Fried Green Witch

by Amy Boyles

  FOUR

  I wasn’t allowed to go to the station. The sheriff explicitly told me so. I stood in the middle of the street watching the crowd as they dispersed. Daisy Trip, very pregnant and red-faced from crying, glared at me as she walked past.

  “How could you do it? How could you murder my sister?”

  I stepped back. “We didn’t—Sera didn’t. We would never do that.”

  She narrowed her eyes. “All because she wasn’t going to pay you.”

  “Sera didn’t kill her. Daisy, you have to believe me.”

  Daisy scowled and was immediately swept away by Tina, who threw out her foot to kick me. I jumped back, barely dodging the blow.

  “Be careful, there,” came a voice from beside me.

  I glanced over my shoulder as Roman pulled me into a hug. “How’re you doing?”

  I shook my head. “Not good. Roman, the sheriff arrested Sera on charges of murder. They think she killed Maisie.” I clutched his biceps, curling my fingers into his jacket. “Roman, you have to stop them. Convince them that she didn’t do it. This is horrible.”

  Tears sprang to my eyes. I knuckled them away. This was seriously the worst thing that had ever happened to me. Even when I was under the microscope for murder, I didn’t feel this bad. I guess because I knew I hadn’t done it and Roman was in charge of the investigation, so I figured the true killer would be found.

  But now a member of my family was charged with murder. There was no one to speak up for Sera in this town, and all fingers were pointing at her. All under the measly guise that she’d magicked some food.

  Roman scowled. “Whoa there. Sera was arrested?”

  I nodded. “They wouldn’t let me go with her. I don’t know where Reid and Grandma are. I met this nice lady, Andie; she’s another witch, and she’s been staying with me.”

  Roman glanced over at Andie and nodded. “This your town?”

  She shrugged. “I’ll help however I can.”

  Roman wrapped a hand around my waist and pulled me to him. “First thing I need is for you to tell me where the station is.”

  Andie told us where to go, and I texted Reid what was happening. She had a terrible habit of not answering her phone—I think it was her generation or something. Unless I took a picture of what I was doing and posted it on an app, Reid had no idea what was going on. Pretty sure I was not about to take a pic of the jail with the caption:

  SISTER GOT ARRESTED. AWESOME DAY.

  We reached the jail. The autumn wind whipped fallen leaves scattered across the small stretch of lawn. The dried husks kicked up under the breeze and rustled past us. Roman opened the door. Manufactured heat washed over my skin as we entered.

  Roman flashed his badge to the desk sergeant and said, “I need to speak to the man in charge.”

  The officer took us to an office. I peered around Roman’s shoulder. Thick tar stains smudged the yellow ceiling. Sheriff Terry, the man I’d seen on the street, sat behind his desk.

  The desk sergeant knocked on the door. “This man needs to see you.”

  “Come on in,” Terry said to Roman.

  Roman introduced himself and sat. I seated myself next to him, feeling small and completely out of my element. I shot a glance to my phone. Still no word from Reid or Grandma. Where the heck had they gotten to?

  “You’re holding an innocent woman,” Roman said.

  “That remains to be seen,” Terry said.

  “I hate to break it to you, but what you’ve got on your hands is a supernatural element. Do you realize you’re dealing with witches and spells?” Roman said.

  Terry blanched but then rolled up his sleeves, revealing scrawny suntanned arms. “I had an inkling when folks said the woman was big as a balloon. Used to not be this way, but a lot of supernatural elements,” he stressed the word as if he didn’t like saying it, “have recently moved into town.”

  Roman scrubbed a palm down his cheek. “So you realize what you’ve got on your hands. Great. Know how to deal with it?”

  Terry pursed his lips.

  “So you don’t. Let me help you, here. I’ve been working with witches all my life.”

  Terry quirked a brow. “That so?”

  Roman nodded. “It is. Born and raised by one. In fact, I used to hunt down rogues and bring them to justice.” He paused. “One way or another.”

  Terry jutted out his chin. “You sayin’ you want to help?”

  “That’s exactly what I’m saying.”

  “How can I trust you? I mean, you show up flashing a badge, but that don’t mean squat to me. You could be working on the wrong side.”

  Roman clenched his jaw. “Not working on the wrong side. My whole goal is to bring in the guilty party, same as you. I’m going to try hard not to be insulted by that comment and still extend my offer to help. You’ve got a dead witch. There was possibly foul play. I can help you.”

  “Me too,” I chimed in. All eyes drifted to me. Heat washed up my face. I shrugged. “Well, I can. I have before.”

  Roman nodded. “My fiancée has a knack for finding murderers.”

  “That so?” Terry said.

  I nodded. “Sure do. I’m great at it.”

  Terry finally relaxed back in his chair. The bearings squeaked and protested as he propped his feet on the desk. “Well, maybe we get the two of your heads together and you’ll be able to help me with this thing.”

  I swung my bent arm in the air in a sign of victory. “Great. Now release my sister and we’ll be happy to get started.”

  “No comprende, Ke-mo-sah-bee,” Terry said. “That woman is staying here. I’ve still got a murder, and she’s the most likely suspect. If nothing pans out, I’ll release her, but right now all evidence is pointing to her. You bring me something else and that’ll change. But as it stands, everything is stacked against her.”

  My eyes flared. “You can’t seriously keep her. On what grounds?”

  Terry smirked. “On the grounds that I want to.”

  I stared at Roman. He took my hand and squeezed it. “We’ll find the guilty party. Don’t worry.”

  I raked my fingers through my hair. “Can I at least talk to my sister?”

  Terry nodded. “I’ll take you to her.”

  He led us to a holding cell on the other side of the station. Sera stood behind the bars, clutching the pole until her knuckles were paper white.

  “Dylan,” she said. “Thank goodness you’re here.”

  “This is inhuman,” I said to Terry. “Where’s the bathroom?”

  “There’s a female officer who escorts her to a bathroom. And we’ll bring in a cot if she has to spend the night.”

  “That’s better,” I said. I turned to Terry and Roman. “Can we have a second?”

  As soon as they were out of earshot, I grabbed Sera’s hands through the bars. “He wants to charge you for murder.”

  “What?” she screeched.

  I nodded. “He doesn’t have anyone else as a suspect, but Roman and I plan on changing that. We’re going to get you out of here.”

  “How long will I have to stay?”

  I shrugged. “I don’t know. A day?”

  “An entire day?” she said, exasperated.

  I grimaced. “But don’t worry; we’re going to get you out. Don’t worry.”

  Her mouth turned upward into a feeble smile. Worry filled her blue eyes. The only thing I could do to make it better was reassure her, and I’d said about everything I could.

  “It’s going to be fine, Sera,” I said. “I promise. I’ll make sure you’ve got everything you need, too. In case you have to spend the night.”

  She shuddered. “Spend the night?”

  “Worst-case scenario. Listen, I need to get going if I’m to free you.”

  She nodded. “Okay. You’re right.”

  I hugged her fingers to me and said, “I love you. I’ll be back.”

  “Hurry, Dylan,” she said. “I didn’t do it.”

  “I know
you didn’t.”

  As I walked away, I knew my sister hadn’t done it, but what had occurred between the time Sera made the food and Maisie had flown out the window? And why had the window been opened in the first place?

  I found Roman beside his SUV. He slid his sunglasses onto his head. “You okay?”

  I nodded. “I’ll be all right, but I’m worried about Sera.”

  He opened the door for me. “We’ll get it figured out. Promise.”

  I climbed into the cabin and pressed the heels of my hands into my eyes. I glanced at my reflection. My dark hair hung limply over my shoulders. Dark wells of worry cupped my eyes. Boy, it had only been a few hours and I looked terrible. “How can you be so sure everything’s going to be fine?”

  He brushed his lips across my forehead, sending a zinger of energy down my spine. “Because I know it will. Let’s go figure out some leads.” He shut the door and crossed around the nose of the vehicle.

  Roman slid into his seat, sending the scents of pine and leather trickling up my nose.

  I fastened my seat belt with a click. “I know exactly where we need to start.”

  Roman’s eyes narrowed. “Where?”

  “Maisie’s friend Tina just happened to open the window that allowed Maisie to escape into the stratosphere.”

  “Really?” Roman said.

  I poked the air. “Sure did. And she managed this feat right as Maisie started swelling.”

  Roman rubbed his chin. “Even more interesting. Worst timing ever or intentional?”

  “That’s what we need to find out. Problem is, I have no idea how to find her.”

  Roman sat back. “That would be a problem.”

  Right then the air in the cabin crackled. Grandma’s head shimmered to life in front of my eyes.

  “Dylan? Are you there?”

  “Yes,” I nearly yelled. “I’m here. Where the heck have you been?”

  Grandma smiled wistfully. “Reid and I have been shopping. It’s an adorable little town, this Normal. Did you know they have an entire community of supernatural creatures here? Fascinating. In fact, I met this young werewolf, big hulking man. I think he might have a crush on Reid.”

  I bit my tongue while she spoke, fighting every urge to smash my good manners and interrupt her. When she finally stopped talking, I said as calmly and clearly as I could, “Sera has been taken in on suspicion of murder. They haven’t charged her formally yet, but they’re holding her.”

  Grandma’s mouth opened in shock. “Murder? What are you talking about? Reid and I left the baby shower as soon as it got started.”

  I scratched my forehead. “Maisie Trip filled up with helium, blew out the window and popped.” I mean, why mince words? “Some people pointed a finger at Sera and her food. We’re trying to clear her name, but I need your help.”

  “Anything, Dylan. Do you need me to break someone’s thumbs?”

  I rubbed my temples, trying to calm the edge that I knew was about to creep into my voice. “Okay. No. I’m not talking anything that dramatic.”

  “Then why do you look like you’re about to explode like that Maisie woman?”

  Because you’re pushing my buttons. Ignoring her question, I barreled right into my own. “We need to find Tina, Maisie’s friend, and ask her some questions. Can you help us?”

  Grandma closed her eyes for a moment. She placed a finger to her head and hummed. A moment later she said, “I’ve found her.”

  “Thanks,” I said.

  “Are you going to apparate there?” she said.

  My gaze slid to Roman, who quirked a brow. “Apparate?”

  I cringed. “Yeah, Grandma’s been teaching me how to pop into locations using magic.”

  “Fascinating,” he said.

  I elbowed him. “I’m sure you don’t think so.”

  He shook his head. “Why not? I’m not opposed to magic. I’m marrying you.”

  “I know, it’s just…it’s kind of a big step for me and magic, learning how to do that.”

  He smiled, which made the corners of his eyes crinkle. My heart fluttered. “I think that could be useful.”

  “If you two lovebirds are ready to hear the address, I’ve got it.”

  “Lay it on me,” I said.

  Grandma rattled off a place, and I typed it into Roman’s GPS.

  “Reid and I are coming, too. We’ll meet you there.”

  Then Grandma blipped out of existence, leaving me and Roman alone. I shot him a sidelong glance. “Step on it, handsome. We’ve got to beat Grandma and Reid to Tina’s house.”

  He smirked. “Why?”

  “Because if there’s one thing Grandma is, it’s protective of her grandchildren. If she thinks Sera was set up and that Tina did it, then she’ll go in with guns blazing.”

  “You mean witchcraft?”

  I nodded. “She’ll throw everything she’s got into that woman, and you and I will be dealing with another murder.”

  FIVE

  We reached Tina’s address about ten minutes later. My stomach felt like a thousand butterflies had just taken flight and were zooming around aimlessly.

  Roman rolled to a stop. “You okay?”

  “Yeah,” I said. “Why?”

  “Because you’re green.”

  “I’m nervous. She might think I’m in on it.”

  Roman slid the back of his fingers down my arm. “If that was the case, you’d have been arrested, too.”

  I sighed. “Good point, though that doesn’t make me feel better.”

  “You can stay in here if you want.”

  I hooked my fingers around the door handle. “No way.” I pushed it open and stepped outside.

  A blanket of clouds parted, and a ray of sun sliced through the gray. I decided to take that as a sign of good things to come. To me that was just short of seeing the face of God in the sky. That would clearly have been the most amazing sign ever, but beggars can’t be choosers—or so people like to say.

  Roman got out and sidled up to me. “Ready?”

  I threaded my fingers through his. “As ready as I’ll ever be.”

  “You gonna say that before we walk down the aisle?”

  I hipped him. “Stop it. Be serious.”

  Roman clenched his jaw. “Just trying to lighten the mood, darlin’.”

  The walkway was swept clear of leaves in front of the simple white cottage. Black shutters trimmed the windows of the one-story home.

  Roman rang the bell. I twisted my fingers back and forth nervously, waiting for Tina to answer.

  “Remember,” I said through gritted teeth, “we need to be quick.”

  “Do my best.”

  The door swung open and there stood Tina. Her eyes were red and swollen, and her nose reminded me of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer’s. She scoffed when she saw me.

  “What do you want? I’m in mourning.”

  Roman flashed his badge. “I wanted to talk to you for a minute.”

  She dragged her gaze from me to him. “I’ve already told the police everything I know.” Tina started to shut the door. Roman blocked it with his hand.

  “I’ve been assigned this case. You can go over it one more time.”

  She cocked her head toward me. “With her here?”

  I nodded. “With me here.”

  “Whatever,” she mumbled. “Come on in.”

  I followed her into a tidy home that smelled like lavender. “Hope you don’t mind essential oils,” Tina said. “It helps cleanse the spirit.”

  “Does yours need cleansing?” I said.

  She rolled her eyes. “No. Does your sister’s?”

  I curled my hand into a fist. “No. It doesn’t.”

  Tina shrugged. “What do y’all want?”

  Roman sat on the couch. “Mind if I sit?”

  Tina sank onto a recliner and drew her legs beneath her. “Go ahead. What’s this about? I mean, I did mention to the sheriff that your sister had the most evidence against her, and I may
have pointed out the food and whatnot.”

  I couldn’t not talk. A cauldron of emotions gurgled inside me. I had to get it out, spew what was on my mind. “What makes you think my sister killed Maisie?”

  “Subtle,” Roman whispered.

  I clicked my tongue. “Not trying to be. That’s the last thing I care about, in fact.”

  Tina ignored our conversation. “I know it was her because I’ve seen that kind of magic before.”

  My neck stiffened. “You have?”

  Tina nodded. “Yep. Once before. Happened to a girl when I was in middle school. Someone slipped a potion in her food, and she blew up Willy Wonka style. She even turned blue. It was horrible.”

  Roman squinted. “And it was blamed on food?”

  She nodded. “The witch who did it was an older kid. Had found a spell in her mom’s book and decided to try it on the girl.”

  “How long have you lived here? In Normal?” Roman asked.

  “Not long. There’s been a big migration of supernaturals in the past few weeks.”

  “And what about the others at the baby shower?” he said.

  Tina flicked a speck of lint from her pants. “What about them?”

  I sighed, annoyed that she couldn’t infer the meaning of his question. “When did they arrive in town?”

  Tina shook her head indifferently. Boy, I would be glad when this interview was over. “About the same time. A bunch of us moved at once, including Maisie and Daisy. Of course, Daisy had to convince her husband that she wanted to move. You know, with the baby coming and all.”

  I clicked my fingers on the armrest of my chair. “Do you remember when you first arrived at the shower and we took that food away?” I said.

  Tina nodded. “Of course. Very suspicious of you.”

  I curled my toes, trying not to let her snarly tone get to me. “Did you see Maisie eat any of it?”

  Tina inspected her pink manicured fingernails. “No. Why?”

  “Anyone you know in the group have a thing for baking or potions?” Roman said.

  Tina sat back in the recliner. She grazed her nails over her forehead. “Now that I think about it, Daisy and Maisie used to make mud pies when they were little.”