Charlie took the cup and drank it down, making a face when she finished. “That tastes awful,” she said weakly. “Is that why my mouth tastes so horrible?”
“Yes, but it was necessary,” said Harriet, settling back in her chair and watching Charlie closely.
Charlie still looked pale, but there was a hint of color in her cheeks and life coming back into her eyes. “What happened?” she asked.
“You touched a dark magical object and fainted,” I said.
Her face was blank for a few beats. Then she said, “I remember now. The pink was so bright and shiny. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare all of you.”
“Don’t worry about it. Just don’t ever do it again,” said Greer.
“You have to be very careful when there’s magic around,” said Paws.
“I guess I’m just used to good witches like Harriet. I’m not used to the bad kind,” said Charlie.
“I’m sure before Betty and Ellie finish with Mintwood, we’ll be plenty used to them, I’m afraid to say,” predicted the gloomy cat.
“You’re always just so cheery,” I said.
“Mark my words. I don’t think he’s wrong,” said Aunt Harriet.
Chapter Seven
We didn’t talk for much longer. Charlie was so tired she could barely keep her eyes open, so Greer and I helped her to her room and tucked her into bed while my aunt cleaned up the living room.
Then Greer gave a big yawn and said, “I’m exhausted. I need to go to sleep. It’s late even for a bartender.”
After saying goodnight to Greer, I went back to Harriet and asked if she needed help with anything. She still didn’t look tired, and I had a feeling she planned to stay up for a while yet.
“No, I’ll be fine,” she said. “Just going to do a little tidying up here.” She and Paws exchanged looks that I couldn’t read, but neither of them seemed inclined to explain.
It wasn’t until after I was safely tucked in bed and my eyes were drooping that I realized I hadn’t seen the pink marble since I handed it to my aunt at the Dresden house. After tonight I would probably never see it again.
I woke up in the morning feeling terribly groggy. For a long time I just lay in bed staring at the sliver of light coming through the thick curtain, but eventually I decided I had to get up. After taking a long shower that didn’t wake me up as much as I hoped it would, I made my slow way downstairs. There was no sign of anyone else being up, even Charlie, who was usually an early riser. I peeked into her room and saw her looking like she was sleeping peacefully.
One thing my aunt hadn’t put away from the night before was my grandmother’s suitcase. Without even taking time to make coffee, I sat down and started looking through the glass jars. There were all sorts of roots and plants I had never heard of before mixed with obvious stuff like rosemary, one of the scents my grandmother always smelled like when I came for a visit.
After a while I decided I’d better check the mail. I didn’t often get anything exciting, but for some reason I felt as if today might be different. Charger would usually have made some noise to ask to go with me, but today he seemed to know that something was wrong with Charlie, and for once he stayed quiet as I made my way outside.
I gave the dog a pat on the head as a reward and went out to the mailbox. As usual there were a couple of stupid advertisements – a waste of tree and paper – plus one bill. Mixed among the junk and the bills was a small card.
I had gotten some strange mail since I moved back to Mintwood, but none of it had brought an appointment that was indistinguishable from a command. At eleven o’clock that very morning, someone would be visiting me, and if I could please be at home they would appreciate it.
There was no signature.
“Anything interesting?” asked Greer as I wandered back inside.
“Someone’s coming by at eleven. They want me to be home,” I said, frowning.
“Who? What are you talking about?” asked Greer.
“They didn’t sign the card.” I handed it to her and she flipped it back and forth.
“Nice paper. Plain. Someone who doesn’t want to be seen here,” she concluded.
“Are you up at this hour to check on Charlie?” I said. Greer didn’t usually get up before noon.
Greer nodded. “I couldn’t sleep, so I figured I’d come down and make sure she’s okay. She’s still sleeping, but the color’s come back to her face. Should we tell your aunt about the card?”
“Tell me what?” asked Harriet. She had come in from the backyard, where she had apparently been cleaning the shed. You could say one thing about her, she didn’t like to be idle.
I showed her the card and she frowned. “I guess you better be here at eleven.”
It was already close to eleven, but not so close that I didn’t have time to make coffee, eat my breakfast, and try to wake up. The events of the previous night had really taken a toll on me. My aunt said it was because I had used more magic than usual, and until I was used to that I was going to be tired. I thought the stress of worrying about Charlie was part of it too.
“How’s the shed cleaning coming along?” I asked.
“Not done, but there’s only a little more to do. I’ll go finish up and come back in,” she said, waving goodbye to us as she headed back out through the kitchen.
“There’s a recap in the paper of the meeting last night,” said Greer, returning to her chair at the kitchen nook. “Lena wrote it herself.”
“At least Charlie refuses to write the rag gossip that Lena likes,” I said.
“Lena is certainly making the most of the drama between the mayor and his constituents. She’s making it sound like he really might not get re-elected,” said Greer.
“He’s still running unopposed,” I pointed out.
“Tomorrow is the deadline for that. Maybe she’s trying to get someone else to throw their hat in the ring at the last minute so she can announce it in the paper tomorrow,” Greer theorized. “Someone else running against the mayor might spell real trouble for Clabberd.”
“I wonder what he’s going to do about it,” I mused.
“He has to find a way to prove that Franklin’s missing tools weren’t stolen by ghosts,” said Greer. “That story has really snowballed.”
“Yeah, but how is he ever going to do that?” I said.
Hansen Gregory, not being a Mintwood resident, had not written about the town meeting. Instead, his article in the Chronicle focused on the missing hikers.
“This Hansen Gregory article says that Kay and Kevin were dating and that Chloe was a friend,” said Greer.
“Kay was clearly jealous of Chloe. She and Kevin had had arguments about it,” I said.
“Is today the day Charlie’s meeting with Chloe’s brother?” asked Greer.
“Yeah, this afternoon in her office, and she invited me to come,” I said.
“Want to go to Liam’s after?” said Greer.
“Yes,” I said, dropping the subject quickly. Given how much my aunt and Liam’s mother disliked each other, I didn’t want to be talking about Liam when Harriet came back in.
It was good timing, because she came in a moment later, walked over to the window, and gently pulled the curtains back to peer out and see what was what in our driveway. “I don’t like that we don’t know who’s coming at eleven,” she said. “We should be ready for any sort of attack.”
“You don’t think we’ll get attacked in broad daylight, do you?” asked Greer.
“It’s unlikely. But we were at the Dresden house last night, and I don’t know what kind of hornet’s nest that might’ve stirred up,” said Harriet.
“We’ll be ready,” I said, with a confidence I didn’t really feel.
“I suppose I don’t have time to freshen up,” my aunt sighed. Her dress had dust on it and her hair was a little mussed. She pushed it away from her forehead in vain.
“Is someone knocking?” Greer said, peering in the direction of the front door.
<
br /> In fact, someone was. I glance at the wall clock and was surprised to see that it was already eleven. I scooted out of my chair and hurried into the living room. I couldn’t see who was standing on the porch, but I heard Greer and my aunt come into the room behind me.
I flung the door open, ready for anything – a witch attack, the Fan Lady’s return, or some guy showing up at the front door with drama. (Little known fact: guys are really the ones causing all the drama.)
But I wasn’t ready for the person who actually stood before me.
The most shocking visitor I’d had to date had been Mrs. Grate, Deacon’s formidable mother, who had come to see Greer. The postcard made me sure that whoever was coming at eleven was here to see me, but the sight that met me when I opened the door was truly shocking.
“May I come in?” Mayor Clabberd whispered, peering around nervously. His diffidence was in striking contradiction to his dazzlingly white suit, top hat, and cane.
Not knowing what to do, I simply stood back and let the mayor of Mintwood walk inside my little farmhouse. Out of the corner of my eye I saw my aunt quickly put her wand away.
“Harriet,” said the mayor. The mayor was older than my aunt, but though he was blinking in surprise to find her at the house, he obviously knew her. “If I had known you were here I would have come earlier,” he said.
“I got here a week ago,” said Aunt Harriet. “Close the door.”
“I’ll make tea,” said Greer, trying to hide her surprise by leaving the room.
“Won’t you sit down?” offered Harriet. There was an amused glint in her eye as she indicated the nicest plump chair by the fire. Mayor Clabberd sank into it with relief, took off his hat, and set his cane down on the side table.
“Thank you so much for seeing me on such short notice. I’m sorry about the secrecy,” he said, looking my way and sighing heavily.
“What is it you wanted to see me about?” I said.
I sat down on the same couch where just the night before Charlie had recovered from the witch’s spell. Greer reappeared right away with the tea tray; mercifully, there had already been hot water. When the mayor glanced suspiciously at my roommate, I introduced her. “This is my friend Greer. She lives here,” I said.
The mayor blinked at me in surprise. “Really? I wouldn’t have thought you wanted anyone around for . . .”
He didn’t finish the sentence, he just looked uncomfortable.
“I trust her with everything,” I supplied.
My aunt was acting like this was all entirely normal, but I was very confused. Mayor Clabberd seemed to think that weird things went on in our household, but why ever would he think such a thing?
“Did you know my grandmother?” I asked.
“Everybody around town knew your grandmother very well,” said the mayor. He paused and his eyes flicked to Greer again.
“I can leave if you want me to,” offered Greer.
“No, you can stay,” said Harriet. “She’s trustworthy,” she added, turned to Clabberd.
“Very well, not as if I really have a choice,” said the mayor. Watching him rub his temples, I realized suddenly how tired he looked.
“Jimmy News just announced that he’s running against me,” he said heavily.
I glanced at Greer and my aunt for any sign of recognition, but there was none. The mayor noticed our confusion and raised his eyebrows. “You pay attention to town politics at all? Jimmy News runs the speed limit organization, whatever they call themselves.”
“He’s one of the young upstarts,” I realized.
The mayor nearly chuckled at that. “Yes, he’s your age. I’m surprised he hasn’t been out here trying to recruit you for some silly thing or other.”
“We don’t like team sports,” said Greer.
“I suppose that doesn’t surprise me,” said the mayor.
“How can we help?” asked Harriet.
“You can help by doing me a favor,” said the mayor.
“We’ll help as much as we can,” my aunt assured him.
The mayor cleared his throat and looked awkwardly between us. “You understand, it’s not that I don’t trust Detective Cutter. He’s a great detective, and I know he does his best. In fact, he’s solved some really tough cases recently. I just think this current situation might need more . . . something . . . than he’s able to give it.”
“Are you talking about Farmer Franklin’s problem?” I said.
“I am indeed,” said the mayor. “His claims are unsubstantiated, but as long as the rumors are out there and it looks like I’m not doing anything about them, I have a problem that Jimmy News is going to exploit.”
As the mayor talked, Greer busied herself handing out tea. The mayor took his cup and immediately set it down, while I cradled mine and enjoyed the smell of lavender and the feel of warmth in my hands.
For a few seconds we all stared at each other, my mind working slowly on what the mayor seemed to be implying. Did he actually know we could talk to ghosts? I was having a hard time interpreting this visit in any other way.
“You understand,” he said, seeing that I was at sea, “I know your grandmother was an unusual lady with an unusual skill set. Everybody around here said in a sort of joking way that she was a witch, but I’ve always kind of believed in witches. My mother believed in them too, maybe that’s where I got it. Anyway, your grandmother was reputed to be a witch, and whenever there were any sort of strange goings-on in town, she was the one we talked to about them. We’ve really missed her since she passed away.”
“We’ve missed her too,” I murmured. My aunt and Greer both nodded.
“We’re not going to do anything public,” I warned him. “I don’t want any sort of attention, so I don’t know how you think you’ll be able to take the credit for Farmer Franklin getting his tools back.”
“I would never expect you to do anything like that,” said the mayor. “I’m not looking to drag anybody else into this mess. If it would just go away, I wouldn’t ask for anything more. Your grandmother never liked taking credit for the things she did either.”
I wondered what exact things he was talking about. If taking credit for things meant stepping into town politics, I could see why she wasn’t in favor.
“We’ll help you,” said Aunt Harriet. “In fact, Lemmi has already been to Farmer Franklin’s place to look around, and she doesn’t think it’s a ghost stealing the tools.”
I glared at my aunt for sharing my information without my permission, but she ignored me. She and the mayor had a history, and she hadn’t told me a thing about it.
The mayor turned to me with eager eyes. “You don’t think it’s a ghost?”
“No, I don’t think it’s a ghost,” I said.
“Are you going to be able to figure out what it is?” he said.
“I’m going to try. I guess,” I said.
“That would be wonderful,” gushed the mayor.
Was I now working for the mayor of Mintwood?
“I’m sure we’ll get to the bottom of it,” said Harriet.
“I’m so glad I came out here. I really didn’t know where else to turn,” said the mayor. “Ghosts are not stealing the tools, and if you two are on the case I’m sure you’ll get to the bottom of it.”
“The three of us,” I corrected him.
The mayor looked at Greer with surprise, as if he’d forgotten she was there, which he probably had. “Right, sorry. The three of you.”
“Jimmy News doesn’t stand a chance against you,” said my aunt.
“We have to take these things seriously,” said Mayor Clabberd. “I’ve never wanted to take my post for granted, but I just know there has to be another explanation for Farmer Franklin’s problem. Not that I think he’s losing the tools on purpose, but there must be some rational explanation for what’s happening. I really hope you can get to the bottom of it before it’s too late.”
As Mayor Clabberd stood up to leave, I felt like I could take advan
tage of his gratitude. “Are there any updates on the missing hikers yet?” I asked.
He grimaced. “Not really. Detective Cutter is thinking it’s a pretty open and shut case. They fell and they died on the way down, the only question is where their hiking companion is. We don’t have much of a clue about that yet, but her brother has come to town, and for his sake I’m hoping we’ll have a better idea soon. The mountain isn’t really big enough to get lost on.”
It was just big enough to fall down and die on, I thought. Plus, Kevin and Kay’s bodies had been lost for months, so I didn’t think the mayor was right in the first place. But I didn’t think it would do any good to say so.
I walked the mayor to the door and started to open it. He did a quick look through the window to check for spies, or anyone at all who might catch him at my place. Deciding the coast was clear, he put his hat on, gave us all a friendly nod, and left.
“For someone on a secretive mission, he sure isn’t dressed for it,” Greer said, shaking her head.
“You can say that again,” I said.
I watched as his car sped away, but surprisingly, as soon as he was gone another car pulled in.
“What is this place? Grand Central Station?” bemoaned Greer.
An explosion of noise caused me to jump. Charger had been quiet all this time, but with a third visitor in one morning, counting the mail carrier, Charlie’s need for rest went out the window. Charger was now barking like mad.
“It’s Hansen Gregory,” I said with surprise.
A voice from the dead floated in from the kitchen, and Charlie, who I thought was still sleeping, yelled, “I’m not here! Do not let him see me like this.” A door slammed, and then there was silence.
Greer and I exchanged glances. “So, Charlie’s not home?” she mused. “How strange. I wonder where that girl’s got to so early in the morning.”
I giggled.
My aunt, chuckling to herself, said something about having more to do in the shed and disappeared back outside. “I can only handle so much fun in one morning,” she said.
“Technically, it’s afternoon now,” I said, but Harriet ignored me. I knew she was making a quick getaway so I couldn’t yell at her for being so agreeable on my behalf to Mayor Clabberd, but with another visitor following right on his heels, I couldn’t worry about that at the moment.
A Witch on Mintwood Mountain (Witch of Mintwood Book 4) Page 8