by Lynn Cahoon
“Who’s down there?” Grans called over the railing.
“Mark Baldwin came to chat, Grans. We’re going to talk in my office, okay?” Mia called back up.
“I’m sending Christina down to walk Muffy. Don’t lock her out.”
“Okay.” Mia nodded toward the office. “What did he say?”
Mark sat in one of the visitor chairs and glanced at the tiny fridge. “You got a root beer in there?”
“Oddly enough, I do.” Mia pulled out two locally brewed root beers and opened them with a bottle opener. “The company owner wants to do a pairing of his hand-crafted sodas with a few of my dishes. I’m still working out the recipes.”
“Steve’s a good guy. This brand is my favorite. It’s pricey as heck, but Sarah buys me a six pack every now and then.” He sipped the soda, then set it down. “How did you know he’d bring up Trent’s St. Christopher’s medal?”
“What did he say?” Mia hadn’t thought he’d be that direct, but she guessed if John thought he could take Trent out along with her, he’d get the building that Majors was in as well as St. Catherine’s.
“He said that his client, Denny Blake, was agitated when he came to see him about buying a condo. He said Denny was looking for a bachelor pad to come up and ski every now and then without the Sun Valley prices.” Baldwin sipped his root beer.
“Wow. I guess he didn’t know about Bethanie taking him to the jewelry store to buy a ring.” Mia shook her head. When people lied, their stories just kept getting bigger.
“Nope. John said he’d been in a bar, saying something about you and what he’d like to do with you. Then John left, and Trent ambushed him in the parking lot. John took him down and ripped off the St. Christopher’s.”
“So much wrong with that story, I don’t know where to start. One, he said he took Trent in a fight? Then kept his St. Christopher’s as a trophy?” Mia played with the label on the root beer bottle. “And how did I get involved in the story?”
“You had been coming on to him earlier when he’d stopped by the school to check out the classes. John confessed to being a closet foodie.” Baldwin held up his hand. “Don’t say what you’re thinking, but did he come to the school?”
Mia thought about the last week. “Trent found his business card outside when he came over last week.”
“I’m assuming you threw it away?”
“Of course. He’d written a message on the back that said if I wanted to sell, he’d pay me a bonus. But I don’t want to sell. And besides, having something he touched in my home kind of messes with my head. Okay, back to his story. If he took Trent in a fight, which I doubt, wouldn’t having the medal be a flashing neon arrow straight to John killing Denny?” Mia wasn’t following the logic.
Now Baldwin did grin. “Yeah, but it took him a while to realize that. Then he started backpedaling and told me he’d given the necklace back the day Denny died.”
“Long way for a story.” Mia grabbed a water from the fridge. “Do you want another root beer?”
Baldwin shook his head. “No, I’m still nursing this one. So, why did you know he’d bring it up?”
“I found the medal by the tree just off the trail a few days ago. Where Denny’s body was found.” Mia sipped her water and waited for Baldwin’s reaction.
“He planted it.” He leaned back in his chair and sipped his soda. “Huh. I wouldn’t have given him enough credit for setting up the scene.”
“I think it was an afterthought. From the last time Trent saw the medal, I think his necklace was stolen from the store on the day that John was there to try to convince him to sell.”
Baldwin stood. “Okay, then. I need to get to the station to see if I can find a gun registered to John.”
“You might want to check registrations to Bethanie, or her dad or brother too. According to Charlie, she’s been selling a lot of her jewelry to survive. If she knew the gun was valuable, she’d sell it just to get it out of her house. Christina says she’s not fond of guns.” Mia followed him out. “Thanks for stopping by. I’d like to get this wrapped up soon.”
“It’s all circumstantial unless someone saw John kill Denny,” Baldwin reminded her. “Or we can find the smoking gun.”
Mia leaned against the doorway as Baldwin paused at the step. “Well, thanks for trying.”
“It’s not impossible, so don’t give up yet.” Baldwin glanced around the step. “You have a home to fight for. That makes all the difference in my mind.”
When she got upstairs, Cindy stood at the door, her suitcases nearby. “You’re leaving?”
“I talked to Officer Baldwin. There have been some developments that I guess have cleared me.” She glanced at her phone. “It’s time for me to go back to my real life. Or as real as Hollywood ever gets.”
“How are you getting to Boise?” Mia asked.
“Oh, I rented a car.”
“Trent’s coming to take Cindy to the car rental lot,” Grans said as she came into the living room. “And she’s leaving her grimoire here until she can find a school in California.”
“Can you ship those things?” Cindy touched the book in Gran’s hands.
“Probably. Or Mia and Trent could bring it to you.” Grans smiled at Mia. “They haven’t ever been on a road trip together. It would help cement their relationship.”
“Or destroy it.” Mia took the book from Grans. “Don’t worry, we’ll get it to you when you need it.”
Cindy leaned down to pick up Mr. Darcy. “Dad, if you’re in there, I love you and I’m sorry about everything.”
Mr. Darcy—or Dorian—reached up and patted Cindy’s cheek with his paw and softly meowed.
“Now there, isn’t that nice?” Grans smiled at the two.
“Grans, call Trent and tell him I’m taking Cindy to get her car.” Mia put the book on the fireplace mantel. “Whenever you’re ready.”
“Thanks.” Cindy gave Dorian a quick hug, then set him down on the floor. “I’m ready now. If I don’t leave soon, I’m going to miss my first day on set.”
“Can’t have that happening.” Mia held open the door and waited.
Cindy turned and hugged Grans. “Thanks for everything. I know why my dad was so taken with you. You’re amazing.”
Grans’s eyes misted as she patted Cindy on the back. “You’re a lot like your father, you know. Have a safe trip.”
“That’s the nicest thing anyone’s ever said to me. I’ll talk to you soon.” Cindy picked up her bags and nodded to Mia. “Thanks for taking me.”
“No problem.” Mia went ahead of Cindy and opened the door for her. When they got in the van, Mia put on her seat belt. “We have one stop to make.”
They found a parking spot right in front of the jewelry store, and Cindy glanced out the window at it. “Don’t tell me you found my ring?”
“Okay, I won’t tell you. Come on in—you’ve got a surprise coming.” Mia hurried into the store and gestured for Cindy to follow her. When they got inside, Mia pointed at Cindy and stepped back.
“So glad you could come. I’ve cleared this with the police station, so we are free to do our transaction.” Charlie motioned Cindy over to the display case. “Please sit down. Mia tells me your name is Cindy. And you might recognize this ring.”
He pulled out the sapphire, and Cindy choked up, tears falling down her cheeks. “I didn’t think I’d ever see this again. It was a gift from my father. Thank you so much.”
“It was my pleasure. Please put it on, so we can verify it’s yours.” Charlie watched as Cindy slipped the ring on her left hand. “Okay, then, I guess it is.”
“Thank you so much. I appreciate you taking good care of it.” Cindy went to stand, but he waved her down again.
“We aren’t done.” He smiled and took out the other ring box. “I believe this was also supposed to be yours. The police say that there is no family of record, so I can give it to the person it was made for. Your name is in the engraving, and he bought insurance and
put the ring in your name. Therefore, you own it.”
“I don’t understand.” Cindy looked at Mia, confused.
“Open the box; you will.” Mia smiled encouragingly. Inside, she wanted to rip open the box herself and show Cindy the ring.
Cindy opened it and took out the ring. She glanced inside at the engraving and cried as she read the inscription: “ ‘Cindy and Denny, Forever.’ ”
“I guess it was his forever,” Mia said, feeling sadness at the lack of time the couple had had to enjoy life together.
“Yes, it was.” Cindy switched over the sapphire to her right hand and put the diamond on the left. “I’ll treasure this always.”
Mia met Charlie’s gaze. The man had tears in his eyes. So, he was a romantic, which explained why he owned a jewelry shop. “Are you ready to get your car? I know you’re on a schedule.”
Cindy wiped her face with her hands and blinked away more tears. “You bet. Thank you again for holding on to both rings,” she said to Charlie.
“My pleasure, dear girl. My pleasure.” He patted Cindy on the back, then handed her a few tissues.
When they got back into the car, Cindy stared at the ring. “I guess he’d decided that he was going to follow my rules. I’m sorry he didn’t have the chance.”
“Me too.” Mia started the engine and drove Cindy to the rental car agency. She parked and got out with Cindy.
“Thank you for everything. I know I was a bit of a pill, but I’m so glad I got to meet you and your family. We could have been kind of sisters.” Cindy pulled her into a hug, and Mia thought her face must have looked like Grans’s had when Cindy hugged her.
“Make sure to keep in touch. I want to know how you’re doing.” Mia gave her a little squeeze when she hugged her.
“You got it.” Cindy took her suitcases into the agency’s front door and disappeared.
Mia sighed in relief. The house should be back to normal when she returned. Grans would be staying for a few more days and was heading back to her house to get more clothes. Mia could hear Gloria laughing and knew it was a warning signal. Nothing was that easy.
Chapter 24
It was a sunny Saturday morning and Trent and Mia were out in the backyard, finishing the herb garden planting. It had taken another week to get the underground utilities marked and the permission to dig completed. And then another week to make sure the plantings were all where they needed to be. Grans had vetoed several plan drafts and had sent Mia looking for a book in the newly discovered St. Catherine’s library. But once Mia had found and read the book on magical herb growing, the next draft plan was accepted. Grans was back home with Muffy. Mia and Christina had Mr. Darcy and Dorian. The world of Magic Springs wasn’t perfect, but it was a little more normal than it had been.
“So, we’re doing the yard sale next week? When are the antique dealers coming?” Trent leaned on his shovel, taking in the completed garden.
“What, we get one project done and you want to jump into the next one?” Mia teased as she took a sip from her water bottle. “I may put you on paint patrol. The second floor needs a lot of remodeling.”
“Yes, but you haven’t decided what to do with it yet, so I’m safe there.” He pointed to the parking lot, where Baldwin’s police cruiser had just pulled in. “Good news or bad? Want to take a guess?”
“I’m feeling pretty chipper today even with the planting, so I’m going with good.” She watched his face. “Am I wrong?”
“What? You think I can read people through the steel body of a Charger?” He gathered up the tools and took them to the back shed.
“Is there really steel in car bodies these days?” Mia mused.
“That’s what you got out of that statement?” He tucked his gloves into his pocket and put an arm around her shoulders. “No more stalling. Let’s go see what Baldwin wants.”
They met about halfway in the middle, where there were a couple of benches. “Do you mind if we sit? It’s been a long morning.” Baldwin took off his hat and leaned his forearms on his thighs.
“This doesn’t sound good.” Mia sat down and leaned into Trent, who sat next to her. “Go ahead, tell us the bad news.”
“I was called to the station this morning at five.” Baldwin yawned. “Saturdays are my only days to sleep in. Sarah drags us to early services on Sunday.”
They just watched him. And waited.
“Anyway, when I got there, I was surprised to see Carol Louis with a shiner of a black eye and something wrapped in a towel. When I asked her what had happened, she shoved the towel at me.”
Mia leaned forward. She had a feeling where this was going.
“She didn’t say anything. Just stared at me. Then I asked what was in the towel, but I had a feeling. Guns have a certain weight.” He massaged his temples. “She tells me it’s the gun used to kill Denny Blake. That her husband had it hidden in the garage. And there was no way she would ever go back to that—well, let’s just say she used some colorful adjectives.”
“You have the gun that shot Denny?” Mia’s breath caught on the name. She’d hoped. She’d prayed. She’d even tried to make a locating spell, but it hadn’t panned out. Carol Louis just walking into the place and handing it over wasn’t a possibility that had ever crossed her mind. “I can’t believe she just turned it in.”
“I doubt she’ll testify by the time the trial happens, but we may not need her. If there are fingerprints on the gun, we might have a slam dunk.” Baldwin grinned like he’d been given a lollipop. “She’ll probably regret coming to the station after she calms down, but she did the one thing she couldn’t take back. She brought the smoking gun.”
“It’s the one he bought from Bethanie and told you was stolen from his office, right?” Mia tried to remember John’s story when Baldwin had questioned him regarding the missing gun.
Baldwin nodded. “It looks like it. I’ve got to go back to the station. There’s going to be hell to pay when we bring him in, but I think we’ve got him this time. At least I’m going to hope. Sometimes right needs to win out over wrong, doesn’t it?”
Mia and Trent sat on the benches long after Baldwin had left.
“I can’t believe this is over.” Mia’s gaze went over to the tree where Denny’s body had been found.
“I can’t believe Cindy didn’t whack him.” Trent pulled her closer. “You know it’s always the spouse, right?”
“Except they weren’t married.” She made a mental note to email Cindy later to let her know that John had been arrested for the deed.
“Hey, you two. I thought you were busy planting a garden. Or was that just the excuse you used to get out of doing inventory this morning?” Levi and Christina walked up the path from the street.
“Any excuse will work. And I am the boss. I take it Mom called you in?” Trent kissed her on the top of the head. “However, now that the garden is planted, Mia has a new honey-do list for me.”
“I learned the idea from Baldwin. He was complaining that Sarah has a running one for him. I didn’t want Trent to feel left out.” She nodded to Christina. “I wondered where you’d taken off to so early this morning. I was going to ask you to help.”
“I hate gardening. Even more than counting boxes of cereal.” She leaned into Levi. “Besides, I like spending time with his mother.”
Mia smiled. “So, you’re telling me you had a better offer?”
“I’d say so.” Christina tapped Levi’s chest. “And now he’s taking me out for a make-up date. Dinner, dancing, fun. He owes me.”
“Hey, now,” Levi started, but his brother shook his head.
“Just feel lucky you got back into her good graces and leave the details behind. Or are you that stupid?” Trent asked his brother.
“No, man, I’m not stupid at all.” He squeezed Christina’s waist. “I’m right where I need to be. Oh, by the way, Mia, your sign out front is perfect. Reminds me of a down-home Southern restaurant.”
“Well, hopefully they’ll k
now we’re only takeout.” Mia smiled. The sign was installed late yesterday and Mia had already taken a few pictures to add to their website page.
“It’s wonderful. I’m sending a picture of it to all my college friends to let them know we’re here. Some of them have family in the area.” Christina nodded to the door. “I’ve got to go in to change for dinner. See you all later.”
Christina and Levi disappeared into the kitchen.
“Maybe we should go to the Lodge tonight for dinner.” She glanced at the backyard. It was all coming together. And she couldn’t have been happier. “I’m feeling a little less worried about losing the place after Baldwin’s visit.”
“There was no way John Louis could have forced you out of your home.” Trent stood and held out his hand to help her up.
Mia stood and they walked hand in hand, following Christina and Levi into the building. “Yeah, you’re right. But now I don’t have to worry about what he’s going to do next. He’s out of my hair and I can focus on building the business.”
Gloria laughed from her window perch in the apartment kitchen.
Trent glanced around the commercial kitchen. “This building makes the weirdest sounds. I could have sworn I just heard a little girl laugh. Did you hear it?”
“I didn’t hear anything.” Mia took his arm and led him to the stairs. She didn’t want to lie, but there was plenty enough time to introduce him to Gloria, and to explain that most witches can’t hear another witch’s kitchen friend. It just meant that Trent was special. For this reason and oh, so many others. Some Mia hadn’t even realized yet.
But they had time. Time to learn each other’s secrets.
Magic Springs was full of secrets. Was it any wonder that St. Catherine’s Prep held its own? Grans held the secrets that her guardian wanted her to know. But for today, at least one secret had been solved: Denny’s murder.