“I told you, Bonnie Hopkins is having a barbecue and I’m going there to investigate.”
“Sounds good. Take me along.”
Petunia just shook her head. “You do remember that Bonnie has two Dobermans, right?”
“I can be of some help and get into places that you can’t.”
Petunia gave this some thought. “Fine, but you had better come up with a plan if you don’t want to get eaten by those dogs.”
When there was a rap at the door, she went to find Noah there, looking quite handsome in brown trousers and a white button-down shirt. His brown hair had been combed into place and Petunia knew that Noah could have his pick of the women in town if he wanted, which should make her at least a little happy that he had asked her out a few times. But that was before this investigation. She hoped that it wouldn’t be the last date they went on.
Noah’s brow shot up. “So, are you ready, or do you plan to stare at me all day?”
“Oh, I-I. Sure. I was just going to say you look nice.”
“Okay, you look good, too, but then you always do, Petunia. Shall we go?”
“Yes, but I’m bringing Pansy with me. He’s been acting up since I’ve been leaving him alone in the house.”
“Alone? Don’t you have, like, three other cats?”
“Yes, but Pansy is special. You might even say he’s my favorite.”
“Fine, but I’m not so sure what Bonnie will think when we bring the cat to her barbecue.”
“Oh, she won’t mind. I already called and asked her.”
“Did you now? That’s interesting, bringing a cat to a fundraising barbecue.”
“I can’t help it, but Pansy can be of some help. If he disappears, I’ll have the perfect excuse for looking for my cat in places where I’d ordinarily not be allowed.”
“That’s actually a smart idea. Sorry I ever mentioned that it would be a bad idea.”
“Did you ask my grandfather about taking and wrecking your car yet?”
“Actually, no, but he did mention that he’s been taking these vitamins you sent him.”
“What vitamins?”
“I’m not sure, but it sure seems like they prevent him from getting seriously injured. Last night he fell off a chair in the kitchen when he raiding my snack cupboard, and when I went over there to help him, he just jumped up like it was nothing. He hadn’t been injured at all.”
Petunia smiled. “Oh, so are you saying they’re magical vitamins?”
Noah shook his head. “Well, no, but I do think him not getting injured is miraculous for a man his age. I’d expect him to have a broken hip, perhaps even a skin tear.”
She had to agree with that and she would be asking her aunt if she had sent the vitamins to her grandfather with a note that said they were from Petunia. If so, it would make perfect sense why her grandfather wasn’t injured from the accident. “I agree with you, but do you ever plan to ask him if he took your car without your permission?”
“I know he did. My spare keys were not where I usually put them on the hook.”
“And yet you still never directly asked him about your car?” Petunia asked, confused.
“Look, I love my car, but I had full coverage insurance and it’s replaceable. Your grandfather is not. I’ve been getting fond of him since he’s been staying with me. He has the most amazing stories.”
She was relieved that Noah wasn’t that upset with her grandfather and was also happy that he dropped the topic of the vitamins, since they couldn’t just be explained anyway, or not the origins of them, in any case. In many ways, her grandfather couldn’t help himself, kind of like an adolescent. He had been locked away at Sunnybrook for years and now this was his first chance at real freedom. Who wouldn’t want to race off in a sporty car if you could, especially when the keys were at the ready?
“I bet those would be stories not for my ears,” Petunia said. “We should get going, now.” She snapped the leash on Pansy and they made the way out the door.
“Smart thinking, Red. I think he fell for that. I wonder, though, what he’d say if he found out you gave me a love potion and changed me into a cat? I bet he wouldn’t be so keen on you then.”
“Why do you even care?”
“Because I’m just getting used to you. If you and Noah actually fell in love and got married, I’d be stuck with that smelly dog drooling all over me.”
“I don’t see why you’d ever think that would happen. I’ve only been on two dates with Noah.”
Pansy kept quiet then as they walked down the sidewalk and crossed the street where the government building was. It was quiet today and there was no activity over at the office. Petunia wondered if they even closed up early to attend the fundraiser. She wasn’t sure what to think about the party still going forward. It seemed that not even a murder would stand in the way of the mayor’s next bid for re-election.
When they arrived at the Hopkins’ mansion, they had a red carpet rolled out from the open fence to the doorway like it was a real Hollywood event. Petunia surmised that was exactly what Bonnie had in mind.
They knocked on the door and it was opened by a butler who Petunia had never seen before. She figured his presence had to do with the party.
“Invitation, please,” he said stiffly.
Petunia fished it out of her bag and handed it to the gray-haired man. He glanced at the invitation and then down at Pansy, who was rubbing her head against the man’s leg, layering it with cat hair.
“I’ll have to ask the host if you can bring that cat in.”
Bonnie appeared at the door. “Yes, James. Petunia can bring her cat in if she’s not worried that my dogs will eat Pansy.”
“Well, look at it this way,” Noah said. “It sure will keep them busy.”
“For the moment I have them shut in the basement. I don’t think my guests would appreciate nearly being attacked. They can be protective at times.”
Petunia nodded in agreement. “I can imagine they can be, but they’ve never been that way with me.”
“Of course they were too busy chasing Pansy up a tree, remember, dear?”
“Don’t remind me.” Petunia glanced around, not seeing any special decorations other than one re-elect Mayor Hopkins’ poster.
“So, where is the party?” Petunia asked, unsnapping Pansy’s leash so he could wander, and hopefully find something of use.
“By the pool.” Bonnie led them away from the door and the butler, taking them into the library, where she eased herself down in a chair behind a desk. “It’s been a rough two days, or I should say yesterday was. I was hauled in and questioned.”
“So, were you aware that Florence might have been in the mansion?” Petunia asked.
“No, I wasn’t, and it’s not like I check out the pool every morning. I leave that to the pool boy and he hasn’t been by this week yet.”
“I see. And you’re positive that he hasn’t been here this week?”
“Yes, quite. Connie would have told me otherwise so I could pay the boy.”
“Are you sure your husband and Florence had broken it off before her death?”
“Quite positive. He even took back her car. That’s why it was parked up front.”
“Why didn’t you tell me that when I was here the last time?”
“You already thought I was guilty when Florence’s body showed up in our pool. I can’t imagine what you would have thought if I had told you that.”
“That’s just not true. I don’t believe you’re guilty at all, and if you were, you’d have dumped her body somewhere else. Even lure her away from Lake Forest.”
“Why did they tow her car out of here if the mayor took it back from her?” Noah asked.
“I told the sheriff all about that after you left and he insisted on taking it to look for clues to her death.”
Petunia didn’t want to tell Bonnie that her husband had been spotted with Florence the day before she died. The sheriff certainly never hinted about Flor
ence’s car being towed, but why would he?
“Is your husband here now? I’d like to speak to the mayor.”
“But he wasn’t even here when Florence’s body was discovered.”
“Where were you at seven o’clock yesterday morning?”
“I had a horrible migraine the night before and had to take one of my pain pills. I woke up late, around nine. I was then in quite the rush to get in the shower and go shopping for the party.”
“Besides the meat market, where did you go?”
“I went into Bear Paw and picked up gumbo. Hidden Pass has the best around, made by someone who is actually from Louisiana. You just can’t get authentic Cajun cooking here in Michigan like that anywhere else that I know of.”
Petunia sighed and Noah took over the questioning. “Have you ever threatened Florence?”
“No.”
Noah had his game face on as he said, “I heard that you threatened her just last week.”
“June mentioned that you had an argument with Florence just last week at the Hobby Shack,” Petunia added.
Bonnie pursed her lips. “I bet that June did, and I won’t deny I had words with Florence.”
“What did you mean when you said you’d take care of her? Were you planning to off her already?” Noah asked.
“No,” Bonnie huffed. “I was planning on paying the woman to leave town actually, but I can see how that might have been misinterpreted. I didn’t give Florence the specifics until we were in the parking lot and June certainly wasn’t privy to that part of our conversation.”
“So, how was Florence getting around if the mayor took back her car?”
“She had an Impala. Florence was hardly left high and dry, and before you think us monsters, you should know that the Lincoln that she was tooling around town with was only leased for her while she worked at the government building. When she left, she certainly wasn’t allowed to take the car with her. The taxpayers of Lake Forest pay for that and my husband had planned to take it back since it’s the end of the lease next week.”
“You must mean after she was let go.” Petunia said.
Bonnie sighed. “Yes, you can judge me all you want, but there’s just no way I’d allow her to stay working alongside my husband after their affair ended.”
“And you’re certain it did?” Noah asked with raised brow. “Ended?”
“I’m quite positive, but if you insist, ask him yourself.”
“I plan to,” Noah said, stepping out of the library.
“Sorry for all the prying questions, Bonnie. I really want to help you and the only way I can is if I ask you these questions.”
Bonnie eased herself up from the chair. “I understand, but I assure you that I had nothing to do with Florence’s death.”
“I believe she didn’t die on your property, but that it happened somewhere else and then Florence’s body was put in your pool for a very specific purpose.”
Bonnie’s eyes widened. “What do you mean?”
“Either they were hoping to frame you or your husband. Ruining his chances for a re-election bid, perhaps.”
“That’s not possible. We always keep the fence locked and nobody other than my staff comes or goes.”
“The fence was open when I came over.”
“That must have been an oversight because we always keep that gate locked.”
“What about when you came home after shopping? Did you leave it open then?”
Bonnie stared straight ahead. “You know, I’m not certain, but I’m sure the maid made sure it was locked. She’s always having to go behind me and do that. She’s good that way.”
“Is that the same maid who was rude to me yesterday?”
“She means no harm, truly, but she’s the only one I can really count on around here.”
“I was under the impression that the gate might have been left open because of all the deliveries you were expecting yesterday.”
Bonnie’s face lit up. “Oh, that’s right. It makes perfect sense, don’t you think? I must have forgotten that Connie told me that was the reason.”
Petunia was doubtful of that, since it completely changed from what Bonnie had just said a few moments ago! It really gave her pause that Bonnie might indeed be somehow involved, if only with covering up details that would be pertinent to this case. Petunia glanced at the clock. “I better go find Noah. I’d really like to speak to your husband before all your guests arrive.”
When Petunia darted from the room, she ran headlong into the maid she had just been speaking about. Had her ear been peeled to the door? And if so, why would she be interested in what Petunia had to say to Bonnie? “Sorry, Connie,” Petunia said, backing away.
“Humph,” is all Connie said.
Before Petunia had a chance to say anything more, the maid moved off in the direction of the kitchen. She obviously wasn’t the friendly type, and certainly wasn’t someone Petunia wished to speak with, at least not yet. Perhaps if she spoke to Connie with Noah present, it would be a different story.
Petunia looked down at Pansy, who bounded up, and she asked him, “Where is Noah?”
“He followed the mayor outside.”
“I better hurry, then. By all means, do what you’ve been doing, playing lookout.”
Petunia walked outside, wishing she had brought her sunglasses. The backyard was decorated with red, white, and blue streamers with political signage. There was a long table with several chafing dishes. The help was in the process of filling the metal containers with water to keep the food warm when it arrived. The table also had a huge swan ice sculpture in the center with an empty punch bowl next to it, which made Petunia think back to the holidays when she was just a child. Her parents always made a mixture of Hawaiian Punch and 7Up, with orange sherbet in it. It was something she looked forward to. If only her parents hadn’t died so young. Not that she had minded living with Aunt Maxine. It just wasn’t anything like being raised by your real parents, especially when they were so great.
Pansy raced outside. “This way,” he said.
She followed him to a French door, and on other side was the mayor and Noah. Without even knocking, Petunia burst through the door. “Oh, there you are. I had worried I lost you, Noah.”
The mayor’s brows furrowed and he glanced back to Noah. “Like I was saying, I had nothing to do with that woman’s death.”
“You mean, Florence?” Petunia butted in.
“Yes, it’s quite clear that’s who I’m speaking about.”
“I just like to be sure. For all we know, you meant another woman you might be involved with who met an unfortunate end.”
The mayor’s face reddened and Noah shook his head at Petunia. “No,” Mayor Hopkins blurted out. “I haven’t had other affairs, this is my first.”
What a liar! “That’s not what your wife told me.”
“She’s just insecure, that’s all. I’m quite happily married.”
“Except for your affair with Florence?”
“Yes, but that’s been over. She no longer worked with me, as you’re well aware.”
“I know, but did you still see her on the sly?”
“Of course not. Bonnie was quite clear that she would no longer tolerate my affair with Florence.”
“If that’s true, then why did Steven see you driving down Lakeside Drive with Florence in your car?”
The mayor massaged his head. “Okay, fine. So, I did have her in my car, but we were only chatting about how my wife offered to pay her off so that she’d leave town.”
“Your wife said as much.”
“And was Florence planning to take the money and leave Lake Forest?” Noah asked.
“From what she said, no, but fifty thousand is quite a bit to turn down.”
“Did Florence mention if your wife threatened her?” Petunia asked.
“Bonnie isn’t like that, but she certainly told me that she wouldn’t tolerate my dalliance with Florence. I actually hoped that she�
��d leave town, too. I’m not about to have my wife divorce me.”
“Not when she’s the one with the money,” Petunia said.
The mayor exhaled heavily. “For the record, I love my wife.”
“I’m sure you do, but did Florence know that?”
“Not in so many words, but I did tell her I would never leave my wife. It would be just like her to drown herself in our pool to frame my wife.”
“Except that she had no chlorine in her lungs,” Petunia said.
Chapter Fourteen
The mayor’s eyes widened. “Are you positive?”
“Yes, but keep that to yourself. I’d hate to explain to the sheriff that I let that one slip. I just wanted you to know and ask you who might be trying to ruin your re-election bid. I believe someone might be trying to ruin you in that respect.”
“That makes sense, I suppose, but as of yet, I’m not sure who would be trying to get elected instead of me.”
“So another candidate hasn’t stepped forward yet?”
“No. I did get a call from a Simon Shore, but when I tried to check him out, I couldn’t find out anything about him.”
Petunia gulped. “Well, perhaps it’s possible that your wife was the one being framed here?”
“I can’t see why. If Bonnie went to prison, her money would go to her brother, Tony.”
“And where does this Tony live?” Noah asked.
“In Detroit, but he’ll be here today to support me. He has helped me with my election in the past, and without him, I don’t think that I’d even be the mayor of Lake Forest.”
“Do you happen to watch real life crime shows?” Petunia asked.
“No, I hardly have time for that. I’m much too busy with work since I’ve become mayor.”
Petunia had to say something off topic now. “You mean, like sending me a fine notice for running a business at home today, when I haven’t even made anything of late.”
“That not what Cora has claimed. If you don’t want her to know what you’re doing, perhaps you shouldn’t be whipping up potions in your backyard, of all things. She wasn’t the only one complaining, either.”
Petunia’s hand went to her hips. “That wasn’t my doing. My aunt showed up with a few ladies from out of town. Believe me, I know it was out of my control.”
Meows, Magic & Manslaughter (Lake Forest Witches Book 2) Page 13