A Witch for Sleuth (A Modern Cozy Mystery with the Witches of Springsville)

by Dani Corlee

  Noticing, Mabel looked at Lucille and whispered, "what's she doing?"

  Seeing a possible prey hunted by another woman, Lucille, like a racing fury approached the lawyer and taking his arm said. “Didn't we say that you would give me a ride? Come, Mr. Hayes, let's go, it's getting late."

  He looked shocked, but probably convinced that anything was better than the attention of Mrs. Jarvis, he let himself be led out of the office, and managed to get everyone else out, some of them still complaining.

  Down in the street, Mabel couldn't help but overhear part of the whispered conversation between her cousins. "Did you see how much money our aunt left us? And you were afraid she wasn't going to give us anything." Pam said to her brother, giving him a nudge.

  "Good!" He replied rubbing his hands. "I can buy a new car and fix a lot of things. But let’s see if we can get our hands on the house and the company as well! We’ll find out from an attorney."

  CHAPTER 4

  Mabel slowly opened her eyes. Still under the covers she stretched and touched her forehead. "Ouch, that hurts!" She looked at the alarm clock on the bedside table and yawned. A bad sign. What would happen? Headaches were generally a prelude to trouble. Since childhood, she knew that something was about to happen or would happen soon whenever she had a headache.

  That morning she had no appointments and could take it easy before starting work on a new outfit. She got up slowly and went to the bathroom. After a few minutes she prepared a latte and, still in her pajamas, curled up on the couch, taking a book from the stack of mysteries on the coffee table, she sipped the hot beverage.

  Mabel! She felt the voice of Lucille calling her. Telepathy was one of the gifts that witches used freely, confident that no one who was not a witch would discover their secret.

  Hello Lucille, what’s the good news?

  A tragedy! her friend replied, with an upset voice.

  Huh? What do you mean? Mabel had never heard Lucille with that tone of voice, and she began to worry.

  Something happened. It's terrible! continued Lucille

  What? Don't leave me guessing! Slowly Mabel began to shake.

  Errol Hopkins. Don't panic but has... has been murdered!

  Murdered? By whom? Mabel sprung to her feet, spilling milk on her pajamas. Are you joking? A murder here in Springsville? Nothing ever happens here! I mean, for centuries there have been no murders or serious crimes. The police at most give some fines to unruly drivers, and most of the time it’s people passing through. We really don’t even need a police station! We are one of the communities of witches that really knows how to manage their own town, and we have always been proud of that.

  "I know." Lucille replied while appearing in front of her. "Now calm down, don't worry. There is no reason to panic."

  "I'm not in a panic. I'm just surprised at such a thing. I feel sorry for him, what a terrible thing." Then, considering her friend’s words for a moment, she said, "and why should I worry?"

  Lucille replied embarrassed. "You know, there are quite a few people who saw you two arguing. He threatened you; you reacted... Well, someone who doesn't know you could think the worst."

  "What?" Eyes and mouth wide open in surprise, Mabel looked at Lucille appalled. "You’re kidding, aren't you?"

  "Not at all, unfortunately. Anyway, I talked to Pauline, you know that girl who works at the Plaza Hotel. She told me that Mr. Hopkins had asked for a wake-up call at seven because he was supposed to leave early. Not hearing him respond a colleague was sent to knock on the door but receiving no reply again they thought he might be already somewhere in the hotel but had not checked out because he had not yet left the key. Long story short, later the maid went in to do the room and found him lying on the floor. Dead."

  "Oh my God!" With her head in her hands, Mabel dropped down on the sofa. "How was he killed?"

  Lucille sat down next to her. "It seems he was poisoned. In fact, the direct cause was a heart attack, but it appears that it was caused by a particular type of poison. Near the body was a bottle of beer that did not come from the fridge bar, and which seemed to contain traces of poison. An autopsy will be done as soon as possible, but I was told that there were visible signs of poisoning. I don’t know what poison. Pauline said they have already interviewed a lot of people, and she heard the Sheriff say that all the heirs of Aunt Glenda will be questioned."

  Mabel sighed. "That’s all I needed! My aunt, the will, and now murder. Here! In Springsville! How will I keep colors of my designs under control if I am so nervous? There's the reason for my headache ... It’s better if I’m not seen around much for a while. I don't know what I could mess up with my powers."

  "Be calm and you’ll be able to keep them at bay." Lucille said, not too convinced.

  They heard the bell that rang when the door of the workshop was opened.

  "Who can it be?" Mabel asked herself. "I don't have any appointments this morning." She looked at Lucille. "Oh no!" She touched her temples. "The headache became stronger. I guess I'm in trouble!"

  She got up quickly and headed to the staircase leading down to the store.

  "Mabel!" called Lucille.

  Mabel looked at her with a question, then following her friend's gaze she realized she was still in her pajamas. She snapped her fingers and was ready to receive the customer.

  Coming downstairs, she was surprised to see a man. A young man and not bad looking.

  "May I help you?" She asked with a frown. Men were not uncommon in her shop, but they usually accompanied their wives or girlfriends to help them choose a cocktail dress or for an especially important evening. Mabel was proud that her reputation had surpassed the town limits, and buyers came even from other states, thanks not only to the advertising she had put in some newspapers and her social media presence but also and above all by word-of-mouth.

  Rather tall and muscular, brown hair and eyes the color of caramel, the man remained silent, looking at her with almost a surprised look that she could not place. She looked back at him with a doubtful expression and asked again, "Good morning. May I help you with something?”

  The slight smile on the man’s face was gone, he cleared his voice and introduced himself.

  "Good morning. I’m Deputy Sheriff Randy Maguire. And are you Mabel Norwood?"

  Mabel felt weak and replied without enthusiasm. "Yes, I am."

  "I must ask you a few questions. I guess you’ve already heard about the murder of Mr. Errol Hopkins."

  "Yes, of course. Please take a seat." She showed him to one of the white chairs that were used by customers while waiting.

  "By the way. Excuse me. I was just finishing something. If you don’t mind? I’ll be right back."

  She rushed up the stairs to her apartment where she had left Lucille.

  "It's the police!" She said with alarm. "And now what do I do?"

  "And what do you want to do?" answered Lucille chewing her gum. “First calm down, you're making a mess," and with a gesture of her head and eyes, she pointed to the dress Mabel was wearing. Until shortly before it had been a beautiful sky blue, but now there were purple and black spots at the hem.

  "Oh my God!" and whirling her hands, Mabel brought the dress to the original color with a spell.

  "And then," said Lucille, "just answer the man. Because you have nothing to hide, you have nothing to fear. Don't you think? "

  "Yes, Yes. Now go. I have to go back down."

  "Ok. Do you want to make me invisible so I can stay with you and listen?"

  "No, I would feel even more uncomfortable. Thank you."

  "Okay. Then call me." And Lucille disappeared, leaving behind only the sound of a bursting bubble.

  Mabel checked her dress, smoothing it more than once with the back of sweaty hands. She took a deep breath and returned to the deputy who was looking around her shop with interest. Mabel was proud of how she had arranged it. The decoration was entirely white, with old french style furniture. The drawer knobs and handles were made
of crystal as were the big chandeliers. Small and large lamps of crystal and onyx were atop various tables placed here and there in the store. The walls and ceiling were decorated with elaborate plasterwork. Everything was dazzling, giving the impression of luxury and attention to detail. In one of the showcase windows were two mannequins with brides’ dresses she had created. In the other there was only one mannequin with a cobalt blue cocktail dress and a small table with two armchairs, one of which was now occupied by the deputy. The street in which the store was located was busy and important, and, therefore, her designs had excellent visibility.

  Seeing her, the deputy turned. He took out his notebook, glanced at it and asked. "So, Miss Norwood, what was your relationship with Mr. Hopkins?"

  Mabel looked at him without expression. "There was none. I saw him for the first time at the reading of my aunt’s will. I didn’t even notice him at the funeral."

  "Mm ..." The deputy tapped his leg with the pen, giving a glance to his notebook.

  "But I understand that Mr. Hopkins was at one time a regular visitor to your aunt, and I see," he continued flipping through the book," that you lived with your aunt."

  Mabel tried to concentrate. "But ... I don't think I've ever seen him. I remember that sometimes my aunt received visitors related to her business, at home. Even suppliers, distributors, advertising people ... I don't remember that man, though. I think I would remember him."

  "What do you mean?"

  "It seems to me that he isn’t a guy who goes unnoticed."

  "Ah!" the deputy said raising an eyebrow. "Because of his good looks?"

  "What?" Mabel's eyes widened. "No, God, no! But he was an imposing figure. Impossible not to notice, I mean.”

  "Tell me about ... your exchange of views at the lawyer’s office, please."

  Mabel was wringing her hands from the tension but when she noticed that the deputy was watching her movements, she tried to calm down.

  "There's not much to say really. My aunt unexpectedly left the company to me as sole heir."

  The deputy nodded as he kept on looking through his notebook.

  “Mr. Hopkins asked me, in fact,” Mabel corrected herself “he instructed me to immediately sell him 50% of the shares since, he said, he owned the remaining 50%. I obviously refused because, even if, in the future, I might consider a possible sale, I certainly wouldn’t decide on the spot, as he wanted."

  "I understand," the deputy said nodding. He suddenly looked at her straight in the eyes and continued. "So your aunt left you the entire company but he was claiming to own 50%?"

  "But I really have no idea why. I guess the lawyer will have to check this out." She rubbed her temples.

  "Where were you last night?" the deputy sheriff asked her point-blank.

  Huh? Mabel blushed from nervousness. Perhaps she needed an alibi? "Here, I was here."

  "In the shop? At night?"

  "I live upstairs;" she replied by pointing her index finger toward the ceiling. I have my own apartment upstairs. "

  "Handy!" replied the deputy and permitted himself a smile.

  Then, regaining control with a rather grumpy frown he said. "Can someone attest to that? Maybe your boyfriend?"

  "No," said Mabel. "I have nobody," she let the words escape for no reason, and she bit her lip embarrassed trying to avoid the look of the deputy who continued staring at her and said with a half smile, "Fine."

  "Fine?" Mabel looked at him surprised.

  He shook his head. "No, I mean, that is, we have finished." He got up and approached the door. "But this afternoon you should go to the station and have your fingerprints taken."

  "Fingerprints? But today I have several appointments."

  "I'm sorry, you will have to cancel them," he said. "See you later." He gave a nod and left.

  "See you later," said an unhappy Mabel, and her greeting was lost in the sound of the doorbell as it closed.

  CHAPTER 5

  Seated in the car Deputy Maguire scratched his head, looking over his notes. There weren’t really any clues, nothing much to investigate. The issue of the business was perplexing. How is it a person can claim to own 50% of a firm without anyone else knowing anything about it?

  The lawyer was out of town that day, but they had talked on the phone and agreed to meet the following day. The lawyer also said he was puzzled by the man's claims.

  At the moment, though, it was the only possible lead, it was hard to believe that the killer was Mabel Norwood. She just didn’t seem the type. Small and pretty, she had a nice way about her. He gave a bored sigh and shook his head. These were not the thoughts he should be having about that girl, who for the time being was the primary suspect. "Randy, Randy!" He said to himself. "Don’t be led astray. The job before everything!"

  His phone rang. "Not him again!" He rolled his eyes, huffed and answered. "Yes Chief, yes I already checked. That's right, I saw that too. Yes, I questioned other people but I still have to question, let me see my book, ah yes ... What? No, it doesn’t seem to me that it is a simple case, at all."

  He raised his eyes again by tipping the phone away from his ear while the sheriff kept on talking. He put the phone back to his ear after a few seconds. "Yes, I understand. Anyway, I still have to question the gardener and maid of Mrs. Stone and also a niece and nephew, you know, those twins. What? No, no we can't arrest that girl just because she responded to threats of ... huh? Yes, I expect her at the station this afternoon for fingerprinting. See you later!"

  The deputy finished the call by slamming the phone.

  What an obnoxious person, he thought while starting the car. Out of all the people he could landed, he’s the worst. A do-nothing and lazy. He wondered how many innocent people had been thrown in jail during his career. Since he’d been here in Springsville, probably nobody, nonetheless. Stopped at the traffic light he glanced at his appointments. Next stop Villa Enchantment where he would question, all in one shot, the gardener, the maid and the butler.

  Just who was this butler? He smiled thinking of the old cliche. No, that would be too easy.

  And to think that he had chosen this town to get a little experience and spend a few years with petty crimes in order to advance easily. He certainly didn't want to be a deputy all his life! Among all the places with a vacancy, this was the town with the fewest crimes. Indeed, with zero serious crimes and very few minor crimes, something quite astounding. And the Sheriff had nothing in the way of experience with a case like this. As soon as he had heard about the argument between Mr. Hopkins and Norwood he had said, "Ah ha, she’s the one. Arrest her," without even speaking to her.

  The police were dispatched without the blink of an eye, while the Sheriff sat in his big chair, legs on the desk and hands behind his neck holding his head, with a satisfied smile.

  "Wait a minute," Randy said. "We really don’t know what happened, let’s first talk to her."

  "Nonsense," the Sheriff cut him off, shooting him daggers.

  "But it could also have been the twins, right? They were seen in that area more or less at the time of death."

  "Phooey," snorted the Sheriff annoyed, taking his feet off the desk and pointing a fat finger to him,

  "Young man, if you care that much, go and question her. Then arrest her and bring her here."

  "I'm going to question her; then I’ll continue with all the heirs. Okay?" Without waiting for an answer, he left to go to Mabel’s.

  The more he thought about it, the more he was convinced that girl could not have been the one. There was nothing on which to base her guilt, and then, with that look... He shook his head. She didn’t have the face of a killer.

  The phone rang again, and he snorted thinking back to the Chief. He saw instead that it was one of the force who was investigating the case.

  "Randy, I have some information for you."

  "Tell me it’s good!"

  "Yes, I think so. Meanwhile, I can confirm that it was poison that killed him. The coroner's report says that
it is a commonly used herbicide around here that was added to the beer. Then a guest at the hotel told us there was a enormous argument last night at the hotel bar between Mr. Hopkins and a man he couldn’t identify. He only remembered that he had a very small build, but nothing else. He couldn't even tell us the age. "

  "Thank you. If you discover anything else, let me know."

  Randy knew that that was the only agent he could trust. The kid had guts and, underneath a mild and agreeable appearance, he hid a complete disgust of the Chief’s methods. He hadn’t openly said so, but it was easy to see.

  He had arrived at Villa Enchantment, and he parked the car. Mr. Banks waited for him at the doorway. He had called ahead so that his trip would not be useless.