1 Meows, Magic & Murder

by Madison Johns

  Petunia tapped her foot in aggravation. She took a chair over to the fence and scaled the chain length span, hopping on the other side. She followed Gem, who had gone into a doghouse that was no longer in use. Petunia dropped to her hands and knees, glancing inside. She couldn't see anything, so she gingerly felt inside, pulling out the contents. Out came balls with bells, feather cat toys, stuffed toys—and—knitting needles!

  "Gem?" Petunia called out. She then surfaced and Petunia scooped her up and the knitting needles. Marching back to the fence, she carefully lifted Gem up and over, putting her on the chair she had used to climb over. However will I get on the other side of the fence, now? Petunia thought.

  She could go around the front of the house, but the gate was always locked, and Petunia didn't want to startle her neighbor by suddenly appearing at her patio door asking to be let out of their backyard when she shouldn't be there to begin with.

  She wasn’t able to reach the back of the chair that was just on the other side of the fence, but found a cinder block in the backyard, using it to try and scale it. Unfortunately, she wasn't quite tall enough. She hitched her leg up to the top of the fence just as Noah appeared with a chuckle.

  “What … are you doing?”

  Petunia fell backwards, the top of the fence hooked on the ankle of her jeans as she dangled from the top. With a hop, Noah landed next to her and detangled her jeans. Boom, she fell to the soft ground below.

  “Thanks a lot.”

  “Hey, I did help you get loose.” Noah glanced to the ground. “Are those knitting needles?”

  Petunia eased herself off the ground and snatched up the knitting needles. “Yes, I followed Gem over here. She’s the thief of my knitting needles. I found them in that dog house over there.”

  “Seems strange that she’d go into a dog house.”

  “My neighbor doesn’t have a dog anymore.”

  “So that explains the yarn coming for your back door.”

  The patio door swung open and Sheriff Pinkerton walked over with Emily Dobson, her neighbor. She was around ninety and only stood only about five foot. She nervously stayed on her patio slab as the sheriff walked to meet Petunia and Noah.

  “I received a call from your neighbor, Petunia. You’ve really scared poor Emily half to death.”

  When the sheriff spied the knitting needles Petunia held, she quickly said, “I found my lost knitting needles. Apparently my cats have been stealing them and hiding them over in that doghouse. There are quite the number of toys there, too. Cats are like that, dragging things off. It’s no wonder I haven’t figured it out where my needles have gone to.”

  “Don’t you keep your cats more contained than that?”

  “Oh, I do, and I’ll check that out when I get home.”

  “What did I tell you, Sheriff,” Cora shouted from the other side of the fence. “Looks like you caught her before Petunia killed poor Emily, Sheriff.”

  Petunia gasped. “I’m not a murderer, and why are you in someone else’s backyard. You don’t live at that house, Cora.”

  “Look, she has the murder weapon in her hands.”

  “I don’t have to explain anything to you, Cora. Go home.”

  “Yes,” the sheriff said. “Go along home, Cora. I can take it from here.”

  Sheriff Pinkerton gazed at Noah. “Did you see her take the knitting needles from the dog house?”

  “No, but she had them when she was trying to get back into her yard. So obviously she wasn’t going over to Emily’s to murder her.”

  The sheriff shook his head now. ‘This certainly puts a twist to my case. But how many knitting needles did you find in that dog house. You bought six sets, remember?”

  “I’m not sure, but I’ll certainly check my house when I go home.”

  “I’d be happy to help you,” the sheriff said.

  “Thanks, but I think I can handle that, after I get back from my aunt’s shop. She’s been expecting me all day.”

  “You never mentioned before that you wanted to go over there on the way home. We could have stopped there,” Noah said.

  “I know and believe me, I need to go over there solo. She was swamped today and wanted me to help out at Mystical Remedies.”

  “Oh, I saw a huge line over there,” Emily said, joining them. “I’m sorry I called in the law. I was just scared when I spotted you in my backyard. I didn’t know quite what to think. I shouldn’t have listened to the gossip, I suppose. You’ve always been a good neighbor, Petunia.”

  ‘Thanks, Emily. Could we go through the front? I’d hate to attempt to hop your fence again. I nearly maimed myself trying.”

  Emily giggled now and from a woman of ninety, it sounded quite delightful to Petunia’s ears. “You should have just knocked on my front door. I’d have been more than willing to give you access to my back yard. I know your cats come over here all the time.”

  “I’m sorry about that. I really need to check the lock on my screen door. I don’t quite know how else those cats could get out.”

  Petunia wanted to ask the sheriff about the letters that both Kaye and Charlene received, but it looked like the sheriff was at least thinking about her cats taking her knitting needles. If she could find the package with the needles still in it, she’d no longer be a suspect!

  Petunia thanked Emily as they were led through her nearly immaculate house. “Wow, you have more energy than I do, Emily. I can barely keep up with my cleaning.”

  “Oh, Lucy came over and cleaned my house. She sure has plenty of energy since you helped her out.”

  Noah’s brow shot up. “Oh, this I’d love to hear.”

  “It’s nothing, just a little herbal tea.”

  “I tried to get some of that tea, but your aunt said she was all out,” Emily said, rubbing her lower back. “It’s too bad since my back pains me so.”

  Petunia frowned slightly. “I’m sorry to hear that. I’ll speak to my aunt about it.”

  Sheriff Pinkerton raised one very hairy brow, but remained silent as Petunia made way for the door. Noah caught up with Petunia when she made it home. “Do you have those knitting needles?”

  “I’m not sure, but I’ll search my house after I come back from Mystical Remedies. Like I said, I need to go over there by myself to ask my aunt a few questions that don’t pertain to this case.”

  “Family related?”

  “Yes.”

  Noah walked past her house, looking back one last time before he hopped back in his car, parking it in his garage. She then went inside, grabbing her large back bag, but then thought better of it. “I don’t want to put you in that bag again, Pansy,” Petunia said. She grabbed a leash instead, attaching it to Pansy.

  Pansy remained silent, thankfully. Perhaps Pansy really thought she’d be able to turn him back, although Petunia had no idea what she’d encounter at her aunt’s shop, or even if she’d find the right spell.

  She strutted out the door once she had assured herself that all of her cats were inside. When she had checked the screen door, the catch was broken and it was easily able to be pushed open by a cat. She closed the storm door and locked it, even made sure all of her windows were closed and locked—not that she thought her cats could get out one of the windows, but she wanted to make sure before she left.

  Petunia snuck a glance at Noah’s house as she passed and felt almost disappointed that she didn’t catch sight of him, which made her feel weird. She was really beginning to like him, which was dangerous territory for her. Only a good man would help out a virtual stranger like he had and she’d have to find some way to pay him back, like supporting him when he ran for sheriff. She’d have to forget about how his eyes twinkled when he smiled, or how he’d look at her like he knew what she was thinking about before she did. Stop it, Petunia. Quit thinking about Noah like that. He’s helping you out only because…

  Well, Petunia didn’t know really why, but she’d be interested to know the truth of it if she ever got the nerve up to ask
him.

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  Noah knocked on Lucy Winters’ door out of curiosity. He wanted to know what was going on with Petunia and Lucy, what she was hiding from him. He really liked Petunia and he had to help her out. If what happened today was an indication, he’d backed the right filly. If only they could find out who was trying to frame her.

  Lucy answered the door after Noah knocked but a few times. “Well, hello there, handsome. Where is Petunia?”

  “I thought we could have a little chat.”

  “Come on inside before the neighbors go to spreading rumors that I have another hot, younger man chasing after me.”

  Noah walked inside and chuckled. “Really? You mean I’m not the first?”

  “Oh, no. Ever since I’ve felt better, there have been plenty of younger men interested. They chat my ear off whenever I go to the gym, and one of them is even training me for the marathon.”

  “Marathon? Are you sure you’re up for that? I’d hate to see a woman your age keeling over at the yearly Lake Forest marathon.”

  “Oh, so you know about our yearly activities in town?”

  “I’ve done my research. But what I’m most curious about is what’s really going on between you and Petunia.”

  Lucy made way for the living room and eased down into a chair. “I’m not sure what you mean.”

  “You insisted on speaking to Petunia privately.”

  “Of course. I’ve known her since she was a child, but some things men wouldn’t care to hear about—bodily functions and womanly subjects that most men would leave the room if they heard us speaking about them.”

  “What do you think about all the rumors about Petunia being a witch? What do you make of that?”

  Lucy picked up a glass of iced tea and took a long drink. “You can’t listen to half the things people say in town about Petunia or her aunt. They just don’t understand. Anastasia Cuza took in Maxine when she was a teenager, after her family wouldn’t allow her to stay with them. Maxine had a personal matter out of town, the type of thing that wasn’t talked about in those days. It was right nice of Anastasia to take Maxine in like that, and yes, she was reputed to be a witch. Nobody knows for sure, but it’s a small town. Anastasia was just eccentric.”

  “That makes some sense, but there must be some truth about Anastasia to circulate those rumors.”

  “How did we get on this subject?” Lucy asked. “I thought you wanted to know about Petunia and me chatting. I love that girl, enough to never make a move on anyone she was interested in.”

  “Petunia interested in me?” Noah asked with a slight smile. “I doubt that very much. She certainly hasn’t acted like she’s interested.”

  “That’s just like Petunia to do that, but I see that look in her eye when she speaks to you. She’s just a little gun-shy when it comes to men.”

  “I can understand that. We all have our scars, some worse than others.”

  “Whatever you do, don’t lead her on, Noah. She deserves much better.”

  Even though he didn’t believe in the occult, he had to ask, “So Petunia isn’t a witch and she hasn’t done some magical spell to make you suddenly able to feel a hundred percent better?”

  “She gave me herbal tea, but I always thought she just told me it would help with my arthritis. I guess it worked because I wanted to believe it would. There’s no magic involved here and I’m shocked you’d ever believe in such a thing, handsome.”

  Noah thanked Lucy and left. He felt bad for grilling Lucy, but there had to be more about Petunia than she let on. There had to be, otherwise how could he explain how he was beginning to feel about her. It went beyond trying to clear her name, way beyond.

  * * *

  “Quit moving so fast. I’m not used to walking this far. The concrete is killing my paws,” Pansy whined.

  Petunia slowed her pace. “Sorry.”

  She stared across the street and waved at Mayor Hopkins and the ever-present Florence McHenry, who just glared at her. Petunia heard a passerby say, “I can’t wait to vote that pompous ass out of office the next election.”

  Petunia nodded at Chastity Bennet, who worked at Nelson’s Bakery, as she strode past. She was in her thirties and power walked daily. Although quite plain-looking with thinning hair, Petunia always wanted to perfect her hair tonic with Chastity in mind. Thankfully she didn’t offer her any of it since it made several men bald, but if the healing salve worked, there might be hope that she was capable of actually making potions that worked, perhaps even able to turn Pansy back.

  Petunia made it across the street. Mystical Remedies was on the opposite corner and not a soul in sight. She entered the brick building and gingerly stepped over the loose-leaf tea that littered the ground.

  With broom in motion, Hazel said, “Well, look what the cat dragged in.”

  “Cat? Put me on the counter. I don’t want this tea all over my fur,” Pansy whined.

  “She was talking to me, silly.”

  Petunia walked over to part of the counter that wasn’t layered with tea or broken glass and carefully set Pansy on the counter. Only then did she turn and ask, “Where is my aunt?”

  “In the office, working on an order for more tea and herbs,” Hazel said, holding out the broom for Petunia to take.

  Petunia took the broom just as Aunt Maxine walked into the room. “I thought I heard your voice, Petunia. It’s kind of you to show up, finally. I hope you were using your time wisely today.”

  “Yes. Noah and I were questioning witnesses today, but no luck with finding out anything of much help. I did find out where some of my knitting needles went to, though.”

  “Do tell?”

  “Apparently, my cats have been taking them and hiding them in an old doghouse in my neighbor Emily’s backyard.”

  Aunt Maxine glanced over to where Pansy was and said, “Really, Pansy?”

  “Oh, go ahead and blame me. It’s not like I’m the only cat in that house,” Pansy said.

  Petunia smiled and told her aunt, “No, I followed Gem over there.”

  Wanda appeared from the back, holding a wine glass in her hand. “Teach you to have so many cats.”

  “Isn’t it early for wine?” Petunia asked, shocked.

  “I deserve it. We all do after the day we had.”

  “So what did happen today?”

  “After you finish telling me about the knitting needles you found. Have you found all of the ones you purchased?”

  “Not yet, but I’ll be doing a sweep of the house.”

  “That’s a good break. You should tell the sheriff so he can weigh his options in the case. Then perhaps he’ll look for another suspect.”

  “He already knows I plan to look for the rest of them.”

  “At least he didn’t accuse you of planting them.”

  “Not yet, but I frightened poor Emily, being in her back yard like that, and she called the police. I was caught trying to hop the fence when the sheriff showed up.”

  “That must have been quite a scene.”

  “I noticed the line around the building. Apparently, Lucy leaked something at bingo about how she’s so springy these days. I didn’t see the harm in it. At least she didn’t tell anyone I made the salve she used.”

  “Oh, no. She told them it was herbal tea—and that it was available right here at Mystical Remedies,” Aunt Maxine said in a disapproving tone.

  Pansy stared at Petunia and said, “Don’t even tell me they sold all the ingredients you need to change me back.”

  “Pansy wants to know if I’ll be able to get the ingredients needed to change him back into human form.” When her aunt simply stared at her, she said, “Look, it wasn’t my fault what Lucy said. She was just trying to protect me. It’s bad enough that people in town think I’m a witch, which I’m totally not.”

  Hazel and Wanda giggled uncontrollably now. “You really think that you’re not a witch when you turned a man into a cat?” Hazel asked, her eyes wide as she s
poke.

  “Now, Hazel, that will be quite enough,” Aunt Maxine said. “And I can’t help you with any ingredients for now. As you can see, we’re sold out of whatever wasn’t scattered on the floor by the overzealous customers today.”

  “Why are there tea leaves everywhere and broken glass?”

  “Those women were just plain nuts, fighting over tea leaves like it was some kind of miracle cure that it’s not. I daresay I’ll have plenty of angry customers come tomorrow when what they were able to buy hasn’t helped them like your salve did Lucy.”

  “Didn’t you tell them they were mistaken and what they bought here wouldn’t do the trick?”

  Wanda did a belly laugh. “Oh, Maxine told them all right, but they didn’t believe her. Even went so far as to say she was keeping the secret all to herself.”

  “If I had something like what you gave to Lucy, I’d be an even a richer woman by now,” Aunt Maxine said with a sly smile.

  “And have half the town your age signing up for the Lake Forest marathon?”

  “Is Lucy still doing that? I was certain I had convinced her to not make a spectacle of herself.”

  “She promised to be low-key, but I just don’t believe we’ll be able to keep her away from that marathon. Unless you can find a way to convince her, since it’s tomorrow, you know.”

  “I suppose I could ask her again, but she’s dead set on it. She told me it’s about time someone our age shows those youngsters how it’s done. Maxine was always quite active in her younger years. She ran regularly and was quite the swimmer, until the arthritis struck her down. I’m glad you gave her that salve, Petunia, but the results are nothing short of miraculous.”