Moggies, Magic and Murder

by Pearl Goodfellow

  “Heeeyyy,” Shade said. “Ms. Devlin here just went through a rough stretch. What woman doesn’t benefit from my brand of lovin’?”

  Infirma roared with laughter.

  I took a seat and waited for the woman’s laughter to come to an end. “How are you feeling?”

  Infirma sighed, but her high spirits were evident. “Up until Barnabus Kramp showed up—which, by the way, I’m sorry you had to see…”

  “There is nothing to concern yourself with, Ms. Devlin,” Onyx said, kneading Infirma’s shins through the hospital blanket. “I think I speak for us all when I say that I am grateful we arrived when we did.”

  Morag’s living sister smiled. “The doctors say that I should be going home in a couple of days. They’ve found no trace of whatever caused that allergic reaction. But they want to be sure it’s gone.”

  “That’s great news,” I said. Then, pulling my chair up to the bed, Shade, Onyx and I filled her in on the fake apothecary; Grave Matters .

  Infirma nodded her head slowly. “I can’t even really say that I’m surprised. Gideon had suggested that particular apothecary seven months ago when my trusted one closed its doors finally. Now I think about it though; I realize I’d never heard of this Grave Matters before Shields’ recommendation.”

  The bedridden woman’s eyes widened. “Oh, Goddess, what if someone else from Mag Mell tries to—“

  “Chill, lady fair, chill,” Shade said scraping a soothing tongue along the woman’s forehead again. “My brother turned that uncool establishment into ash. Ain’t nothing coming back outta there to get you.”

  Infirma reached a frail hand to Shade’s head and rubbed him gently. “Well…that IS one less worry. Please give my thanks to your brother. “ Infirma sighed. “If I didn’t suspect Shields and his cronies were trying to kill me and, possibly having killed Morag, I’d even say I was relieved.”

  My eyes drifted to a bouquet of white roses with a 'Get Well Soon' card attached. I noticed the name of the shop on the vase. “Buntie’s Blooms?”

  Infirma smiled. “They're from Saint Pendragon’s…or maybe I should say, Reverend Peacefield.”

  “Thaddeus, Goddess bless him,” I said, feeling the warmth of true friendship snuggle up to my heart.

  “He’s been using Buntie’s to adorn St. Pen’s ever since I was a little girl. Always did love to see the glorious floral displays at the altar.”

  I was dreading asking what I was about to ask, but I needed to get it out in the open. “We found something on your estate the same day you had your…incident.”

  I pulled out the Puppeteer Charm Jet had discovered in Infirma’s bedroom and handed it over. “Does this look familiar?”

  Infirma straightened out the vellum and read. Her eyes flashed with recognition. “Where was this found? And, what was it doing there?”

  “Then you have seen this before, Ms. Devlin?” Onyx asked raising a scholarly eyebrow.

  “It’s from Shields’ private collection,” she explained. “Take a look at the watermark.”

  Infirma turned the vellum around and pointed at the bottom righthand corner of the page. I could just make out a shield standing in front of a pair of crossed swords. It looked like a family crest.

  “This Puppeteer Charm was ‘donated’ to me last year by Shields himself. We tried to use it to help me walk,” she explained, handing the scroll back. “It was Morag’s idea, to be honest, but it was Shields —likely just to display an act of public charity — that presented me the charm.” A lone tear streaked out of Infirma’s eye. Shade put a firm paw on it. The woman continued: “My sister just wanted me to have a way to get around that didn’t involve my cane. I was already on oxygen and refused to use a wheelchair. But…”

  Infirma visibly winced at the memory. “It was so painful. Sure, I could walk like everyone else. But every one of my nerve endings howled at me until I finally begged her to break the spell. She gave it straight back to Shields.”

  I frowned. I had every reason to believe that Morag did give that charm back. So what was it doing…?

  That’s when a follow-up thought hit me. “Remember you told us that Shields and his cadre paid you frequent visits soon after Morag’s death?”

  “Only to suddenly stop calling at all,” Onyx added. “Could this charm have been planted during Shields’ ‘concerned’ initial visits?”

  A primal fear crawled across Infirma’s features. “But why would anyone do that? I can’t—“

  “Just trying to throw anyone who cared to snoop off the scent,” Shade said. “They figure you’re dead, the evidence of your guilt comes out, and suddenly this whole murder of your sister gets wrapped up in a nice pink bow.”

  “It’s not like a dead woman can defend her reputation,” I pointed out.

  Infirma took a deep inhale of her oxygen, and breathed: “Whatever next?”

  “Actually, there’s something else we found at the estate,” I said, as I pulled out the book Seamus had delivered earlier. “It looks like a ledger, but we can’t figure out for what.”

  Infirma opened the book and looked it over. After flipping through the pages, she asked, “Where did you find this?”

  Wanting to shield Seamus’ role as our mole on the inside, I said, “In the library. Just after your attack. It was stuck between a volume of Jane Austen and Emily Bronte. Sorry, one of the cats knocked it off the case while they were prowling.”

  “Well, it’s definitely a ledger, but it’s not one I’ve ever seen before,” she confirmed as she flipped back to the first page. “Seeing as I was the family accountant, I should have though.”

  She pointed to the numbers with dashes. “I do recognize these first few numbers, though. That’s the routing number to Gwydion Trust Bank on North Illwind.”

  Onyx’s ears perked up. “That would make the remaining numbers on that line an account number?”

  “Correct, kitty cat,” Infirma said, glancing over the book at my smartest moggie. “It’s no account that Morag and I ever used for estate affairs. But, I can say with conviction that Gwydion Trust Bank is where Morag set up an account dedicated solely for my medical expenses. I believe we're looking at the very ledger for just such expenses." Infirma's shoulders slumped, as her bottom lip began to tremble.

  “Which is why you recognized the routing number,” I pressed, trying to coax her to stay present to matters at hand. I knew she felt terrible about her ill health and its associative costs, but now was the time to get serious about Infirma's sister's murder, and so staying on track was paramount. Goddess, am I sounding like a seasoned sleuth now?

  “I’ve had so many doctor’s visits, both at home and here at Howling Mercy, that I know that number by heart. This account is paying for my stay here right now, in fact.”

  My heart went out to Morag. Even in death, she was taking care of her beleaguered sister. “Is there anything else about the ledger that stands out?”

  “I was just about to mention that,” Infirma said. “These amounts…they’re easily twice as high as any salary Morag would have collected from her law job. So I have no idea where this money came from.” Infirma squeezed her eyes shut for a moment and opened them. “Goddess, I hope Morag didn’t get herself into something unpleasant.”

  Infirma handed me the book and grabbed my other hand in a tight squeeze. “I really wish I could tell you more. But thank you so much for coming when you did.”

  I returned the squeeze. “Glad we could help.”

  We let go of each other’s hands, and my kitties drew close to my ankles in preparation of leaving. Suddenly drawing inspiration from Columbo, I blurted, “Oh, there’s just one more thing I was hoping you could clear up.”

  Infirma raised her eyebrows.

  “You mentioned the Chief Warlock. Who is the Chief Warlock and why have I never heard that the Warlocks even have a chief? ” I asked.

  She licked her lips nervously. “Actually…that’s something I’m not supposed to talk about with o
utsiders.”

  Her jaw tightened as she added, “But you know something? The people who would have wanted me to stay quiet are not my allies.” She took a deep breath before adding: “The Chief Warlock is the informal head of all Warlocks in the Coven Isles, sort of like our version of the Mainland Pope.”

  “Who is the current one?” I asked again.

  “That’s the thing. We haven’t had one since the passing of Lazarus Murk about seven months ago. There have been a lot of deliberations about who would be next, but I’ve yet to hear of any final decision. That it’s taking this long is…”

  Her voice trailed off as her eyes widened. “Oh, dear Brigid…Murk died just before I was told about the new apothecary.” She shivered in her bed. “Could that mean something?”

  “Well, I hope that’s something we find out soon,” I replied. “ I spoke with the chief earlier, and David is sending more of his men down here to guard your door, so you’re not just left with the little folk,” I said, scanning the room for Seamus and his ‘boyo’s.’

  “ Thank you, Hattie. I’m sure I’ll be safe. Verdantia may look like a sweet vision, but her magic is powerful, and she visits often,” Infirma said settling further under the covers. She looked tired, so I gathered my cats, and we departed.

  As soon as we hit the corridor, Shade said, “Hey, boss…something else went down seven months ago in our lives… a real big game-changer too.”

  “What do you mean, Sha…” It hit me then. Reading my thoughts, (effortlessly, I might add,) Onyx said: “Chief Warlock, Lazarus Murk’s sudden exit from life, Grave Matters being established on Cathedral AND Nebula Dreddock’s murder in the same month. It is only a small wonder that our dear sister scorns the concept of coincidence.”

  "Yeah, and what's with this Murk dude dying and nobody hearing about it? Chief Warlock biting it sounds pretty much like a main event, I reckon."

  I couldn't stop thinking of those events of seven or so months ago. Seemingly unrelated happenings at the time, but looking at them now, maybe Gloom's disdain for coincidence had more than a thread of truth to it.

  We walked to where our broom was parked at the back of Howling Mercy, and I fought like crazy to hide the deep, weighty dread that creeped its way into my body.

  CHAPTER 16

  The sun had just dipped below the horizon when me and my two fuzzy companions touched down at Gaunt Manor. Everything we’d just found out from Infirma swirled in my mind like a hurricane. I couldn’t wait to share the information with David, Portia, and Hinrika if she were around. I wondered for the umpteenth time what this request for our attendance was all about. All eight of my cats were here; Jet included, under a high dose of the ‘nip, of course. I saw David’s broom by Portia’s stoop as I knocked. The door swung open with creaking hinges before my knuckles made contact for the second time. The face I saw as the door opened was more than a surprise to me. Blinking at me with an awkward smile, the boy moved to take my hand.

  “Orville Nugget!” I exclaimed, slapping his hand away, and moving in for a hug instead. The brilliant-minded teen gave me a few hesitant taps on the back and pulled away, still with his endearing smile on his long face.

  “It’s good to see you too, Ms. Jenkins,” he said, his cheeks a high-pink. “And your kitties too, of course.”

  Onyx gave Shade a knowing look. “Brother, why don’t we go ahead of Hattie and catch up with our siblings?”

  Shade smiled at the suggestion. “Only because it’s my man Orville who’s hanging with Hat.”

  They both scampered inside, the tapping of claws receding deeper into the cavernous house.

  Orville waved an arm in front of me and bowed in mock chivalry and intoned, “Enter, honored guest and let no man know of what you see this night.”

  I giggled a high pitched squeak and shook some nervous energy from my hands.

  “You know, that sounds a little hokey,” I said as Orville steered me towards the kitchen.

  “Totally. But when you hear Ms. Fearwyn—I mean, Sister Portia say it, you believe it.”

  “So, let’s see ...an archaic greeting, the title you just gave to Portia and…” My eyes scanned the youth’s attire with critical eyes. “... Your fashion choice for this evening. You are now a full-fledged member of the Custodians, am I right?” I flashed the inventor of the Futura cauldron a self-satisfied smile, and the late Aurel Nugget’s good-natured son bumped a playful shoulder into mine in return.

  We walked through the neat kitchen to the great iron door set into Portia’s kitchen’s wall. It stood wide open, leading into the dark maw of the basement. But, I knew that further into that darkened cellar lay a brightly lit lab, with equipment as cutting edge as Maude Dulgrey’s set-up. We stepped onto the top step, and that’s when I saw the faint, orange dance of firelight.

  “So, come on, tell me about your induction to Portia’s fan club,” I teased.

  “Yeah, so … I got grandfathered in last month,” Orville said in a near whisper; likely because of our proximity to the Custodian’s HQ. “I still think I got in just because of Dad. But Sister Portia keeps telling me that developing Futura is proof that I earned a spot by my own merits.”

  “Does your mom know anything about this?” I asked. Given that Orville’s mother was quite literally a raging battle axe, I hoped not. Although, then again, her current stint at the Serenity Center might, right now, be making a mild woman of her.

  Orville shook his head and cast his eyes to the floor. I didn’t hound him further, I just put a motherly arm around his shoulders and squeezed. “I do know your father would be very proud of you.”

  The teen offered a sheepish grin, and by then we had reached the entrance of HQ.. The room I stepped into was lit strictly by candles…lots and lots of candles. They formed a path on the floor from the entrance to the center of the room. The walls glowed like so many stars as the wall sconces burned their flames. I craned my head upward and saw a chandelier; a whole forest of wax sticks fully ignited.

  In the center of the room stood Portia. The old witch was in the middle of a circle of -- you guessed it -- candles. Another nervous giggle escaped my lips. My stomach felt like a jar of butterflies had been released into it. Verdantia stood on the circle’s left while Hinrika stood on the circle’s right. David was just to my right on the path while all the kitties stood on the left. The latter location is where Orville pointed me to as he stepped into the circle himself.

  “With the arrival of Brother Orville, I declare quorum,” Portia intoned.

  All three of the other Custodians chanted, “So noted, so will it, so be it.”

  All four Custodians reached behind them to grab an unlit candle. The wicks sprang to life as they were held aloft. I stopped breathing, my eyes wide at the peculiar spectacle of it all.

  “David Trew, step into the light,” Verdantia said.

  What the …?

  David’s step was uncertain, but he obliged. He knew he was getting into this. Whatever ‘this’ is. My head hurt.

  “Lemniscate, step into the light,” Hinrika ordered, none of her trademark joviality in evidence. Bran, this is serious. I stretched out a felt covered tongue and dragged it against a pair of parched lips. I could barely swallow.

  The Infiniti stepped into the circle, Fraidy last, placing one paw in and removing it, at least ten times, until Gloom finally came up behind him and gently nudged his behind with her forehead. All four of his paws were in now. My heart was beating as fast as a machine gun.

  “Towards the center, you all go,” Portia said with a nod. “As indeed we all must go.”

  I couldn’t even blink. I didn’t want to blink. I didn’t want to miss a second of this alien performance playing out before my eyes. David and the Infiniti moved toward the center of the hand painted sphere and stood on the midpoint.

  The Custodians began walking around them, clockwise in slow, deliberate steps. Portia said, “That which is Below corresponds with that which is Above, and that which i
s Above corresponds with that which is Below. Both are but the miracles of the One Thing.”

  “Its father is the Sun,” Verdantia continued. “Its mother, the Moon. The wind carries it in its belly. Its nurse is the Earth. It is the origin of all, the consecration of the Universe.”

  “Separate the Earth from Heaven,” Hinrika added. “The Subtle from the Gross, gently and with great ingenuity. It rises from Earth to Heaven and descends again to the Earth, thereby combining with it all the powers of the Above and the Below.”

  “Thus will you attain the Glory of the Whole Universe,” Portia finished. “All Obscurity will be clear to you. This is the greatest Force of all powers, for it overcomes every Subtle thing and penetrates every Solid thing.”

  By then, their steps had taken them back to their original position. All four twirled their candles downward. Orville’s maneuver was a little awkward on that count, and I couldn’t help but blurt out another anxious chuckle. The experienced Custodians crouched down and slammed their lit wicks into the floor. The aggressive action snuffed out the flames of the candles they bore and immediately spread to every candle in the room. Within seconds, I saw nothing but darkness.

  I heard the fizz of overhead lights, and the room popped into bright illumination. I blinked a few times until my eyes could adjust to the assault of the electric light. Through my hazy vision, I saw Portia open up her arms and say:“Welcome to the Custodians, brothers, and sister.”

  I noticed that all the candles had vanished from the room. Had they been using a portal to Mag Mell? Teleportation? Glamor casting? Whatever the effect, it had been impressive. Verdantia, Hinrika, and Orville applauded the new members of the group. I joined in, not knowing what else to do. I had a sneaky suspicion I felt left out a bit, though. Like I was staring at a private members area of a highly prestigious club. The cats slapped one another’s backs and had pretend sword fights with their tails. They laughed and rolled around, and they looked happy. They looked as if they felt they were part of something. Something big, even. Even David looked a little better than he has of late. There was a healthy flush to his cheeks and a luster to his eyes, and I realized, not for the first time, just how handsome the man was. I didn’t really know what just took place; I only knew I wasn’t a part of it. Merely a virtually useless spectator. I felt the lump in my throat gain in size, and I fought back the sting of tears. I wasn’t mad; I wasn’t going to hound David and the cats over this event. The Custodians, I knew, were serious business, and they were essential for the well-being of the Coven Isles. Their work was important, and I was stuffed to the gills with pride that David and my kitties were part of this powerful and essential clan of protectors. I even understood why they couldn’t tell me about it. No, I wasn’t mad, I was just plain sad. Sad that I didn’t make the grade when my closest companions did. Verdantia drifted to my side and stroked my arm. “I don’t want you to think that you were just an extra in tonight’s ceremony, dear Hattie,” she said. “But induction into the Custodians has very strict guidelines. The simple fact is that you are missing a couple of requirements. This does not speak to your skill level or your integrity; it only means that you do not yet possess what’s needed.”