Witch on Ice

by Cat Larson

  I used the blissful silence to my advantage, mentally scanning over the information I’d discovered at the library. Something about the carbon dioxide thing hounded me. I wasn’t a plant expert, but even I knew the basics.

  “Plants take in carbon dioxide, right?”

  “Yeah…” Griffin glanced at me, furrowing his brow. “Are we playing trivia now? I didn’t prepare.”

  Adverse effects from excess carbon dioxide were a given with people; could it also hurt plants? Maybe it altered their structure or something.

  “Can plants get too much of it? Like, ‘too much of a good thing is a bad thing’?”

  “I don’t know. Probably. Why are you even asking this?”

  “I’m not sure. I’ll let you know when I am.”

  He just shook his head again and continued driving. It wasn’t long after that when we arrived at the gated manor. To my surprise, the fortress wasn’t on lockdown. Very fortunate since that was one hurdle I hadn’t even considered. This was one fence I wouldn’t be able to leap, and it looked much too hostile to climb. What with the medieval-looking spikes sticking out of it and everything.

  “You sure you want to do this?”

  “Yep. Drive on up. There’s a reason the gates are open.”

  He inched in slowly, not questioning me. I just hoped that reason wasn’t to lure in unsuspecting victims as food for her pet hellhounds. The jitters increased the closer we approached, but the second he parked, I squashed those nerves and jumped out like I belonged there. Griffin turned off the car, catching up to me by the lavish fountain.

  I attempted to peek in a window, but Griffin pulled me back. “What do you think you’re doing?” Before I could answer him, the front door opened and I darted back. I never even had to ring the bell.

  “Can I help you?” the woman asked, obviously a servant based on her uniform. I bet Clarisse had at least an army of them working for her.

  “Yes. Can I speak with Clarisse, please? She’s expecting me.”

  I’d mapped it all out at the last moment. I was going to talk about her herbal medicine, ensuring that I’d get an order put in for her as soon as possible. Once I engaged her in conversation, I’d figure the rest out along the way.

  “I’m sorry. Mrs. Jones is resting. She’s been ill and needs stay in bed.”

  Hmm. Some plan. I’d just been sent on a detour. “But I just saw her at the coffee house…” When was that? My days were starting to run together. “…yesterday. She was fine.”

  She tsked. “I told her to stop drinking those things, but does she listen? No, she does not. And now look at her.”

  “Stop drinking what things?”

  “That wretched smoking coffee. It can’t be good for her, but she continues to get them. She’s addicted. Perhaps after they kill her, she’ll finally listen to me.”

  “Right. Well, can I speak with Violet then?”

  “Who?”

  “Violet Hain. The woman staying here with flaming red hair? You really can’t miss her.”

  “There are no guests here.”

  “You sure? Maybe I could just check around a bit. I promise I won’t get in the—eek! What was that for?” I asked Griffin who’d just yanked my arm.

  The servant lady began shutting the door. “I must get back to work now. Please leave.”

  “But—”

  “We’re going,” Griffin said, more to me than to her. He dragged me to the car and opened my door. “What is wrong with you?”

  “You’re the one pulling me along like that invisible dragon you used to have. Remember that thing? You had this cool leash—”

  “Samm, what is going on?” Geez. I was a little fed up with getting interrupted all the time. “Why were you asking for Violet?”

  “Because I’m looking for her. You already knew that.”

  “And you think she’s here, of all places?”

  I shrugged. “Worth a shot.”

  After I buckled in, he darted around to the driver’s side as if I were a flight risk. He backed out, keeping his eyes on me the entire time. And he had the gall to lecture me about safety.

  We were several blocks out when it clicked. Boom.

  I faced him. “Griffin, you have to turn around and go back.”

  “What? Why?”

  I wasn’t even sure myself, but it all fit together somehow. I’d stake my life on it. Unfortunately, all I had were a bunch of unassembled pieces and couldn’t see the whole picture. But I’d get there.

  “Dry ice is just solid carbon dioxide, right?”

  “Trivia again?”

  “Just tell me I’m right! And you’re not turning around.”

  “You’re right, and no, I’m not. I think you need to lie down.”

  “You don’t understand. I bumped into Clarisse at Bigfoot Café yesterday and knocked the drink out of her hand. It was one of those dry ice specials, and she was really upset at first.”

  “Okay. And?”

  “And guess what I found smashed against the ice tunnel wall? This out-of-place rainforest leaf that apparently is affected by significant levels of carbon dioxide. Don’t you see? Misty’s death had something to do with Clarisse! I bet her servant was lying. She’s probably not even sick at all.”

  I was afraid he’d get whiplash from how hard he jerked his head toward me. “Hold on a minute.” He swung into the spot in front of Violet’s store. Ugh. I guess he wasn’t turning the car around. “First off, we are not going back. Second, what in the frick are you talking about?”

  He had a point. It was better to gather more evidence first. I had to return to the tunnel. Maybe there’d be another clue. My brain was ping-ponging all over my head. It was possible that Violet was only hiding from me, after all. Her lying-lowness could have nothing to do with Misty. As unnatural as her death was, could it have been the result of an exotic herb and the Bigfoot Café monthly special?

  “Samm.” He touched my arm, making me flinch. “I know you’re under a lot of stress right now with all your domestic issues and—”

  “Domestic issues? What the heck, Griff?”

  “I was trying to say it nicely.”

  “Once and for all, Fernando is not cheating on me,” I said through gritted teeth.

  “Okay, okay. It’s not my goal to rile you up and make you feel worse.”

  I hung my head. Now, he was just placating me and I did not appreciate it. Why did I even care if he believed me about Fernando? The important thing was that I knew the truth.

  “Can we just get back to the matter at hand?” I said. “One of the things troubling me about Clarisse is motive. You’ve been around—did she have anything against Misty?” He looked dumbfounded. “All right, I know. Stupid question. Everyone had something against Misty.”

  “Are you even listening to yourself?”

  “Of course, I am.”

  “I’m going to give you the best advice I can right now. Go inside and get a good night’s sleep.”

  “It’s two o’clock. In the afternoon.”

  “Can’t hurt to get a head start.”

  I slapped my thighs. “You’re absolutely right. I’ll go do that. Thanks for the words of wisdom.”

  My hand gripped the door handle, ready to bust out when he held me back. “Don’t even think about it, Samm.”

  “Think about what? Oh right”—I snatched the keys from the ignition—“thanks for reminding me not to leave without them.”

  “That’s not what I meant, and you know it. Do not get involved in the investigation.”

  “Aren’t I already?”

  “I mean it. No more amateur detective work. Leave that to the professionals. If you found something you think is important, let my brother know, but don’t go running around accusing people.”

  I kept mum. I’d said too much already in the adrenaline rush of the moment. And since my mind still flip-flopped back and forth regarding Violet’s involvement, it was best not to tip anyone off to her whereabouts before I
got my hands around her neck.

  Let Griffin think I was a stressed-out, delusional woman scorned. I could deal with that for now.

  “Thanks for your concern, Griffin. I promise I won’t do anything dangerous.”

  “You already did by going back to the ice sculptures. There’s no one taking care of them and making sure they’re safe to be around.”

  “Yep. Damon already filled me in. I’ll talk to you later, okay?”

  I opened the car door and had one foot on the ground when he stopped me again. For someone who thought I needed rest, he had a funny way of showing it.

  “Listen, there’s a possibility that Misty’s death was a result of negligence. I’m not playing around when I say the sculptures aren’t safe. Stay away, Samm.”

  I turned toward him. “Negligence?”

  “If the festival reopened prematurely, the company could be held liable. If the exhibit wasn’t sufficiently frozen, the ice could’ve melted down in such a way as to break off and cause an accident. I don’t want the same thing happening to you.”

  My eyes widened. “That’s… ridiculous. It sounds like you’re saying a falling icicle killed Misty.”

  “It can’t be ruled out.”

  “She was encased in ice. That must’ve been some icicle.” Geez. If he wanted to keep me away, he’d have to do better than that.

  I slipped my other foot out, gave him a little wave, then hightailed it out of there before I burst out laughing. I didn’t want to disrespect his concern for me, but come on… an icicle?

  My teeth were still clamped to the insides of my cheeks when I entered the shop. I didn’t think he was flat-out lying so much as exaggerating the heck out of the situation, but in a way, it was kind of sweet.

  In a ‘childhood guyfriend I knew since I could finger paint’ manner of speaking.

  I peeked out the window to see him still sitting in my car. Hmm. At least he didn’t have the keys. I tossed them on the corner table and opened my purse, letting Fernando leap out. As soon as Griffin left, I would take a casual stroll to the lakefront, but until then, I might as well make the best of it.

  “It’s just you and me now, sweetie. Let’s spend some quality—”

  Croak! He hopped off to the bedroom as if I weren’t even there. He seemed to cop an attitude whenever I spent time with Griffin, but couldn’t he understand that jealousy was the least of his issues? I wasn’t doing anything wrong; on the contrary, I was busting my hump so he could get his ribs back.

  “Fine,” I grumbled. “Be that way.”

  Another five minutes passed, and Griffin was still there. Then ten. Then fifteen. If he was planning on sticking around a while, he was going to get mighty cold without the keys to turn on the heat.

  I opened a bag of chips to temper my hunger pangs while I waited. It was only a matter of time before he left, and it was still early. I could hold out longer than him. He was dressed as if it were a warm spring day in the type of weather where you could build a snowman out of your breath.

  The next time I checked, I almost choked on a chip.

  Chapter Twelve

  “Are you freaking kidding me?”

  A Bigfoot Bay police car was parked beside mine. Griffin was leaning out the driver’s side window, chatting with Mike. Then I watched Griffin walk away while Officer Hansen stayed.

  I waited for Mike to get out of his car and come to the door, but he just kicked back in his seat like he was on a stakeout.

  A stakeout. And I was the stake-e.

  “Are you freaking kidding me?” I said again, not that anyone was paying attention.

  I stomped outside, Mike lowering his window as I got closer. “Hello, Samm. Beautiful day, isn’t it? Wow, third time seeing each other in eight hours.” He chuckled. “In some countries, that’d make us married.”

  Ha-ha. Hilarious. “Can I help you with something?”

  “Oh no. I’m pretty comfortable already, but thanks for the offer.”

  “Then do you mind telling me what you’re doing here?”

  “Official police business.” He tapped his badge, and I rolled my eyes.

  Police business, my freezing fanny. I marched my coatless body back inside and slammed the door. Obviously, he was there because Griffin had asked him to spy on me like some common criminal. What a lovely use of the town’s resources. Didn’t he have garden gnomes to find?

  Griffin’s charming concern had turned into metal bars. I had no doubt that Mike would follow me if I left. Was it that big of a deal to keep me away from the ice sculptures? I was being treated like a child here. It was enough to make me throw a tantrum.

  I dialed Griffin’s number and got voice mail, leaving a few choice words before hanging up. One perk of an old-fashioned phone rarely enjoyed anymore: Slamming it down. It was satisfying and oddly relaxing.

  After letting off some steam, I occupied my time by organizing Violet’s stationery. First by color, then by time period, followed by occasion. If anyone came in asking for rose-colored Victorian tea party invites, I’d be ready.

  I ate another small bag of chips, an apple, drank a bottle of iced mocha. Paced around a while. Planned out my schedule when I got out of lockdown. Nearly rocketed to the ceiling when a vase shattered to the floor. I groaned. Fernando had jumped on the shelf, knocking it down, and wedged inside a teacup in the process, the one with the weird leaf pattern floating in it. I should’ve rinsed it out days ago, but that was Violet’s business, not mine.

  Once I’d freed him from the cup and rinsed him off, I set about cleaning up his mess while he hopped back into the bedroom without so much as a bleep of gratitude. I grumbled to myself as I swept broken glass into the dustpan.

  What did frogs and human men have in common? Apparently, neither was capable of admitting they were wrong.

  When I’d finished clearing the floor of sharp shards, I checked on the scene outside. The sun was retiring for the night. I wished I could say the same for Mike.

  Unlike Griffin, he did have access to a heated car, but how long could he sit there without taking care of basic needs? I didn’t even want to think about what these guys had to resort to. I could hardly see how I was worth the trouble. Or was there something I didn’t know about?

  It didn’t matter; I was going stir-crazy. Maybe Mike was keeping himself comfortable by not drinking or eating anything, but there’d eventually come a point when he’d have to do that too. It gave me an idea.

  I rang up Sage. “I’m looking for an herb that makes you sleepy.”

  “Yeah, I can imagine how everything must be catching up with you. You should really try Violet’s calming tea.”

  “I want more than calm. I want comatose. And it’s not for me.”

  “You want to drug someone?”

  “No.” But after the way she put it, it did sound pretty bad. And illegal. “I’m looking for a peaceful little lullaby, an aid to rock someone into a deep sleep just long enough for me to slip out.”

  “You’re not making sense. Are you in danger?”

  “No, but Griffin is convinced I am. He has Officer Eagle Eye camped out in front of the shop so I don’t sneak off. But I’m so close, I can feel it. I’m sure I can locate Violet if I just tie up a few more loose ends.”

  “This is about Violet?”

  “Indirectly, but yes.”

  “Well, why didn’t you say so in the first place? I’ll take care of it.”

  “You will?”

  “Sure. Hang tight and I’ll be there in a bit.”

  She hung up. I nibbled on my bottom lip, wondering what she was up to. Another hour had passed, and I was about to call her back when there was a knock on the door.

  I opened it to Sage’s beaming face, holding up a steaming paper cup. “Thought you could use this.”

  “Um, thanks?” I accepted the large coffee, waiting for her to elaborate.

  “I gave Officer Hansen one too. I was just popping over to bring you one since the café accidentally mad
e me an extra, and I saw him sitting there. I told him he looked like he could use a little pick-me-up, so I offered him mine because he told me he’s on official police business. It’s my civic duty and pleasure to help out a fine officer from the Bigfoot Bay Police Department.”

  “Okay.”

  “Don’t worry. Yours has caffeine. Lots of it.” I popped off my lid and peered inside. “Unfortunately for Mike, I can’t say the same for his. His caffeine somehow got replaced with tincture of Skull Root.”

  “Skull Root?” The lightbulb just sparked on. I was asking her to help me find something; I never expected her to take care of the deed all on her own. “It sounds… ominous. It’s not going to hurt him, is it?”

  “Nah. It sounds much worse than it is. It’s actually harmless. Tasteless too.” She winked. “Gotta go. Good luck.”

  “Wait! Aren’t you worried you’re going to get in trouble for this?”

  She waved her hand. “If anything, I’m doing him a favor. He’s going to wake up feeling more refreshed than he has in years.” She paused a moment. “I’m not exactly sure what’s going on with you, but I trust you have good reasons and you’ll tell me soon enough. And you’ll bring Violet back. So, it seems I’m following a higher purpose here.” She blew me a kiss and floated off into the night.

  Wow. Did I have loyal friends or what? Not many people out there would knock out a cop for you.

  I settled in on the couch with my coffee, opening the blinds just enough to give me a clear view of Mike. As luck would have it, he’d parked close enough to a street light. I could see inside the car with ease. There was no reason for him to remain hidden. I was being stalked legally.

  As I sipped my coffee, my lids drooped lower while Mike appeared bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. I had a rush of panic. What if Sage had inadvertently switched the cups? Deep breath. Who knew how long the stuff took to work? I was probably freaking out for nothing, but I dumped the rest of mine out just to be on the safe side.

  I returned to the couch in time to see the cup at his mouth. Whether it was his first sip or last, I wasn’t sure. I kept my eyes glued to him as he fiddled around on his phone.