Raven (A Very British Witch Book 4)

by Isobella Crowley

  “But my plans were ruined when she stayed in cat form. I tried to think of another way and came up with the brilliant idea of dosing the toilets. Well, that’s where cats drink from, isn’t it? And guess what?”

  Scarlett shrugged.

  “It worked. She didn’t show that cute little face of hers ever again. And do you know what else?”

  Scarlett wished she didn’t have to answer. “What?”

  “The military haven’t been on my case since.” Vixen laughed. “Brilliant, eh?”

  Scarlett’s indignation left a rising ball of emotion in her throat. “But they caught her. Do you have any idea what they do to people in those places?”

  “I do as a matter of fact, yes. That’s what makes this so very satisfying.” She cackled. “But, there was no way I was going in there though, not if there was any way at all of avoiding it.” She grinned at Scarlett. “Honestly… your face!”

  She felt her cheeks flush with anger. “Right, that’s it.”

  Cliff reached out and grabbed her, just in time. “Just be patient, Scarlett. Be patient and her time will come.”

  +++

  Tim slid the phone back in his pocket, stepped out of his car and slammed the door shut. He marched back up to the flat.

  As he entered the living room, he found Cliff leaning from a chair, his arm on Scarlett’s shoulder. The coziness of the situation was something Tim registered only below the surface of his conscious mind. “The police are on their way,” he announced.

  Cliff pulled away and both he and Scarlett turned to look at Tim with equally guilty expressions.

  Scarlett got to her feet, straightened her skirt and looked at him through a wall of awkwardness. “I’ve changed my mind.”

  Seeing the guilty look in her eyes, he tried to ignore the swelling thought that she was talking about their relationship. “Changed your mind, about what?”

  “About Vixen. You were right.”

  Tim swallowed his sigh of relief and kept his expression as cool and collected as he could. “Was I?”

  “Yes. I think we should hand her over to the police.”

  Tim knew he should be happy with this turn of events, especially given the new-found competition, but he couldn’t help feeling concerned. He worried that his expression would give away his true feelings and his defenses would be breached. “What brought this on?”

  “I’ve just had time to think things through.”

  Cliff grinned. “Yes, that and the fact that you tried to throttle her.”

  Tim ignored Cliff’s interruption. “But darling, are you sure? Earlier you were—”

  “Yes, I’m sure. I know what I said earlier, but events since then have changed my mind. As far as I’m concerned, she deserves everything that’s coming to her.”

  Tim observed the way her face craved revenge. This was a side of her he’d never seen before, a side that he’d had no idea even existed. He felt a pining for the girl he’d first met. “Scarlett, that’s not like you. You don’t mean that. And you won’t mean it tomorrow, either.”

  Scarlett glanced around at the others, with an air of resignation on her face. “Well, oh I suppose you’re right. I would regret it if we handed her in and let Moseley do his worst.”

  +++

  A car pulled up outside the flat, prompting Tim to stride across the living room to the window. “It’s them,” he said, turning back to the room. “It’s the police. It’s time”

  They heard the sound of the front door bursting open and footsteps coming up the stairs. Tension and anticipation contorted everyone’s faces as they waited in silence for the door to the flat to open. Raven scurried under the table, where she looked on with interest.

  Tim marched towards the door and opened it. “Good evening, officer. I’m Flight Lieutenant Clarke.”

  “Good evening, Flight Lieutenant. Was it you that requested police assistance?”

  “It was indeed. Come on, this way.” He motioned them to the living room.

  Tim took a glance over his shoulder at the cloudless sky through the misty window and mopped his brow with the back of his hand. Turning around to make eye contact, he felt his head start to spin. How he wished he could cast a spell to transport him forward in time. Throughout his career, he’d always relied on undisputable facts and well thought out theories to construct a watertight argument. Having to use his charm and powers of persuasion as he did now was a whole new experience for him. One that he’d spent his career trying to avoid. He glanced at Scarlett before he began and wondered if she knew what he was putting himself through for her.

  One of the policemen, the one he’d been dealing with at the door, stepped forward. “So, what was it you wanted assistance with?”

  Tim ran his tongue around his mouth just as his stomach started to churn. He wished he’d thought to grab a bite to eat whilst he was alone earlier. “Thank you for taking the time to come here, officers. I just want to fill you in on a small investigation I’ve been carrying out.”

  One of the policemen looked at his wrist, despite the fact that he wasn’t wearing a watch.

  “Don’t worry, this won’t take long. It’s been a long day. Think we all have places we’d rather be.”

  The policeman nodded. “You can say that again.”

  “Okay, I’ll get started. I believe you are acquainted with our friend here.” He glanced at Vixen, who was slumped down in a corner.

  The policeman nodded.

  “I took the liberty of going to her flat. As soon as I walked in, I was amazed. Amazed that someone could be so obsessive about anything. Everywhere I looked there were pictures of Raven and McMillan together, handwriting samples, letters, you know, that type of thing. I felt it safe to make the conclusion that Vixen was, no is, obsessed with McMillan and his girlfriend.”

  Tim saw one of the policemen taking notes and waited for him to look up before continuing. “Officers, all the evidence I found pointed to one thing. Vixen killed McMillan and attempted to frame Raven for a crime she didn’t commit. And if you don’t believe me, then do your own testing. I’m sure forensics will support this alternative explanation; Vixen’s DNA will be all over the body.”

  The policemen nodded, but looked unconvinced.

  “As for the murder weapon, have your bobbies conduct a thorough search of the dumpsters in the area, I believe you may find the knife in one of them,” Tim hinted, winking at Scarlett.

  “You seem certain of that… ”

  Tim, now getting into his stride, continued, “and do you know what else I found? McMillan’s girlfriend has disappeared. Literally, just vanished into thin air, leaving just a bundle of clothes in her place.”

  The policemen started muttering to each other, and turned to hear what else Tim had to say. It was obvious to everyone that they were entertained if nothing else. Grinning, one of them shrugged. “She’s run off, so what? Happens all the time.”

  “Ah yes, but this is different. It’s different, because it appears she didn’t run off, like you said. From the evidence I came across, I’d say it was far more likely that something happened to her.” He gave it some thought. “Might I suggest that we file Raven, the girlfriend, as a missing person?”

  One of the policemen shrugged. “Why would we do that?”

  Tim felt something furry brush against his leg. He looked down, just in time to see Raven make a quick getaway out the door. Scarlett stood up. “Err, excuse me, I’ve just got to attend to something. Won’t be a minute.”

  Rapt in his account of the crime, Tim went on. “Because it would make it look like you were in control of the situation from the off. It would hide the fact that you almost made a wrongful arrest. If that got out then the press would be all over it, wouldn’t they? And just imagine the uproar if you’d actually made the arrest and had her convicted.

  “No, I think it’s best all ‘round if you do as I ask and file her as a missing person.”

  The policeman nodded and wrote something in hi
s notebook. “Well, having given your theory some thought, it sounds perfectly reasonable to me. There’s nothing more for me to do than thank you for your time.” He turned to smile at the rest of them. “And thank you all too. I see you’ve gone to a lot of trouble.”

  Tim smiled. “No problem officer, no problem at all.”

  When the police had finished taking their statements, they grinned at Vixen, like a couple of sharks at a cornered seal.

  “Come on, Vixen. You’re coming with us.”

  After cuffing her, the policemen escorted her towards the door. They’d only taken one step out when Vixen looked over her shoulder and scowled. “Don’t think you’ve seen the last of me, because I’ll be back. You’ll rue the day you ever crossed me, I tell you.”

  With the critical moment over, Tim allowed himself a moment to bask in the warm, tingly vacuum that had replaced his anxiety. He smiled through the window, feeling pretty pleased with himself. I did it!

  “What’s happened to Scarlett?” Tim asked no one in particular.

  Tabitha averted her gaze from the window. “She went out partway through your speech. Didn’t you see her?”

  “Did she? No, I—”

  Cliff butted in. “Didn’t you see Raven running out from under the table?”

  “Oh yes Cliff, I saw that. Damned thing nearly sent me flying. The sooner she returns to human form, the better, that’s what I say.” They all chuckled.

  Cliff continued. “Well, Scarlett went after her. None of us have seen her since.”

  Cliff’s words consumed Tim’s high spirits. “So, she’s gone missing is that what you’re telling me?” He hung his head, his expression suddenly weary. “Didn’t any of you think to—”

  Tabitha leaned forward. “I’m sure she’s fine. Why wouldn’t she be? She only went out to… ” Her voice faded to a murmur. “Keep Raven quiet.” She sounded like her opinion had changed part way through the sentence.

  Tarquin shot her a concerned glance. “Tabitha, I’m sure nothing has happened. I know you have your suspicions about Raven, but I don’t think there’s much to worry about. Not on this occasion, anyway.”

  “So you do think there is something to worry about there?” Tabitha said, leaning across.

  “I’m not ruling out any possibilities, but I don’t think this is the time or the place to go worrying about it.”

  “Okay, maybe you’re right.”

  Tim looked at Tabitha and Tarquin who had assumed the role of group leaders. “So, what are we going to do then? About Scarlett?”

  Tabitha patted Tarquin’s thigh and stood up. “Not much sitting here, that’s for sure. Come on, let's get that binding spell done on Vixen, then go out and look for that niece of mine.”

  Tim ran on ahead. “All right, catch up when you’re done, we don’t have a moment to lose.” Cliff trudged along after.

  Tim didn’t stop running until he stepped outside the main entrance and saw Scarlett sitting on the hood of his car, talking to Raven.

  “Oh, there you are,” he said, relieved.

  “Yes. Here I am. All sorted?”

  Tim grinned. “Yes. Thanks to yours truly. Tabitha and Tarquin will be down in a little bit, they’re doing a spell to keep Vixen from slipping away from the police.”

  “Without me?” Scarlett’s face fell in disappointment.

  “I think they feel you’ve had enough excitement for the day. Speaking of, did you take care of the knife?”

  “Yes, it’s in the bin over there, still wrapped up,” she answered, nodding towards a dumpster by the building.

  Tim flashed her a big smile “That’s my girl.”

  As Cliff finally made his way out of the building, he saw Scarlett and Tim chatting by Tim’s car, and decided to hold back and wait for the others before joining the couple.

  About ten minutes later they heard the fire door slam. She slipped off the car and turned to face Tabitha, who was navigating her way through the parked cars while Tarquin and Cliff hung back by the entrance to the building.

  “There you are.” Tabitha addressed Tim. “There, see. Absolutely nothing to worry about.” She looked at Scarlett and lowered her voice. “He was worried about you. Thought you might have wandered off.”

  Scarlett put her arms around Tim. “That’s sweet of you, thank you very much. Everything set with Vixen?” she asked, nodding to Tabitha.

  “Bound up good and tight, she won’t be escaping custody any time soon.”

  Tim grunted and led them through the car park, back to the door, where the others were waiting. They were conversing about Tim’s performance.

  “Oh, here he is, the man himself,” Tarquin said, slapping Tim on the back.

  Tabitha chuckled. “Yes, and the way he made them worried about the consequences of getting the wrong person. That’s what got me.”

  Tim laughed. “Oh, it was nothing. Not really. Not when you’ve been around the block as many times as I have.”

  Tabitha looked him right in the eye. “Well, that may be, but it doesn’t change the fact that we couldn’t have done it without you.”

  “Well, you played a major part too, Tabitha.”

  “Thank you.” Her eyes lit up. “Say, why don’t we continue this conversation somewhere else? I’m getting a chill out here.”

  They all nodded and agreed it sounded like a great idea.

  Tarquin smiled at her. “Where did you have in mind, exactly?”

  “Don’t know. I hadn’t thought that far ahead. What about a pub somewhere?”

  Scarlett piped up. “What about the White Hart? It shouldn’t be all that busy, not until later, anyway. But we’re not planning on staying there till closing time are we?”

  Tarquin stepped forward. “The White Hart sounds good, Scarlett, but I have another option.”

  “Where?” They all said as one.

  “My bookshop.”

  Tabitha grinned. “Sounds absolutely perfect. Well, that’s settled then, Tarquin’s it is.”

  Cliff though, had other ideas. “No, we can’t go to Tarquin’s can we?”

  A veil of tiredness descended over Tabitha. “Why ever not?”

  “We can’t go there, because the booze is pitiful. I’m sorry Tarquin, but it really is.”

  “Well, maybe the bookshop isn’t the best place after all,” said Tabitha. “Come think of it, maybe we should go somewhere further afield. Somewhere a bit more secluded, where the cops aren’t going to suddenly appear unannounced.”

  Tarquin looked puzzled. “Sounds like a good idea in theory. But, is there such a place in Bicester?”

  “Yes! Why don’t we all go back to my place for a quick nightcap?”

  Cliff grinned and slapped Tarquin on the shoulder. “Sounds like a great idea to me, how about it, Tarquin?”

  Tarquin nodded. “Tabitha’s it is then, folks.”

  Tabitha beamed at all of them. “Come on then, what are we all waiting for?”

  Scarlett glanced up at Tim, who smiled at her and said, “Come on, step this way. You can come with me if you like.”

  She took two steps forward then looked over her shoulder to see the others disappearing into their cars. She imagined herself sitting by the fire, glass of wine in hand, conversing and laughing with her friends. Why had she ever even considered leaving Bicester to seek her fortune elsewhere?

  Tim fastened his seatbelt, looked across and saw Scarlett staring through the window. “What are you thinking about?” he said, tapping her on the shoulder.

  “Oh, you know, nothing really. Just that I’m lucky to have a group of such good friends. And my best friend of all isn’t even here.”

  Tim smiled and nodded. “I know exactly what you mean. Should be a good night at Tabitha’s.”

  “A very good night.”

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  Police Station, Police House, Queens Ave, Bicester

  The police car pulled up outside the station, its headlights shining over the concrete steps leading to
the entrance.

  They marched her, kicking and screaming from the car, up the steps and into reception.

  “Get your hands off me,” she hissed at the policeman who had hold of her arm.

  Taking one arm apiece, the policeman led her into the police station and along the corridor, footsteps clattering from one patch of light to the next, until they came to a small office with the door wide open.

  Inside, sitting at a wooden desk, was Vixen’s solicitor. He looked up, smiled and nudged out the chair opposite him with his toe. “Officers, would you mind giving me a moment alone with my client? And would you please remove her cuffs?”

  One of the policemen nodded and obliged. “We’ll just be down here if you need us.”

  As soon as the door closed behind them, Vixen stormed around the desk, dropped on the chair and lunged forwards, chin on hands.

  The solicitor laid his pen flat on his open notepad. “Hello again.”

  Vixen scowled at the wall above his head. How dare he address her with that tone of voice, grin at her in a way that suggested she was nothing more than an irritating hopeless cause. The worst of it was that he was all she had. That’s right, the short-arse with the greasy hair and foul breath was her only hope of getting off. Fantastic. “Hello.”

  He grinned. “What have you been up to now?”

  “Oh for… ” She scraped back her chair and folded her arms. “Can you get me off or not?”

  “Well, it’s looking bleak.”

  “Well, it’s looking bleak.” She mimicked him, making him sound even more pathetic than she deemed him to be.

  If he felt any anger towards her, his polite smile did a fine job of covering it up. “Vixen, let’s examine the facts. A man—whom you were seeing—has been stabbed to death. The police have found pretty water-tight evidence that you were involved and—.”

  “Oh, the police have found water-tight evidence.” She mimicked him again. “I’m a moron.”

  He shook his head. “Vixen, I must—”

  “Look, I’m sorry. Just—get me out of here, okay?”

  “I’ll do my best.” He turned over a page in a document file in front of him.