Barking up the Wrong Tree: Willow Bay Witches #2

by Silver, Samantha

  “What’s going on here?” suddenly came a familiar, booming voice. I looked to where it came from and saw Chief Gary’s form making his way over.

  “She punched me in the face,” Kelly sobbed, her voice muffled as she hid her face in her hands, nodding at Sophie.

  “Is that true, Sophie?” Chief Gary asked, and she held out her hands.

  “Yes, but only because she deserved it.”

  “That’s not actually an excuse, you know. Officer Shaw, please arrest Sophie and take her in to the station.”

  “What?” I cried out. “You can’t do that!”

  “I’m sorry Angela, but I have to.”

  I looked over at Taylor, who was awkwardly walking towards his girlfriend.

  “It’s fine, it’s just a misunderstanding,” Sophie said to him, holding out her hands. I knew Taylor wouldn’t arrest Sophie if she put up a fight, and Sophie must have known that as well. Her capitulating was just her trying to save her boyfriend’s job. “Besides, I like the handcuffs,” I heard her whisper to Taylor, whose face went beet red. Even I had to grin.

  “Excuse me, Chief Gary,” I heard a voice say. It was Jason.

  “Yes, Jason?” Chief Gary replied, visibly annoyed. “I don’t have any comment right now, if that’s what you’re asking.”

  “No, no, not at all. I just wanted to tell you, I took video of the whole thing. If you have a look, you’ll see that Sophie here was actually acting in defense of a third party, Angela, who was attacked first.”

  Chief Gary looked suspiciously over at the phone Jason was handing him, then motioned for Taylor to wait a moment while he watched the video.

  “Why isn’t it obvious? I’m here bleeding and she’s not! She attacked me!” Kelly cried, and the murmur of the crowd around us showed they disagreed.

  “Only because you attacked me first,” I shot back.

  “I did not!”

  “Well there’s video of it, isn’t there?”

  Chief Gary was intently looking at the video Jason had shot. I heard my shout, then the punch, then Kelly’s screams. The video suddenly stopped, and it seemed like every single person in earshot was solely focused on Chief Gary.

  “The video makes it clear who the aggressor was. Shaw, uncuff Ms. Mashimoto please,” he ordered. “I’m sorry Sophie.”

  “No problem,” Sophie replied casually. I knew this was far from the first time she’d ever gotten into trouble.

  “As for you, Miss Dottory, I’m going to give you the benefit of the doubt and assume that you were overcome with grief and made a bad decision.”

  “Why aren’t you arresting her?” Kelly whined.

  “You’re lucky I’m not arresting you,” Chief Gary shot back. “Angela here didn’t deserve to be attacked for taking care of a dog that’s in her care, and she may still choose to press charges.”

  Kelly’s protests turned into no more than a whimper.

  “Now, I suggest that everyone move on,” Chief Gary announced in a booming voice. Slowly the crowd that had gathered began to disperse, as the residents of Willow Bay muttered among themselves. We were absolutely going to be the talk of the town for the next day or so, no doubt about it.

  “Son, I’m going to email myself this video from your phone,” Chief Gary told Jason.

  “Sure thing, Chief,” Jason replied, winking at me. Chief Gary noticed it, and frowned, moving his focus to the small screen of Jason’s iPhone.

  “Right. Angela, please come and see me sometime in the next few days if you want to press charges,” Chief Gary told me, but I could tell from the expression on his face and the weariness that just exuded off him that it was the last thing he wanted to deal with. Especially with the murder and the suspicion of gangs in town.

  “I wouldn’t worry about it,” I told Chief Gary, with a smile. “I’m fine, I think we can just let it go.”

  “Alright, thanks for letting me know so quickly, Angela,” Chief Gary replied, but I knew he was secretly thanking me for making that decision. I nodded, and a minute later he left.

  “Seems like I’m always getting you guys out of trouble,” Jason said, a glimmer in his eye. I scowled at him.

  “We were doing fine without you.”

  “Really?” he asked, arching an eyebrow. “If your best friend being taken away in handcuffs is your idea of ‘doing fine’, I’d hate to see what a bad day looks like.”

  “That’d be me being taken away in handcuffs,” I joked, and earned a punch in the arm from Sophie for that one.

  “That’s not funny.”

  “I dunno, you didn’t seem to mind the handcuffs too much, at least not with Taylor putting them on you.”

  Even Sophie couldn’t hide the blush that time, and I grinned.

  “Anyway, thank you Jason,” Sophie told him. “Despite Angela’s claims to the contrary, I do appreciate you keeping me out of jail, and an assault charge.”

  “Anything for a friend of Angie’s,” Jason replied.

  “I thought I told you to stop calling me that,” I muttered, but really, it was only half-heartedly. To be honest, I was glad that Jason had stepped forward and stopped Sophie from being arrested.

  “How come you videoed that, anyway?” I asked.

  “I’m a journalist. Just because I live in Willow Bay doesn’t mean I shouldn’t expect interesting things to happen here or there. This one’s going on the paper’s Facebook page.”

  “Wow, that’s more work than anyone’s put into the local paper since, well, forever,” I had to admit. Jason was nothing if not motivated.

  “Yeah, well, it turns out there isn’t that much to do in Willow Bay. There’s only so much investigative journalism you can do about the post office getting a re-paint. The lady at the hardware store kindly told me exactly what shade of red they ordered. It’s the same as the last one.”

  I snorted with laughter. I actually felt kind of sorry for Jason; coming from New York City to Willow Bay had to be a change.

  “If you want to be really investigative, find out exactly what flavour cheesecake Betty’s making for the summer,” I offered. “That’s what the people really want.”

  “Wait, Betty’s making cheesecake this summer?” Sophie asked.

  “Why is that what everyone’s most excited about?” Jason asked. “I tell people about drug smuggling and they ask about the cheesecake.”

  “Haven’t you tried Betty’s cakes?” I asked.

  “Not really,” Jason replied, shrugging. “I haven’t exactly been here that long.”

  “Well, the two of you should go get some one day,” Sophie broke in, and I gave her a look that I hoped would make her wither into the ground. If ever there was a reason to break the “no magic in front of normal humans” rule, putting a spell on her to make her stop talking right now was definitely up there.

  Jason grinned. “Maybe one day, hey Angie?”

  “Yeah, one day,” I mumbled, the blush crawling up my face once more. What the hell, Sophie? She was supposed to be my best friend.

  “Anyway, I gotta run. Lots of investigative journalism to be done.” With a wink at me and a wave at Sophie and Charlotte, Jason was gone. And maybe, just maybe I couldn’t help myself from looking at his butt as he walked off. His cute, perky, perfectly formed butt.

  Stop it, Angela, I scolded myself. Just, stop.

  “You’re supposed to be my best friend,” I said to Sophie, glaring.

  “One day you’ll realize that was the best thing I could have done for you,” Sophie replied, laughing. “I think I proved I was your best friend by saving you from that Kardashian wannabe anyway.”

  “Yeah, thanks for that,” I told her, grinning.

  “No problem, she deserved it. It would have fully been worth going to jail for.”

  “Well, regardless, I’m glad you didn’t.”

  “Me too, really. Though I’d get to see a lot of Taylor,” Sophie added with a grin, and I rolled my eyes.

  “Well, that was enough adven
ture for me for one day,” Charlotte said. “Let’s go home.”

  I hadn’t even noticed that Sprinkles was so tired he’d lay down at my feet and was now fast asleep.

  “I think that’s a good idea,” I replied with a smile, looking down at the sweet little dog.

  Chapter 15

  “I’m telling you, I think she did it,” Sophie said adamantly when we were driving to the vet clinic the next day.

  “Who did what?” Bee asked sleepily from her spot on my lap.

  “Who killed Andrea Dottory,” I answered.

  “Oh, easy. Everyone,” Bee answered, and I laughed. “I mean, I don’t disagree with you, Sophie,” I told my best friend. Sophie was now convinced that Kelly Dottory had killed her aunt for the money. “She obviously has a problem with impulse control, and she has an awesome motive. I just think that we should go check out Antonia’s alibi first. Then if it turns out she couldn’t have possibly committed the murder, we can look more closely at Kelly.”

  “Fine,” Sophie replied. “We’ll go see Betty at lunch. But I’m telling you, that Kelly girl is the type that could kill, easily.”

  I spent the morning diagnosing a dog with an infected tooth, scheduling the emergency removal, prescribing steroids for another dog who had summer allergies and getting puked on by a little kitten who hadn’t quite figured out how his digestive system was supposed to work yet. Finally, at 12:30, I put the “back in an hour” sign on the door, along with my cell number in case of emergencies, changed out of my scrubs, and Sophie and I went down to Betty’s for lunch while Karen went off to do some errands.

  Luckily, there were two stools at the counter still available, and Sophie and I made a beeline for them. The counter was prime real estate for having a chat with Betty.

  “Hi girls!” Betty greeted us. “How are you doing?”

  “Good thanks, Betty,” I replied. “How about you?”

  “Oh business has been booming! I’ve been rushed off my feet. All this talk about murder, I feel like this café is basically the town equivalent of the water cooler.”

  I smiled. “Don’t say that too loudly, soon they’ll start suspecting you of murdering people just to bring in customers.”

  Betty gave me a motherly glance that said she both disapproved of my comment, but also kind of found it funny. I was pretty sure I’d made the same joke when Tony Nyman had been killed, but luckily Betty didn’t point that out. “So what can I get for you girls?”

  “A veggie BLT and a slice of apple pie, please,” I said. Lowering my voice, I added “A little birdie told me you’re adding cheesecake to the menu for the summer. Can I ask how much longer we have to wait before we get to enjoy it?”

  Betty wagged the wooden spoon she was holding at me with a smile on her face.

  “Someone’s been talking! Maybe I’ll be the one with some gossip to tell the others soon,” Betty teased, and I felt my face going red.

  “Absolutely you will!” Sophie chimed in. “It’s only a matter of time before those two get together!”

  “Oh stop it,” I scolded Sophie. “That is absolutely not in a million years going to happen.”

  “Well I’m not going to lie, I care more about the answer to Angela’s cheesecake question than her love life,” Sophie replied, and we both looked at Betty expectantly, who sighed.

  “Fine. You girls win. Come back a week from Friday. Strawberry, and chocolate pecan are the two flavours.”

  Sophie and I looked at each other, eyes gleaming, barely able to contain our excitement. I was so going to gain like 20 pounds this summer, and it was going to be delicious.

  Sophie ordered a club sandwich, then we settled in while Betty went to take the orders from a large group of Japanese tourists who had arrived and taken one of the corner tables.

  “I’m going to be all over that chocolate pecan cheesecake,” Sophie told me, rubbing her hands together.

  “Shh, keep your voice down,” I scolded. “No one else is supposed to know about that.”

  “Oh, I’m sorry, I forgot, I wouldn’t want to get your boyfriend into trouble.”

  I rolled my eyes while Sophie laughed at me.

  “Oh no!” I said, keeping my eyes rolled. “I rolled my eyes at you so many times now they’re stuck! I guess my eyes are going to be like this forever. Thanks Sophie!”

  This time it was her turn to roll her eyes. “You are the lamest person I have ever met, I don’t even know why I’m friends with you.”

  Our bonding moment was interrupted by Bella coming back with our plates of food. I took the opportunity to ask her about Antonia.

  “So I heard Antonia got taken in for questioning by the cops a second time,” I started as I picked up a fry and started munching on it. Betty leaned her arms on the counter.

  “Yes, it’s unbelievable. I don’t think she could have done it. In fact, I know she couldn’t have.”

  “Really? Why’s that?” Sophie asked. I couldn’t help but notice the gleam in her eye; Sophie was desperate to clear Antonia’s name so we could focus on Kelly.

  “Well the police came in the other day and asked me about Antonia’s whereabouts the day of the murder. And you know, she was here! I remember it clearly, because she came in at around 10 and started telling everyone that she had it under good authority that the city was actually buying their paint to re-paint the post office from a box store in Portland instead of from the local hardware store. And I have tea with Patricia Wilson every week, and her nephew works at the hardware store, and he told her about the big order they got for the paint. So I told Antonia she was mistaken. She didn’t take too kindly to that and stormed off. I didn’t think much more of it until she came back an hour later an announced that Andrea had been killed.”

  “So Antonia was definitely here when Andrea was killed. So she couldn’t have done it.”

  “That’s what I told the police. Exactly.”

  Betty went off to help other customers while Sophie and I ate our food. I smiled at Sophie, who was now free to explore the idea that Kelly was the murderer as much as she wanted. After all, the police’s prime suspect had been eliminated from the suspect pool.

  Betty mentioning Jason reminded me of something he had said the other day, however, and I had suddenly gotten an idea of how I could figure out how exactly Andrew Powers had spent his day off. By tomorrow, I was hoping I would have either eliminated another major suspect, or confirmed that he was in Willow Bay. If I was lucky, that was.

  Chapter 16

  As soon as I got home that afternoon after work, I went into my bedroom to my desk where I kept my laptop. I created a new user in Chrome and made a fake gmail address. Then, I went to a stock photo site and started browsing pictures of girls who looked both provocative, but still pretty cute.

  I ended up settling on a picture of a girl that looked a bit like a selfie taken in a park. The sun kissed her hair as she posed for the photo. The revealing top meant a bit of her cleavage was visible, and she was doing a duck face to the camera. Perfect for the reason I wanted it.

  I smiled as I downloaded the picture, then opened up Facebook.

  My fingers hovered over the keys for a minute. Was this really a good idea? I mean, it wasn’t like I was going to be doing this for any bad reason, I just wanted to see if there were any clues as to what Andrew Powers had really been up to the day of Andrea’s murder.

  The rationalization helped steel my resolve, and a few minutes later I had a fake profile made. Maria Stevens lived in Portland, was twenty three years old, liked rock bands and cheesy movies. I liked a bunch of random pages, friended a bunch of random people Facebook recommended for Sophie when I chose her old high school, and twenty minutes later I had a few friends who had accepted my request (mainly male) and a pretty legitimate looking Facebook account.

  I smiled to myself just a little bit. I felt like a bit of a hacker mastermind. Hitting up the search bar, I typed in “Andrew Powers”. His profile was the second one down, and I clic
ked it. He didn’t really have much information publically available; just his profile picture and cover image. I clicked to add friend.

  If I was lucky, Andrew would be a frequent user of his Facebook account, and I wouldn’t have too long to wait. It had actually been Jason telling me about the article he was writing about catfishing people online - pretending to be someone you’re not to get someone to enter into a relationship with you on the internet – that gave me this idea to check on Andrew Powers’ day.

  I had no intention of getting into a relationship with him, of course. I just wanted to see if he’d posted anything about his personal day.

  After making the friend request, I found myself getting too edgy just sitting at the computer. It seemed like every two seconds my eyes went up to the little friend icon at the top of the screen, desperately waiting for Andrew Powers to accept my friend request. I went out to the living room and started helping to chop up some vegetables for the enchiladas Sophie was cooking up for dinner.

  “Hey! Angela! Are you even listening to me?”

  “What’s that? Sorry,” I said, giving my sister a sheepish look as she waved her hand in front of my face. “I’m just a little bit distracted, I’ve got a plan to hopefully find out what Andrew Powers was doing the day of the murder.”

  “Well it had better not involve any magic,” my sister scolded. “And it had certainly better not involve breaking any laws.”

  “It definitely doesn’t involve magic. And I’m pretty sure it’s not illegal,” I added hastily. Was pretending to be someone you’re not online illegal? Surely not. Hopefully not.

  “Well as I was saying, I think we should look at Sophie’s idea that the niece is behind all this. I don’t like that Kelly girl. I get the feeling she’s the type who would do anything for money, and who loses her temper quickly when she doesn’t get what she wants.”

  “I agree,” I replied. “I think she definitely could have done it. Though I think Sophie’s extra pissed at her because she almost got Sophie arrested.”