“Of course I did. It’s not like I wanted to make those men bald, Sheriff.” She stretched now. “Can I leave? I really need to get home and feed my cats. It’s way past their meal time. There’s no telling what mischief they might get into if I don’t get back soon.”
“I can hold you for twenty-four hours, you know.”
“I’m quite aware of my rights and you simply have no reason to do so, unless you want to hear me pull the attorney card.”
“That will be all for now. Deputy Cartwright, kindly run Ms. Patterson home, but I’ll be in touch with you and soon, Petunia. You can count on it.”
Petunia hardly had time to say anything before the sheriff made for the door.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Natalie smiled kindly as she asked, “Ready to go home?”
“I sure am.”
Petunia followed Natalie into the parking garage and she waited by the back door for it to be opened, but Natalie opened the passenger’s door instead. “Just don’t tell the sheriff,” she said.
She hopped into the car and admired all of the equipment inside, including a laptop. Once Natalie joined her inside, Petunia remarked, “There’s sure plenty of equipment in here.”
“Yes, sure is, but it all comes in handy. Even the shotgun. A law enforcement officer can never be too careful.”
Petunia smiled, but she really had to ask her, “So why did the sheriff have you in on the questioning? It’s not like he let you speak.”
“Nope, but I’m a newbie here. It was interesting how you countered the sheriff’s questions. He sure seems to believe you’re guilty of a triple murder and involved in Jeremy Walters’ disappearance. That Jeremy sure made his rounds in town. Him turning up missing shouldn’t be that much of a surprise. I forget that saying about a woman scorned, but it’s not wise to do that.”
“Were you just being nice to me in the ladies’ room, or—”
“Look, Petunia. I haven’t seen you since high school, but you’re hardly the type to murder someone in such a manner. Using witchcraft, maybe.”
Petunia frowned now. “I’m not a witch.”
“Why deny what is obvious to most people? In chemistry class you were always trying to come up with some kind of concoction that wasn’t part of our class assignments.”
“So I dabble in making potions. It’s not a crime and it certainly doesn’t make me a witch.”
All this talk about being a witch put Petunia in a funk. Her aunt might just be the only person able to get her out of it when she felt like this.
Natalie stopped the squad car in front of Petunia’s house and when she stepped out, Noah was on her porch, speaking to Aunt Maxine—about her, undoubtedly.
“What are you two plotting about?” Petunia asked as she walked up.
Aunt Maxine’s eyes lit up at her approach and Noah had a shocked look on his face like he half-expected that he’d have to bail her out of jail.
“We weren’t plotting at all,” Aunt Maxine said innocently. “We were wondering how long it would be before you’d be calling and asking to be bailed out of jail, though.”
“I wasn’t arrested, so there. But if the sheriff had his way, I would be.”
“It went that bad?” Noah asked.
“Yes. As it turns out I went to high school with two of the victims of the Knitting Needle Killer, Kaye Horton and Charlene Catlin.” Petunia then went on to explain how she knew them and how she would never have been in their vicinity, let alone murder either of them. “The sheriff won’t let that Jeremy thing drop, either.”
“I can’t imagine that he would,” Noah said. “Don’t worry. We’ll figure out who really is the killer. There must be someone to question.”
“Yes, like the victims’ families or friends. I wouldn’t mind dropping by the funeral home, either. They must have Helen laid out there by now.”
Aunt Maxine coughed nervously. “And you’re certain that you want to go there?”
“I insist, but neither of you need go along. I’m quite comfortable with going solo.”
Noah shook his head. “You’re in no position to go anywhere by yourself, least of all to a funeral home where the woman you’re suspected of murdering is laid out. I highly suggest you not go anywhere near that place.”
Petunia sighed as she walked past them and into the house, where Pansy sprinted over to her. “It’s about time. I was so worried. I mean, hurry up and make the potion already, would you?”
“Not happening today. If I don’t find out who murdered Helen and the other victims, and soon, I’ll be locked up in jail. I highly doubt that the sheriff would let me whip up a potion in a jail cell.”
When Aunt Maxine and Noah walked in, Pansy arched his back and hissed.
Noah laughed. “What’s up with that cat now? I was here the whole time you were gone and he never did that.”
“How should I know? Pansy’s known to react strangely, at times. I wouldn’t take it personally.”
“Perhaps I should leave you two alone now,” Aunt Maxine said. “I’d better get to the shop. Hazel and Wanda opened up for me today, and who knows what trouble they might get themselves into.”
Before Petunia had a chance to say anything, her aunt was out the door. If she hadn’t known better, she’d think that her aunt was trying to play matchmaker. She was always on Petunia about meeting more men, but after what happened to Jeremy, she wasn’t really all that keen on doing that. If only her neighbor, Noah, wasn’t so attractive, and thus far he’d not actually shown any interest in her other than helping her clear her name. At least that’s what she thought he was doing. She really hoped that Noah didn’t think she’d really killed anyone. She couldn’t even kill a bug, but her cats sure did.
“I suppose I should check my computer to see what time Helen’s showing is.”
“So you still plan to go ahead with that?” Noah asked with a notable frown.
“Yes,” Petunia said as she waltzed over and sat down, checking online for Helen’s obituary. “Looks like I have time to get cleaned up before I go. I should probably wear a dress. I’d like to look presentable, at least.”
Noah sank into a chair and said, “Go ahead. I’ll wait for you.”
Petunia eased herself up. “But I don’t know how long it will take me. I’ll meet you at your house when I’m ready.”
He chuckled. “Why, so you can give me the slip?”
Drat, what was it with this man? “I have no intention of doing that,” she insisted and when Noah showed no indication of moving, she said, “Fine, I’ll be down when I’m ready.”
All the way up the stairs, Petunia fumed. If she was a witch like most people thought she was, she’d use a broomstick and fly out the window. Okay, so flying a broom might just be Hollywood’s version of a witch, but it sounded good—not that Petunia would do that even if she could. She wanted to ask her aunt some question about her abilities and if Helen really was her granddaughter. If not, Petunia just might meet Helen’s mother at the funeral home and she could see if there was a family resemblance.
* * *
Petunia smoothed her black dress into place that came just past her knees, donning knee-high black boots now just as Pansy nosed open the door, sneaking inside.
Pansy’s eyes rounded, but instead of pouncing on the bed, he exclaimed, “Where are you going dressed like that? With the man that’s waiting downstairs?”
Petunia stared nervously over at Pansy. Okay, so this time Pansy is acting like he’s angry with Noah being here, or is it because he’s aware he won’t be going along this time?
“W-Why suddenly do you care who I associate with?”
“I don’t. It’s just that I’ll be stuck at home all day, again.”
“No you weren’t stuck all day. Just yesterday, I took you to Aunt Maxine’s potion shop and you were able to hang out there.”
“Is that man your boyfriend?”
Petunia felt a stitch in her side as she said, “No, he’s helping me
find out who killed Helen. She dropped you off at animal control that one time, remember?”
Pansy shook now. “Please don’t remind me. That was just dreadful. Too many dogs for my liking.” He began licking a paw and rubbed it over his face. “I hope you don’t plan on giving that man a potion, too. It didn’t go that well the last time with me,” Pansy reminded Petunia. “Maybe I should warn him.”
Petunia laughed now. “It’s safe to say that won’t ever happen again. After I settle my current predicament, I plan to change you back into a human.” Okay, her main concern now was since she accidentally changed Jeremy into a cat, what would happen if she whipped up another potion to turn him back … she just wondered what he’d be changed into next?
Pansy swung his tail from side to side now in anger. “You had better do it now, or I’ll—”
“You’ll do what, exactly?” Petunia interjected with a tap of her foot.
“Fine, you win. I can’t do anything if I’m a toad, but you need to work extra hard to find just the right potion that will do the job. It’s the right thing to do.”
“You mean like romancing Helen and me at the same time?”
“Okay, you have a point there, but I’m a changed man—er, cat.” He jumped on her bed and then exclaimed, “I’m going with you to the funeral home, too.”
“You most certainly are not.”
“Why does your neighbor have to go, then?”
“He doesn’t, but he insists on going. He is helping me solve Helen’s murder, after all.”
“I don’t like him.”
“Why are you acting like this, Pansy? Since when do you care what I do or who I gallivant all over town with?”
“Are you dating him or something?”
“For one thing, I’m not dating Noah. He’s just helping me solve this case. How many times do I need to say that?”
“How many times do I have to ask you to change me back? The way it’s going, I’ll be stuck as a cat forever.”
Gem pounced into the room, rubbing against Pansy with a soft mewling sound.
“I bet Gem thinks we can have fun while you’re gone. We can play, see who can jump on the refrigerator first.”
“Please don’t do that,” Petunia said. “The last time Gem got stuck up there for over eight hours before I came home.”
“I’m going with you, Red,” Pansy insisted.
“No, you’re not, and I’m not listening to another word about it. Just as soon as I clear my name, I’ll whip up a potion and try to turn you back, okay?” Petunia didn’t know how else to convince Pansy not to go. She didn’t need half of town thinking she had taken leave of her senses by moving her lips when she communicated with Pansy while he was inside her purse.
Pansy strutted to the door and said, “Fine. Come on, Gem, let’s see what Merlin and Sassy are up to.”
Gem meowed a few times, and, of course, followed along like they were indeed communicating. Who knew, perhaps they could since Jeremy was a cat now. It might just keep him out of her hair until she had this case sorted out.
Before the cats left the room, Pansy had one more thing to say. “Merlin and Sassy are probably on the kitchen counters. They like to do that when you’re aren’t around.”
“I wish they’d stop doing that. I’m sick of having to disinfect the counter tops every time I want to cook.”
“And don’t forget to feed us cats before you leave. I’m starving.”
“Don’t I always?”
“No. I can think of so many times you have forgotten all about feeding us, or at least lately, since the man has been coming around.”
“I’m right behind you, Pansy,” Petunia said, making way toward the door.
When Petunia followed the cats to the first floor, Noah’s eyes widened momentarily, but before he had a chance to say anything, she made a hasty retreat to the kitchen. When she opened several cans of cat food, she was the party of five as four cats were at her feet, their eyes round in anticipation.
Once she filled four dishes that were lined up, she barely made it out of the way before the cats were on it. Noah chuckled from the doorway now as Petunia washed her hands and met him.
“I’m ready to go now, unless I can convince you to sit this one out, Noah.”
He smiled. “Perhaps I should change, too. I’m underdressed next to you.”
“If that’s a compliment, then thanks. I just wanted to look presentable, is all. Especially since I plan to eavesdrop at the funeral home and possibly ask a few questions.”
“And what will you do when people realize who you are, the suspect in Helen’s murder?”
“You and I might know that, and the sheriff, but I’m not at all sure everyone in town knows that. Or at least I hope they don’t. It’s hard enough that people think I’m a witch.”
“And that black dress sure won’t help that assumption.”
“Oh, really? Is that what you think witches wear, all black?”
“How would I know, but that’s how they are always portrayed on television shows. What do I know?”
Noah led the way to the door and they walked over to his house. Petunia now found herself standing in Noah’s living room while he excused himself to get changed. The living room smelled of cinnamon and both the sofa and chair were covered with a sheet. She snuck a peek beneath and found a brown sofa that looked ripped from the seventies. Was Noah hiding the fact that he had a dated sofa or was his dog the real reason he kept his furniture covered?
Since Petunia didn’t care to get dog hair all over dress, she kept standing, making way over to a desk in the corner of the room that had a laptop opened on it. Before she had the chance to snoop, Noah returned wearing black slacks, a white, button-up shirt and black dress shoes.
It was all Petunia could do not to react to his handsome appearance. No, the last thing she needed was to allow herself to be attracted to any man, especially after what happened to Jeremy—or what became of him. Teach her to mess with nature and give him a love potion to begin with.
“What, no comment?”
Petunia had never known a man to fish for a compliment so she said, “Fine, you look good cleaned up?”
Noah laughed. “I guess I deserved that. I hope you don’t mind going on my bike again.”
Petunia so didn’t want to be that close to Noah, not with him looking so appealing today. “Why can’t we walk over there? It’s not that far.”
“I didn’t think you minded riding on my motorcycle the last time.”
“I don’t. I just would prefer to walk, is all.”
“It might be better if we unexpectedly dropped by. If we walk there, everyone in town will know before we even get there.”
“And why would they?”
“Because we’re dressed in black. It’s a dead giveaway.”
“I suppose, but I’ll get my hair all messed up from the helmet.”
Noah gave Petunia’s hair a quick look. “Okay, if you insist. I guess that means I’ll have to pull my car out of the garage, then.”
“Whatever.”
“Will your fear of riding in a car make it too difficult to travel that way?”
“I’m not afraid of riding in a car, exactly. Not as long as I’m not required to drive.”
“Great, I’ll pull my car out and meet you out front.”
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Petunia waited for Noah and sucked in too much air as she stared, wide-eyed, at Noah’s black Camaro with red racing stripes, just like the one Cora had seen over at Helen’s place the night before she was murdered.
When he stopped for her to get in, she did, but questions swirled in her mind. Could Noah be the Knitting Needle Killer?
Petunia reached for the seatbelt, but Noah informed her, “The seatbelt doesn’t work all the time.”
Noah knew of her fear of a family curse and yet he’d have her get into a car without a workable seatbelt?
“I can’t do this,” Petunia said, staggering out of the c
ar.
Noah got out. “That’s why I wanted to take my motorcycle.”
“How well did you know Helen Patterson?”
“I didn’t. I mean, I saw her a few times in her backyard. She lives right behind me, remember?”
“Then how did she end up in your yard, murdered?”
Noah’s eyes darkened. “I don’t like what you’re suggesting here.”
“Cora told me she saw a black Camaro with red racing stripes over at Helen’s house the night before she died. I told you that already.”
Noah scratched the back of his head. “Cora, as in the neighborhood snoopy lady?”
“Yes, she came over the day Helen’s body was discovered.”
“That sounds random. I never knew Cora and you were such close friends?”
“We’re not. I think she was fishing for information, but with you having a car just like the one she just saw over at Helen’s house the night before she died, I guess I don’t know what to think.”
Noah fell silent now. “Have you ever thought that Cora made that up since she knows I have a car like the one she described?”
“Why would she go to such a length to make up something like that?”
“How would I know? But I’d love to ask her. I don’t want people in Lake Forest thinking I’m a murderer.”
“Join the club. So where were you the night Helen died?”
“At home alone. How about you, Petunia?”
“I was home kn—”
“Were you going to say knitting? Like with actual knitting needles?”
“I-I…” Petunia began. “Yes, so what if I was?”
“You have more of a reason to want Helen dead than I do. I have no reason at all.”
How right he was. “Unless you knew her from before you both moved here. Why should I believe that you didn’t already know her?”
Noah frowned. “I really don’t know why you’re acting like this. I assure you that I didn’t kill Helen. I was on Facebook playing games. I’m sure you could check my activity posts.”
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