Witch Trials (A Mackenzie Coven Mystery Book 5)

by Sonia Parin

  “Let’s assume Lauren decided she would cover her tracks by using the house phone. If she placed the order, then Zoe and Marcela are in the clear...” Or were they? Zoe had known not to speak the words inside... Anyone else might have been too excited by their find to even think about it and they would have rushed to test the spell. And Marcela... well... she simply wanted her powers back. “Hang on.”

  Both Luna and the detective appeared to hold their breaths.

  “Someone else did place the order. The proof is in the fact part of the spell was cut off. The essential part warning not to use the spell indoors. This was no accident. Lauren and Lance’s deaths were deliberate.”

  Luna flicked her tail. “Clarity and obfuscation in one fell swoop. We’re still none the wiser.”

  “So what now?” Lexie asked.

  The detective brushed his hand across his brow. “Now I’m going to check in with my team. We need to go through the surveillance footage yet again to try and identify the person who placed the call to the catering company. And you are going to stay out of trouble.”

  * * *

  Why would someone use the landline?

  To remain anonymous.

  To point the finger of suspicion at Marcela.

  To...

  “Could we please stop for a break? I’m overdue for a catnap. My eyes are drooping.”

  “We can’t stop now. We need to go back to the scene of the crime and have a proper look. The suite where Lauren and Lance died had once been great granny Hensley’s. What if she left a clue for future generations to find?”

  Luna hung her little head. “You could at least offer an alternative to not stopping.”

  “Such as?”

  Perking up, she gave her a kitty grin. “You could offer to carry me.” Luna didn’t wait for a response. Instead, she leaped up into Lexie’s arms.

  “Much better.” She snuggled in and purred with contentment. “Actually... You have a tendency to stomp. Could you please alter your walk to a smooth sashay? That way, you won’t bounce me so much. And... If it’s not too much trouble, a gentle scratch behind my ear would be lovely, but only if you mean it. There’s no point in scratching me if your heart is not in it.”

  Lexie hummed under her breath and wondered if she could sashay at a brisk pace. “How’s that?”

  “It’s an acceptable compromise. Thank you.” Luna sighed and made herself more comfortable. “I’m sensing some rumination coming from you.”

  “I’m entertaining a stray thought. Actually, it’s been weaving in and out of my mind. I’m curious about Marcela being able to hear you, but I haven’t had much time to think about it. Do you have any ideas?” When Luna didn’t respond, Lexie gave her a slight nudge.

  “Oh... sorry, I dozed off for a moment.” Luna stretched and yawned. “Perhaps her desire to acquire her rightful powers has made her sensitive to the powers around her.”

  “No one else can hear you. Not even the almighty O’Rourke...”

  Luna sniggered.

  “...And suddenly, Marcela can hear you.” Lexie shook Luna. “Hey, are you shopping around for another companion?”

  Luna gave her a wide-eyed expression that spoke of innocence. “Why would I do that?”

  “Duh! Because Marcela owns a mansion. If she ever gets her powers, she’ll be a version of Mirabelle without the pompous title. You’d like that. Admit it.”

  “But you and I have already connected. In the short time we’ve spent together, we’ve been through thick and thin. Nothing... no one can ever replace you.” Luna blinked for effect.

  “I get the feeling everything hangs on me getting you an Amish quilt.”

  “And my own broomstick. Don’t forget about that.” Luna shifted and found another comfortable spot in her arms. “You can’t blame me for wishing to enjoy a few perks. Every time I think of my sister, Venus.... I can’t help succumbing to a bout of envy. For as long as I can remember, she’s been trying to upstage me. When she secured her position as feline companion to Mirabelle, she whispered the news in my ear and then proceeded to bite my tail. We were in Ms. Stewart’s elocution class. I couldn’t help screeching. Can you imagine the disruption I caused? I still blush at the memory.”

  Lexie wondered if she needed to set up a special Luna bank account to deal with her compensation needs...

  When they reached the suite, Lexie looked around to make sure no one had followed them. “Okay, let’s tear this place apart... figuratively speaking.” She set Luna down on the large bed and started her search. “Do you remember the wallpaper? Is this the same one?” The tiny primroses looked slightly faded.

  “It looks the same. Are you hoping to find something inscribed? Something along the lines of a long lost message?” Luna fixed her gaze on the wallpaper and crossed her eyes.

  “What are you doing?”

  “There might be something hidden within the images. You know... like those Magic Eye pictures.”

  “I can never make those out.”

  “There’s a trick to it. Your eyes need to be out of focus.”

  “Let me know if you find anything.” She poked around and inside the fireplace but only managed to get a head full of soot. Seeing Luna now lying on her back, her little paws spread out, she bit back a snarky remark.

  “I heard that. It was all jumbled up but I got the gist of it,” Luna said.

  “What?”

  “Your snarky remark. I am not lazy. It is simply in my nature to take everything in my stride and, whenever possible, to relax.”

  “Yeah, whatever.” She opened a window and, sticking her head out, she brushed the soot out of her hair.

  “That’s interesting. If I had to inscribe a Latin phrase to read every night before dozing off, I think it would be something along the lines of... My heart’s desire shall be bestowed upon me... or some such thing. I guess great granny Hensley put a lot of value on friendship.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “The inscription on the ceiling.”

  Disgruntled by her lack of success in finding anything meaningful, Lexie joined Luna on the bed and looked up and tried to read the inscription. “What does it mean?”

  “You should have swallowed a multi-lingual dictionary. It’s Latin for ‘Circle of friends.’ Do you find it inspiring?”

  “If I ever have to leave a message for future generations to find something, it’ll be... X marks the spot. Come on, there’s nothing here.”

  “It must be close to lunchtime. My tummy’s rumbling. I’m hungry.”

  “You’re always hungry. And... Lunch has come and gone.”

  Luna sprung to her feet and curved her back. “What?”

  “Did you know you have a snappy temper?”

  “Do not mess with my stomach,” Luna warned.

  “What are you going to do? Turn feral?” Luna’s purr spoke of dire consequences. “Okay. Let’s swing by the kitchen and grab you some Game Indulgence. That way we get to officially add the k word to our list.”

  “I thought you’d given up on the list.”

  “Not until we can add our ultimate k word.” The killer had to be among them. Sooner or later, he or she would put a foot wrong. She hoped it happened before they killed again.

  “I’m too hungry to think what that might be.”

  “I spy with my little eye something beginning with k...” Lexie came to an abrupt halt outside the kitchen. “Look,” she whispered, “It’s Elijah Edmondson.” Talking with Marcela. Actually... arguing with her. It all came to a stop when he stormed out of the kitchen in a huff.

  “What could that have been about? We don’t really want Marcela to be guilty. Do we?”

  Didn’t they? Oh... right. Yes. From the start, they’d agreed it couldn’t be Marcela because... because...

  Luna rolled her eyes at her. “Because she touched a chord with us. You have all the powers you need and want at your disposal. Instead of embracing your new position, you chose to turn your back
on it all. Now... you seem to have changed your mind. I suppose seeing how hard Marcela is trying to get what is rightfully hers must have put everything into perspective for you. We want her to be innocent so she can enjoy her power, when she gets it.”

  Marcela turned and, seeing Lexie, jabbed her finger at her. “This is your fault.”

  “Okay. If you say so.”

  “He’s going to sue me for breach of contract all because he thinks I hired another company to do the catering.”

  “Did you?”

  “No.” She gestured to the pile of empty pizza boxes. “This is all your doing.”

  “I guess apologizing won’t be enough, but for what it’s worth, I’m sorry. I couldn’t help myself.”

  Marcela gave an exasperated shake of her head.

  “You seem to have that effect on many people,” Luna mused as Marcela stormed out of the kitchen. “I wonder why?”

  Ignoring her, Lexie approached one of the cooks and asked for some cat food.

  Handing Lexie a bowl full of Game Indulgence, the cook gave Luna a disapproving glare and shuffled them out of the kitchen with a warning to stay away.

  “That was rather uncalled for,” Luna huffed out, “What did she mean by implying I’m a health risk?”

  “I think she was stating it rather than implying it. Eat up. We still have a killer to find.”

  Lexie leaned against the wall and thought about their trip to the past. Belatedly, she wished she’d had a chance to meet her great aunt. It would have been nice to at least see what she’d looked like in her youth. The few times she’d seen her, Tillie had been dressed in stylish, expensive looking clothes. Probably original Chanel suits. She’d sat in a prime position and had been approached by all the so-called high-ranking members of the family. That had been her way of holding court. To Lexie, she’d come across as unapproachable... almost scary...

  “Are you done yet?”

  “Please don’t hurry me. And... You could at least converse with me while I eat. It helps with my digestion.”

  “Okay... I’ve been thinking about Tillie. I wonder why she left me her fortune? You’d think someone like her would have favored Mirabelle.”

  “What do you mean someone like her?”

  Lexie couldn’t remember ever being anyone’s favorite niece or granddaughter... “Stylish. Elegant. Sophisticated. She made her fortune in cosmetics. I don’t wear a lick of make-up. As far as I can tell, we have nothing in common.”

  “Maybe she took one look at you and decided she liked what she saw. Like a blank canvas...”

  Knowing Luna couldn’t miss the opportunity to tease her, Lexie chortled. “That’s just it. I don’t think she ever noticed me when I was a kid.”

  “What about the photo they took? Although at that time, it would have been called a daguerreotype.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “The picture they took of us today... in the past.”

  “You think she saw it?”

  “Why not? I can easily imagine the bride sitting with her friend, your great aunt, and pouring over all the images taken during the festivities.”

  “Do you think she knew it was me?”

  “She might have guessed. You look like her.”

  “Really? You never mentioned it.”

  “I believe I just did.”

  “I wonder what happened to the photo.”

  “We could have a hunt around for it. Perhaps have a wander around the attic.”

  The attic. As the thought bounced around her mind, Lexie got an idea.

  “I’m picking up a strange vibe from you.” Luna looked up and stilled. “Where’s the detective going?”

  Lexie peered down the hallway. “He’s probably hunting down his next suspect.”

  “Shouldn’t we go with him?” Luna asked.

  “No, I’m going to follow another lead.”

  “Which one? I haven’t heard you mention anyone new and if it has anything to do with the vibe I just picked up... well, I’m not sure I want to get caught up in the middle of a trap.”

  “I’ve been trying to practice emptying my mind of all thought. I guess it’s working.”

  “Are you going to let me in on your plan?” Luna gave the bowl a final lick. “I think it’s only fair. If I’m going to be used as bait—”

  “Did I say... or think you were?”

  “Okay, if not that, then what?”

  “I’m going to try and draw someone out. Everyone here signed agreements that they wouldn’t use their powers, but I think they’re all breaking their promise.” Seeing the bowl empty, Lexie returned it to the kitchen. Hurrying back, she gestured for Luna to follow her.

  Luna pranced beside her. “So who are you suspicious of now?”

  “Marcela.”

  “Oh, I didn’t see that one coming. I thought she was in the clear. In fact, we only just discussed it. What’s changed?”

  “My suspicions about her don’t involve murder. Don’t you think there’s something odd about us being here? At first, I thought Mirabelle might have had a hand in lodging a complaint against us, but now I’m thinking someone else wanted us here.”

  “But why?”

  “I’m not entirely sure yet. First we have to poke around the attic.” Her instincts were drawing her there, which was strange because she’d never been tuned into her instincts.

  “Apart from the photograph, what else do you hope to find there?”

  “The Hensley magic, of course.”

  “You can’t really believe it’s stored somewhere, least of all in the attic. Even dormant magic would find a way to its owner.”

  “The more I think about it, the more convinced I am we should be looking in the attic.” Lexie winked at Luna. “You and I know who the killer is... That’s where we’ll find the proof.” Lexie could hear the words bouncing around Luna’s mind.

  Luna slowed her steps and gaped at her. “Are you...” She stopped and looked around her, “Are you trying to lure someone by pretending you know who the killer is?”

  Lexie gave a small nod.

  “You think they can hear your thoughts.”

  Maybe, Lexie mouthed. However, her theory rested on someone being able to pick up on Luna’s thoughts. If Marcela could... then someone else might too...

  “I’m not sure I want anything to do with this.”

  “Where’s your trust? Just keep thinking about us going to the attic. We need to leave a mental trail of crumbs for the killer to follow.” If someone other than Marcela could tap into Luna’s thoughts, then... they’d want to get her and Lexie out of the way... assuming Luna had thought loudly enough for them to hear her... “Are you thinking?”

  Luna grumbled.

  Heigh ho, heigh ho, off to the attic we go. We’re on our way to the attic where we’ll find the clue to lead us to the killer. Heigh ho, heigh ho...

  Luna looked up at her. “Shouldn’t we at least have someone watching our back? This is all too impulsive. I’m... worried.”

  “No need to be. No one knows we’re going to the attic.” Again, she winked at Luna who continued to gape at her.

  “I think your new powers have gone to your head. Or maybe you’re coming down with something...”

  “About my new powers... I don’t feel different. There isn’t even a tingle. What’s the point of having powers if I don’t know what they are or how to use them?”

  “It’ll come to you. All in good time. It’s like wearing a new pair of shoes. You need to break them in. Become comfortable with them.”

  “What sort of shoes are you talking about? My boots are comfortable from the first day I start wearing them.”

  “I’m thinking of wobbly shoes. You know, high heels.”

  “Oh, right. But I only wear those when I absolutely have to and I’m never entirely comfortable wearing them.”

  “Forget I mentioned high heels. Knowing you, you’ll harp on about them and somehow talk yourself out of ever using ma
gic.”

  “Okay, here we go.” She pushed open the attic door and searched for a light switch. Unlike the cramped space in Marcela’s office, the attic proved to be spacious. It needed to be in order to store years of accumulated... junk. So much of it, she had to stop every other step to make sure she didn’t step on something.

  Luna instantly perked up. “So much to see and discover. I love it. Look at all the hidey holes.”

  Lexie made sure she left the door slightly ajar. Nothing like an open invitation to catch a killer or someone who might offer her a clue...

  Meanwhile, it wouldn’t hurt to look around. She made a beeline for a stack of small chests. Her mother had one on her dresser, which she used to store mementos. Lexie used to love going through it and pretend she was searching for long lost treasures.

  The first box yielded a collection of buttons. Some she recognized as mother of pearl. Next, she found a collection of postcards from all over the world. Marcela would need several lifetimes to get through everything. The next box contained letters tied with ribbons that had lost their sheen. She set aside the smaller chests making way for a peek inside the largest one. And that’s when she hit pay dirt. Taking care with the fragile looking photo albums, she removed them and set them on a table. One in particular caught her attention. It had an embroidered cover in ivory. Surely it had to be a wedding album.

  Turning to the first page, she knew she was onto something. “I think these are the photos of the days leading up to the wedding. They must have had one of those weekend affairs.”

  “I’ve been thinking...” Luna strolled along a piano, making the keys tinkle. “If Marcela inherited the house from her great grandmother’s side of the family, then... that means her great grandfather must have married for money.”

  Lexie wiped some dust off her hands and dove into the chest to retrieve the next album. “If the man we encountered today was the groom, he didn’t strike me as being penniless. I think back in those days, wealthy people married other wealthy people. Actually, they probably still do. Although... Marcela must have married for love,” Lexie murmured, her attention fixed on turning the pages and searching for a photo of herself. “Okay. This looks interesting.”