The Chocolate Magic Cozy Mystery Box Set Books 1 to 7

by Olivia Swift

  “So, the family name was Deronda, and something happened in the sixties. What is the address?”

  Magda gave him what he needed since he had full access to the news archives.

  “I never thought about using your extensive resources,” she said. “Fantastic!” He searched for a few minutes and then turned the screen for her to see.

  Magda wiped her hands and looked at the screen. Then she looked to the new engine traveling around above their heads.

  “Rula,” she called. “Look at this.”

  5

  The daughter of a local family was tragically killed on the railroad yesterday. Her name was Beth Deronda. The Deronda family are being helped to recover from the shock by friends and relatives.

  “So, the poor little soul was killed on the railroad. I wonder if we can help her,” Magda said. Rula and Katie looked at the article.

  “What a shame,” Katie said. “The model one is fine, but real railroads are dangerous places.”

  “They transformed the area when they first came through,” Bart added and Rula agreed.

  “They must have seemed enormous and frightening when they first appeared, but they have a certain fascination.”

  “Still have. Look at Jeff and all of the others who still love to recreate them,” Magda said.

  “Young Ruby there must be about the same age now as Beth was when she died,” Katie shivered.

  “The paper doesn’t say exactly how she died.” Bart was still scanning the records.

  “So, we are still meeting tonight to try and help Jemima,” Magda said.

  “Meet you there.” Bart stood up and tucked his tablet away. “Boss needs more copy.” He waved a hand and went back to work. The girls kept on chatting with customers. The railway was much admired and a great source of conversation. On the whole, people seemed genuinely interested in it and it was surprising how much affection there was for old-fashioned steam engines.

  Magda texted the information from Bart to the others. Everyone was truly sad about the story.

  “But it doesn’t seem to have any bearing on Jemima’s problem,” Katie said. “I wonder what that is.”

  Sam and Declan did not appear for lunchtime sandwiches, but Magda received a text to say they were working until their current job was finished.

  The girls took as much time between customers as they could to put up more decorations in the café then stood back to admire their handiwork.

  “We need a real tree outside with lights on it,” Magda decided and left to drive down to the garden center. She wanted a large one full of branches to decorate. They agreed to deliver along with an appropriate-sized stand.

  “Bringing it tomorrow,” she said when she returned. “If Sam is finished whatever job they were doing, he can make sure it stands up and is secure, so it doesn’t fall on any customers.”

  “We are almost there,” Rula said. “We need a collection of poems and stories.”

  “Yes. You are right. We will have to get everyone onto that,” Magda said as they closed up. “I do love the railway overhead. When Christmas is over, we can keep it going in line with the historic western theme.” She locked the doors and gates and picked up takeout on the way home.

  The cats had behaved themselves and she had started eating before Sam arrived.

  Branna called to give her their flights and times for the following week and was disappointed that she was missing the séance that night.

  “Oh, I wish we were already over there.”

  “I’ll let you know what happens. Maybe we will need to go back and help Jemima next week as well,” Magda said.

  “Can’t wait,” Branna said. “Enjoy yourselves tonight.”

  They collected their flashlights and gave the cats treats to settle them down. Magda picked up a magazine that was on the floor.

  “Crystal’s been at it again,” she grumbled to herself and then saw the book was open at the picture of an old railroad depot. Magda shook her head. “Already thought of that, clever cat,” she said to the Birman and gave her an extra little tidbit.

  They found Declan sitting in his van waiting for them. Katie was in the passenger seat and stepped out as Merle, Branston, Bart and Gina all appeared at the same time. Rula and Mikey were standing at the gate.

  “Jemima will think we are an invading army,” Rula grinned.

  “Bart has brought me up to date,” Gina said. “I can’t wait to come and see this model train and the decorations.”

  Jemima opened the door and they filed inside. Her boyfriend, Zak, was standing in front of the fire. He shook hands with everyone and said there had been no more noises.

  Merle took over and they pulled chairs around into a circle. Jemima brought in a kitchen chair to make up the number and they looked around at each other.

  “Before we start,” Magda said, “we found out a little bit more and it might help. The little girl who lived here was Beth Deronda and she died; we think from an accident at the railroad.”

  “It was in the newspaper archives,” Bart added.

  He, Gina and Merle had discovered that they all saw a slight color around people which was called an aura. They had all kept it to themselves until they met, and all had the same shade around them. Gina nudged Bart and he nodded and looked at Merle who smiled and told him to go ahead.

  “Jemima,” he started hesitantly, “do you love dogs by any chance?” The woman was startled at the question but smiled and said that she was planning on having a dog when the house was eventually sold.

  “What made you ask that?” Zak queried.

  “Merle, Gina and I see color around people, and we can all see that there is a pink glow around Jemima.” He smiled. “That usually means the person is very loving but, in this case, there is a glow around her feet as well. I think maybe there is a spirit dog around that knows you like them.”

  “Wowee!” Zak said. “I was pretty well skeptical but you have it right.”

  “Just to put your mind at rest, your own aura is blueish, probably because you feel very protective toward her.”

  “If you all want to try and see auras just very quickly,” Merle told them, “screw up your eyes and gaze hard at a spot above someone’s head. See if you catch a glimpse of color when the person goes out of focus.”

  There was a period of silence where everyone stared hard at everyone else.

  “My goodness,” Zak said. “I saw the pink around Jemima, but I saw the dog as well. That has absolutely blown my mind.”

  “Did you see just the color or an actual dog?” Declan joined in for the first time.

  “I saw a small hazy dog with pink around it.”

  “Me too,” Declan said. “I think the dog belongs to the little girl.”

  “Let’s start then. Maybe we will find out,” Merle said and went through her protection routine.

  Then she asked if there was anyone who would talk to them.

  “If the little girl is still there that we talked to before, can you step forward again please? We don’t mean any harm.”

  “She’s already in the room,” Declan said. “The dog is beside her legs. Sort of small tan and white spaniel type.”

  “Hello, Beth,” Magda said. “Is that your name?” There was a pause and then a noise from the wooden floor planks.

  “Thank you,” Merle went on and asked if she was Beth Deronda. Another bang.

  “I’m really sorry you had the accident at the railroad,” Magda told her. “Have you been here ever since?” Another very loud bang.

  “And you miss your mom. I can feel that,” Merle added. “Maybe we can try and help you to find her.”

  “Are you still trying to help Jemima?” Magda asked. “She is worried about noises in the house.” The bang came again.

  “Do you make the noises?” Sam asked and there was no reply. Merle asked the same question and again no reply.

  “So, somebody else makes the noises?” Magda asked and had an immediate bang right beneath
her feet. “Thank you.”

  Merle looked at Declan and asked if he could sense any other spirit person around. He shook his head.

  “Are there any other spirit people with you?” Merle asked but nothing came back.

  “Are you lonely?” Magda queried and the one noise came immediately.

  “We need to find out about her mom,” Gina said. “Then maybe the mom could find her.”

  “Have you got a little dog?” Magda asked and the noise told her that she was right.

  “I love dogs,” Jemima said something for the first time. “Did you know that?” There was a tap quite close to Jemima’s feet and she grabbed for Zak’s hand.

  “Does the dog make the noises?” Merle asked but got no response. “I didn’t think it was. There is something else that we are missing.”

  “Do you think someone is trying to hurt Jemima?” Zak asked but there was no reply.

  “She has used up all of her energy,” Declan said. “She and the dog are both fading away.”

  “Goodbye for now, Beth. Thank you for helping,” Magda called out and they all waited for Merle to talk them back to the normal world.

  “There are cold drinks in the fridge if anyone would like one,” Jemima offered. They each accepted one and sat around the living room.

  “Do you feel any easier?” Magda asked the woman who nodded and said that she knew it wasn’t a bad spirit.

  “So,” Sam said, “If it wasn’t a spirit what was it? There has to be an explanation.”

  “Does anyone else know where the key to the basement is?” Mikey asked.

  “Loads of folks. The neighbors, my nephew and his family, delivery people.”

  “Why would anyone want to frighten her? What would they get out of it?” Zak queried.

  “I know you said you wanted to sell. I don’t suppose anybody would want to scare you into taking a silly offer,” Rula wondered. Jemima shook her head.

  “I haven’t done anything about selling it.”

  “Shall we have a better look at the basement rooms?” Declan suggested. “If there is something else there besides Beth, I might see it.”

  They followed Jemima outside and into the first room. It was clean, tidy and very empty. They opened the cabinet which was also empty and looked behind it as well. There was nothing to see. The second room was the same.

  Merle put her hands to her head and Branston asked what was wrong.

  “I can just feel that someone has been in here. Not a spirit. Just someone that didn’t want to be seen.” She looked around. “That sounds silly. Maybe just my imagination.”

  “If someone had been in and maybe made the noises, they might come back. What about taking the key away to start with and then maybe keeping a lookout some nights until we spot someone trying to get in,” Branston suggested.

  “There are enough of us to take turns. If noises start, Jemima would know we were outside in a car and could call,” Sam agreed.

  “I think I will sleep on the sofa as well,” Zak added. “If someone human is trying to scare her, we can deal with him.” He smiled at Jemima. “We are going to buy a house together once we are married.”

  “Congratulations!” Magda said. “We need to find out what is wrong so that you can move on.”

  “And we need to let Beth move on if we can as well,” Merle added. “I wonder if we can find out where her parents are buried or what happened to them?”

  “Christmas is ahead. We need to find that out quickly. If you take away the key to start with and listen for noises, we will find out about Beth, and next week we could have another try at helping her,” Rula remarked.

  “She has been trying to help you as well, but we don’t know why,” Magda added. She looked at Jemima. “I think you might have a couple more investigators next week. Our friends from Ireland are coming for two weeks and Branna is so mad that she missed out on tonight.”

  “They will be very welcome!” Jemima answered. “I can’t tell you all how much I appreciate you trying to help. This has all been so unsettling.”

  They were standing to go when the noises started from the room below.

  6

  Everyone jumped up at once and rushed for the door. The key was in place and the rooms were empty as before, but the noises had stopped. Sam and Declan walked around tapping at walls to see if there were any loose panels or places that could hide something or somebody, but the walls were sound and solid.

  “Take the key away and we will start to find out about Beth tomorrow. If noises happen, record them,” Bart told them. “If someone is trying to scare you, the police would need to hear the noises.”

  “Come back to the ranch and have a bit of supper,” Merle invited, and they followed Branston’s off-roader to the Panhandle. Jemima and Zak were invited as well. Jemima said that she had never been there before and was interested to see the layout.

  Branston told her to come in daylight and he would do the grand tour.

  “It is my favorite holiday,” Gina said. “I love riding and to come back to a hot tub on the deck and superb food is just so good.”

  “Branston is my cousin. He has been crazy to be a cowboy since he was about three,” Magda said. “It’s his dream job.”

  Merle organized hot soup and fresh bread from the restaurant and a selection of desserts. Zak offered to pay for their meal, but Merle laughed and told him she liked to entertain.

  “You don’t do weddings by any chance?” he laughed and she took him seriously.

  “We sure do. Large or small. Cowboy or normal. Simple food or fancy. We love to do it.”

  Jemima looked at Zak with a beaming smile. He nodded and turned back to Merle.

  “We’ve been looking for somewhere for ages. Can we reserve it for some time in January please?”

  “Consider it done!” she said.

  “I’ll drink to that!” Branston added and the others joined the toast.

  “I love it when good things are happening. Congratulations!” Magda said.

  They talked over what had happened at Jemima’s house and went over all the possibilities they could think of.

  I don’t think these are ghostly noises,” Mikey shared. “Rula and I would do a night to start with.”

  “We all have cell phones and can call for help or let you know if anyone is sneaking about,” Rula added.

  “If we do that for a few nights and see if anyone appears, next week we can try another séance with Branna and Jonno here as well,” Magda suggested.

  “We can keep looking for information on Beth’s family and try and find out more about the accident,” Bart said. “I haven’t looked any further into the archives and there might be more on the actual accident.”

  “Sounds like a good plan,” Sam said. “Magda and I can do a watch night.”

  “If Katie joins me, we could do another,” Declan joined in and Bart glanced at Gina.

  “Bart and I could take a turn. Sam’s Aunt Alison says I can always stay with her if I don’t want to drive home.”

  “Count us in as well,” Branston added their names to the list. “That must give us five nights of lookout plus another séance.”

  They made their plans and exchanged phone numbers with Jemima and Zak, then thanked Merle for the supper and the group started to break up. As they all gathered jackets, Jemima said now that action was being taken, she felt so much better.

  “Thanks everyone.”

  On the way home, Magda asked what Sam thought about the noises.

  “I’m with Mikey. I think they are human, not paranormal but I can’t work out how or why.”

  “There is a paranormal bit as well with little Beth and her dog,” Magda mused. “I am sure there is a connection but hard to see what it is.”

  “We might solve it all next week. We have Branna and Jonno to pick up on Monday from the airport.”

  When they arrived home, the cats were looking suspiciously innocent on the spiral staircase.

  “The
y have been naughty. I can tell,” Magda said and walked around to see what had been disturbed. In the bedroom, she found it. The pillows were off the bed and on the floor and her two little furry, stuffed dogs that lay on the pillow were torn with claw marks.

  “Who did this?” She marched back into the living room holding the stuffed toys and looking annoyed. The cats shot up the staircase. “No good running away. You are naughty, naughty cats.” She stalked back to the bedroom and put the cuddly dogs in the cabinet. Sam handed her a cup of coffee when she returned.

  “There is usually a reason,” he said in a musing manner.

  “We did meet a spirit dog,” Magda agreed. “It is too late now to start looking at the internet. I’ll text Branna though and bring her up to date. I am guessing they will volunteer to take a turn at watching the house.” She typed away for a few minutes and then changed for bed. The cell phone pinged, and she smiled as she saw the smiley face from Branna.

  She went to get the cat treats to tell the villains that they were forgiven. They came one by one and settled on the bed. Magda went to sleep with Sam’s arms around her and the sound of contented purring in the background.

  The morning was normal. Sam set off in the truck and Magda made sure the cats were fine before she left for the café. She found the two young men from the garden center waiting with a large, netted tree.

  “Oh, that is a nice surprise,” she said. They followed her down the alley and asked where it was to go. When she pointed out the corner beside the entrance, they kindly set it in the stand and made sure it was secure. She offered them a drink and a truffle for their trouble.

  “I’d like to buy a box of the rose flavor,” one of them told her. “My mom loves them. I’ll keep it until Christmas.” She started the train rolling on the track and both men were mesmerized. They stood with mugs in their hands and followed the engine around the track.

  “You know, you have enough space to add another track and have two trains running at once.”

  Magda stopped what she was doing.

  “Don’t tell me, you are friends of Jeff Bloomburg!” They both laughed.