MEOWS, MAGIC & MURDER
LAKE FOREST WITCHES
BY
MADISON JOHNS
Copyright © 2015 Madison Johns
Meows, Magic, & Murder Madison Johns
All rights reserved
http://madisonjohns.com
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Edited by Cindy Tashe
Cover Design by Susan Coils
For my children Andrea and Luke.
This e-book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This e-book may not be resold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction. Any similarity to persons living or dead (unless explicitly noted) is merely coincidental.
CHAPTER ONE
Petunia Patterson’s cats had a way of alerting her whenever someone was about to knock on her backdoor. Those cats paced, at first, until they began pawing at the back screen door and, since Petunia was resolved to never declaw her felines, had damaged the door so severely that bugs frequently made their way inside. No matter how much Petunia scolded those cats, they kept on like they owned the place—and in a way, they did.
Merlin howled a meow so loud that Petunia stopped typing and rose to see what the to-do was all about. When she made it to the back door, two of her cats, Sassy and Gem, had their nails stuck into the screen door and hung there, to the shock of the man who was knocking.
Instead of removing the cats, or tying to, Petunia simply opened the door, motioning the man inside.
“I’m so glad you arrived. As you can see, I really need my screen door replaced. There’s a heat wave headed our way and I’d hate to have more bugs find themselves inside. It took me all of last night to kill them all.”
Once he was inside, he chuckled. “Actually, I’m not here to replace your door. I’m Noah, from next door. I just moved in and one of your cats has gotten into my house. If you could remove the feline, it would be most appreciated. It’s really bothering Melvin, my pit bull. He has an aversion to cats.”
Pit bull? That certainly didn’t sound good at all. “I’ll come right over. Sorry, but I didn’t even realize one of my cats had gone AWOL.”
Petunia began counting cats—Merlin, Sassy, and Gem. That only left Pansy—that was anything but a pansy. In fact, he wasn't a cat at all, but a man by the name of Jeremy Walters whom Petunia had fancied for a time. That was until she whipped up a love potion and gave it to him. Just like everything else Petunia did, it just hadn’t worked out the way she’d planned. He had promptly transformed into a huge, black cat and, as of now, was sort of the ringleader. Perhaps this time Pansy had gotten out because he was making another attempt at his great escape.
Noah looked quite nice when it came to men—not that Petunia was in the habit of checking out the opposite sex, but Noah was quite the looker. She’d noticed a new neighbor moving in, but didn’t pay all that much attention who it was. She figured that she’d meet whoever it was, eventually. It’s just too bad it was under these circumstances.
“So you’re new in town?” Petunia asked as she tucked her auburn hair behind her ears.
“Yes, from New York City. I’ll be running for sheriff in a few months.”
Why on earth would someone from New York City want to move all the way to Lake Forest, Michigan? thought Petunia.
“So, I suppose you have a law enforcement background? I mean, being a sheriff is a big responsibility.”
Noah nodded. “It sure is, Miss … what did you say your name was?”
He totally ignored her question. “Petunia. Petunia Patterson, not to be confused with the Helen Patterson of the Detroit Pattersons.” When he gave her a strange look, she added, “She’s new in town, too. She works at the government building, so you’ll probably meet her at some point. Just wanted to make sure you knew beforehand that we’re not related.”
“So, what is it you do for a living, Ms. Patterson?”
Petunia fanned her face with her hand. “I thought you were here about my cat, not grilling me like a detective.”
“Force of habit. Somehow, I think there’s more under your sweet demeanor than just cats.”
What an odd thing to say. Petunia couldn’t help but wonder all the way to Noah’s house what he’d meant. Why, she was no more interesting than anyone else in town. Sure, she dabbled in making potions from her Aunt Maxine’s black book, and created plenty of potions and herbal concoctions that unfortunately didn’t go according to plan, but she was not a quitter—with the exception of trying to whip up one to change her cat, Pansy, back into human form. The truth was that she was afraid to try, worried that she would create an even bigger mess of things. It was bad enough that most in town referred to her as the cat lady, and Petunia didn’t think four cats made her a crazy cat lady. She certainly didn’t want to add fuel to their fire, especially since one of her cats was really—or used to be—a man. That’s why she was so dreadfully afraid to go over to Noah’s house. If one of her cats was there, it spelled trouble. Especially if it was Pansy.
Noah led the way over to his house, stepping over the garden hoses that zigzagged across Petunia’s back yard. He waltzed through the open gate and into his yard. “Did you leave the gate open when you came over here?” Petunia asked.
“No, it was already open.”
Missing cat ... open gate spelled trouble. Petunia was sure she’d kept that gate closed and locked just in case. In case one of her cats got out and also to keep trespassers out. She’d had a few in the last few months, which bothered her since she lived alone, as it would any woman.
“That’s strange,” Petunia remarked. “I’m always so careful.”
Mid-way to Noah’s back door, Petunia stopped, her fist in her mouth as a tiny gasp escaped her lips.
Noah turned and followed her line of vision. In front of his fence was a body—or at least you could see a pair of shoes that stuck upright in the tall grass like you might see if someone was laying there.
They both made their way over there to investigate, and it was a body for sure—the body of none other than Helen Patterson. She lay there with wide eyes and mouth agape, with knitting needles protruding from her chest.
Noah swiped a hand over his head, and pulled a cell phone from the hip pocket of his jeans, calling it in. Once he had powered off the phone, he asked, “Who do you think it is?”
Oh, my. Today certainly had gone to the birds in a hurry. Should she tell him who it was? Considering her strange comment about Helen earlier, it might not go well. In fact, it might make her look suspect, like implicated in a murder, but it would be only a matter of time before he found out and her silence or ignorance would only make her look more guilty, so Petunia said, “That’s Helen Patterson.”
Noah’s brow arched sharply. “Looks like they won’t be able to confuse you with her anymore.”
Petunia grimaced. “I assure you I had nothing to do with her demise.”
“So I suppose you don’t knit, either?” When Petunia began to hem and haw, Noah said, “I couldn’t help but notice the knitted placemats on your table.”
“So I knit. It’s not a crime, you know. Many people knit.”
“Yes, but do many people happen to have just made strange comments about Helen recently?”
“How would I know? But I assure you that my knitting needles are just where I put them last, in my craft basket in
the living room.”
“And you won’t mind if I go with you to check?”
Petunia’s hands went to her hips. “What on earth for? Besides, you said you’d be running for sheriff soon, not that you were already the man in charge. Do you even work at the sheriff’s department presently, or any other law enforcement office in Michigan?”
“Well, no I don’t, but I’m sure the local sheriff won’t mind me helping him out with the investigation.”
“Oh, no. Why would he mind? You’re only planning to run against him soon. No problem there.” If Petunia could count on anything, it was that the sitting Sheriff Pinkerton was anything but a team player. He hated interference of any type, and Noah would see it when the sheriff arrived.
Petunia didn’t have to wonder when she heard a loud backfire that she just knew came from the sheriff’s car. Lake Forest wasn’t what you’d exactly call the richest town in Michigan.
Sheriff Pinkerton made his way toward them, adjusting his bifocals. He then stepped back when his eyes locked with Noah’s. “I should have known.”
“Should have known what, exactly?” Noah asked.
“Just that when you rolled into town, trouble would follow. It’s sort of your MO.”
“His MO?” Petunia asked, perplexed. “Please explain yourself, Sheriff?”
“Noah is from New York City, and the word is that he lost his job in the big city and plans to unseat me in the next sheriff’s race.”
Petunia stomped her foot. “What does that have to do with Noah reporting he’s found a body on his property?”
Sheriff Pinkerton took off his glasses, pulled a hanky from his pocket, and proceeded wiping off his glasses with it. When he had them back on, he said, “That’s odd, indeed. Noah is new in town and has already found a body on his property. That sounds suspect.”
Merlin bounded across the lawn and stood at Petunia’s feet, bellowing a series of meows and hisses at the sheriff. “Merlin’s right. That’s not fair to simply call out Noah like that, and the last I heard, there’s no crime against being new in town.”
“Well, he does have a body on his property, Petunia, and would you quit acting like you understand what your blasted cats are saying? It’s very unnerving. One of these days, they’ll lock you up in a loony bin.”
“No need to be cross with Petunia. I’m quite capable of defending myself, but how about investigating before you pass judgment on anyone?”
Petunia smiled. Well, at least Noah wasn’t pointing fingers at her any longer.
The sheriff stomped over to where Helen was laid out and just shook his head. “Helen Patterson, what on earth?” he sputtered.
“Hope you aren’t expecting her to answer,” Petunia said.
Sheriff Pinkerton whirled and said, “Of course not!”
“Now, there’s no need to shout at Petunia. It’s not her fault the woman is dead.”
“We’ll see. Ms. Patterson has a—”
“Habit of pointing out the obvious,” Petunia answered for him. “It looks like knitting needles were the murder weapon.”
“I can see that, Petunia. It might be better if you went along home now.”
Petunia’s hands went to her hips. “Is that it? You’re not planning to interrogate me?”
The squealing of tires brought their attention to the road, where the medical examiner’s van stopped and a man dressed in a tan raincoat trudged through the high-grass to where they stood.
“Ah, another body.”
“Another?” Petunia said. “Explain yourself, Walter.”
Walter stared first at the sheriff and then at Noah. “I had hoped to meet you under better circumstances, Noah.”
“I know. It seems the sheriff has a mind to pin this crime on me.”
“That’s a bit premature.” Walter inspected the body, checking vitals, and then said, “Appears she’s been dead for a few hours.”
“And what about the other victim you mentioned? Did they also die via knitting needles?” Petunia asked.
Sheriff Pinkerton warned Walter, “Keep your lips zipped, would you, man? You’re not supposed to divulge information to the likes of Petunia.”
Petunia gasped. “Of all the nerve. I’m an upstanding citizen.”
“Yes, one who is connected to a missing person’s case.”
Petunia swooped up Merlin, her American Bobtail, and stomped through the high grass back into her yard.
“I’ll be over to question you later,” Sheriff Pinkerton yelled over to her.
* * *
“Wouldn’t it be better to question her now?” Noah asked, once Petunia had disappeared through her backdoor.
“You really should be more concerned about yourself than our Petunia Patterson.”
Noah felt the anger rising and carefully maintained his calm gained from his years of experience as a police detective back in New York City. “I’m not telling you how to do your job, Sheriff. It’s just that Petunia found the body and was as surprised as I was when we found it.”
“So tell me, Noah. Did you really find the body together, or did Petunia see it first?”
Noah had to admit that she had seen it first, but he would have noticed it about the same time, so that’s what he said. “We found it at the same time.”
“And she was over at your place because…”
“One of her cats found its way inside my house. She was coming over to retrieve it.”
“And did she?”
“No, we found the body and called 911 to report it.”
“Do you knit, or have knitting needles?”
Noah couldn’t help but laugh at that question. “Of course not.”
“We’ll handle it from here, Noah.”
Noah nodded. He was outraged at how the sheriff had spoken to Petunia. Sure, he had the same questions for her, or accusations, but he had no business asking them. He wasn’t the sheriff or part of any police force here in Lake Forest. He was also in no position to ask questions about what sounded like another murder, possibly also with knitting needles as the murder weapon.
He really was curious about Petunia now. She certainly was sharp as a tack. How was she connected to a missing persons case? Noah wasn’t positive, but he planned to try and wiggle the truth out of her. It didn’t help that she was a looker, with the most impressive green eyes he’d ever gazed into.
CHAPTER TWO
Petunia poured fresh water into three of the four bowls lined up on the floor. Merlin was the first to drink his share, followed by Sassy, a white Persian. Gem was a Himalayan and always the last to reach her dish.
“I swear, Gem. If you get any slower…” Petunia said.
The cats lapped up the water and Petunia jumped when there was a knock at the door. When she came home, she’d headed straight to her knitting basket and, sure enough, her knitting needles were missing. Had she misplaced them, or had someone come into her house when she was unaware? Petunia really couldn’t think how that would be possible, and it scared her to think about it.
When Petunia opened the door, Sheriff Pinkerton had one very hairy brow raised. “It’s about time. I hope you weren’t hiding evidence.”
“If you thought that, then why did you allow me to come home unsupervised?”
Sheriff Pinkerton strode inside when Petunia held the door open for him. He stepped around the cats that had moved their bowls to the middle of the room and lowered his hulky-like body into a chair in the kitchen.
“So, I’m sure you recognized the body of Helen Patterson outside. Were you acquainted with her?”
“Not exactly. I mean, I accidentally receive her mail once, but I went over to her house and gave it to her.”
“I see. And you’re not related?”
“No. When I told her my last name was also Patterson, she was shocked. We didn’t really have any small talk about it further than that. I had the impression she wanted me to leave.”
“How so?”
“Well, she told me to ge
t off her property and not come back, ever. I really thought it a bit odd since I’d never met her before, but who am I to judge? Some folks just don’t like to be bothered.”
“How about Noah? How long have you known him?”
“Just met him today. Seems like Pansy got into his house and I went over there to retrieve him when we spotted the body.”
“You found the body together?”
“Well, I think I might have noticed it a fraction of a second before Noah, but basically, we did find the body together.”
“Do you knit, Petunia?”
“You know I do, Sheriff. I sold a blanket to your daughter Mary last year at St. Matthew’s church bazaar.”
Sheriff Pinkerton jotted down the information. “Did you kill Helen with you knitting needles?”
Petunia shook her head. “No, I did not. I had no reason to want the woman dead.”
“Not even after she ordered you from her property?”
“That’s hardly a reason to want someone dead. Some of my neighbors have gotten upset about my cats straying into their yards, too.”
“I know. Helen’s neighbor, Cora, told us that when she saw all the commotion over at Noah’s house.”
“You allowed her on the crime scene?” she asked, shocked.
“No, she came to the fence and, if truth be known, the woman wouldn’t quit talking.” He cleared his throat. “She had plenty to say about the goings-on over at your place.”
Petunia swallowed quite hard now. “You should know how Cora can be, Sheriff. Wasn’t she banned from calling 911?”
“So did Helen, or didn’t she order you from her property?”
“I already told you she did. I think one of my cats went over there once, too. She really hated cats, you know.”
“Oh? You didn’t say that before.”
Oh, boy. “It was pretty obvious when she told me to get off her property that she was upset about my cats getting into her yard. She even threatened to kill one of my felines if they came back over to her place. She called animal control once and they took Pansy to the pound.”
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