Meows, Magic & Missing (Lake Forest Witches Book 3)

by Madison Johns

  “She wanted to look younger,” Aunt Maxine said.

  “Well, now she looks quite green.”

  “We couldn’t have brought her with us if we had wanted,” Noah added.

  “You’re joking, right?” Aunt Maxine asked startled.

  “No, I’m quite serious. If I hadn’t seen it myself I would have never believed it,” Petunia said.

  “Perhaps it reacted badly with the magical salve you gave her, Petunia?”

  “I have no idea, but you had best find an antidote of your own.”

  “It will have to wait. If you can’t clear my name, I’ll be stuck in Witchataw forever.”

  “Estelle mentioned you’d be sentenced to prison for life.”

  “Yes, right here at Witchataw.”

  “They have a prison here?” Noah asked.

  “Yes; it’s subterranean.”

  Petunia felt as if someone had just squeezed her heart. “You’re kidding, right?”

  “I’m afraid not.”

  “We could insist that you be tried somewhere else,” Noah suggested.

  Aunt Maxine walked to an end table and poured a glass of wine. “If only that were possible. But it’s not as though Witchataw actually exists in the minds of mortals. It’s not part of Michigan, or even the United States. The laws here can’t be dealt with elsewhere.”

  “Meaning that if you commit a crime here, it never happened,” Petunia insisted.

  “Not quite, Petunia. I’ll face the judge for the murder if you can’t find the guilty party. I assume the opinion of most of the witches here is that I’m guilty.”

  “Certainly you have someone who can speak up for you,” Noah insisted.

  “Remember, I came here because I withdrew from Witches Affairs.”

  “Yes, but you didn’t have an opportunity to explain yourself.” Petunia sighed. “Perhaps you could do that tomorrow.”

  “Estelle is in charge, remember? I doubt she’ll allow me to face the board now.” She took a sip of her wine. “The board of directors or Witches Affairs.”

  “You have to try at least. Estelle shouldn’t be able to stop you from that.”

  “I suppose you’re right. I only wish the Grand Witch hadn’t been eliminated before I arrived.”

  “Eliminated?

  “Three Grand Witch have been killed including Marta. Each of them lasted only six months in office.

  Chapter Nine

  Petunia leaned back, her chest hurting more by the moment. “So what do you know about Marta?”

  “She was elected by an online poll,” Aunt Maxine said. “I voted for Marta because there was no way that I’d vote for Estelle or Pricilla.”

  “The one at the buffet?”

  “Yes. She’s very vindictive.”

  “Enough to frame you for murder?”

  “Oh no. I can’t imagine anyone knew I was going to visit the Grand Witch. I certainly never mentioned it to anyone.”

  “Are you positive?”

  “Quite certain. And Hazel and Wanda weren’t here; if they were, we’d all be in trouble.”

  “I’d like to question the other witches about Marta,” Petunia said.

  “I think it would be good to also find out about the murders of the other Grand Witches,” Noah suggested. “Were there suspects, a trial, prison sentences?”

  Petunia’s face lit up. “We could question the inmates if they received prison sentences.”

  “We should head to bed now,” Noah proclaimed. “I-I mean you in your bed and me in mine.”

  Petunia’s face burned. “Where will you be staying, Aunt Maxine?”

  “I have my own room on another floor.”

  “I think until we sort this case out that you should stay closer to us,” Noah insisted. “Until we know more about those other cases, we can’t risk someone trying to take you out. I can sleep on the sofa so you can have my bed.”

  “Nonsense. She can share my bed with me,” Petunia volunteered.

  “That’s nice,” she said, looking down at Pansy. “But I’m allergic to cats.”

  “Don’t you have one, though?” Noah asked.

  “I-I do, but that’s different. It’s a stray, and I couldn’t turn it away.”

  Petunia covered her mouth to stop the laugh that almost escaped at her aunt’s fib. “Where is Princess now?”

  “She has to be somewhere. I really should look for her, but I’m certain she’ll show up eventually.”

  Petunia said good night after Wanda and Hazel knocked and insisted that Aunt Maxine stay in their room. Petunia wasn’t sure how great an idea that was, but she was too tired to argue.

  * * *

  When Petunia awoke the next morning, Pansy was snuggled against her side. He had been quiet since last night, and she welcomed the silence.

  She threw her legs off the bed and sprinted through Noah’s room on the way to the bathroom. She was in such a hurry that she threw open the door of the bathroom, and Noah yanked the shower curtain to cover his lower body.

  “I’m sorry, but I really have to go,” Petunia said, willing herself to not stare at Noah’s muscular body.

  When she moved to leave, Noah said, “No need to leave. I’m done.” He left the room with a towel wrapped around his waist.

  Petunia quickly averted her eyes, feeling tingly from head to toe. She then hopped in the shower after she locked the door. She loved the feel of the pulsing shower stream even though it stung her skin slightly. A part of her was sorry that Noah had left the bathroom.

  Stop it, Petunia, she told herself. You’re only dating him – nothing more than that at this point.

  She took care on the way out of the bathroom. She didn’t have to knock on Noah’s door. He was parked in the parlor, wearing brown trousers and a white shirt that magnified his tanned skin.

  “If you hurry, we can have breakfast before we begin for the day.”

  “Sounds great!”

  Petunia padded her way into her room and shooed Pansy out so she could dress. She pulled on comfortable leggings with a loose pink skirt and a button-up sleeveless shirt, slipping into comfortable walking shoes.

  Pansy was waiting to pounce on her in Noah’s room. “You didn’t have to do that, I’m not a pervert, even if I’m a cat.”

  “What are you talking about? I never get dressed in front of any of my cats. It’s just plain weird.”

  “Oh, I see. It’s you, not us cats.”

  “Speaking of cats, please be on the lookout for Princess.”

  “If that’s an attempt to get rid of me, Red, forget it. I plan to hang out with you and Noah while you investigate. You might be surprised how much of an asset I can be.”

  Petunia resigned herself to the fact that Pansy would be along for the day, and met Noah in the parlor, who handed her a menu. “I’ll call room service if you can decide what you’d like.”

  Petunia looked at the menu and selected oatmeal with fruit. Noah called it in.

  “I think we should question Doctor Baldwin,” Petunia suggested.

  “Yes, that’s where I’d like to go, too.”

  “I hope he is going to give us a factual cause of death.”

  “It’s hard to trust anyone here with the witch rules and laws.”

  “They still seem to punish murderers.”

  “How many law-breakers can there be to warrant a prison, one below ground?”

  “Perhaps they don’t want anyone to know that it exists.”

  Noah didn’t respond as there was a knock on the door. He opened the door and a young man rolled in the breakfast cart without even glancing up. He accepted the tip Noah offered and left without a word. Petunia thought he was odd, but shrugged it off. There was a lovely tray of fruit, her oatmeal, and Noah’s scrambled eggs and bacon.

  Petunia mixed in the brown sugar and fruit and gave it a try. She then wrinkled her nose at the pungent aroma. The back of her throat tingled, but not in a good way.

  “Noah wait,” Petunia cried as he
lifted his fork and she caught sight of something shiny on the glob of eggs. “I think someone might have poisoned our food!”

  He dropped his fork and Petunia picked it up, separating the eggs, revealing a tiny shard. “That’s glass isn’t it?”

  Noah stood and went to Petunia. Pansy jumped on the table and took a sniff of Petunia’s oatmeal and knocked it over.

  “Are you okay, Petunia?” Noah asked.

  “I don’t know, but the back of my throat is burning.”

  He helped her into the bathroom and encouraged her to gargle with water. Petunia’s mind reeled. Who would do such a thing? She pressed a hand against her stomach and raced to the toilet and induced herself to vomit. She wasn’t sure, but hoped that most of the poison was expelled.

  “How do you feel?”

  “I need to lie down. I feel faint.”

  Petunia reclined on the sofa. Noah left the room and came back with a cool washcloth that he pressed to her brow.

  “Thank you, Noah.”

  Someone knocked at the door, and Noah raced to open it. Aunt Maxine, Hazel and Wanda came in. Aunt Maxine looked at Petunia and then at the barely-eaten breakfast.

  “Oh my, did that food make you sick?” Aunt Maxine asked.

  “I believe it was poisoned. And there were shards of glass in Noah’s eggs.”

  Aunt Maxine’s face reddened. “I can’t believe someone did that. I’ll certainly find out who is responsible.”

  “Someone doesn’t want us investigating,” Noah added. “Luckily Petunia took only a bite.”

  “It’s also safe to say that you’re not guilty, Aunt Maxine, not if someone went to this extreme.”

  “Who delivered the food?” Hazel asked.

  “A young man, but he didn’t say a word or make eye contact with us.”

  “I won’t stand for this,” Aunt Maxine declared. “I’m going down to that kitchen now!”

  She whirled and marched out of the room with Hazel and Wanda closely behind. Petunia followed them to the elevator.

  At the bottom floor Petunia tried to calm her aunt. “I don’t think this is a good idea.”

  “We’ll see!”

  Aunt Maxine pushed through the door to the kitchen and walked to a chef dicing vegetables. “What is the meaning of this, Donald? The food my niece ordered was poisoned and her partner’s scrambled eggs had glass in it.” She pressed a hand against her chest. “I know I’m a suspect in the Grand Witch’s murder, but that’s no call to harm my niece.”

  “That’s not possible, and I assure you I’ll look into it. What room are you in?” the chef asked.

  “Room 1052 on the tenth,” Petunia said.

  He stormed to the grill and bellowed, “Who made the order for Room 1052?”

  Three cooks glanced up with widened eyes, and Petunia spotted the young man who brought their order. “He’s the one who brought our order,” Petunia pointed him out.

  The man bolted across the kitchen, knocking trays and workers aside as he moved toward the back door. Pansy spurred into pursuit and tripped the young man just as he reached for the handle of the door. He slammed his head into the door and was dazed momentarily. Donald grabbed his arms and dragged him back through the kitchen and into an office.

  “What on earth, Danny! Did you actually poison and put glass into their food?”

  “I-I—” is all he could choke out.

  “Did someone tell you to do it?” Petunia asked, rubbing her stomach.

  Tears welled in his eyes. “No. I just wanted to get back at your aunt for killing the Grand Witch.”

  “You do realize that my aunt is only under investigation.”

  “Yes, but she’ll be exonerated with you two on the case; I just know it.”

  “How do you know the Grand Witch?” Noah asked through a clenched jaw.

  When he didn’t answer, Petunia asked. “Are you related to her?”

  “No.” His eyes brimmed. “I can’t tell you, so please don’t ask.”

  “You can’t get off that easy, Danny. Spill your guts or I’m sending you before the board of directors,” Donald shouted.

  “I-I don’t care.”

  “You leave me no choice then.” Donald picked up the receiver of a desk phone and explained to someone what had happened. When he placed the receiver back in the cradle, he said, “They’re expecting us.”

  Danny shuffled out the door with the chef holding his arm tightly. They crossed the courtyard with Petunia and Noah following.

  Aunt Maxine and her friends caught up. “Why don’t you allow us to handle this,” Petunia said.

  “Not a chance. I won’t stand by and see my favorite niece harmed for something I’m accused of doing.”

  “Your only niece, don’t you mean?” Wanda asked with a chuckle.

  “Not now, dear. This is no laughing matter.”

  They approached a Victorian-style house with a sign announcing “Government Building” on the front, and walked through the double doors. They signed a register inside, and a woman dressed in black approached.

  “How can I help you?”

  “We need to speak with the board of directors.” Aunt Maxine then explained what had happened.

  The woman in black picked up a phone and relayed the information to whoever answered at the other end. “Follow me.”

  The woman led them to a large room that featured a tall desk at which four witches sat. Each of them had curly and wild hair, and were dressed alike in black-and-white striped outfits. Their red lipstick glared from their faces.

  Danny and Donald sat at a table next to Petunia and Noah, while Aunt Maxine, Wanda and Hazel stood.

  “So it’s my understanding that Danny put something in your food?” one of the witches asked.

  “Yes, poison and glass,” Petunia said.

  “And was any of it consumed?”

  “Yes. I had a bite and immediately my throat began to burn and my stomach ached. I spotted the glass before Noah ate it.”

  “What say you, young man?” one of the witches asked.

  “I don’t have anything to say other than I wanted to pay back Maxine Patterson for killing the Grand Witch.”

  “That hasn’t been established as of yet. Are either of you related to the suspect?”

  “I’m her niece, and I’m investigating this case.”

  “An outside investigator. Do you happen to be a witch, too?”

  “Yes, and I’ll be auditioning for Witches Affairs.”

  “I’m glad to hear it on both accounts. While Estelle is convinced of your aunt’s guilt, I’m reserving my opinion for now.”

  “Is it true that you’ve gone through plenty of Grand Witches?” Petunia asked.

  “This is not the time, young lady, but after we resolve this matter I’d be more than willing to answer your questions.”

  “See! This whole case is fixed,” Danny said, shaking a fist at the board of directors.

  “Take him to a cell so he can cool off,” one of the witches at the desk ordered.

  “Can’t I call my sister first? She doesn’t even know where I am.”

  “Who is she,” one of the witches asked as she picked up a phone.

  “Barbara. She’s the secretary for the Grand Witch.”

  Aunt Maxine said, “I can’t imagine she’s still on the job with the murder of Marta.”

  “Actually, she’s the secretary of every sitting Grand Witch,” one of the witches said.

  The wheels in Petunia’s head spun. Was it possible that Barbara was the murderer?

  “Take Danny to the interview room, where he can speak with his sister before he’s taken to lockup.”

  “The rest of you, meet us in the lounge,” one of the board of directors commanded.

  Aunt Maxine took them into the lounge, and Petunia said, “I certainly hope that we can find out some useful information, although I also would like to catch Barbara after she speaks with her brother.”

  The four witches walked into the
room and sat down. “I think it’s time that we introduced ourselves,” the main witch who spoke in the other room said. “I’m Claudia.”

  The short one of the bunch said, “I’m Ruby, and that tall one over there is Senna, and the one on the end, Maeve.”

  “I was hoping to find out more about Marta.”

  “Marta was a good witch, even if a little lenient to those who disrespected her.”

  “Like Estelle?” Petunia asked.

  “Good guess, but I imagine you’ve already had run-ins with her.”

  “Yes. And she also told me she’s in charge until the election of the next Grand Witch.”

  Claudia looked to Senna. “Please tell me you didn’t do that, Senna.”

  “I didn’t mean to, but she’s so pushy and so involved that I didn’t think it would hurt.”

  “And that’s exactly why she’s not the right person,” Maeve said. “She’s responsible for auditioning the candidates for Witches Affairs.”

  “And she won’t even tell us who the name of the delightful witch who made her bald.” Ruby snickered.

  “That would be me,” Petunia admitted. “But I was told that I’d be allowed into Witches Affairs – along with my friends -- if I made the antidote for her and Maria.”

  “Bravo.”

  “I didn’t do it on purpose, though.”

  “So you make potions?” Senna asked.

  “Yes, but they go a little haywire at times.”

  “Don’t I know that!” She laughed. “But I’m certain you have learned by now that it’s never a good thing to use your magic against another witch.”

  “It was accidental, I assure you, but they … .”

  “It was an unfortunate incident,” Aunt Maxine said, “one that we’ve moved on from, I’m sure.”

  “I’m glad you told us about your friends being admitted to Witches Affairs if you can make an antidote,” Ruby said, “but make sure they practice for that audition. We can’t admit a witch without proper skills.”

  “Thanks. I’ll make sure of it. But getting back to Marta; did she have any enemies?”

  “All sitting Grand Witches do. There’s plenty of jealousy among the witches not elected.”