Witch Charm

by Sonia Parin

  The headmistress and elocution tutor had arrived soon after Lexie and Luna and had issued orders for the entire floor to be closed off to everyone. Lexie had expected them to also impose a curfew, but they insisted on maintaining a sense of normality. Monday nights were recital nights and the pupils had been eagerly looking forward to Ms Meredith Langston’s operatic debut on the Lauriston Academy’s small stage. Attendance was non-negotiable.

  “I’d like to speak with the cooks, please.”

  “After what they saw, they are in no state to talk,” Eloise exclaimed.

  “Well, they’ll have to get over it. They have the run of the kitchens and, as far as I’m concerned, that makes them our prime suspects.”

  Eloise opened her mouth to speak but only managed a gasp.

  Penelope put a hand on her arm. “Our cooks are the backbone of Lauriston Academy. They would never—”

  Lexie gave her a raised eyebrow look. “Like I said, you must contact the police. I’m afraid there is no way around this. I’m sure the police will do all they can to avoid a scandal. You’ll have to make the call.”

  The headmistress gave a stiff nod and left.

  Luna peered up at her.

  What?

  You could have called the O’Rourke Group. They are adept at handling this type of crimes.

  That’s just it. I don’t know what sort of crime this is.

  Burning a witch. Doesn’t that ring any bells for you?

  Lexie turned to Ms Penelope Stewart. “How many students are there?”

  “Thirteen at any given time.”

  “Thirteen? That’s an odd number.”

  “It’s a baker’s dozen, in case someone drops out.”

  “But no one ever does.” She guessed.

  “No.”

  “So why stick with thirteen?”

  Ms Penny flicked her gaze at the feet sticking out of the fireplace. “In case someone drops out.”

  “But... Never mind.”

  She makes perfect sense.

  To you. Not to me.

  “Were all the pupils present at morning assembly?”

  “Yes. All accounted for.”

  “Including Claudette Lafayette?”

  “Yes.”

  Okay. So the murder victim wasn’t a pupil. That was a relief, but if Claudette’s whereabouts were accounted for, she’d have to find another reason for finding one of the stolen items in her room and for the attack on her hair. The girl had had her hair shorn off... Lexie’s first instinct had been to suspect her or one of the pupils of retribution. Death as reprisal for the theft of hair and other items...

  On second thought...

  The fact the pupils had all been present at assembly didn’t let them off the hook. In fact, the assembly would be a perfect... albeit temporary alibi. At a guess, Lexie would say the victim could not have been killed in the last couple of hours. Surely it would take longer for a body to be reduced to charred remains. Lexie wanted a time of death established as soon as possible. Although, she had no idea how she was ever going to get that information out of the local authorities.

  She’d figure it out...

  Meanwhile, it wouldn’t hurt to get a few more facts. “Where is the assembly held?”

  “In the hall where we also have our meals.”

  “Did everyone have breakfast there?” If she could pinpoint all the pupil’s whereabouts for the last twelve hours, she’d be able to cross them off the list of suspects for good and focus on the staff.

  “No. We all have our breakfast in our bedchambers between seven and eight in the morning.”

  So much for that theory. Whoever delivered the breakfast trays would only be able to confirm a pupil’s whereabouts for however minutes it took to deliver the meal. Again Lexie wondered how long it would take to cook a person...

  “Okay. So who prepared the breakfast?”

  “That would be Mrs Hutchinson and Mrs Robinson. You’ll find them still in the kitchen.”

  Lexie looked around at the empty kitchen.

  “No. This is the main kitchen, Mrs Barnaby and Mrs Lannister’s domain.”

  “They’re the cooks who found the victim?”

  “Yes.”

  “And they’re the only ones who have access to this kitchen?”

  “Yes, this kitchen is used for lunches and dinners as well as two classes per week on Fridays in preparation for our Friday night cocktail hour, an opportunity for our pupils to display their skills.”

  “So where is breakfast prepared?”

  “In the breakfast kitchen, of course.”

  Of course, how silly of me, Lexie thought. “And where exactly is that?”

  “At the other end of the building.”

  She looked around the pristine kitchen. “When was the last time this kitchen was used?”

  “Last night for dinner. The kitchen staff finish cleaning up at precisely nine o’clock in the evening. Everything runs like clockwork.”

  So... the death had occurred after nine the previous evening. Lexie mulled over that information and decided she had to assume the victim had been killed in the kitchen. Although... she could have died before then which meant the deed might have been done somewhere else.

  “And who is privy to this information?”

  “Everyone. We pride ourselves in setting a fine example of scheduling.”

  Just great. Make it easy for a killer to schedule their murderous misdeeds. “What about the faculty? Were they all present at this morning’s assembly?”

  “All but one.” Penelope Stewart flicked the protruding feet a glance.

  Lexie frowned. “Hang on. Are you saying you know who that is?”

  “Yes, of course I know who that is.”

  “And you didn’t mention it because...”

  “You were speaking, of course. It wasn’t my place to interrupt you.”

  “Would you like to tell me now?”

  “I was rather hoping you would tell me as a way of displaying your detecting prowess.”

  Is she for real?

  At the Academy, we are all encouraged to display our abilities. Practice makes perfect.

  Lexie lifted her chin slightly. She could twist Penny’s arm and get her to tell her the name or she could take up the challenge.

  Penelope Stewart matched her chin lift and then raised it a notch.

  Lexie considered raising her chin even higher but instead, she pursed her lips and gave her a nose flaring, unblinking look.

  This is tantamount to withholding evidence and interfering with my investigation.

  Ms Penelope is well aware of this, but she is willing to risk all for the sole purpose of proving her point.

  Which is?

  She is right. Always has been and always will be.

  “Fine. Let’s see what we have here.” One pair of black shoes attached to a...

  Lexie swallowed. She imagined the killer had stood by ready and waiting to replenish the fire after the first lot of logs had burned through. Several thick logs had been placed on top of the body. They were half charred and covered everything but the feet protruding from the fireplace.

  “How did no one smell this before this morning?”

  Ms Penelope pursed her lips.

  Lexie looked down at Luna.

  If anyone had smelled it, it would have been bad form to mention it.

  Huh?

  In the presence of unpleasant odors, good manners must always prevail.

  Bad odors?

  Breaking wind.

  “What was on last night’s menu?”

  Penny babe’s eyes fluttered delicately. “Chili con carne with beans. It was... it was quite strong.”

  “And no one thought to question the... potency?”

  Penny gave a delicate shrug but refrained from answering directly.

  “Come on. At some point, it must have become evident the odor came from something else.”

  “By this morning, the headmistress had issued instruc
tions to air out the building and we had all taken precautions and doused our handkerchiefs with perfume.”

  Please don’t press her further. You’re embarrassing Ms Penelope.

  Ms Penny gave her a raised eyebrow look.

  Yes. Yes. Display my investigative prowess... Identify the victim. “Exactly what is this fireplace used for?” She’d never seen anything so large.

  “Roasting meat, of course. It is a replica of the meat-roasting fireplace at Hampton Court, England. Lauriston was built on a grand scale. The hall alone seats one hundred diners.”

  Lexie drew out the list of staff members Octavia had drawn for her. How was she supposed to identify someone by their shoes? Practical looking square-toed lace up brogues with two-inch heels.

  First on the list was Ms Cornelia McGhee. Art tutor.

  Lexie inspected the soles for spots of paint and found none.

  Ms Chantal Carson. She guessed the dancing instructor would wear... open toed shoes... perhaps with a sparkly adornments on them like the ones worn in shows like Dancing With the Stars.

  Hey, Luna. What sort of dancing is taught here?

  Everything from Latin to Waltzing. Oh, and my favorite, the Minuet. A slow, stately ballroom dance for two in triple time, popular especially in the 18th century. You recently saw a version of it in Pride and Prejudice.

  Lexie studied the victim’s shoes again. They looked far too proper for the likes of Ms Chantal Carson. Lexie moved on to the next name on her list. Ms Helena Dyson. History and Geography. Ms Henrietta Woodward. Etiquette. At a guess, she’d say they’d both most likely... maybe wear... lace up shoes. Comfortable. Practical.

  She looked down at Penny’s shoes. The elocution tutor wore double strapped Mary Janes with two-inch heels similar to her own Mackenzie coven outfit shoes.

  She’s really not going to tell me?

  No.

  What about you? Do you know who it is?

  I might, but I prefer not to rob you of the opportunity to shine.

  I will get you back for this. Mark my words...

  Lexie frowned. She’d seen those types of shoes on someone else. Yes, the headmistress. She’d worn shoes similar to the one’s on the victim. Scanning the rest of the list, Lexie clicked her fingers. It was worth a shot. If she got it wrong, she could always say she was working on a process of elimination. “This is Ms Lillian Somers, assistant to the Headmistress.”

  Penny tilted her head. “And how did you come to that conclusion?”

  “She wore the same shoes as the headmistress, someone she no doubt looked up to and admired.” If she had been as awestruck by Ms Eloise Hamilton as Luna appeared to be, then she’d want to emulate her. Follow in her footsteps. Almost literally.

  Penny gave a small nod. “She will be missed.”

  I got it right. I got it right! Help me out, Luna. Do a whoop-whoop dance for me. I don’t think Ms Penelope would approve if I danced around the kitchen.

  You are quite right. Exposing yourself as the nut case that you obviously are would be in bad form. As for me doing it for you... Not a chance. Unlike you, I have a reputation to uphold.

  Lexie mentally crossed the name off the list of suspects. “Right. Now that we have established that, can you tell me if anyone had reason to want to harm Ms Lillian Somers?”

  “None that I can think of.”

  “So she was universally loved.”

  Penny looked at her without blinking.

  “She had an amiable personality?” Lexie suggested.

  The tutor gave a small nod. “Ms Lillian had an unusually jovial character.”

  One unmatched by any of the tutors at Lauriston, Lexie assumed and wished she’d had the opportunity to meet the jovial Ms Lillian Somers.

  “Could we say she had a winning personality?”

  Lexie noticed the edge of her lips tightening. Penny appeared to be losing patience with her.

  “Had she ever had issues with anyone?”

  “No. Staff members are carefully vetted and selected for their abilities to contribute to the team spirit.”

  “Perhaps a parent?”

  “Impossible. We, at the Lauriston Academy, take pride in our communication skills and the parents are all Lauriston graduates.”

  Lexie waited for Penny to elaborate but she didn’t. It seemed being a graduate was enough to ensure all interactions remained convivial... Oh, Mirabelle would be so proud of her word selection.

  “What about the students? Did Ms Somers interact with them?”

  “Of course.” Penny sighed. “If any of the students had spoken out of turn, rest assured, Ms Somers would have reported them.”

  “What about someone other than a parent?” Penny stared blankly at her. Lexie tried to think of a variety of scenarios. “Someone who might have wanted to see the headmistress? I assume they would have had to get past Ms Lillian Somers first.” In her time, Lexie had encountered a few difficult gatekeepers. Before she’d landed a job with Jonathan, she’d taken the direct approach and had rung a few companies in the off chance she struck it lucky and happened to call right on a day when they were looking to employ someone. But getting past the gatekeepers and through to personnel hadn’t always been easy.

  “If Ms Somers had experienced any difficulties liaising with...” Ms Penny made a breezy hand gesture, “Perhaps a supplier, then she would have reported the matter. We have stringent rules and every member of the faculty adheres to them.”

  “Why the rules?”

  “Given who we are, we don’t wish to draw unnecessary attention to ourselves. We make a point of keeping each other abreast of every situation.”

  Lexie took in the tutor’s prim outfit. The ankle length black skirt was matched with a cropped body-hugging jacket and worn over a frilly-necked blouse. Ms Penelope Stewart, along with all other staff members, who no doubt dressed like her, would fit in nicely in the nineteenth century. “How long had Ms Somers been employed at the academy?”

  “Six months.”

  “Did she replace someone?”

  “Yes, Ms Martha McGuiness. She retired.”

  “I suppose you ran the usual background check.”

  “Yes, of course. She had several years experience working in administration.”

  That wasn’t what she’d meant. “What about her... lineage?” She didn’t think the academy would hire outsiders. Ms Somers had most likely belonged to a coven...

  Penny didn’t answer straight away and when she finally did, her voice lacked authority. “Yes. Of course.”

  She didn’t sound too convincing. Was she hiding something? A lapse? If she hadn’t been thorough in her reference checks, who knew what sort of person she’d ended up employing...?

  The elocution tutor cleared her throat. “Have you reached any conclusions yet?”

  Huh?

  Ms Penelope asked you a question.

  And I get the feeling she has expectations I am in no way ready to satisfy.

  You are starting to talk like us.

  Yes, indeed. I can hear myself. I will have to take measures. As soon as we return, I shall immerse myself in back to back reruns of my favorite sitcoms until my normal speech pattern is restored.

  “At this point, I will assume the killer is also responsible for the missing items. I’m thinking someone is out to cause mischief for the school. You were very clear about your need for discretion. How damaging will something like this be to the school?”

  “Where do I begin? Parents will be concerned for their children’s welfare and safety. We stake our reputation on offering a safe environment free from persecution. Of course, that is not something we tend to worry about these days since... our kind move about in society undetected. Nevertheless...”

  “What?”

  “Nothing.”

  “It must be something. You wouldn’t leave a sentence hanging like that.”

  “I’m sorry. This has been a trying day. If you’ll excuse me. I must prepare to break the news.” Pe
nny turned to leave only to stop. “A bedchamber has been prepared for you. I’ll send one of the maids to direct you to it shortly.”

  You’ll have to contact Octavia.

  Why?

  You’ll need a change of clothes.

  One puffy sleeved dress is enough. Thanks.

  Ladies need to change for dinner and the pupils here take pride in paying particular attention to their attire during promenades.

  Promenades?

  Afternoon walks around the gardens otherwise known as constitutionals. Promenade sounds more genteel.

  The thought sent her into panic mode. “Before you go...”

  Penny appeared to brace herself. “Yes?”

  “Can you provide an alibi for your whereabouts during the last... fifteen hours?”

  “Certainly. I shall have something in writing for you by—”

  The kitchen clock struck the hour.

  “Can I cook a proper cup of coffee in a copper coffee pot?”

  Ms Penelope Stewart took a cautious step back. “Pardon?”

  “Fine white vinegar with the veal. The free thugs set three thugs free.” Lexie scooped in a breath. “I... I thought you might want to know... just in case you didn’t.”

  “Oh, I see. You are attempting to improve your diction. You are... to be commended. Not everyone is as amenable to self-improvement, especially when it involves considerable change. If you will excuse me now, I must attend to other matters.”

  As the door closed behind Penny, Luna sunk her teeth into Lexie’s ankle.

  “Hey. What the... Stop that!”

  “Why were you so mean to Ms Penelope?”

  “Mean? What are you talking about? I went easy on her.”

  “You suggested she was under suspicion.”

  “She is. Everyone is. Ouch, that hurt, and... and that was very unladylike behavior. You ought to be ashamed of yourself.” She rubbed her ankle.

  “Me? What about you? Making a mockery of Ms Penelope’s tools of the trade.”

  “Thanks for reminding me.”