Third Crime's a Charm (A Farmer's Market Witch Mystery Series Book 2)

by Constance Barker

  “Hey,” Jason said. “I’ll give you a ride to your shop, if you’re going that way.”

  “I am,” I said, “and a ride would be welcome.”

  Jason delivered me to the charm shop and drove off to deliver the jewelry box to Thomas. I wasn’t in the shop ten minutes before Gus and Emmy appeared. They were laughing, which was a good sign.

  “Gus is such a wise dog,” Emmy said. “And he has a wicked sense of humor.”

  “He does,” I agreed. “Although he keeps it to himself sometimes.”

  “I do not,” Gus said. “You simply don’t always savor my wry wit.”

  I laughed. “Don’t start talking wit with me. I’m starting with half a deck.”

  They both laughed. “Don’t sell yourself short,” Emmy said. “I’ve seen you in action.”

  I was about to head back to my workshop and the charms that always needed my attention, when the bell rang, and Delilah marched into the shop.

  “Elle,” Delilah said, “How are things?”

  “Doing just fine,” I said. “You?”

  “Couldn’t be better. Since I took over running the flower shop, it’s taken off. David is quite pleased. It seems my new items are just what the shop needed. In fact, David was so happy, he gave me this.”

  She held out her hand that sported a very becoming sapphire ring. I knew it wasn’t a prize from some cereal box.

  “And this.”

  She flashed a tennis bracelet. The diamonds in it looked real.

  “Wow,” I said. “You must be raking in the money.”

  “I am. And David appreciates me. I have complete artistic freedom. That’s why I’m here. I have a new item in mind, a ‘lovers’ box of roses. Think about it. A dozen red roses in full bloom. Add to that some gourmet chocolates. Enough? No. Because I’m going to add a small, stuffed bear. You know, something sentimental and cheap, therefore, muchly appreciated.”

  She laughed, and I laughed with her.

  “To top it all off, I want to add a bracelet with a special charm. That’s where you come in. I need a special charm that signifies love and togetherness. Nothing cheap or gaudy. I want the package to show just how much the giver cares.”

  “How many do you want?” I asked.

  “I’m hoping to sell a dozen packages. So, I’ll take six now, and the option to buy six later.”

  “That sounds reasonable. I think I have something that will turn your gift box into something to remember.”

  The charm I displayed showed the silhouettes of a man and a woman kissing, totally alone and engaged. I added a bracelet of double entwined links that signified the union of two free spirits. It was for people who had committed to each other. They had become inseparable.

  “That’s fabulous,” Delilah said, her eyes sparkling. “I’ll take half a dozen right now.”

  I boxed the bracelets and charms, and we completed the sale.

  “If I call, can you get me another six right away?” Delilah asked. “If this promotion takes off, you could find yourself very busy.”

  “I can get you as many as you need,” I said. “I work from home also, so producing what is needed isn’t difficult.”

  “Oh good.” She leaned across the counter. “By the way, you haven’t solved the murder, have you?”

  “Not yet.”

  “I’m sure you will, Elle. Everyone knows you’re the best detective in Abbot Rise.”

  “So, David hired you to run the shop?” I asked, trying to change the subject.

  “He did. I mean, he and Thomas are still arguing about who should inherit, but since the divorce was never finalized, I’m guessing the shop will go to David. Unless they find a will. That could change everything.”

  With that, Delilah sailed out of the shop, as if she were the Queen of England. She had her bling and her shop, and she was convinced David would keep her on, once he inherited for real.

  “Well,” I asked Emmy, “what do you think? Is David smitten, or is Delilah leading him on?”

  “I don’t know,” Emmy said. “She’s certainly enthused about her new position.”

  “The jewelry would suggest that David thinks highly of her,” Gus said. “The question becomes, did he think highly of her before Betty died.”

  “That is something to consider, isn’t it,” I said. “David was never exactly faithful to any woman. Delilah is pretty enough. I’m guessing he wouldn’t turn her down, if she made a pass at him.”

  “He wouldn’t turn her down if she was ugly,” Emmy said. “I know the type.”

  We laughed.

  “You’re probably right,” I said.

  “Men are generally very foolish, where women are concerned,” Gus said. “They like to think of themselves as eminently desirable, even when they’re old and pudgy.”

  “Gus,” I said. “You’re sounding a bit cynical today.”

  “It’s true. You don’t have to be a genius to figure that out.”

  The rest of the day passed without incident. I was genuinely happy to be rid of the jewelry box. It had caused enough consternation, as far as I was concerned. At home, I found everything intact. I was pretty sure Tabitha wouldn’t be barging into my bedroom this night, and I slept well. The next morning, my coffee tasted wonderful. I left for the Farmer’s Market, thinking it was going to be a great day. It did start well. My charms were selling. Gus and Emmy had run off to chase butterflies or something. That I hadn’t yet found Betty’s killer niggled at my brain. But, I wasn’t fretting—not yet. It was almost lunch time when Percy hurried up.

  “Elle,” he said. “You won’t believe what just happened.”

  CHAPTER 24

  Percy seemed almost giddy with excitement. He leaned on the display table, his glasses sliding down his nose. I thought he might lose them altogether.

  “You won’t believe it,” he repeated. “It just happened at the flower booth.”

  “Betty’s booth?”

  “Betty’s former booth. Delilah is running it now. And, from all accounts, she’s doing a decent business. But that’s not important. What’s important is that Annie Jenkins stopped by the flower booth.”

  “Why would that be important? I mean, Annie has been David’s rumored mistress for years.”

  “Exactly. And Delilah is running the flower shop now. Let’s face it, Delilah is a lot younger and prettier than Annie.”

  I thought I knew where Percy was headed, but I wanted to let him tell his story.

  “Well, Annie walked up and knocked over two, rather expensive vases. Annie claimed it was an accident, which Delilah didn’t buy. That led to words, and you can only guess what followed. Annie said that David was hers, and that Delilah had better back off. Delilah wasn’t about to settle for that, and she said Annie was old and slow, and that David deserved better. Things don’t go well when two women fight over the same man. And they don’t play fair like men mostly do. Anyway, that led to more words. Annie said Delilah needed to change her name to Jezebel, as she was stealing men from other women. Annie also told Delilah that Jezebel met an ugly fate. She was devoured by dogs.”

  Percy beamed, as if he had won the sixth-grade spelling bee or something.

  “What do you think, Elle? What does it mean?”

  “At first blush,” I said. “I would say David has gone wandering again. Annie has found out about it, and she’s not about to watch her lover get enticed away. So, she warned Delilah.”

  “Yes, but that means David and Delilah are a thing. I didn’t know that.”

  “Neither did I.”

  “Wait, wait,” Percy said. He leaned to one side and cocked his head. I knew he was dialing into some distant conversation, something only he could hear. Sometimes, it was maddening to wait while Percy listened to what I couldn’t hear. If he hadn’t come up with great information most of the time, I wouldn’t have tolerated the behavior. As it was, I welcomed it.

  “It seems David has arrived,” Percy said. “And he’s personally escorting
Annie out of the market. She doesn’t want to go, and, oh my, the words they use. I can’t even use them in my blog.”

  I waited a bit longer, until Percy stopped listening.

  “That was something,” Percy said. “Who was it that said triangles are always unstable?’

  “I have no idea,” I said, “but everyone knows that no one can have two masters.”

  “Or two mistresses, apparently.” Percy laughed. “Certainly, David is not faring well with those two women. Do you really think Delilah has become David’s other mistress?”

  “Annie Jenkins is no dummy. She knew when she started with David that he cheated on his wife. Get a man who cheats on his wife, and you get a man who cheats period.”

  “Well said. But I have to run. My editor is calling, I’m sure. There’s nothing quite so alluring as a cat fight.”

  I watched Percy jog off, and I knew his blog would be especially juicy. He was right about two people fighting over a third. The story was as old as humans.

  On the way home from the market, Gus joined me. He and Emmy had had a very enjoyable afternoon. Yet, somehow, he managed to learn about Delilah and Annie.

  “Where did you hear that?” I asked as we drove home.

  “It was the talk of the market,” Gus said. “All the other vendors found it humorous and distressing at the same time. Everyone knows that a smoothly running market is better than one roiling with emotions.”

  “I suppose you’re right. Yet, I wonder if this is just some sort of smoke screen, meant to keep us from finding out who murdered Betty.”

  “Could be. David might be stirring the pot to cover his tracks. The longer the murder goes unsolved, the more difficult it becomes.”

  At home, I fixed dinner and went to my workshop. I wanted to fashion a few more love charms and bracelets, just in case Delilah’s gift boxes went viral. I had never had one of my charms jump over the moon, but I kept wishing. If Delilah got wealthy in the process, so be it.

  I had finished my charms and bracelets, my neck and back complaining after the work, when someone knocked on my door. The hour wasn’t late, but it was too late for a visit. I opened the door and faced...Tabitha.

  “What do you want?” I asked.

  “Nice to see you too,” she said. “May I come in? Standing on your porch does not make me feel safer, especially since you’re dating a sheriff’s deputy.”

  “Will you behave yourself?” I asked.

  “Would I knock on the door if I intended to misbehave?” she asked.

  I couldn’t argue her reasoning, so I opened the door, and she swept past. Tabitha liked to make entrances and exits. Some people were like that. I preferred to slink in and slink out.

  “I’ve come to warn you,” Tabitha began. “I know that doesn’t sound like me, considering the past few months, but it’s true. There are some magical issues brewing in Abbot Rise. Some dark witches are not happy with the state of things.”

  “Why would that concern me?” I asked.

  “Because, you’re seen as a leader of the white witches. Let’s face it, Elle, you’re known as a straight shooter who brings down killers. That doesn’t ring right with some of the others.”

  “I mean them no harm, and they know it,” I said.

  “It doesn’t matter. The time is coming when witches will choose sides. And, trust me, you’re not powerful enough to fight them all. Neither am I.”

  “But I’ve done nothing,” I said. “Why would they be upset?”

  “The jewelry box,” Tabitha said. “Some of the dark witches wanted to get their hands on it and milk it for the magic it held. You nixed that, and, well, they feel cheated.”

  “You know as well as I do that the jewelry box was a land mine, waiting to explode. In the hands of the inexperienced, lots of bad things might have happened. I couldn’t allow that to happen.”

  “Exactly, but your interference was not appreciated. Don’t be surprised if you receive a visit or two from some of the others.”

  “Why are you telling me this?”

  “Because I sort of like you. Don’t get me wrong. I don’t appreciate your actions either, but I’ve come to value you as a decent person and witch. Further, if you happen to get into a fight and take down a dark witch or two, well, that suits me too.”

  Tabitha laughed and headed for the door.

  “You can warn them too,” I said.

  “I already have.”

  She was out the door before I could say any more. I closed the door and turned to Gus.

  “I suppose we need to strengthen our defense spells,” I said.

  “I think we need to employ Emmy to guard us during the night,” Gus said. “She might enjoy it.”

  “Good idea. You’ll speak to her?”

  “I will. I don’t suppose I’ll be treated well, should anything happen to you, Elle.”

  Gus trotted off, and I wondered how I had managed to upset a bunch of dark witches. What was I doing wrong?

  Everything was quiet during the night. The next day, I opened my booth, looking over my shoulders for any problems. Having finished my setup, I was more than happy to have Millie visit.

  “Have you heard about Annie Jenkins?” Millie asked.

  CHAPTER 25

  Millie was as solid at granite. While some people thought the Alpaca ranch was a bit much for Abbot Rise, I knew Millie was far from flighty. Her magic ensured that anyone who wore one of her handwoven sweaters would feel safe and warm. There was no winter day that could defeat Millie’s work.

  “What’s the latest?” I asked.

  “Well, I have it on good authority...no, that’s not true. Actually, it came through the grapevine, so take this with a grain of salt, but I heard that Annie packed up all her goods and left town.”

  “Why in the world would she do that?” I asked.

  “Word has it that David dumped her. Called off their long-term relationship and told her to take a hike.”

  “Then, the question becomes why would he do that?”

  “We delve deeper into the human psyche,” Millie said. “And we find that David could not abide the embarrassment he felt when Annie went off the rails yesterday. Her little meltdown with Delilah was the last straw. So, something had to be done. David kicked her to the curb.”

  “Now, that sounds real enough. David doesn’t have a sterling record, if you know what I mean. Since I’m in the questioning mood,” I said. “Did anyone actually see Annie leave?”

  Millie thought a moment. “Now that you mention it, no, no one could claim to have seen or helped Annie leave. And you would think that someone would have seen it. I mean Abbot Rise isn’t exactly a metropolis.”

  “So, what we have is David claiming he sent Annie packing, although no one saw that. Sound suspicious?”

  Millie nodded. “With David’s experience around women, one would need verification of Annie’s departure. Perhaps she hadn’t left at all.”

  “Perhaps, David just wants people to believe Annie left, because something else happened to her.”

  “Oh Lord, Elle, you don’t think we have another murder on our hands. That would be too much.”

  I thought a moment. “It would certainly make David the odds-on favorite in the killer sweepstakes.”

  “Don’t make fun. Murder is a serious matter.”

  “It is, and I don’t mean to be flippant. It’s just that we don’t have proof of anything, where Annie is concerned.”

  “Well, I have to get back to my booth,” Millie said. “If I hear anything, I’ll let you know.”

  “Same here. I can’t believe anything bad happened to Annie. At least I hope not.”

  I watched Millie hurry off, and I wondered just how level-headed Annie really was. After all, she had caused a scene just twenty-four hours earlier. That wasn’t the sign of someone in complete control.

  The sunshine chased away any trepidation I felt over Annie. Gus and Emmy provided a bit of banter when the flow of shoppers ebbed. I w
as determined to make the day a pleasant and profitable one. That was the beauty of Abbot Rise and the Farmer’s Market. You could enjoy the day, even as you made money.

  It was after lunch, and I was feeling a bit lazy. That’s what happened on a warm, summer afternoon. I was cruising along...until the phone rang. I didn’t recognize the number, so I answered.

  “Elle,” the voice began, “this is Annie Jenkins.”

  “Annie, we were just talking about you this morning. I heard you left town.”

  “I did. And I don’t think anyone really knows why. That’s why I called. I know you’re trying to solve the murder of Betty, so you were the logical one to contact.”

  “That’s encouraging,” I said. “So, rumor has it David kicked you out because you embarrassed him by causing a scene with Delilah. Is that true?”

  “No,” Annie replied. “That had nothing to do with it. Although, it was real. I was very angry with that woman. She’s not what everyone thinks she is. In fact, she’s more like a snake than a real person.”

  “Well, if it wasn’t the argument, what was it.”

  “Money, pure and simple...money.”

  I was shocked. I would never have guessed money. Whose money? What money? Hadn’t I caught David and Thomas arguing about money?

  “Wait, what,” I said. “Whose money? I thought everyone involved was poor.”

  “Maybe they are, but David managed to come up with a good deal of cash, which he offered. If I had thought I had a chance with David, I would have turned him down. But I knew David wasn’t in my future. I’m not the only woman he slept with. In fact, I’m not sure how many he has. I’ve been with him a while now, and well, he’s a roamer. He’s not going to stick with me. So, when he offered, I bit.”

  “That seems so odd. If he gave you all his money, how is going to live?”

  “He wasn’t worried about that at all. He said he would be swimming in money, once he had collected the insurance. I think that’s true, but David is not a man who can hang onto money. Betty knew that. That’s why she held the purse strings. Of course, Betty also knew that he would never leave. He needed money as much as he needed other women. That bothered Betty. She wanted to be loved. She didn’t want him around, simply because he had no other place to go.”