by Amy Boyles
Watts was really hamming it up. I loved it. The more ham the better. Get all of Frankie’s attention.
Watts smoothed his shock of dark hair. He was maybe forty, close to Frankie’s age, and seemed genuinely interested.
He took her hand and kissed the back of it. Watts pointed to the hot tub. “Ladies first.”
Frankie smiled at him over her shoulder. “Of course,” she said graciously. Frankie dipped her toe in. A funny expression crossed her face, but she kept going, up to the knee.
As soon as Watts released her hand, Frankie screamed. Her entire body shook, pitching as if someone had grabbed her with an invisible hand and shook her back and forth.
“Oh my gosh,” Watts screamed. “Unplug the machine!”
One of the techs rushed over and jerked the plug from the wall. Frankie kept jerking though, until finally she dropped, headfirst over the side of the tub. She toppled over, falling completely out and landing on the floor.
The mayor rushed over. “Oh no! Turn the cameras off! Turn them off!”
The red lights atop the cameras went dead. Watts hovered over Frankie’s body. “Oh no! Frankie!”
Thorne appeared. He pushed through the crowd until he stood beside her.
“Don’t touch her,” Watts warned. “She might electrocute you.”
“I’ll be okay,” Thorne assured him. He pressed his fingers to Frankie’s throat.
The entire area was quiet except for India’s low whimpering as she stood beside the mayor.
Mayor Dixon was the first to break the silence. “Well? What is it, Thorne? Is Frankie alive?”
Thorne shook his head. “No pulse. I’ll start CPR.”
As Thorne started pumping on Frankie’s chest, I knew it was no use. Someone had wanted to take her life. Every suspicious moment that had involved Frankie was now adding up. Frankie had been right.
One person had warned her and even attempted to kill her before. This time they succeeded.
Chapter 11
“This wasn’t an accident, Thorne,” I said later that night, after Frankie’s body had been carried away. “Someone wanted her dead.”
He nodded. “I want you to do me a favor.”
A cool breeze filtered through the trees. The camera crew was packing up. Frankie’s last moments had unfortunately been televised to all of Witch’s Forge. It turned out that Mayor Dixon would need her PR company after all, but not for the reasons she had originally hoped.
The mayor had thrown up her hands. “This is a disaster! India, come with me. We’ll be up all night trying to figure out a way to fix this.”
India followed the mayor like a puppy from the scene. I had stayed behind, mostly because I felt responsible since I’d been the one who set Frankie up with the men.
Of course, that had been at her request. But now I stood with Thorne, ready to figure out who had done this to Frankie—who had killed her.
I tipped my chin to Thorne. “What favor is it you want me to do?”
I was ready for anything—ready to take on the world. I could help Thorne however he needed. I could tackle the kraken if I had to. Seriously. I could tackle it like nothing else.
I batted my lashes, ready for a real assignment. After all, we’d almost kissed. Surely all his insecurities about me and my sleuthing abilities were gone.
Thorne smiled down at me. “I want you to stay out of this.”
My hopes crashed to the floor like a wave. “Are you kidding?”
“Not kidding. Leave it alone.”
“But I feel—”
His eyes narrowed, sharpening. The dark expression in made me want to shrink to the size of a mouse.
“What? You feel compelled to help because you were her matchmaker? Is that what you’re going to say?”
How could Thorne make something so logical sound so stupid? I mean, really. He had a way about him.
“No,” I scoffed. “Of course that isn’t what I was going to say.”
“Are you sure?”
“No, of course I’m not sure.”
Crap. I’d said that out loud. His eye slits narrowed even more.
“Okay, yes. That’s what I was going to say. I was going to say that yes, I feel responsible for making sure that whoever did this is caught. You got me.” I fisted a hand to my hip. “Is there something wrong with that?”
“Yes,” he snapped. “There is.”
“I suppose you’re going to tell me that it isn’t my job.”
“That’s exactly what I’m going to say.” He tapped his chest. “It’s my job. I’m the police officer. I investigate crimes. Not you. It isn’t your job.”
“Well, I mean, if you’re going to be all technical about it,” I mumbled.
“I’m going to be all technical about it.”
“Then I suppose I’ll just have to leave it alone.”
“Finally you understand this concept. I’m the law. You’re the matchmaker.”
I bristled. “Do you really have to say it with so much attitude?”
Thorne crossed his arms. “Sometimes I think the only way you understand things is if I’m a little brash about them. You respond better to vinegar than you do honey.”
“That isn’t true. I like honey almost as much as I like vinegar.”
He scowled. “Just do me a favor and stay out of it, will you? It’s my domain. My job to make sure we find out if this was an accident or a homicide.”
“It was a homicide.”
His face burned red. “Do. You. Promise?” Boy, was Thorne really getting his panties in a wad or what?
I lifted my chin and glared at him. Just because we’d had a date and almost kissed didn’t mean this guy didn’t hit a nerve every once in a while.
I poked out my chest. “Yes. I. Promise.”
Not to stay out of it. Oh, who was I kidding? I’d try to leave it alone. I mean, Thorne was an excellent officer. It wasn’t like he needed my help. I could do it. I could mind my own business and stay absolutely as far from this crime as I possibly could.
I could do that, right?
Definitely.
“Shake on it,” he demanded.
“Don’t you think that’s going a little—”
“Shake,” he snapped.
“Okay.”
I took his extended hand and promised to absolutely let Thorne and his men, including the horrible Peek, investigate the mishap that had occurred to Frankie Firewalker, a woman who absolutely no one liked and who had a million enemies.
“Now go home,” he demanded.
I scoffed.
The hard edges in his face disappeared as his expression softened. “It’s been a long night. You don’t need to stay here. Can I give you a ride?”
I shook my head. “No, I’ll be okay.”
“Text me when you make it.”
My gaze darted to his and Thorne smiled. “I know I can be mean, but it’s for a reason. I want you to be safe.”
Still, I felt like a little girl being told what to do. But I said I’d text him. Thorne walked me to my Mini Cooper. He made sure I was tucked inside before he gently closed the door.
He waved me off as I headed home.
When I reached the house, Mama practically dragged me inside. “We saw what happened. Rose and me. It was horrible.”
I cringed. “You watched the broadcast?”
Mama sniffed. “Of course we did. I wanted to see Frankie make a fool of herself, but of course all she ended up doing was getting killed.”
“Mama! That’s a horrible thing to say. I know you didn’t like her, but it isn’t nice to speak ill of the dead.”
Mama glanced heavenward. “May God forgive me for speaking badly of that woman, but she wasn’t good to begin with. All her antics finally caught up to her.”
I sighed. “Was it pretty bad?”
Rose answered. “It was awful. One minute Frankie and that Watts fellow are sharing their intense like for each other, and the next she’s flopping like a fish
right out of the hot tub. Even Pig was scared. The poor creature ran from the room. I had to coax her back with—”
“Chocolate?”
“Oh no, we’re on to turkey bacon now.”
I rolled my eyes. “It’s going to be horrible for the mayor. A media crap storm if you ask me.”
“I’m sure Winnifred will find a way to make it all work out.” Mama untied her pink robe and readjusted it tightly against her body. “She’s smart and has gumption. She hired you, after all,” she said to me.
I nodded. “That’s true.”
The doorbell rang. I glanced at Rose and Mama. “Are either of y’all expecting guests?”
Mama shook her head. “None that I know of.”
Rose fluffed her hair. “Maybe it’s Thorne come over for a nighttime tryst with you, Charming.”
Heat flushed my cheeks. The idea of my great-aunt talking about trysts was enough to make me want to scurry under a table. “I don’t think so.”
Then I realized I’d forgotten to text him that I was home. “Maybe it is him. Let me go see.”
Usually when Thorne came to the house, the home itself adjusted the walls and such to widen for him. I mean, Thorne was very much a hulking specimen of vampire testosterone.
Did vampires have testosterone? Could they make that?
I grabbed my phone to show him I was just about to call when I turned the handle and opened the door.
But Thorne wasn’t standing outside. In fact no one stood there. Instead, what hovered in the doorway was a small skull.
My eyes widened. “You have got to be kidding me.”
That stupid skull necklace that Frankie had willed me hovered with that dumb chain swirling behind it.
The skull moved to come inside. I slammed the door and braced my back against it.
“Who was that?” Mama called.
“Nobody. Just a prank on us.”
The knocking came again.
“Doesn’t sound like a prank,” she said.
“It is! Just ignore it.”
Sweat dripped down my temples. I couldn’t take the skull, but if it was going to interrupt my life, I might have a problem. Like a serious problem.
The knocking grew louder.
“Charming,” Mama shouted, “would you please deal with that?”
“Okay.” I buttoned my courage, threw open the door and said, “Go away.”
The skull floated up and down as if to say, I’m not going anywhere.
I did the only thing I knew to do. I threw out my hand and called on the powers of wind. Leaves fluttered from the trees, surrounding the skull, which didn’t seem in the least perturbed.
A second later, in a whirlwind of leaves and wind, the skull was sucked from the doorway and disappeared into the night.
I exhaled a deep breath. Thank goodness that was taken care of.
I slammed the door and brushed my hands. Well, looked like I’d dealt with that little problem. With a skip in my step, I strode down the hallway. I’d made it almost to the kitchen when the knocking returned.
“Oh, for goodness’ sake.” Mama rushed past me. “I don’t understand why it’s so hard to get rid of whoever is out there.”
I reached for her. “Mama, don’t!”
She rolled her eyes. “Really, Charming, I don’t see what the big deal is.”
She grasped the handle. I shut my eyes tight, not wanting to deal with my mother’s wrath. I heard the door open. My stomach dropped to the floor.
“Good evening, Thorne,” Mama said with a gracious note in her voice. “What a surprise.”
Thorne? I peeked out from under one lid. There he stood, glaring at me.
I waved my phone. “Sorry. Forgot to text.”
Mama quirked a brow. “Keeping dibs on my daughter?”
“Making sure she’s safe, ma’am.”
Mama folded her arms. “She’s safe. I just don’t understand why she didn’t tell me that it was you standing here before.”
“I just arrived,” Thorne replied.
Mama shot me a smug smile. “So I guess it was a prank knocker who was here a moment ago.”
A weak smile spread across my face. “Like I said, a prankster.”
Thorne’s gaze dragged from me to Mama. “Make sure you keep the doors locked.”
“Do we have something to be worried about?” Mama said.
“As far as we know, the murderer only wanted Frankie, but you can never be too careful.”
Rose’s voice rang out behind us. “Would you like to come in, Officer? I’m sure I could whip up a treat for you in the kitchen. I don’t know what I’ve got that’s freshly killed, but if you give me a few minutes, I’m sure I could figure something out.”
Thorne dismissed her offer with a wave. “No thanks. I only wanted to check in on Charming. I’m afraid I’m needed at the station.” He nodded to each of us in turn. “Have a good night, ladies. Charming,” he said pointedly.
I grinned sheepishly. “Good night.”
Once Thorne had left, Mama smacked her lips and shot me a knowing smile. “Well, well, well. So Charming certainly means something to someone.”
“She means a lot to me,” Rose said. Pig, who’d trotted up beside Rose, grunted. “And to Pig,” Rose corrected. “Sorry, Pig.”
Pig oinked.
I rolled my eyes.
“That’s not what I mean,” Mama said. “I’m talking about Thorne. But I still don’t understand what all that knocking was about before he arrived.”
I hiked both shoulders to my ears. “No idea. Very strange.”
Her gaze grazed over me with a heavy dose of skepticism. “Of course it was nothing. I’m sure there isn’t anything you’d want to hide from me, is there?”
“No, of course not. Why would I hide anything from you?”
She clicked her tongue. “You know, that’s what I’m asking myself. Why would you?”
I shrugged noncommittally. “Well, Mama. You know as well I do that I wouldn’t.” She offered her cheek, and I kissed it. “I just wouldn’t keep anything from you. Absolutely not.”
She squinted. “That’s what I thought, Charming. That’s what I thought, too.”
Chapter 12
The next morning I moved cautiously, unsure if a floating skull would be waiting for me downstairs. I crossed my fingers that the wind had whisked that skull to the other side of the planet.
So far, so good.
“Good morning,” I said cheerily.
Rose wore a 50’s style frilly apron. Pig sat on a stool, greedily eating a slice of turkey bacon that Rose fed her.
“Good morning. Would you like a wonderful breakfast to start your day?”
“Sure,” I said, humoring her.
“Charming, is that you?” Mama said.
As if there were more than three people living in this house. “Yes, it’s me.”
“I’m so glad,” she called from the direction of the living room. “I’ve been waiting for you to wake up.”
I’d been up for over an hour. It wasn’t as if I’d slept in or anything.
“I’m in here.”
“Great.” Mama appeared in the doorway. “Maybe you can explain what this is.”
She pulled the little skull out from behind her back, holding it by the chain. I threw up my hands and screamed.
The skull burst into flames, like the darn thing was angry that I’d sent it away. Well, what did it expect, exactly? It wasn’t as if that stupid skull was about to be a normal part of my life.
Mama glared at the flames. “Looks like the skull has a bone to pick with you.”
I winced. “It was Frankie Firewalker’s.”
“Of course it was,” she said sarcastically. “Charming, how many times have I told you not to take a gift from a witch?”
“I didn’t,” I argued. “I told Frankie I didn’t want it, but she said if anything happened to her, she wanted me to have it.”
I flung my arm out. “I tried to ba
nish it, but it came back.”
Mama raised the skull to eye level. “The question is, what do we do with it now?”
“Throw it in the ocean,” I offered.
“We don’t want to do that,” Rose said. “The last time I tried to hide a magical object in the ocean, the thing convinced a town of mermaids that it was their god.”
I stared at Rose. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”
“Oh no, not at all. I wouldn’t have believed it myself except that one day a mermaid arrived on my doorstep and thanked me for introducing them to their new god. The magical object had told them to come find me. I’m just glad it wasn’t mad at me. Can you imagine if there’d been a war between the mer-people and witches? That would have been terrible. I imagine I would’ve had to get out my armor. Boy, has it been a long time since I’ve dusted that off.”
I couldn’t resist. “Does this armor have a small skirt?”
“Of course it does. I look exactly like Wonder Woman in it.”
Only fifty years too late, I thought. Like, a long fifty at that.
“Rose, that’s not helping,” Mama said. “We have a problem. I’m currently holding a flaming skull that wants to attach itself to Charming. If that happens, the prophecy will come true and we’ll lose all magic. It will be the end of our world as we know it. That cannot happen.”
“I tried getting rid of it, like I said, but it didn’t work. If only it could tell us how to destroy it, that would help.” I stared at the necklace. “It’s too bad the thing doesn’t speak.”
Mama’s eyes widened. “What a brilliant idea! Charming, that is a great plan.” Mama snapped her fingers. “Skull, I give you a voice. Speak and tell us what it is you want.”
The skull’s jaw unhinged. The flames didn’t die, but they didn’t flare as hot, either. The voice that came from the skull was somewhat refined.
“I’m to be Charming’s,” it said.
“Yes,” Mama said impatiently. “We know that. But how do we get rid of you?”
“You don’t.”
“I do not accept that answer,” Mama said. “Look here, Skull. You cannot be Charming’s. There is no way. You are simply not allowed by me, Glinda Calhoun. Do you understand?”
The skull’s jaw moved left and right. “But I’m—”
