by A. M. King
“What?” Well that really sucked. What good was using magic if you could only use it in certain circumstances? Her sister had a point though. If Darla was a fully matured witch then she should have been able to save her own life or at least know that impending danger loomed. Sheesh! Power was truly overrated.
“Only the goddess has all full power of everything, Sis. Not us mere...”
“Stop right there!” The man’s voice was forceful. “What are you two doing on my property?”
They both turned around. How in Sam’s name did he manage to catch up with them so fast?”
“Mr. Calahan.” Janvier recognized the man.
“Mr. Calahan?” Febe repeated.
“Janvier Summer? What are you doing here?” He held onto a shotgun and he wore a plaid thick shirt and jeans and mud boots. He also wore a hunter’s hat, if one could call it that.
“Um, we were just going for a walk.”
“Out here?” He glanced at her dubiously then cast a suspicious eye to Febe.
“Hi, I’m Febe Summer.”
He said nothing for a moment. “Cal Calahan.”
Okay, was anyone going to tell her who Cal Calahan was?
“You still haven’t answered my question,” he said.
“Oh, we were just walking.”
“You live out here?” Febe asked.
“I live in a cottage not far from here. Use to live in the town but since I got voted off the council I just keep to myself.”
“You got voted off the council?”
“Yeah, it’s a long story. I’m sure your sister will tell you. Some stupid scandal that I got blamed for. It wasn’t my fault. Anyway, I just keep to myself these days.”
“How’s Mrs. Calahan?” Janvier asked.
“She’s okay.” His voice was rough and coarse and he started to cough. It sounded like a smoker’s cough. If Febe had X-ray vision she wouldn’t be surprised if she saw emphysema in his lungs.
Febe’s head started to throb. She was getting a massive headache. Maybe it was being in the woods too long, standing in one place. If she could remember correctly, she was allergic to one of the birch trees.
“You were out riding your bike at night I see,” Janvier said pointing to the single tire marks.
“So what of it?”
“Oh, nothing. It’s just that.”
“Are you ladies here about that woman?”
“What woman?” Janvier said, feigning innocence.
“That gossiping hag. I’m glad someone taught her a lesson for spreading lies and ruining marriages on her website. If it wasn’t for her, I’d still be on the council.”
“Oh, no. I’m sorry to hear that...” Febe took a closer look at Cal and was stunned. She realized where she recognized him from. He’d been featured on Darla’s Cheaters section of her news blog. There was a site where readers uploaded pics of known married men going to sleazy clubs and doing all sorts of shady things with scantily dressed women.
Alarm bells went off in her mind.
This didn’t look good at all. She couldn’t wait to get out of there and tell Janvier about her findings.
“Her website. Everyone knows about that ridiculous tabloid junk.”
“Oh, right. I’ve um...heard about it,” Febe said, trying to sound nonchalant.
“Well, I’m glad someone choked the life out of that sinful woman. Good for her. Now that newspaper can rest in peace like her. Shame what she did to her folks’ good newspaper.”
“Right, of course. But it’s still so sad that she...um...was you know, murdered!”
“Ha! Good riddance to her.”
Febe couldn’t believe how cold this man was. “Aren’t you afraid that a cold blooded killer is on the loose? They didn’t make any arrests yet.”
“Course they did.”
“They did?” The sisters said in unison.
“Yeah. Sure. It was that fella, that street performer who sings outside the café.”
“What?”
Febe couldn’t contain herself. “That’s preposterous. Yella?”
“Yeah, that’s it. Yella. What a fine fella. Hope he gets an award for that.”
“Yeah, he’ll get an award all right. Fifteen to life!” Janvier said.
* * *
Thirty minutes later, Febe hurried back into the house and dropped off Ebony while Janvier waited in the car. “Now you stay here, sweetie. I’m going to the café, and then I’m going to have a word with Detective Trey.”
“You sure you know what you’re doing?” Ebony said.
“Of course I do. I may not have much, but my suspicions are right about this. Whenever I get severe headaches, it means something’s wrong. Seriously wrong.”
“Yeah, something’s wrong all right.” Ebony then swayed her tail as she strutted across the hardwood floor into the living room.
Febe grabbed her handbag and went outside.
“What time are we supposed to be at the college dorm?”
“At lunch to deliver the Halloween cookies.”
“Right. Let’s go there, but I’ll need to speak with Detective Trey, too. I’m just going to send him a text message. He gave me his card.”
“Febe!”
“What? I need to share my thoughts with him about Yella. You don’t really think he did it, do you?”
Janvier shrugged. “Sometimes we just have to trust that justice will be done.”
Chapter 21
An hour later, Febe stood in the kitchen sticking toothpicks with decorative images of pumpkins and cartoon characters into the Halloween cookies and cupcakes. The college nearby requested the Halloween treats for their fundraiser.
“Darling, there’s someone here to see you,” Aunt Trixie called out.
Just then the double swinging doors opened and in walked the gorgeous Detective Trey.
“Ms. Summer, you wanted to speak with me,” he said, arching his brow.
“Yes, I did,” she said, wiping her hands on her apron. “I’ll be right with you.”
“Take your time.”
“What are you doing?” Kris, the baker, said. Kris was a normal, non-magical person. She didn’t know that the café was owned by witches.
“I’ve finished decorating the Halloween treats?”
“With Disney characters? Those aren’t scary witches.”
“What do you mean?”
“The college wanted scary. You know witches with ugly wart noses, tall hats, creepy looking...”
Febe gave her a you’re-not-serious look. “What makes you think witches are really like that?”
“Excuse me?” Kris said, shocked
Febe’s heart raced.
Crap.
She’d almost forgotten her place; no one was supposed to know about her...background. Not amongst the normals anyway.
She caught Detective Trey looking at her funny, too, out of the corner of her eye. What must he think of her?
“Um, never mind. I...” she remembered what her aunts said about negative stereotypes about witches. “Listen, let’s just deliver these and see what they say. I’m sure they’ll like it. It’ll be a nice change, right?”
Kris frowned then looked at the large wall clock in the kitchen, “Fine then,” she said. “We don’t have much time to waste. You need to deliver these by noon.”
Febe smiled appreciatively.
Now to the next task.
“So what were you so desperate to speak to me about?” Detective Trey said as he followed Febe out to her sister’s SUV. “Do you need help with those?”
“Oh, no. I’m good, thanks.” Truth be told, if she were allowed to practice magic, she’d try a witching spell to have the goodies in the vehicle with the twitch of her finger. Never mind that. She’d just concentrate her energies and have it appear at the dorm so that she could get on to finding out what happened to poor Darla.
If only...
Febe opened the door and placed the box of cookies and cupcakes in the back seat.
“I’m just on my way over to the dorm up on Main Street. But I heard that you arrested our street performer guy, Yella, for the crime of killing Darla.”
“Yes, he was arrested. He’s out on bail now.”
“Why do you think he did it?”
“We can’t go into every detail now, but there were witnesses that corroborated the story that he made threats to Darla when she came by the café. She’d apparently given him a scathing review on her website and said something about him cleaning up the streets by getting off it or something. It’s published in the papers.”
“Oh, no. But people say all sorts of things, Trey.”
“Febe, this is a police investigation. Wait a minute, why am I even telling you all this?”
“We seem to have some sort of connection,” she teased.
The truth was, they did seem to gel magically, but she was reminded that now that she knew she was a witch, getting together with a normal was not going to happen anytime soon. Not that she thought about getting together with Trey.
“He said he didn’t do it, but we have to follow procedures.”
“Who led you to him?”
“Do you know something, Febe? If you do, you should share it with us.”
“Not yet. I don’t know why I’m even telling you this, but...I just have a feeling that he’s being used as a scapegoat while the real killer gets away.”
“As far as I know Febe, we’ve got our guy.”
“Let me guess, he didn’t have an airtight alibi?”
“He didn’t have any alibi and he was casual about it, too.”
“Hmmm,” Febe said thinking out loud. “I think I’m going to pay another visit to Amy at the papers.”
“Why?”
“Oh, nothing. Yella isn’t the only person she maligned in her reviews.”
“Febe, I don’t want you snooping around on this case. It’s way too dangerous. If the killer is loose out there, your life could be in danger.”
Moments later, Trey received another call on his phone and said, “I’ve got to get back to the station. Remember to let me know if you hear anything, all right?”
”I will.”
Febe thought about it for a moment. Maybe she should just keep out of it. But if there was a killer on the loose who was after witches, she really needed to help the cops in the investigation. They’d thank her later. At least she hoped they would.
Chapter 22
Later in the afternoon, after Febe delivered her cookies, she turned up outside the headquarters of the Gosnik News. She sucked in a deep breath, remembering what Detective Trey said earlier. She didn’t want to interfere with their investigation, but she didn’t want to jeopardize the lives of the witches in her family or the other witches in the town.
What was a witch to do?
“Hey, Febe. You’re back,” Amy said, greeting her in the reception area.
“Yes, please forgive me, I just need to ask you a few more questions.”
“Sure. Come this way.”
Febe followed Amy into her office.
“So you’ve heard about Yella.”
“Yes, I did. I don’t think he had anything to do with it though. I can’t believe they arrested him.”
“You think he’s innocent, too?”
“Of course. Amy, can I see that article that your sister circled?”
“The one about Florida?”
“Yes, that’s the one. I have a feeling we might find a clue in there. There was a diamond-shaped symbol over the state of Florida and a few dollar signs. What does that mean?”
Amy shrugged. “She was always into buying real estate.”
“Real estate?”
“Yeah, nice mansions on the lake, like the one she had here. She went to Florida a few times though.”
“The Hearts are from Florida, aren’t they?”
“Sure, so what?”
“Oh, nothing. I’m wondering if Sergeant Will Heart would know something. Or if he’s seen her before. I think it’s quite a coincidence.”
“You don’t think he has something to do with...”
“Oh, no. Not at all. I just think they might know something else.”
“Like what?”
“I’m not sure, yet. But I’m going to look over this article if you don’t mind. I think your sister might have placed a puzzle inside it.”
“A puzzle? Why would she do that?”
“Because she probably knew her killer was after her.”
Chapter 23
An hour later, as Febe drove up to the house, her cell phone rang. She pulled over and glanced at the display. It was Trey Heart.
What a sweet name, she thought to herself.
Even his name sounded charming.
Okay, stop that now Febe. You’ve sworn off men, remember?
“Hello,” she answered professionally.
“Hey, Febe. It’s Trey.”
“Hey, Trey.”
“Listen, I did what you asked and I checked out some of the other suspects. I also went back to the area where the body was found. You’re right. There was another bike track. Can’t seem to place the make. Based on the tire marks it looks as if some sort of foreign ride.”
“Foreign, huh?”
“Yes, as in one that’s not even made any more.”
Febe thought for a moment. “Okay, Trey. Thanks a lot. I think I know what I’m looking for now. I know a few collectors.”
“You do?”
“Yes, at the Frutenac Comic Store in Toronto. This guy’s really good. He collects and sells rare comics and other stuff.”
“Please be careful Febe. I don’t want you getting hurt.”
“Oh, I will, Trey. Trust me. I don’t want to get hurt again either.”
“Again?”
“Oh, it’s nothing.” The last thing she wanted to do was get Trey involved in her pitiful love life or lack of right now.
Febe glanced at her watch. Time was running out. She had hours to piece this puzzle together before the real killer struck again or got away.
Chapter 24
The next day, after her lesson with Madam Techer, Febe sat in the study alone.
“You sure you know what you’re doing, girl?” Ebony asked, as she stretched out on her kitty bed.
“I hope so. I need to do this, Ebony. I need to find out what happened to Darla Gosnik. Madam Techer says it’s all right to practice at home.”
“But you’re trying to solve a crime outside the home.”
“I know,” Febe said, biting down on her lower lip. “She also says I should follow my heart.”
“Yeah, not follow Heart.”
“Hey. I am not into that guy.”
“Yeah, sure. Keep telling yourself that.”
Febe tried to focus her attention back on the candle she’d lit in the middle of the study on the coffee table. She glanced at her spell book and took in a deep breath. “Okay here goes...forces of good, bring to light whatever was hidden in the night...” she breathed.
Nothing happened.
Ebony yawned and gave her a look.
“Okay, I need to get used to this.”
“Are you sure you know what you’re doing?”
“Yes. I think I’m closer to solving this mystery. Last night, I had a dream that I met a woman in a long flowing vintage gown—I’m not sure of the era. Sort of like a Victorian era dress. It was weird. Then I saw Darla Gosnik. She too was in a vintage gown. I know it has something to do with the murder. My head just kept pounding like a bass drum last night.”
“You’re telling me. You were kicking me again.”
“Was not.”
“Was too. She who feels it knows it.”
“Fine. I’m very sorry then.”
“Carry on.”
A second later, the table collapsed. The wooden legs popped off.
“Ooops. That wasn’t the result I was expecting.”
“No magic, huh?” Ebony teased, not making it any easier.
> Just then Febe’s phone rang.
“Who is it?” Ebony asked.
“Oh, it’s Amanda Harlington. My former boss.” Febe’s head pounded, her heart ached in her chest thinking of Amanda with her now ex-fiancé, Jonathan, cheating on her.
She sighed deeply.
“No. Way. What does she want?” Ebony asked with a surge of energy.
“That’s what I want to know.”
* * *
Moments later, Febe got off the phone and sighed heavily.
“So? What did that evil chick want?” Ebony asked.
“She told me that I was right about Jonathan.”
“What?”
“Yep. She said she saw him featured in the Cheaters column from the Gosnik website.”
“Oh, crap.”
“Exactly.”
“So she just called you to tell you that?”
“Sort of.”
“Didn’t she know that once a cheater, always a cheater? I mean what is with humans? If a person cheats on their lover to be with you, what makes you think he won’t turn around and do the same thing to you? Sheesh.”
“Tell me about it.”
“What else did she say?”
“She wants to meet with me for a late lunch tomorrow, around three o’clock. She’s going to be in town.”
“What? Why?”
“That’s what I’m about to find out.”
* * *
“You were right,” Amanda said the next day at the Summer Café, dabbing her eyes with tissues. “Jonathan is a creep. I’m so sorry. I had to tell you in person. My conscience was killing me.”
Febe glanced at Amanda’s huge diamond.
“Amanda, you really didn’t have to come here to tell me this.”
Febe had decided to take a break to see Amanda, so it wasn’t officially a lunch. The café was busy, but she explained to Janvier that she wanted to hear Amanda out.
Was Amanda planning on offering Febe her old job back? Would Febe even take it?
“We women have to stick together,” Amanda continued, tearfully, “I want you to come back to Harlington Advertising and work your magic for us.”
Febe’s pulse pounded.
Magic?
Work my magic for them? Did they know about me?