia, I’d like you to meet my sister, Mary. Mary, this is Georgia Hexford.”

  Mary raised a single eyebrow. I’m sure it was a look she gave her children while trying to interrogate the little rug rats. “Georgia, huh?”

  I held up my hands. “He claims I don’t know people very well and should meet some people in town.”

  Mary grinned. “You should have told him to mind his own business.”

  “She tried,” Carson said.

  “Well, you’re the first girl my brother has brought to dinner. That must make you somewhat important.”

  “I think that’s over-exaggerating things. We’re friends. Aren’t we?” I asked, glancing at Carson.

  Carson tossed his arm over my shoulders. “I’m her very own 5-0.”

  Mary smiled.

  Glenda’s grin was large when she said, “Well, any friend of Carson’s is a friend of ours. Consider yourself family. If you don’t mind this rambunctious crew.”

  “You think this is rambunctious? You must have never had dinner at the inn with Mildred’s friends. Those old ladies are dangerous.”

  And that was the truth. Alma often used her cane to get what she wanted. Need a woman out of your way in line? No problem. Smack. “Sorry, dear,” she’d say, and it only took twice for the woman to realize she had better give Alma her way if she wanted the use of her legs in the future. It was no wonder that Alma’s cane had gone missing. I’m sure plenty of residents wouldn’t be heartbroken to know that it had been stolen.

  “Relax,” Carson whispered into my ear as he led me into the dining room. “You’ll appreciate the quietness of the inn when you’re ready to leave here.”

  It was hard not to appreciate the way his family milled around each other doing whatever dinner chore they were assigned. It was as if they moved as one unit and probably had for years. The only person missing was his father. The man I was ready to meet.

  Minutes later Carson’s mother returned, pushing a wheelchair into the dining room. Carson’s father was dressed casually in jeans and a collared shirt. His whitish-gray hair was styled to perfection. The lines of his face were sharp and detailed. He looked like a man who could be Rockford’s rival. The wheelchair didn’t take away from this man’s strength. If anything, it added to it. Determination fueled him. I could feel it in the air.

  I gave him a hesitant smile as he met my gaze. His stone face remained unwavering until his granddaughter ran up to him and hopped up onto his lap. She threw her arms around his neck and gave him a big kiss on his cheek. It was apparent she adored this man. And although there weren’t cracks in his façade, the outpouring of love I felt contradicted this man’s stern face.

  “Georgia, welcome to our house. Glad you could join us for dinner.”

  “Thank you for having me, Mr. Anderson.”

  “Call me Frank.” He gave a nod of acknowledgment.

  He might not be so glad that I’d come once Carson and I talked to him after dinner about his involvement with his business partner.

  We sat down at the table, and food was passed around while the talking resumed. It was as if it were just another day in their household and another family dinner. As much as my mother and I relied on each other, we’d never had a big family dinners. All of this would have been a little bit much for me if I hadn’t been inducted into big gatherings for dinner at the inn.

  “So, Georgia, Carson here tells me that you think I may be a killer.”

  The clinking of the silverware stopped, and all eyes turned on me.

  12

  Heat claimed my cheeks as I glanced around the room to find the rest of the family peering beneath their lashes to glimpse at me.

  “Mr. Anderson, I never said that.”

  “Dad, stop putting her on the spot. She didn’t say that. Neither one of us thinks that you’re a killer. We just have questions. You worked with Rockford. You probably knew him best.”

  “I suppose you’re right. The interrogation can wait until after dinner.”

  “Back in New Orleans, they have a name for people like you, Frank. The kind of people that like to put others on the spot and make them feel uncomfortable.”

  Mr. Anderson lowered his fork to his plate and raised his brow. “And what might that be?”

  I grinned as I met his gaze. “My momma raised me not to use those words at the dinner table, but I’ll be glad to share after dinner.”

  Frank busted out laughing, as did the rest of the people at the table.

  “You’ll fit right in, Georgia,” Frank said, glancing at the others. “The rest of the family wouldn’t let me get away with being an ass, either.” The tension in the room vanished.

  “Grandpa, you said a bad word.”

  “Sorry, kiddo,” Frank said.

  I didn’t feel victorious, just plain irritated that Frank would put a virtual stranger on a hot seat in front of his family. My opinion that he was a hard hitter was proved. I ate while the others around me talked in easy banter around me. I soaked up the family atmosphere and missed my mother even more. It wasn’t until the apple pie was served that the attention was turned back on me.

  “So, Georgia, how do you like Mildred’s antique shop?” Glenda asked, sipping her wine.

  “The shop is fine. I’m still trying to get things situated so I can reopen and sell off her items.”

  “It was part of her will that you run it, right?” Mr. Anderson asked.

  “Should I be concerned that you know that private information, Frank?”

  “Small town, loose lips, Georgia. You don’t strike me as the type of girl to just give in to Mildred’s demands. Why did you stay?”

  I wasn’t having this conversation with Mr. Anderson.

  “Her reasons are her own, Frank. Leave the girl alone or you won’t get any more pie,” Glenda said, pegging him with her glare and pointing her fork in his direction.

  He acquiesced with a little bow of his head. “Sorry, Georgia. My wife is informing me I’ve overstepped my boundaries.”

  “You did that thirty minutes ago, sir.” I grinned. It was nice to have another woman on my side. “But it’s okay, Glenda. I’m sure if Frank already knows about the will, he probably knows what blackmail is keeping me here too.”

  His lips twitched into a smile. “The name of your mother’s killer.”

  “Dad, seriously?” Carson growled.

  I shrugged and lifted my glass of wine in his direction as confirmation.

  “I like to think I’m a pretty good judge of character and you would rather hear the truth than be fawned over. Isn’t that right, Georgia?” Frank asked.

  I rolled my eyes. “You must not know as much as I thought if you think I’ve ever been fawned over. What would you have done if I didn’t pass your little test?”

  “I would have run you out of town.”

  This time it was my turn to bust out laughing. This guy didn’t stand a chance against my sister or me even if he had the use of his legs. We’d been up against killers. We’d been targeted, and dead bodies followed us around. “You could have tried.”

  Carson pushed his father’s wheelchair into the study after dinner. His family was cordial enough, but I wouldn’t have expected anything else from the residents of this town. Most people tend to either like the Hexfords or despise us. There was no in between.

  Carson poured us each a glass of wine while his father rolled behind his desk. After his first sip, Frank met my stare from across the room.

  “Let me start off by saying that I did not have anything to do with my partner’s death.”

  As easy as that would have been to believe, we still needed answers instead of taking him at his word. “What kind of proof do you have?”

  “I w
ould need to know when he died in order to be able to give you my alibi.”

  “The medical examiner hasn’t given us a time frame yet, but we believe it was around his annual hunting trip,” Carson said.

  “What type of man was Rockford?” I asked.

  “He’s a part snake and part shark. He was a brilliant businessman.”

  I exchanged a look with Carson. “And personally?”

  “He didn’t talk much about his personal life, although I did suspect something might be going on with his secretary.”

  “That’s a bold claim,” I said.

  “What makes you think that, Dad?” Carson asked.

  Frank opened a drawer of his desk and pulled out a manila file. “The minute I found out he was missing, I started monitoring his company account in hopes that he’d use it and it would help us find him.” Frank sighed. “Let’s just say I found more than I bargained for.”

  Frank tossed the file across the desk.

  “What did you find, Dad?”

  “Hotel charges made every Wednesday for the same hotel, and the time was during his lunch hour,” Frank said, his face pinched as he gestured to the file. “And unexplainable payments to Finn Marshall.”

  “Who?” I asked.

  “Finn Marshall is a private investigator. He does all of the background checks on my dad’s employees.”

  “Of course, Rockford reimbursed the company for those charges, but none of them are explainable.”

  “Did you think he was cheating on his wife?” I asked.

  Frank slowly nodded. “It wasn’t unusual for him to leave with his secretary, Mona, for lunch and both of them to return a little disheveled. I assumed he was cheating with her until, on one occasion, she stayed, and he returned with lipstick on his collar.”

  “And you don’t think he was having an afternoon tryst with the wife?” Carson asked.

  “Elaine called the office to invite your mom and me to dinner.”

  “Was that unusual?” I asked, glancing at Carson. “Maybe she knew about the affairs before she claimed.”