Witch Trials (A Mackenzie Coven Mystery Book 5)

by Sonia Parin

  Luna sprinted up to her and jumped into her arms to whisper, “They chose their normal mode of transportation because they have a choice. It’s not always about taking the easy option. See, I’m a true friend. Anyone else would have left you to flounder and embarrass yourself. Surely you must agree, I think I deserve a turbo charged broomstick.”

  Lexie set Luna down and paced around the confined space. Had they been targeting the wrong motives? Until now, they’d thought the killer had been after the Hensley power, but what if there was something else of equal or greater value to be gained by Lauren and Lance’s deaths?

  “It could be a crime of passion or revenge or... spite,” Luna suggested.

  Lexie agreed. “We need to inform the detective.”

  “I thought we were trying to beat him to the truth.”

  “At this stage of the game, I’d just like the killer to be caught. I’m starting to worry about Octavia and what we might be going home to.”

  They found Gerard O’Rourke talking with Lou-Anne and Steven Reid in the sitting room. Everyone else had gone outside for a stroll around the gardens and... Lexie narrowed her gaze, “What are they playing?”

  “Croquet.” Luna instantly perked up. “We never play any games. Why’s that?”

  “You’ve had balls bouncing up to you since we arrived and you refused to chase after any of them. What are you talking about?”

  Luna crinkled her little nose. “I’d been experiencing the lingering effects of whatever bug we both came down with. Now I’m all better. Coming here hasn’t been a complete waste of time. Even if we find the killer today, I think we should stick around until the end. It would give us time to swing by the market and select my quilt.”

  * * *

  “Marcela, try and catch the detective’s attention and bring him to your office.” She turned to Luna. “You, come with me.”

  “Am I in trouble?”

  “Why would you think that?”

  “You used a stern tone.” Luna hung her head and followed a couple of paces behind her.

  Inside Marcela’s office, Lexie took one look around and frowned. “No, this won’t do at all.” She gave a brisk sweep of her hand and sent a trail of sparkles across the room. Everything lifted, shuffled into order, and settled back down. “Much better.”

  Luna gazed at her with admiration. “I see you’re making use of your borrowed efficiency powers.”

  “I hadn’t noticed,” Lexie murmured absently as she sat down to scribble some notes, which she then posted on a pin board.

  “I’m impressed. You’re displaying admirable organizational skills. It’s a pity you’ll eventually have to give them up.”

  Lexie pointed at the board. “This is our new lead. We must look at everyone who came here with a referral from Doctor Shrink.”

  “I see. She has now become a person of interest. You have my full attention.”

  Lexie gave her a worried look. “What have you got against the shrink?”

  “You seem to forget, she treated you abominably. Perhaps you were experiencing one of your short attention span moments, but I recall the event in detail. The woman was insufferable, placing most of the blame at your feet.”

  “Okay. Let’s focus.” As Lexie tapped the board, Marcela strode in, followed by the detective.

  “What’s this about?” Marcela gaped. “What have you done to my office?” She took a tentative step inside. Drawing in a breath, she pointed a finger at Lexie. “You’ve been using my powers again. Just don’t get too comfortable with them. They’re mine.”

  “Yes, yes. And I’ll give them to you as soon as I figure out how. Now, if I could have everyone’s attention, please.” She clapped her hands for effect. “Detective. Can you give us an update on your investigation? Has your team been able to find out who placed the call to the catering company? Did they find any video footage of the killer gaining access to the incantation and tampering with it before Lauren and Lance got their hands on it? Has any video footage surfaced of the killer trying to return the key card?” Lexie swayed.

  Luna jumped into her arms. “I think your new powers are going to your head. Too much, too soon. You don’t want to come down with a bad case of abuse of power. You need to pace yourself. Take a deep breath. In. Out.”

  Lexie brushed her hand across her forehead. “All these ideas are swarming around me.”

  Luna looked at Marcela. “She needs a moment to collect herself. Please convey the message to the detective.”

  Marcela cleared her throat. “Her feline companion has everything under control.”

  Lexie waved at Marcela. “Don’t worry. Your powers are safe. They’re just... overwhelming. I have this sudden urge to reorganize the entire house and then move onto my personal life. There’s also the gnawing need to find new friends. For some reason, I seem to think I can do that by throwing an afternoon tea party. Now I’m thinking the invitations need to go out as soon as possible... but first I will have to select the appropriate invitation cards. I’m thinking eggshell white paper with scalloped edges...”

  Luna placed her paw on her hand. “This is all unfamiliar territory for you. I’m guessing the Hensley powers won’t settle inside you. They’ll eventually reject you. That could be fatal.”

  “Are you serious?”

  Luna crinkled her nose. “I might be. I’m not sure. I’ve grown accustomed to pulling your tail. I might even go so far as to admit I have become addicted to mischief...”

  Lexie took a moment to gather her thoughts and sort them all out by priority.

  “If it’s any help,” Gerard said, “The killer hasn’t been active. The key card is still missing. While the security camera showed someone approaching the drop off tree, the person took great care to remain hidden by the bushes. So we have no way of identifying him... or her.”

  When Lexie simply stared at him, he added, “The person moved quickly so the images are fuzzy. Also, the video footage is in black and white, so there’s no way to tell what color clothes he or she wore.”

  “And if you had to guess the color, what would it be?”

  “A dark shade... Red or blue.”

  Blue. “Anything else?”

  “The mansion has two different landline numbers. We know the call was made from the kitchen, but the staff there were too busy to notice anyone using the phone.”

  Too many dead-ends, Lexie thought. “Not to worry. We have a new lead.” Feeling they were now back on track, she tapped the board again.

  The detective sat at the edge of the desk and folded his arms.

  “All along, we have been misled by the idea that the murders were committed by someone after the legendary Hensley powers.”

  “Really?” Luna asked. “I thought we were all stumbling about in the dark and making it up as we went.”

  “We tried looking for connections,” Lexie continued, “Locality. Career... and so forth, but we have been overlooking the obvious.” She gazed at each one. They all gave her their undivided attention.

  “This is a climactic moment.” Luna burrowed into her arms and hid her face. “I’m afraid to look. The suspense is killing me. What if you now fall on your face? I’ll be so embarrassed for you.”

  Lexie tapped the pin board. “All these people were referred to the program by Doctor Shrink. We need to find out why.”

  Marcela held up a finger. “I can help with that.” She rummaged through her desk and pulled out a folder. “Each client came to me with a particular concern they needed to address.”

  “And I’m guessing you are bound by rules of confidentiality, which prevent you from revealing details,” Lexie offered and frowned with astonishment at her own insight.

  “Correct. But... I can work around it by alluding. Or you could ask me questions requiring only yes, no or maybe answers.”

  “We could play charades,” Luna chirped. “This could be fun.”

  Lexie wagged her finger in warning. “Two people are dead. We need to be ser
ious about this. However... I don’t wish to shoot down your idea so we’ll try it.”

  The detective rubbed his hands across his face. “Again, I only heard half the conversation, so you’ll have to fill in the details.”

  She set Luna down on the floor. “Oh, right... As Marcela is bound by certain legalities, Luna suggested we use charades to get the information from her. Who wants to go first?”

  “That’s not how the game is played,” Luna said, “First, Marcela has to give us clues using mime. In the case of a couple seeking therapy to address marital problems, she might want to pretend she’s arguing. There are several facial expressions she could use as well as hand gestures...”

  As Marcela could also hear Luna, she acted as interpreter, conveying the information to Gerard O’Rourke who suddenly put his hands up.

  “Or, I could flash my badge,” he suggested.

  “And force Marcela into handing over the folders,” Luna exclaimed, her voice full of admiration for the detective.

  Lexie shifted. “Yes, that could work too.”

  The detective reached for the folder, which Marcela reluctantly handed over.

  When Lexie tried to read over his shoulders, he shifted away from her saying, “No badge, no reading.”

  “That is an unfair advantage. We’re supposed to be working together. And... How do I know you’ll interpret the information correctly? What if you miss something?”

  He groaned under his breath and shifted back around to share the folder. “I’m only allowing you to read this because the alternative will be to listen to you complaining and that’s too much to bear.”

  “There.” Lexie tapped a page. “That’s the connection.” She swung around. “I can’t believe I missed it.”

  Luna pranced around her. “Share. Share.”

  “Do you remember how Lauren and Lance behaved at lunch on the first day?” she asked Luna.

  “Yes. I picked up on their friction and remember saying there appeared to be trouble in paradise. Lauren pinched his thigh.”

  “Come on. It’s time to bring everything out into the open.” She strode out of the office with Luna.

  Gerard and Marcela called out to her. “Hey. Where are you going?”

  “To catch a killer, of course.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  As they hurried down the stairs, Luna asked, “Could you please fill in some more gaps. I thought I’d been following you so far, but your reasoning suddenly perplexes me. Why do you now think the killer has a motive other than the one we’ve been blindly pursuing?”

  “Because there haven’t been any more killings.” If Lauren and Lance had been killed because they were getting too close to finding the treasure, a.k.a. the Hensley power, then Zoe and Zach should have been the next victims.

  “Your mental footnote makes sense only if Zoe and Zach are innocent of wrongdoing. Are you absolutely certain they’re in the clear?”

  Not really, and that annoyed Lexie, mostly because she now had this intense compulsion to put order to everything.

  Zoe had claimed she’d succumbed to curiosity and had poked around in the crime scene, but the detective’s team had already trawled through the suite and had found nothing. That meant Zoe had gone into the suite soon after hearing the scream.

  She’d lied.

  And she’d fled the scene of a crime...

  “But you no longer suspect Zoe. And why would she lie?”

  People fibbed and lied without rhyme or reason. “I think the killer wanted us to believe this was about a group of people looking for treasure and willing to kill for it. From the start we’ve been hearing about the competition, working as a team to beat other teams... forming alliances. You and I didn’t really understand the reasoning behind it all, but then it became clear everyone was after a price... or treasure. When we learned about Marcela’s quest to find the Hensley power, we decided others might be after it too.”

  “If you are suggesting we jumped to wrong conclusions, then we risk being labeled amateurs,” Luna huffed out. “At some point, I’m assuming we need to earn some money from this venture. It would be bad publicity for us...”

  “Amateurs? Nonsense. We were... doing a thorough job and exploring all possibilities. It’s our duty to keep an open mind.”

  “I’m sensing some doubt in your tone.”

  Only because she was making it up as she went, Lexie thought. “Anyhow, thinking Lauren and Lance were killed because they were getting close to the treasure derailed us.”

  “Yes, but how does the shrink fit into all this? Is she guilty or not?”

  “She is a key element but I don’t think she is directly involved. Well... she is, but she’s not deliberately responsible for the murders.”

  “I’d settle for her being an accomplice,” Luna said excitedly and slashed the air with her paw.

  “Seeing the reasons why she referred some people to the program made everything clear. Do you remember how she forced us to make eye contact with each other?”

  “How could I forget? You have no idea how much I resented the intrusion into our lives. Some things take time to sort out. They simply can’t be forced. I also didn’t care for the simplicity of her tactics.” Luna harrumphed. “You and I have a complex relationship. She only skimmed the surface and thought she would fix us by making us look at each other.”

  “Apparently, that’s her modus operandi. She pushes people to face their problems head-on. I believe she pushed the wrong people and her tactics backfired.” Without solid proof, she would have to wring the confession out of the killer...

  “How will you argue your point?” Luna asked.

  She’d have to work up to it... “Why do people marry? It’s not a trick question.”

  Luna slowed her step. “I presume people marry for love. We know great granny Hensley gave up her powers for love. And Marcela’s marriage doesn’t look that advantageous, so it stands to reason she married for love too.”

  “Right. But there’s more. People who marry have expectations.”

  Luna flew down the last couple of steps and skidded across the foyer. “They want happiness. Lauren and Lance didn’t appear to be that happy. Are you saying she killed Lance and then, regretting her actions, killed herself?”

  “As interesting as that theory sounds, I’m nowhere near suggesting that.” Lexie set her mind to joining the dots before she confronted the killer. She wished she’d had time to collect some physical proof. Somehow, she’d have to improvise. “There’s something else married people expect. Fidelity.”

  “And you think the lack of it would drive someone to commit murder? Yes, I see it now. If my partner had a wandering eye, I’d scratch it out,” Luna hissed.

  Hearing Gerard and Marcela rushing down the stairs, Lexie waited. When they caught up with her, she explained what they’d been talking about.

  “Are you saying this was a crime of passion?” Marcela asked.

  “I would stake my reputation on it.”

  Gerard’s chortle caught Lexie by surprise. She’d expected him to scowl at the presumptuousness, but instead...

  He smiled at her.

  “Lead the way, detective,” he said.

  Luna trotted on ahead and looked briefly over her shoulder, “I believe you have earned his respect. I’m... I’m a little envious.”

  “Of course,” Lexie said turning to the detective, “I could not have done it without Luna.”

  He smiled at her again. “Aren’t you jumping the gun? You haven’t actually caught anyone yet.”

  Luna purred deeply. “My moment of glory, snatched from right under my nose. I dislike him. Intensely. And I have a good mind to bite him regardless of the consequences.”

  They strode into the sitting room and found everyone enjoying afternoon refreshments.

  “I don’t see anything set out for me,” Luna complained.

  Lexie went to stand in front of the fireplace. Clearing her throat, she called for everyone’s attentio
n. “I would like to thank everyone here for your patience and understanding. I know most of you have been concerned about your safety and well-being, but we have been in capable hands.” She scanned the room, doing a headcount as she searched for her suspects...

  Lexie frowned and sent her gaze skating around the room again.

  She couldn’t see them.

  “Just as I suspected. They’ve been able to read my mind all along. Now they’re making a run for it.” As she rushed out, she gestured for the others to follow.

  Luna ran alongside her. “Who? Who’s making a getaway?”

  “The killers, of course.”

  They all burst out the front door in time to see a car pull away, the tires sending a spray of gravel as the vehicle tore along the driveway.

  “Do something,” Marcela hollered as she caught up with Lexie. “They’re getting away.”

  Gerard O’Rourke had his cell pressed to his ear even as he ran toward his car, his attention clearly on the call he was making. Lexie knew the exact moment when he looked up and saw his car... and remembered.

  He turned to her, his scowl back in place.

  “Sorry,” she mouthed and scrambled to think of a way to turn the beach buggy back into his car.

  To her surprise, he climbed in... or rather, he squeezed in and beckoned for them to get in.

  “We’ll never catch them in this,” Marcela complained. “Can’t you make this go faster? You have my organizational powers. Surely you can use them to organize a more suitable mode of transportation.”

  Her mind instantly sifted through an archive she hadn’t even known existed within her.

  “Never mind that,” the detective hollered. “Just fill us in on your theory. I’d like to know who I’m chasing.”

  “Lana and Daniel Andrews.”

  “The book translators?” Marcela asked, her eyes wide with disbelief.

  “I’d hate to burst your bubble,” the detective said.

  “Go ahead, I know you want to,” Lexie teased.

  “Do you have proof?”

  Lexie and Marcela exchanged a lifted eyebrow look and both blurted out, “There’s your proof. They’re making a getaway.”