A Charming Crime (Magical Cures Mystery Series)

by Tonya Kappes

  A bit of happiness was in my soul. There were things I had to do, like get a lawyer, figure out how to get a mold of those footprints at the lake, and talk to Gerald.

  The sun hit the side-table and illuminated Darla’s journal. I was going to try to read a little bit of it before bed last night, but the smudging ceremony mentally exhausted me and before I knew it, my head hit the pillow and I was out. Luckily I didn’t have another nightmare, so maybe the smudging thing should happen every night.

  I rub my finger over the gold lettering on the old cover. I couldn’t help but wonder if she had deliberately left it for me just in case I did find my way back to Whispering Falls and discover that I was like my father—a spiritualist.

  Mr. Prince Charming curled up on the pillow, next to my head, when he realized it was going to be one of those mornings. Lazy.

  I turned the cover. Mildew and dust tickled my nose. The pages were crisp. Almost fragile as if they were dry-rotted.

  Eloise and I made our pact today. The only other person I told was Izzy. There was no way I was going to tell Otto. He’s so professional and if he knew I was talking to Eloise, he’d throw a fit. I wish knew what Eloise did to get banned from the village, but Izzy won’t tell me and I can’t let anyone else know that I found her. She really could be a lot of help around here in making A Dose of Darla a real potion shop. I’m just glad I can help her use her gifts. Plus June loves her.

  How in the world did I love someone I didn’t even remember? If I loved her so much, why wasn’t she in my life? I was sure that Izzy could answer those questions.

  Mewl, mewl. Mr. Prince Charming had enough of Darla’s journal.

  “Fine. Let’s get going.” I threw the bedspread back and planted my feet in the shag carpet. It was way better than the old hardwood floors the Cape Cod had. Quickly I glanced at the next entry before I put the journal back on the table. There didn’t seem to be anything that popped out at me. Nothing that couldn’t wait until later.

  We made our way to our new kitchen. No different than every other morning, I made my coffee and threw a scoop of cat food in Mr. Prince Charming’s bowl. I had no idea why I bother. He ends up eating my leftovers or I just make double.

  Out of the corner of my eye, I saw someone walking down the empty street of Whispering Falls. It was still early and the streets wouldn’t be filled for a couple of more hours.

  I could see a woman with short red hair and wore a long cloak. She was mumbling something and swinging a long chain.

  “What in the world?” I squinted to confirm that she was swinging smoke out of a ball at the other end of the chain.

  Izzy came into the light wearing a different A-line skirt, a purple choice today, and the same pointy-toed ankle boots. She gestured towards my house. I ducked in case they saw me spying on them.

  “Who are you and why are you looking up here?” This was a feeling I didn’t like. After all I was still the only suspect in Ann’s death.

  It’s wasn’t me they should be looking at. I can’t say my smudging ceremony technique was a gift or more of bull on my part, but I did know that Gerald got sick and left. According to smudging “rules,” if someone gets sick during the ceremony, they have evil souls.

  I took a sip of my coffee and looked at Mr. Prince Charming. “I can drink tea in the morning instead of this.” I set the mug down and went back into my bedroom to get ready.

  I had plenty of time to grab a cup of tea before work and ask Gerald a few questions, plus find out who that woman was.

  By the time we had gotten out of the house, the streets were already beginning to fill up with visitors, and lines had formed in front of many of the shops.

  Of course there was a line at the Gathering Grove. It seemed to be the big hangout for everyone in the village. Plus it was the only place in Whispering Falls to eat.

  “Hi, June.” Chandra’s hands were filled with a sac full of goodies. “I love to have these sitting out when clients come in. It’s all about pampering the soul, and it helps to pamper the stomach. I’m surprised to see you here.”

  “I thought I’d try out what I hear is the best cup of tea in town.” I held the door for her.

  “And see if Gerald is an evil soul?” She chuckled.

  “No, why would I think he was evil?” He did run off during the smudging ceremony which may have meant a couple of things. One, that he was a bad soul, or two, that he was hiding something. I picked number two and that was exactly why I was there.

  Before she could answer, a flurry of visitors pushed their way through the door.

  “Stop by and I’ll give you a free manicure.” Chandra held her sack tight. “We can catch up then.”

  “Ok!” I shouted over the crowd.

  I got mixed up in the group and continued to make my way to the register to order my drink. There wasn’t going to be any time to question Gerald because the long line in front of me was going to take up any free time I would have before I needed to open the shop.

  I looked around, but couldn’t see over everyone’s head. Gerald was nowhere to be found, nor his top hat. Mr. Primrose, the realtor, was standing a couple of people in front of me in the line.

  “Mr. Primrose, how do the new owners like my old house?” I was curious to see how they were getting along.

  “Um. . .June dear, that was bought by the village. We need you here, so you can visit anytime you’d like.” His face turned red. “I’m not good at lying. I’m sure it would be fine with the council if I told you the truth.”

  If they didn’t sell my house, then maybe there were some clues to what happened to my bracelet. I had the bracelet on when I went to bed on my last night there. I didn’t have it on when I was packing the boxes.

  “Hello, June!” Bella shouted from behind the counter once I got to the front of the line. “That bracelet was meant for you.”

  I lifted my hand up and admired it with her. It was a perfect fit, but I still missed my turtle. Though I wasn’t sure if I wanted it back because it had been in the clutches of a dead hand.

  “What are you doing here?” I asked. There had to be a reasonable explanation. “Where’s Gerald?”

  She looked around before she answered. She leaned over the counter and whispered, “He’s ill. But hopefully will be back tomorrow. Quick frankly, I’m surprised to see you here.”

  That was now the second person to tell me that in less than ten minutes.

  “Everyone seems to be surprised to see me.” I was beginning to believe there was a rumor going around about me that I should be in jail.

  “You tried to kill me!” Gerald screamed from across the room. He rushed over. His bottom lip quivered. Or what was once the outline of his lips. His eyes were swollen so much that all I could see were little slits. With his fists clinched to his side, he growled, “You do not belong in this village. You are nothing like Otto or Darla!”

  I tried to kill you? My eyes bulged. I was unable to think, and nothing was coming out of my mouth. Everyone stopped drinking their tea, and eating their goodies. All eyes were on me.

  “I. . .” I gasped for air.

  “I. . .I what? Didn’t think you’d get caught? Well, I’ve got a call into that police officer from Locust Grove, checking into your background!” He shook his fist at me. “You will not be able to practice your spirituality here until you are found not guilty! Order of the council!”

  A collective gasp filled the air. My legs felt like they were filled with lead, unable to move.

  “Don’t do that to her, Gerald.” Bella moved from behind the counter and took me into her arms. “She didn’t know that you are severely allergic to cedar.”

  Cedar? I quickly recalled my specifically getting into the cedar portion of last night’s smudging ceremony. I especially fanned the smoke near the members of the council to show them that I might know what I was talking about with the spiritual stuff. But truth be told, I was winging it the entire time. Why in the world did I listen to my gut like Darl
a said in her journal?

  “If she’s a spiritualist, she’d know.” His jaw clinched and he glared. “Get out! I will let you know when the committee is going to meet.”

  I ran out without looking back. I slammed into someone, knocking them down.

  “June?” Izzy was laid out flat with her purple skirt flung in the air. She fought the skirt tooth and nail to keep the crinoline down, but it was winning.

  “I’m so sorry,” I gasped reaching for her hand to help her up. Instead I fell on the pavement next to her and burst into tears. “I’m a failure. I’m not a spiritualist. I should’ve never moved here.”

  “That is nonsense.” She stood up and brushed herself off. “Get up and come with me.”

  I did exactly what she told me to do. By the time we made it down to Mystic Lights, a crowd had gathered outside the Gathering Grove and everyone was staring at me.

  I briefly told Izzy what had happened in the Gathering Grove, including how I picked the herbs out for last night’s smudging ceremony.

  “First off, you didn’t try to kill anyone. We rushed you into moving here.” She unlocked the gate to Mystic Lights and once inside she locked it behind us. “Secondly, that is what a spiritualist does. You are listening to your instincts, the higher powers are telling you what to pick. And it worked! I had Eloise confirm it this morning.”

  “Eloise?”

  “Yes, she is a spiritualist who uses the power of incense to cleanse or empower the client. She’s amazing.” Izzy talked in a rush. “She said that everything is going to fine in the village. Just a hiccup or two. Maybe Gerald is one of those hiccups. But as a spiritualist, you know you can’t read another spiritualist unless they let you.” She tapped the crystal ball sitting on the counter. It wasn’t Madame Torres. I wished it were.

  The face appeared from the dark liquid and didn’t take her long-lashed eyes off me.

  Was the person in the crystal ball wanting to read me? I’d never believed in any of that stuff, like Darla—until now. I glanced around Mystic Lights to see if I could find Madame Torres, but the glass globe wasn’t anywhere to be found.

  Focus, focus. I peeled my eyes off of the shadowy face from the other crystal ball.

  “Can you tell me a little more about Eloise? And how to find her?” I asked. The face in the crystal ball continued to watch me and every move I mad.

  “She only visits every once in a while. There’s no need to worry about Eloise. I’m sure you’ll meet her one day.” She tapped the crystal ball with her long fingernail.

  “It’s just that Darla had some kind of agreement with her.” I shrugged, and lied. “I only want to find more out about my past.”

  That really wasn’t a lie. I wanted Eloise’s help. If Darla trusted her, maybe I could trust her in helping me clear my name.

  “Really,” Izzy’s voice boomed, “there is no need to contact Eloise. I don’t recall her ever knowing your mother.”

  Liar! I wanted to shout and point, but she wasn’t going to budge. One way or another, I was going to find Eloise.

  “What about the crystal ball I want? Where is it?” I looked around again.

  “That old thing? It’s probably been put away. I can’t remember. You need a new one. Once you settle in and we get this whole murder thing behind us, I’ll give you a lesson.”Izzy walked over to the gate.

  I wasn’t interested in a lesson. I was interested in what evil spirit was out to get me. Right now, Gerald seemed to be the only evil spiritualist out to get me. Or was he the one framing me? There was no way I was going to ask the relationship between Gerald and Ann. Izzy made it very clear she wasn’t interested in helping me.

  “Anyway, why don’t you take the day off and let me talk to Gerald when he calms down.”

  She patted my shoulder and nudged me toward the door. “I will let you know what happens. Just take some time for yourself today.”

  A customer hurried through the door.

  Sure you will. I was beginning to realize I couldn’t believe a word that came out of Izzy’s mouth. I was going to have to solve this thing on my own if I wanted to be clear. She was right about taking time off. Not only was I going to take the day off, I was going to drive back to Locust Grove, see if there are any funny footprints around my old house.

  I turned back around to face Izzy when I remembered what Gerald had said about me not being able to open my shop until I was found not guilty.

  “What about my shop?” Lines formed between my brows.

  “Oh, that.” She grabbed the crystal ball off the counter and shooed me off so she could help the next customer.

  I took it as a cue to wait on her to talk to Gerald. I couldn’t leave the shop closed for long. It was my income. It was how Mr. Prince Charming and I ate.

  “Are you going on a trip soon?” Izzy asked the customer as she rolled the cloudy, round glass in her hand.

  “Yes.” The customer drew back. “How did you know?”

  “Let’s just say I see sailboats in your future.” Her eyes lit up when a smile curled on her face. “Be sure to get some Dramamine from your doctor. You are going to have a fabulous time.”

  The customer nodded and they continued to carry on a conversation. I was sure Izzy was going to be dishing out even more advice.

  Chapter Fourteen

  I pulled up to the old Cape Cod, and my heart sank for Darla. Even when Darla died, I had always felt a presence. I didn’t feel that in Whispering Falls. Maybe it was the memoires that made me nostalgic. I could only hope the journal would help fill that void.

  The Green Machine seemed to groan with happiness when I turned it off. Mr. McGurtle’s house was as lonely as mine. I wondered if he ever came home or just stayed in Whispering Falls since I wasn’t his responsibility anymore.

  I grabbed my black bag and strapped it across my chest. I walked around what was left of the shed before I went in the house. Just a few boot prints from the firefighters and ashes were all that was left. Not even a piece of the test tubes I used to mix my crazy concoctions could not be found.

  I pulled on the screen door and it was unlocked just like it always was. Instantly a familiar smell consumed my soul. . .home.

  The old floor creaked as though I’d never left, and the furniture was still in place.

  I wiped a tear that had fallen down my cheek. Home sweet home, I sighed. Only I couldn’t come home until I cleared my name in Whispering Falls.

  With my shoulders back, I inhaled. I came here to do a job, and to find any evidence that someone had taken my bracelet.

  I went back outside and looked around, especially underneath the windows. The only way someone could break in, at night, would be to climb through one. That was exactly how Oscar use to get in.

  Many times I’d wake up and he’d be standing there without me ever hearing him come in. Darla finally caught on when she had some of her herbal pots in every window of the house, and the one in my room had been trampled.

  She never planted grass under my window because of Oscar. It became a joke that Oscar never came in the house through the front door.

  I bent down and looked at the dirt. There was a little earth scuffed up, and I took a better look. It sure looked like the shoe print in the mud at the lake where they found Ann.

  I took my phone out of my black bag and flipped through the photos to find the one that I had taken of the lake shoe print.

  “Hot damn!” I clicked the phone to camera and took a couple shots of the print.

  I ran back into the house and down to the basement. Once Darla wanted to be creative and make a cement mold with color broken glass. She said it was all the rage. Apparently not in our flea market. She never sold one. But I knew there was still cement mix in the basement.

  I mixed up a small batch and before I headed out the door, I remembered I had left a stash of Ding Dongs under the last basement step in case there was ever an emergency. I stuck my hand under the old wooden basement step and felt around until I had
the round delicious treat in my finger tips.

  Heaven. I held it in one hand and the mixture in the other. I trotted up the steps to the first floor and out the door to get the evidence I needed.

  I poured the wet, grainy liquid on the shoe print. The package said that it would take an hour to set. Since it was so old, I figured it would take two.

  I was mentally exhausted and nothing sounded better than my Ding dong and a good nap in my bed. I flicked my shoes off, put my bag next to the bed and got out my Ding dong. Comfort set in as I curled up and savored every single chocolaty morsel. Before I knew it, I fell asleep.

  Turn over, turn over…I begged the victim to show me their face. The hands continued to squeeze around the victim’s neck.

  “Turn over!” I sat straight up in my bed. I brushed my bangs to the side. Sweat had plastered them to my forehead.

  My heart was pounding and my hands were shaking. My cell phone was ringing. I dug in my bag to get it. It was Oscar and I sent him to voicemail.

  I didn’t feel like re-hashing what happened in the Gathering Grove or tell him that I had another nightmare.

  “June?” I heard a voice call out from the front porch screen door. “June?”

  With my purse in hand, I slipped my shoes on and went to the front door. Jordan Parks was standing there in full uniform.

  “Hi.” I opened the door and stepped out on the porch. “I was going to come see you.”

  “You were?” There was tension in his face. “I was going to come to Whispering Falls to see you.”

  Gerald’s words rang in my ear, “I already called Officer Jordan Parks to find out about you.”

  “I heard. Whispering Falls hasn’t been a good move for me.” I walked down the steps, jumped over the cicada cemetery, and checked on my cement mold.

  “What’s that?” Jordan asked.

  “I’m going to find out who is framing me for murder. I think they broke in my house and stole my bracelet off my wrist when I was sleeping.” I touched the mold and it was dry.

  “You? Sleeping?” Jordan laughed. He did know everything about me. After my dad was killed, he did everything he could to help me and Darla out. One time I thought he was going to marry Darla, making Oscar and I brother and sister. Yuck!