by Cindy Stark
They all sat, and Hazel inhaled, preparing for interrogation mode. “I wonder what you can tell me about that morning.”
Vera lifted her softly rounded shoulders and shrugged. “Not a lot. It was Olive’s birthday. We don’t normally exchange gifts, but I felt like I wanted to do something nice for her this year. She’d been going into her office early every day to work on a special piece for the paper, and she’d been a stressed. I thought it might be nice to take her something to mark her special day.”
Hazel nodded, encouraging her to continue. “That was very thoughtful of you.”
Vera sniffed. She pulled a tissue from the box on the corner of her desk and dabbed at her eyes.
“Did Olive talk to you about her special piece?” Hazel asked.
Vera gave Hazel a sad smile that broke her heart. “No. Sisters should be confidants, but Olive took a special pleasure in taunting me about all the things she knew, and I didn’t. This was no different. You know, I would have liked to have been closer to my sister, but she always made things difficult.”
That wasn’t the first time Hazel had heard someone call Olive difficult. “Have you or the police looked for anything that might give a clue as to who or what she was writing about? A journal or computer file?”
Vera shot Madeline a weary look, and Hazel knew her time grew thin. “I know she used to write in a book at night, but I couldn’t find it, and the police have her work laptop.”
“It’s okay,” Madeline interjected. “We understand.”
Olive’s sister clasped her hands tighter together. “She’d always loved the sparkly pink travel mug I’d purchased for me, from Spencer’s shop. I think she thought he’d get another for her, but he never did. So, I had Doris order one for me, for her birthday. I thought I was doing a nice thing, but my actions very well may have ended her life.”
Madeline shook her head vehemently. “Don’t say things like that, Vera. The only person who’s guilty of anything is the one who poisoned her coffee. You and I were trying to do a nice thing, and I take comfort knowing she knew people cared.”
Tears wetted Vera’s eyes, but she blinked them back. “Are we finished?”
Hazel’s pulse accelerated. “Please, just a couple more questions.”
Vera sighed and then nodded.
Hazel wished she had a little notepad in her purse like Peter always carried. “Who is Doris?” Hazel asked.
Madeline lifted her chin in acknowledgement. “A clerk at Spencer’s store.”
Hazel focused her gaze on Vera. “Did Doris like Olive?”
Madeline snorted, and Vera shook her head. “Not many people did.”
She made a mental note of the clerk’s name. “Did Spencer know that you’d ordered the coffee mug for Olive?”
Vera shrugged. “I have no idea.”
Hazel would find a way to talk to Doris later. Maybe Peter knew her and would be able to question her without problem. “You went straight to Alberto’s after purchasing her gift?”
Vera nodded. “Well, I was just going to give her the mug, but then Spencer thought that it would be nice to have it filled with her favorite coffee from Alberto’s.”
Madeline shifted in her seat. “That’s where I saw you.”
“Yes,” she said, nodding. “You were there having breakfast with Spencer.”
“Spencer was there?” Hazel said, interrupting, even though she already knew he’d been at Alberto’s that fateful morning. “Someone else was working in the shop?”
She widened her eyes. “Oh, yes. Doris was there that morning. Spencer doesn’t go in until later.”
That made sense. “Okay, I see. So, Madeline was eating with Spencer.”
“I had Alberto fill the travel mug, while I also had a quick cup,” Vera continued. “Then I glanced at the clock and realized I was already late for work.”
Hazel tried to picture the scenario in her mind. “You were sitting at the counter?”
Vera shook her head, her straight hair dusting the tops of her shoulders. “I don’t like the noise at the counter. I usually sit at a table along the edge.”
Which meant Vera may have had some time alone with the coffee before she passed it along. “How long did you have the mug in your possession before you gave it to Madeline?”
“Oh, I didn’t give it to Madeline. Spencer said he’d deliver it since I’d run out of time. But as to your question, I would say only a minute or two.”
Hazel shot a quick glance at Madeline. She’d failed to mention Spencer’s role in the matter. “So, Spencer took it first.”
Vera scrunched her nose. “He didn’t exactly take it. I set it next to him, and then I left for work.”
Hazel shifted her gaze to Peter’s aunt. “How did you end up taking it to Olive?”
“Spencer remembered he had a call with a vendor. I was finished with breakfast, so I offered to deliver it to Olive.”
“Did you leave Spencer alone with the coffee at any time?”
Madeline drew her brows together and then shook her head. “No, I don’t think so.”
That meant Spencer wouldn’t have had an opportunity to poison it. But it didn’t clear Madeline or Vera.
Hazel sighed, happy that she’d gotten more information, but not sure how any of it would help. She smiled at Vera and stood. “Thank you for answering my questions.”
Vera glanced between Hazel and Madeline. “I’ve already told the same to the police several times.”
“I know,” Hazel said. “But maybe we can pick up on something they’ve missed. We all want this case to be solved as quickly as possible.”
Madeline exhaled a large breath and stood. “From your mouth to God’s ear.”
Or goddess’s ear, Hazel thought. Either way, they would take all the help they could get.
Vera got to her feet. “I hope so, too. I don’t like the idea of a killer on the loose.”
Hazel looked to Peter’s aunt to make sure she was ready to leave and then headed for the outer area of the library. “Vera, I hope it’s okay to stop by if I have further questions.”
Vera gave them a sad smile. “Of course.”
Hazel exited the library with a heavy heart. She met Madeline’s gaze, and she also seemed to have been brought down by their visit with Vera. “So hard to see people in pain,” Hazel said.
Madeline placed a hand over her heart. “It hurts deeply. If it’s okay with you, Hazel, I think I’d like to go home now.”
Hazel agreed with a nod. She also needed some downtime from their morning, and she yearned to share what she’d learned with Peter to see if he picked up on anything she’d missed.
Thirteen
Hazel entered the bungalow only to find the place dead silent. A trail of prickles skittered up her back. She stood still for a moment, listening for signs of life, but heard nothing. Had Peter gone out without her? And where was Mr. Kitty?
He’d better not be on the prowl again.
She set her purse on a table near the door and walked toward the bedroom, the last place she’d seen them both.
The sight of Peter lying on his back on top of the comforter with his eyes closed and one hand thrown over his head on the pillow brought relief and left her with a smile. He hadn’t been sleeping well since members of the Stonebridge coven had outed her to the whole town, proving she was a witch. He always thought he needed to be on guard, even at night, even though she’d warded the house against any possible threats.
The fact that Mr. Kitty lay near Peter in a similar pose, between her husband and the edge of the bed, made the scene more endearing. So much so, that she wanted to join her boys and snuggle in for a nap.
But if she made any noise, she knew she’d wake them. She was surprised she hadn’t already.
Quiet as a Mouse…
She recalled seeing that spell in Lily’s book, if she remembered right. She hadn’t had a need to try it out yet, and she’d refrained from doing too many spells in Stonebridge until the cit
izens grew more used to her skills. But it appeared this was a good opportunity to test it, and that spell seemed innocuous enough.
Hazel retreated to the closet in the living room where she’d stored the small box of magical items that she’d brought along with her, including Clarabelle’s and Lily’s tomes. She couldn’t imagine going anywhere without them for fear that Timothy would find a way to locate the books and steal them from her.
She quietly whispered the words that would make the box visible and lifted it from the shelf. Unfortunately, her hiding spell also reminded her of the other more lethal item hiding in the bedroom closet. Her gut told her they should just turn it over to the police, but she couldn’t go against Peter. And after spending the morning with Madeline, she knew there was no way she was guilty. Hazel couldn’t do anything that might make Madeline appear so.
But what if Tracy was? The little voice inside her warned her not to make any hasty decisions regarding the possible evidence. Possible being the keyword.
She pondered Tracy’s innocence while she made her way to the couch and sat. If the housekeeper was guilty, Peter would want her out of Madeline’s life immediately. But what if Tracy had murdered Olive to protect Madeline in some way?
That would complicate things.
But still if Tracy was the murderer, she couldn’t be free to roam Sandpiper Bay as though nothing had happened.
Thoughts tumbled through her mind until she was exhausted, and she remembered her original plan to make her movements as quiet as a mouse and nap with her boys.
Hazel lifted the lid to the box and removed Lily’s tome. She didn’t get the potent reaction from touching Lily’s as she did when she held Clarabelle’s book, but she sensed power residing inside, just the same. Hazel set the box on the floor near her and carefully turned through the pages of Lily’s book until she found the spell she searched for.
She scanned the page and unruly scribbles that covered it. Deciphering handwriting from centuries ago wasn’t easy, and Lily’s was worse than Clarabelle’s. But with careful reading, she made her way down the lines of written text and discovered that unfortunately she’d need to hold a celestite crystal in her hand while reciting the incantation to complete the spell.
She slid her gaze to the red velvet bag still sitting in the box next to her feet. She’d brought along a good variety of crystals, from rose quartz for love, and to lapis lazuli to encourage friendship with Peter’s aunt. But she hadn’t brought celestite.
She lifted the bag of crystals and emptied the pouch in her hand. Carnelian, citrine, jasper…
Blue lace agate.
Hmm…
It was similar in color to the grayish periwinkle celestite. It also assisted with peace which was linked to quiet.
Oftentimes, similar elements could be substituted in a pinch, and it was worth a shot. If it failed, she’d note it in her own book of spells, and then she’d have to find something else to do, or nap on the couch until they woke.
She held the crystal in her hand and concentrated.
Softly, she whispered. “Worry and woe, take your leave. Bring silence and peace unto me. It matters naught if dawn or twilight, no sound will be noticed, my steps will be light. Blessed Universe, hear my plea. This I ask, so mote it be.”
A little zing traveled up her arm and brought a smile to her face. She was getting better and better all the time. Perhaps her friend Cora had been right. She had the power in her veins. Becoming proficient was only a matter of time and practice.
Hazel placed the crystals and spell book back into the box and returned it to the closet. She quickly recited the spell to hide them, now knowing that one by heart.
When she returned to the bedroom, she found that neither Peter nor Mr. Kitty had moved. She toed off her shoes and walked softly to her side of the bed. Even though she had the spell in place, she carefully sat on the mattress, and then looked to the slumbering bodies beside her.
So far, so good.
She relaxed on the mattress and then rolled to face Peter. He was so handsome with dark lashes fanned against his skin and that mouth that she dearly loved to kiss. Peter’s body hid all but a sliver of Mr. Kitty’s orange fur, but she sensed her familiar’s presence and the peacefulness it brought her.
Hazel sent a silent prayer of thanks to the universe for giving her such good man. She was a lucky lady indeed.
She closed her eyes and breathed deeply.
A tiny tickle irritated the back of her throat, and she swallowed to soothe it.
A second later, it returned. Her body begged her to cough. Although she felt she’d performed the spell correctly, she fought it, and a moment later the urge dissipated.
She exhaled and relaxed, the sounds of Peter’s snoring making her sleepy.
From out of nowhere, her throat spasmed so completely that she coughed, choked, and gasped for air.
Peter jerked upright, wild-eyed and ready to fight whichever foe had presented itself. Mr. Kitty screeched and dashed off the bed.
When Peter realized it was only Hazel, he scowled. “What the heck are you doing?”
Hazel held up a hand to signal she needed a second while she succumbed to one more cough, and her throat calmed. “Sorry. I was trying to be super quiet. I did a spell so I wouldn’t make any noise, but I guess it didn’t work.”
Peter narrowed his gaze. “What?”
They were two feet from each other. She was pretty sure he’d heard every word she said and was just being ornery. Her irritation spiked. “I said, I did a spell to make me quiet. I didn’t think I’d wake you.”
Her voice was far too loud for the intimate setting, but she didn’t care.
Peter huffed in disgust and fell back onto his pillow. “I don’t know what you’re up to, Hazel, but I’m half asleep and don’t read lips.”
She stared at him in disbelief and then widened her eyes. The spell had muted her words, but not her cough. Perhaps because she hadn’t used the crystal listed?
Hazel sat and held up a pointer finger to Peter, indicating he should wait a minute. She climbed off the bed and hurried to the living room to retrieve her magical box. Holding the container against her chest, she returned to the bedroom and sat on the bed, placing the box between her and Peter.
Within a few moments, Hazel located the spell and reread the page. She’d done everything right except using the right crystal. She nudged Peter who’d closed his eyes, and she held up the book.
He blinked several times and then squinted at the page. Then he flicked his gaze to Hazel. “You did Quiet as a Mouse, and that’s why I can’t hear you?”
She gave him a look of misery and nodded. Then she pointed to his watch and shrugged.
He hesitated a moment. “You don’t know how long it will last?”
Hazel shook her head.
She turned her focus back to the book and searched for a spell that would cancel out her current predicament.
Peter laughed, and she slid an unhappy, sideways glance at him.
“I’m sorry, but you have to admit it’s funny.”
She shook her head at him. “No.”
She knew he wouldn’t hear her, but she was certain he could read her lips for that one word.
Her actions made him chuckle more.
Hazel punched him in the arm, grabbed her box full of precious items, and retreated to the living room. She did not need to endure his insensitive behavior.
Fourteen
Hazel plopped on the couch and removed Clarabelle’s tome this time. Maybe her ancient grandmother would have something to counteract the spell. She’d made it through a dozen pages when Peter entered the living room. She kept her gaze on the book, not yet ready to forgive him for laughing.
He sat down next to her and put an arm around her. “I’m sorry, Hazel.”
She turned another page. “Jerk.”
He tilted his face downward to see her. “What? I couldn’t see what you said.”
A hint of humor ti
ckled her, but she held back a smile. If she wanted, she could tell him everything that had ever bugged her about him, and he wouldn’t have a clue.
He squeezed her shoulder. “You’ve done so many amazing spells that I forget you’re still learning. I shouldn’t have teased you.”
The next page had a spell called Counter Casting. It wasn’t so much a new spell, but a way to vary an original in hopes of reversing it. Her pulse leapt.
From the notes, it seemed that Clarabelle had had varying degrees of success, but she had used it effectively to calm a violent windstorm that she’d conjured to allow her to flee from witch hunters.
This one might work.
She pointed to the page and glanced at Peter.
He read the spell and nodded. “Yeah. I say try it.”
Hazel pictured speaking, and Peter hearing her voice. She allowed the pleasurable sensation of communicating with him to flow through her.
Then she exhaled. “Worry and woe, take your leave. Bring my voice back unto me. It matters naught if dawn or twilight, let the world hear me…sing.”
She hesitated, wondering if that was the right choice of words. Speak would have been a better option, she decided. If this didn’t work, she’d try that one.
“Blessed Universe, hear my plea. This I ask, so mote it be,” she hurried to add to finish.
A tingle raced through her, giving her hope. She turned to Peter. “Can you hear me now?”
He chuckled and grinned. “Yes. Yes, I can hear you again.”
Hazel exhaled a deep breath and smiled. “Thank the stars and moon.”
She might not get all spells right the first time, but she seemed to have a knack for getting out of whatever predicament she’d created.
Eventually, anyway.
Peter took her face between his hands and kissed her lightly on the lips. “I meant what I said. I’m sorry I laughed at you.”
She thought about holding out before accepting his apology, but then gave in. She wasn’t very good at staying mad, anyway. “You’re just lucky I can speak again. I have so much to tell you about this morning with your aunt.”
