Rags to Witches

by Colleen Cross

  “Look at this.” I pointed to the section indicating the cause of death. “Carla was strangled. The pool accident was staged, to make it look like she drowned.”

  “I already told you that it was a cover-up. It was no accident.”

  “I know you did, Aunt Pearl, but I had just assumed the autopsy results had ruled her death an accident too.” I held up the papers. “This proves a cover-up, but only by the police, not the medical examiner. How and why are the police covering this up?” I turned to Aunt Pearl, keeping my voice low so I didn’t wake up Mom.

  “They’ve been paid off.”

  “That may be so, but why isn’t the medical examiner speaking up?”

  Aunt Pearl shrugged. “She was paid off too.”

  I shook my head. “No. If she was, the autopsy report would have ruled her death an accident. We better go pay the medical examiner a visit.”

  Aunt Pearl’s eyes widened. “She’s in danger too.”

  I nodded as I checked my watch. It was already after 7p.m. “It’s after hours, so I suppose it will have to wait until tomorrow.”

  “In the meantime, we better protect Rocco,” Aunt Pearl said. “I put a protective shield around him for the next twenty-four hours. Only another witch can break it.”

  Aunt Pearl was obstinate and unstoppable when she had a goal, and tonight was no different.

  “Rocco doesn’t need protecting, Aunt Pearl. Stop and think about it. People are dropping like flies, yet he escapes unscathed. Why?” Now that my aunt’s attraction spell had worn off, I could think more clearly. Either Aunt Pearl had a Teflon shield around him, or he was somehow involved.

  “Just lucky so far, I guess.” Aunt Pearl avoided my gaze. “But luck only carries a person so far.”

  “It’s not luck. He’s probably involved somehow, at least in Bones’ death.”

  “How can you accuse poor Rocco? He’s just another victim in all this.” She shook her head, disappointed.

  “You’re not being objective, Aunt Pearl. Your emotions are getting the better of you.”

  Aunt Pearl stood before me. “I have to honor my promise, Cen. It was Carla’s dying wish that I take care of Rocco.”

  I shook my head as I flashed back to Rocco and his armed bodyguards. “Rocco doesn’t need you. He’s old enough to take care of himself. Wait a minute. Aren’t you his—”

  “Godmother.” Aunt Pearl finished my sentence. “Once we solve this thing and lock up the killer, we need to get Rocco back on his feet. He’s gonna need my advice in his new role as head of the Racatelli family business.”

  I seriously hoped she meant a fairy godmother and not a godmother in the mafia sense. Aunt Pearl as a crime don, or donna, if that was how you said it in Italian, was a downright scary proposition.

  “The Racatelli crime syndicate isn’t a regular business, Aunt Pearl. I doubt Carla wanted you to mentor him in that.” It saddened me that it had taken Carla’s death to talk openly about the Racatelli family’s criminal ventures. “These are dangerous people you’re messing with.”

  “Not as dangerous as a witch with a vendetta. That’s where you come in.” Aunt Pearl rubbed her palms together. “You’ll keep Rocco busy while I work my magic.”

  I held my hands up in protest. “Oh no. I am not getting involved in any of this. You’re taking the whole godmother bit way too seriously.”

  Aunt Pearl stood defiantly in front of me, hands on hips. “I am not a godmother in the normal sense, Cendrine. Carla appointed me after Rocco’s parents died when he was already in his teens. She knew she wouldn’t live forever. Rocco, as her business successor, had to be ready. She figured I was the woman for the job.”

  “You’re not exactly young yourself,” I pointed out. Aunt Pearl was also in her seventies, only a couple of years younger than Carla. Her succession planning story sounded like a gross exaggeration or an outright lie.

  Still, I couldn’t think of anyone more focused than my aunt, so that part at least made sense. But what did she know about the inner workings of organized crime? Nothing, as far as I knew. “I think you’re reading more into this than there is. If you’re his godmother, aren’t you technically the interim head of the Racatelli enterprise?”

  Aunt Pearl nodded. “That’s why we all had to come to Vegas. All of us are needed to ensure Rocco’s success.”

  “Why me? I don’t have very strong powers.” And the last thing I wanted was to help a criminal tighten his grip on power. Childhood friend or not, it didn’t matter.

  “Exactly.”

  I waited for Aunt Pearl to elaborate, or at least lecture me on applying myself, but she didn’t. “Not magic, but you have very strong powers of attraction.”

  “Powers of attract—oh no. You are not setting me up with Rocco.” Using me as some sort of decoy was insulting, to say the least. Then my thoughts drifted to the lobby encounter. That muscled chest and piercing blue eyes...

  Damn. What the heck was wrong with me? I wanted Tyler, not Rocco. I was certain of that. And yet my magnetic attraction to Rocco seemed to play havoc with my emotions.

  “You’re precisely the sort of distraction Rocco needs right now. You’ll also be nearby for his safety. You can protect him in case anything goes wrong.”

  “Like what?” I grew uneasy.

  “I don’t know, Cen.” Aunt Pearl paused and chose her words carefully. “Remember, only a witch can break through the protective shield I placed on Rocco. You’re not the best witch—not by a mile—but at least you can jump into action if needed.”

  “Wait—what kind of action?”

  “No time to get into details. You’ll know it if it’s necessary.”

  “Maybe I’ll refuse.”

  “You can’t. What’s done is done, Cen. There’s not a lot you can do about it. Just trust me on this.”

  “You put another attraction spell on me!” Once again I felt that strange attraction to my childhood friend. If only I had practiced my magic; then I might have been able to counter my aunt’s spell. She had used me for her own ends and managed to teach me a lesson at the same time. All because I had neglected my witchcraft practice, which rendered me defenseless against my powerful aunt.

  I had to become a better witch, if only to counteract Aunt Pearl’s manipulation. She had tricked me again. I glared at her. “Remove the spell right now.”

  “No, missy. Not until we catch Carla’s killer and make sure the Racatelli empire stays in Rocco’s hands.”

  “I’m sure Rocco would rather you not interfere.” I didn’t want her to either. Things could go bad very quickly.

  “Doesn’t matter. There are uh—business issues that Rocco’s not aware of yet. Personal issues too.” Aunt Pearl’s expression was blank. “Carla had some trouble in the relationship department.”

  “Those problems disappeared when she died.”

  “You would think so, but...”

  “But what?”

  “Carla was romantically involved with someone else. In a moment of passion, she may have done something she regretted.”

  “Another man besides Bones? Where did she find time for all this?” Carla simultaneously ran a multi-million-dollar criminal enterprise, fended off mobsters, and juggled multiple men. I managed about a tenth of what she did, and I was about fifty years younger. I was a failure compared to her. On the other hand, I was alive.

  “She managed somehow.”

  “Who was it—another crime boss?” I was half-joking.

  “Uh-huh. Manny,” Aunt Pearl said.

  “Your Manny?”

  Aunt Pearl nodded. “She and Manny tied the knot, and this time the marriage was real.”

  “But you and Manny...”

  “All an act. I knew Manny had secretly married Carla, but he didn’t know that I knew. He still doesn’t.”

  “Aren’t you jealous?”

  Aunt Pearl shrugged. “Not really. I just wanted a fling. No messy commitments.”

  I covered my ears, not wanti
ng to hear more details. Images popped up in my head uninvited. “Why was Carla so eager to get married again? She was single for decades.”

  “You think you kids are the only ones who enjoy a little romance? Carla was mature all right, but she wasn’t too old for a little fun now and again.” Aunt Pearl sighed. “That’s the whole problem. She got swept up in a wave of passion and forgot to get a pre-nup. So her death means that everything goes to Manny La Manna. Including this hotel.”

  Carla’s Mafioso boy toy was suddenly a lot richer. “Then Manny must have killed her.”

  “Maybe. I honestly don’t know what to think,” she said. “I wouldn’t put it past him, though. She was probably worth about fifty million. Then there are all of the Racatelli holdings she controlled...” Aunt Pearl’s eyes grew wet with tears. “Carla would be mortified by all this fighting.”

  “Let’s call the police and let them deal with it. Tell them about your suspicions.”

  Aunt Pearl shook her head emphatically. “Absolutely not. We can’t involve them because Carla has a lot of illegal enterprises going on. We can’t tell Ruby either. She disapproves of the shady world the Racatellis operate in.”

  “Of course we have to tell her.” I doubted Mom was oblivious to Carla’s line of work. She was just too polite to say anything about it.

  One thing I was sure of was that Aunt Pearl was in more danger than she realized.

  Carla’s death changed more than Rocco’s or Manny’s future. It also called into question Aunt Pearl’s involvement with Manny. And Christophe’s business being in our suite.

  Chapter 24

  Aunt Pearl and I sat on the sofa, while Mom dozed peacefully at the other end. Wilt sat a few feet away at a small desk. He was bent over, his head in his hands, dejected. If I could have, I would have done a rewind spell just to make him feel better. But it didn’t solve a thing. Jimmy would still come looking for him to recoup his poker losses no matter what.

  Christophe had returned to the suite just minutes ago, acting as if the whole funeral scene had never happened. He went straight to the kitchen, which suited me fine.

  After five minutes of banging cupboards and rattling dishes, he emerged with a tray of snacks and set it down on the coffee table in front of us. “Anyone hungry?”

  I wasn’t very good at small talk at the best of times, and making small talk with one of Manny La Manna’s cronies made me uneasy. I was so worried about saying the wrong thing, so I just grunted thanks and speared a piece of cheese.

  “What time is it?” Mom rose to a sitting position and glanced around the suite. She stood, forgetting her sore ankle. She quickly collapsed back on the sofa, a grimace of pain on her face. “I wish I could make it back out to the pool. It’s so relaxing.”

  “I really don’t think that’s a good idea, Mom.”

  “Let me handle this.” Christophe swooped Mom up in his arms like a romance novel hero and carried her over to a comfy looking divan by the window. He set her down gently and handed her a fluffy white towel. “You can at least admire the view from here.”

  Mom giggled, clearly enjoying Christophe’s attentions. “I think I’m fine. Maybe just a little bruised from the fall.”

  Christophe’s dimples deepened as he smiled. He acted as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened. “May I offer you ladies a beverage? You must be tired from the funeral.” He winked at Mom.

  Mom blushed. “Why not?”

  I followed Aunt Pearl to the sofa, keeping my voice low. “Why is he keeping up the butler act? He knows we saw him with Manny.”

  “Sssh.” Aunt Pearl drew a finger to her lips.

  Christophe ignored us and kept his gaze on Mom. “I’ll get some ice for your ankle.”

  “Cosmo for me, Chris,” Aunt Pearl called after Christophe as he headed for the kitchen. “Make it a white wine for Ruby.”

  Mom remained silent, which I took for agreement.

  “I’ll just have some water. It’s not even five yet,” I protested.

  “We’re on Vegas time, Cen. This city never sleeps and neither should you. Let your hair down for a change.” Aunt Pearl ran a hand through her gray hair. “Act your age for once.”

  Christophe disappeared around a corner and reappeared in what seemed like seconds with a large tray laden with chilled drinks and several plates of cheese, savory tarts and crackers. He handed me a glass of chilled white wine. “I took the liberty of choosing a very nice Sonoma Valley Chardonnay for you, Cendrine. Since Pearl and Ruby are having alcohol and all, I thought you might want some too.”

  My willpower faltered. I accepted the wine from Christophe’s tray and took a sip. The Chardonnay felt smooth on my tongue and whetted my appetite. I nibbled on a piece of cheese and was overcome with exhaustion. I was too tired to care about anything anymore. We had driven all night to get here, only to face a gunfight, gambling gangsters, and murder. I hadn’t slept for over twenty-four hours, and I no longer had the energy to protest Aunt Pearl’s plans, or even keep an eye on Christophe.

  “You’re sure fast on your feet, Chris.” Aunt Pearl gulped her Cosmo and slammed her empty glass down on the coffee table. “You magic or something?”

  I choked on my drink, spewing Chardonnay all over my clothes. I recovered and scowled at my aunt, annoyed at her supernatural references.

  If Christophe was offended, he didn’t show it. “It’s a trade secret. I can also make dinner arrangements if you wish.” He stood and awaited our instructions. Maybe he wasn’t a gangster after all.

  “I wish, Chris, thanks!” Aunt Pearl jumped to her feet. “I think we’ll stay in for dinner, though. Why don’t you surprise us?”

  “Fine. I’ll just run out and pick up a few things for dinner.” Christophe headed out into the foyer, his rubber soles squeaking on the marble floor.

  I waited until the elevator door closed and turned to my aunt.

  “If he really works for Manny, we don’t want him coming back.”

  Mom sipped her wine and pulled her plush white robe around her, oblivious to our dilemma.

  “Fine, we’ll bolt the door or something.” Aunt Pearl shook her head slowly. “I know one way you could stop him from coming back here.”

  “Whatever it is, I’ll do it. How?”

  Aunt Pearl smiled. “A protection spell around the perimeter. Did you practice that one? Or have you been too busy with other things?”

  She also knew that I hadn’t practiced, and now she was about to make me pay for that transgression. Again.

  “Can’t you—”

  “No, Cen. You must stand on your own two feet.”

  “We’re in a serious situation here. Can’t you make an exception just this once?”

  She dismissed me with a wave of her hand. “What better way to learn? At least you’re motivated now.”

  I sighed. “Your tough love is just getting us into all sorts of trouble. At least do it for Mom.”

  “You worry too much, Cen. Just enjoy the suite, because you’ll probably never stay in a place this nice this again.”

  “We could stay in the RV,” I said.

  Aunt Pearl wagged her finger. “You’d feel safer in a tin can in the underground parking lot? Not a smart move when the mob’s after you.”

  She had a point, and it was too late to do anything about the room tonight. “Let’s just stick out the night here. We’ll stay inside and then check out tomorrow.”

  “I’m not hanging out here. This is Vegas, baby. I’m going downstairs to the casino. Care to join me?”

  I shook my head, only to discover that Aunt Pearl had already disappeared up the spiral staircase to the bedrooms.

  Maybe Aunt Pearl was right to make the best of a bad situation, but all I really wanted to do was go to bed. Aunt Pearl’s so-called mission just didn’t seem like that big of a deal anymore.

  With the funeral over, there wasn’t much else that could happen before we left tomorrow. What could possibly go wrong?

  I sipped my
wine and glanced at Mom, who had fallen asleep once again. She snored softly on the divan. I walked over and carefully removed the empty wineglass from her hand and placed it on a side table. I adjusted the pillows elevating her swollen ankle and felt my eyes grow heavy.

  Mom’s lack of consciousness and my lack of magic skills left us pretty much defenseless, and Aunt Pearl was well aware of that. Still, she wouldn’t let us stay here if we were really in danger. For all the trouble she caused, she was loyal and protective.

  But maybe Aunt Pearl was right. If I had to be stranded, there were a lot worse places to be than surrounded by luxury and being waited on hand and foot. It was my last thought as sleep overtook me.

  Chapter 25

  I jerked awake on the sofa, disoriented. Judging by the dim light outside, it was dusk. I must have dozed off.

  I lifted my head towards the direction of the sound.

  Thump.

  Thump, thump, thump.

  I couldn’t remember falling asleep, though I must have, because I felt completely out of it. I also had a pounding headache, though I remembered having only a few sips of wine. The alcohol, combined with dehydration and too much sun at the funeral, had done me in.

  The hotel suite key card was still clutched in my hand and I realized in a panic that I hadn’t called Tyler since returning from the funeral. It was that stupid Rocco spell. Half the time I couldn’t think straight, and the rest of the time was spent keeping tabs on Aunt Pearl.

  Another broken promise.

  Thump, thump.

  Any chance I had with the man I had lusted after for months now was probably blown. All because of my interfering aunt and her kidnapping stunt.

  I was now convinced that she knew of our date all along. She would do anything to drive him away, and that included sabotaging our fledgling relationship any way she could. The Racatelli affair just happened to be a convenient excuse.

  Thump, thump.

  Aunt Pearl’s dislike for Tyler wasn’t personal. She just found him frustrating because she had met her match. He was the only sheriff she couldn’t run out of town. She had probably kidnapped me on purpose to thwart any chance of romance.