“Madam will be with you shortly,” the butler said, as he pulled on a bell pull and limped from the room.
Petunia’s eyes widened at the tapestry settee and swan chaise lounge. Portraits were nestled on the walls that resembled what might be the ancestors of the house. She thought that odd since this house stood on the property owned by the factory.
Shoes scraped on the wood floor just outside the parlor and Petunia and Noah looked up to see Medea framed in the doorway. They shrunk back a little as she continued across the carpeted room.
“Please make yourselves comfortable,” Medea said.
Petunia and Noah sat on the settee, but Medea continued to stand and looked down at them. She wore a long black silken robe and open toed slippers that revealed wickedly ugly toes. Why, she could slice you up with those toenails, Petunia thought.
“Why don’t you have a seat, too,” Petunia said. “It unnerves me to have someone standing over me.”
“Exactly the point.”
So much for Medea’s momentary pleasantries.
“I suppose you know why we’re here.”
“I can’t say, enlighten me.”
“But your butler told me you were expecting us.”
“He says that to everyone who arrives.” She smiled hideously. “I like to have the edge.”
“I was under the impression the sheriff would be here questioning you,” Petunia said.
Medea laughed dryly. “She knows better than to come here.”
“But I thought you were acquaintances, or friends, perhaps.” When Medea remained silent, Petunia continued. “I believe the sheriff had plans to question you about something important, like a crime you committed.”
Medea’s dark eyes narrowed. “You are mistaken.”
“I’m not mistaken at all. It has come to my attention that you had attempted to buy the shop Chloe’s sister Evie owns.”
“Interestingly enough, it was broken into last night,” Noah added.
“And trashed—or I should say, ransacked,” Petunia said.
“I suspect Chloe gave you that tidbit of information that I had plans to purchase the business. I expected she’d come up with some way of getting back at me for firing her.”
“But her business was ransacked before you fired her today,” Petunia countered.
“There is something you need to know about Chloe. She’s quite troubled and this isn’t the first time she’s tried to frame me for a crime I didn’t commit. You should ask her about that.”
“What crime?”
“Ask her. I’d rather forget the incident.”
“Why exactly did you fire her?”
“Chloe has fostered off several recipes unbeknownst to her coworkers. Slipped into areas of the factory that she’s not authorized to enter. She hands out samples in the entrance of the factory. Behind the receptionist desk, there is an office where all the supplies are kept, such as trays, doilies, and a cooler that contains all of the candy for samples on any given day.”
“If she was fired for stealing, why not put that on the pink slip?” Noah asked. “It would alleviate the confusion.”
“Because I don’t wish to ruin the girl’s life. I’m not the monster Chloe paints me as.”
“Is it true you’re a witch?” Petunia asked.
“Witch?” Medea asked, as she fell back against the chaise lounge. Her pale complexion had changed and her cheeks changed over to bright pink. “I don’t know—”
“It’s hardly a secret. Coven Creek is home to many witches,” Petunia said. “I’d imagine you would have had been able to rein in one.”
“Chloe is a witch?” Medea asked.
“Yes, I thought you knew that.”
“You’ve been misled.”
“But aren’t you part of Witches Affairs?”
“If the sheriff has any questions for me, she’ll come herself. I won’t be speaking about your assumptions.”
“Did you ransack Evie’s shop?”
Medea narrowed her eyes at Petunia.
“Where were you last night, Medea?” Noah asked.
“I was in the factory handling a situation.”
“What sort of situation?”
“I’m not at liberty to reveal company secrets.”
“Nobody told you to do that,” Petunia said. “Is there anyone who could verify where you were last night at the factory?”
“I can’t have outsiders showing up and interfering with operations.”
“Maybe the sheriff will have better luck with questioning you. She could acquire a search warrant for your home and the factory.” It was a stretch but Petunia was attempting to rattle the woman.
“Don’t try to intimidate me, young lady. Believe me, I’m beyond it.”
“What exactly is your position at the factory?”
“I’m the general manager.”
“That explains it, but I have never known a general manager for an organization the size of the candy factory to fire employees on a much lower level. Certainly, all departments have their own managers.”
“They do but Chloe’s case is much different and I desired to handle it myself.”
“Was it necessary to throw us off the factory’s property?”
“Yes, you were with Chloe and when an employee is fired, they often make rash decisions that might harm the factory or amusement park.”
“I can’t imagine how, but I suppose it sounds reasonable.”
“How long have you been general manager?” Noah asked.
“I was hired a year ago after the unfortunate demise of the last one.”
“Unfortunate demise?” Petunia iterated.
“It involved an accident at the factory. I don’t wish to explain the gory details.”
Petunia whirled at a sound behind her and in walked the sheriff. “Couldn’t wait for me to question Medea?” Sheriff Griffin asked.
“I wasn’t certain it was on your agenda today.”
“You think me incapable of doing my job?”
“Of course not, but I detected a hint of an involvement between you and Medea. Do you have a financial interest in the factory?”
“I don’t get paid enough to be a stock holder and the candy factory isn’t public.”
“I concur with the sheriff. I’m not a stockholder, either.”
Petunia attempted to read the expressions on the sheriff’s and Medea’s faces, but they were stoic after exchanging a look. Obviously, it was a secret code of some sort between the two of them.
“Noah and Petunia, it’s time to leave,” the sheriff said.
“I wasn’t aware you knew my partner’s name,” Petunia said.
“It’s my business to know the goings on in my town. I hope Noah isn’t terribly upset that you just addressed him as your partner and not boyfriend, which he certainly is.”
Petunia sighed and she left with Noah.
8
Petunia bent down and picked up Pansy.
“It’s about time. I was about to call the cops when they showed up,” Pansy said.
“I don’t how you’d accomplish that,” Petunia said.
“Because I’m resourceful that way.”
“That’s Sheriff Griffin and she’s here to question Medea, obviously. Did you notice anything out of the ordinary out here while Noah and I were inside?”
“I don’t know what would be considered ordinary around this creepy house.”
Petunia didn’t say anything to Noah until she was certain they weren’t within earshot of the mansion.
“The only reason I called you my partner was—”
“No need to explain, I understand what you were trying to do. But I assure you I don’t need to be protected, Petunia.”
Petunia bit the inside of her cheek. She hadn’t meant to wound Noah’s manly pride. She knew how important it was for a man to feel as if he’s the one who is the protector, not the protected.
“Where are we having dinner?” Petunia asked.
<
br /> “At the hotel unless you have somewhere else you need to go, like to question Chloe.”
“I don’t think tonight’s a good time to do that. I don’t believe a word Medea said about Chloe.”
“Still, you can’t completely discount it.”
“It doesn’t have anything to do with Evie’s shop being ransacked.”
“I’m not saying you’re wrong, just to keep your eyes and ears open. It’s served us well in the past.”
Petunia glided through the gilded doors of the hotel and put Pansy into her hotel room before proceeding with Noah to the dining room on the first floor.
Petunia pulled out her cloth napkin and shook it out, letting it settle on her lap. She listened in enjoyment to the music the piano player performed. The lights of the dining room were dimmed and the trickle of water from a nearby fountain was the perfect ambiance. Actually, it caused Petunia to excuse herself to use the bathroom.
She splashed cool water on her face and blotted it off gently with the paper towels. Petunia grabbed the edge of the sink as the lights rapidly flashed. Some kind of vision appeared in the mirror, but she wasn’t able to catch it. She felt strange, as if someone walked across her grave, but at least the lights were no longer flashing. Something was wrong, but for the life of her she didn’t know what it could be.
Petunia rejoined Noah and took a deep sip of the diet pop he had ordered for her. This was one instance when it didn’t bother her to have the man do the ordering.
“Are you okay, Petunia?” Noah asked.
“Did the lights flash out here?”
“No, why?”
“Never mind. A light bulb must be burning out in the bathroom.”
“It must have frightened you because you’re certainly quite pale.”
“Honestly, speaking with Medea creeped me out. Or it might be the creepy old mansion. I should have asked her who it belonged to.”
“It might belong to one of the stockholders. I imagine someone owned the land before the property was sold for the factory.”
“The house might not have been sold with the property.”
“It would be landlocked if that’s the case.”
“Good point. We weren’t there to investigate the peerage of the ancestors or history of the estate. And I’m afraid Medea is still a mystery,” Petunia said.
“We should spend the day at the amusement park tomorrow. I love the food they serve in places like that.”
“You want to fill me up with corndogs, elephant ears, and cotton candy?”
“If it will keep your mind off Medea. I don’t think we should meddle in local affairs like the breaking and entering at the shop in town.”
“I suppose you’re right, but if any more crimes happen in town we can hardly just sit back and do nothing.”
“I’ll agree to that if you can concentrate on ordering and talk about something other than what’s happening in this town. Unless it’s planning an itinerary, of course.”
Petunia pointed out a chicken dish on the menu. “This looks good.”
Petunia had struggled not to look in the crystal ball last night even though it was flashing a green light like crazy.
She pulled on Army green shorts and a tank top and tugged a brush through her auburn hair. Then applied a light layer of makeup and spritzed on the perfume that Noah had bought her for Christmas.
She smiled when she saw that Pansy was passed out on the bed. It was so cute the way his little cat tongue was partially sticking out.
She grabbed her cell phone and took a picture before he woke up.
Pansy opened one eye. “What are you doing?”
“Taking your picture.” Petunia pulled it up and showed it to Pansy, “See, isn’t it cute.”
Pansy sat up and licked a paw. “Of course, it is, I’m ad-ad-adorable,” he purred. He blinked as he looked at the globe. “Did you look at the globe today? All of those flashing green lights must mean something.”
“Yes, I should have left it in the suitcase.”
“Deal with it, Red, being here in this town has given you special powers.”
Petunia’s hands slipped to her hips. “I don’t have any special powers.”
“Well, Chloe’s family thinks so, otherwise they wouldn’t have insisted on you taking the globe with you. And you said you saw something in the ball.”
“Yes, things that I don’t understand. I’ve seen Medea’s face a few times and yesterday I saw floating marshmallows.”
“Well, you do like marshmallows.”
“I like real ones in my hot chocolate.”
“Have you asked the lughead what he thinks?”
“Oh, you’re back to calling Noah Lughead?”
“Why not, it keeps you on your toes.”
“Admit it, you like him.”
“I do not and I’m not admitting to anything.”
Petunia smiled. “You don’t have to say it, I suppose, but I know you like him. He’s been so tolerant of late when I bring you along. What other man would think that way when their girlfriend insists on bringing her cat on vacation with them?”
“If you’re not going to look at that globe, can’t you at least put it into the closet or cover it up?”
Petunia glanced over at the glowing globe and resigned herself to the fact that she had to look in the crystal ball to see why it was so stirred up.
She walked over and placed her fingers on top of the crystal ball and looked down. Green swirling liquid moved through the globe like a serpent turning and twisting until an image appeared. She gasped at the image of two red and green stocking-covered legs sticking out from under a white mass. The background came into view and it was at the entrance to the candy factory!
Petunia’s lips were pursed when she opened the door to Noah’s smiling face. Instead of smiling back, she shrieked, “We have to get over to the factory, something dreadful happened there!”
Noah’s smile dropped and he nodded as they walked toward the elevator with Pansy in tow. Petunia paced the elevator nervously and Noah asked, “What’s going on?”
Petunia twisted a finger slightly with her other hand. “I don’t know, but I saw something in the crystal ball. I think someone is dead.”
Noah’s jaw tightened and they rushed out of the elevator. Petunia picked up Pansy so she wouldn’t lose him.
As they approached the factory, cop cars and ambulances were parked erratically. It wasn’t until they were able to round the emergency vehicles that they saw a woman buried beneath a pile of melted marshmallow, from the smell of it! Sure enough, the woman wore red and green stockings and black witch-like shoes with buckles on them. It was just like the image that Petunia saw in the crystal ball!
Noah pointed up at a chute that was hanging over the edge of the roof at an odd angle. It certainly wasn’t like that yesterday when they came to the factory. Obviously, it had broken loose and steaming hot liquid marshmallow had been released, killing the woman on the ground. A fire truck was on hand and firefighters sprayed the marshmallow with a hose but it only created steam. Petunia put a hand over her mouth and turned away. She didn’t mind that the cops escorted them behind crime scene tape that was being strung.
“How awful,” Petunia said with tears in her eyes. “What a horrible way to go.”
Noah put his arm around Petunia’s shoulders. “An unfortunate accident, indeed.”
Petunia froze for a moment. “You don’t think that … ”
“It could be anyone,” Noah said.
“I know, but Medea mentioned just last night that an unfortunate accident befell the last general manager.”
“There’s no reason for us to believe it’s her.”
Two women were ushered behind the crime scene tape.
“I can’t believe Medea’s dead. She seemed so invincible,” one of the women said.
Petunia turned. “How can you be so certain it’s Medea?”
The woman looked down her nose at Petunia. “Because I s
aw it happen from the door. I ran outside when I heard a loud noise and I witnessed Medea being covered with hot marshmallow.” She pointed out the broken chute that dangled from the roof.
“What an awful thing to see, Naisha,” the second woman said.
“I-It was horrible, Tamakia.” Naisha wiped the sweat from her brow. “Medea wasn’t even supposed to come in today and now sh-she’s dead,” she wailed.
“Did she try to run?” Noah asked.
She shook her head sadly. “It happened too fast.”
“It’s strange that liquid marshmallow would come out of the chute,” Petunia said. “Isn’t that a ventilation shaft?”
“I wouldn’t know personally. All I know is that OSHA—that’s short for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration—is going to shut down the factory for sure now,” Tamakia said. “At least until they deem it safe to return to work.”
“That’s extreme,” Noah said. “The factory will probably close today to assess repairs anyway, but OSHA doesn’t have the power to shut down a workplace. Now, an inspector can suggest it, but the employer doesn’t have to comply,” Noah explained. “My dad was an OSHA inspector in New York.”
“But this is Michigan and things are handled much differently,” Naisha insisted.
“Is it true the last general manager also had an unfortunate accident at this factory, too?”
Naisha exchanged a glance with Tamakia. “Who told you that?” Naisha asked.
“Medea mentioned it yesterday,” Petunia said.
“You couldn’t have been a friend of Medea.”
“And why is that?” Noah asked.
“Medea doesn’t have any friends that I know of.”
“Well, maybe I’m one you don’t know about. I can’t imagine someone who works at the factory would know everything there was to know about the general manager.”
“You must not be too good of a friend or you’d be more upset that Medea bit the big one.”
“You’ve certainly recovered from your shock of seeing her death happen right before your eyes,” Petunia said.
“We’re not friends of Medea’s,” Noah finally said. “We spoke to her yesterday about a private matter and didn’t expect this to happen.”
Meows, Magic & Marshmallows Page 7