by Jinty James
Grace snorted. “I don’t think so, dear. Killers go to prison. Even if a judge took pity on me, I’d still spend some years behind bars. And who would look after my garden while I was away?”
“We know someone who’s a professional gardener,” Maddie said desperately, thinking of Genevieve, a woman they’d met a few months ago. “I’m sure she could take you on as a client while you’re – you’re ... indisposed.”
Hope flared in Grace’s eyes for a second, then extinguished.
“It’s too late. I don’t think I’d survive prison. And how could I come back here afterward? Everyone would treat me like a pariah. My family was one of the founders of Estherville. I’m respected here. That’s going to continue.”
Grace grabbed Suzanne’s arm. “Now I’ll have to think about what to do with you two.” She looked down at Trixie. “Three.”
Maddie gasped.
“Don’t worry, Maddie. I won’t harm Trixie. I couldn’t do that to her. I’ll hand her in to the animal shelter and tell them I found her wandering around outside. After I dispose of your bodies.”
Now it was Suzanne’s turn to gasp.
Maddie looked at Trixie with widened eyes. If they were going to do something magical, now was the time.
Trixie read her mind.
Her familiar’s white fur seemed to puff out around her, her silver spine and tail glowing for an instant.
A huge cloud of smoke filled the hall, making it hard to see.
“Run, Suzanne!” Maddie shouted as she and Trixie made for the front door.
Trixie’s turquoise eyes glittered, acting like a flashlight so Maddie could find her way through the billowing smoke as they raced out of the house.
“What’s happening?” Grace screamed.
“I’m right behind you,” Suzanne panted, touching Maddie’s shoulder.
Maddie flung open the front door, stumbling out onto the porch.
“Mrrow!” Trixie’s voice was urgent.
“Once we’re in the car we’ll call Detective Edgewater,” Maddie told her familiar. She scooped up Trixie and ran to the car, Suzanne on her heels.
Maddie dived into the driver’s side, slamming the door shut. As soon as Suzanne jumped in, she hit the locks.
Maddie peeled away from the kerb like a getaway driver, only breathing a sigh of relief when they were a block away. She glanced over at Suzanne – her face was pale and she was still catching her breath.
Only then did Maddie realize Trixie sat quietly on her lap while she drove. Pulling over, Maddie stroked the Persian.
“Thank you.” She buried her face in her familiar’s lush white fur.
“Mrrow.” It sounded like, “You’re welcome.”
“What happened back there?” Suzanne’s color had returned. “Was the smoke you or Trixie? Because you can’t do a smoke spell – can you?”
“It was Trixie.” Maddie looked at her familiar in wonder.
“You’re so clever, Trix.” Suzanne gently stroked the cat. “Thank you.”
“Mrrow,” Trixie replied, her voice soft.
“We’ve got to phone Detective Edgewater.” Maddie whipped out her cell. “I’ve got him!” she told Suzanne when her call was answered. She explained the situation quickly to the detective, who told them to go to the sheriff’s station in Estherville and wait for him there.
“Let’s go!” Suzanne said after Maddie filled her in.
Trixie hopped over to Suzanne as Maddie put the car into gear.
“I just hope no one saw Trixie in the front with us,” Maddie said as she drove to the sheriff’s station, more sedately this time.
“I’m sure they’d understand if we told them we were fleeing a killer!”
“Mrrow,” Trixie agreed.
Once they arrived at the sheriff’s department, they trooped inside and sat on hard plastic chairs in the waiting room.
“I can’t believe Grace wanted to kill us.” Suzanne couldn’t keep the horror out of her voice.
“I know.” Maddie closed her eyes as she relived the scene in the hall. She snapped them open and cast a glance around the beige painted room, but they were alone. “It’s lucky Trixie thought of something to foil Grace. I thought of doing the Escape Your Enemy spell,” she whispered, “but I didn’t know if it would work for you as well. I’ve only done it once.”
“We’d better make sure we take Trixie with us whenever we talk to a suspect,” Suzanne replied. “Just in case.”
“Perhaps there won’t be any more murders,” Maddie said hopefully.
“But maybe this is your destiny, Mads. Don’t you think it’s strange the first murder occurred just after your twenty-seventh birthday, when the book says that’s when you come into your full powers?”
“One full moon at a time,” Maddie reminded her.
“And one murder at a time.” Suzanne giggled, then sobered. “I know I shouldn’t laugh at a time like this.” She shivered.
“I understand.” Maddie touched her arm.
Once Detective Edgewater arrived with a handcuffed and sobbing Grace, he took their statements. Maddie and Suzanne had decided not to mention the cloud of smoke Trixie had created. Detective Edgewater would never believe them, and Suzanne was the only person who knew about Maddie and Trixie’s magical powers.
“The suspect says she couldn’t see anything in a fog of smoke, and that’s how you were able to escape,” Detective Edgewater said to Maddie at the end of her interview. “But we checked and there wasn’t smoke anywhere in her house. You don’t know anything about that, do you?”
“No,” Maddie replied, hating the fact she was lying to him. “Maybe her guilt made her distraught and she was seeing things.”
“Hmm.” He made a note, then escorted the three of them out of the station. “She’s confessed to killing Veronica,” he told them. “I’m just glad she didn’t have a chance to kill you, too.”
“So am I,” Suzanne said, her ponytail bouncing madly.
“Mrrow!” Trixie agreed.
“I’m glad you’re okay, Trixie,” the detective said with a smile. “But next time, try to persuade Maddie and Suzanne not to go after a killer.”
EPILOGUE
The whole town of Estherville tsked and looked shocked when they found out that Grace had killed Veronica.
Grace’s friends volunteered to help look after her garden, and there was talk of renting the house to a tenant who was an enthusiastic gardener, if Grace agreed. The rental income would help pay her legal fees, although according to the rumor mill, Grace was comfortably off.
Maddie was glad that the glorious garden wouldn’t be neglected.
When their customers found out that Trixie had accompanied Maddie and Suzanne to Grace’s house that fateful day, they made an even bigger fuss of her than usual.
Suzanne used the attention to their advantage – she created a new topping for their hot coffees – chocolate powder sprinkled on top of whipped cream, and called it The Trixie Special. It was even more popular than their iced coffee and mocha beverages!
“I still can’t believe Grace murdered Veronica.” Suzanne shuddered. It was eleven o’clock the following Tuesday, and they’d just run out of cream.
“I know.” Maddie nodded.
“Mrrow.” Trixie sounded a little sad.
They’d been busy all morning but for a few seconds there weren’t any customers.
“I’ll have to go to the grocery store and buy some more cream.” Suzanne sank on a stool. “In a minute. My feet need a little rest.”
“So do mine.” Maddie sat down as well. Business had been great yesterday, too, although the reason why was distressing.
Attempting to lighten the mood, she teased, “You’re not taking a detour to Ramon’s salon, are you?”
“What gave you that idea?” Suzanne blushed.
“You were!” Maddie smiled.
“Oh, Mads, when Ramon found out what happened with Grace, he came over to check that I was okay. And h
e made me an espresso in my little machine while suggesting I go and sit on the sofa in the living room to relax. And then we talked – and talked.”
“Is that all?” Maddie eyed her friend’s faraway expression.
“Yes! Although, I was hoping he would kiss me again. And he did! Last night after dinner at the little bistro.”
“I’m so happy for you.” Maddie grinned.
“Mrrow!” Trixie sounded pleased.
“What about you and Luke?”
“He was glad we weren’t hurt,” Maddie replied.
“Uh-huh.” Suzanne nodded. “I called him on Saturday to tell him we’d solved the murder.” She bit her lip. “He was a bit concerned.”
“I hear you.” Maddie had been frazzled in the kitchen that night, attempting to cook dinner, until Luke had put his hand over hers and suggested they get take out instead – and he was paying.
He’d also given her shoulders a massage that evening while she told him what had transpired that afternoon. She guiltily left out the part about Trixie making smoke appear in Grace’s hall – which had made her tenser for a few minutes, until his gentle touch had soothed her.
She wanted to tell Luke the truth about her and Trixie, but was unsure what his reaction would be. Would he be cool about it, or would he freak out? Maybe she should talk it over with Trixie first, then trust in the strength of her and Luke’s connection when she finally told him she was a witch.
After all, there was magic all around them – her relationship with Luke was proof of that.
THE END
A list of the previous books on the next page as well as a recipe for Iced Coffee!
Titles by Jinty James
Ihope you enjoyed reading this mystery. Sign up to my newsletter at www.JintyJames.com and be among the first to discover when my next book is published!
Have you read:
Spells and Spiced Latte - A Coffee Witch Cozy Mystery - Maddie Goodwell 1
Visions and Vanilla Cappuccino - A Coffee Witch Cozy Mystery - Maddie Goodwell 2
Magic and Mocha – A Coffee Witch Cozy Mystery – Maddie Goodwell 3
Enchantments and Espresso – A Coffee Witch Cozy Mystery – Maddie Goodwell 4
Familiars and French Roast - A Coffee Witch Cozy Mystery – Maddie Goodwell 5
Please turn the page for the Iced Coffee recipe!
Iced Coffee Recipe
1shot of espresso (or 2 if you like it extra strong. You can also use instant coffee mixed with hot water)
½ cup – 1 cup of cold milk, depending on taste
Ice cubes (optional)
Ice-cream (optional)
Whipped cream (optional)
PUT THE COFFEE IN A heat safe glass. Stir in the milk. Add ice cubes and/or ice-cream if desired. You could also whiz up this concoction in a blender.
Add whipped cream on top if you want to be really indulgent!
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Also by Jinty James
A Norwegian Forest Cat Cafe Cozy Mystery
Purrs and Peril
Meow Means Murder
Whiskers and Warrants
Two Tailed Trouble
Paws and Punishment
Kitty Cats and Crime
Maddie Goodwell
Spells and Spiced Latte - A Coffee Witch Cozy Mystery
Spells and Spiced Latte – A Coffee Witch Cozy Mystery
Visions and Vanilla Cappuccino
Magic and Mocha
Familiars and French Roast - A Coffee Witch Cozy Mystery
Incantations and Iced Coffee
Enchantments and Espresso