“And I suppose I purposely found the woman’s body just so we couldn’t come over tonight.”
Cora crossed her arms. “It wouldn’t surprise me.”
She will admit she didn’t want to come, Petunia thought to herself, but she’d hardly want to find a body as means of an excuse not to come. Geez what is wrong with that woman?
“We should be able to stop over later,” Noah said.
“Noah, how can you be certain we’ll have time? We don’t know how much investigating we’ll have to do today.”
“He hardly needs you to hold his hand, Petunia.” Cora glanced at Noah. “I’ll expect to see you at seven, Noah.”
“I would think finding a killer is more important than a party.”
“It’s not a party if you discount Chastity and Steven. Who’s body did you find? Hopefully nobody you murdered.”
Petunia forced a smile. She’d never murder anyone, even if it were the snootiest woman in Lake Forest.
“It was a woman we saw the same day at Ornaments Plus. Why, it was the same day you were there. You might have noticed the woman with dark hair. She had a little boy with her by the name of Timmy.”
“I wasn’t there to account for everyone in town. I was busy buying Christmas decorations.”
“She introduced herself as Mallory and told us she was Lucy’s granddaughter.”
“I can’t say I even knew Lucy had a granddaughter. We’re hardly civil to one another, thanks to you, Petunia.”
“What did I do?”
“You gave one of your witches’ potions to Lucy.”
“It helped Lucy with her affliction.”
“Many of us get arthritis. It’s hardly something that you should take a potion for.”
“It was a salve, not a potion. Do you begrudge Lucy being free of the pain?”
“I never said I did.”
“Good, because Lucy really needed my help and I’m thankful that I was able to help her.”
“I really don’t care to discuss this with you. I’ll see you later, Noah,” Cora said as she stepped outside.
“Is she mixed up or what?” Petunia asked.
“A little, but that shouldn’t be surprising. You know how she feels about potions.”
“And witches.”
“I wasn’t expecting you here yet,” Noah said.
“You must have forgotten about sending the remainder of the cat food to me. I have no canned cat food.”
“That’s because I ran out, remember?”
“Can you run me to the store? I can’t go back home without any. I distracted my cats with dry cat food, but that won’t last long.” Petunia walked into the kitchen and glanced out the window. “Have you seen Pansy this morning? I can’t imagine where he’s gone.”
“He could be outside,” Noah suggested.
“There’s no way he could have gotten outside. This is the first time I’ve been out today.”
“Are you positive? Pansy has been good at escaping in the past.”
“Not since you moved next door with your pit bull.”
“There is nothing frightening about my dog.”
Petunia put up her hood. “I think I should take a look outside.”
“I’ll grab my jacket,” Noah said.
Petunia’s nose wrinkled as she stepped down from Noah’s porch. She spied small tracks in the snow, but upon further inspection they didn’t appear to be cat tracks. The tracks led up the sidewalk, where they disappeared at the edge of the road. Elf tracks?
“I think I’d better get home and look one last time for Pansy.”
“He might have crawled under the couch to take a nap.” Noah laughed.
“I hope so.”
Merlin met Petunia in the middle of the living room. He was a little too human. At least he knew how to get his point across with a bellow.
“He’s either really angry or hungry,” Noah said.
“I told you, but it can’t be helped.” Petunia turned to Merlin. “You’ll have to wait until later. You won’t starve.”
Petunia jumped when Gem and Sassy joined in, singing the “I’m so starved and I’m never fed” cat song.
“I’m scared,” Noah said as Petunia glared at him. “See what you did.”
“I don’t see how you do it. How can you possibly only feed them twice a day?”
Petunia hurried upstairs, searching behind the shower because her cats loved to jump in the tub when it was devoid of water.
The makeshift bed for the elves was still empty, and Petunia suspected that the tracks outside belonged to them. That was a problem, but not as big a one as Pansy gone missing.
She searched beneath the bed and had just opened the closet when Petunia heard a thump. She unstacked the containers filled with summer clothes and out jumped a rattled Pansy.
“What happened?” Petunia asked, wondering how the tubs could have trapped Pansy in the closet. There wasn’t even room to crawl behind them.
“It’s the varmints.”
“Not the Christmas elves?”
“That’s exactly who I mean. They’re more like Christmas devils. I tried to stop them from leaving last night and they trapped me in the closet.”
“I thought you couldn’t see them.”
“Well, I can now. I might have sipped a little of that spiked hot chocolate.”
“Pansy, you shouldn’t have done that.”
“At least I didn’t suffer any adverse side effects.”
“You really should have found a way to alert me last night.”
“I bellowed half the night.”
“I didn’t hear a peep, Pansy. Why didn’t you make noise when I got up?”
“I must have fallen asleep by then.”
“I’m sorry, Pansy. I noticed the elves were gone when I got up. I think I saw their tracks outside.”
“You’d better find them before they get into trouble.”
Petunia carried Pansy downstairs and set him on the couch. “Pansy was inside the whole time. He was trapped in the closet.”
“I’m glad to hear that you found him,” Noah said.
“We should head down to the sheriff’s department and find out if Pinkerton knows the identity of the woman’s body from last night.”
“It’s a little too early for that. And I have a hard time believing Pinkerton will share any details with us.”
“Well, I found the body.”
“Which would make you a suspect.”
“He won’t think that once he checks out our alibis.”
“Then we’d better hurry. I can’t imagine Pinkerton will stay at the sheriff’s department any longer than he has to today.”
Petunia set Pansy down and froze when her stocking hat fell off. She quickly put it back on and nervously looked at Noah.
“I don’t believe I noticed you wearing hats before last night.”
“It’s freezing outside.”
“I know, but you didn’t even take it off when we were at the country club last night. I meant to ask you about it, but then the body was found.”
“Can we head out or do you plan to grill me about my choice of headgear?”
Petunia held out a cat sweater and Pansy begrudgingly allowed her to put it on him. Petunia picked him up.
“We’re taking Pansy to the sheriff’s department?” Noah asked with a shake of his head. “Oh never mind. I should know better than to question you about that cat.”
“Who says you can’t teach the lughead new tricks.” Pansy snickered. “I think Noah is jealous of me.”
“Jealous of what exactly?”
“I have an idea that he’d rather I didn’t come along so much.”
“I think you might have a point, but at the moment you are my favorite cat.”
Pansy looked up at Petunia. “What do you mean ‘at the moment?’”
Petunia set Pansy in the back of Noah’s car before she got out with Noah. Pansy pawed the window as if he was trying to get out, and it
was hard for Petunia to leave him behind. She couldn’t take Pansy into the sheriff’s department. Deputy Cartwright had it in for her. Petunia wouldn’t give the sheriff an excuse to keep tight-lipped.
“Hello, Sheriff Pinkerton,” Petunia greeted as the sheriff stood at the front desk.
“I was expecting you two to show up.”
“Does that mean what I hope?” Petunia asked.
“Let’s go to my office where we can talk in private.”
Petunia and Noah walked into Pinkerton’s office. She had never been in the office. Pinkerton had photos on his walls of deputies on horseback in parades. On occasion they also used horses to search the woods for missing tourists who got lost on the many trails in the area. It was hard enough for a resident to not get lost.
Pinkerton sat in his chair with a sigh. “Can you close the door, Noah?”
Noah closed the door and joined Petunia opposite the sheriff.
“I hope you weren’t here all night,” Petunia said.
“I managed to go home and get a few hours of sleep.”
“Have you learned the identity of the woman yet?”
“No, but I’m expecting a phone call shortly.”
“How did she die?” Noah asked.
“I really shouldn’t be speaking to either of you about this, but it appears she froze to death.”
“She would have had to be outside for a long time for that,” Petunia said.
“It can happen within minutes when it’s below zero like it has been,” Noah said. “I believe her body was moved.”
“That’s what I think. Otherwise her body would have been discovered sooner,” Pinkerton said thoughtfully.
“We have to find Timmy,” Petunia exclaimed. “He might be out there somewhere.”
“Which is why we’re searching the woods near the country club,” Pinkerton said.
“You have to find him,” Petunia said wiping at tears that formed. “I can’t imagine why either of them would have been anywhere near the woods. The last time I thought I saw them was in town.”
“Deputy Cartwright has been searching that area. The state police K-9 unit arrived this morning.”
“So that’s it? There’s been no sign of him?”
“I’m as stressed as you are about this, Petunia, but we’re doing everything we can to find the boy.”
“Well it’s not enough, not enough I say!”
“Calm down, Petunia,” Noah said. I’m sure the sheriff will let us know when they find out who the woman really is and if … I mean when they find Timmy.”
“Noah is correct,” Pinkerton said. “And I won’t buck your efforts to lend a hand, even if it involves your … abilities.”
“Abilities?” Petunia asked with a smile. This was the first time Pinkerton mentioned she had abilities or seemed okay with the knowledge that the witches in town might be helpful in a situation such as this.
Pinkerton suddenly coughed. “I don’t know why I said that.”
“Okay, we’ll be off now,” Petunia said. “Noah, can you stop by Lucy’s house?” she asked once they were outside.
“Do you think she can help?”
“I’d like to see how it’s going with her granddaughter.”
“Don’t leave me in the car again, please,” Pansy said when they arrived at Lucy’s house.
“Fine, if you don’t mind the cold.”
“I’ll stay in the car with the engine running,” Noah said.
“Why? Are you expecting something to go wrong?”
“Never know.”
Petunia knocked on Lucy’s door as she huddled Pansy close.
“It’s c-cold out here,” Pansy complained. “Maybe you should knock harder.”
Petunia pounded on the door and winced as she half expected Lucy to answer the door in a huff. After a few moments Mallory opened the door.
“Hello there,” Petunia greeted as she pushed the door and hurried inside. “Sorry, but I’m freezing.”
Mallory smiled, but it looked forced. There was no emotion in her eyes.
“Is Lucy home?”
“Not at the moment, why?”
“Oh, I was hoping to speak to her about the woman who claimed to be you before you arrived in town.”
“I’d love to hear your thoughts. Have a seat. I’ll bring you a cup of hot chocolate.”
“I’d rather not at the moment. Noah is waiting in the car for me.”
“Oh yes, the boyfriend.”
“Of course I suppose it wouldn’t hurt. Do you have any marshmallows?”
“I’m not positive, but I’ll check,” Mallory said as she disappeared into the kitchen.
“But I thought —.” Pansy began.
“There’s a photo album here,” Petunia said as she lifted it from the floor. “You don’t find many on the floor.”
“That is strange. What do you think it means?”
“That it accidentally fell on the floor.”
“Or was set there by someone in a hurry.”
Petunia sat on the couch and thumbed through the album. She smiled at Lucy’s wedding photos and those of her children as infants. She continued to move through the pages when she came across a snapshot of two dark-haired little girls who mirrored each other.
Petunia bit her pinkie and dropped the book when Mallory walked into the room with a cup of hot chocolate with whipped cream.
“Sorry,” Petunia said as she picked the album up. “Do you know who these little girls are?”
Mallory set down the cup and nodded. “Yes, those are my cousins Natalie and Ginger. They live in Ohio now, I believe.”
“It’s a remarkable resemblance to you.”
“That’s what everyone says, but personally I don’t see it. They’re much taller than us … I mean than me.”
Petunia narrowed her eyes slightly taking in the bit of information. “What brings you to Lake Forest?”
“I left my husband in Grand Rapids. I hope he doesn’t figure out where I went. There’s no telling what he might do if he found out.”
Estranged husband? “I see. Well, I suppose I’d better be going now.” When Petunia got up and carried Pansy to the door Mallory blocked her path. “You haven’t even had your hot chocolate yet.”
“No, but I believe I’ve overstayed my welcome. I only came to speak with Lucy.”
“My grandmother told me you’re one of her good friends and quite nice, but right now I’m not so sure.”
“Move away from the door, please,” Petunia said sweeter than she felt. “I really need to go.”
Mallory sighed as she stepped aside. Petunia hurried out the door, hugging Pansy tighter until he squawked, “You’re killing me!”
“Sorry, but we’d better get back into the car before Mallory does whatever she did to Lucy to us.”
Petunia jumped into the car and shouted to Noah, “Drive, drive!”
14
Petunia paced Noah’s living room. “I can’t believe I didn’t see it before.”
“What’s going on?”
“Lucy wasn’t home, and I suspect foul play. Mallory was there, but I have my doubts she’s who she claims to be. I found a photo album on the floor and there was a picture of two little girls who she claimed were her cousins.”
“They might be, for all you know. Do you know how many children and grandchildren Lucy has?”
“I’m certainly going to Aunt Maxine’s house to find out.”
“Why don’t I give her a call. I’m sure she’ll come over.”
“No. I’d feel better if we went there. She’s too old to be traipsing around in freezing temperatures.”
“It’s Christmas Eve. I imagine there are plenty of people doing last-minute shopping.”
“So you won’t drive me?”
“You haven’t explained what’s going on.”
“The woman who introduced herself as Mallory was the real deal. She’s the real Mallory Winters.”
“Wouldn’t Lucy know tha
t?”
“That’s the strange part. Back at Lucy’s house, the woman calling herself Mallory slipped and said ‘us’ instead of her.”
“You need to calm down, Petunia,” Noah said helping her sit down. “I don’t understand where you’re coming from.”
“Her supposed cousins look like Mallory, but she mentioned they were taller than ‘us.’”
“So you think what?”
“That Lucy has granddaughters who are twins. One is dead and Lucy is missing.”
“Whoa! We don’t want to get ahead of ourselves. How can you be sure Lucy is missing just because she’s not home?”
“Because Mallory tried to stop us from leaving.”
“Don’t forget she tried to poison you,” Pansy said as he jumped in Petunia’s lap.
“She insisted on me drinking a cup of hot chocolate before I left. I think it might have been poisoned.”
“Aren’t you being a little overdramatic?”
“You don’t believe me?”
“I didn’t say that, but why would she want to poison you.”
“Because she killed Lucy or has her in cold storage.”
“For what purpose?”
“Lucy found out Mallory isn’t who she claims to be.”
“I imagine she’d know what her granddaughter looks like.”
“I didn’t pay attention when I first met Lucy’s granddaughter when she finally made it to Lucy’s house, but she does look similar to the real Mallory. Twins would resemble one other, and Lucy hasn’t seen her granddaughter in years. There’s something that we haven’t been told.”
“You think there’s an evil twin?”
“Exactly. And just now Lucy’s granddaughter told me she left her husband and is worried that he might find her.”
“Are you thinking the woman at the country club is the real Mallory?”
“Yes, and her estranged husband might have caught up with her.”
“So not an evil twin at all?” Noah asked perplexed.
“Maybe Mallory’s husband killed her.”
“Pinkerton told us the woman froze to death,” Noah reminded her. “Although there are other ways to freeze to death other than accidentally.”
“So you believe me?”
“I just don’t understand why the twin showed up in town.”
“To give the husband time to murder Mallory. She might have realized he was following her, which is why Mallory was on the run.”
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