by Cate Lawley
Since Margery and Camille were now both busy studying the corpse and ignoring the guests, it was a good thing he was taking charge. Having a funeral director on hand in a crisis—a funeral director who accepted a reality wherein the police would not in fact be called—was handy.
Margery rose from her position next to the body. “The kitchen, Mr. Kawolski, if you would be so kind. That’s the best place for everyone to gather. I’m sure Star can manage without you for a few minutes.”
Ben nodded and started to herd everyone out of the master bedroom and into the hall.
A few seconds later, only two stragglers remained, Grayson and Samantha, both witches, both dressed in pirate garb. Samantha gave me a nasty look as I joined them in the master bedroom. “Was that your human?”
I opened my mouth—but Camille cut me off. “This isn’t the time for politics, Samantha, not unless you think a human guest could have managed this?” Camille waited with an expectant expression.
“Don’t be foolish. No human is capable of this.” Margery waved a hand in the direction of Isabella’s body. “Magic is involved.”
Samantha’s nostrils flared and her jaw clenched, but she didn’t say a word.
Except for Ben, none of the humans present knew witches existed—at least not in an official capacity—so even excluding the use of magic, it was a ridiculous stretch to think a human was involved.
It was a large bathroom, in keeping with the well-over four-thousand-square-foot house, but with five witches in the space it seemed a lot smaller, and I was starting to feel antsy. Which then prompted what should have been an obvious question. Why would more than one person even be in the bathroom? I didn’t know Isabella very well, but it did seem a little odd.
“Who would Isabella have been in the bathroom with?” I directed the question to Margery, since they were close friends.
Margery turned her attention to Grayson. “Well?”
“How would I know?” He adjusted the sword at his hip, a defensive gesture if ever I saw one. “She’s not my mentor any longer. Hasn’t been for over a week now.”
Margery shot him a sharp look, and his hand dropped to his side.
I rolled my eyes. As if Grayson was about to draw a weapon on Margery.
Samantha glanced at the door. She looked like she was regretting her choice to stay.
Margery flicked a hand, and the door closed with a decisive snick. “Perhaps, but since you two were especially close, I thought you might know.” She paused. “It wasn’t me.”
The implication, of course, being that it was Grayson. But I was having a hard time seeing him scrounge up enough backbone to actually kill a witch.
Tight-lipped, but with a reasonably respectful tone, Grayson said, “It wasn’t me either.”
“You.” Margery pointed at me. “You discovered the body. What were you doing in this part of the house?”
“And with that human,” Samantha said, giving me a sickly-sweet smile.
“Ah…we were…” How did one say “looking for a dark, secluded corner” while still maintaining the respect of one’s human-hating witch colleagues? Sticky.
Luckily, the sound of shattering glass saved me.
Purchase your copy of Star of the Party to keep reading Star and Ben’s story!
Note to the Reader
I love Star! I love all of my Vegan Vamp Mysteries characters, but I do have a few favorites, and Star is among them. I hope y’all love her as much as I do. And I hope you enjoyed this peek into her past (the 1990s - what?!).
It was fun to see her at the center of the action for a change. And for those readers who haven’t read my Vegan Vamp Mysteries series, Star is a recurring character in them. She’ s obviously older and (spoiler!) married with kids in Vegan Vamp.
But what I really enjoyed was writing Star as a character who doesn’t have all the answers. Witches in this world are made, not born, and she’s just figuring out how all the magic things work at this age. She’s not the incredibly competent badass that her future self is…yet.
Whether you enjoyed Night Shift Witch or not, I’d love for you to leave an honest review. Reviews help indie authors to be seen and heard by other readers. That said, if you’re just not feeling the love and don’t want to write Night Shift Witch a review (it can be short or even a rating!), then take a moment to write one for one of your favorite authors. We really do appreciate you taking the time.
Many thanks for reading my stories. Your support is what allows me to continue to write!
With love,
~Cate
Also by Cate Lawley
VEGAN VAMP MYSTERIES
Adventures of a Vegan Vamp
The Client’s Conundrum
The Elvis Enigma
The Nefarious Necklace
The Halloween Haunting
The Selection Shenanigans
The Cupid Caper
The Reluctant Renfield
* * *
NIGHT SHIFT WITCH MYSTERIES
Night Shift Witch
Star of the Party
Tickle the Dragon’s Tail
Twinkles Takes a Holiday
* * *
DEATH RETIRED
Death Retires
A Date with Death
On the Street Where Death Lives
With a Little Bit of Death
* * *
FAIRMONT FINDS CANINE COZY MYSTERIES
On the Trail of a Killer
The Scent of a Poet’s Past
Sniffing Out Sweet Secrets
Tracking a Poison Pen
* * *
CURSED CANDY MYSTERIES
Cutthroat Cupcakes
Twisted Treats
Fatal Fudge
Tea with a Demon: A Cursed Candy Short
Brunch with a Scurry of Squirrels: A Cursed Candy Short
* * *
FURRY FAIRY HOLIDAY HIJINKS
Cursed Candy World Mysteries
Candy Cane Conspiracy
Sugar Plum Ploy
Mistletoe Machinations
* * *
LOVE EVER AFTER
Heartache in Heels
Skeptic in a Skirt
Pretty in Peep-Toes
Love Ever After Boxed Set One
LUCKY MAGIC
Lucky Magic
Luck of the Devil
Luck of the Draw
Wicked Bad Luck
* * *
For the most current listing of Cate’s books, visit her website:
www.CateLawley.com
About the Author
When Cate’s not tapping away at her keyboard or in deep contemplation of her next fanciful writing project, she's sweeping up hairy dust bunnies and watching British mysteries.
* * *
Cate is from Austin, Texas (where many of her stories take place) but has recently migrated north to Boise, Idaho, where soup season (her favorite time of year) lasts more than two weeks.
* * *
She's worked as an attorney, a dog trainer, and in various other positions, but writer is the hands-down winner. She's thankful readers keep reading, so she can keep writing!
For bonus materials and updates, visit her website to join her mailing list: www.CateLawley.com.
Copyright © 2017, 2021 by Catherine G. Cobb
First edition published 2017. Second edition 2021.
Cover designed by MiblArt.
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
Created with Vellum
-webkit-filter: grayscale(100%); -moz-filter: grayscale(100%); -o-filter: grayscale(100%); -ms-filter: grayscale(100%); filter: grayscale(100%); " class="sharethis-inline-share-buttons">share
