Point Muse Cozy Paranormal Mystery Boxed Set: Books 1-3

by Kelly Ethan

  Xandie nodded, running potential suspects through her head. “Look, Amity. Best thing you can do if that nasty man comes looking for you is to tell Chief Braun. He'll help you. Lorelei’s gone. Don't risk your life protecting a dead woman. Maybe leave the show for a while and keep a low profile. Take care.” Xandie backtracked away from the dejected Amity. Talk about making the wrong life choices. Xandie shook her head. Lorelei was an unwanted gift that kept on giving even after death.

  Xandie paused outside the food tent. A weird keening was coming from inside.

  Colin pushed past Xandie, but put the brakes on when he spotted her. “You do not. I repeat. Do. Not. Want to go in there.”

  “Don't tell me you let loose with wind again?”

  “No.” Colin looked indignant for a moment. “Not at that time, anyway. No, everyone’s sick. Some nasty vegetable dish I didn’t eat. Now they’re all yakking non-stop. Hate to be on the cleaning team. I'm heading back to grooming and the sweet scent of my own belching.” Colin bolted without a sideways glance.

  Surely it can’t be that bad? Xandie walked in. The stale odor of rancid meat and sweet, rotting milk slapped her in the face. She fought her own gag and placed a hand over her mouth, breathing shallow breaths. It was that bad. The inside of the tent looked like a vomit-strewn battleground. Chef Luna ran around with a bunch of water bottles and towels. Frantically shoving them at people.

  “Help me. I have no clue what's going on. One minute they’re eating, the next...” The chef swept a hand around the room at the crowd of retching people.

  Xandie bolted out and grabbed the closest body walking past. She recognized Malachi Mede only after she'd yanked him over to her. “I need you to get a hold of Chief Braun and organize doctors and healers here ASAP.”

  He paled. “What's going on now?”

  “Looks like food poisoning.”

  He swore. “I knew it was a terrible idea to hire that Luna woman. She doesn't have the best reputation as a team player, but Hannah insisted because of the woman's drive for excellence. I'll get hold of Braun straight away.” He took off at a run before coming to a halting stop and turned back. “Is Hannah inside? Is she okay?”

  Xandie shrugged. “I've no clue, but I'll check. Grab Braun and the healers as quick as you can.”

  Mede nodded and took off.

  Taking a deep breath, Xandie went in to find Winifred.

  Gingerly stepping over rivers of vomit and heaving bodies, she searched for her aunt. Xandie heard her name whispered as she searched a darkened corner. Peering under a table, she squatted down. “Aunt Win? You okay?”

  “Stay there. You shouldn't see your aunt like this.” Winifred wailed and then followed with a violent rotting milk burp.

  “I sent someone for Braun and the healers. Are you able to tell me what happened?”

  “That annoying, loudmouth chef happened.” Hannah Mede whispered from next to a slumped and moaning Winifred. “She's served up this creamy vegetable dish. Ten minutes later, everyone’s sick.” Hannah hiccupped and wiped her mouth. “I only had a little so I'm better off than some, like poor Winifred.”

  “It was so good and then so bad.” Winifred bent over, her plump frame looking deflated.

  “Xandie.” Hannah whispered even lower. “I saw Amelia outside the back of the food tent. Luna did too. I wanted to give you a heads up in case anyone accuses her.” Hannah rubbed Winifred's back as she shook and heaved.

  “Thanks Hannah.” Just what the Harrows needed. Next thing there'd be an accusation of food sabotage from Luna.

  “Get out of my way. I don't care if I'm banned. My daughter’s in here.” Elspeth stormed past the chef and tiptoed around the vomiting victims until she reached Xandie. “Here.” Elspeth shoved a flask to Winifred and Hannah. “Drink up.”

  Hannah chugged a mouthful down right away while Winifred eyed the flask suspiciously.

  “Mother. Not to be ungrateful, but what's in it?”

  “You accuse your own mother of poisoning misdeeds?” Elspeth flung her gray wigged head back in dramatic offence. But relented when Winifred heaved again. “Fine, a little ginger, lemon, sugar, water and some goldenseal for the infection.”

  “And?” Winifred pressed her mother as the vial hovered near her lips.

  “A little Witchshine for taste.”

  “Thank God.” Winifred chugged the concoction back. A few minutes later the spasms eased.

  “Thanks Elspeth.” Xandie smiled gratefully at the elder Harrow. Witch healing brews were not her grandmother’s forte.

  “Mede ran straight to Braun and Aggie rang me. I had a general antidote on hand and came straight down.”

  “Why would you have an antidote on hand? What have you done, Elspeth?”

  “Please. Xandie. The key word is general. It doesn't hurt to have a general long-lasting antidote. In case.” Elspeth waggled a hand around the room. “If I'd poisoned this lot, the police would cart out body bags not dodge projectile vomits.”

  A white-coated healer lent down next to Elspeth. “Can I help anyone? We have antidotes available.”

  “Whack off nosy. No one doses my daughter and her friends but me. Besides, who do you think supplied the antidote?” Elspeth snarled at the young healer.

  “It's okay, Sophie. I've got it from here.” Aggie Braun, matriarch of the Braun shifter clan, and police dispatcher, patted the healer on the shoulder and then shooed the young woman away. “Ignore her. She got her healer license last month. She’s so excited to see people vomiting, every sane thought went out of her ears.” Aggie lent down and hoisted Hannah up. “Upsy daisy, Hannah girl. Let's get you out of this diseased hole. No offence.”

  Hannah wobbled. “None taken. I'm thinking I made an enormous mistake coming back to Point Muse, anyway.”

  Aggie guided Hannah into the waiting arms of her husband. “You aren't the first person who’s said that about this town.”

  “Hannah baby.” Malachi Mede cried out and clutched his wife close. “Are you okay?”

  Hannah shoved herself away and scowled at her husband. “I emptied the contents of my stomach. In public. How good could it be?” Hannah stomped out of the tent toward the resort in her bare feet, stilettos forgotten somewhere inside. Malachi stumbled after her.

  Xandie turned back to her aunt and grandmother. “I don't think you'll be seeing the Mede’s here again in a hurry.”

  “Well, they do say you can never go back.” Winifred wobbled as she stood.

  “This town is cursed. Did you hear me? I told the organizers when they confirm Point Muse as a locality, we would regret it. I was right.” The female judge, Velma Mystic still holding a bucket in one hand, patted an askew red wig with the other.

  “Shut up, Mystic. You're a fake. We all know it.” Elspeth growled at the woman.

  Velma climbed on a chair and yelled over the top of the vomit victims and healers still administering the antidote. “Point Muse is a cursed town. Things always go wrong here. And now a killer walks amongst us. I've seen them. Seen the blood and death in a vision.”

  Moonshadow lifted his head from the table he’d face planted on. “Can’t someone shut up that loud woman? Haven’t we suffered enough?”

  Ignoring her fellow judges' heckling, Mystic put a hand over her handbag and caressed it for a moment. “Lorelei was a close friend and I've spoken to the poor departed Fifi. Even in death, she protects her mistress, but I know who and why now.” Velma wavered on the chair before crashing off the side and onto the ground.

  Healers rushed to the distraught woman and three burly men were called in to carry her out. Seemingly senseless. Although Xandie was sure if Velma was knocked out her eyes wouldn't be open a crack and she’d have released the stranglehold on her handbag.

  “What a ham. Charlatans like her give us witches a bad name.” Elspeth spat on the floor. “Now, I wonder how many competitors will pull out?”

  “Compassionate, Gran, compassionate.” Xandie ignored her grandmother's a
ntics and helped Winifred outside into the fresh air.

  Lila rushed up with a tired Amelia in tow. “I heard on the police scanner about the vomit comet. Thought I’d see if you guys are okay?”

  “Thanks to Elspeth, we are. I missed the food poisoning, but Aunt Win caught it head on.” That reminded Xandie. She grabbed Winifred's glasses from her pocket and handed them over. “I got delayed by Amity Puffin and Lorelei’s bookie, that's why I didn't eat.”

  “Lucky.” Winifred murmured. “But at least Colin didn't eat either.” Winifred looked around, then squeaked in dismay when the normally ravenous pug failed to appear.

  “Don't stress. He bolted for the grooming tent when the vomiting started. He’s probably snoring by now.” Xandie offered.

  Elspeth stowed her empty vials of antidote away in her voluminous pockets, then clapped her hands. “I doubt whether the competition will resume today, I'll take him home for a bubble bath. He loves getting on with me. Tata girlies.” Elspeth sauntered away.

  As one, Lila and Xandie shuddered. Not a picture one wanted in their heads.

  “You. How dare you show your face here after what you did.” Chef Luna pointed a quivering finger at the Harrow women.

  Xandie stepped in front of Lila. “Lila had nothing to do with this.”

  “I know she didn't, but her mother did. I had to duck out for a moment and when I came back, she was lurking around.”

  Amelia shook her head. “Why would I hurt anyone, or make my own sister sick?”

  “Because you’re a Harrow. You probably have some devious plan in play. You might even get back at me for your own daughter ruining my good name.”

  “From what I've heard, you already have a reputation for not being a team player.” Xandie glowered at the chef. No way was anyone accusing her family. Besides, if it were anyone, it would have been Elspeth. Aunt Amelia didn't have it in her.

  “Lies. Harrow lies.” Luna hissed her words, spit flying with a spray of vitriol. “You mark my words. We'll see another body yet.” The woman stomped off, outrage, causing her chef’s hat to quiver.

  Xandie shivered. Somehow the crazy cooks’ words had a ring of foreshadowing to them.

  She needed to find the killer before Luna was proven right. If she didn’t, they’d find another body.

  This pet circuit was a killer.

  Nine

  Elspeth hadn't been joking about the bath. Lila had sent horrible, horrible photos. Her cousin called it proof of psychosis and was stockpiling evidence for a future committal to Eternal Springs. Point Muse’s equivalent of supernatural retirement home. Xandie couldn't help but shudder; the image of Elspeth and Colin bathing together was unnatural.

  Xandie wandered toward the grooming tent, taking her time and mulling events over. Amelia still seemed too exhausted. Amelia received an emergency call out last night and arrived back home in the early hours, almost asleep on her feet. Thankfully, her aunt's receptionist had worked late as well and dropped Amelia home. At least her other aunt, Winifred, was feeling perky, she'd rung Xandie at sunrise to go over their plan of attack for today's agility competition. Xandie was positive Colin would lose by a mile. His chubby pug body wasn't her image of agile.

  “Leave me alone, damn you.”

  Hannah Mede’s faint tones carried on the wind.

  “Back off,” Hannah screeched.

  That was much louder. Xandie bolted towards the bushland at the back of the resort where Hannah's voice had drifted.

  Point Muse was known for its beautiful coastal and natural scenery. Hiking tracks dotted the forested area that ringed one side of the town entrance, acting like a natural barrier. The other side, a deep cold lake. The land Point Muse Springs Resort rested on tapered away into thick-forested conservation land.

  Xandie ran full tilt towards Hannah, who backed up against the tree trunk, jabbing at an animal with a stick.

  “Hannah, are you okay?”

  “I. Am. Not.” Hannah turned her head and glared at Xandie. Her blonde ringlets stuck straight out, tangled with sticks, and a smear of dirt coated one cheek. A snapping animal lunged at Hannah's feet . Squealing, she jabbed the stick out again.

  Fox. That's what the animal was. Some kind of fox, a flame red one with a narrow face, white-tipped tail and piercing yellow eyes. Xandie bent down and grabbed a small rock. Those bright gold eyes carried a smidge too much knowledge, and awareness. In a town of supernatural witches, demons, pixies, and shifters, what were the odds she was looking at a fox shifter? “Hannah, get ready to run over here.”

  Hannah telegraphed are-you-crazy through her eyes to Xandie. “Okay?”

  Xandie hefted a rock and pegged it straight at the fox. It hit square on the fox’s cheek. Letting out a shaky yelp, the shifter backed away.

  Hannah limped toward Xandie, who stood prepared with another stone. The fox kept backing away, a small gash on its cheek bleeding somewhat. With one last yip at the women, the animal sped off into the trees.

  Hannah slumped against Xandie. “Well, that’s a half hour of my life I won't get back. Not to mention my blood the damn thing spilled.” Hannah grabbed her pants leg and showed Xandie a small, bloody animal bite.

  “Okay, that's yuck. Let's get you up to the resort. There’s a first aid kit up there somewhere.

  Hannah agreed and stumbled toward the resort until Xandie grabbed an arm and hoisted her weight a little. Making their way back at a snail’s pace, Xandie quizzed Hannah. “What happened? Was that a fox? Maybe a vampire fox hungering for your blood?” Xandie paused for a breath.

  “Whoa conspiracy girl. Breathe. I have no clue where it came from. I went for a walk and the next thing I know, a wild animal is stalking me, trying to take a mouthful outta me.”

  Xandie helped Hannah into the back of the resort kitchen. “Kinda weird that it didn't do more damage. It's almost like it was only trying to scare you.”

  Hannah pointed to a small hallway at the opposite end to Lorelei’s dressing room. “That's my office. There should be a first aid kit or do we call Elspeth?”

  “The less my grandmother is near the show, or open wounds, the better.”

  Hannah placed a hand on the doorknob, and then took it off, frowning.

  “What's wrong?”

  “I locked my office last night after the vomiting episode.”

  “Okay?”

  “No, you don't get it. I locked at last night, but it's open now. See?” Hannah turned the doorknob and eased the door open a crack.

  Xandie dropped Hannah's arm and moved in front of her. “Let me go first. You're already wounded.” Xandie forced a smile. “Just in case.”

  Slipping inside the room, Xandie peered around. Someone had trashed the room, shelves were tipped over and paperwork was strewn everywhere. The heavy wood desk still in place. Xandie moved to right a tipped chair next to the desk and froze with a tiny squeak.

  “You okay, Xandie?” Hannah limped in aghast at the state of office. “See? I told you this resort is cursed. Now someone’s broken in.”

  “It’s worse than that.” Xandie kneeled.

  “What can be worse than the disorganized, trashed office?”

  “A dead body.”

  “What?” Hannah squealed, but still peered over the desk. “Holy... That's Velma Mystic, one of the judges.”

  “Was, you mean.” Xandie took her pulse, but the woman was definitely dead. Especially with one side of her head covered in blood and a cracked crystal ball next to her.

  “Xandie? Didn’t Velma proclaim yesterday she knew who the killer was?”

  “She did. And it looks like she was right. Someone didn't want her to talk.” Xandie searched around and found Velma’s handbag tucked under the desk. Xandie looked inside for Lorelei’s diary. She bet that was why Velma wouldn’t let her handbag out of her sight in the catering tent yesterday. Xandie didn’t believe Velma’s assertion’s that the dearly departed Fifi had told her about the killer. More likely Velma had found LaRue’s diary.<
br />
  “That's Lorelei’s.” Hannah pointed to a gauzy purple scarf sitting in the bottom of Velma's purse. “See, it’s got the purple and pink sparkle polish staining it. I remember that horrible woman yelling at Amity when she painted Fifi’s nails.”

  Velma had found the dead woman’s diary, so where was it now? “We need to let the police know what happened.”

  Hannah nodded. “I'll send one of the reception staff for the chief. I can trust him to keep his mouth shut.” Hannah limped out, leaving Xandie alone with the body.

  Velma discovered the killer, and that person had killed her for it. The only silver lining, depending on the time of death, was that Amelia had been working on a sick patient last night. Poor Velma might be her aunt’s get-out-of-jail-free card.

  “Why do I always find you leaning over a dead body?” Zach Braun grumped as he prowled into the room.

  Xandie straightened. “It's a gift. And technically, its inclining not leaning. Velma Mystic’s body proves my aunt wasn't involved.”

  The police chief crossed his arms and scowled at Xandie. “How does this poor woman’s death prove anything? There's a killer in Point Muse and a second body confirms the first death was definitely murder and not an accident.”

  Xandie gritted her teeth. Could this man annoy her anymore? “Amelia had an emergency call last night and was occupied for hours. She has witnesses. My Aunt couldn't have been the killer.”

  “This time. Amelia might have an accomplice.”

  Snorting, she shook her head. “Since when do Harrow’s play well with others. This proves Amelia’s innocence.”

  “That's not for you to decide. We’ll interview any witnesses and examine the body before determining if this clears your aunt.”

  “You know Amelia. She’s not capable of this.”

  “Of course he does, sweetie. He just needs to follow protocol.” Aggie strode in and handed Zach a large coffee from Lila's bakery, Heart's Delight. “Xandie is right about one thing. Your cousin, Sasha, was also called into the surgery last night around nine. She stayed with Amelia until around two am when she dropped her back to Harrow House. I took a statement a little while ago.”