“It’s a horrible accident. We’ll be lucky if OSHA gives us the go ahead to resume business tomorrow.”
“They’re not in the business to cripple your company.”
“They just want to make sure it’s safe,” Noah added.
“We’re closing down this part of the factory for the investigation. The melting pots also need to be checked for a fracture.”
“Isn’t it a little odd that the marshmallow has to be transported?” Noah asked.
“Noah is right, I was under the impression that marshmallow was used in this building as well. We saw melted marshmallow on the tour.”
“I should have said that primarily the marshmallow is used for candy made in another building. It’s also used for the chocolate drops that are made in this building.”
“Thanks for clarifying it,” Petunia said.
“As I was saying, there was an error made by the contractor when the factory was built and there isn’t room in the other building for melting pots.”
Noah’s eyes bored into Frank. “I can’t believe the health inspector would allow the melted marshmallow to go through tubes that are then trucked to another building.”
“I assure you the chutes are cleaned daily and it’s quite sanitary. Updates will be made soon, not that I have to answer to either of you.”
“We paid a visit to Medea’s butler after the accident,” Petunia said. “How did you know Medea had embezzled money from the sheriff’s fundraiser?”
“I caught a couple of letters from the bank in her office and I opened one, thinking they were related to the factory. Imagine my shock when it was the closing statement of the sheriff’s fundraiser. It was only in Medea’s name.”
“She was handling the financials,” Noah said.
“What plans did you have when you threatened her at the house?” Petunia added.
“Isn’t it obvious I wanted her gone. Morale is the worst it’s ever been and she’s a shrew when it comes to firing long-term employees.”
“Like Chloe Woods. Medea claimed Chloe had stolen recipes from the factory.”
“I’m aware that Chloe tended to go into areas that are off limits to her position, but she certainly wouldn’t be able to get her hands on recipes. They’re locked in a safe deposit box at the bank.”
“You sure Medea wasn’t able to access them at the bank?” Petunia asked.
“She didn’t have the keys and her name wasn’t on the box. It would be impossible for her to get her hands on them.”
“You might want to stop by the bank to assure yourself that’s the case,” Petunia suggested. “We’re going there next. I’d like to know how Medea set up her accounts for the fundraiser.”
“I’ll drive.”
12
Rick, the bank manager, widened his eyes when Noah and Petunia accompanied Frank into the office.
“Can I help you, Frank?”
“Yes, we have a few questions about Medea. I’ll let Petunia and Noah go ahead first.”
Petunia plopped down in a chair opposite the bank manager.
“You might not be aware, but we’re investigating Medea’s unfortunate accident,” Petunia said.
“And we’re aware that Medea embezzled money from the sheriff’s fundraiser,” Noah added.
Rick’s black hair was slicked back and he moved his thick-rimmed glasses up to the bridge of his nose. “I’m not under liberty to discuss this with you.”
“Should I bring the sheriff in on this?” Petunia asked.
“It won’t matter since none of the paperwork had the sheriff’s name on it.”
“And that’s how the paperwork was set up? Or did you alter it a little? I have a feeling the sheriff wouldn’t just allow Medea to set up an account without her name or project on it as well.”
Rick shifted nervously. “I was under the impression that only Medea’s name should be on the paperwork.”
“If it’s for a fundraiser I believe there would be particulars that would have to be on the account to qualify for the fundraiser,” Noah said.
“Otherwise it would have tax liabilities,” Frank said. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to butt in. I’m quite aware of how an account such as this is usually set up.”
“I’m very sorry about what happened,” Rick said. “Medea had her merits.”
“And you’re the only one who has said anything nice about her,” Petunia said. “It makes me wonder if you were in cahoots with Medea in this fundraiser scheme.”
“I assure you I didn’t have anything to do with it.”
“Other than fraudulently setting up the account, you must mean,” Noah said. He picked up the phone and exited the room.
Rick coughed and choked. “I really have another matter to attend to, Frank.”
Frank pulled a key out of his pocket. “I’d like to see the contents of the factory’s safe deposit box, if you please.”
Petunia met Noah in the lobby as Rick and Frank handled their business. “Who did you call?” Petunia asked Noah.
“The sheriff. She needs to hear first-hand the manager of this bank is involved with Medea’s scheme.”
“He did tell Sheriff Griffin that the funds had been withdrawn.”
“Could be covering for himself.”
“You’re right. I can’t wait to hear what the sheriff has to say about this.”
Petunia and Noah met Sheriff Griffin as she walked into the bank.
“We’re waiting for Rick. The president of the factory is checking their safe deposit box. We were concerned that Medea might have gotten her hands on the factory’s recipes.”
“We would like to know more about the specifics of Medea’s involvement with the fundraiser,” Petunia said, as they walked into Rick’s office.
“She handled the finances, as I’ve said before.”
“And you trusted her to set up the accounts without your name on it?”
“I can’t exactly remember what I told her, but I believe I asked her for a copy of the statements.”
“Did she ever provide them?” Noah asked.
Rick slid behind his desk and began typing on his computer.
“Where is Frank?” I asked.
“He’s looking through the safe deposit box.”
The printer hummed to life and two pages printed that Rick then slid across the desk. “Medea set up the accounts in her name alone.”
Sheriff Griffin examined the papers before setting them back down. “I see you didn’t suggest she put the name of the fundraiser on here. Not that it matters since the money is gone. And if Medea is really dead, I’ll never see that money again.” Sheriff Griffin massaged her temples. “All the planning has gone out the window. All the money from the fundraisers is history.” She slammed a fist on the table. “I can’t talk about this now. I have a case to investigate,” she said, as she disappeared out the door.
Frank popped his head in the door. “Thanks, nothing is missing in the safe deposit. Should I drop you two off somewhere?”
“We have our golf cart parked at the factory,” Noah said.
Petunia smiled when she spotted the white picket fence and flower boxes filled with fragrant pink and purple flowers at Evie’s house. The red-trimmed windows and door added to the ambiance. It looked like a page out of a fairytale.
Petunia gave Pansy a look so he hopefully would behave himself while they were here. The poor thing wasn’t having much fun with no other cats to chase and create drama with.
Petunia picked up Pansy as Evie invited them in with a smile.
“We’ve set up in the dining room. I hope you like strawberry shortcake.”
“Love!” Petunia exclaimed.
Two fresh-faced children with blonde hair came running up. The girls each had rosy cheeks and resembled each other.
“Mama,” the girl said. “Can we have dessert, too?”
“I love strawberries,” her sister added with a twinkle in her eyes.
“You can have your dessert a
fter your baths and our guests leave.”
“I’m Petunia and this is Noah,” Petunia greeted the children.
“And this is Jade and Opal,” Evie introduced.
“Oh, how clever, they have gem names,” Petunia said.
“Our mother procured the jewelry store when Emerald was born. Chloe and I are the oddball names.”
“I love your names,” Petunia said.
“Back upstairs, girls. I’ll let you know when our guests leave.”
“Can we bring your cat with us, please?” Opal asked with a sweet smile.
“What’s his name?” Jade asked.
Pansy snuggled into Petunia. “His name is Pansy and he’s my familiar.”
“We’ll introduce him to the other familiars.”
“I assure you he’s quite safe with my girls. They understand how important a familiar is to a witch,” Evie said.
Petunia set down Pansy and he reluctantly went with the girls. But he didn’t protest.
Noah placed a hand on Petunia’s back as they moved into the dining room. Blue daisy wallpaper encompassed the walls and sconces produced the only light in the room.
Petunia and Noah sat across from Evie, Chloe, and Emerald. An imposing woman in dark clothing and tightly drawn-up black hair sprang into the room and set a strawberry shortcake on each of their doily placemats. She returned a moment later with wine glasses and a bottle of red wine that she poured for them before disappearing back into what Petunia presumed was the kitchen.
Petunia smiled at her pedestal crystal dish that contained pound cake cut into squares covered with fresh strawberries and whipped topping.
“Let’s toast before we eat,” Evie said, as she picked up her wine glass. “To new friends.”
Noah laughed. “For a minute, I thought you’d toast to the witches in the room.”
“We wouldn’t want to leave you out, Noah. Only an extraordinary man can date a witch.”
Noah rubbed the back of his neck as he laughed. “Thank you, I think.”
Petunia took a sip of the wine and wrinkled her nose at the sweetness that went straight to her stomach and not in a good way. She never did like red wine, but she would have to tolerate it so as not to be rude.
Petunia took a small bite and sighed. “This is amazing,” she said. The dessert made her tongue dance in her mouth and she felt rather … giddy. It must be the wine, she told herself.
“I wish we came here tonight for a social visit and not because we’re faced with a problem,” Noah said, as he took a bite. “Petunia is upset about the intruder.”
It was so unlike Noah to talk about a problem that just might involve witches and such.
Evie frowned. “Chloe and Emerald didn’t fill me in with the details. Intruder, you say?”
“Yes, we were out and about investigating the unfortunate incident at the factory when it happened.” Petunia then filled Evie in with the details.
Evie’s hand flew to her throat. “How dreadful. It was good that your familiar was there at the time. They’re good at thwarting evil plots.”
“Certainly, this can’t be an evil plot,” Petunia exclaimed. “And poor Pansy was petrified when I returned, although I must admit he laid claws on the woman. He had blood on his paws.”
“Blood?” Chloe said with a grin.
“Apparently he fought off the intruder.”
Evie nodded in agreement. “As any familiar should. You believe the woman was after your crystal ball?”
“Yes, there simply can’t be another reason why she would ransack my room.”
“Our break-in might be connected,” Chloe said. “Whoever it was might have broken into our shop searching for the crystal ball.”
“Wasn’t it always on the table in the shop?” Petunia asked.
“It’s locked up at night. We can’t have an important magical item like that spirited away.”
“Has anyone ever broken into your shop before?” Noah asked, as he loosened the buttons of his shirt.
Petunia’s eyes narrowed at Noah. Why was he acting so strange?
“No, but ever since Medea tried to buy me out, strange things have happened.”
“Like the crystal ball coming to life?” Petunia asked. “I might not have any real magical powers. It simply reacted by being knocked to the floor and Emerald overreacted.”
Emerald pounded her dessert spoon on the table. “I do not overreact.”
Chloe snickered. “She pegged you right. I can’t imagine a time you don’t overreact.”
“Don’t you have a familiar to find? It’s a monkey, from what I remember,” Emerald fired back.
“Only because you lured him to my door.”
Evie tapped a knife on her wine glass. “That’s enough. Petunia and Noah didn’t come here to listen to you two bicker.”
“The intruder was quite tall,” Petunia said. “Six feet, by the very least.”
“Does that ring a bell?” Noah asked.
“Medea would fit that description, but there are a few other witches in town who would, too.”
“So, Medea is a witch?” Petunia asked. “I knew it!”
“She has claimed to be,” Chloe quickly said.
“Medea has always been difficult, but I find no pleasure in her death,” Evie said.
“The sheriff says the body hasn’t been identified yet. And I’ve continued to see Medea in the crystal ball. I think she might still be alive. I clearly saw her in the globe after the accident and she was laughing,” Petunia gasped.
“I don’t have the answers you seek, but you’ll need to speak to the two witches I have in mind.”
The dining room door suddenly swung open and a white-headed capuchin monkey waddled into the room. Next, he jumped on the table and swiped Emerald’s dessert dish and licked it clean.
“Bubbles!” Chloe shouted.
Bubbles didn’t stop. Instead, he scrambled across the top of the table and Evie took the wine bottle out of his reach. “Oh, no, you don’t, not this time.”
Chloe scooped him up. “I’m so sorry. I swear I had him locked up.”
“You can’t simply lock a monkey in a cage and expect him to behave himself when he’s out of it,” Evie scolded her. “I have serious doubts that Bubbles is in the same pool as other familiars are.”
Chloe narrowed her eyes at Emerald. “And I suppose you don’t have anything to say about it, now do you, Emerald.”
“Where is your familiar tonight?” Evie asked.
“He’s home, I think,” Emerald said.
“You don’t even know where your familiar is?” Petunia asked with a cluck of her tongue. She picked up a piece of cake and fed it to Bubbles.
He snatched it from Petunia’s fingers and Chloe explained, “I’m sorry he’s not very well behaved.”
“You’re lucky he didn’t bite you,” Emerald hissed.
“You are to go home and locate your familiar now, Emerald. We know what happens to lost familiars in Coven Creek,” Evie ordered.
“They get stolen.”
“Or escape and turn feral,” Petunia said. “I was nearly ripped to shreds in an alley the other day.”
“Thank you for telling me that,” Evie said. “I’ll have to retrieve them and take them to the familiar hospital. They’ll be nursed back to health and chose another witch to look after them in time.”
“Does the dog catcher really sell familiars on the black market?” Petunia asked.
Evie shook her head at Emerald. “It’s simply a rumor mischievous witches tell.”
“It hasn’t hurt anything,” Emerald said. “If it helps make a witch realize how special a familiar is.”
“Even if he’s a misbehaved monkey like Bubbles,” Chloe sighed.
Pansy poked his head into the door, his eyes widening when he caught sight of Bubbles. Bubbles wiggled out of Chloe’s arms and climbed to her shoulder, where he proceeded to clean his hands.
“I’ll give the familiar doctor a call and we shoul
d head out to find the rogue familiars.” Evie said.
“I can show you where I encountered the familiars,” Petunia said. “But shouldn’t you arm yourself?”
Evie nodded and walked into the library. She then unlocked a cabinet and selected a wand. Emerald and Chloe also each selected one. Petunia’s eyes widened as green vines wrapped around the wands and began to glow in a similar color to that of Petunia’s crystal ball.
“I didn’t bring my wand to Coven Creek,” Petunia said, as she picked up Pansy, who continued to be silent.
“You don’t need one I suppose, but your crystal ball will be helpful. We’ll go with you to collect it.”
“It’s in your shop.”
“I told you not to keep it in the shop,” Emerald hissed, as she lifted her wand slightly.
“Are you threatening me?” Petunia asked, as she pointed at Emerald’s wand.
“Emerald, please,” Evie said. “I already have a headache.”
The woman from the kitchen wandered out and Evie asked, “Rita, could you please look after Jade and Opal until I return and don’t let them release any more familiars.”
“It wasn’t us,” Opal said, as she hugged her mother. “It was that other familiar, the strange black cat.”
“How did Pansy manage to release the monkey?” Petunia asked the child.
“He jumped at it until the latch opened.”
Evie’s hands slipped to her hips and her foot tapped. “And I suppose you stood right there watching the entire time.”
“No, Mama. Jade told me a cat can’t unlock a cage.”
“Well, you’ve been proven wrong,” Petunia said with a wink. “Pansy’s abilities surprise even me.”
13
It was early evening and the last thing Petunia had expected to do was go searching for rogue familiars in the same alley where she was nearly attacked.
She held the shopping bag that contained the crystal ball, which she had quickly picked up from Enchanted Objects, and asked Pansy, “Cat got your tongue?”
“Is that the best you can come up with?”
“At the moment, yes.” Petunia grimaced as she stood at the edge of the alley, watching as Evie, Emerald, and Chloe entered the alley with wands at the ready.
Meows, Magic & Marshmallows Page 11