Collards & Cauldrons

by Bella Falls

  “How long until our phones work?” pushed Mason.

  “Well, I haven’t gotten this one to work consistently. So, I need to try and perfect my spellcasting. And once I do, I can’t send an update too fast to the rest of them because I could fry everyone’s spell phone. So best guess, sometime tonight. Maybe tomorrow.” Lee glanced around the room, suddenly aware of his surrounding environment. “What’s going on? Y’all look like you were about to do something and I interrupted.”

  “We were and you did,” I joked. “We’re proud of you and glad you’re on our side, not theirs.” Patting his back, I leaned in so only he could hear me. “But considering our circumstances, try really hard to make it some time tonight.” I kissed him on the cheek and headed out into the hallway.

  My friend’s brilliant brain added one extra move on the chessboard to help us solve the murder and save Nana. If I could get Tucker’s help, we might be able to change the game all together.

  Chapter Twelve

  Next time a large group from Honeysuckle went anywhere, we needed to keep an updated list of the rooms everyone was staying in. Without the use of our spell phones, Mason and I had no way of knowing which room Clementine and Tucker occupied. Deciding we had to be brave and ask the front desk staff, we made our way downstairs.

  Only one young man in a rumpled suit sat behind the counter. At first, he ignored us, but as we got closer, his blank countenance changed to one of annoyance. “What do you want?”

  I understood the frustration of the situation, but we still deserved a modicum of respect. My fingers itched to aim a stinging hex at him, but Nana always said an ounce of spite was worth a pound of unicorn manure.

  Instead, I put on my best Southern belle act. “Well, bless your heart, you must be about as tired as we are being stuck in here. Has anyone even brought you something to eat or drink?” I asked, pouring a little extra sickeningly sweet syrup on my Southern drawl.

  Thrown off by my concern for him, the employee relaxed. “No, but my break is coming up soon. I just hope there’s still something left for me to eat. And what about you? Is there something you two need?”

  Jackpot. Once again, Nana’s wisdom saved the day. “I’m looking for my cousin and her husband, Mr. and Mrs. Tucker Hawthorne? I’ve completely forgotten what room they’re staying in,” I read his name tag, “Stuart.”

  Without complaint, he checked through the records. “It looks like they’re in room 407. But that name sounds familiar. Is he some kind of official or something?”

  Confused, I leaned on the counter. “Tucker serves on our town council.”

  Stuart nodded his head. “I think that’s what the man said. He demanded to talk to our on-site manager and wouldn’t leave the lobby until he was seen.”

  Mason chortled. “Sounds like him.”

  “What was Tucker doing talking to management?” I wondered out the side of my mouth to the detective.

  The young man pointed to a hallway to his left. “I don’t know what they worked out, but now people can go out into the courtyard that you can access down there.”

  “We can go outside?” In my excitement, I spoke a little too loud.

  Although Mason and I had been on the roof, we didn’t want to risk it again without knowing why the wards didn’t work right up there. To have an outdoor space where we could take a break from being cooped up inside would be a major relief.

  “Your cousin’s husband must be very persuasive. Management contacted the wardens to modify the wards to include the courtyard not too long ago. I think you can find both of them out there,” Stuart explained.

  “Are the wardens still here?” Mason stood taller, sounding more professional.

  “There’s a group of them that came, and I haven’t noticed them leave through the front doors yet.” Stuart glanced around him and crooked his finger for us to come closer. “I heard them talking about going over to the Hyperion Hall to find something. One of them said what they were looking for might close the case and they could let everyone out of here.”

  Mason shifted his body to hide the fact he was touching my hand. Although we suspected we knew what the wardens were tasked to find, we didn’t need an employee who was willing to spread information knowing how much information we’d been able to discover.

  I pointed in the direction of the courtyard. “This way?”

  “Yeah.” Stuart managed a small grin before being interrupted by one of his colleagues joining him behind the desk. “Guess it’s my break time. I hope you find your cousin.”

  I wanted to sprint to the courtyard and stand in the sun, but such behavior wouldn’t be very becoming. Even though we must be beyond basic polite manners by now in our circumstances, I still couldn’t do anything that might make Nana disappointed in me.

  Mason opened the glass door, and we both stepped into daylight. A garden water feature gurgled in the middle of the space and beautiful planters full of blooming flowers softened the concrete and brick.

  “Charli,” Tucker called out. He and Clementine sat at a table on the far side, hidden behind a potted palm.

  My cousin’s husband stood up as we joined them and shook the detective’s hand. “I’m hoping the two of you have been as busy as we’ve been trying to get a few things done. I know this isn’t the best environment to talk, but at least we can breathe out here. It’s getting a bit stifling inside.”

  “How did you manage to get them to change the wards?” I accepted a bottle of water from my cousin before Tucker returned to his seat, taking a few sips before offering it to Mason.

  Clementine beamed at her husband. “He didn’t give them a choice. The circumstances won’t last forever, and in the end, Charleston will have to find a way to deal with us. Tucker reminded them that the relationship could be friendly or not.”

  Tucker sat up straighter bolstered by his wife’s pride. “Since our last encounter with representatives from the city was bungled, I offered them a way to rectify the transgression.”

  My cousin’s eyes dropped to the table at the mention of Priscilla’s brother, Calhoun, and his attempt to overthrow Honeysuckle. Her mother, my Aunt Nora, had been a part of Calhoun’s plans. It didn’t escape my notice when Tucker reached out to squeeze Clementine’s hand, and I smiled at his gesture of love and support.

  “There’s not much I’m willing to tell you while we’re out here in the open. But we’ve managed to find out a few things with our own investigation,” Mason informed.

  Tucker weaved his fingers through his wife’s and grinned. “I figured you two would be on the job. Anything I can do to help?”

  “Yes.” I checked the area for anybody hiding, especially any beings that were used to being ignored. I leaned forward and spoke low. “Can you manage to get Peyton here somehow? We need to have access to her in order to solidify our details. Actually, I wish we could call everyone back, but that’s not likely.”

  My cousin and Tucker looked at each other and chuckled. Clementine blushed. “I may have helped you without knowing it. Per my suggestion, Tucker negotiated contacting Peyton already.”

  “I’ve already called her and suggested that, as a show of good faith that we were not being held here as inadvertent prisoners of the Charleston witches’ community and to solve the issue of the hotel staff serving us the bare minimum, maybe she and a few others could arrange a potluck dinner for tonight.” Tucker leaned back in his seat, his cockiness more than earned.

  “That’s actually brilliant,” Mason admitted. “Depending on who else comes to deliver the food, we might even have access to some of the ones on the list.”

  “What list?” Clementine asked.

  The door to the courtyard opened, and all four of us shut our mouths, standing up to see who had interrupted.

  I pushed a few fronds of the palmetto out of the way. “Abigail!”

  The poor girl jumped in surprise. “Oh, I didn’t know anyone else was out here. I’m so glad we have a place we can go outside.” />
  Tucker and Clementine stiffened when Abigail approached our table. She offered a weak smile to me but shuffled in shyness around the others.

  “Let me introduce you. This is Tucker Hawthorne and his wife, Clementine. I think you met Mason last night.” I gestured at each of them. “This is Abigail Wilson, and she came here specifically to meet with me.”

  Clementine stood up and shook her hand. “And how do you know Charli?”

  “I’m her cousin.” Abigail’s voice wavered and she cleared her throat and tried again. “Our family found her after a long search, and Charli and I arranged to meet here for the first time.”

  “Cousin?” Clementine’s eyebrows rose until they hid underneath her bangs.

  “Yeah, uh, she left me a note at my house after the barbecue contest. I guess I hadn’t told you yet?” I stammered, rubbing the back of my neck. I never expected to find myself in such an awkward position between my two families.

  Clementine shook her head. “But I’ve been so busy helping Tucker out that we haven’t had our usual coffee dates.” She offered the newcomer her seat. “It’s nice to meet you, Abigail.”

  “Oh, I don’t want to bother all of you.” My newly found cousin took a step away from the table. “I just came out here to get some fresh air when the person at the front desk told me this place wasn’t off limits anymore.”

  If the staff was informing guests about the new open space, it wouldn’t be long until it was overrun. “It’s fine, I actually want to talk with you in private, Abs.” I watched my cousin brighten from my use of a nickname.

  “And I want to check and see if the wardens are still here. Maybe they’ll treat me with professional courtesy and fill me in.” Mason excused himself and left.

  A few other people entered the courtyard, and the rest of us made our way back inside. I reassured Abigail that I would be right with her and pulled Clementine and Tucker to the side.

  “Keep me up to date of when and where Peyton and other locals are going to show up at the hotel. They may be our last hope to discover anything that might help keep Nana out of trouble,” I explained.

  “If there’s anything else you need, you let me know.” Tucker’s natural authority rolled off of him. He looked over my shoulder at Abigail. “I’m happy for you that you finally found someone from your biological family. I know that’s always been something you’ve wanted.” His expression softened, and I appreciated his genuine care for me.

  “Can you trust her?” Clementine questioned. “I know I don’t have much of a right since you and I haven’t always been that close.”

  “I’m learning whether or not she can be trusted. This hasn’t been the best environment to get to know each other, but in the long run, we may appreciate her being here.” I touched my cousin’s arm. “And our past doesn’t define us. Who we are to each other right now does. As Nana always told me while I was growing up, blood doesn’t make a family. Love does.”

  Clementine pondered the saying, a little sadness reaching her eyes. “I like that. I wish my mother had accepted that years ago or that I hadn’t listened to her for so long.”

  “You’re changing things now, darling.” Tucker kissed the top of her head.

  It wasn’t that long ago when my ex-fiancé, my cousin, and I were like oil and water. After what happened with Tucker’s father, my aunt, and a few times my life was threatened, time proved it really worked as a healer.

  I hugged Clementine harder than usual and thanked Tucker one more time for representing our small town so well. My cousin touched my arm as I turned to leave and pulled me in so she could whisper to me.

  “Family looks out for each other, so I want you to be cautious. There’s something about her that, I don’t know, doesn’t quite fit. She might just be a very nervous person, but…I don’t know.” Clementine sighed and kissed my cheek. “Just be careful.”

  “I will,” I promised. When I turned to face Abigail, my heart tore a little bit between my family of love and the one bonded by blood. I’d have to find a way to bring them both together.

  Abigail shrugged when I approached her. “I’m sorry for interrupting you.”

  “No, I was actually going to come find you. Remember that promise you made to me earlier?” I waited for her to catch on.

  “Oh, yes.” She nodded with enthusiasm.

  I looped our arms together and pulled her with me. “I’m cashing it in. Let’s go somewhere more private so I can fill you in.”

  Now that Tucker had managed to create a reason for Peyton to come to the hotel, I could engage Abigail in finding the ring and goad Priscilla’s daughter into revealing the information herself. Ben wouldn’t be at risk anymore, and maybe we could find the real killer before the end of the night.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Abigail and I stood in the middle of the Hyperion Hall after Mason snuck us in. The wardens who’d been in the larger events building forgot to raise the shield before they left.

  “I think I’ll leave you two to work on your own,” he declared. “Good luck.”

  As he reached the door, I rushed over to him, a sudden sense of panic filling me. “You don’t have to go.”

  Mason turned to face me. “You can do this, Charli. I know it might be hard to watch her do what you used to be able to, but maybe it’ll be good for you to see.”

  “Or incredibly frustrating,” I breathed out, appreciating how he guessed exactly what bothered me.

  He took both my hands in his, shocking me out of my doubt. “I don’t think I’ve ever thanked you properly for your sacrifice.”

  “Mason, I—”

  “No, just let me finish,” he interrupted. It took him a few heavy moments to gather his courage. “I’ve been thinking about the past few months and how I’ve been focused solely on my own frustrations. It’s taken me a while to try and see things from your perspective, and I honestly think you’re the one who lost the most.”

  I squeezed his hands. “I’m fine. Really.” If we continued down the path I thought he was going, I might turn into a useless puddle of emotions.

  Mason refused to let me pull away from his grip. “You lost a relationship and your special magic all at the same time. I may not remember what you were like before, but I can see what a good heart you have. One thing I do know about you loud and clear is that you don’t need me to be with you while you and your cousin do your thing. You’re a strong woman, Charli.”

  I couldn’t meet his gaze any longer. Looking away, I cursed the few tears that escaped, proving how weak I really was. I appreciated his attempts at forging a new connection with me, but I wasn’t done mourning what we had lost just yet. Still, even as a different man, he offered me the same stability and strength.

  The detective let go of my hand and wiped my tears away. He cupped my chin and tipped my face up to look at him.

  “Mason,” I whispered with trembling breath, squeezing my eyes closed.

  “Look at me,” he insisted quietly.

  Unable to ignore him, I did. He gazed down at me with sincere affection. “You and I have some long talks in front of us once we’ve left Charleston. But until then,” he leaned in close enough so I could smell the soap on his skin.

  Shivers ran down my body from the place on the top of my head where he planted his lips down to the soles of my feet. Stepping back from him in a bit of a daze, I couldn’t help the goofy grin plastered on my lips.

  Mason winked at me. “Now, go and find what’s lost with your cousin.” He left before I could process what had just happened.

  I stood in the same place, staring at the spot where the detective had been standing. We definitely needed to talk so I could sort my way through whatever changes were happening between us.

  A few intrusive coughs from Abigail shattered my daze. Attempting to shake off whatever confusion Mason left me with, I reminded myself of our task.

  “All I can say is, wow. I’ve never had a man look at me like that before. Are you two together
?” my cousin asked.

  Her question echoed in the vast empty hall, and I cringed at the repeated question everyone, including myself, wanted to know the answer to. “We used to be. It’s kind of a long story and part of the reason why I’ll be relying completely on you for this.”

  At the reminder of needing her magic, Abigail shrunk in on herself. “I have to tell you that my abilities aren’t that great. There are members of the family far more valuable than me.”

  I cocked an eyebrow at her. “Valuable? Does your family treat you differently depending on how well your powers work?”

  Her eyes darted away, and she mumbled something under her breath about being stupid. “Don’t mind me. I misspoke. Anyway, tell me what you need me to find.”

  Putting my questions about family dynamics to the side, I gave her the little information I knew about the missing ring. “Mason brought us here because he estimates the ring must have been lost during the commotion at the event. Also, the wardens were here searching for it.”

  “So, it’s a ring that the woman was wearing when she died. It’s not much to go on.” Abigail wrung her hands together.

  “I know, but we have to at least try.” I stepped back to give her room.

  She paced around the bottom floor and looked up at the balcony. “Maybe if I stood where she fell, I could pick up a connection.”

  I followed her up the stairs, my frustration rising at my inability to do things myself. By now, I’d already be on the trail, but she moved so slowly even in walking to the desired area.

  When we stood in the right spot, I waited for her to do something. Her brow furrowed, and she bit her lip. “Is there something you do that’s special?” she asked, delaying the process even more.

  Wanting to push but not scare her, I swallowed my desire to fuss at her and gave in to the brief distraction. “It’s childish, really. But when I cast spells, I like to say a little rhyme. It helps me relax and to center myself.”