The Deadly Jellybean Affair

by Carrie Marsh

  Finally, with the arrival of more members of The Outlaws, Mary shimmied down the branches. Once her feet were on solid ground, she manoeuvred through the dense path as fast and as quietly as she could.

  Before long, she was back at the fork that led to Poe’s Hill or around to the main entrance just blocks from her home. Looking over her shoulder, Mary didn’t see anything. As she reached the jogging/bicycle path, her breathing was heavy and she knew she looked like a hot, sweaty mess. There were bike riders, not bikers, along the path that sped past her as well as joggers and speed walkers. Mary was never so happy to see health nuts in her whole life.

  She slowed her pace and walked calmly across the road to Tree Top Lane and let herself in the front door of her home.

  Thank heavens you’re home! Alabaster gushed, rubbing his whole body against her legs as she shut the front door. Did you find out anything?

  “You won’t believe what happened.” Mary leaned against the door and slipped the deadbolt back into place. “And, yes. I found out more than I thought I ever would. But right now, I need a shower and a cup of tea before I faint.”

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  SUMMER MEMORIES

  SUMMER MEMORIES

  After a cool shower to wash off the grime, sweat, and all around bad vibes from the encounter with the Outlaws, Mary told Alabaster everything she had learned over the past couple of hours. He stared at her, his jade green eyes barely blinking as he sat still the only thing indicating he wasn’t a stuffed animal was the whipping of his tail with each scene Mary described.

  You’re lucky you made it out of there alive, Alabaster reprimanded. Just because I’m a cat doesn’t mean I don’t know trouble when I hear it. If you have nightmares for several weeks over all this, I won’t be surprised. Quite frankly, it may be exactly what you deserve.

  “I’m not going to argue with you.” Mary shook her head, wiping her wet hair with the towel around her neck. “It was intense and I probably will have nightmares. But I did find out Bruce’s brother was who broke into his house.”

  “What do you think that means?”

  “Well, I’d assume that maybe the Governor was on the phone with Bruce, looking for some clue or something that might link Summer’s death to him.”

  Alabaster blinked.

  “But would the Governor expect his brother to pay him to help him out? I don’t know?”

  They sat in silence for a few moments.

  “And that necklace.” Mary rubbed her eyes. “I have seen that necklace somewhere before and I just can’t place it. It’s right on the edge of my mind but it’s out of focus. I can’t see any details but I know I saw that necklace before. It’s a very unique design of silver geometric shapes linked or soldered together to make this abstract heart shape.”

  Does Grace own one like it? Alabaster laid down like the Sphinx.

  “I thought of that but for the life of me I can’t place it. I keep thinking maybe I saw it on Dawn Williamson.” Mary shrugged her shoulders. “Or maybe it was one of her gaggle of friends I saw it on. Either way, I’ve seen that necklace before and something inside is telling me it is important.”

  Perhaps we should do a recollection ceremony. Alabaster’s eyes had gone sleepy.

  Mary blinked.

  “I wonder why all of a sudden I feel the need to use my magic?” She laughed nervously. “It seems like a weird coincidence, don’t you think?”

  Mary, you’re a witch. It’s in your blood. Your DNA.

  “Come on, Alabaster,” Mary scoffed. “Let’s face it. I haven’t been a witch for a long time. A couple of decades now, right?”

  Oh, right, because everyone can talk to cats. You’re correct. You haven’t been using your witchcraft at all.

  Mary gave Alabaster a dirty look for his ruthless sarcasm.

  “You know what I mean.” She raised her eyebrows.

  That is what I’m here for. To help you. So, if you want to figure out where you saw that necklace before, let’s find the book with the recollection ceremony in it and get to work. It’s a lot safer than what you did today.

  “My gosh. Swimming with sharks was safer than what I did today.” Mary stood and went to the closet in the hallway between the living room and the front foyer. Inside was her vacuum cleaner, winter coats in zipped up bags, luggage that hadn’t been used since Ward passed away, and tucked far in the corner up top was a book of everyday spells.

  It wasn’t anything fancy. Just a brown book with the word Ibedim imprinted in beautiful gold lettering, which loosely translated meant in the same place. These were everyday spells, simple conjurings to help a new witchy-wife in her domestic responsibilities.

  For example, if she had made a dinner that burned, she could temporarily subdue her husband’s taste buds while he ate, making the meal not so much of a flop. There was also a spell that muted the words of a troublesome in-law, making them virtually inaudible. They would think they were speaking normally but to the ears of the offended party, the words were just muffled grunts and murmurs.

  But what Alabaster was talking about was a little more practical. The recollection ceremony had to do with finding a lost set of keys or a misplaced wedding ring. Just draw a picture of the item that has slipped away and with a few drops of grape seed oil, the wax of one red candle, a wooden bowl, and a book of matches the image of the lost item will present itself. Or, if a new wife can’t remember if she mailed the check for the water bill, she can also get a vision of where the money is, whether it is on its way to the Water Department or if it is still sitting in the bank account.

  “Do you think this will work?” Mary looked at Alabaster, who seemed mildly interested in the spell but more interested in laying on the pages of the open book.

  I think it is well worth a try.

  Mary scanned through the book and felt it was like a stroll down memory lane. She remembered her mother concocting some of these recipes to help with a loose tooth or chase away bad dreams.

  How time seemed to stand still when she looked at her old book. Alabaster was right. She was born a witch. It was her special gift and now she had to use that gift to help figure out this mystery. Where had she seen that necklace before?

  Quickly, she scribbled out a rough drawing of the necklace the tattooed girl had been wearing. Following the instructions in the book, she tore up the pieces of paper and dropped them into the wooden bowl. A few drops of grape seed oil, A red candle lit in front of her that she took and tilted, letting the red wax fall on the paper. Finally, with a few special words that Mary was pretty sure she was pronouncing correctly, she dropped a match in the bowl, igniting the items.

  Within seconds, there was more smoke than flame in the bowl and Mary leaned over the smoldering contents, inhaling the woody smell.

  In seconds, the image of the necklace was crystal clear in her mind. She saw it on the tattooed girl. And, as if another image was transposed over it, she saw the neck of another person. Both women were about the same age but one didn’t have tattoos creeping up her arms and shoulders. With a gasp, Mary’s eyes snapped open.

  “How could I have not remembered!” she yelled, smacking her right hand to her forehead. “Alabaster, I saw that same exact necklace on Summer when she came into my store looking for work.”

  You’re sure?

  “I’m positive. I remember thinking how odd it looked on her because it was so elegant but she was so cutting edge. You know what I mean. It wasn’t made of leather or thick, ropey gold. It looked out of place on her. But it was pretty.”

  So, what does this mean?

  “It means I need to talk to that girl again. I was just calling her Lydia the Tattooed lady but I think the Governor called her Regina.”

  You saw what happened today. Do you seriously think any of them will talk to you again? Besides, they aren’t going to be in the park. You’ll have to go to their turf. You’ll disappear forever. You know it’s true. Alabaster stood right in front of Mary, glaring into her face.
Please tell me you won’t do it.

  “How would I even find her again?” Mary looked at the bowl of ashes in front of her. “There’s got to be a spell for finding someone, right?”

  Only if you are related to that person by blood. Otherwise, none of the spells to find anyone or anything will help you.

  “You’re just saying that so I don’t try.”

  No, I’m not. Go ahead and see what you get trying to locate a person who isn’t your kin. Just don’t complain to me about the blinding migraine that will follow.

  “Well, then I’ll just have to rely on good, old-fashioned sleuthing. And I think I might know where to start.”

  Where is that?

  “The Little Dog Lounge.”

  What? Why in the world would you want to go back to that place? They know you are Andrew’s mother. They won’t be any happier to see you than the Outlaws would be. Don’t bet on anyone telling you anything.

  “It’s worth a try. Plus, the worst they can do is throw me out. Unlike the Outlaws at the park, who could have killed me and buried me right there.”

  The notion sent a shiver through her body and suddenly Mary didn’t feel too well.

  Face it, Mary. You’ve spent a lot of psychic energy today. You need to recharge. You’re like a weightlifter who has been off for a couple of weeks. You need to build your strength back up.

  “I think I just need a nap.”

  Yes. A nap is good. Then tomorrow, you’ll bring me to the shop and we’ll put something else together that is like a psychic vitamin B shot. If you’re going to go through with this crazy plan and see it all the way through, you’ll need your energy.

  “What something?” Mary looked at her cat. “How is it that you know all these things but I can’t seem to remember much of anything?”

  I’m a cat. We all know these remedies and potions. It is what makes us so calm all the time.

  “Really?” Mary scratched Alabaster’s head, making him purr. “What happens when you have catnip?”

  Oh, well, that stuff just gives our superior brains a rest and a little time to play. Like having a beer after work.

  “More like having six or seven beers after work,” Mary teased. She scooped the cat up in her arms, holding him tightly and snuggling him to her chest and went to the bedroom where she just about collapsed on the bed. When Mary woke up, half the day had passed and she still didn’t feel one hundred percent herself.

  But the image of that necklace around Summer’s neck stayed in her mind even as she tried to do other things around the house.

  Where did she get it? Regina had made a point to say she got hers from a boyfriend and the Governor didn’t seem to be too happy about that. Who was the boyfriend? It had to be Bruce McGovern.

  If Regina was seeing the Governor’s little brother and Bruce wasn’t a biker then that could cause friction between them. She was biker property. Did Bruce give Regina the necklace after Summer had died or before?

  Plus, if Bruce was seeing Summer and Regina and there was distinct possibility he was moving in that direction with that girl Crystal at the Little Dog Lounge, how many women were in danger? If he fled town like Andrew had said, who could be next?

  Once again, Mary felt the more she tried to get answers, the more they just morphed into more questions.

  “I wonder how Andrew is coming along with his investigation?” she mumbled out loud.

  Did you say Andrew? Is he coming over? I think it would be a wonderful, relaxing thing to have Andrew over for a couple hours or maybe overnight. Alabaster came slinking from the bedroom into the kitchen. I love him. I love my Andrew.

  “I know you do,” Mary answered. “If you come to the store with me tomorrow, you’ll probably get to see him. He usually stops by.”

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  A SPOON FULL OF TURQUOISE

  A SPOON FULL OF TURQUOISE

  “I must be severely out of practice.” Mary yawned as she unlocked the front door to Beads and Baubles. She held Alabaster in one arm and a small book of remedies was tucked under the other as she maneuvered her keys. This particular book had been sitting in on a shelf in her kitchen collecting dust for several years. When Mary woke up this morning, she felt as if she hadn’t slept like a stone for nine hours. “I could have used another forty winks.”

  You’re drained. Alabaster purred, his head on a swivel as he watched morning commuters walk past them on the sidewalk. He wasn’t particularly interested in them. His jade eyes were searching for Andrew. We’ll get your battery charged in no time.

  As soon as the door opened, the gray cat leapt from Mary’s arms to the floor and began sauntering around the display tables. The tiny compartments separating the stones into color, size, and name categories were sunk into the tables so the treasures they contained wouldn’t spill all over the floor.

  With the agility only bestowed on cats, Alabaster was up on the table, calling out a list only Mary could hear.

  You’ll need agate.

  “Yes. If I remember right, agate harmonizes the body. It should get all my insides right. Right?”

  Indeed. Take three of those large stones. He pressed a paw on the mound of large agate beads in the corner of the first table. As he sat on the very edge of the table for a moment, Alabaster’s head bobbed up and down, his eyes wide and intense.

  Over there. Alabaster leapt and landed almost silently on the next table. Carefully, he slinked across the top, balancing on the flat tops of the bead compartments. You’ll need turquoise. Two of them. Do you remember what turquoise does?

  Mary thought for a moment. “It’s a purification stone. It removes the negative energy from the body. I should really wear more of this in my jewelry. I just love this stone.” She looked at the large beads she picked out of the tray and studied them.

  Am I seeing onyx? Yes. Not too much onyx. A single small stone should do the trick.

  “Onyx is wonderful for a boost of energy. But you are right. Too much and the next thing I know I’ll be signing myself up for the Strongman competitions, thinking I can throw a tractor tire across a football field.”

  I think that should be enough for now. If these three gemstones don’t help then we may have to resort to leech therapy.

  “What?” Mary’s eyebrows shot up to her forehead.

  Alabaster purred contentedly.

  You do realize how easily you remembered the healthy benefits from each gemstone? You’ve been out of the witching game for how long, but like learning how to ride a bike, you haven’t forgotten a thing.

  “I certainly never forgot how to talk to you, right?”

  Alabaster stretched out his paws in front of him like he was reaching for Mary and gave a loud meow. Thankfully, no. You never have.

  Mary collected the stones Alabaster instructed and placed them in a simple copper bowl. She walked to the long craft table and laid out a white scarf. She placed four tiny, white votive candles she brought from home on each corner of the scarf. The stones needed to be arranged in a certain pattern that Mary was sure she had forgotten. But the combination of gemstones seemed to start working immediately, guiding Mary’s hand as she considered their placement on the scarf. Sage was the final tool she needed. The bundle of dried herb had been in a drawer for months, if not a year or two. She remembered buying it at a quaint shop in town that sold incense and yoga CDs as well as a myriad of self-help books. There was no reason for it. She hadn’t been practicing her witchcraft for a while. Yet something urged her to buy it. Adding it to a pair of purple crystal earrings, she brought it home and stuck it in a drawer. It waited there until today.

  You have wooden matches, right? Alabaster asked as Mary lit the little candles. You’ll get a completely different result if you don’t use wooden matches.

  “I do,” she replied. Feeling at ease and completely confident, she lit the end of the sage bundle. Clean white smoke began to curl up and around in the air as Mary invoked the help of nature through the mercy of the Great
Creator to restore her strength in body, mind, and spirit. The flame at the end of the bundle of sage went out, leaving the glowing tips to continue emitting their healing smoke. It swirled around the stones then around Mary as she held the sage still over the small copper bowl.

  Her mind began to relax as she inhaled the smoke. Her nerves began to tingle as if she had just run a fifteen-mile marathon and had finally reached the finish line. Her body trembled at finally resting after being stretched so far. Deep breaths filling her lungs until they felt like they’d burst and slowly exhaling pulled away the veil of fatigue and disorientation that had stuck with her.

  The next step was to read from the little brown book she had brought from home. Mary had dog-eared the page and opened it to the rejuvenation incantation.

  “Barhava. Solo ket lamas. Tomasca ket lamas.”

  After reciting the words three times, Mary’s eyes popped open, she yawned, and stretched her arms over her head and looked at Alabaster, who was busy licking his paw.

  “Wow,” she exclaimed. “I think that did the trick.” She tilted her head to the right and then to the left. “I feel like a weight has been lifted off me. My gosh, how much residue had been collecting on my mind and I didn’t even know it.”

  Feeling good, huh? Alabaster yawned and made three turns in a larger compartment of smooth sea glass stones before nestling himself tightly into it. I’m glad. Maybe now you’ll see how much trouble it was to go through what you did at that bikers’ get-together and you’ll toss out the idea of ever going near those people again.

  “No. In fact, I see the whole thing much more clearly now. I need to talk to that girl named Regina.”

  Thankfully, you can’t find her. Those people won’t give up their own. It looks like you’ll just have to stay close to home and let Andrew handle it all. By the way, where is he? You said he’d stop by. I’ve been missing him for ages.