“So, were you or weren’t you whipping up a potion in that caldron that was in your backyard?”
“It wasn’t me, truly. That was started before I even came home.”
“I see. Well, you find out who really killed Florence and not only will I rip up that ticket, I’ll change the ordinance in your neighborhood, providing that you make your potions indoors.”
Petunia smiled. This was much better than she had hoped. It was exactly what she needed and boy, would Cora be angry, since she’d much prefer that Petunia left the neighborhood permanently.
“That’s a deal and Noah is my witness.”
“I’ll keep my word. That I promise you.”
Petunia was all smiles and Noah pulled her from the room, thanking the mayor for his time. She wandered back over to the table with the punch bowl, which was now filled, and eyed a group of women standing there. When they turned, she saw it was her Aunt Maxine and her witchy friends, Wanda and Hazel.
“Excuse me, Noah,” Petunia said.
She went over to them and Aunt Maxine looked her over. “You’re looking lovely today, dear. I see you’re here with that handsome neighbor of yours. You really need to up your game.”
“Game? That’s a strange word coming from you, aunt.”
“I suppose, but you’re aware that I watch all together too much television and have plenty of female customers who are younger. For some reason, they have been looking for love potions. Obviously, they aren’t aware of how south that can go.”
Petunia could agree with that. Pansy even raced over and said, “Stay here and I’ll check out the upstairs.”
“I hardly think you’ll be able to do that, but go ahead, then. I have more important things to do, like find Bonnie’s brother.”
“I’m not sure what that has to do with this case, but you can fill me in after I take a look around.”
When Pansy bounded away, Aunt Maxine asked, “Why did you bring Pansy with you?”
“He’s helping me.”
“Oh, my.” Wanda giggled. “You’ve gone over the deep end.”
“Not any more than usual.” Petunia frowned. “Since when have you been a supporter of Mayor Hopkins?”
“I could say the same about you, dear,” Aunt Maxine said with a grin.
When Petunia glanced over at Wanda, her face was redder than usual, like it got when she was up to no good. Her hands were behind her back and she was backed up too close to the punchbowl for Petunia’s liking.
“What do you have behind your back, Wanda?” Petunia asked.
Wanda shrugged. “Who, me?”
“I don’t see another Wanda here.”
She pulled out her hands. “I don’t have anything behind my back, see.”
Sure enough she didn’t, but Petunia had to say, “I certainly hope that you’re not up to anything, Aunt Maxine.”
“You worry too much. You better get back to that handsome man of yours. Didn’t you come here to investigate?”
Petunia sighed. She wasn’t so sure that her aunt wasn’t up to something, but she had no reason to believe she was, since Wanda didn’t have anything in her hands. Petunia decided that she must just be overly suspicious. After all, her aunt would know better than to do anything of the witchcraft persuasion here.
“Aunt Maxine, did you happen to send any vitamins to your brother at Sunnybrook, with a note saying they were from me?”
“Why, have you visited him recently at Sunnybrook?”
Petunia had to come up with a wild story now. “Yes, they contacted me after he had a nasty fall. Apparently he was unhurt and claimed it was all due to the vitamins I sent him.”
Aunt Maxine nodded. “I might not have seen my brother recently, but that doesn’t mean that I don’t care about him. He’s the one who has chosen not to speak to me.”
“Meaning what?”
“I sent him the vitamins. Did you know falls are the leading cause of injuries in nursing homes?”
“We all take the vitamins your aunt developed,” Hazel said. ‘They’d make big money if they were sold to the general public.”
“Now, now, Hazel. We’ve gone through this before. I don’t think people are ready for magical concoctions.”
“Well, the next time you use my name for something, tell me about it, although I’m glad you sent him the vitamins.”
Petunia excused herself and joined Noah, who was speaking to the woman she had met at the beach, Joellen Harbor, who claimed she was a CIA agent. The thing was that Petunia couldn’t believe that Florence’s death had anything to do with the CIA.
“Hello,” Petunia greeted them.
“This is Joellen. She’s Bonnie’s attorney,” Noah winked.
Petunia didn’t want to let on that Noah knew who she really was and what she was here to do, so she said, “Nice to meet you, and it’s great that Bonnie has proper representation.”
“Have you seen Bonnie recently? I’ve been looking for her.”
“In the house, last time I saw her.”
“Thanks,” Joellen said, moving in the direction of the house.
“Why the frown?” Noah asked.
“I was just wondering who Bonnie’s brother might be and if he’s here already.”
“Then we should mingle.”
They wandered by the pool and it was surprising how just yesterday Florence’s dead body was floating in the pool, but now there were lavender and white flowers on a floating pool decoration. It seemed like nobody was bothered by the fact that Florence was now dead. Not the mayor or his wife. It made Petunia wonder if either of them might be responsible for Florence’s demise. Although that didn’t make much sense, since it would point the finger squarely at them. Of course the mayor stood to lose if his wife went to prison, which now made the brother Tony a person of interest. If only they could find him.
Noah and Petunia continued to stroll along the brick patio, while more guests showed up, including a man dressed in gray Bermuda shorts with a gray button-down shirt, the top few buttons open to display a hint of muscular chest. He shared a few features with Bonnie and Petunia guessed this was her brother. Now the only problem was introducing themselves to him. She didn’t want it to seem like she was jumping on him like a vulture, barraging him with questions.
“Why are you staring over there?” Noah asked.
“I think that’s Bonnie’s brother.”
“What are we waiting for? Let’s go over there.”
“Wouldn’t that seem rather strange? I mean, he doesn’t even know us and we’ll be grilling him about his whereabouts yesterday.”
“It would if you do the speaking. Let me handle it,” Noah said.
By the time they had crossed the patio, the man smiled at their approach.
His green eyes danced. “Hello there, I’m Bonnie’s brother, Tony. I expected to be hunted down by you much sooner, Petunia.” When she was speechless, he added, “My sister told me who you were and how you’re trying to keep her out of jail. She also told me you were a fiery redhead.” Petunia absorbed that as he continued, “I suppose you want to know if I think Bonnie is capable of offing her husband’s lover.”
“Not exactly, but how about we step away from the door and go where we can speak privately.”
“After I get a drink of that punch. I’m parched.”
They followed Tony to the refreshment table, but just as Noah picked up a glass to get some punch, too, Petunia grabbed a plastic container of bottled water and pressed that into Noah’s hands. He cocked a brow, but set down the glass.
He pulled her away and whispered, “What’s wrong with the punch?”
“I’m not sure, but my aunt and her friends were over here and I have my suspicions they were possibly doctoring up the beverages.”
“Should you alert someone?”
“I’m not positive, and since when do you believe in magical potions or witchcraft?”
Noah fell silent as Tony approached them with a now empty glass. “L
et’s chat over there in the shade. It sure is hot out here today.”
They walked over to a table with four chairs around it and a huge pot of flowers in the center. Petunia was barely able to have eye contact with Tony, since his face was partially blocked by the flowers, which were the same color as the ones in the pool.
“Do you believe your sister is capable of killing anyone?” Noah asked.
“I’d prefer Petunia ask me the questions. I have a soft spot for redheads.”
Noah’s face darkened for a moment and Petunia said, “And the answer to Noah’s question is?”
“No, I can’t see Bonnie doing that. And she’s smart enough to cover her tracks. She’d never harm a fly.”
“What do you mean, smart enough to cover her tracks?” Noah asked.
“I mean, she has enough money to pay someone to do it for her.”
“Do you think that’s what happened?” Petunia asked.
“Not a chance, since the woman’s body was found in her pool, but it might be accidental. The sheriff hasn’t given Bonnie the full coroner’s report as of yet.”
Petunia decided not to comment further on that or tell Tony what she knew about Florence’s coroner report. “Were you aware of your brother in-laws affair?”
“Affairs, I think you mean. He’s had quite a few since my sister married him, but she was never all that upset about it. She knew that man would never leave. Without her money, he’d be penniless.”
“Are you positive of other affairs? He told us Florence was his first.”
“I’m sure he did, since he doesn’t want you to think he’s guilty of his lover’s death.”
“They had broken it off and your sister attempted to pay Florence off to leave town.”
“Well, then why would either the mayor or my sister have an interest in killing her?”
“Where were you yesterday? In Lake Forest?”
He smiled, leaning forward. “I’d have been out with you if I had met you yesterday.”
“Actually, Petunia is dating me,” Noah affirmed.
“Exclusively?”
“Quite.”
Petunia was shocked at Noah’s tone with Tony. She also was quite shocked that Noah considered them exclusive, but he might just have said that because they were there to question Tony.
“And where were you, exactly?” Petunia asked. She didn’t have time to listen to these two discuss her while she was sitting right here. Although she had to admit that Tony was quite handsome, but he also was the type that got what he wanted and that made him not interesting to her. She much preferred Noah’s easygoing and not pushy nature.
“I came to town around noon. I could show you my gas receipts to prove it. I left late from Detroit during the morning rush hour and it took me longer to get to Lake Forest than I had expected.”
“And where did you stay last night?”
“The Lake Forest Country Club. The owner gave me an honorary membership since the mayor is my brother in-law. They have rooms you can book with a membership.”
“I had no idea, but I’m not a member,” Petunia said. “Why would you be a member if you don’t live here?”
“I could get you a temporary membership, if you’d like. We could get to know each other better that way.”
Petunia stiffened. She was shocked at this man’s audacity, especially after Noah had told him that they were exclusive. “No, thanks. As Noah has already said, we’re dating.”
“How much have you stayed in contact with your sister?” Noah asked.
“Not all that much, but I come to Lake Forest every few months and my sister never let on that there was any trouble at home, besides her husband’s affairs.”
“And you never met Florence?”
“I’d met her once at a barbeque here six months ago. She did work for the mayor, but at the time my sister never mentioned that they were having an affair.”
“One last question,” Petunia said. “Is it true that you stand to inherit Bonnie’s fortune if she’s in prison?”
“I can’t say, but I do believe my father included that clause in his will, which is odd. What are the odds that Bonnie would ever go to prison though?”
That must have satisfied Noah, since he stood up. “Thanks for your help. Come along, Petunia.”
“Are you going to allow that man to order you around, Petunia?” Tony asked.
“He’s not doing that at all. We’re here to investigate Florence’s death, is all.”
“Suit yourself, but you’re missing out is all I can say.”
Petunia’s blood was boiling about now and she walked swiftly away from Tony. Noah caught her when she almost made it inside. “Where are you going?”
“As far away from that pompous ass that I can. I don’t think that I’ve ever met a man so full of himself before. And him suggesting that I’d go anywhere near him makes me even angrier. Grrrr.”
“Settle down, Petunia. I wanted to sock that man in the mouth, but do you think his story rings clear? That he only came into Lake Forest yesterday afternoon?”
“We could check out if he actually was at the country club yesterday, but this seems like a dead end. We don’t even know for sure if Bonnie’s money would really go to her brother is she goes to prison.”
“True. I can see upon her death, but not if she went to prison.”
The patio was quite packed and the mayor and Bonnie came out, making way for the podium, where they stood, poised to speak.
Petunia’s attention was refocused when she caught sight of her grandfather, dressed in casual pants with a billowy white shirt. He was walking onto the patio with Cora! So much for them being at odds. She was shocked he showed up since if her Aunt Maxine saw him, there was no telling what might happen. They had chosen not to see each other for years, even though Aunt Maxine had sent him vitamins, which made Petunia wonder if her aunt would really turn him in to Sunnybrook for escaping.
Petunia turned back to the podium as the mayor gripped the edges, leaning forward. “I’d like to thank you all for attending today. Although some of you might think it too early, a political campaign can’t just happen a few months before the election. I’m starting now and telling you I do plan on running for re-election. At the present time I have nobody running against me, so I just might be a shoo-in.” He laughed.
Petunia cringed when she saw her grandfather strutting through the crowd and stand beside them, now. She prayed that her aunt didn’t see him.
Applause split the air and Petunia wondered what her grandfather was really doing here. How did he plan to investigate or check out the house? Surely Aunt Maxine would recognize him.
“I won’t bore you with the details of what I plan to do, but there are ordinances in place that I plan to enforce to the letter. Some of the violators have already been notified or fined. In many of the neighborhoods, it’s a violation to run a business from home, including producing anything that will later be sold in either Mystical Remedies or elsewhere.”
Petunia balled her hands into fists. What a turncoat. That was pretty personal and she didn’t care for the reference.
“What about witchcraft?” one woman asked. “Are you planning to put a stop to that?”
“I’m aware of the rumors in town and I can’t verify the truth in them at this time, but all residents of Lake Forest will be treated fairly.”
“Humph,” is all the woman had to say to that.
Petunia had mixed feelings about what the mayor had to say. She didn’t like the ordinances, but was interested in how the mayor planned to treat them all fairly. She certainly hoped that he meant what he said. She certainly didn’t want to see a real witch hunt in Lake Forest.
“That’s all I have to say now. Please enjoy yourselves and the food our staff has prepared for you. My wife’s famous punch has been made and chilled.”
Petunia gulped and tried to get through the crowd to dump that punch over, but it was too late. She was unable to get through the lin
e.
“What are you doing, Petunia?” her grandfather asked.
“I-I— Oh, bother, never mind.”
“It would be the perfect time to check out the house,” he suggested.
Petunia turned and headed for the house, running into the maid Connie, who narrowed her eyes at her. “Watch out, would you,” Connie said.
“I’m sorry. You don’t have to get so testy. So, what do you know about Florence’s murder?” Petunia wanted to know.
“She drowned in the pool, I believe.”
“Did she? How can you be so certain?”
“It’s a good assumption.”
Petunia had to agree with that. She shifted to block her grandfather, who had snuck behind her while she was speaking to the maid.
“Has Florence ever been over here?”
“Not since the mayor gave her the boot,” Connie said with a smile.
“I suppose, but what were you doing at seven o’clock yesterday morning?”
“I hadn’t yet arrived for the day.”
“Is it true that Bonnie woke up late yesterday morning?”
“Is that what she told you?”
“I’d prefer to hear what you have to say.”
“I love my job more and don’t think I should be telling anyone that she was up and about before I arrived at eight. She’s said a few things about Florence, too. Something along the lines that she’d be rid of her very soon. I don’t necessarily think that’s an admission, but you take from that what you like.”
“Were you the one who left the gate open?”
“Bonnie told me to leave it open, since she expected deliveries all day.”
“So why did you act so strange when I was checking out the property?”
“I was startled. You were right outside the window.”
Noah snickered. “That would frighten me, too.”
Pansy came bounding up. “You better get upstairs and fast. Your grandfather is in trouble.”
“Go along, Connie. I’m sorry to have bothered you. You’ve certainly given me plenty to think about.”
Petunia waited until Connie went outside before she followed Pansy up the stairs.
Meows, Magic & Manslaughter (Lake Forest Witches Book 2) Page 14