Murder to Spare

by Tamara Woods

  "I guess not," Clare said with a shudder. "You're terrifying when you need to be."

  Aunt Maybel beamed with pride. "Thanks sugar. It's a good skill to have." She nodded her head toward Isa. "I need to work on Pollyanna over here to get her mean up to snuff."

  "Me?"

  "Yeah, you're definitely too nice," Clare agreed.

  "If I were a cutthroat, I figure this friendship would've been over years ago."

  "Never that. I would've been back. Ride or die," Clare said.

  Isa shuddered and Maddie cried out in protest, snuggling closer. Today had been the closest she'd ever been to death in her life.

  "If she had been pointing that gun inside, it could've been me. Or you Auntie."

  Her aunt reached over and grabbed her hand. "Don't could've yourself into early senility. It happened the way it was supposed to. And we're both safe."

  She nodded, but Isa didn't feel entirely. Maybe her aunt had been right for what felt like months ago, but had really only been a couple of weeks. Her coming home had changed things. She had a feeling nothing would ever be quite what it was.

  After telling Clare to go home to her Mom, Isa and her aunt sat in the living room watching the nightly news. Unable to eat anything, Isa sipped on a can of ginger ale to settle her tummy.

  Her phone pinged. Expecting it to be Clare, she was surprised to see Brendan had texted her.

  Brendan: Hey, I was out of town for the day. I just heard what happened. Are you alright?

  Isa: I'm fine. I'm exhausted, but fine.

  Brendan: Good. Can I stop by? Maybe listen to Imogen Heap together?

  She hesitated for a moment. Even though part of her wanted to see him, a larger part of her just wanted things to be at her old normal.

  Isa: Not right now. I'm probably going to bed soon. I'm sorry.

  Brendan: I understand. Tomorrow, lunch. My treat?

  Isa: Sounds good.

  She put her phone away as the reporter started talking about the updates in Chad's murder. Sally Anne's mugshot resembled a woman on her way to spa retreat more than the woman she'd seen tonight. She seemed almost...peaceful. The whole situation was incredibly odd.

  As she started thinking of the strangeness, one thing became apparent.

  "Auntie, it seemed like you were able to compel Sally Anne to put down the gun. Like you convinced her to do it, even though she didn't want to."

  Her aunt made a sound in agreement.

  "But that's not possible," Isa protested.

  "It's not?" Her aunt turned from the television with a sigh. "There's still a lot that you have yet to learn. And I'm going to teach you as much as I can. If you're finally ready to learn it."

  "I think I might be."

  Auntie tsked impatiently. "Maybes and might bes won't work here. You have to know deep down that this is your path. That this is your choice. It's a hard road ahead if you do."

  Isa took a moment, breathing in deeply. And she listened to her gut.

  "I'm ready."

  Her aunt grinned in triumph. "I've been waiting for this moment niece. I have a lot to teach you."

  They finished watching the news in silence, each of them remembering the day's events and in her own way, eager for what the future had in store.