Witch Cozy Mystery Nine Book Set

by Amelia Morgan

  What a bombshell. Meg’s mind began racing. “Wait a minute. You were the one to expose his affair?”

  Kenny nodded. “I was the one who told his wife that he was sleeping with Stacey. Walter had been looking to punish me ever since.”

  “Why did you tell Walter’s wife about the affair?” Connor asked.

  “It was the right thing to do. If my girlfriend was sleeping with someone else, I’d want to know,” Kenny said.

  “But you must have known that would put a target on your back,” Connor replied.

  “Yeah, but I thought I’d be out of there soon anyway. A record label was reviewing my band’s demo. I was convinced they’d sign us. Instead, they rejected us,” Kenny explained.

  “You realize everything you’re telling us just gives you more motive, right?” Meg replied.

  “No, what I’m doing is telling you the truth, in the same way I’m telling you the truth about not killing Walter,” Kenny said.

  “Unfortunately, you can’t prove you didn’t do this,” Connor replied.

  “Seriously, you think I’d tell you all that if I did it? Why don’t you go talk to people with real motive, like Stacey, or Tabitha, or Owen, or Noah?” Kenny replied.

  Meg stopped him right there. “Noah?”

  “Yeah,” Kenny replied.

  “What motive does he have?” Meg wondered.

  “Don’t you know? Walter was having an affair with Noah’s ex-girlfriend,” Kenny revealed.

  “Wait. Stacey Watterson and Noah used to be together?” Meg asked.

  “Oh, yeah. Until Walter came around,” Kenny said.

  Meg and Connor suddenly had a new lead, and it led right back to The Discount Dachshund Grocery Store.

  Chapter Fourteen

  “Noah, good to see you again,” Meg said.

  Meg and Connor’s return trip to the grocery store was poised to be interesting. Not surprisingly, Noah O’Leary wasn’t nearly as enthusiastic to see the investigators again as they were to spot him. At the same time, Noah knew he couldn’t shirk this conversation.

  Before, Meg was happy to be conducting their investigation in Noah’s office. This time, she thought it would make a nice change of pace to do it in the middle of the store. There was less room to squirm that way, especially with customers walking by.

  Noah had an annoyed look on his face as Meg and Connor stopped in front of him while in the laundry aisle.

  “I can’t imagine why you’re back again so soon?” Noah replied.

  “Now is the time to stop playing dumb with us,” Meg said.

  Noah furrowed his brow. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “This is exactly what I’m talking about,” Meg replied.

  “I already answered your questions,” he insisted.

  “We have new ones,” she revealed.

  “For example, why didn’t you tell us Stacey Watterson was your ex-girlfriend?” Connor asked.

  “First, you never asked. Second, I didn’t think it was relevant,” Noah replied.

  Meg laughed. “Very funny, Mr. O’Leary. I’d say it’s all-too-relevant knowing you two were in a relationship shortly before Stacey started having an affair with Walter.”

  “I don’t know what you want from me here,” Noah said.

  “The truth, which we’ve yet to get,” Meg replied.

  “Fine, Stacey and I dated, but that doesn’t mean anything,” Noah said.

  “We’ll be the judge of that,” Connor stated.

  “After all, the crux of your argument before was that you couldn’t have been the killer because you have no motive. That isn’t true now,” Meg said.

  “So you say, but Stacey and I had been broken up for over a month before she got together with Walter,” Noah replied.

  “Who broke up with who?” Meg asked.

  “I broke up with her,” Noah revealed.

  “Why?”

  “It just wasn’t working out. If a relationship isn’t going anywhere, there’s no point in continuing it.”

  “Just because you’d broken up didn’t mean you’d be happy seeing your ex-girlfriend date your boss,” Meg said.

  “Come on, do you really think I’d murder someone who’d just given me a promotion because he started dating a woman I’d broken up with a month before?” Noah asked.

  “I’ve seen people do some crazy things over the years,” Meg said.

  “The fact is, we can argue about this all day. In the end, I didn’t do it,” Noah replied.

  Just then, a heavyset employee with a goatee named Carl approached. “Uh, boss, there’s a situation with the ice cream.”

  “What are you talking about?” Noah asked.

  “It’s melting,” Carl replied.

  “Melting?” Noah said.

  “Yeah, a couple of the freezers are busted,” Carl explained.

  Noah groaned. “The work of a manager is never done. I’ll have to call the repairman.” He turned to Meg and Connor. “Are we finished here?” Noah asked.

  “Yeah, we’re done,” Connor replied.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Even before the mention of ice cream, Meg and Connor had worked up a serious appetite. While the rumbling of their stomachs was nearly impossible to ignore, it would also be nice to take a break from sleuthing. Detective work took a serious toll on the mind. A nice meal would give them the distance from the case that they needed, not to mention a chance to reboot. Then, once they’d had lunch, they could follow it up with some ice cream.

  That’s how they found themselves back at Al’s Diner. They gave a brief thought to heading to another eatery in town, especially since they’d already had breakfast at Al’s. At the same time, they were firm believers that when they found something that worked, there was no reason to mix things up.

  The moment they entered, the owner, Al Gordon, greeted them with a big smile.

  “Look who is back for more; my favorite customers,” he said.

  “I’d take that as more of a compliment if you didn’t say that to all of your customers,” Connor replied.

  Al didn’t skip a beat, remaining in high-pressure sales mode the whole time. “I can say without a doubt that you are my favorite crime fighting team.”

  Connor shook his head, in awe of Al’s huckstering. “You’re shameless.”

  “No. Trying to get you both to try out our new triple thick milkshakes would be shameless. I was just being congenial. Although, now that I’ve mentioned it, our strawberry shakes are to die for,” Al said.

  “Please, don’t say die,” Meg replied.

  Al’s eyes opened wide. “Right. Sorry about that unfortunate phrasing. They are scrumptious. So, can I put you both down for shakes?”

  “Al, we haven’t even gotten menus yet, and you’re already trying to upsell us. Why don’t you let us settle in first?” Connor asked.

  “You’re right. Fair enough.” Al handed them menus as they sat at the counter. “So, what’s the good word today?”

  “I’m afraid I don’t have any good words today,” Connor grumbled.

  “Well, you can keep the bad words to yourself. This is a family establishment,” Al said.

  “How about we just go with words and let the food speak for itself?” Connor suggested.

  “If you want food that will knock your socks off, you can’t go wrong with the Philly cheese steak lunch combo,” Al said.

  “I’ll just take the sandwich,” Connor replied.

  “But you get so much more value with the combo. It comes with the sandwich, fries, coleslaw, and a slice of pie. Where else are you going to get a deal like that?” Al asked.

  “There you go, upselling again,” Connor bemoaned.

  “Fine, I’ll admit it. I’m relentless. But hey, you two are sleuths. Surely, you recognize the benefits of dogged determination,” Al insisted.

  “Only, detective work and diner ownership are a little different,” Connor said.

  “It’s the same princip
le. Where there’s a relentless nature, results can’t be far behind. That’s my motto, and I’m sticking to it,” Al replied.

  “Speaking of, we really need to focus on this case,” Connor said.

  That was a little bit of a lie on the detective’s part. They’d come to the diner to get a break from the case. At the same time, the only way it appeared they’d be able to shake Al’s sales tactics off was by getting a little creative with the truth.

  Apparently, Meg didn’t get Connor’s cue. Just as Connor wanted to cut the conversation with Al short, Meg asked a question that would surely prolong it.

  “Heard any dirt that could help us crack the Walter Newman case?” Meg asked.

  For once, Al had little to say.

  “I’m afraid not,” he replied.

  That was very disappointing, verging on unbelievable. Al was usually a reliable source for gossip, hearsay, and the occasional conspiracy theory. If anyone had the inside scoop, it would be him. Meg hoped he’d be able to supply them with a big break in the case, an alibi-buster, or at least a lead of some sort. Yet, it seemed like she was completely out of luck. She wasn’t ready to give up on the issue quite yet.

  If Al could be relentless about hocking milkshakes and cheesesteaks, she would do the same when it came to this case.

  She tried to butter him up as well as she could.

  “Come on, Al. People talk to you. You’re always tapped into the word on the street. You must have heard something.”

  He scrunched his nose. “Not this time.”

  Al could see the disappointment on Meg’s face.

  “Look, you know I’d tell you if I had, but people have been really tight-lipped about this whole Walter Newman murder,” Al added.

  It was turning into a day of opposites at exactly the wrong time. Earlier, both Meg’s mother and Connor refreshingly had no problem with Meg investigating this case. Now, Al frustratingly had zero leads to give her.

  “I’m really sorry to hear that,” Meg replied.

  “Hey, keep your head up. There is some good news,” Al said.

  “I’m all ears,” Meg replied.

  “I’m going to give you one of my soon-to-be world famous milkshakes for half off. How does that sound?” Al asked.

  That was not quite the news she was hoping to hear. At the same time, it was also an offer that was too good to be passed up.

  Chapter Sixteen

  After polishing off their lunches, Meg and Connor made a quick side trip over to Enchanted Donuts instead of diving right back into the case. Meg felt a duty to check in on her mother, considering Beth covered her shift. They also made sure not to drop by empty-handed, grabbing a pot pie to-go from Al’s.

  Now, well into the afternoon, the donut shop was rather empty, as expected. Beth Walton gave her daughter a quizzical look as Meg approached the front counter.

  “You two cracked this case already?” Beth asked.

  Meg broke out into laughter. “We wish. We’re not even close.”

  Beth was very disappointed. “Then what are you doing here with a murderer still on the loose?” She wrinkled her nose as an idea came to her. “You’re here to pillage the donuts, aren’t you?”

  Meg corrected her. “Actually, we’re here to bring you food.”

  Surprise was all over Beth’s face. “Really?”

  Meg nodded and put the to-go bag down on the counter.

  “This is just a little something I got as a way of saying thank you for covering my shift.”

  Beth peeked into the bag. Her eyes lit up when she saw the pot pie.

  “Is that what I think it is?” Beth asked.

  Meg smiled. “Pot pie, your favorite.”

  “Thank you,” Beth replied.

  “Actually, you should be thanking Connor. It was his idea to pick it up,” Meg revealed.

  Beth turned to the detective. “Just when I thought you couldn’t get any sweeter. How thoughtful. My daughter is lucky to have you.”

  Connor turned to Meg and smiled. “I’m lucky to have her, too.”

  Meg grinned back at her boyfriend. Before she got too wrapped up in the sentiment of it all and completely lost her focus, she turned back to her mother and switched the subject.

  “So, how has it been going here?” Meg wondered.

  Beth stared her daughter down. “I’m pretty sure I should be the one asking you that. I’m just selling donuts; you two are out there chasing down a killer. Are you hot on their tail?”

  Meg shrugged her shoulders. “Not quite. Things haven’t exactly been going to plan.”

  “It sounds like you could use a donut,” Beth replied.

  Connor jumped at the opportunity. “You don’t have to ask me twice.”

  Beth raised her eyebrow at her boyfriend. “You just finished lunch.”

  “I always have room for a donut,” he replied.

  “Dear, since you just ate, does that mean you’re going to turn one down yourself?” Beth asked.

  “Well, if everyone else is having one, it would be rude of me to turn one away,” Meg said.

  Her mother smiled, knowing Meg couldn’t resist a donut. “Uh huh. Two donuts, coming up.”

  “Thanks, Ms. Walton,” Connor replied.

  Beth grabbed the donuts and handed them to Connor and Meg. Connor wasted no time, plowing right into his.

  “It’s a shame you don’t like our food very much,” Beth joked.

  Connor laughed.

  “Anyway, I’m sorry the case is giving you such trouble. Maybe I can help on that front too,” Beth suggested.

  Connor stopped eating his donut mid-bite. “Wait a minute. Are you getting into the sleuthing game as well?”

  Beth brushed off that comment in a hurry. “Hardly. I’m trying to limit the amount of stress in my life, not add to it.”

  Connor breathed a sigh of relief. One Walton woman gone amateur sleuth was enough for him. Two would be too much for comfort.

  Just as Connor was beginning to relax, Beth finished her thought.

  “Although, I did see something very interesting this morning.”

  “What was it?” Meg replied.

  “Tabitha Newman and Owen Anderson having a pretty heated conversation,” Beth revealed.

  “Here?” Meg asked.

  “Outside. They were parked on the street,” Beth replied.

  “And you were sure it was Tabitha Newman and Owen Anderson?” Meg said.

  “I’m positive.”

  Meg’s mind began racing. “I wonder what they were fighting about.”

  Beth shrugged her shoulders. “I wish I could tell you. Unfortunately, there were a bunch of customers in the shop, or I would have done some snooping for you.”

  “Hey, you’ve still given us something to work with. That’s better than nothing,” Meg said.

  Beth stopped her daughter. “Honey, there’s more.”

  Meg was surprised. “There is?”

  Beth nodded. “There’s something romantic going on between Tabitha and Owen.”

  “How do you know that? Is this one of your wild hunches, or do you have something to back that up?” Meg wondered.

  “All I know is, before they started fighting, I saw them kissing,” Beth replied.

  Connor dropped his donut on the counter. “Well, that really stops you in your tracks, doesn’t it?”

  “I’ll say. With the amount of face they were sucking, it made me want to tell them to get a room,” Beth said.

  “I meant, in terms of the case. The separated wife of the murder victim kissing one of the victim’s supermarket employees. That arouses suspicion in my mind,” Connor explained.

  “Oh, right,” Beth replied.

  “That’s a good lead, mom. Thanks,” Meg said.

  “Of course. Anything to help you wrap up this case and get you back here running the breakfast counter,” Beth insisted.

  “I knew you couldn’t go the entire conversation without bringing up how early you had to come in today
.”

  “Megan Marie, don’t get snarky with me. I meant, safety-wise. Here you are chasing after a killer. Meanwhile, the most dangerous thing you have to worry about at the donut shop is spilling coffee on yourself. Although, I wouldn’t complain about being able to sleep in again,” Beth replied.

  Meg smiled. “I’m sure you wouldn’t. Anyway, we have to go. Thanks again.”

  Chapter Seventeen

  While Meg and Connor were at the store, they couldn’t help but turn their attention to a few other suspects. Meg zeroed in on Owen Anderson while Connor found himself getting sidetracked thinking about Stacey Watterson. Suspiciously, the all-points-bulletin had yielded no results. The entire Enchanted Bay police force was keeping an eye out for her.

  How had she evaded being spotted? More importantly, where was she and what was she doing? Connor could have lingered on that point, but they had the ability to question another one of the suspects privately and didn’t want to let that opportunity pass them by.

  Through a fortuitous twist of fate, assistant manager Owen Anderson was behind the store in the loading dock taking a smoke break. That was the perfect spot for the investigators to question him without worrying about being interrupted.

  “Be careful. Those things will kill you,” Meg deadpanned.

  Owen took a long puff of his cigarette and then groaned as he exhaled. “I don’t have anything more to say to you.”

  “Fine, just listen then. We know about you and Tabitha Newman,” Meg revealed.

  Owen’s face went white. He immediately went on the defensive. “Wait a minute. How do you--?”

  Meg interrupted him. “That part isn’t important. What matters is that you’re having a romantic relationship with the wife of a murder victim,” Meg said.

  “Which, you didn’t reveal to us earlier,” Connor added.

  “You didn’t ask,” Owen replied.

  Connor pursed his lips. “Really, that’s the defense you’re going with?”