Cora followed her outside. “Witch. I have proof now!”
Petunia didn’t give Cora the benefit of a response. She just hopped into the car.
“What was that all about?” Noah asked.
“What part exactly? Her saying a car that matched yours was over at Helen’s or her screaming on the top of her lungs that I’m a witch?”
“None of that. I was talking about the petition to boot you from the neighborhood. Is that why you wanted to talk to Lucy privately?”
Petunia folded her hands. “Oh … yes, that was it. It hurt my feelings after I found out Cora was actually getting signatures.”
“Did you personally know all of the victims?”
“Fine, yes. They went to high school with me. Charlene Catlin held a grudge against me after I spilled punch accidentally on her white prom dress. It was a total accident, but I’m afraid that she didn’t see it that way. I haven’t seen her since high school, if you discount being flipped off as she drives past.”
“And the other victim?”
“That would be Kaye Horton. In regards to her, it’s more complex. She was dating Henry back in high school. My ex-fiancé, if you remember. Anyway, Henry and I started dating and he wasn’t exactly broken up with Charlene at the time. I felt bad when I found out, which wasn’t until after they had officially broken up.”
“And you still dated him after that?” Noah asked, with furrowed brow.
“Yes, I did. I really liked Henry and he was so nice to me. I shouldn’t have been all that shocked when he cheated on me, since that’s apparently who he is.”
“We can be blind at times with matters of the heart. We probably should question their families, but I probably should be the one who does. If you do, it might be a problem.”
“There’s no way I’m not going along. Perhaps their families doesn’t even know who I am.”
Noah gave Petunia an incredulous look. “I imagine that would be something a teenager would tell her family.”
“Yes, but that’s been years ago and they might not know what I look like.”
“Small town and everyone thinks you’re a witch, remember?”
“Yeah, I got it, but please. I need to be a part of this investigation.”
“Okay, but don’t say I didn’t warn you,” Noah said.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Petunia gave Noah the directions to where Kaye Horton lived with her parents. Glenda and Hank lived in an average home on the edge of town. Their house was all brick and quite small, but the yard was manicured quite nicely, with rose bushes that hugged the front of the house. When Noah pulled into the driveway and they clambered out, the fragrance of the roses was almost overwhelming and Petunia had to hold back a sneeze. However would she explain bubbles spontaneously appearing out of thin air to Noah, especially when she was trying so hard to hide it from him?
Noah knocked on the door, and Petunia stood behind it. That way, they wouldn’t see her until hopefully Noah was invited inside. She wasn’t sure if they knew who she was, but she hoped that they wouldn’t recognize her.
Glenda opened the door. She was a shorter woman, both thin and shaking as she asked, “If you’re here to see Kaye, she’s dead.”
“I know. I’m investigating the murders here in town,” Noah said.
Glenda hesitated for a moment and then said, “I don’t understand. Do you work for the sheriff’s department?”
Petunia peeked around the door now and began, “No—”
Before Petunia had the chance to say anything further, Noah interjected by saying, “We’re launching an independent investigation into the murders here in Lake Forest.”
“I’m not sure what I can tell you that I haven’t already told the sheriff, but if it will help to find out who did this to my Kaye, I’d be more than willing to answer more questions.” The door was opened further, and Glenda said, “Please, come inside.”
Glenda walked over to a table, grabbed a tissue and swiping at her nose as Noah and Petunia stepped into the living room. Petunia admired the oil paintings on the walls that consisted of delicate brushstrokes depicting landscapes of Lake Forest.
“What beautiful paintings,” Petunia observed.
Glenda nodded sadly, and said, “Yes, our Kaye painted them. She was quite a budding artist.”
“I had no idea she was so talented.”
“She’s always loved to draw as a child, but it wasn’t until she was in her twenties that she became interested in painting after she took a course at the community college. It was something she really enjoyed doing.”
Kaye’s mother grabbed her glasses, slipped them on, and asked, “Who are you? Your face looks so familiar but I can’t quite place it.”
Petunia sighed. “I’m Petunia Patterson.” She held up a hand. “Before you throw me out, please know that I’m … we’re trying to figure out who murdered your daughter.”
Glenda’s eyes narrowed slightly as she asked, “Why would I throw you out? Did you do something to my Kaye?”
“No … yes … I don’t know, I guess. What I mean is that we went to high school together and I dated Henry and never knew at the time he was also dating Kaye.”
Glenda shook her head now. “I never much liked that Henry, and what a snake in the grass that one was. Kaye was quite heartbroken when he dumped her and I think she might have mentioned your name before, but it’s been some years since she was in high school.”
Petunia smiled, kindly. “So, she didn’t hold a grudge against me?”
“Not that I know of. She was very hurt about Henry, but Kaye oftentimes kept many things to herself.”
“That’s understandable,” Noah said. “Parents sometimes only know what their children want them to.”
“I’m sorry for your loss.” Petunia frowned for a moment, not wanting to cause Glenda any more pain, yet she had to ask her, “Did Kaye have anyone that you know of who would want to hurt her?”
“Not that I know of. Kaye stayed at home for the most part.”
“So, where was she—?”
“Petunia means where was her body found?”
“At the Lake Forest beach. It appears someone might have lured her out there.”
“Yes, and her name is Petunia Patterson,” a male voice said as a man walked into the room.
Petunia gulped as she stared at Kaye's brother, Andy. He was certainly not Petunia's fan as his eyes narrowed, his fists clenched at his sides. “Kaye received a letter and it was from Petunia, wanting to make amends.”
“Amends for what, Andy?”
“Yes, Kaye didn't want to tell our mother how she really felt about how Petunia stole Henry away.”
“But I didn't. I swear. I never knew they were still seeing each other when I began dating Henry back then.” Petunia shook her head sadly. “I certainly didn't send Kaye any letter. Why, I had no reason to and everything that happened was in high school. I would have thought that Kaye would have gotten over the past by now.”
“Well, she didn't. She was very angry at you still and when she received that letter, she thought she'd finally have the chance to tell you how she really felt and how what you did ruined her life.”
“Ruined her life? That's a bit harsh, don't you think?” Noah asked.
“She was very depressed and despondent after she lost Henry, and she never really had gotten over it. She rarely left home, preferring to isolate herself.”
“Well, I had no idea and I'd have no reason to want her dead or kill her.”
“It has to be you. Kaye didn't have an enemies in town besides you.”
“She hated me?” Petunia asked, shocked by his tone. “I certainly didn’t consider us enemies, nor did I hate Kaye.”
“Of course she did. I just told you that.”
“It makes no sense. I haven't seen her since high school. Was she dating anyone?”
“No, and she didn't have any friends. Only occasionally spoke to a few from high school.”
; “Which ones?” Petunia asked.
“Charlene Catlin for one, and we all know how that worked out. Get out of here before I lose my temper with you!” he bellowed.
“I'm so glad your temper isn't out of control!” Petunia shouted.
Noah stepped between Petunia and Andy as he made a move toward her. “Take it easy, we're leaving.” Noah then maneuvered Petunia toward the door.
Petunia was livid. How dare Andy speak to her this way? He acted like he meant to harm her. As Noah pushed Petunia toward the door, she said, “I didn't have anything to do with Kaye's death and I vow to find the person responsible.” She locked eyes with Glenda on her way out the door and she was visibly upset, now. Petunia felt so bad how the questioning had taken a wrong turn when Andy came into the room.
Noah opened the car door for Petunia and she sat inside. Once Noah slipped behind the wheel, Petunia said, “Thanks, I think Andy was ready to deck me.”
“Families get emotional at times, but you were provoking him by shouting at him.”
“After he nearly threatened me, you mean.”
“I suppose.” Noah laughed. “But there's never a reason to hit a woman no matter how upset you are and I'd never let anyone hurt you, Petunia. But it might be better if I question the other family. For some reason, you don't have many fans in this town.”
“I wish I could have seen that letter. I wonder if the police have it. If they dusted it for prints, they'd know it wasn't me who wrote it.”
“And how do you plan to find that out?”
“I have my ways.”
“We're not moving until you tell me exactly what you're up to now.”
“I'm not up to anything if you need to know. I just met the nicest deputy at the sheriff's department, Natalie Cartwright. It turns out she was my lab partner in high school. I'm afraid I didn't help her out all that much since I always blew things up. Our chemistry teacher was always at the ready with a fire extinguisher.”
“And where did this happy reunion happen?”
“I spoke with her at the sheriff’s department when I was questioned there this morning.”
“A private conversation where exactly, during questioning?”
“No, in the bathroom.”
Noah shook his head, now. “That’s the last person you should consider speaking to. That very well might have been a set-up.”
Petunia sighed. “I suppose you’re right.” That wasn’t what she wanted to hear, though. “The sheriff had her in the interview room when he questioned me and she really didn’t seem like the type. She’s new to the department.”
“And I bet she told you that, right?”
“Look, I’m not an idiot. I have a good sense about people and it’s the only way I’ll ever find out if there really was a letter.”
Noah drummed his fingers against the steering wheel and said, “Look, I’m not trying to tell you what to do here, but there’s simply no way that anyone at the sheriff’s department will tell you anything. Did the sheriff ask you about a letter?”
“No, he didn’t.”
“That makes me wonder about the validity of it, then. But he might not want to question you on that matter until he has all his ducks in a row.”
“Meaning when he’s ready to arrest me?”
“Exactly.”
Noah started the car and Petunia gave him directions to the townhouse community where Charlene Catlin’s mother, Rhonda, lived. On the way, they drove past Mystical Remedies that now had only three people in line, which made Petunia not feel so badly about not helping her aunt out. But the way Petunia saw it, she had very little time left to find the killer before she would be the one to answer for it.
Noah broke through Petunia’s train of thought when he asked, “What can you tell me about Charlene?”
“Charlene was homecoming queen back in high school, but for some reason, she never went to college and worked as a beautician at the Hair Hut. Her parents, Rhonda and Charles, divorced after she graduated, which really changed their style of living. They lived in a huge house near the lake, and her mother had to move to a townhouse after the divorce.”
“Is her father still in town?”
“I really don’t know. It’s not like I was on speaking terms with Charlene.”
“Not even when you get your hair done at the Hair Hut?”
Petunia gave Noah a crazy look. “I don’t go anywhere near that place after the first time. Charlene obviously told the other beauticians all about me.”
“How can you be sure?”
“Well, the one time I went there when Charlene wasn’t working, one of the girls cut a bare spot in the back of my hair.”
“Really?” Noah laughed.
“It’s not funny. I had to wear a hat for a few months when I left the house.” Sure, she could have tried to whip up a hair tonic to grow her hair, but she wasn’t all that sure what the results of that would have been.
“Does Rhonda know who you are?”
Petunia gulped.
“I’ll take that as a yes. I insist on questioning Rhonda solo.”
“You can insist all you want, mister, but there’s no way I’m sitting idly by in the car while you question Rhonda. This is my freedom on the line.”
“I know. That’s why I don’t want you to go along. Just seeing you might upset the woman. She might not answer any of our questions then.”
“But I need to explain to her that I didn’t do this.”
“You can say that all you want, but unless we find the person actually responsible, nobody will believe you’re innocent. Public opinion can be quite harsh.”
Petunia folded her arms across her chest. “I don’t care. I’m going with you and there’s no way I’m staying behind.”
Noah shook his head as he pulled into the Willow Creek complex drive. The all-brick townhouses each had a garage, and while most people might think they looked more like duplexes, they were considered townhomes. There was a tennis court, swimming pool, and gym for residents that were all near the office that they drove past.
“She lives in the back, number 22,” Petunia said.
Noah pulled into the driveway of unit 22 and two boys in their teens were outside, holding onto skateboards. When Petunia and Noah approached them, one of them had a sly smile on his face.
“Does Rhonda Catlin live here?” Petunia asked, unsure if these boys were Rhonda’s sons since they were sixteen, if that.
“Yes. Who are you?” one boy asked, his bright blue eyes widening slightly.
“We’re here to speak to Rhonda. Is she your mother?” Noah asked kindly.
“Today really isn’t a good day. Mom’s in a mood.”
“I’m sorry to hear that, but we really need to ask her some questions about Charlene.”
A woman with disheveled, blonde hair wearing a pink sweatsuit came out the door and asked, “What do you want, Petunia Patterson?”
She looked indeed like she was having a bad day since there were dark circles under Rhonda’s eyes. “I’m here to ask you some questions about Charlene,” Petunia said.
“You have some nerve, coming here. The sheriff told me you’re the prime suspect in her death.”
“Why would he say that since I haven’t spoken to Charlene since high school?”
“After you ruined her gown at prom, you mean? You ruined Charlene’s dress and she was too embarrassed to stay, missing out on the announcement that she was prom queen.”
‘That was all an accident,” Petunia said. “I’m very sorry for what happened. I was a complete klutz back then and it was the first time I’d ever worn heels.”
“That’s all ancient history,” Noah said. “What does any of that have to do with Charlene’s death?”
Rhonda’s eyes narrowed at Noah’s interference as she said, “And who are you? I’ve never seen you in town before.”
“I’m Noah Becker. I’m doing a private investigation of the murders here in Lake Forest.”
�
�Then why is she here?”
“Since her freedom is on the line, she’s taking part in the investigation. We mean to find the real killer.”
Rhonda’s hands went to her hips, now. “Well, you don’t have to go very far to find out. She’s standing right next to you.”
“I didn’t kill Charlene or anyone here in town,” Petunia insisted. “I have no reason to.”
“Not even after Charlene had those girls at the Hair Hut hack your hair?”
“That happened last year. It would be strange to wait so long to enact my revenge if that’s what you think.”
“You probably found out my Charlene was spreading rumors about you being a witch.”
Petunia sighed. “If that were true, I’d have to murder half the people in Lake Forest.”
Noah shook his head now, taking over the questioning. “Was your daughter dating anyone?”
“No, the pickings are slim here in town and she’s put on a few pounds since high school.”
Not according to the last time Petunia saw Charlene. She was blonde, thin, with model looks. “I don’t recall that at all. She was so beautiful. Surely she had some male attention,” Petunia said.
“You don’t think I’d know if my girl was dating someone?”
“We’re not here to pass judgment, but it’s important for us to know who else we should question,” Noah said. “Do you know anyone who’d want to harm your daughter?”
“Nobody except for Petunia,” she insisted.
“Any friends?”
“Just her co-workers.”
“Where was your daughter’s body found?” Noah asked.
“At the beach at Lake Forest. Don’t you watch the news?”
“I do, just verifying if they reported the right information.”
Petunia leaded against Noah slightly now, “Why would she go out there at that particular time.”
“After that note you sent, you mean?”
“I sent a note to Charlene?”
“Yes, you wanted to apologize to her so she said, and you just lured her out there to kill her instead.”
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