“Very well, come along.”
They followed Baldwin into the office and joined him at his desk. Baldwin sank into his chair with a creak.
“How is the investigation going?” he asked, fiddling with a bent paperclip.
“Still ongoing, but if we knew the cause of death it would help us out immensely,” Noah said.
“I thought I had already told you. She was stabbed though the heart with a pen.”
Noah’s face hardened. “I meant the real reason.”
Baldwin stood. “What are you suggesting?”
“That your findings are incorrect. Is your final report completed? You do know it’s a criminal offense to falsify the documents, right?”
“This is Witchataw, and we do things differently,” Baldwin insisted.
“We met the board of directors. The members don’t seem to be inclined to overlook something as serious as that, Doctor,” Petunia informed him. “I’m sure Noah would like to check Marta’s body one last time.”
“Fine, but you’ll see that I’m correct about findings.”
Baldwin led them into the examination room and pulled out the drawer that contained Marta’s body. Noah carefully pulled down the sheet and asked, “Do you see any mark on this body that would be big enough for a pen to have punctured the body, or into the heart?” Noah asked. “Because I can’t understand how you could possibly come to the conclusion you have.”
Baldwin adjusted his glasses and stared down at Marta’s chest. “It would seem that I made a grave error. Please don’t tell the board of directors I made a mistake.”
“That depends,” Petunia began. “We’d like to see the toxicology report.”
“It just came in, but I didn’t get a chance to review it yet.”
Baldwin led them back into his office, where he opened a sealed envelope and briefly read the report before handing it to Noah. “It appears she was poisoned.”
“What kind of poison?”
“That will take longer to pinpoint.”
“So you can’t say whether it was digested through food?” Petunia asked.
“Not yet. That will take more time.”
“That’s interesting, I was poisoned today.”
“So you must think that whoever did that also killed the Grand Witch.”
“I already know who poisoned me, but I can’t say that person also poisoned Marta.”
“What do you know about Marta, doctor?” Noah asked.
“I’m a coroner, not her close confident.”
“Yes and you’ve already proven to be a liar.”
Doctor Baldwin puffed up his chest. “Now listen here… .”
“Now you listen here! I can’t help but wonder if someone suggested you claim that Marta was stabbed, or am I wrong?”
The doctor swallowed hard a few times. “I-I … .”
Petunia put her palms on his desk. “Was it Estelle or Maria?”
He visibly shook now. “Please, you have no idea how angry she’ll be if she finds out I’ve told you how Marta really was murdered.”
“So at least you’re not claiming you made a mistake,” Petunia said. “Tell us who told you that or I’m heading straight for the board of directors.”
Doctor Baldwin fidgeted with his pen, and Noah reached over the desk and took it from him. “We won’t tell her you told us,” Noah insisted. “We’ll check out the witch and find another way to get the information out of her.”
“It was Pricilla, but you need to assure me that you’ll not tell her I told you that. If she finds out, I’m a goner for sure.”
“Are you saying that she might have killed Marta?”
The muscle of his jaw clenched. “I don’t know.”
Petunia looked over to Noah, who said, “Thank you doctor for being more forthcoming.”
They left the coroner’s office and Noah pulled her against the wall. “Do you know Pricilla?”
“She’s the other witch who has been running for Grand Witch and lost. I’ve heard she’s not a good witch at all, but I didn’t get the chance to question her yet.”
“Good, because we need to do it together. We can’t tell her what the doctor told us. We don’t want to be blamed if she takes action against him.”
“I won’t tell her that. We should go to the courtyard. I’m sure she’s involved with the activities there. Besides, I promised a few witches that I’d help them brush up on their skills. One of them is working on mastering her broom-riding skills.”
“Broom riding? Now this I have to see.”
Chapter Twelve
They walked into the hazy sunshine, and Petunia spotted Aunt Maxine, Hazel and Wanda ladened with packages.
“I bought the loveliest dress for the coming-in party,” Wanda said. “It’s to die for.”
“I hope nobody else dies. One investigation at a time.”
“You’re so funny, Petunia.”
“Did you see Pricilla out here somewhere?”
“Why on earth would you want to speak with her?” Hazel asked.
“It’s part of the investigation. She’s run for the office of Grand Witch many times and lost.”
“Please be careful,” Aunt Maxine cautioned. “I’d hate to see you fall under one of her spells.”
“Speaking of spells, do any of you have a flare for magic wands? I know of a recruit who needs some tips.”
“Show me the way,” Wanda exclaimed, shoving her purchases in Aunt Maxine’s arms.
“I’d better go with her. I hate to think that Wanda might give her the wrong instructions,” Hazel said, hurrying after Wanda.
“Where are they going?” Aunt Maxine chuckled. “I don’t recall you telling her where to go, Petunia.”
“I didn’t.” She pressed a finger under her nose as a sneeze was coming on, the last thing she needed was to sneeze bubbles. But that’s exactly what happened when she sneezed a moment later, creating a cloud of bubbles. The witches in the courtyard clapped in enthusiasm. Most likely thought she had done it on purpose. When Noah laughed, she strutted off in search of Wanda and Hazel.
She followed the signs that led to the practice area for wands, where she found her friends standing in line. Each of the witches ahead of them practiced to applause when they performed a successful spell.
Petunia made the introductions, and Daria grinned. “I was hoping you’d show up with help. I don’t know what I’ll do if I’m not selected this year.”
“It’s hardly a pressing matter,” Wanda said. “The more you stress yourself out, the harder it will be for you to perform effectively.”
“Which is something that Wanda would know nothing about,” Hazel said.
“Come now, Hazel, we’re here to encourage Daria and Belinda,” Petunia said.
“Hmm, you’re probably right, but I was only kidding.”
Petunia frowned. She really hated it when someone claimed something was a joke when it was far from the truth. But she knew that was how Hazel and Wanda got along. Petunia really didn’t know much about them; only that they were friends of Aunt Maxine.
“Let me take a look at your wand,” Wanda said.
Daria handed her a thin wand and Wanda shook her head. “This will hardly work for you, it’s too small.”
Hazel pulled a wand from beneath her robe. “It’s not the size that matters, but the magic behind it.”
Petunia snickered at Hazel’s bent wand. “Is that really your wand, or did you pick a stick up off the ground?”
“That from a witch who only makes potions!”
“Potions can be quite potent if you want them to be.”
“I agree, but you have a habit of mixing up spells, dear.”
“I made Estelle and Maria bald.”
“I wouldn’t tell anyone that if I were you. It might not help you get into Witches Affairs.”
“I’ll be able to when I whip up the antidote.”
“It’s too bad. I rather like Estelle bald,” Wanda said. “It’s no
t as though she’s a good witch.”
“You might want to be careful, Wanda. She might just be the next Grand Witch,” Petunia said.
They continued to move up on the line. The witches ahead of them had their heads together, discussing something. One of them walked back. “Hello Daria. I hope you don’t make a fool of yourself like last year. Maybe you should go home and spare yourself the embarrassment,” the sassy witch exclaimed.
She looked over at the skinny wand Wanda still held. “You shouldn’t be such a know-it-all. I’ll show all of you I’m a witch to be reckoned with,” Daria insisted.
“That’s the funniest thing I’ve heard all day. You’re not capable of anything close to a real spell.”
When the blonde turned on her heels and went back to the front of the line, Petunia asked, “Who is that?”
“That’s Nellie. She’s been trying to sabotage me all day. I wouldn’t be surprised if she was the one who switched my wands before my audition last year.”
“You stuck to your guns there, my girl,” Wanda said. “Go ahead and use this wand. It might just be what you need.”
Petunia narrowed her eyes at Wanda’s sleight of hand. She knew the wand Daria now had wasn’t the one she started the day with. What was Wanda up to?
When Daria was finally at the head of the line, Nellie stood at the sidelines to watch. That seemed strange, but it was too late to send her packing when Daria took her place.
Daria stared at the frog she was supposed to levitate, but her aim was all wrong. “Up, up and away,” Daria said as she swung her wand over her shoulder and Nellie let out a scream as she was swept off her feet, hovering above the ground.
Petunia had to clap her hands over her mouth to prevent the laughter from escaping. Nellie kicked her legs madly. “Let me down you, freak!”
“If you insist,” Daria said with an evil grin. She swirled the wand much to the amusement of the other witches. Nellie wafted over a large mud puddle, where she was dropped, landing butt first with a splash.
“You freak,” Nellie yelled, charging toward Daria.
Petunia stepped between them. “Now play nice. You certainly earned that, and you know it. I’ve never met a more spiteful witch.”
“You’ll be sorry when I tell my Aunt Pricilla.”
“Let’s hear it for, Daria,” Petunia said, prompting resounding applause for the young witch from her peers.
Tears shined in Daria’s eyes, and Petunia was happy things worked out for her, but the actual audition would be much different.
Petunia gave Wanda a hug. “My but you’re quite the little devil. I had no idea you had any powers.”
“I don’t really use them anymore. Your aunt told me the world isn’t ready for a witch who uses a wand.”
“You’ll have to watch out for Pricilla, though. You know, the one your aunt told you to watch out for.”
“And I suppose you think I should have allowed Nellie to lay her hands on Daria?”
“Of course not, Petunia. Wanda was simply alerting you that Pricilla will be here soon,” Hazel said. “Here she comes.”
The crowd of witches who were practicing dispersed as Pricilla strutted over to them.
“Which one of them hurt you, Nellie?”
Petunia stepped in front of Daria. “Nobody hurt Nellie. She was accidentally levitated. Perhaps she should leave the practice area when a witch is about to use her wand. I’m sure you’re aware of how things can happen that a new witch can’t control.”
“But I did mean to do it,” Daria insisted.
“Shhh.”
“I suppose, but I don’t like it,” Pricilla said. “Who are you anyway? You look to be keeping the wrong kind of company,” she sneered, indicating Hazel and Wanda.
“I don’t know what you mean. Hazel and Wanda are my Aunt Maxine’s best friends.”
“Oh, so you’re Maxine’s niece. I should have known. Estelle told me all about you and your substandard potions.”
“I’m not here to discuss my potions, but I’d like to speak to you about the death of the Grand Witch.”
“From what I’ve heard, it’s an open-and-shut case.”
“The thing is, you lost the election to Marta. It would seem you’d have a better reason to want Marta dead.”
“You can bug off. I don’t have to tell you anything.”
“Do you have an alibi for the day Marta was murdered?”
“I don’t hold a grudge, which is lucky for you, Petunia. Stay away from my niece.”
“I will if she lays off Daria and Belinda. The potential new members are not in competition with one another. And with so few witches in the world, we can’t be pitted against one another.”
“Are you going to take that from her, Aunt Pricilla?” Nellie asked.
“She has a point. Let’s go get you changed before the broom-flying broom lessons.”
Petunia watched Pricilla walk away perplexed more than ever.
Pansy pranced up with tail snapping at Petunia’s hand. “Well, she certainty didn’t give up much of anything,” he said.
“I’m not about to allow her to blow me off like that. I’ll have to find another way to question her when she doesn’t have her guard up.”
“Do you have a plan?”
“Not yet, but believe me, I’ll come up with one before the day is over.”
“Are you done chit-chatting with that cat of yours?” Wanda inquired.
“What?” Daria asked.
“She’s merely kidding. I treat my cats like they’re part of my family, and sometimes it might seem as though we’re communicating telepathically.” Petunia laughed. “Should we go to the broom-flying lessons, Belinda?”
Belinda frowned. “I’m not sure I want to anymore. Nellie will be there, and I can only imagine she’ll cause me problems.”
“You have to do this to get into Witches Affairs. Believe me, I have my own problems. I have to make an antidote for the hair tonic that made Estelle and Maria bald!”
“Talk about pressure,” Daria said. “Are you going to learn how to fly a broom too?”
Pansy snickered. “Now that I’d love to see.”
“I do best when safely on the ground,” Petunia said.
“We should have a go at it,” Hazel said. “That way, you won’t worry so much when you find out we’re going flying.”
Petunia hoped there was a hospital here in Witchataw. Surely Hazel and Wanda were too advanced in age to attempt such a feat, but she’d never dare tell either of them that!
She laughed nervously, “O-Oh, okay. Where is this practice?”
Aunt Maxine joined them before they were able to leave with Noah, who raised a brow when Wanda announced where they were going.
“I really hope you’re not planning to attempt such a thing, Petunia. I’d hate for people to think I allowed you to do anything reckless,” Noah said disapprovingly.
Petunia’s hands slipped to her hips. “Allowed?”
Pansy snickered. “I’m starting to think this Noah isn’t all that bad.”
Petunia merely glared at Pansy. She didn’t have time to respond to anyone before Aunt Maxine declared, “You had better watch out, Noah. My niece is not a witch to be toyed with and certainly wouldn’t ever allow any man to tell her what to do.”
Noah tugged at the neck of his shirt. “I didn’t mean it exactly like that. I’d hate to see any of you get hurt, is all.”
“No, don’t backpedal, Noah,” Pansy said. “Stick to your guns and put Petunia in her place!”
“Do you want to sleep in the hallway tonight?” Petunia asked Pansy.
“That wouldn’t work if I was a human, and it won’t work now that I’m a cat. You’d never do anything like that to a cat anyway, so that threat is off the table.”
Pansy had a point. Petunia loved her cats, all of them, including Pansy with his annoying behavior.
Aunt Maxine sighed, “Are we leaving sometime today?”
Belinda and Daria
led the way up a narrow pathway that led well away from the convention’s main festivities to an open area. Daria, Belinda, Wanda, and Hazel signed up, scrawling their signatures on the fly-at–your-own-risk waiver. Pricilla waited with her niece Nellie on the sidelines, and Petunia had to ask her aunt, “What’s the story with Pricilla?”
“She’s a bad witch,” Hazel whispered.
Aunt Maxine shook her head. “I honestly don’t know all that much about her, but she has accumulated a reputation for being quick at drawing out her wand.”
“Is that the same Pricilla who lost to Marta in the last election?” Noah asked.
“Yes, and I had a run-in with her not long ago. She didn’t even try to pull out her wand, although she did tell me to stay away from her niece.” Petunia told her aunt and Noah what had happened during wand practice.
Aunt Maxine laughed. “I missed all the fun. You’re handling yourself just fine, Daria. That’s the true mark of a good witch. But we can’t be good all the time.”
“I only hope this goes without a hitch,” Daria said.
“Focus, girls. It’s all about concentration, which I’m not sure will help Hazel and Wanda when it’s their turn.”
“Shouldn’t you be dissuading them from participating?” Petunia asked. “I wouldn’t even allow them to fly off the roof of Mystical Remedies.”
“That was wise. It has been years since either of them has flown.”
“I didn’t know witches could even fly,” Petunia said. “Are you okay, Noah?”
“Yes, but promise me you won’t attempt to fly a broom. What if you mastered the skill? What would Cora say?”
“And here I had no idea you and Cora were so close, Noah.”
Feedback from a microphone interrupted them as a woman’s voice came over the speakers. “If you’ve signed your paperwork, please proceed to the takeoff area.”
Wanda led the way through the crowd with Hazel, who dragged Petunia with her as Daria and Belinda followed. Petunia wriggled her hand, but was unable to free herself from Hazel’s grip.
Pricilla smiled as she stood alongside Nellie while the first witch took her place. An older witch handed her a broom, and she hooked her leg over the stick and with a whoosh, off she flew. She flew a few circles and returned, landing with precision.
Meows, Magic & Missing (Lake Forest Witches Book 3) Page 10