“I heard that Estelle and Pricilla were running against her.”
“That’s correct, and the reason Marta was a shoo-in. But perhaps it would be better to widen the pool of candidates for the next election.”
“Have Estelle and Pricilla run against all the other Grand Witches with short tenures?”
“All, I’m afraid.”
“And were all of those Grand Witches murdered?”
“Yes,” Maeve said. “But many of those deaths could have easily been ruled accidents.”
“How certain are you that Estelle or Pricilla weren’t responsible?” Noah asked.
“We’re quite certain they weren’t responsible. They both had air-tight alibis, but if you learn anything different, please share it with us.”
“And here I was hoping to visit the prison to question potential witches who murdered Grand Witches.”
“You have our permission to do so, but only one witch was tried and convicted those crimes.”
“But I thought you just said they were ruled accidental deaths?” Petunia asked.
“No, I said their deaths could have been ruled accidents. But Irma Ward was tried and sentenced for the crimes.”
“How clear was the evidence?”
“She was found guilty by her peers.”
Petunia wasn’t sure she should challenge that because she wasn’t sure who could really be trusted. “Thank you for the information. It’s most helpful.”
“Can we see Marta’s quarters?” Petunia asked.
“Of course,” Ruby said. “We want this investigation cleared up before the election.”
“Have you decided who’s on the ballot yet?”
“Do you have any recommendations?”
“I do, but she’s a suspect in the last Grand Witch’s death.”
“And I live in Lake Forest, not at Witchataw,” Aunt Maxine reminded Petunia.
“We’ll be looking for candidates, so it’s not too soon to change your mind, Maxine.”
Chapter Ten
They left the lounge and were taken to the interview room where Danny was speaking to his sister. “Where did Donald go?”
“Back to work,” Barbara said.
“I see. I had hoped you could speak with Danny about his motives. I don’t understand why he’d want to poison me to get back at my aunt. There has to be more to it than that. What was his involvement with Marta?”
“I can hear you!” Danny shouted as he pounded his fists on the table. “I’m getting sick of people who want to turn my friendship with Marta into something scandalous.”
Pansy jumped on the table. “Now we’re getting somewhere. He had me from scandalous.”
“I have to agree with you there, Pansy.”
“I have a hard time believing you and Marta were friends,” Petunia blurted out.
“Now, Petunia,” Aunt Maxine began. “It’s perfectly understandable why a young man who works in the kitchen would be friends with the Grand Witch.”
“I’m sure that they’re in the same social circles,” Wanda added.
“He’s my brother,” Barbara said. “I introduced them.”
“Oh?” Petunia asked. “And do you also socialize with the Grand Witch when you’re not working.”
“Well, no.”
“Let’s get on track here,” Noah suggested. “Danny, where were you yesterday when the Grand Witch was found dead?”
“I was working in the kitchen.”
Petunia cocked a brow. “Were you delivering room service yesterday?”
“I assure you that my brother would have no reason to kill the Grand Witch, and I was working all day yesterday,” Barbara interjected.
“Did you see her in the morning?”
“Yes. She gave me papers to copy for her, but my copier wasn’t working so I had to use the one in another office.”
“Whose?”
Barbara sighed. “Look I really don’t care for these questions. I didn’t kill my boss.”
“I was only trying to establish that you were away from your desk long enough for someone to slip into the Grand Witch’s office, kill her, and leave without anyone being aware.”
“I highly doubt that if I was out the receptionists wouldn’t see someone going into my office. In fact, they’d never let anyone in there.”
“We’ll check it out, but how did you like working for Marta?”
“She was always kind to me. I harbored no hard feelings toward her, nor would I have any reason to want to see her harmed.”
“I think that’s all for now,” Noah said. “Thank you for your time.”
They turned to leave, and Barbara stopped them. “What about my brother?”
“He poisoned me and put glass in Noah’s food. I think this is now a matter for the board of directors,” Petunia said, leaving the room with Pansy, Noah, Aunt Maxine, Wanda and Hazel.
They cut across the lawn and courtyard where someone was juggling bowling pins while on stilts.
“We’ll let you young folks investigate without us,” Aunt Maxine said. “Wanda and Hazel will have a fit if I make them miss the juggler.”
Petunia nodded and walked back into the kitchen through the opened door.
“You can’t be in here with that cat,” a woman holding a pan with chocolate cookies on it said.
“We’re looking for the chef.”
“He’s in his office.”
Petunia and Noah found the chef’s office easy enough and knocked on the door, waving through the large window through which he’d be able to see the goings on in the kitchen.
He waved them in. “Do you need something further from me?”
“We were wondering whether Danny was delivering room service yesterday.” Noah asked.
“I’m sure he was since that’s his job.”
“He’s not very good at it,” Petunia said with a laugh. “Of course, his not making eye contact with us should have been a hint that he was up to something.”
The door opened and Estelle walked in. “I figured I’d find you two here.” She then glanced down at Pansy. “Er, and that feline of yours.”
“Do you have a point here?” Petunia asked.
“I can’t wait to hear this,” Pansy murmured.
“Be quiet; it’s hard to think with your snide comments in my head.”
“Well, excuse me!”
“I heard you were visiting the board of directors and poor Danny is now in a jail cell.”
“Poor? He poisoned me!”
“Yes, but you seem fine. I’d hate to see the young man pulled into your investigating needlessly.”
“It’s not up to me. He committed a crime. It’s up to the board of directors to decide his punishment.”
“I think it’s strange that your Aunt Maxine is on the ballot for the next Grand Witch when she’s a suspect.”
Wow, that was fast, Petunia thought. “Well, I think it’s odd that four witches who won the election wound up dead within six months.”
“Let’s discuss this elsewhere. I’m certain the chef has work to do.”
“Fine by us,” Noah said.
Estelle led the way from the kitchen and through the dining room, taking a seat in a small lounge off the main lobby.
“I’m sure Ruby must have given you the information about those other Grand Witches. It’s such a shame they had such unfortunate accidents.”
“But we heard a witch was imprisoned for the crimes.”
“Yes, that’s what I meant.”
“Accidents don’t land an innocent witch in prison.”
“Don’t tell her you plan to visit that witch,” Pansy advised Petunia.
“I know, but that’s the way the board of directors wanted it. Iris had her trial and was convicted. End of story.”
“So you’re not taking any responsibility for Marta’s death?”
“You can’t think I had anything to do with that.”
“Did you visit Marta at any time yesterday?”
<
br /> “Yes, but only to remind her that we needed more forms for the Witches Affairs meeting.”
“Why not copy them yourself?” Noah asked.
“The original form is in her computer.”
“How would she be able to copy it with her copier on the fritz?”
“Oh, Barbara must have told you that. I should check that out.”
“Let’s go together,” Petunia suggested.
Estelle sighed, but stood, and Petunia and Noah followed her to the Grand Witch’s office with Pansy blabbing the entire time. “See, she set this whole thing up. First she asked Marta to have forms printed when she knew the copier wasn’t working.”
“My thoughts, too, but we still have to figure out how Marta had a form to have copied if that copier was broken.”
When they walked inside, Maria had her feet propped up on the desk, texting on her phone.
“Making yourself comfortable?” Petunia asked with raised brow.
She removed her feet from the desk and sneered. “Yes, actually.”
“How about you get on the computer and try to print something?” Petunia asked. “We’re not certain whether it’s in working order.”
“I can’t do that. I don’t have the password.”
“Sorry, I really didn’t know,” Estelle claimed.
Petunia walked out of the room to find Barbara had returned. “Do you have the password to Marta’s computer? We’re trying to assure ourselves that the copier in here is broken.”
“You don’t need the computer for that, but I believe the detective has already taken the computer for analysis.”
“So whose computer is in there?”
Barbara came back into the office with Petunia and motioned Maria out of the way. She pressed a few keys and the symbol of a chef’s hat came on the screen. “This is Danny’s computer. He must have left it behind the last time he was here.”
“I don’t remember seeing that laptop in here earlier, Noah,” Petunia said.
“We might have missed it. I can’t imagine that Danny would come back in here after Marta’s body was removed.”
Petunia turned to Barbara. “He wasn’t, was he?”
She groaned. “I let him in after you all left so that he could be sure to remove any of his belongings.”
“I suppose you’re still trying to tell us that Danny wasn’t more than friends with Marta?”
“Not that I’m aware.”
“Hard to believe,” Noah said. “You should have known to not allow anyone in here until the investigation was concluded.”
Barbara dabbed at her eyes. “Danny is all I have, but I swear I wasn’t trying to do anything wrong or impede the investigation.”
“Yet you were trying to cover up for him,” Petunia mused as she glanced around the room. “I wonder what was so important that he left his laptop behind?” She walked pulled the book that had contained the gun from the shelf. The gun was missing.
Petunia put back the book and said, “I’ll need to speak with Detective Winslow before I say anything further, but did Marta have any master copies of the forms for Witches Affairs?”
Barbara pulled out a drawer and showed Petunia the master copies. Petunia took one to the copier and put the form face down to scan it. The red light blinked and Barbara nodded. “It’s broken -- just like mine.”
“Perhaps it’s a network error,” Noah suggested.
“I assume the copiers aren’t all broken.” Petunia said. “Were you aware that the Grand Witch’s copier was on the fritz, Estelle?”
“No, and I don’t have a copy of that form.”
“I find that hard to believe when you’re handling the new recruits for Witches Affairs.”
“The copier down the hall worked just fine,” Barbara said. “And I told Estelle these copiers weren’t working.”
Petunia stared at Estelle now. “I believe you set Marta up. You knew Barbara would have to leave, giving the killer time to come into this office.”
“I did no such thing! I’m not a murderer!”
“No, but you could have gotten someone else to do your dirty work.”
Estelle’s eyes narrowed, but she remained silent. “I wouldn’t say anything further, mother,” Maria advised. “Petunia is trying to maneuver the blame from her aunt to you.”
“Very well, Maria. I’ll take my leave now. When you have proof to back up your accusations, Petunia, I’ll be more than happy to answer any questions you have.” She reached for the door handle. “It seems that it would be more important to whip up that potion we’ve talked about.”
“And what if I have no interest in becoming a member of Witches Affairs?”
“You won’t be allowed to continue as investigator here. We can’t have two mortals poking around in the business of witches.”
Chapter Eleven
“Thank you, Barbra for all your help,” Petunia said, “but I see we’re at an impasse. Could you direct us to Marta’s quarters?”
“I could, but I hope you’re aware that Estelle and Maria have already taken them over.”
Petunia cocked a brow. “Why doesn’t that surprise me? But do you at least have a key?”
“I’m sorry. I’d like to help, but I can’t afford to get on Estelle’s bad side. She might be the Grand Witch soon, and I really need my job.”
“We understand,” Noah said. “Let’s go, Petunia.”
In the outer office, the receptionists, Billie and Charlie, had their heads together, speaking in hushed tones.
“Hello again, Billie.” Petunia smiled. “I imagine you see many comings and goings around here.”
“When she’s not playing those games on her phone,” Charlie said with a grin. “But I suppose we’re both guilty of that.”
“Did either of you see anyone going into the secretary’s office the day of the murder?”
“I don’t pay all that much attention. Barbara is always in and out of the office all day. Marta really liked her chai tea, and there’s a machine in the employee lounge where you can make it,” Billie said.
“So it’s a normal occurrence?” Noah asked.
“Yes, but it’s too bad the cameras on this floor haven’t been functioning. They’ve been down the last few weeks,” Charlie said. “They might have helped you pinpoint who went into the office.”
“Thank you for the information,” Noah said.
“I don’t suppose you know of a way that we could get into Marta’s quarters?” Petunia asked.
“The maid should be there about now,” Billie suggested. “It’s on the seventh floor -- Room 777.”
“I’d appreciate if you didn’t tell anyone we planned to go there,” Petunia said. “I really need to prove my aunt isn’t guilty of Marta’s murder.”
“We want that, too. Marta was a fair witch and treated us kindly.”
“Did she have any family or close friends?”
“She had no family that we know of. Danny sure came often enough, but he always brought his food cart.”
“So room service?”
“I believe so.”
“Thank you, again.”
* * *
Outside the door of Room 777, Noah asked, “What if Estelle and Maria are here?”
“I’ll ask them to see Marta’s belongings, but I’m hoping that’s not the case,” Petunia said.
A cleaning cart stood outside the room, and the door was open. A maid came out of the room with a mop and asked, “Can I help you?”
“Is this where the Grand Witch Marta roomed?” Petunia asked.
“It was her suite, yes, but that was before she was murdered and Estelle and Maria moved in.”
“Are they here?”
“No. But you won’t find anything here. Marta’s belongings have been taken to the basement for storing.”
“Could we take a peek, please?”
The maid frowned, but said, “If you hurry. I’d hate for Estelle to know I allowed anyone in here.”
Pe
tunia and Noah hurried inside with Pansy, who stood by the door. “I’ll stay here and play lookout,” he said.
They went room to room. The closets were filled with clothing of Estelle and Maria’s taste. The drawers contained nothing of interest. Petunia was disappointed. She wished they could have found something.
“This was a waste of time.” Petunia sighed.
Petunia froze as she heard Estelle’s voice approaching. They rushed into the bathroom and closed the door, hiding behind the shower curtain when the doorknob rattled.
“I wouldn’t go in there,” they heard the maid say. “I mixed up some cleaners, and the fumes are pretty strong. It needs time to air out.”
“Fine, I’ll use the other one,” Maria snapped.
The door opened and the maid motioned for them to leave. Pansy appeared from the bottom of the housecleaning cart, leading the way to the staircase.
Petunia sat on the steps for a moment to catch her breath. “That was close.”
“I’d feel better if we go down to the basement to locate Marta’s clothing,” Noah said.
Storage cages lined both sides of the basement. The largest of them contained an elegant witch’s dress on a mannequin and a number of stacked boxes. Petunia knew they must be Marta’s belongings.
“How are we going to get that lock open?” Petunia asked.
Noah pulled out his wallet and removed a small metal tool and inserted it into the lock, working it until it opened with a click. He activated the flashlight of his cell phone, and they searched in the boxes, finding only clothing, gold and black pillows, and incense.
“Shouldn’t there be witch-like items a Grand Witch would have?” Noah asked.
“Perhaps I should speak to Aunt Maxine about this.”
Pansy bounded forward. “There’s another door over there. I think it leads to the coroner’s office.”
Noah relocked the cage and they walked to the door of the coroner’s office. Noah opened the door, startling Doctor Baldwin, who was walking past. “What are you doing here?” he nearly shouted.
“We got lost,” Petunia admitted. “I’m glad we finally saw that coroner’s office sign.”
“Doing a little exploring?”
“You must admit this is a big place.”
Before the doctor had a chance to reply, Noah said, “we’d like to speak with you about the results of Marta’s autopsy.”
Meows, Magic & Missing (Lake Forest Witches Book 3) Page 9