Back Room Bookstore Cozy Mystery Boxed Set: Books 1 - 12

by Susan Harper

  “Are we… Are we sure that Deimus didn’t do it?” Abigail asked softly.

  Monica spun around. “Why would he intentionally knock over a podium he knew he would be standing on?” she asked.

  “I suppose you’re right,” Abigail said.

  “And there is no way he is strong enough to cut through a podium that thick in one go,” Monica said. “And the magic-suspension spell had been cast on all of the players, so it’s not like he could have used magic to zip through the podium like that.”

  “So, are we suspecting a giant or something? Because there weren’t any giants at the game,” Abigail said.

  “I don’t know,” Monica said. “Maybe if we can find out who would have wanted to hurt Trapper, we’ll be able to figure out how.”

  “Maybe,” Abigail muttered. “So, what’s our next step?”

  “I say we go talk to Trapper’s father,” Monica said. “He might be able to tell us more about his son—like who his friends are, enemies…maybe tell us who knew about his mother being a witch.”

  “Better yet, he might be able to tell us who his mother was,” Abigail said. “For all we know, the witch is who took him out.”

  “You think his own mother would have tried to kill him?” Monica asked.

  “Maybe she was worried about people finding out. I mean, she did abandon him,” Abigail suggested. “You said it yourself. Times are changing, and mystics are becoming more acceptable of each other. Maybe his mother was worried Trapper would use his platform as a sports star to work on social change and that it might come out that she was his mom?”

  Monica nodded along. “I suppose that is possible. Let’s get to the centaur herd, and we’ll talk to his father to see what he can tell us.”

  6

  Soon, Monica and Abigail were landing just outside of the centaur herd, deciding to walk the remaining distance so as not to startle anyone like they had done to poor Misty earlier. Abigail walked beside her, muttering to herself a bit. “Any idea why there are so many onocentaurs here?” Abigail asked once they approached the herds.

  “I’m not sure,” Monica said. “I mean, I expected to see a few onocentaur children since it’s their culture to adopt the rejected onocentaurs, but I never expected to see so many adults.”

  Monica heard the sound of children, and she turned to see a number of young colts kicking a ball around. Among them was Eli, the onocentaur with the donkey ears. “Eli!” Monica called, and the game abruptly ended for the colts to all come trotting up to her.

  The boy smiled. “You’re Monica, right?” he asked, since it had been a while since their first and last encounter.

  “That’s right,” Monica said, smiling. “You remember me, then?”

  “I do,” Eli said.

  The others grumbled. “Eli, give us the ball so we can play if you’re going to talk to your friend,” one of the boys said, so Eli tossed the ball he had been holding over his shoulder towards them, and they all ran off excitedly chasing it.

  “What are you doing here?” Eli asked politely, slapping one of his large donkey ears out of his face when it fell in front of his eyes.

  “We are looking into what happened at the Romp-A-Roo game,” Monica said.

  Eli’s shoulders slumped. “We have heard. Some of the centaurs who had attended the game arrived last night.”

  “We’re very sorry about what happened to your herdsman,” Monica said.

  Eli nodded. “Trapper was always very nice to me,” he said sadly. “He never made fun of me…” He again slapped his ears away from his face.

  “Why are there so many onocentaurs here?” Abigail asked, not wasting any time.

  Eli looked around. “I suppose there are a lot more here than usual. I hadn’t really noticed.”

  “Is there a memorial or something going on for Trapper?” Monica asked.

  “Not yet, but there will be,” Eli said. “But they were all here before that happened.”

  “Is this the new normal?” Monica asked.

  “Oh, yes,” Eli said with a smile. “A lot more acceptance between the herds. It’s very nice, actually. I…I met my biological parents.”

  Monica smiled brightly. “You did!”

  “They live here now, actually,” Eli said. “I mostly stay with my adopted parents, but I love getting to see my biological parents now. They feel really awful for…for giving me up…”

  Monica smiled. “I’m really glad you are getting to know your biological parents. That’s so great to hear, Eli. Things are really changing around here, aren’t they?”

  “I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but it’s not just the centaurs,” Eli said. “It’s everywhere, and not just in Wysteria. The hierarchy is crumbling. People are beginning to question things.”

  “Like what?” Monica asked curiously.

  “Like how there are a multitude of witches and warlocks on the Sorcerer’s Council while other mystics only have a single representative or how a unanimous vote among the witches and warlocks can override a majority vote of the council,” Eli said.

  “Well, look at you,” Monica said. “You interested in government, Eli?”

  “I’ve been talking to Nud some lately,” Eli explained. “He is very good at what he does, and he has a lot of amazing ideas for improving things around here. He has been talking with some of the other council members lately about making some changes.” Eli suddenly looked worried. “You’re not upset with that, are you? Since you’re a witch…”

  “You think I care?” Monica asked. “No, I think it’s wonderful. There shouldn’t be separate laws and rules for types of mystics.”

  “I’m glad you feel that way,” Eli said. “Nud says that not all witches and warlocks are going to think that way.”

  “Probably not,” Monica said. “But times are changing, and I think it’s best to get on board with progress.”

  Eli’s hooves seemed to bounce happily in the dirt. “I’m glad you think that way. So, is there anything I can do to help you? I’m assuming you are here for a reason.”

  “That’s right,” Monica said. “I’m hoping to find Trapper’s father. Do you think you can point me in the right direction?”

  “Yes, I can do that,” Eli said. “Though, he hasn’t wanted any visitors since he got back last night.”

  “He was at the game?” Abigail asked as they began following Eli through the herd towards a group of small, wooden houses.

  “Yeah, he came to support Trapper,” Eli said. “He came back last night with the half of the centaurs who didn’t want to stay and wait on the local authorities.”

  “I imagine he must have just been ready to go home,” Monica said.

  Eli pointed to one of the wooden homes. It was one of the larger ones among the herd—well built with large logs making it appear almost cabin-like. Eli trotted up ahead of them and knocked gently on the door. “Boots!” Eli called. “Mr. Boots, there is a witch and her familiar here to see you from Wysteria.”

  They waited for a bit before the door slowly creaked open and an older man poked his head out. The man had a long, thick black beard full of snow-white patches. There were dark circles under his eyes, and it seemed clear the man had been crying earlier that day but now seemed rather numb. He opened the door a bit wider, and Monica could see why the man was called boots. Towards the bottom of his legs, his hair was white and fluffy, giving him the appearance of wearing boots as the hair even grew long over his hooves a bit.

  The centaur’s eyes lingered on them for a moment. “And just why are you here to see me?” he asked.

  “Well, first, sir, I want to offer our condolences,” Monica said. “Though I did not know your son personally, it is clear that his loss has left a hole in your community. I imagine you were very proud of him and the stallion he had become.”

  A very slight, unwilling curve appeared on his lips. “Yes, proud. Very proud…” He stared at them for another moment and then sighed, opening the door up all the way an
d stepping aside. “Please, come in.”

  “Thank you,” Monica said, entering along with Abigail.

  “Go on, Eli,” Boots said, waving the boy off. “I know you want to go play with your friends.”

  Eli nodded thankfully. “I am also very sorry, Mr. Boots,” Eli said before running off.

  Inside, the cabin-like home was a rather stunning dwelling for a centaur. Centaurs rarely had furniture, but Boots had gone as far as not only providing large seating areas but fur rugs and even a photograph of a young Trapper and himself hung on the wall. This was clearly an indication of Boots’ social standing to have such a large, decorated home. The fireplace was lit, and Boots went over and proceeded to poke it with a rod before waving his hands towards one of the enormous beanbag-like chairs. “Please, sit,” Boots said. Monica sat and found herself sinking down into the chair. She tried her best not to fidget, knowing that something like this was probably quite comfortable for a centaur.

  “Your name?” Boots asked.

  “Monica Montoya,” Monica said.

  “Ah, one of Wilma’s nieces,” Boots said. “You…run the other side of the bookshop now? I’ve met your sister on a few occasions when Robert had dragged me into Wysteria.”

  Monica smiled, recalling the name Robert as the name of one of the leaders of the herd. He was known to be a tad more social than your average centaur and had often been spotted in various shops around town. “Yes, that would be Mona,” Monica said.

  “Tell me, Ms. Montoya, why you are here troubling me during my time of grief?” he asked in a way that was simultaneously accusatory and polite all at once.

  “I’m sorry to be here now,” Monica said. “You see, my sister and I were at the game as well. We sat near Misty. My sister’s boyfriend, Deimus, he was on the platform when it fell. I suppose you can say I’m here because I’m trying to help.”

  Boots nodded. “Deimus, good lad. Trapper never had anything but good words to say about his competitor,” he said. “Misty… I should have stayed in Wysteria… Poor thing was not ready to leave, I don’t think… I just didn’t want to be there any longer.”

  “I’m sure Misty understands,” Abigail said.

  Boots tugged at his beard. “She was always so good to my boy.”

  “I was hoping you could tell us more about your son. His friends or maybe someone who might want to hurt him,” Monica said. “And Nud told us about…him being part-wizard.”

  Boots nodded. “Yes, word seems to have gotten out about that. A number of centaurs already knew by the time I got home yesterday. Honestly, it’s one of the reasons I left so quickly, because I just didn’t want to talk to anyone about that of all things right now.”

  “I understand,” Monica said. “We’re only here to try to help.”

  Boots frowned. “Things have been different lately, as I’m sure you noticed while walking into the herd. Word had started to get out about Trapper weeks before this happened, but not everyone knew. I don’t think Misty even knew. He had told a few friends a while back, I think. I may have mentioned it to a friend or two as well. Nud knew. We are not a very gossipy group, us centaurs, so word travels a bit slower amongst the herds than it might in Wysteria.”

  “How did Trapper feel about it?” Monica asked.

  Boots smiled slightly. “Honestly, I think half the time, he would forget.” Boots banged his chest once proudly. “Takes after me, after all. Looking at him, he looks like a pure-bred centaur with strong blood just like his father. Strong, athletic, and very wise. A true centaur. He never showed any sign of magic, and he never knew his mum too well.”

  “Too well?” Abigail asked, jumping on that quickly. “But he did know her?”

  Boots immediately stopped smiling. His face contorted into something of anger. “She paid him a visit a few months back. First time she has spoken to him since she left. I don’t want to talk about that woman.”

  Monica nodded. “I don’t want to push,” Monica said, “but it might help me get a better picture of what happened… Would you mind telling me who she is?”

  “I said that I didn’t want to talk about her!” Boots shouted, but he immediately calmed himself. “If she wants to tell the world that she mated with a centaur, then let her. It’s not my secret to tell, I suppose. She was embarrassed by me and by our son. Let her tell the world how she abandoned our boy. I won’t speak ill of her, though I have plenty to say, for Trapper. He would not want me to.”

  “I’m sorry if I offended you,” Monica said.

  Boots shook his head. “Yes, yes, I’m certain you are,” he said, and Monica could see the old centaur’s eyes turning a bit red. “Out… I want you out…”

  Monica, not at all eager to anger a centaur without any witnesses around, obliged his request, though she struggled to get out of the chair. He pulled her up by the arm, nearly throwing her across the cabin. “Just get out!” he demanded, and Monica obeyed.

  “I truly am sorry, Boots,” she said as he slammed the door on herself and Abigail.

  Monica could hear crashing sounds from within the cabin. Abigail shook her head. “Centaurs and their tempers…” Abigail groaned.

  “Abs, that’s enough,” Monica warned. “He just lost his son, and I think we pushed him to talk before he was ready. Come on. Let’s just go.”

  7

  About half an hour before it came time for the shop to close, Monica and Holly’s friend Isaac stopped in for a visit. He was all smiles, brandishing his laptop to show them that his alien conspiracy website was getting some additional hits. “What new story did you do to bring in all the new readers?” Monica asked as Isaac worked on pulling his blog up online.

  “I did a story about what happened at the police station,” Isaac said, and Monica stiffened. “That Kevin guy just disappeared. All the security cameras went out at once, and the only thing any of the police can remember is waking up from a daze. Crazy stuff. I’m telling you, it’s alien.”

  Holly shot Monica a nervous side look. “Yeah…alien,” Holly said.

  “So, they’re doing an early showing of this new sci-fi movie tonight,” Isaac said, looking at them both hopefully. “Don’t suppose either of you would be interested in coming with me and letting me show off my nerdy side?”

  Holly laughed. “I think I could go for a movie.”

  “I would, but I was thinking about going by the station to see Brian,” Monica said. “He texted me earlier, and Chief Tollr has him working late again, and Brian missed his lunch break today. I figured I would bring him dinner.”

  “Aren’t you too sweet,” Holly said with a laugh.

  “Why don’t you and I go ahead and get started on closing duties so that you and Isaac can get out of here right at closing time, so you have time to make it to the movie?” Monica asked.

  “We have time,” Isaac assured her. “Though it would be nice to get there a little early so that we can get good seats. It’s supposed to be pretty packed.”

  “With a bunch of sci-fi nerds,” Holly teased, but she got right to work on getting the shop straightened up for the following day.

  They had the shop ready to go right at closing time, so Holly bid Monica and Abigail farewell before heading out with Isaac. Once he was gone, Monica breathed a sigh of relief. “That Isaac fellow is pretty nosey,” Abigail hissed. “It’s probably not a good thing to have him snooping around about Kevin’s case.”

  “He’s not going to find anything,” Monica said. “Not if the entire police department is stumped.”

  “Yeah, but he’s looking at it from an angle the police aren’t—under the belief that something supernatural happened,” Abigail countered.

  “Not supernatural,” Monica said. “Alien.”

  “Yeah, but you never know. He’s looking for things that other people believe are impossible. He might actually find something out if we’re not careful,” Abigail insisted.

  Monica shook her head. “Maybe,” she said. “You want to come with me to
the station?”

  “I’d rather stay here and nap,” Abigail admitted.

  “That’s fine. I’ll pick you back up on the way home,” Monica said and patted Abigail’s head before snagging her broom and heading out. She tapped the broomstick several times, and it changed quickly into a bicycle. Monica smiled, pleased with her lovely purple bicycle. Her sister had recently put a charm on her broom that allowed it to change into a bicycle at will, which gave her a less suspicious means of traveling around Bankstown.

  “Okay, broom, let’s give this another go,” Monica said and kicked off. She was not too keen on bicycles, but at least this one had a bit more personality to it and helped her out with balance on its own. She had flown on it a few times as well in this form, but since there was still a bit of light out and the sky was fairly clear, she didn’t want to attract any attention.

  She stopped by a fast food place, ordering Brian a burger for dinner complete with fries and a drink, placing the order in the purple basket at the front of her bike. “Perfect,” she said and rode off towards the station. When she entered the building, the sun had already begun to set. “Stay here,” she told her bike and then proceeded inside.

  The place was fairly empty, but there were still a few half-asleep officers working at their desks—the ones the chief had been blaming for Kevin’s escape. When Brian saw her, his tired face lit up. “Do I smell…fries?” he asked hopefully as she set the to-go bag down on his desk.

  Monica whispered, “He’s really got you all working late after coming in early every day this week?”

  Brian rolled his eyes. “Yeah,” he said, rubbing his temples. “Chief is getting pretty strict about eating anywhere but the breakroom…” Brian eyed the to-go bag.

  “Go ahead and eat,” Monica said. “That’s why I’m here.”