The Mystery of the Pink Aura

by Vella Day

  For the next two hours, I scoured the park, but saw no one who looked suspicious or found any evidence of that white van. Even if I stopped over at the sheriff’s department and asked if there had been any news, I doubt either man would have told me.

  The best thing for me to do was check on Penny and then get ready for tonight’s battle between Maude and Miriam.

  Chapter Sixteen

  I’d been to the last few parties that the Daniel sisters had thrown, and they always pulled out all the stops, which was why I expected nothing less tonight.

  The first party started at the Bubbling Cauldron Coffee Shop and ran from seven to eight. Afterward, people were to head on over to Maude’s tea shop party across the street from eight to nine. While the twins pretended as if the celebration was merely a thank you to the community that supported them, everyone knew it was a competition between the Daniel sisters. The only thing missing was a ballot at the end of the night for us to vote for who put on the best show. Even looking back, I couldn’t have decided. Both had an amazing spread of drinks, sandwiches, and desserts.

  I had to admit that it was hard to paint on a happy face when a woman and two dogs were missing, but I was a Goodall, and Goodall’s persevered. Iggy had wanted to come, but I was certain very few people would have appreciated a pink iguana running around a party full of food.

  When I arrived at Miriam’s shop at ten after seven, it was quite crowded. She had a coffee tasting station that was to die for, in part because she had more toppings than any ice cream shop could dream of having. Her selection ranged from whipped cream to drizzled chocolate, though she had a container of butterscotch syrup for those who swung that way, as well as a bowl of cinnamon. My choice would be chocolate every time.

  Her options extended to more than plain coffee. One could have an expresso, a Cuban coffee, or a regular blend that varied from decaf to a high-octane brew.

  With my coffee choice in hand, I moved over to the main counter where she had a huge assortment of sandwiches and desserts.

  “Isn’t this amazing?” Pearl said, sneaking up next to me.

  “It is. I can’t imagine how Maude can outdo this.” Most people preferred coffee to tea, which would put Maude slightly behind her sister. Last year, Maude opened first. Now it was reversed. Being full, I worried that not everyone would walk across the street after the hour was over.

  “Any news on locating the dogs or on finding the trainer?” I asked, hoping one of the gossip queens would come through for me.

  Pearl shook her head. “Steve and Nash are working around the clock, but they keep coming up empty-handed.” She leaned close. “Did you know that Warren Wilson has a record?”

  Warren owned the Whippet named Tinkerbell. “No, I didn’t. Does the sheriff suspect him of foul play?”

  She sipped her Cuban coffee. “I wish I knew. Steve suspects I might be leaking information, so he’s watching what he says around me.”

  Poor Pearl. She looked so distraught. “Surely, that allegation is totally unfounded.” I worked very hard to keep a straight face.

  “Oh, Glinda. You know as well as I that I can no more keep information to myself than I could dance the jig.”

  Did anyone do that dance anymore? From what I recalled, it looked like the dancer just shuffled his feet across the floor to a catchy tune. “That sounds like me.” I looked around. “Is Steve or Nash coming to the party?”

  “They will if they can. I’ve been hyping it all week.”

  This would be the first time either of them had experienced anything like this. Before I could ask any more questions, my aunt showed up and whisked Pearl off, hopefully to discuss the latest gossip.

  When the hour was up, Miriam shushed everyone while tapping a glass to get the crowds’ attention. “I want to thank all of the marvelous people here who have visited my establishment. Seven years is a long time to run a business, but I’ve had such a wonderful time interacting with you all.”

  I swear that when she wiped a finger under her eye, it was to remove a fake tear. The crowd clapped, clearly buying her story.

  Everyone knew the drill. This event was over. En masse, we walked across the street, which stopped traffic for almost five minutes. I was happy that so many were willing to continue. When I entered the tea shop, I was stunned. Not only was the place decorated with festive balloons, she had a very handsome guitar player singing a love song. I had to hand it to Maude. She knew how to sway the crowd to her side. I really needed to suggest to the town council that there be judges next year.

  I managed to get a cup of my favorite tea just as Jaxson showed up. “Hey, how did Miriam’s party go?” he asked.

  Jaxson usually wasn’t interested in gossip, but I told him my impression. “I have to say that Maude might have won this year. The balloons, the food, and especially the guitar player are a nice touch.”

  “It looks impressive. I’m going to try some tea and take advantage of those pastries.”

  “She is a great cook,” I said.

  At eight-thirty, Steve came in but without his sidekick. Since I was talking with Jaxson at the time about Steve’s surprise visit last night, along with Penny’s issues with Sam, I didn’t think it would be polite to leave Jaxson just to talk to him.

  It was near to closing when Steve came over to us. “Glinda, I think you have someone who wants your attention.” He was half smiling when he turned around and pointed to Iggy and Aimee who were at the door.

  “Oh, my.” Iggy was doing circles, and Aimee was meowing. I turned back to Jaxson. “Excuse me.”

  “I’m coming with you,” Jaxson said.

  Even though he hadn’t been in town for long, he understood Iggy’s capabilities, probably because his brother was a believer. He also knew my familiar wouldn’t just wander over to check out what was going on, especially after I explained that he wouldn’t be welcome.

  I’m sure Steve thought my concerned reaction odd, but I didn’t have time to explain it to him.

  I went outside and picked up my iguana. “What are you doing here?” I tried to hide my worry.

  “I found Snookums,” Iggy said lifting his head.

  “We found Snookums,” Aimee added.

  “You did?” I didn’t need them to argue. I told Jaxson what they said. I faced my little sources once more. “Where did you find him?”

  “He was huddled outside between the Tiki Hut and your parents’ place. He didn’t look so good, so we invited him inside where we gave him some water. He told us where he’d been and how he’d escaped.”

  Several questions bombarded me. “Snookums can talk?”

  “Yes. He told us that he’s Patty O’Neal’s familiar.”

  Oh, this made all the difference in the world. I looked back at Jaxson. “Can you get the sheriff. Tell him I know where the dogs are.”

  “You do?”

  “Yes. Iggy and Aimee just told me. Kind of.”

  He held up a hand, clearly not understanding all of it, but he did as I asked and rushed inside. It took the sheriff at least a minute before Jaxson escorted him out.

  “What’s this I hear about you knowing where the dogs are?”

  It was time to tell him the truth—just as soon as I laid my eyes on this missing animal. “He’s in the stairwell near my apartment.”

  “Let’s go.”

  All we had to do was cross the parking lot, and we were at the restaurant. Instead of walking around and entering by the side entrance, we went through the front. Aunt Fern was still at Maude’s party. Bertie Sidwell, her replacement was at the cash register. Considering we only had three tables occupied, Aunt Fern probably should have shut down for the night. She never would have though, because then the clients probably would have gone over to Dolly’s diner—something she would not stand for.

  “Where is he?” I asked Iggy.

  “Under the stairs.”

  “You should have taken him into the apartment to keep him safe.” If someone took him the fir
st time, this person could have returned, but what was done was done.

  “He was too tired to climb the stairs, and I couldn’t carry him.”

  “Good point.”

  Sure enough, Snookums was there. He was dirty and looked exhausted. I set Iggy down and then squatted in front of the dog. “Hi there, Snookums. Can you tell me what happened?”

  He looked up at the sheriff and then back at me. “Can you trust him?”

  That was an odd question. “Yes. Completely, but only I can hear you.”

  “That’s good to know.” He told me a tale that was hard to believe.

  “Let me relay to the sheriff and to my friend what you told me.”

  “Okay, but I’m really hungry. Do you have any food?”

  I looked up at Jaxson. “Do you think you can go into the kitchen and let the chef know that we have a really hungry dog out here? See if he can spare a bone or something?”

  “Sure.”

  As soon as he left, Steve glanced at the dog and then at me. “I’m not going to ask how you can understand him, but what did he say?”

  “A man abducted him from the park, or rather Snookums followed the man. Looking back, he thinks he might have been drugged or something since he only blindly obeys Patty.”

  “What happened after he followed the man?”

  “The guy put him in his van and then took off.”

  “I don’t suppose this pooch knows the color or model of this van?”

  I had no idea. I looked over at Snookums, who appeared ready to drop. Poor dear. “Do you remember anything?”

  “I’m not blind. It was a white van, but I didn’t get the license plate number. As I said, it was like I was in a trance and couldn’t stop myself from doing what he asked.”

  I looked up at Steve. “It was a white van.”

  “Seriously?”

  I understood his skepticism. I was lucky. I’ve had Iggy for so long that a smart and verbal animal no longer seemed odd. “Yes. Just like the one that Silas Adams saw.”

  “Well, I’ll be. Can he describe the man?”

  “The man looked like every other guy. Not too tall, not too old, but he had scraggly brown hair.”

  Aha. Ten bucks said it was the man in the diner with Diana. I told my thoughts to Steve anyway. He then put the information into his phone.

  “That’s great. I realize that since this wonder dog is not from Witch’s Cove, he won’t be familiar with the roads, but can he tell us how long they traveled?”

  “I’m not a dog person, but I don’t think dogs have a good sense of time.”

  “I do too,” Snookums said, acting offended.

  I told Steve his response.

  “That’s good to know.” From the way he was tilting his head, Steve wanted to believe him. “Does Snookums know where he was taken?”

  I looked back at the dog. He lowered his head. “Not exactly.”

  “What do you mean by not exactly.” I worked hard not to let my frustration color my tone.

  Jaxson rushed over with a bowl of something. “The cook ground up some raw meat. He said dogs love steak.”

  Snookums looked up. “Boy, do I.”

  As soon as Jaxson placed the bowl on the floor, Snookums went to town on the food. “Could you get him some more water?” I hated to ask, but I needed to be there with the dog.

  “Sure.”

  I was happy Jaxson didn’t balk. Once Snookums ate half of his food, he looked up.

  “I remember seeing a very worn sign on the side of the barn before I was escorted inside,” the dog said.

  “Do you remember anything about the sign?” I asked. Most signs on the sides of barns were ads for either national chains or local establishments.

  “It said Spellbound something. I couldn’t see the second word because the paint was so faded.”

  I looked over at Steve and smiled. I knew that barn. Back when I was growing up, the sign was new. It read Spellbound Diner. Jaxson returned with a bowl of water and placed it on the floor. “What did I miss?” he asked.

  “I believe I know where Snookums spent the last few days.”

  “Where?” he asked.

  “Do you remember the old barn off State Road 25? It had a white picket fence around the property. Back in the day, it was a cattle farm. I think it’s now abandoned.”

  “Sure, I do. Did my fair share of drinking around there.”

  Great. Letting the sheriff know he’d been a delinquent wasn’t smart, but I doubt Steve would hold it against him now.

  “That’s where this guy took Snookums,” I said.

  “I need a time out here, Glinda,” Steve said. “Just to be sure, you’re not just yanking my chain about this animal being able to talk, are you?”

  “No.” His comment was almost insulting.

  Chapter Seventeen

  After Steve saw me chat with Iggy and then with Snookums, he was only now asking me if I could communicate with them? I could lie and say that I couldn’t, but it would be a lot easier if I were honest with him. In the future, if Iggy told me something important, I wanted Steve to believe me. “I can communicate with some animals.”

  “Some, but not all?”

  I did a brief explanation of what a familiar was.

  “It’s a witch thing then?” he asked.

  Steve was struggling, but I appreciated he wanted to understand. “Yes, it is.”

  Iggy sat up. “I can show him. Ask him to write down a number while you keep your back turned, and then have him show it only to me. I’ll tell you, and then you tell Steve. He has to believe you then.”

  “That is brilliant.” I faced Steve. I told him Iggy’s suggestion.

  “Seriously? Your pink iguana can read?”

  I held up a hand to Iggy. I didn’t need to hear his indignation. “Yes, Iggy can read, and clearly Snookums can too. He just told you what was on the side of the barn.”

  “Fine. Seeing is believing.”

  My first instinct was to tell him to leave, but I swallowed my pride. “Go ahead and show Iggy the number.”

  With my back turned, I listened for the rustling of paper, but I heard nothing. Most likely, Steve was typing something on his phone or holding up fingers. Either way would work.

  Iggy told me the number was four.

  “The number is four,” I said before facing Steve.

  “I don’t believe it.” He sounded dumbfounded.

  I spun around, and Jaxson chuckled. “You’ll get used to it,” he said. “Glinda has many talents. I struggled at first too, but now I take it in stride.”

  Steve inhaled and let out a long slow breath. “Good to know.”

  Enough of this proof stuff. “Now that I’ve established Iggy, Aimee, and Snookums can speak, are we going to rescue Mittens or not?”

  “There is no we, Glinda. This could be dangerous. If the man who took the dogs is the same guy you saw in the diner, he might have Diana. Though I would like Jaxson to come with me, if he doesn’t mind, to show us where this barn is located. You need to stay here.”

  I loved that he was trying to be Mr. Protective and all, but that wouldn’t work for me. “You need me to be able to talk to Snookums. He might be able to tell you the layout of the barn or even identify the man.”

  His jaw tightened, and he didn’t answer for a few seconds. “Fine.”

  Satisfaction filled me. “Why don’t you call Nash and ask him to help out.” I was worried that if this dog thief stooped so low as to steal dogs—probably with the intention of selling them—he might own a gun to protect his investment. “There might be more than one person involved.”

  “You’re right,” Snookums said. “There are two.”

  I stepped over to the dog. “What can you tell me about this other person?”

  “It’s Diana, the trainer lady. She’s helping him.”

  I swiveled to face both men. “Snookums just told me that Diana Upton is in on this dognapping.”

  “Seriously?” Steve a
sked.

  I didn’t know what else I could do to convince him that I was on the up and up.

  He held up a hand. “Okay. I’m calling Nash. How about you and Snookums ride with me while Nash goes with Jaxson? Once we know what we’re up against, you need to move into Jaxson’s car. Nash and I will make the arrests.”

  There wouldn’t be room in the cruiser for all of us. “Works for me.”

  Steve texted Nash, who took all of two minutes to get there. “What’s up?” Nash asked.

  “Jaxson will fill you in on the way. This here is Snookums, Patty O’Neal’s dog. He can communicate with Glinda.” Steve looked over at Snookums. “You up for this?”

  Snookums barked, clearly understanding that was the only way to communicate with a non-witch.

  “That means yes,” I said, feeling full of myself.

  “Where are we going?” Nash asked Steve.

  “We’re heading to a farm off of State Road 25, where hopefully we’ll be rescuing another dog or two and arresting a few people—including Diana Upton.”

  Since Snookums only weighed about six pounds, I picked him up. I figured he’d had enough walking for a lifetime. I still couldn’t believe this tiny animal could walk or run all the way from the barn to town. He was a super dog for sure. “Was Mittens with you in the barn?” I asked.

  “Yes, and several other dogs were too.”

  “Do you have any idea why they took you? Was it to sell you?”

  “You don’t want to know. It’s embarrassing.”

  “You can tell me on the way,” I said.

  “What did he say?” Steve asked.

  I relayed the information. I could almost feel Steve’s respect for me growing.

  “Oh, I just remembered something,” Snookums said. “I heard Diana call the guy Phil.”

  That was great information. I told Steve and Nash what Snookums said.

  “Okay. Phil it is,” Steve said.

  Naturally, Nash looked even more confused. “You believe that Glinda can talk to a dog?”

  We didn’t have time to go through the proof again. “Yes. Ask Jaxson,” I said. “Steve will confirm it too. I’m guessing you didn’t come across anyone by the name of Phil when you were searching for other missing dogs?”