Petunia smiled as Noah joined them. “Are you okay, Petunia?” Noah asked.
Petunia was glad grandfather let it drop about calling Bonnie so that he could get into the mansion tomorrow. She certainly wanted to do this alone, or with Noah’s help. Her grandfather simply would have to find his own way in.
She had to pull her attention away from these thoughts to answer Noah’s question. “I’m fine. Did you take Melvin home?”
“Yes,” Noah said. “What is your grandfather doing here?”
“I’m not her grandfather, the name is Simon Shore. I’ll be running for mayor next year.”
Petunia gave Noah a cockeyed smile. “Yes, and Simon here wants to get into the Hopkins’ mansion. Apparently, Florence was carrying a flash drive and Simon needs to retrieve it, but we’ll be the ones trying to figure out what really happened to her, which might be hard if the barbecue is cancelled. By the way, he’s retired from the CIA.”
“No, Petunia. I’m still an active agent.”
Noah’s brow shot up. “Ah, so he still works with the CIA.”
A vibration from Petunia’s pocket had her scrambling to answer her cell phone.
“Petunia, I really need your help, dear. Meet me at the Lake Forest beach,” came Bonnie’s voice.
Petunia shoved the phone back in her pocket. “I really need to get going. Where are you staying, grandfather?”
“Call me Simon. I’m not to be referred to as your grandfather, you hear?”
Petunia smiled. “And what about Aunt Maxine? I’m quite sure that she’ll know that you’re here in Lake Forest like when Sunnybrook realizes that you’re missing.”
“I tell you they won’t be looking for me. I have a man in my place.”
It was Noah’s turn to look confused.
“And where are you planning to stay here in town?” Petunia asked.
“With you, of course. It will be easier to brainstorm that way.”
“You can’t stay with me,” Petunia said in a rush. “I mean, my house is quite the mess and I have four cats, too. Aren’t you allergic or something?”
“I’m not sure where you heard that. Why do I get the feeling that you’re trying to get rid of me?”
Because I am, she so wanted to say, but instead said, “It’s not like that—”
“I’d be happy to have you stay with me,” Noah volunteered. “Us bachelors need to stick together and Petunia does have four cats. I have a pit bull named Melvin, but he won’t bother you, not like a cat would.”
“Cats aren’t nearly the bother you think they might be, Noah,” Petunia said, before she realized that she should have bit her tongue. The last thing Petunia needed was for her grandfather to know that she was a witch and whipped up potions that she sold in her Aunt Maxine’s shop. Especially since Aunt Maxine and her grandfather hadn’t spoken in many years. “Of course, I’m sure you’d be more comfortable over at Noah’s place and that way nobody would be able to connect me with you. If they realize who you really are, you won’t be able to do much more that be hauled back to Sunnybrook.”
“Sounds like a great idea,” grandfather said. “It’s been years since I’ve stayed at a real man cave.”
“Perhaps you should head home now with him, Noah,” Petunia suggested. “You know, so he can settle in and perhaps take a nap.”
“Nap, Petunia, really? Whatever makes you think I’m some frail old man?”
“I didn’t mean it like that, exactly.”
“Are you trying to get rid of me?”
“No, but if you keep talking to me here out in the open, somebody might just come along that will figure out who you are.”
“Good point. Show me the way, young man,” grandfather said.
Petunia smiled as they crossed the street, while Cora made her way over to where Petunia still stood.
“I’m really sorry for calling you a witch, Petunia. I hope we can settle our differences over a cup of tea sometime. You could bring that debonair man I just saw you speaking to. There’s nothing like a silver-haired fox, if you ask me.”
Was Cora really interested in Petunia’s grandfather? Now that was certainly a switch. Petunia hadn’t thought that her snooping neighbor was interested in more than … well, snooping.
“I’m too busy at the moment and he’s getting settled over at Noah’s, now. Perhaps another time.” Not! It was then that a plan formulated in Petunia’s mind. “Of course, I might be able to make some time later if you quit telling the mayor about me making potions—I mean, working from home. The truth is that I don’t have anywhere else to do it and it can’t be that much of a bother to my neighbors, can it, about what goes on in my own home?”
“I’m so sorry for telling the mayor that. Yes, please stop by later and I promise to keep my nose out of the goings on over at your place.”
Petunia nodded in agreement. She wasn’t sure how her grandfather would feel about being used to keep her snooping neighbor out of her hair. Of course there was no reason to let him know that. She would have to be very careful so that he never found out who she really was now, not with the way he felt about his own sister dabbling in witchcraft. Petunia wasn’t sure if she should warn her aunt that her brother was in town. She worried about what her aunt would do. She only hoped that when Aunt Maxine did find out he was here, she wouldn’t overreact, and turn her own brother in. Petunia knew, though, that from what she had been told that her grandfather was the one who had broken contact with his sister. Petunia only hoped that they would make up, at least a little. Perhaps time really could be the healer.
Chapter Seven
Petunia watched in wonder as Cora left. The nosy neighbor seemed have turned over a new leaf—or so Petunia hoped, anyway. She should feel bad for using her grandfather like this, but yet again, she hadn’t talked him into anything. Of course this was an opportunity that she just couldn’t pass up. If Cora could be distracted by her grandfather, she’d kill two birds with one stone. If Cora kept him busy, Petunia could investigate without her grandfather getting in her way. She’d look for the elusive flash drive while she was at it, just to keep him at bay for the time being, too.
She went home and yanked her bicycle out of the garage and jumped aboard, pedaling in the direction of the Lake Forest Beach, which had her climbing the hill and disappearing over the other side. When she finally hopped off her bike, her thighs ached, as it had been quite a hike to the beach. Petunia put the kickstand down and walked toward a woman dressed all in white wearing a matching large brimmed hat. Even with the woman’s back to Petunia, Petunia was fairly certain that it was Bonnie Hopkins.
Petunia walked over there, sand squishing between her toes, and by the time she tapped on the woman’s shoulder, her feet were practically burning.
The woman, whose black hair was peppered with gray, turned and Petunia saw that it wasn’t Bonnie at all.
“You must be Petunia Patterson,” the woman said.
“Yes, but you’re not Bonnie Hopkins.”
“Good observation. I’m sorry about deceiving you this way, but I had no other option. It’s important that you know there will be a CIA operative inside the Hopkins’ mansion tomorrow during the barbecue, just in case you run into problems. It will be me.”
“Does Bonnie know who you are?”
“Oh, no. She thinks I’m her attorney. She was easily convinced that’s who I am, since I was the one who showed up at the sheriff’s department to spring her.”
“Bonnie was arrested?”
“Oh, no, but the sheriff had her down to the station to question her. It’s standard practice for him, I’m sure.”
“I didn’t think so, or at least it wasn’t that time when I was accused of murder. I was merely interviewed there at a later date.” Petunia screwed up her face. “And who are you, exactly?”
“The name is Joellen Harbor and it’s most important that you find out who murdered Florence while I look for a valuable piece of evidence.”
Pe
tunia’s brow arched. “Oh? And what kind of evidence are you talking about here?”
“I’m sure you can understand why a CIA operative wouldn’t wish to divulge that kind of information.”
“Why would you need me to find out who killed Florence, then? Couldn’t you just do it all yourself?”
“I could, but from what I’ve learned about you in town, you’ll prove to be a very useful diversion.”
“So you want me to question the witnesses while you look for some other kind of evidence?”
“Exactly. I’ve been allowed the run of the mansion during the party and I don’t think anyone would notice if I slip upstairs to check out a few things.”
“I can’t agree with that. The Hopkinses have a very able staff and I doubt much gets past them.”
“We’ll see. I’m not without my resources, just do your part.”
“Will there be any more agents there, as well?”
“And here I thought we’d be great friends, but I’m not at liberty to tell you that, as you might know.”
Petunia glanced at the little boys heading toward the water with a woman following, who barely looked up from her book. The crowd besides that consisted of other tourists with their families. Nobody struck her as odd and she couldn’t help but wonder if there were more agents in town. Of course what she wanted to ask was if her grandfather was really still part of the CIA and if he was involved in this case, as well. At this point, she had no other choice than to remain mum on his inclusion. The truth was that she couldn’t believe her grandfather still had an active role with the CIA. Her Aunt Maxine had Petunia convinced that he was out of his tree and she really had to wonder, too, if it wasn’t for his sudden appearance in town and the inside information he had about Florence’s murder, she would have had to agree with that. But no, her grandfather just knew too much and this woman refused to supply her with any real piece of information about who else might be involved in the case.
“Of course I’ll do my part, but does Bonnie know?”
“She counts on your help, to find out who really killed Florence.”
“And what information do you have that proves her death is a murder? I’m quite certain that an autopsy hasn’t been done quite yet.”
“Believe me, we have to perceive that she was murdered, since she was working on compiling information for us.”
“I’m not exactly clear how she was doing that while she was in bed with the mayor, but okay.”
“Thanks for your time, Petunia, and I’ll see you tomorrow, but please, if you see me, pretend that we’ve never met.”
Petunia nodded and made her way back to her bicycle, knocking the sand out of her sandals before pedaling toward home. She was very confused. Were her grandfather and this woman working together? She could ask her grandfather, but she really would much rather find out for herself. There was something about that woman that she just didn’t trust. For all Petunia knew, this woman could have been the one who murdered Florence. Was she also the one looking for the flash drive—provided there actually was one?
When Petunia finally got home, she found Aunt Maxine and her witchy friends parked on her doorstep. Her aunt didn’t look the happiest as she held Pansy’s leash. For once, Pansy actually appeared to have nothing to say.
“It’s about time,” Wanda muttered. “I was nearly ready to pass out in this heat.”
“Yes,” Hazel said. “Why can’t you hide an extra key under a rock like everyone else?”
“You could always have tried the door, the lock is a little broken,” Petunia admitted, as she led the way inside.
“You need to get that lock fixed,” Noah said, as he walked into the room to meet them, a bag of cat food in his hand and a circle of cats around him, meowing up a storm. “It’s not safe for you in your, er … occupation.”
Petunia arched a brow. Instead of asking why he was in her house, she said, “Well, it’s not safe for you if those cats aren’t fed, and soon.”
Sure enough, Merlin pawed Noah’s leg with bared claws and a loud howl escaped the cat’s lips. “Hold on, now,” Noah said. “It’s not my fault you weren’t fed yet today.”
“Actually, yes, they were fed, and now they’ll have to be fed again unless you plan to lose more skin.”
Noah disappeared into the kitchen and Pansy raced into the next room, silent as a mouse. Petunia raised a brow and asked her aunt, “What happened to Pansy? I hope you didn’t allow those witches, Estelle and Maria, too close to him.”
“Whatever do you mean?” Wanda asked. “What possible harm can feeding him a treat do?”
“You let them feed him a treat?” Petunia wailed. “Why did you do that?”
“We had to, dear,” Aunt Maxine said. “What is all this fuss about?”
“I can’t hear him, is what. He hasn’t said a word since I came home.”
“Petunia, you haven’t even been home that long,” Aunt Maxine said.
“They must have put a spell on him. I have a mind to march right over to wherever they’re hanging out and give them a piece of my mind.”
“That’s not wise,” Hazel said. “That Maria is a real bad witch.”
“Now, Hazel,” Aunt Maxine said. “There’s no call to start a rumor like that. I’ve never known the woman to cause any trouble and I doubt she even knows who Pansy really is.”
Petunia wasn’t so sure. All she knew was that her once-talking cat had become eerily silent. While she oftentimes had wished for such an occasion, now she was quite upset. As much as Pansy was a pain in her rear-end, he was hers to deal with, not some witch who she didn’t even know. She had to admit that she had a fondness for Pansy, much more so than she ever had when he was a human.
Pansy pranced into the room and Petunia scooped him up. When they were eye-to-eye, she said, “Speak to me, Pansy!”
Noah gave her a strange look as he walked into the living room. “You do know that cats can’t talk, right?”
“Don’t listen to him, Pansy. Please tell me those witches didn’t put a spell on you.”
“If you’re going to talk about witchcraft or spells, I’m out of here,” Noah said, heading to the door. “I was just going to ask you what I should do with my new house guest.”
“What guest?” Aunt Maxine asked.
Petunia gave Noah a pleading look.
“Simon, he’s just passing through and I offered him a place to stay. He’s running for mayor next year, I hear.”
Aunt Maxine narrowed her eyes. “Really? I’d sure love to meet him. Perhaps I should head over to your place to introduce myself.”
“Is he handsome?” Hazel asked. “And single?”
“Don’t you already have plenty of ex-husbands?” Wanda asked.
“Speak for yourself. All I’m saying is that I’m long overdue for a new one,” Hazel said.
“Would that be a date or a new ex-husband?” Aunt Maxine asked.
The three of them had a good laugh over that and Petunia thanked Noah with a nod of her head. “Why are you three here, anyway?”
“I wanted to speak to you about your interview in a few days,” Aunt Maxine said. “We need to speak to Petunia privately, Noah. I hope you understand.”
“I had hoped to speak to Petunia alone, too, but I suppose I could leave if she agrees to stop by my house later to help me with my new house guest. He’s rather spunky, but fortunately Cora invited him over to her house. I don’t think I’ve ever seen her so happy before.”
“New man in town equals trouble, especially when Cora is involved,” Hazel said.
Petunia gave Pansy a small shake that wasn’t rough at all, but he still didn’t say a word. He looked very sad. She was so used to speaking to him telepathically that she really missed it. Perhaps this would be short lived, she thought, as she set Pansy down on the couch.
When Noah left, she finally asked, “Where are Estelle and Maria staying? I have a bone to pick with them.”
“Whatever for?” Wanda asked
.
“I think they did something to Pansy, that’s what. He’s not speaking to me.”
“I thought that would be a plus, not a minus,” Aunt Maxine said.
“How would you feel if those witches did something to Princess that would make her not speak to you?”
“Like having a party?” Hazel said with a sly smile.
“Now, Hazel, that’s no way to talk. Petunia likes to communicate with that cat of hers and we shouldn’t be making jokes about it. Of course it wouldn’t matter if Princess communicates with me or not since she much prefers to stay outside most of the time. Although I must admit, I think she likes Pansy.”
“She knocked him off the counter,” Petunia pointed out.
“I know, but remember how badly that Corbin treated you back in kindergarten? I suspect that he secretly liked you.”
“That’s not how it was. Corbin didn’t like girls at all. If you weren’t another boy, he wouldn’t even talk to you. I really hated that Corbin,” Petunia admitted. “Where would I be able to find Estelle and her daughter?”
Aunt Maxine just shook her head. “That’s the least of your worries, dear. Didn’t you say that you were trying to find out who offed Florence? I hope the sheriff doesn’t think you did it.”
“Why me?”
“Well, the last time people wound up dead, you were being blamed. I was only wondering if the sheriff had decided to single you out yet again.”
“Sure, Florence didn’t care for me, not that I ever knew why. I think the homeowner being blamed trumps little ole me. I don’t believe Bonnie had anything to do with this, but I plan to find out who is really responsible.” Petunia tapped her foot. “And I’ll find Estelle and her daughter, where?”
“You’ll see them in a few days at your interview. I forbid you from going anywhere near them until then.” Petunia frowned and her aunt added, “I mean it, Petunia. If you aren’t licensed, there will be trouble for all of us.”
“So, you’re licensed, too?”
“Yes, dear. I’d never tell you to do anything that I wouldn’t do or have done. I understand your concern about Pansy, but after you’re licensed, you could ask them nicely to undo whatever they might have done to Pansy.”
Meows, Magic & Manslaughter (Lake Forest Witches Book 2) Page 6