Murder to Spare

by Tamara Woods

  The town's self-proclaimed mystic liked to come in every so often to challenge Aunt Maybel's mystic prowess. Unfortunately, it looked like today was Isa's day.

  Esmerella swept into the store, her purple and pink scarves flailing in the behind her. Each step she took, her many bracelets and necklaces jingled. Her strong musky scent reached Isa before she did. She didn't like to use deodorant, because she felt it clogged her chakras or something. But she did like to spray perfume over it, which didn't really do much to mask her special aroma. Isa sneezed, her eyes tearing up a bit.

  Great. Whatever special concoction she was wearing was killing Isa's sinuses.

  "Eeeeesa. My darlink, how can you help me today?" she asked, striking a dramatic pose against the counter.

  "Good morning Esmerella, what do you need?" Isa grabbed a tissue from the box under the counter and dabbed her watering eyes.

  "I need a creeestal. But not just any creeestal. One that can divine the divine!" She threw her arm into the air and the smell almost took Isa out.

  "Esmerella, we have many crystals for you to choose from. In fact, I'm sure you're familiar with our crystal selection by now."

  Very familiar. She probably knows this store better than I do, Isa thought.

  "How can you claim to be sanctuary for those who have opened their third eye and not be able to help us to select totems for our practice?"

  The other woman threw her arms up again and looked up to the ceiling as though she were expecting divine intervention. Isa dabbed at her eyes and looked up with her, just in case she was missing something.

  She wasn't.

  Isa looked at her, really looked at her. Past the scarves and the public portrayal. Past the flamboyant persona. And then it hit her and her stomach felt a little queasy in response.

  "Come with me," Isa said. "I think we have what you need."

  The other woman looked confused and followed her, prattling on about how people who were really in touch with the spirit world were more inclined to be creative and outlandish in their appearances. Isa didn't need to look down at her beige slacks and cream colored sweater to know that was a not-so-subtle jab at her.

  She turned toward the woman, and put her hand on her shoulder. "Esmerella, you have a great sadness inside of you. I'm so sorry for your loss."

  "I—I...What?"

  Isa picked up a velvety bag that held a shattuckite crystal. The bluest one she'd ever seen. Isa could feel that this one was the right one.

  "I hope this can aid you in your practice," she said, handing over the bag.

  "How did you know?" Esmerella's voice was quiet and she took the bag without any fanfare.

  Isa smile sadly and shook her head. She had no idea how these things worked, only that they did.

  For a long beat, they stood in silence, sharing this moment. And then the front door opened and the moment was over.

  "Take your time, I'll meet you up front," Isa said turning to walk away.

  Esmerella posed with her hand against her forehead, a heavy vibrato in her voice, "I have to feel this crystal to see if it is meant for me. It will take some time."

  "Take all the time you need. If you'll excuse me."

  Isa dabbed her eyes as she made her way to the front to see who had came in.

  "Are you alright?" Brendan stepped from behind a display of local artwork, causing her to stumble in surprise.

  "Sure, I'm good, why do you ask?"

  "Oh, you and the tissue"

  "Allergy," she explained lamely.

  "Right, of course," he nodded. She waited for him to say something about last night, but he surprised her.

  "Do you feel up to having dinner with me tonight?"

  She blinked a few times, trying to gather her thoughts. On the one hand, she felt like she owed him a bit. On the other hand, this was really short notice and she was surprised that he'd asked her out after last night's fiasco.

  "Uh...sure. Let's have dinner tonight. How about at 7?" she asked. That should give her enough time to get ready. If his grin stretched anyway wider his face would split in two. She had to smile back.

  "Alright, I'm good with that."

  "Where are we going?" she asked. "Not your place, by the way."

  He put his hands to his heart. "Ouch! I'm wounded."

  She snorted, and smiled reluctantly.

  "It's a surprise. Dressy casual. I'll be upstairs at 7."

  "Alright, it's a date," she said.

  As he walked away, she repeated the words to herself. A date. When was the last time she'd gone on a first date? Wow. Time's were definitely changing.

  "Isa, I need you," Esmerella called from the stacks.

  "Be right there," she said, picking up her pace. She'd think on this whole date thing later.

  After she closed the Mystic Eye for the day, her was posted on the couch, destressing by reading a library book. It was a mystery by her favorite author. Her aunt joined to probably to watch some trashy afternoon talk shows, Isa decided to spill the beans.

  "Hey, Auntie. I just wanted to let you know that I'm going to be going out with Brendan tonight." She braced herself for her aunt's reaction. She didn't have to wait long.

  Aunt Maybel's head swung around so fast, Isa hoped she didn't sprain her neck. "You're doing what, with who? Have you lost your ever-loving mind? Don't you even care about this family anymore? I can't believe this betrayal." She threw her hands up in the air in a state of utter shock and dismay. She collapsed into her chair.

  "Auntie, I love you, but give it a rest," Isa said. Her aunt's mouth dropped open. "We're not in any type of war. He seems a good person and I want to get to know him better. Support me here. Don't I deserve to have a guy treat me right, for once?"

  Her aunt's lips had thinned to the point of disappearing. Never a good look.

  ISA TOOK HER TIME GETTING ready. There was something special about a first date. It was a time when they'd be getting to know each other and hopefully connect. She wanted to have fun and to feel confident. She pulled out the stopped. A bubble bath. Gave herself a French manicure. She pulled on some shapewear. She hated it, but it would give her figure some vavava voom that she felt was missing. She added a pair of galaxy print tights to go with her vintage black Mary Janes and to give her outfit a more modern look. The blouse was a shimmery black with a tie at the neck. She picked her hair out and added a band that had little silver flowers with diamonds in the center. That green skirt with black buttons from This n That really made her outfit complete. She looked at herself with a critical eye and added the tiniest amount of gloss, eyeliner, and mascara.

  The vintage Chanel purse that she'd found at a yard sale gave it an extra pop. She was positive it was a knock-off, but she was out here balling on a budget. Sacrifices had to be made.

  Besides, she looked cute.

  A knock sounded on the door and her eyes widened. He was a little early. She'd planned to be right at the door when he got there, to minimize dealing with Auntie. Too late now.

  "Oh. It's you," her aunt's voice couldn't have any less happy.

  "Hi Miss Maybel. Is Isa available?"

  "And why should I let my niece associate with you?"

  "Ma'am, I just want the chance to get to know her. She seems like you raised her right. My mama wants me to find a good woman and Isa seems like she's been raised right."

  "She does take after me in that way." Her aunt's tone had changed a little bit.

  "I could see that immediately."

  "All right. I'll allow it. But I got my eye on you."

  "Yes, ma'am."

  "Isa! You can stop listening by the door and come in now."

  She cringed and made her way in. "Way to call me out, Auntie," she said with a wink. And then she stopped dead in her tracks. Brendan was fine with a capital damn. The fit was on point. Dark slacks, cream-colored sweater, and a black peacoat that matched hers. Small world, right?

  "You look great," she said with a grin.

  "You'r
e incredible." His eyes were so big. And then he glanced at Auntie and hastily added. "In a totally respectful way, of course."

  "Mmmhmm...," she said, giving him a look. She turned to her niece. "Don't be too late, you know I'll be up all night worried about you."

  Isa hadn't planned on staying out all night, but what if she did one day? Might as well nip this in the bud, she decided. "I love you and I appreciate that you worry. But I'm grown. I'll make sure to call you if I'm going to be late, so you won't worry."

  She kissed her aunt's cheek and gave her a hug. She grabbed her coat from the little rack beside of the door. Brendan gently took it from her hands, and held it out for her so she could put it on. She'd never had a guy do that before.

  "Thanks?" Her tone reflected her confusion.

  "Was that weird? I'm trying to be a gentleman over here." His voice was low just for her ears.

  "It's fine," she said with a smile. They told her aunt goodbye again and were off.

  He was parked beside of her car and of course he had a forest green SUV, a vehicle that popular in the area. He opened the door for her and she slid in. He kept it clean and cozy inside. He started the car and his radio started blaring a familiar song and she grinned.

  "I love Portishead. I saw them in concert in Ohio a few years ago," she said. They chitchatted about different musicians, finding that they at least had a similar musical tastes.

  "Where are we headed, by the way?" she asked. They were headed out of town, but other than that, she was pretty clueless.

  "You'll see, it's a surprise," he said. She nodded, not wanting to admit to him or herself that not knowing was more uncomfortable than romantic.

  "We'll be there in about five minutes," he said.

  Before too long, they pulled up to the business that Isa was unfamiliar with. It was an art gallery and it looked like it was closed.

  "Is there restaurant here, or something?"

  "Nope," he said, pulling into the gravel parking lot. She kept her thoughts to herself, curious to see where this was going. They got out of the car and he led her to the backdoor.

  "One of my good buddies opened this place a few years back. He said I could come here after hours for our first date. And I came here earlier to set things up."

  He turned on the light and she gasped in surprise.

  The art gallery was stunning. Beautiful paintings and photography adorned the white walls and throughout the room were sculpted pieces of varying heights and made of different materials. The room felt eclectic, but warm with dominate colors of blues and blacks and greens with little pops of yellows and reds here and there. The ceilings were short enough that the room felt intimate rather than an impersonal showplace for art.

  He took her hand and led her to a table in the middle of the room. It was covered in a lacy cloth and there was a table setting for two.

  "May I?" he asked,holding out his hand. She gave him her coat and he put it on the back of her chair. He held it out for her and she had a seat.

  "You did all of this?" she asked, her hand on her heart. She was truly stunned. No one had ever gone through so much trouble just to impress her. And it had definitely worked.

  "I can't lie, I had some help." He grinned. "Some of my employs helped me to plan tonight's menu. And I brought sweet tea instead of any of my brews since we're driving and all."

  "I appreciate that," she said.

  He held out her seat and she tried to gracefully sit down. He lifted a the lid for the tins and showed her the meal.

  "We first have a nice salad. Second is a eggplant Florentine with fire-roasted tomato sauce. And this third has some freshly baked Ciabatta."

  "Holy moly! But what, no dessert?" she said with a twinkling eye.

  He grinned down at her, "It's chilling in the mini fridge in the back."

  She eyes widened in delight, "This is amazing."

  He served her salad, and they sat together, chatting. They had more things in common than music. Their bookish tastes ran in the same direction, though their movie tastes differ greatly.

  "How can you possibly think the DC Universe is better than Marvel? Who hurt you as a child?" Isa asked.

  He puttered. "Have you been stuck under a rock? Are you one of those Millenials who don't watch television? DC has been creating incredible content for years."

  "First of all, you're a Millenial too. Stop being self-hating,"

  "Whatever."

  "Secondly, the movies are what makes the franchise. And the movies have been owning everything in the Box office."

  They argued good-naturedly while he served the food. She felt pampered and that was an unfamiliar feeling. How can I possibly top this, she thought. Maybe she could make a lateral awesome move.

  "Why did you decide to be a librarian?" he asked her after they'd taken a moment to dig into the delicious eggplant Florentine.

  "When I was growing up, everything always seemed so loud," she said.

  "What do you mean?"

  "I don't know." She took a bite of her eggplant and chewed it thoughtfully, giving herself time to think. "My cousins, NayNay and Fraya, they had big personalities. Fraya is the middle of us and she always seemed to want to run things. And NayNay was a sweetheart, but as the youngest, she kind of would take over. Their Moms and my aunt dominated as well. And if I wanted calm, I could find it in the library."

  He nodded. "Is your family close?"

  She smiled thinking back. "We used to be. But after Fraya's divorce, she ran off to Hawaii. And once NayNay graduated from high school, she decided she wanted to explore the country. And boom she was gone too."

  She was quiet for a moment. "I miss them sometimes."

  "Sounds like they're lovely ladies," he said.

  "They are truly the better side of me," she said.

  Soon they were finished with the meal.

  "Do you have room for dessert and a coffee?" he asked.

  She groaned and patted her tummy. "You have made entirely too much delicious food. But I'll have a tiny bit of dessert with a coffee."

  She helped him to clear up the dishes and took them into the little kitchen. The gallery occasionally held openings where they served food and beverages. He grabbed a tray and laid out the brownies and the small dishes, mugs, and coffee fixings. Isa grabbed the coffee pot.

  "I have to admit, I didn't bake these. I bought them at Noel's Nuggets. Her bakery is incredible."

  "I haven't had anything from there yet. I think she moved in after I'd left town."

  "Give it a go," he encouraged her. She took a bite and her eyes widened in surprise. The brownie was so soft with the little chunks of chocolates was incredible. And the ribbon of caramel in it made it extra decadent.

  "That's amazing. I definitely can only have half of this," she said. The tucked into their dessert, but things felt different now. She watched him. Even though he seemed interested in the conversation, but she noticed that he was shifting and moving around. He kept picking up and putting down his fork.

  "What's up?" she finally asked.

  "I wanted to talk about the law office...thing," he said. She nodded and put down her fork. She'd been waiting for this moment, but she wasn't going to bring it up.

  "Listen, I know how the Hammills are. I used to hang out with Chad," he paused taking a drink of his sweet tea.

  "You did?" Isa looked mildly surprised, waiting for him to fill in some blanks.

  "I considered him fam, ya know? But things got really messy. I didn't want to deal with his drama anymore," he said. "I was trying to start a business. Have a life. And he seemed like he was trying to ruin everything. I didn't understand it."

  He looked down in his glass like he wished it was something strong. "And now he's gone."

  With those few words, she was reminded that even if Chad hadn't been the most stand-up guy, people still cared.

  "I'm sorry, Brendan."

  "Yeah, me too."

  He tapped on his phone and a 90s Indie playlist st
arted. He pulled something else up on the phone. "I don't know how to tell you this, so I'm just going to say it. I didn't find anything that was weird or out of place with the paperwork for your aunt's place."

  "What?"

  "Nothing. Not at all. According to this file, your aunt hasn't been paying those bills. She's in for thousands at this point. But nothing appears to be out of order." He passed the phone over to her. "I took pictures of her files. You can look over it, if you don't believe me. And there's another aspect of this that you haven't considered. Someone reported to the security company that a robbery was planned."

  She remembered he'd said on his phone that he didn't see anyone.

  "Who would want to—?"

  The only person who had known what she was going to do was Jussy. The question was why?

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  AFTER THE BIG REVEAL and the delicious meal, they didn't have a lot of appetite left for dessert. They made short work of packing up.

  We work well together. That's a nice change, she thought. With her ex, she was expected to clean up after them, no matter where they were, even at work, which had felt vaguely humiliating.

  He dropped her off at the house without any real fanfare. Before he had a chance to try to kiss her or to get out to open her door, she'd already jumped out.

  "See you later?" she asked.

  He frowned at her. "Sure." And then he started to talk and she closed the door with a wave. She quickly jogged up the stairs into the apartment.

  "Are you being chased? Why are you running?" Aunt Maybel asked. She was in the middle of pouring herself a cocktail.

  "No, no of course not. I'm just excited to talk to Clare."

  "How was your date with the enemy?"

  "He's not a bad guy, Aunt Maybel. Not even a little bit. And dinner was bomb."

  "It should be. He's got all kinds of connections."

  "What do you know about him?"

  She took a noisy sip of her drink. "Not too much. The same stuff he'll tell you, if you ask 'im, I bet."

  Her aunt's face was calm, but underneath the her placid exterior, Isa knew the woman was howling with laughter. She loved knowing the town's gossip and holding over Isa's head like a game of keepaway.