by Chloe Mayson
“I think there’s more to the story than just simple hate. One of them has something to gain from Aunt Morticia’s death. I need a list of the names and occupations of all the members, well except for Councilman Innman. I’ve seen his clothing store and met him in person at the diner.”
“Sure, I can provide that to you. But, be careful. They might look like ordinary men, but they are anything but ordinary. You just signed your name in the Ancient Book of Witchcraft and have yet to cast a spell, whereas they have all been practicing witchcraft for a couple of hundred years,” Frank warned.
“Yeah, that’s why I want Gator at my side. He’s going to be my bodyguard,” Cortney said.
“Good choice. Gator is spell-born. He’s resistant to magic spells. Before one of the warlocks could conjure up a strong enough spell to subdue the tadpole, he can slap them silly,” Frank said with a chuckle.
“But that’s my job,” Tom Cat said as he glanced up from his bowl.
“No, you are my sidekick. And I put the emphasis on the kick, like at the end of my shoe!” Cortney said.
“I think you and Gator have the same sense of humor,” Tom Cat said.
“Frank, since I’m Aunt Morticia’s heir, does that mean that I’m the head of the magic council of Bayou George?” Cortney asked.
“Yes. Hmm, but the warlocks aren’t going to like you taking control,” Frank said as he rubbed his protruding chin.
“Good, maybe the one that poisoned Aunt Morticia will get mad enough to make a mistake. Can you call a council meeting for tomorrow night?” Cortney asked.
“If that is your wish. As Morticia’s heir, you have the right to call a meeting,” Frank said.
“By the way, did Police Chief Thorton call them all in for questioning?” Cortney asked.
“For what good it did. They all worked charms on him. He believed each of the councilmen innocent after questioning them. He thinks that someone sneaked into the house and poisoned the caper sauce,” Frank said.
“Well, isn’t that a possibility?” Cortney asked.
Tom Cat snickered.
“No, Mildred would have caught an intruder’s scent. The council members were the only ones that entered the house the day Morticia died,” Frank said.
Cortney glanced over at the old crone. “No offense Mildred, but you look very old. Are you sure you have a good sense of smell?”
Mildred glanced at Frank with a questioning look.
“You might as well show her. She’s going to find out sooner or later,” Frank said with a sigh.
“Find out what, Frank? Are you still keeping secrets from me?”
“Miss Cortney, until a couple of days ago you didn’t believe in witches and magic. I was merely trying to let you adjust a little before revealing some facts,” Frank replied.
“What facts? I thought I knew all the secrets of Barnaby House,” Cortney said.
Instead of answering, Frank nodded at Mildred.
Cortney followed his gaze and almost screamed. Instead of the old crone, a huge gray ferret stood in her place.
“Mildred is a changeling,” Frank explained.
“I saw a ferret leaving and entering the house, but I thought it was a pet,” Cortney said.
“She is my pet,” Frank said sweetly as he glanced down at the ferret.
“Oh, my God,” Cortney said under her breath as she looked down at Tom Cat.
“Yep, a match made in Heaven,” the cat whispered. “And I guess Mildred doesn’t mind the body parts that got switched,” Tom Cat added with a snicker.
“Don’t be crude,” Cortney said under her breath. She then smiled at Frank. “That’s nice. Every kettle needs a lid,” she called out to Frank.
“Thank you, Miss Cortney,” Frank said. “Now you must hurry or you are going to be late for work.”
“Frank, I’m the owner of the diner. Why do I have to work as a waitress?” Cortney whined.
“Because your Aunt Morticia wanted you to prove yourself,” Frank said.
“By working as a waitress in a diner? Please!” Cortney complained.
Frank shrugged. “My hands are tied. It’s your aunt's wishes as stated in the will. Plus, I am bound by a spell to see that the instructions in the will are fulfilled,” Frank added.
Chapter Twelve
“You are late again,” Pop said the moment that Cortney entered the diner.
“Then fire me,” Cortney replied as she walked behind the counter and put on her apron.
“And I don’t like the mangy cat taking up a booth. Make him sleep under the counter out of sight,” Pop said as he broke a couple of eggs on the grill. “Two over easy with bacon goes to Ray, the chubby policeman sitting in the last booth,” Pop said. “Go and freshen up his coffee.”
“Pop, I’ve been waitressing for a while. You don’t have to tell me how to do my job,” Cortney said.
“Yeah? Prove it,” Pop said as he turned back to the grill.
Why are all cooks grumpy?! Cortney asked herself as she grabbed the coffee pot and headed for the last booth.
On her way to serve the policeman coffee, Cortney stopped at the booth where Tom Cat was curled up in the seat. “Go and sleep under the counter. Pop doesn’t want you sleeping in a booth, and I think it’s a good idea. From there you can hear everything that goes on, but no one will know you’re there. Maybe you’ll pick up some useful information.” Cortney waited until Tom Cat hopped out of the seat and scooted behind the counter before she continued to the policeman’s booth.
“I haven’t seen you here before,” the cute policemen said as he glanced up when he heard Cortney approach.
“Yeah, I started yesterday. My name is Cortney. Pop said your name is Ray,” Cortney said.
The policeman touched his badge. “Officer Ray,” he corrected Cortney.
“Oh yeah, sure, Officer Ray. How remiss of me. Sorry, I’m from the sticks. We usually just call police Five-O, but then Officer Five-O wouldn’t sound right. The other name we use is Pigs. Hmm, I don’t think Officer Pig would sound right either,” Cortney said as she filled the policemen’s cup.
“Are you slow?” Officer Ray asked.
“No, I’m just a witch,” Cortney said as she turned and walked away.
“Did I hear you call Ray a pig?” Pop asked as he handed Cortney the policeman’s order.
“Heavens no. I was more polite than that. I called him Officer Pig,” Cortney said as she took the order, turned around and headed back to the booth.
Officer Ray glared at Cortney as she sat the plate on the table. “You know, you are very disrespectful to an officer of the law.”
"Someone poisoned my aunt, and the police haven’t done squat about it,” Cortney replied.
“You must be mistaken. There’s been only one murder by poison that I know of, and it happened less than a week ago,” Office Ray said. “Ah, what did you say your last name was?”
“Barnaby,” Cortney said. “The woman that was poisoned was my aunt.”
“Oops, sorry. I guess you have a reason to bad mouth the department. Just between the two of us, I think Chief Thorton is dragging his feet on the case,” Officer Ray said. “There’s been little or no investigation of the murder, and I heard that the poison sample went missing.”
“So, the chief of police didn’t call the five councilmen that were at the luncheon in for questioning?” Cortney asked.
“Yeah, but in his office, not in the interrogation room. And he didn’t tape the interviews. It had the entire police station talking about the chief, and not in a good way,” Officer Ray shrugged. “But what can you expect? The town council runs every aspect of Bayou George,” Ray added.
“Yeah, I know. However, one of them poisoned my aunt, and I’m going to bring them down,” Cortney said. She glanced up when she heard the door open.
“Oh God, it’s that psycho from the swamp, Gator,” Officer Ray said as he put his hand on the handle of his weapon.
“It’s okay, Officer Ray,
he’s with me. He doesn’t know it yet, but he’s going to be my bodyguard,” Cortney said as she watched Gator stop and stare across the room. “Ah, you are in his usual table, and that’s why he’s staring at us,” Cortney added.
Officer Ray glanced down at the table. “I don’t see his name on it,” he said defiantly.
“Please don’t antagonize him,” Cortney said. “The person that poisoned my aunt has made two attempts on my life in the past two days. I need Gator to even the odds. He’s moving into Barnaby House.”
“I had heard he was banned from Barnaby House,” Officer Ray said.
“Yes, my aunt banned him, but I’m lifting the ban. I’m fixing to go and tell him that now,” Cortney said as she walked toward the booth that Gator had reluctantly taken in the middle of the diner.
“Hi, Gator. I’m glad you stopped by. I’ve got good news for you,” Cortney said as she sat down in the seat opposite the strange reptilian looking man.
“The fat cop took my seat,” Gator complained.
“He’s a good guy. Let him sit in your booth,” Cortney said. “I talked to Frank, and he agreed that I could lift the ban on you living at Barnaby House. You can move back into the house.”
“When?” Gator asked in an excited tone.
“I’ve got to reverse the spell that only allows you to visit Bayou George for brief periods. As soon as I do that, you can move into one of the bedrooms,” Cortney replied.
“Can I bring Gladys?”
“Heavens no! You can’t bring an alligator into the house! What are you thinking?” Cortney said shaking her head violently.
“You have Tom Cat,” Gator said.
“That’s different. He’s my familiar,” Cortney replied. “Anyway, Gladys isn’t house trained,” Cortney added.
“All right,” Gator said reluctantly.
“Gator, I’m allowing you to live in Barnaby House so that you can be my bodyguard. What do you think about that?”
“Do I get to kill anyone?” Gator asked eagerly.
“No, but you get to stop anyone from killing me,” Cortney offered.
“Okay, I guess I’d like that. I’m tired of living out in the swamp. I’ve missed Mildred’s cooking. She makes the best rabbit stew I’ve ever tasted,” Gator said.
“Okay, give me your order. I’ve got more customers,” Cortney said glancing at the door.
“A rare steak and eggs over easy,” Gator said. “Looks like two more useless cops,” he added, nodding at the two uniformed officers.
The two policemen didn’t take seats. They stood by the door and glared at Cortney as she approached. Cortney paused when she noted a vacant look in both officers’ eyes.
“Take a seat anywhere you want to sit,” Cortney said.
“Are you Cortney Barnaby?” the taller of the two officers asked slowly as though the words were forced out of his mouth.
“Yes, at least the last time I looked in the mirror,” Cortney replied.
Without a word of warning, the one that had asked her the question jerked his nightstick from his utility belt and swung it at Cortney’s face. Only Cortney’s quick reaction saved her from a broken nose. She backpedaled as fast as she could as the shorter officer pulled his nightstick and joined the assault.
Suddenly, the taller officer dropped his nightstick as he reached back and fought to stop Tom Cat from clawing his way up the back of his shirt. A grayish streak flashed past Cortney. She recognized the huge Bowie knife in Gator’s hand as he raised his arm to stab the shorter officer.
“No!” Cortney shouted as she watched the long blade of the knife descend, but at the last possible moment, Gator turned the knife and struck the policeman on the top of his head with the handle. The policeman dropped like a rock to the floor. Still in motion, Gator drove the hilt of the Bowie Knife into the taller policeman’s solar plexus. The man crumpled over as he gasped for breath.
Tom Cat let go of the fallen man as Officer Ray rushed up to Cortney.
“What in the world is going on?” Officer Ray demanded as he directed his words, not at Cortney and Gator but the two fallen police officers. “They attacked you unprovoked.”
Cortney shook her head. “I don’t have the foggiest idea,” she said as she took a seat in the nearest booth. “I almost got brained,” she said in a shaken tone.
“What happened?” the taller policeman said as he recovered from the blow to his midsection. “What am I doing in the diner?”
“Chuck, you and Andy just attacked the waitress,” Officer Ray said. “Have you two lost your minds?” he asked as he helped Officer Chuck to his feet.
“Yeah, I think I did. The last thing I remember was walking out of the station. Andy and I stopped to look at a suit in the window of Charley Brown’s Clothing Store. The next thing I know I’m rolled up in a ball on the floor gasping for breath. What happened?”
Officer Andy moaned as he grabbed the top of his head.
“You asked the waitress her name, and when she said her name was Cortney Barnaby, you and Andy grabbed your nightsticks and attacked her,” Officer Ray explained.
“Who hit me?” Andy asked as he struggled into a sitting position.
“I did,” Gator said as he stared down at Andy with his snake eyes.
“He wiped the floor with both of your crazy butts in a blink of an eye,” Officer Ray said.
“That’s assault,” Officer Chuck said.
“Do you want more?” Gator asked.
“Cool it!” Cortney said as she stood and walked over to stand beside Gator. “You two attacked me without cause. If anyone goes to jail, it’s the two of you!” she declared.
“She’s right. I saw it all,” Pop called out from the service window.
“Gee, why does my back hurt?” Chuck asked.
“The cat attacked you,” Officer Ray said. “I think you are going to have to buy a new shirt,” he added.
“This all doesn’t make sense,” Officer Andy said. “Why did we black out and walk down to the diner and attack Miss Cortney? I feel as though someone has been using me like a puppet.”
“Yeah, me too,” Officer Chuck echoed his words.
“Hey, why don’t you two sit down and have a cup of coffee and some doughnuts on me, and we’ll forget all this happened,” Cortney said.
“But I should report it. They attacked you,” Officer Ray said.
“No harm, no foul. And each of them did get a beatdown by Gator. That’s punishment enough for me,” Cortney said.
I can’t let them continue investigating the incident. I’m sure one of the warlocks on the magic council took control of their bodies, Cortney thought as she smiled at each of the officers.
“That’s more than they deserve,” Officer Ray said. “But it will save me from having to testify against fellow officers,” he added.
“Good, then it’s settled,” Cortney said as Ray motioned for the two officers to follow him to his booth.
“Have a seat, Gator. I’ll get your steak and eggs,” Cortney said as she took a step toward the counter. She suddenly paused and turned around. “I thought you were going to gut Officer Chuck with your knife. What stopped you?”
“The spell your aunt cast on me. I had every intention of killing both of them, but my body wouldn’t let me. I lost control and turned the knife around and hit them with the hilt.”
“Hmm, it’s good to see that the spell Aunt Morticia conjured up to keep you from killing works,” Cortney said. “I’ll have your breakfast in a flash,” she added.
“Trouble seems to travel with you, Boss,” Pop said as he took the order ticket that Cortney offered him.
“Unnatural trouble,” Tom Cat whispered from atop his nest of towels after Pop disappeared into the kitchen. “Good thing you have a brave familiar to protect you,” he added.
“Yes, you and Gator did wonderfully,” Cortney said. “Now, I just wish I knew which one of the warlocks is behind the attack.”
“They were standing in fr
ont of Charley Brown’s Clothing Store,” Tom Cat pointed out. “Maybe it was Councilman Innman?”
“Yes, or one of the other council members trying to pin the attack on him. I must meet them all. I can’t make any judgment when I don’t even know them,” Cortney said.
“Frank is calling a council meeting on your behalf tomorrow. You’ll get your chance,” Tom Cat said.
“Who are you talking to?” Pop asked as he placed Gator’s order in the service window.
“To myself,” Cortney said. “I’ve gotten into a bad habit of talking to myself.”
“I must be hearing things. I thought the cat was answering you,” Pop said as he scratched his head before he turned back to the grill.
Chapter Thirteen
Cortney looked at the bowl that Mildred placed in front of Gator.
“Gator has a bigger bowl of rabbit stew,” she complained.
“Rabbit stew is my favorite.” He glanced down at Tom Cat. “But cat stew runs a close second,” Gator said as he picked a rabbit leg out of his bowl and took a bite.
“This is on you,” Tom Cat said as he lifted his head from his bowl of milk.
Cortney glanced down the table at Frank. The patchwork man didn’t seem to be bothered by Gator’s comments.
“Go on with your story about the attack in the diner,” Frank said as he forked a chunk of rabbit out of his stew.
“They were uniformed policemen. They asked my name, and when I told them, they grabbed their nightsticks and started swinging at me. If it hadn’t been for Tom Cat and Gator, I would have left a substantial part of my gray matter on the diner floor.”
“They were under a puppet spell,” Tom Cat called out.
“My, my, one of the council members is getting serious about killing you, Miss Cortney,” Frank said. “I can see the need for Gator in the house. There is a protection spell protecting us here; however, if one of the warlocks is determined enough, they might be able to override it.”