A Corpse at the Polls: An Ella Sweeting Aromatherapy Magic Cozy Mystery (Ella Sweeting: Witch Aromatherapist Cozies Book 3)

by Lisbeth Reade

  Moaning? Who could that be? Not Helen. Or— could Helen be still alive and I had just missed her pulse?

  No. Garza would have gotten her into the ambulance immediately.

  Then who was moaning? Against my better judgement I turned around and walked past the kitchen. I quickly glanced over and saw Helen again. She hadn't moved. She definitely hadn't moaned. But the scarf was gone.

  Gone? How could it be gone? And where was Garza?

  "Detective Garza? Officer...?" I called, trailing off when I realized I didn't know the other officer's name. "Hello? Did someone moan?" I stopped calling and started muttering to myself. "Ella, you are being paranoid. Maybe they're out on her balcony and you're just going to get treated to another one of Garza's lectures...Or..."

  I edged into the bedroom doorway gingerly, as if the room could explode. In the middle of the rug lay a delicate black kitten heel, looking suspiciously like the one the detective had been wearing. No... my heart started pounding.

  I stepped fully into the bedroom and heard another moan. Racing toward the sound, I found Detective Garza leaning awkwardly against the wall, eyes closed. Frantically, I looked around, trying to see who could have done it. That was when I spotted the other officer, flat on his back on the balcony with a blooming red bump on his forehead, a frying pan on the floor beside him.

  I sat down next to Garza. "Detective," I said, and gave her shoulder a gentle shake. She slumped forward into my arms. "Help!" I shouted. "Help us!"

  I heard voices talking and shouted until they came in. 'They' were the paramedics.

  "Over here," I called. "Someone's attacked them! Please help."

  One of the paramedics, an older man with graying hair and a slight paunch knelt down next to Garza. He checked her vitals. The second paramedic raced to the side of the officer on the balcony. I got up and raced to see if anyone had climbed down the condo's fire escape, but there was nothing.

  Downstairs, I found Ruby.

  "Someone knocked Garza out and the other police officer, but I didn't see anyone. They probably ran down the fire escape. Did you see anyone?" I asked.

  "No," Ruby told me. "I didn't see anyone running away or looking the slightest bit suspicious. I'll look around the side of the building. Are you going to the hospital?"

  "Yes," I said. "I can't go home until I see how the detective is doing. It wouldn't be right."

  "Good," Ruby said. "I'm going in a minute. Follow me over."

  I nodded. Ruby grabbed another officer and raced off to check the back of the building. I heard her radioing for more officers and a perimeter to be set up. I hugged myself as Garza was hefted up on the gurney meant for Helen and carried down the steps and into the waiting ambulance. The other officer came out of the room, a bit wobbly. I moved to help him navigate the steps.

  "Thanks," he said. "Sweeting, isn't it? Aren't you the aromatherapist? My mother likes you."

  "Wow, I'm famous," I said with a grin. "Are you alright? You must have had a nasty knock on the head."

  "Yeah, well my head's a rock," he said. "Thanks for the help. I'm just going to ride in the ambulance with the detective. I think a concussion is enough reason to bum a ride."

  "You're welcome, Officer...?"

  "Andy Daniels. You can call me Andy," he said with a shy smile.

  He was cute, I noticed, with a warm smile and blue eyes. His hair was black and softly curling. If it wasn't for the nasty goose egg forming on his head, he would be fairly attractive. I wondered if he was Ruby's new beau? I hoped so.

  "Well Andy, I'm going to follow you to the hospital and make sure neither one of your brains got scrambled, how's that?"

  "A beautiful girl wants to check out my brains? Sounds great," he said with a watery smile.

  "Charmer," I smirked, and handed him off to the paramedics.

  My good humor faded when I saw how pale the detective was. I knew she was petite, but robbed of her powerful presence she just seemed so small. I didn't like it. Garza was a powerhouse. Seeing her injured and vulnerable made my insides ache. Despite what she thought of me, I liked Detective Garza.

  I found my car and drove to where Ruby's patrol car was parked. She waved at me, having returned from her hunt. I raised an eyebrow, but she shook her head. No luck. We drove over to the hospital. It was on the main street and had plenty of parking up front.

  Climbing out, I took the time to shoot a text message off to the Aunts. I'd explain the rest when I arrived home, but I didn't want them to worry if I wanted to stick around the hospital. Inside, I approached a nurse to ask about Garza, but Ruby waved me over to the waiting area.

  "The doctors are in with her now," Ruby said.

  "What about Andy?"

  "Officer Daniels?" Ruby asked. "He's in one of the cubicles. They're checking him for concussion. He'll probably get light duty for a few days, but he was walking and talking so I think he'll be fine. Plus, he has a hard head."

  "That's what he told me," I remarked.

  Ruby grinned. Once more I hoped that Officer Andy was Ruby's new beau. She was a great girl and he seemed charming.

  Speaking charm— or rather, a complete and total lack of it— Max Stewart entered the waiting room, dressed in a stuffy, imported suit. His greasy hair was pulled back into a ponytail. He homed in on me and Ruby. I bit my lip to keep from scowling at him. But he looked right past me to Ruby.

  Ruby cried, "Max, over here!"

  And the two of them crashed into each other's arms like characters in a badly acted romance movie. He even picked her up and spun her in a little circle. My heart sank. Ruby was dating Max? Oh, no. That couldn't end well, could it?

  "Ruby?" I asked.

  "Oh, Ella," Ruby said, eyes bright. "I told you I was seeing someone."

  "Hello, Ella," Max said, a bit breathlessly.

  I stared, open mouthed. After a second I forced my mouth to work. Several seconds later I managed an almost friendly, "Hi, Max."

  Ruby looked between us, a little crease forming between her brows. I plastered on my best fake smile. Ruby relaxed a bit, looping her arm through Max's. Max's grin was predatory. I noticed he was wearing a Strous pin, the current mayor, and decided even though my candidate was dead, there was no way I was ever voting for someone Max Stewart supported. I also decided I might have to help Ruby pick a new man.

  "How is the detective?" Max asked in a perfect impersonation of a human being. I knew better, though.

  A doctor approached, expression grim, and pulled Ruby to one side. I tried to eavesdrop.

  I heard coma. I heard no telling what damage. And I heard subdermal hematoma before Max grabbed my arm, distracting me.

  "I really like her," Max whispered in my ear.

  "Ruby?" I chirped.

  "Yes, and I know what you think of me," Max said smoothly.

  "And what do I think of you, Max?" I asked sweetly.

  Max grimaced. "You think I'm not a nice person. But Ruby likes me and I want it to stay that way. So how about you just keep your opinions to yourself?"

  "Why should I?" I asked.

  "Sweeting," Max growled, "you are too nosy by half. Just leave Ruby alone."

  "I should say the same thing to you," I told him. "She's my friend. I don't want her hurt."

  Ruby returned and we jumped away from each other, circling like cats about to brawl, but Ruby was too distraught to notice. I hugged her lightly, and Max draped an arm possessively around her.

  "She still hasn't woken up. They're worried. The longer she's unconscious, the worse it could be," Ruby said, fretting.

  "Garza is the toughest person I've ever met," I told Ruby. "She'll be fine. Give it a few hours."

  Ruby nodded.

  "Do you want me to stay with you?" I asked.

  "No," Max said. "I'll stay."

  I glared. But Ruby melted into him.

  I wanted to say something, but what? Max hadn't murdered his mother. He hadn't done anything illegal that I knew of. I just had a feeling abou
t him. I frowned, but nodded.

  I would go home. But I was involved now. I was going to find out who killed my client. I was going to find out who knocked Garza unconscious. I was determined to solve this one now. It felt personal.

  Chapter 3

  I stayed two more hours at the hospital waiting for news on Garza, but finally I had to give up and go home. Max had kept Ruby solidly away from me and I was getting all sorts of text messages from my aunts, wanting to know what had happened. I nodded to Ruby and waved to Officer Andy who was being admitted for observation. He waved back and I smiled. He made a knocking motion towards his head and gave me a thumbs up.

  The ride home was uneventful. My mind was busy turning over everything I'd seen, and by the time I reached my driveway I was tired. Helen Christianson had been a nice lady and a great client. She would have been a wonderful mayor, but now she'd never get the chance.

  I was so lost in thought that I walked past the sitting room and was halfway upstairs before I heard someone calling my name. I turned to see rich chocolate eyes peeping out from a mostly unkempt fringe of hair.

  "Rory!"

  "Hi Ella," he said, grinning.

  I raced down the steps and jumped the last one to hug him. He caught me and gave me a squeeze.

  "I didn't think I was going to see you until tomorrow. Are you on a break?" I asked, slightly breathless.

  Rory grinned. "Apparently, there was a problem at another post office and they missed their deadline for sending us their truck. So we all finished up early and escaped. I, ah, thought you wouldn't mind if I dropped by. Judging by this hug, it looks like I'm right," he said questioningly, raising an eyebrow.

  "Yes, you are right. Something's happened." I sighed. "Let's go in the sitting room so I can tell the Aunts at the same time."

  "Fine. But I've packed a basket..."

  "Oh, how romantic," I cooed, teasing him a bit.

  His ears turned a lovely shade of pink. "If you don't like picnics we could always get pizza."

  "I love picnics. But I have some unpleasant news to tell you," I said.

  We walked into the sitting room. My aunts loved the room and most days they could be found hanging out in there, eating tea cakes and working on various projects. Currently, Hazel was knitting a large fuzzy scarf in browns and greens, Aunt Sarah was still reading the newspaper, and Auntie Joe was reading a book.

  "Back so soon, Rory?" Auntie Joe asked. "Ready to try the lemon this time?"

  She held up a plate of lemon squares. Rory begged off and sat on the love seat. I spotted the basket near him, with Trouble sniffing it. I nodded to Rory and he scooped the large black tom cat up and into his lap. Scratching the big fellow between the ears was enough to distract him from stealing our picnic.

  "To the left a bit, Rory," Trouble rumbled. Not that Rory could hear him, since he wasn't a witch, but that fact had never kept either cat from trying.

  "How was Helen, dear?" Auntie Sarah asked. "The more I read about our current mayor, the more I believe he's crooked as that road in San Francisco... What's that road dear?"

  "The Crooked Mile?" Auntie Joe asked.

  "Yes, that's it! But much worse, and he has a sour face like he just ate a rat. Only I'm sure he is the rat in question. Oh! Stop me when I get into a good ramble, Ella! How was Helen? Did you give her my note?"

  "Um," I said with a sigh, "No, I didn't give her your note."

  Sarah frowned and put her paper down fussily. "Why ever not?" she asked.

  "Because by the time I made it to our appointment, Helen was dead," I told them, my voice cracking.

  The room went silent. I nodded. Rory hopped up, knocking Trouble to the ground and enfolded me in a warm hug. I felt tears prickling at the corners of my eyes but I fought them back. Crying wasn't going to help me find her killer.

  But I did appreciate the hug. When Rory was done, Auntie Joe replaced him. She turned to stand beside me with her warm hand in mine. Supported, I told them about finding Helen.

  "She was strangled?" Aunt Hazel asked, putting her knitting down.

  "With a scarf. It was around her neck when I found her. She had her tea set out and ready for me. It was awful. But it gets worse," I said, preparing them.

  "How?" Aunt Sarah asked. "What's worse than you finding a body?"

  "Well, after I was done giving my statement," I said, "I realized my purse was still up in the condo. I went upstairs to fetch it and found Garza another police officer knocked unconscious." I slowed down, a realization unfolding. "That means that the killer could have been in the apartment the whole time, watching me." I shivered. "Garza still hasn't woken up. She's in the hospital now. Ruby's with her."

  No one said much, but their faces were sober. Auntie Joe nudged me to sit next to Rory. He snatched up my hand and gave my fingers a gentle squeeze. Trouble hopped back into his lap and looked at me with sad cat eyes. I pet him right behind his left ear and he swatted at me playfully, making me smile.

  "That is just awful, Ella." Aunt Sarah said. "I mean, one woman is dead and another is in hospital? The officer is alright?"

  "Andy? Yeah, he seems okay. He says he has a hard head," I said, smiling a bit.

  "Daniels?" Rory asked.

  I nodded. "Yes, do you know him?"

  Rory nodded. "You do, too. He was in school with us. Back then he was really scrawny. Bad acne. Terrible soccer player. He and I spent a summer together at Haverbrooke's. I'll call the station tomorrow and check on him."

  "I don't remember him," I said.

  Rory shrugged. He was brilliant at remember names and addresses. No wonder he had opted to become a mailman. His talents would be a real asset there. I smiled at him. He squeezed my hand again.

  "Detective Garza is one tough cookie," Auntie Joe said. "I'm sure she'll be up in no time."

  "Anything we can do for that?" I asked with a meaningful tone.

  I meant magically. The Aunts looked at me with speculative stares. They glanced at one another.

  Aunt Hazel's look was sly. "Let's see how she does on her own, first," she said.

  "Now I don't know who I'm going to vote for," Aunt Sarah grumbled.

  "Do you want to reschedule our date?" Rory asked gently. "I don't mind. Sounds like you've had a traumatic day."

  "No," I said firmly. "I haven't eaten, and you've gone to all this trouble. Let me go upstairs and change into something I can sit comfortably in and grab some flip flops. Just don't let them fill you full of tea cakes and spoil your appetite."

  The Aunts feigned innocence, but I could already see Auntie Joe grabbing for a chocolate iced one. I glared. She dropped it back on the tray.

  In the hall I ran into Mother. She was wearing her gardening gloves and had a smudge of dirt on her face. I grinned, unwilling to spoil the charming picture by telling her about it. She held up a hand to stop me from going up the stairs.

  "Ella, dear," Mother began, "how was your appointment? Father said you were going over to see Helen."

  I filled her in on the murder. She paled. "Are you going to investigate again, Ella?"

  "Mother," I began, readying all the reasons why I should get involved and why I wanted to get involved and how I could get involved, but she held up her hand again to stop me.

  "Ella, I am not trying to stop you. Lord knows I couldn't if I wanted to. You're far too stubborn. Just like your father," she said smiling fondly when she mentioned Father. "I just want you to be careful. You will be careful, won't you dear?"

  "Mother, I am the soul of caution," I told her. Then I frowned. "Ruby's dating Max Stewart."

  "Oh," Mother said in a disgusted tone. "She can do better. That Stewart boy is never out of trouble. He could ruin her chances at that police department."

  "I thought the same thing." I said.

  If Max got caught doing any of his shady business, then Ruby would catch trouble for it. Mother frowned. "Perhaps I'll make a call to Cynthia. Ruby's mother still works in catering, doesn't she? I'm planning a part
y next month. I could book her and let it slip..." Mother said.

  "No," I said, grabbing her arm affectionately. "Ruby's a big girl. She can make her own choices. I'm just going to keep an eye on her in case she needs me."

  "You're a sweet girl," Mother told me. "Fine. But if I catch him stepping out on her or getting up to trouble, I will ring Cynthia."

  "Fine," I agreed easily. "Now I have to get changed. Rory's taking me to the park for a late lunch and the Aunts are plying him with cakes as we speak."

  Mother sighed, "Oh, the Aunts are still here?" she asked sarcastically. "I hardly noticed their presence. What with the cats knocking my flower pots over and the knitting all over the place? Plus, did you know they swiped a whole bottle of dish soap? What on earth for?" she asked.

  "Who knows? Spells maybe?" I said with a wink and raced away up the stairs before she could continue her tirade. I don't think Mother actually hated the Aunts, but they did liven things up a bit more than she was used to.

  Once in my room, I slipped into a pair of white capris and a floral print sleeveless top. I grabbed my spring jacket as an afterthought and stepped into my comfortable flip flops. I was back in the sitting room in less than three minutes. And I was just in time to see Rory downing another tea cake. He gave me a guilty smile full of chocolate. I just laughed.

  A half hour later we were spreading out our blanket beneath a large old oak tree. Its leaves were still stubbornly green, as was the surrounding grass. I kicked off my flip flops as Rory dropped onto the blanket next to me. He looked tired but happy.

  I reached into the basket and unpacked bags of chips and wrapped cheese sandwiches. "This is a very fancy lunch, Mr. Smith."

  "Oh, come on," he protested. "It's not about the food. It's about the ambiance. And there are even brownies in there. Those I did bake myself. I'm not just a pretty face."

  "No, not you," I teased. "It's fine. I love cheese sandwiches." To prove it, I unwrapped one and took a big bite.

  He rolled to face me and I tossed a sandwich his way. He caught it easily. I leaned against the oak tree to enjoy my lunch. He watched me for a minute before asking, "Going to investigate, aren't you? The Christianson murder? You want to find the killer."