Witch Charm (A Mackenzie Coven Mystery Book 4)

by Sonia Parin

  Catherine!

  Chapter Five

  “What do you mean Catherine is indisposed?”

  Mirabelle’s orb moved away from Lexie’s bedchamber window. “You have a splendid view. The rose gardens are my favorite. During my time at Lauriston, I had a bedchamber next to this one. It was such a delight to wake up to the splendor—”

  “You were about to tell me about Catherine.”

  Mirabelle cleared her throat. “Yes, well... Catherine has... she has come down with a case of the common cold.”

  “Since when? I don’t recall hearing her sniffling. She sounded just fine to me. What are you hiding? You’re up to something. I just know it.” Lexie waved her fist at the orb. “Do you have any idea what she did to me? Every hour on the hour I blurt out all this tongue twister nonsense.”

  “Calm down. You’ll give yourself apoplexy.”

  Luna peered up at her.

  Take a deep, calming breath. Would you like me to get you some smelling salts?

  Smelling salts? Smelling salts?

  This smacked of conspiracy. She could feel it in her bones.

  Lexie grabbed a pillow and yelled into it. When she looked up, she saw Luna and Mirabelle’s orb had retreated to the furthest corner of the bedchamber. “Argh!” She scooped in a deep breath. “Okay. Fine. I can deal with this.”

  “Are you sure?” Mirabelle asked.

  She spoke through gritted teeth, “Positive. I wouldn’t want to let the team down.”

  “Splendid. It appears the spirit of Lauriston has already worked its way into you.”

  “Huh? Spirit? What spirit?” She swung around and flapped her arms.

  “I was speaking... metaphorically, of course. Lauriston Academy has stood for hundreds of years. The very foundations and walls echo with the grace and charm instilled in us all. I had hoped some of it would... rub off on you, eventually. But that is all beside the point. I have contacted Octavia and she has provided you with sufficient garments to see you through this investigation. I am sure you will do us all proud.”

  Luna placed her paw on her foot.

  Your face is scrunching up. Take a deep breath. Remember, what does not kill you makes you stronger.

  “One more platitude out of either one of you and I swear, I will... I will...” She buried her face in the pillow again and screamed.

  A knock at the door interrupted her catharsis.

  “Where are you going?” Mirabelle asked, her tone urgent.

  “To open the door.”

  “Before checking the mirror?”

  “For what?”

  “Your appearance, of course. Has Luna not filled you in?”

  Oh, how remiss of me. Before answering a door, a lady must take care to check her appearance to ensure she presents herself in the best possible light. It would not do to have a hair out of place.

  Lexie wrenched the door open and stared at a familiar male face. She was about to ask if she knew him from somewhere when he spoke.

  “Ms Alexandra Elizabeth Mackenzie?”

  “Lexie.”

  He checked his notebook and then took in her appearance. “Are you sure?”

  Luna scurried to her side.

  Laristonians should only answer when addressed by their full names. Clearly this gentleman is well versed in our customs. It is very refreshing. Particularly in this day and age—

  Put a sock in it, Luna.

  “Who are you?”

  “I am Detective Jake O’Rourke.”

  “O’Rourke? Of the O’Rourke Group?”

  “Yes.”

  “I thought you looked familiar.” His dark hair was more closely cropped than the other O’Rourke detectives she’d met, but he had the same mesmerizing deep blue eyes and don’t mess with me square jaw. “You should know I only answer to Lexie.”

  He gave her a brisk smile. “I was warned about you.”

  “Huh?”

  He looked over his shoulder and then back at her. “Sorry, the gals here tend to be sticklers for rules.”

  “So you’re only pretending. I might just make it through this with my sanity intact. Come in.”

  He strode in and waited for Lexie to gesture to a set of dainty looking upholstered chairs by the window.

  “Were you sent by the O’Rourke Group?”

  “I’m actually with the local precinct. We... the O’Rourke Group, tend to cover all major hot spots.”

  “Is there a call for it here?”

  He chortled. “In Salem? Of course.” He looked up at Mirabelle’s orb and gave her a nod of acknowledgement. “I understand you’re in the process of setting up business. We look forward to collaborating.”

  “Shouldn’t you object?” Lexie asked. “We’re nothing but a bunch of dilettante wannabe detectives meddling in matters that shouldn’t concern us.”

  “On the contrary. I think this will work to our advantage. We would have been hard pressed to come up with a solution for getting an inside person into Lauriston.”

  Lexie leaned forward.

  Is there any chance I might compel you to object?

  You could try, but from what I understand your powers are limited.

  Worth a try.

  He smiled and opened his notebook. “I’d hate to rush you, but the headmistress was a bit jittery about having me here.”

  “By all means,” she gestured and noticed Luna giving her a nod of approval. “You have our full attention.”

  “Okay, but only if you’re up to it,” he said as he gazed at her puffy sleeves.

  Lexie sat up straighter. “I have a strong constitution. Proceed.” That earned her another nod of approval from Luna.

  “The body has been removed. We’ll work on establishing the time of death. Could you run through what you have?”

  Lexie told him everything she could remember. “I wouldn’t mind knowing how much she weighed.”

  “Why?”

  “Someone had to lift her into the fireplace. If she’d been... robust, then we’d have to assume the killer could handle the weight. Or, we’d have to look at accomplices.”

  “Very good.”

  “Then there is the matter of the stolen items. We’ll have to make sense of that. I’m wondering if that was meant as a warning... or a prelude to worst things to come?”

  “Possibly.” He checked his watch. “You said you found them in the tutor’s rooms?”

  “Bedchambers.” She rolled her eyes. “Yeah, bedroom.”

  He chuckled. “And you located all the items which had been reported missing?”

  “All except the hair.”

  “Hair?”

  “One of the pupils had her hair shorn off. Ms Claudette Lafayette.”

  “The thefts might be a ruse. The killer might have taken measures to distract everyone by sending them off the scent.”

  “I think the chili con carne took care of that.”

  “Pardon?”

  “The smell of the burning body... never mind.” She shifted in her seat. “Someone did go to a lot of trouble. It has to mean they had reason for killing Ms Somers. In my limited experience, I’m—” Luna leaped up onto her lap.

  Contractions. Contractions. Practice makes perfect.

  “I am compelled to think there might have been something in her past that came back to haunt her. This being Salem, I wouldn’t... would not be surprised if this is the case.”

  He closed his notebook. “I’ll do some research and see what we can come up with.”

  Lexie perked up. What with minding her contractions and wearing white, she had no idea where her thoughts were taking her. “Do you think there might really be some relevant event from the past related to this?”

  He shrugged. “It might not be directly connected to Ms Somers. It’s possible someone might have a issues with the Lauristonians. A disgruntled past student or tutor—”

  “Impossible,” Mirabelle interjected.

  Don’t listen to her. She’s biased... and so is my
cat.

  I heard that.

  Quit flicking your tail in the air. I know what that means.

  “Do you think you’ll be able to question the pupils without arousing suspicion?” Jake O’Rourke asked.

  “I guess I’ll have to.”

  “Tread with care and mind your p’s and q’s.”

  “That is fine advice, detective,” Mirabelle offered.

  “As far as I know the elocution tutor, Ms Penelope Stewart, and the headmistress are the only ones who know about you not really being a student so I’ll question the rest of the staff myself.”

  “Are you saying I really have to go undercover?”

  “Do you think the pupils will open up to you if they think you’re not one of them?”

  “Well, if they’re anything like the Lauristonian graduates I know... No, they won’t.”

  Jake O’Rourke checked his watch again.

  “Anything else I could help you with?” Lexie swallowed and risked a glance at the mantle clock. “Because if there’s nothing else... I... I should primp my puffy sleeves before I go down to afternoon tea. I wouldn’t...” She gave the clock another glance and surged to her feet, “I wouldn’t want to appear all disheveled. Or... or keep you any longer than I have to. I’m sure... I’m sure... you have things to do.” Argh! “Venti, Grande, Tall. Very Grand Words for Large, Medium, Small. Little lucky Luke likes lakes, lucky little Luke likes licking lakes.”

  Jake O’Rourke’s chest shook with laughter. “You really don’t disappoint.”

  “The only person who could have told Jake O’Rourke about my ridiculous tongue twister outbursts is Penny. Yes, Penny. Penny. Penny. Penny.”

  Luna sunk her teeth into her ankle.

  “Ouch. I’m going to have to get a rabies shot.”

  “You must show respect,” Luna said, “I warn you. Next time I’ll draw blood. Now, hurry up. We missed luncheon. I do not want to miss the promenade. And bring your parasol.”

  Mirabelle’s orb swirled around her.

  “Hey, what are you doing?”

  “I am making sure you present yourself in the best possible light.”

  “And if I don’t? What are you going to do?”

  Sparks flew out of the orb.

  “I’ve had enough of you. First Catherine sprinkles me with tongue twisting dust, then Octavia pointed her fingers at my shoes and I cannot begin to tell you how much that annoyed me, now you want to... what?”

  “If I could, there is no end to the changes I would make.”

  “Gee, and I thought you liked me just the way I am.” She turned to Luna. “If you’re done licking yourself, let’s go.”

  “I was preening, not licking. You make it sound disgusting.”

  “Yeah, tell that to the fur ball building up in your stomach.”

  “Don’t be so crass.”

  They reached the door and stopped. “Deep breath. On the count of three,” Lexie said and stepped out.

  “What are you doing?”

  “An Eliza Dolittle impersonation, of course.” Lexie curved her back and used her parasol as a walking cane.

  “I beg you. Please, do not embarrass me.”

  “Promise not to bite me again?”

  “Hush, someone is coming.”

  One of the pupils. Claudette Lafayette, to be precise. She wore a sunbonnet, but it didn’t completely hide her crop of short hair.

  Incline your head slightly, offer a small, polite smile and bid her a good day.

  “Hi, there! I’m... Alexandra Elizabeth Mackenzie.”

  “How do you do?”

  Don’t answer. Don’t answer. But if you must, whatever you do, do not answer with a fine, thanks and how’s it going.

  “How do you do,” Lexie answered and saw Luna’s mouth gape open. Now that the element of surprise had been reinstated, she could plan her next attempt to publicly humiliate the little biter. She’d keep her guessing and on her toes for a while. “You must be Miss Claudette.” Lexie tried not to stare at her puffy sleeves, but it was all she could do. No amount of pricking could get those little suckers to collapse. They looked so stiff they had to have been starched with industrial strength spray.

  “I suppose the fact you recognize me means you have heard about my incident.”

  Lexie had to decide which card to play on the spot. Her choices were limited. “I’m suffering from first day jitters. I couldn’t help asking about this morning’s commotion and then someone mentioned your hair. This is my first time away from home and if anything were to happen to me—”

  “Relax. You will be fine. Although... you should mind your contractions, especially around Ms Penelope.”

  Lexie nodded. “I have been warned. She does not suffer contractions. It’s... it is one of the main reasons why I was sent here. My mother worries... and fears I shall never be able to shake them off. She blames my father’s side of the family. I am afraid, very afraid that if I do not shape up, he will be shipped out.”

  Well done. Now dab the edge of your eye with your lace handkerchief.

  Lexie did as Luna suggested and watched Miss Claudette soften with sympathy right before her eyes.

  “Practice does make perfect...” Claudette looked over her shoulder. “But, when we’re alone, you can let your hair down. I won’t tell if you don’t.”

  A fellow rebel. At last.

  “Thanks. You’ve no idea how hard it’s been for me. And I’ve only been here for a few hours. Hey, did you hear what happened in the kitchen this morning?”

  “Yes...” Claudette looked around again and then relaxed her shoulders. “Yeah. I heard Lillian’s feet were the only part of her left.”

  How could that information have leaked out? Lexie did a mental head count of the people she’d seen in the kitchen. Penny, the headmistress and...

  Now that she thought about it, no one else had been there.

  Penny had said the cook had come in early and found the body, but she hadn’t identified the cook by name.

  Could she ask Claudette point blank where she’d heard the news?

  “So... the cooks found her,” she said instead.

  Claudette nodded. “Mrs Barnaby came running into the front parlor screaming her head off. Her and Mrs Lannister were distraught.”

  “I heard one of them scream. I was upstairs settling in. That’s when I picked up the scent. The smell was enough to make me want to pack up and leave. But I’ve got her watching my every move,” she said pointing at Luna. “She’s under strict orders not to let me out of her sight and if I don’t bribe her with bacon, she’ll tell everyone who’ll listen I’ve been up to no good.”

  “A snitch,” Claudette nodded. “I have one of those too, but I know how to deal with her.”

  “Oh, yeah? What do you?”

  “I lace her milk with brandy. Half the time she doesn’t know if she’s coming or going.”

  Lexie looked down at the white cat curled up by Claudette’s feet.

  Claudette shrugged. “Any chance Sasha gets, she tries to sleep it off. I’ve been plying her with booze for so long, I’m afraid to stop now.”

  “Gee, I’d never have thought of that.”

  “It does the trick. Although... I think she’s suffering from night terrors.”

  Right on cue, Sasha sprung up and, screeching, raced along the corridor.

  “Just watch her. She’ll stop, look around confused and then stagger back.”

  They waited a moment and sure enough, Sasha weaved her way back to Claudette.

  “There’s a down side. She’s chatty so when she’s not too far gone, all she does is talk, talk and talk.”

  Sasha curled up and promptly fell asleep again.

  That... that is abominable.

  Agreed. Feel free to sink your teeth into her.

  “So... what happened to... your hair?”

  Claudette shrugged. “I woke up and it was gone.”

  Lexie looked down at Sasha. “Do you think... maybe... she
might have... you know...”

  Claudette tilted her head. “No, I don’t think so. Having no thumbs would make it difficult to handle a pair of scissors.”

  This conversation is bizarre and verging on the grotesque. Cut it short. We are going to be late for the promenade.

  Hold your horses, Luna. I think I’m getting somewhere with Claudette.

  We are going to be late for the promenade. We are going to be late for the promenade. We are—

  Have you had your milk today?

  “I guess we should walk and talk,” Lexie suggested.

  “Yeah.” Claudette nudged Sasha with her foot. The cat stirred awake and followed them a few paces behind, her head lolling from side to side.

  “So... Any idea about who might have cut your hair?”

  “I hear there’s a market for it, but no one here is strapped for money.”

  “What about the staff?”

  “From what I understand, they’re all well paid. I suppose I should be more worried. After all, it wasn’t just the hair. They also took a few other things.”

  “Really? What things?”

  “A bracelet. A hairbrush... Nothing really valuable or special.”

  Maybe Jake O’Rourke had been right in thinking the killer had wanted to throw everyone off the scent by casting a wide net of suspicion.

  Lexie chuckled under her breath. “Hey, a thought just occurred to me. If I want out of this place, I could always pretend I’ve been targeted.” She watched for Claudette’s reaction but she didn’t even flinch.

  Parasol. Parasol. We are about to step outside.

  Work on Sasha. See what you can get out of her.

  She’s slurring her speech and calling for another round of milk. I do not think I will be able to make sense of her.

  Perhaps you should find a corner and share a bowl of milk with her. Take your own advice. What doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger.