by Chloe Mayson
The creature that emerged from the mansion was shadowlike in appearance, like a silhouette of the warlock.
“This is my shadow,” Councilman Blackman informed Cortney, whose mouth hung open in astonishment at the sight of the creature. “He might not look like much, but he’s deadly. So, please refrain from any sudden movement while I conjure the truth oath.”
“Is trembling considered a sudden movement?” Tom Cat asked.
Councilman Blackman ignored the familiar. “Are we clear on everything?” he asked as he glanced from Gator to Cortney.
“Horses couldn’t drag me from this spot,” Cortney said.
Gator nodded his head sullenly.
“I swear I did not poison the witch known as Morticia,” the warlock said as he drew the pentagram in the air. The runes flared to life as he spoke and burned for a moment after he finished speaking. “Well, I’m still here. So, I told the truth. Now if you would be so kind as to leave my property. And please only return when invited,” Councilman Blackman said.
“Thank you,” Cortney said. “I look forward to working with you on the council,” she added as she turned and headed for her car.
“Doo da, doo da day,” Tom Cat sang under his breath as he jumped into the car.
Cortney shook her head. “Tom Cat, you are going to be the death of me,” she added.
Chapter Twenty
“You’re late!” Pop stuck his head through the service window to scream. “I’m up to my pits with orders!”
“You are fired for shouting at the boss,” Cortney called back as she hurried around the counter to put on an apron.
“Yeah, right,” Pop said shaking his head.
“Gator, get a mop and clean up that milkshake I spilled,” Pop added before he disappeared back into the kitchen.
Gator put his hand on the hilt of his Bowie knife as he walked behind the counter mumbling under his breath. At the far end of the counter, he picked up a mop and bucket.
“Ah, Gator,” Tom Cat whispered from his spot under the counter. “I left a small hairball near the door. Be sure to clean it up too!”
“Gator!” Cortney said as the greenish skinned man with snake-like eyes lifted the mop to strike Tom Cat. “You’ll just have to mop up another mess,” Cortney added as she hurried over to a man holding a menu. “Are you ready to order… Hey, aren’t you the owner of Guns and Ammo?” Cortney said.
“Yeah,” the man said in a nervous tone. “I swear I don’t remember anything until I woke up with everyone standing around me here in the diner. I hope I didn’t do anything out of line?” Roger said.
“No, you just fainted. But, if I recall you said the last thing you remember is waiting on an older woman in your store,” Cortney said.
“Yes, that’s the last thing I remember.”
“Did you do anything out of the ordinary that morning before you opened the shop?” Cortney asked.
“No… Well, I did stop in for an early appointment with Doctor Wigdahl. Wow, he’s such a friendly doctor. I enjoy visiting his office,” Roger said.
“Did you do anything else that morning that you customarily don’t do?” Cortney asked.
Roger shook his head. “No, the doctor’s appointment was the only thing different.”
“Thanks, now what would you like to order?” Cortney asked.
After she turned in Roger’s order, Cortney walked over to where Gator was mopping the floor. “Gator, I think I might have found out which of the remaining warlocks poisoned Morticia.”
Gator stopped work and leaned against the mop handle.
“Which one?” he asked.
“Doctor Wigdahl,” Cortney replied.
“Really? Despite what Councilman Blackman said, I think he’s rather wimpy for a warlock. I’ve never heard him say a bad word about anyone,” Gator said. “I mean the town loves him.”
“Yeah, it doesn’t make sense,” Cortney agreed. “However, the owner of the gun store had an appointment with him the morning before he pulled a gun on me,” Cortney said.
“So, what do you do now?” Gator asked.
Cortney shook her head. “I don’t know if I should confront Councilman Kessel in the jewelry store, or skip him and wait until tonight to have it out with the good doctor,” Cortney said.
“Stick with the plan,” Gator said. “Just because he had a doctor’s appointment with Councilman Wigdahl doesn’t mean that he’s the one that put a spell on the gun store owner,” Gator added.
“You are right. I shouldn’t leave loose ends. And Councilman Kessel is a loose end until he takes the truth oath,” Cortney said.
“Are you two going to chat each other up all day or do some work? I’ve got orders up,” Pop bellowed from the service window.
Later, after the lunch rush, Cortney leaned through the service window. “Pop, I’m taking a break. I’m going down to Kessel Jewelry store with Gator,” Cortney said.
“What, is he getting you an engagement ring?” Pop asked and snickered. “Hey, you can go, but I need Gator to stay and wait on customers. I can’t run the kitchen and take orders,” Pop added.
“Okay,” Cortney agreed.
“But what about the danger of confronting Councilman Kessel?” Gator asked when Pop pulled his head back into the kitchen and started cleaning the grill.
“We are almost sure it’s the doctor that poisoned Aunt Morticia. Getting Councilman Kessel to take the truth oath is just a formality. We will need to get advice from Frank before we go up against the doctor. I think I might need the help of the other council members when I confront him. If he’s guilty, I don’t know how to summon the spell to strip him of his powers. Heck, even if I did know the spell, I might not be powerful enough to force it on him.”
“Yes, you will need help. Still, what if you are wrong? What if Councilman Kessel is the murderer?” Gator said sounding doubtful about Cortney going alone.
“I’m taking Tom Cat,” Cortney said.
“Ah, do I have a say in this matter?” Tom Cat asked in a low voice so that Pop couldn’t hear him. “I am rather enjoying my catnaps.”
“Let Tom Cat stay. Pop has a huge pot of stew on the stove. I’m sure a little more meat will make it better,” Gator said as he touched the hilt of his knife. “I’ve always wondered if there is really more than one way to skin a cat,” he added.
“I’m ready when you are, Cortney,” Tom Cat whispered as he hurried out from under the counter.
Cortney stopped at the door and glanced back at Gator. “I know that the jewelry shop is on Sugar Cane Street, but do I go right or left?”
“Right, and it’s about three blocks on the other side of Doctor Wigdahl’s Clinic,” the strange man replied.
“Okay,” Cortney called as she held the door open for Tom Cat.
As Cortney threaded her way through the foot traffic on the sidewalk, she wondered if she was doing the right thing by confronting Councilman Kessel alone.
What if she was wrong and he was the one that had poisoned her aunt? If that were the case, he would attack her instead of reciting the truth oath. Could she stand up against a seasoned warlock? Cortney found herself wondering.
“This is not a good idea,” Tom Cat said in a low voice when they were alone.
“You can take the lead when we meet Councilman Kessel,” Cortney said and smiled as she waited for her familiar’s reaction.
Suddenly, Tom Cat stopped and changed directions.
“Where are you going?” Cortney asked.
“I’m taking the lead like you asked and going back to the diner,” the familiar replied.
“Stop being silly. Come on, we’re only a block from the jewelry store,” Cortney said as she controlled her urge to laugh.
“Being silly is facing a warlock without backup,” Tom Cat said as he reluctantly followed Cortney. “I mean it’s not so bad for me. I have seven more lives. But you have only one,” the familiar added.
“We’re here,” Cortney announced as she st
opped in front of a showroom window filled with diamond rings and necklaces. “Wow, he has some beautiful stuff,” Cortney exclaimed.
“Too bad you aren’t going to live long enough to wear any of it if we go inside,” Tom Cat said.
Her familiar’s comment caused Cortney to pause a moment before she opened the door. A bell rang announcing a customer as she and Tom Cat walked into the jewelry shop.
Cortney glanced wide-eyed at the rows of glass display cases, each filled with sparkling diamonds set in rings, bracelets, necklaces, and even in a tiara. Wow, what a fortune in diamonds! Cortney thought as she walked over to one of the display cases.
“May I help you?”
Cortney turned around. She expected to see Councilman Kessel; instead, she found herself looking at an older woman wearing a black dress and adorned with the most beautiful diamond necklace Cortney had ever seen.
“Ah… is Councilman Kessel in the shop?” Cortney asked.
“He’s busy. Is there something I can do for you?” the elegantly dressed woman asked. “I’m his assistant.”
“Meow, meow,” Tom Cat said.
“I’ll just look around if you don’t mind,” Cortney said instead of insisting on seeing Warlock Kessel.
“Certainly, call me if you need me to show you a specific piece. My name is Clare,” the woman said and moved to the back of the shop and busied herself arranging a necklace on a display.
“Tom Cat, why did you say no?” Cortney whispered.
“Didn’t the gun shop owner say an old woman visited him just before he blacked out?” Tom Cat asked.
“You don’t think she’s the woman, do you?” Cortney asked.
“Maybe?” the familiar replied.
“Rats, if she’s the one that put a spell on Roger, that means Councilman Kessel is the warlock that poisoned Aunt Morticia,” Cortney whispered nervously.
“Bingo!”
“Oh, my. We are in a pickle now,” Cortney said. “But how could Clare cast a spell on someone?” Cortney asked Tom Cat.
“In more ways than I have the time to tell you. She could have sprinkled a dab of pixie dust on him. It would have caused him to become her vessel to do her bidding temporarily. Afterward, he wouldn’t have remembered what he did,” Tom Cat explained.
“Are you speaking to me, dear?” the old woman asked.
“Sorry, just talking to myself. I’ve never seen such beautiful jewelry,” Cortney said.
“Yes, we have the best,” the old woman said with a thin smile.
“What do we do now?” Tom Cat whispered when the old woman resumed working on her display.
“We leave,” Cortney said as she turned and slowly walked toward the door.
“Councilwoman Barnaby!” a thin, sinister voice called out.
Cortney stopped in her tracks and turned around. She found herself looking at the wiry man with a crew cut.
Councilman Kessel.
“Hello,” Cortney said lamely.
“What are you doing in the shop?” the warlock asked in a cold voice.
“I’m on my break from the diner. I’ve heard you have the most beautiful diamond displays. I thought I would come and do a little window shopping,” Cortney said. “How time flies. My break is over. I’ve got to hurry back to the diner or Pop will have my head,” Cortney added.
“Hmm, if he wants your head maybe I can give it to him on a platter,” the warlock said as a wand suddenly appeared in his hand.
“That’s okay. Don’t bother. Chicken is the special this week,” Tom Cat said.
“I like a familiar with a sense of humor,” the warlock said as he pointed the wand at Tom Cat.
“Don’t bother killing him. He’ll just come back. He’s got seven more lives to go,” Cortney said to distract the warlock as she racked her brain for a solution to the rapidly developing crisis.
Pop!
Tom Cat disappeared.
“What did you do to Tom Cat?” Cortney shouted forgetting her own danger.
“Nothing! Your familiar abandoned you,” Councilman Kessel said in an amused voice. “Good assistants are difficult to find these days,” he added as he turned his wand on Cortney. “How did you figure out I was the one attempting to kill you?”
“Clare,” Cortney said.
“What about Clare?”
“The gun store owner said the last thing he remembered was talking to an older woman. I didn’t think there was a connection until I entered the store and she waited on me,” Cortney replied. “I didn’t suspect you. I thought Councilman Wigdahl was the culprit,” Cortney sighed. “That’s why I didn’t come with support.”
“Clare,” the warlock called out his assistant’s name.
Suddenly steel shutters descended from the ceiling to cover the doors and windows.
“We are locked down. There’s no way in or out unless I open the shutters. And the store is spell protected now. Your familiar popped out but he can’t pop back into the shop. You are at my mercy! And to be frank, I plan on killing you. I don’t want another Barnaby as the head of the council. Certainly not a half-witch upstart like you,” the warlock said through clenched teeth as he took aim at Cortney with his wand.
Cortney sent a fireball streaking toward the warlock’s assistant instead of at the councilman. The warlock fired a bolt of energy from his wand at the fireball to save the old woman.
Cortney used the seconds from her distraction to conjure up the personal protection spell she had practiced with Tom Cat last night. She finished the spell just in time — the bolt of lightning from the wand that would have burned her to a crisp, dissipated when it struck the energy bubble protecting her.
“Clever girl. But I can summon enough power to overload your protection spell,” the warlock said as he drew a pentagram in the air with his wand. “My wand gives me additional power like your broomstick gives you. But sadly, even your broomstick cannot penetrate the powerful protection spell that surrounds this building. And nothing short of a tank can break through the steel shutters,” the warlock taunted Cortney as he continued to draw the pentagram in the air with his wand.
Suddenly something struck the steel shutter that covered the door. The sound broke the warlock’s concentration, and he made a wrong move with his wand. The pentagram vanished.
“Blast it!” Councilman Kessel shouted.
“Can I help?” the old woman called out from where she crouched behind a display case.
“No! Keep away!” the warlock shouted. With a tremendous tearing sound, the steel shutter suddenly flew across the room demolishing several display cases and sent jewelry scattering to the floor. “What the heck!?” the warlock shouted as the ugly figure of Frank stepped through the door.
Mary did get it right in her novel. Frank is a monster! Cortney thought as the scarred faced man took a lumbering step toward her.
Councilman Kessel pointed his wand at Frank and sent a bolt of lightning flashing across the room. The energy bolt struck Frank in the chest. The big man, composed of mismatched body parts, stumbled and staggered backward. Frank beat his chest to put out his burning shirt.
Out of the corner of her eye, Cortney noted a flash of movement.
“Warlock!” Gator shouted. “If you value the life of your assistant, you will surrender.”
Cortney glanced to the rear of the room. Gator held the old woman around her waist with one hand while the other held the blade of his Bowie knife at the old woman’s throat.
God, I hope that Councilman Kessel doesn’t know that Gator is under a spell and can’t harm the woman, Cortney thought.
“Please don’t harm her! I’ll do anything you ask,” the warlock shouted.
“Toss your wand to Miss Cortney,” Gator demanded.
“Okay, okay,” Councilman Kessel said as he threw the wand across the room.
Cortney caught it and broke it in half.
“You didn’t have to do that!” the warlock shouted.
Frank with his shirt still
smoldering walked by Cortney and grabbed Councilman Kessel’s wrist.
“Easy! You’re hurting me!” Councilman Kessel said. He sounded fearful for the first time.
“Is everyone all right?” a voice called from the shattered door of the jewelry store.
Cortney turned and found Councilman Innman standing in the door. At his feet stood Tom Cat.
“Looks like we arrived just in time to save the day,” Tom Cat said.
“So, it was you who poisoned Morticia,” Councilman Innman declared as he pointed his finger at Councilman Kessel. “I never suspected you, Gerhart.”
“I didn’t kill Morticia!” Councilman Kessel shouted.
“He’s lying. He sent his assistant to the gun store to compel the owner to kill me,” Cortney said.
“We don’t need another Barnaby as the head of the council. I was doing the council a favor trying to get rid of her. I missed shooting her the night I saw her flying on her broomstick. And she survived the fog I sent to disorientate her over the swamp. I misjudged the half-witch,” he added shaking his head.
Councilman Innman drew a pentagram in the air. When he finished, a silver chain dropped into his hands. “I’ll take over Frank,” the warlock said as he bound Councilman Kessel’s wrist with the chain. “He’s secure now.”
“What will you do with him?” Cortney asked.
“I will call together the other warlocks, and we will strip him of his power and banish him from Bayou George,” Councilman Innman replied.
“That’s a death sentence. I will grow old and die,” Councilman Kessel cried out. “I didn’t kill anyone. It’s not fair. I just tried to kill the half-witch, nothing more,” he pleaded as Councilman Innman led him out of the store.
“What do I do with the old woman?” Gator asked.
“Let her go,” Cortney replied. “She’s harmless without Warlock Kessel,” she said as she watched the two warlocks disappear into the street.
“I saved the day, didn’t I!” Tom Cat said. “First I fetched Frank and then Warlock Innman,” the familiar said.
Cortney glanced at Gator. “How did you get here?”
“I followed you and Tom Cat from the diner,” Gator admitted.