A Taste of Magic (A Sugarcomb Lake Cozy Mystery Book 1)

by Alaine Allister

  “I didn’t do much,” he protested modestly. “I just pulled a few strings.”

  “Is that what you call threatening the local police?” she snickered.

  “Threatening? No, no, no. I simply pointed out that you were in no way guilty of anything and that should they decide otherwise, The Green City Chronicle would be more than a little interested in covering the story. Extensively covering the story, I may have said.”

  Clarissa grinned. “You’re awesome. Seriously, thank you for doing that for me. You didn’t have to stick your neck out for me like that, especially after the way I’ve treated you,” she told him sheepishly.

  “What are you talking about?” Parker deadpanned. “You’re a joy.”

  “Ha! I’m sorry.”

  “No hard feelings,” he assured her. “What happened to the Gazette was awful. I’m the son of the Gazette’s owner – I get why you were so hard on me, believe me. I just hope you know my father didn’t personally make the decision to put you out of a job. He simply –”

  “He delegated to the wrong people,” Clarissa finished the sentence for him. “I know. I remember you saying so.” At first she hadn’t been sure whether to believe Parker, but now she was leaning toward trusting him.

  “So what happened in there?” Parker asked.

  It was tempting to keep the details to herself so she could be the first to report on it, but that didn’t seem right. Parker had, after all, gone to great lengths to help her. So she told him the truth, sparing no detail. She felt that was the honorable thing to do.

  “Chase gave a full confession. He went to Jed’s cabin the night of the murder to confront him. Chase had worked for the mayor’s office, but was fired when photos of him acting drunk and disorderly at a frat party surfaced online. He felt Jed had destroyed his career in politics.”

  “Wow! So he didn’t go there planning to kill Jed?”

  “Chase claimed it was an accident,” Clarissa confirmed. “Jed didn’t want to talk to him but Chase forced his way in. So then Jed pulled a gun on him – the gun from Bonnie’s father, which I guess he kept at the cabin. There was a struggle and the gun went off.”

  “What about the check on the floor made out to Adam Burke?” Parker asked curiously. “Was that just a strange coincidence or what?”

  “No. Adam was there at the cabin the night of the murder. He was there to pick up his hush money from Jed, I guess. From what I understand, Adam arrived right around the time the gun went off. He witnessed what happened and took off running into the woods – he likely thought he was next.”

  “I am very impressed,” Parker said.

  “Impressed with what?”

  “You,” he replied. “You overheard those girls talking in the coffee shop and suddenly you figured out whodunit! How on earth did you manage that? I heard the same thing you did but it didn’t even make me suspicious.”

  “That’s because you’re not from here,” Clarissa pointed out. “When I heard those girls talking I remembered some local gossip from a while back. I knew the mayor had an intern who was fired for mooning a camera or something. But I didn’t know Chase was that intern. I assumed he had been hired afterwards as, you know, a replacement.”

  “But then you overheard the girls talking and suddenly everything fell into place?”

  “I guess you could say that. I also remembered that when Chase turned up at Black & Burke Investors unannounced, Adam acted strange. He was on an important call and yet he allowed Chase to interrupt. It was almost as though he was afraid of Chase.”

  “Or he was afraid that Chase might try to frame him for the murder,” Parker suggested.

  “Or go after him!” Clarissa chimed in, enjoying the speculation.

  “The point is I’m really impressed. Good job.”

  “I’m kicking myself for not catching on sooner,” Clarissa grumbled.

  “What? No, don’t do that. What you managed to accomplish was remarkable.” Parker was staring at her in total and utter amazement. It was the way one might admire a famous celebrity. He was staring at her with such awe that for a moment she wondered if she had somehow sprouted a second head.

  “Well you were pretty amazing yourself,” Clarissa told him. “The way you ran after Chase?”

  “I used to run track in high school,” Parker shrugged. “So where are we headed? Can I take you out for a bite to eat? You know, a dinner to celebrate solving a crime and earning yourself a ten thousand dollar reward?”

  “Wait! Say that last part again?”

  Parker grinned. “Didn’t you hear? One of Bonnie Black’s rich country club acquaintances was convinced she didn’t do it. The acquaintance posted a reward for any information leading to the arrest of the real killer. So you, my dear, are ten thousand dollars richer.”

  Once Parker’s words sunk in, Clarissa felt all the tension melt right out of her body. It was the lifeline she had so desperately dreamed about but had never thought would ever actually come along. Her money troubles were over and her childhood home was safe!

  “You should get half,” Clarissa told Parker immediately. “You played a big part in this.”

  “Nonsense,” Parker replied. “It was all you. But I do want to take you to dinner. I feel like that last one didn’t exactly go as planned,” he admitted sheepishly. “I guess that was my fault for springing the job offer on you like that, huh?”

  Clarissa reddened.

  “I promise this time I won’t blindside you with unwanted job offers,” Parker vowed, holding up his hand as though he was making a solemn vow. “So where would you like to go?”

  After a moment’s hesitation, Clarissa gave him an apologetic look. “Actually, would you mind taking me home? It’s been quite a day, I have tons to do and tomorrow I have to get someone to drive me to Green City so I can pick up my car from the airport. I’m just really tired and –”

  “Say no more. I understand. Maybe we can get dinner some other time…you know, on a day when we haven’t been frisked in an airport after a confrontation with a killer. Hey, if you want to give me your keys I can drive your car into town tomorrow,” Parker offered.

  “You don’t have to do that.”

  “I know. I want to.”

  Clarissa smiled and pulled her car keys from her purse. “I owe you one.”

  Parker dropped her off at her house and then drove off into the sunset. Clarissa went inside and was immediately greeted by Cat. After fixing her companion some dinner and devouring half a box of chocolate chip cookies, she felt ready to claw her way back to the top of her game.

  She changed into a comfy pair of sweatpants, sat down at her desk and began to write.

  Chapter 20

  Clarissa was so tired she could barely think straight.

  She had pulled an all-nighter and in a way, it had reminded her of being back in college. But this time, she hadn’t been staying up late to cram for an exam or write an essay she had put off until the last minute. No, this time she had been forging her own career path.

  After staying up all night, she had called Liana just as the sun was rising.

  True to her word, her best friend had shown up at the town square, giant coffees in hand.

  Together, they had begun to hand out the very first issue of Sugar-free.

  The logo was a cute pink cupcake with a big X through it, courtesy of Liana’s graphic design genius. The premise was that the newspaper was a no-nonsense publication devoted to the truth – and free of sugar-coating.

  “We’ve only been here fifteen minute and almost every issue is gone!” Liana remarked in awe.

  “It’s because it’s free,” Clarissa said wryly. “People love a freebie.”

  “That’s true, but you’re selling yourself short. I overheard people asking you if they could subscribe, and I saw you taking down names. How many subscriptions are you up to now?” Liana asked.

  “Um, let’s see…” Clarissa pulled out the notebook she had been jotting names down in an
d began to count. “Fifty,” she declared a moment later. “That’s not counting any subscriptions that may have been filled online,” she added.

  “Fifty people subscribed to your paper in the first fifteen minutes after it went live?” Liana gasped. “That is incredible! You are incredible!”

  “Make that fifty-one,” a familiar voice said from behind Clarissa.

  She turned and saw Parker standing there.

  “I’ve got to keep an eye on what the competition is doing,” he grinned, handing over her car keys. “So this is the opportunity you were pursuing, is it?”

  Clarissa’s heart sank. “I probably should have told you,” she admitted. “I didn’t want you to find out like this. It wasn’t that it was a big secret, but I just…wanted it to be perfect and ready-to-go before I made any announcements about it. I know that’s not an excuse but –”

  “Relax, I’m not upset,” Parker interjected. “Slightly scared maybe,” he joked. “But a little healthy competition can be good motivation, right? Congratulations on your success, Clarissa. And I’m serious – sign me up for a subscription.”

  He picked up a newspaper and read the big, bold headline on the front page out loud.

  “‘Local Man Confesses to Killing Mayor’ – wow, talk about breaking news. You must have been up all night getting this written,” Parker said, whistling under his breath. “You’re dedicated to your work, I’ll give you that.”

  “I was up all night,” Clarissa admitted, stifling a yawn.

  “So I guess you don’t want to grab a bite with me,” Parker surmised.

  “She’d love to grab a bite with you!” Liana piped up, practically shoving Clarissa toward Parker. “She loves lunch! Well, who doesn’t love lunch, right? Anyway yes, go, eat! Take your time - I’ll finish up here.”

  Clarissa smiled and helplessly threw her hands up in defeat. “I guess we’re having lunch,” she told Parker, making a mental note to do something very, very nice for Liana in the near future. She really did have the best friend in the whole world.

  Clarissa and Parker walked down the street to the little sandwich shop on the corner. It was bustling with activity inside and out. All the talk was, naturally, about Chase Preston. It was evident that the residents of Sugarcomb Lake were having a hard time wrapping their heads around what the town’s golden boy had done.

  “I never liked that Preston boy!” Clarissa heard Mrs. Meddler’s voice, shriller and louder than all the others. “I always said right from the start there was something about him. His eyes were too close together!” she declared. “Never trust someone with beady little eyes!”

  Clarissa started to giggle. Trust grouchy old Mrs. Meddler to completely reinvent history whenever it suited her to do so. The way that woman changed her story depending on which way the wind was blowing was downright absurd. At least she kept things interesting.

  “How do my eyes look?” Parker whispered in her ear. Obviously he’d heard Mrs. Meddler too.

  “You look good,” Clarissa grinned.

  Parker winked. “Thanks, so do you.”

  She looked around at the crowded tables. It was impossible to ignore the fact that a lot of people were staring at her. Apparently word about her involvement in solving the crime was beginning to get out. It looked as though she was going to be a bit of a local celebrity, at least until the townspeople were distracted by something or someone else.

  “Do you maybe want to take these and eat outside?” Clarissa suggested as the sandwich shop owner handed over two delicious looking subs. “I know it’s kind of cold, but –”

  “It’s not that cold,” Parker insisted, instantly picking up on the fact that she wasn’t comfortable being the center of attention. “How about we walk to the park and find a bench with a nice view? Hopefully the pigeons won’t attack us for our sandwiches,” he joked.

  They made the short walk to the quiet, well-kept park. Colorful leaves swirled around them in the wind as they sat there and unpacked their sandwiches. Thankfully the sun was bright and warm, making the brisk autumn day comfortable.

  “So what’s next for you, Clarissa Spencer?”

  “What do you mean?” she asked before taking a mouthful of delicious submarine sandwich.

  “Well you’re accustomed to this wild and crazy life of adventure now,” Parker explained, his eyes twinkling. “What are you going to do now that you don’t have airport brawls to get into and killers to catch? Won’t you get bored?”

  She thought it over while she chewed. Upon swallowing, she replied, “I grew up here in Sugarcomb Lake. I can see how it might be boring to someone like you who’s from the city. But to me, this is home. I don’t mind uneventful. I expect life will go back to normal and that will be that,” she shrugged.

  Suddenly Clarissa felt her phone vibrate inside her purse.

  “Is everything okay?” Parker asked.

  “Yes, fine. That was just someone texting me, that’s all.”

  “Feel free to check it,” he said.

  “Are you sure? You won’t think I’m being rude?”

  “Go for it,” Parker encouraged her. “I’m going to go share my sandwich with those birds over there,” he said, pointing. “If I’m not back in sixty seconds call for help because the birds are probably eating me.”

  Clarissa pulled out her phone.

  She had a text message from her aunt wanting to know when they could have dinner together.

  Hmm, on second thought, life wasn’t going to go back to normal. In fact, Clarissa expected it might never be normal again. Well, she would find a new normal…one that included levitating objects and magical potions and a quirky aunt who claimed they were both witches.

  Chuckling to herself, Clarissa had to shake her head. When had she become okay with that madness? It was as if at some point she had accepted it as being normal. Maybe that was a sign she was cracking up!

  “What’s so funny?” Parker asked as he returned to the bench. Behind him, the birds were eating the remnants of his submarine sandwich noisily and enthusiastically.

  “I uh…nothing,” Clarissa said, caught off guard. She pulled a brown paper bag out of her purse and rolled her eyes. “I completely forgot that I packed a lunch today,” she told him, smacking her forehead. “Ah well, now I have lunch for tomorrow I guess.”

  “Nice. Pack anything good?” Parker asked, taking a seat next to her.

  “Cookies,” she blushed. “Want one?”

  She opened the brown paper bag and immediately shut it again.

  “What’s the matter?” Parker asked.

  “Wrong bag,” she told him apologetically. “I had two brown paper bags sitting on my kitchen counter. One was full of cookies and the other was…” She trailed off, unsure of how to admit she had been trying out various potions just for fun.

  “Yes?” he prompted her. Then he reached for the bag.

  “Hey!” she protested, but it was too late.

  Parker opened the bag and inspected the contents. He looked really confused to see half a dozen small plastic containers filled with various powders and murky liquids. Then he looked up at Clarissa, who was frozen stiff. “I never took you for a science geek,” he teased.

  She breathed a sigh of relief and took the bag back from him.

  They were both done eating, but neither person was in a hurry to leave. Instead they sat there in comfortable silence, both enjoying the view and each other’s company.

  Clarissa looked down at the bag she was clutching tightly.

  She recalled making one potion in particular that had sounded awfully intriguing. It had been one of several love-related potions in the book her aunt had given her. It was called Love’s First Kiss. It essentially allowed one to kiss a person and then sprinkle magical powder on them to make them forget that the kiss had ever happened.

  Personally, Clarissa had thought the premise sounded rather creepy. She had only made the potion to use up the ingredients she had picked up at the grocery stor
e before they spoiled – not that the dried parsley would go bad. She had been wise to forego the fresh stuff.

  Now that she was sitting so close to Parker and they were getting along, she was overcome by an urge to kiss him. Every time he talked she found herself gazing longingly at his lips. But the thought of making the first move terrified her and, well, after how she had treated him in the beginning she could hardly blame him if he wanted to keep his distance.

  Suddenly the Love’s First Kiss potion didn’t seem like such a bad idea after all.

  Clarissa could kiss Parker and gauge his reaction. That way she would know how he truly felt about her. Then she could sprinkle the powder and make him forget all about the kiss.

  The plan was actually pretty perfect.

  She shivered in anticipation.

  “Are you warm enough?” Parker asked. “You can wear my coat if you want.”

  Instead of answering, Clarissa took the plunge. She knew if she didn’t act immediately, she would lose her nerve. So without any warning, she leaned over and planted a kiss right on Parker Tweed’s lips.

  At first he seemed understandably stunned – and then he kissed her back.

  When the kiss ended, Clarissa’s nerves got the best of her. She frantically got out the container of Love’s First Kiss, which was basically a mixture of parsley, sage, sea salt, cinnamon, hot pepper flakes and a few other items from the spice rack.

  With shaking hands, she unscrewed the top. Then she dumped some of the powder into her cupped palm, took a deep breath and tossed it right at Parker. Sure, it was a crazy thing to do. But he wouldn’t remember anyway, so what did it matter?

  Parker let out a yell and jumped to his feet. He dusted off his coat as Clarissa looked on anxiously. Then he sat back down and didn’t say another word about it. Success!

  “Are you ready to head back?” Clarissa asked, her face still burning and her heart pounding. She felt warm and tingly all over after the kiss. She could hardly keep her big, stupid grin from taking over her entire face.

  “I suppose I should get back to the city,” Parker said reluctantly. “I’ll walk you to your car.”