“I should have known,” Petunia said.
“You’ll have to come with me, Miss,” the woman said. Her above-average body was stuffed into tan slacks and shirt with a gold police badge.
“Whatever for? I didn’t do anything.”
“According to Emerald, you broke into the shop.”
“That’s nowhere near the truth,” Petunia grumbled.
“We can sort it out at the police station.”
Petunia folded her arms across her chest. “I’m not going anywhere.”
“So, you’re refusing to go, is that it?”
“Yes, I refuse to go anywhere until I speak with Chloe. I was hoping she’d be here so I could tell her how rude her sister was to me. She slammed the door in my face and they don’t even close for an hour.”
“We can sort that all out, but right now I have to insist that you come along,” the woman said. “I won’t slap the cuffs on you since this might be a misunderstanding.”
“Oh, no, it’s not,” Emerald insisted, shaking the broom that was still in her hands.
“She assaulted me with that broom,” Petunia said. “And I want to press charges.”
“She snuck in the back door,” Emerald complained. “I was just protecting myself.”
“At least you didn’t use magic this time,” the cop said.
“That’s exactly the point, I could have but chose not to.”
“You’re lucky, Miss,” the cop said. “Emerald here is a witch.”
“Oh, so that explains it,” Petunia said with a roll of her eyes, as she walked out the front door and climbed into the waiting police car.
The cop slid behind the wheel and drove down the street, passing all of the cute shops and then Petunia noticed that they had entered into another section of town. It was actually much darker than the other side of town, which made Petunia pause. Where was the cop taking her?
Petunia regretted her hasty decision now, and also worried about poor Pansy, who was left to his own defenses. She knew he was capable of taking care of himself, but that didn’t make Petunia feel much better. Pansy was her responsibility. However, would she be able to explain what had happened to Noah?
Finally, the car pulled up to an oddly tilted building with a slate roof and she was escorted inside.
It was decorated with portraits of witches flying on brooms and Petunia and the cop sailed past the counter and into a small room with a table and two chairs.
“Could I get your name?” Petunia asked.
“Sheriff Griffin at your disposal. I’m certain you won’t be detained much longer. Emerald has a habit of exaggerating. Of course, if she slammed the door in your face she must have had a good reason. How long have you been in town?”
“We arrived only today,” Petunia said.
“Well, you’ve really made an impression on Emerald.”
“Yes, a bad one apparently. But I really didn’t mean any harm. I needed to ask her a few questions is all and she made it quite impossible.”
“That’s our Emerald. I’ll be right back. I better give Evie and Chloe a call. I’m sure they’ll be coming along once I explain the specifics.”
“Thank you, Sheriff. I’d hate to be forced to call my boyfriend to bail me out. He thinks I’m in my hotel room. Apparently, I should have stayed there.”
“I have a feeling I’ll be seeing you again.”
“What makes you so sure?”
“You might say I’m psychic. How else do you think I know Emerald is off base here?”
Petunia gasped. “And you actually admit to being a psychic? How strange. The sheriff back where I live doesn’t want to even know anything about the paranormal.”
“I don’t usually tell anyone, but since you’re a witch, I went out on a limb.”
“Is that why you didn’t slap me in cuffs?”
“Part of it. I’ll be right back.”
“I hope so. My familiar is left to his own defenses and that’s never a good thing.”
“Very well.”
Petunia swallowed hard when the door closed behind the sheriff. She had made a horrible impression in town and hoped that Chloe could get her out of here.
The walls were bare in the small room and she stared at the mirror, which she knew served as a two-way viewing area. Petunia wondered if someone was watching her.
She pressed her brow on the cool table, then glanced up as the door swung open. The sheriff walked in with a piece of paper and sat down. “I need to get a little information about you. Just the basics, really. What’s your name?”
Petunia glanced up with a sigh. “Petunia Patterson.”
“What’s your reason for coming to Coven Creek?”
“I’m on vacation with my boyfriend.”
“And his name is?”
“I don’t think we need to involve him here.”
“He must be a mortal.”
Petunia didn’t acknowledge that since she refused to be led down this line of questioning. “Is Chloe coming?”
“Yes, she’s on her way now.”
“Where are you from?”
Petunia’s stomach felt strange. “I’d rather not say.”
“I need it for the record.”
“No offense, but unless I’m being arrested I don’t think you need to jot down anything.”
“I never said you wouldn’t be arrested.”
Petunia drummed her fingernails on the table. “I’m here of my own volition.”
“You’re here because you’ve been accused of breaking into the shop Enchanted Objects.”
Petunia folded her arms across her slight chest. “I don’t feel like talking anymore.”
“Are you sure that’s how you want to handle this?”
“Perfectly sure. I’ll wait for Chloe to arrive.”
“I can’t say that will go good for you. Evie is coming, too, and I wouldn’t be so certain she’ll let you off the hook so easily.”
Sheriff Griffin left and Petunia hid her face in her hands. It was so unlike Petunia to balk at law enforcement, especially since she often investigated crimes. But she wasn’t sure how the cops handled things in Coven Creek. She had to admit it was strange that the sheriff had admitted to being a psychic, yet had to ask her name. Petunia couldn’t say that she knew all that much about psychics, but for a cop to admit to something like that was beyond unusual. Did she really think Petunia would blab her mouth? Petunia felt nervous about telling the sheriff where she was from.
There was a knock on the door and in strode Chloe, accompanied by Evie. Chloe had changed back into the clothing she had been wearing that morning in the store. Evie was also still in the same clothes.
“I’m so sorry about this,” Chloe said. “We’ll have you out of here right away.”
“Let’s hold up here. Did you really break into the shop?” Evie asked with a frown.
“Not exactly. Emerald slammed the door in my face so I slipped in the back door. It was slightly open so I suppose I didn’t see the harm. All I came there for was a little information about who owned the globe before me.”
“It was not even closing time yet,” Chloe reminded Evie. “And you know how Emerald can be.”
Evie’s brows knitted. “I don’t understand why you and Emerald don’t get along.”
Chloe gasped. “Easy for you to say, she sucks up to you. She deliberately tampered with the results of familiar day. She put—”
Evie glanced at the two-way mirror. “Not now.” She stood up and knocked on the door.
Sheriff Griffin poked her head in the doorway and said, “That was quick.”
“We’re not pressing charges and I’ll have a serious talk with Emerald,” Evie said. “I can’t have her insulting tourists or closing early.”
The door was opened further and Petunia strutted out, with Chloe and Evie close on her heels. Now that Petunia was free to leave, she had to admit that she had rather enjoyed her banter with the sheriff. Petunia hadn’t made up her min
d about the sheriff. She wasn’t sure if she was a good sheriff or a bad one. The sheriff might not have put cuffs on Petunia, but the woman had certainly threatened that Petunia could be arrested.
As she walked with the two sisters out into the parking lot, she suddenly froze as they approached a black hearse parked near the door.
“We only drive it to scare the tourists,” Chloe said.
“And my van is in the shop,” Evie added, as they climbed in. “I have two children and I need a larger vehicle. Usually my sisters travel with me.”
“Oh, so you’re a traveler?” Petunia smiled. “I’m just happy that you sprung me. My poor familiar is out there somewhere all alone.”
Evie frowned into the rearview mirror. “Let’s hope that it hasn’t been picked up by the dog catcher. He sells familiars on the black market.”
“Oh, are you serious?”
“Quite,” Evie said. “I had the most wonderful familiar last summer until he went missing. We suspect the dog catcher kidnapped him.”
“And you didn’t get him back?”
“No, and I’m still angry about it. When was the last time you saw your familiar?”
“He was in the back of your shop right before I went inside.”
“Good, because that’s where we’re heading.”
“Can I ask what happened on familiar day?” Petunia asked Chloe.
“Emerald put a banana outside my door and now I have a monkey for a familiar.”
Petunia laughed. “I’d love to see him sometime.”
“He’s being schooled currently.”
“He’s a capuchin monkey and what Chloe fails to understand is that he’s very smart.”
“Don’t forget he misbehaves very much, too.”
“Don’t blame me. The Witches Affairs sent the available familiars here.”
“Witches Affairs?” Petunia asked with a frown.
“Are you not familiar with the organization?”
“Actually, yes. I’ve been to Witchataw, but must admit I wasn’t impressed. I don’t need Witches Affairs poking their nose in my business.”
“You must not have met the right witches or you wouldn’t feel that way. Many of them are quite nice.”
“She means the ones who didn’t send a monkey to Coven Creek,” Chloe said.
“Be fortunate that you have a familiar at all. All witches should have one. They are quite useful if trained right.”
“Mine is a very good spy,” Petunia said.
“See, even Petunia agrees.”
“Maybe she could help me with Bubbles,” Chloe said.
Petunia smiled. “I’d love to, if you could only tell me about the witch who owned that crystal ball before me.”
“I wish I could, but it’s not good to speak of the dearly departed,” Evie said.
“So, that’s all I get?”
“Exactly, and even Chloe knows better than to tell you.”
“I only gave her the basics.”
“Which is what, exactly?”
“Just that the crystal ball hasn’t come to life in eighty years.”
Evie sighed. “I don’t suppose you’ve seen anything in the globe.”
“I wouldn’t know, it’s packed in my suitcase,” Petunia lied. She didn’t want anyone to know she had seen a vision in it.
“Believe me, that’s for the best. Now, let’s find your familiar.”
4
Petunia rounded the building and called out, “Pansy, where are you?”
Chloe hurried over and asked, “What kind of familiar do you have?”
“It’s a black cat.”
“Oh, now I remember.” Her frown was visible beneath the light over the back door.
“Pansy, where are you?” Petunia asked telepathically.
It was silent, deadly silent, and Petunia trembled. “I have a bad feeling someone took him.”
“Now, we shouldn’t jump to conclusions,” Evie said.
“You don’t understand. We can communicate.”
“It seems that way, anyway,” Chloe said.
Petunia bit her bottom lip. What was she thinking? She couldn’t tell anyone that she communicated telepathically with Pansy.
“Maybe you’re right. I’ll go back to my hotel and check there.”
“Don’t worry, Red, I’m right here,” Pansy said, as he cowered under a bush.
“Oh, there you are,” Petunia said out loud.
“See, I told you,” Chloe said.
Petunia picked up Pansy and snuggled him against her chin.
“Help. Help. You’re smothering me.”
“I thought you were taken by the dog catcher. They sell familiars on the black market!”
“You certainly had a more interesting night than I did. How did you get out of jail so quick?”
“I wasn’t arrested. Chloe convinced the sheriff to let me go.”
“Lucky you. I knew you shouldn’t have gone in there.”
“Is everything okay?” Chloe asked.
“Actually, yes and no. I mean, I have a question for you. Who was that woman who knocked me over today?”
“I wouldn’t worry about her.”
“I can’t let this go. I have to know who she is.”
“Why?” Evie asked.
“I can’t explain it really, but please tell me.”
Chloe puffed out a breath. “She’s a witch and not a good one. She’s dreadful, actually, and unfortunately, she’s my boss at the factory. She docked me two hours for being late for work today.”
“She can’t do that!”
“I’m afraid she can. I’m a habitual.”
“You could call the labor board on them.”
Chloe laughed. “Trust me, I don’t want to make it worse for me.”
“You didn’t give me her name yet.”
“Fine, but whatever you do, stay away from her. There is no telling what she might do if you bother her.”
“I suppose that depends on your definition of ‘bother.’”
“Medea Deadsnout.”
Petunia’s mouth fell open. “What kind of joke is that?”
“It’s not a joke.” Chloe grinned. “It’s really her name.”
“Thank you for your help. I hope one day you’ll be able to tell me the name of the witch who owned the crystal ball.”
Chloe didn’t answer and Petunia parted ways with the sisters at the chocolate fountain.
Petunia knocked on Noah’s door the next morning and eagerly greeted him with a kiss, earning her a smile.
“Wow, that was unexpected,” he said.
“I missed you,” Petunia answered, as she walked into his room.
“I thought you’d sleep in today after your solo look around town last night. I don’t suppose you want to tell me anything about that?”
Petunia held back her sigh. “I don’t think I know what you mean.”
“You know exactly what I mean.”
This was getting to the point of lying to him, which didn’t sit well with Petunia. “You saw me?”
“Yes, our windows face the courtyard.”
“And you didn’t come after me to see what I was doing?”
Noah frowned. “If you wanted me to go, you would have asked me to tag along.”
She bit her lip. “I went to the shop to find out about the previous owner of the crystal ball. Can you believe the clerk slammed the door in my face and locked the door? The shop was supposed to be open for another hour.”
“That must have been a blow.”
Petunia’s back stiffened. “So, I walked in the back door.”
“You didn’t.”
“It was partially open.”
“It’s still breaking and entering. I’m surprised you’d do such a thing.”
Petunia clutched the fabric of her blouse. “It was important.”
“How did the clerk react?”
“She tried to take me out with a broom.”
“Can’t say I blame her.
You’re lucky she didn’t call the police.”
“Oh, she called the police and I spent the remainder of the night at the sheriff’s department.”
Noah paced the room. “That’s all we need. What happened?”
“The owner let me off the hook.”
“Do you have any idea how stupid that was?”
“That was uncalled for!” Petunia vented. “You have no idea what I’m dealing with, Mister.”
“I might if you told me, but don’t forget I used to be a New York City detective. I can’t just go along with you breaking into that shop.”
“I told you the door was open and it was very important for me to speak with Emerald. I was actually hoping to see her sister Chloe.”
Noah buried his face in his hands and shook his head. “I give up,” he said, when he glanced back at Petunia. “Tell me what’s really going on here.”
Petunia’s hands slipped to her hips. “You want to know, I’ll show you.”
Petunia strutted to her room with Noah in tow. She pointed out the glowing green crystal ball.
Noah backed up a few steps. “Did it look like that when you bought it?”
“I didn’t buy it. Emerald, the sales clerk, made me take it … or, I should say, all of the sisters did.”
“Don’t do it, Petunia, the lughead won’t be able to deal with the truth,” Pansy said.
“I don’t really care right now after the way he spoke to me in his room.”
“You told him about your little adventure last night?”
“I didn’t want to lie to him.”
“How has that worked out for you?”
Petunia opened the closet and pointed out the suitcase. “I put it in the suitcase and when I came back after dinner, the bag was opened and glowing from that awful green light.”
Noah remained silent and Petunia knew that would be hard for him to digest.
“I think someone’s in trouble,” Petunia said.
“Who?”
“The woman who knocked me down yesterday.”
“Are you planning to give her a poison potion?”
“That’s not funny. You know I’m not capable of hurting anyone.”
“Nope, just changing them into a cat,” Pansy muttered to himself.
“I didn’t think you were capable of breaking the law, either, and you’re walking a fine line.”
Meows, Magic & Marshmallows Page 3