1 Meows, Magic & Murder

by Madison Johns

  Petunia smiled and walked inside. She removed the leash and Pansy strutted into the kitchen, meowing for food like her other cats. The more time went by, the more cat-like Pansy really was becoming. He no longer complained about the cat food, even though he still requested a steak on occasion. She almost wondered if he was more adjusted to his life as a cat than he let on—or so she hoped. It would ease some of the guilt, at least, for what she had done to him.

  Now that she knew she was a witch, she wondered if that would change her life or make it even more difficult. Although she was already a suspect in a three murders, which was already quite bad, how much worse could it get? Of course, she still faced arrest, and what to do about the case against her for Jeremy’s disappearance?

  She grabbed a frozen meal out of the freezer, tossed it into the microwave and that was her dinner. It wasn’t long afterward that her eyelids felt as heavy as a Mack truck and she wandered upstairs and into bed. Her mind, although still swirling, didn’t stop her from sleep as she fell fast asleep.

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  Petunia woke up with light streaming through her curtains. She walked to the shower like a zombie and let the water invigorate her—or at least partially wake her up. Today, she dressed in a comfortable, blue cotton dress, flats on her feet. She dried her hair before tugging a brush through her auburn locks. She was excited about going to the race with Noah. They had been so busy of late with investigating and she was so ready for some downtime.

  She walked down the stairs and had to step back, shocked when all four cats were on the cat cushion, limbs entwined … including Pansy! Petunia made a chai tea latte in the machine she bought not long ago. It saved her nearly five dollars by not having to go to Starbucks, now.

  Taking a sip, Petunia began going through her kitchen, searching for the elusive knitting needles. There wasn’t a bag on the table or chairs. She then opened the doors to her cupboards, especially the ones that were more cluttered, going through them one piece at a time. She didn’t even find it where she kept her sewing kit. Wherever could those needles be? Petunia clearly remembered buying them, just not taking them out of the bag. They must be still in the bag, somewhere.

  She moved room by room, trying to trace her movements back from the door. If I came from here, I must have laid them near my knitting basket. She looked behind it, but no needles. Since it was near the sofa, she looked under it, even under the cushions. She then checked her bedrooms, dining room, and the bathroom, although there would be no way they could ever be in there. Since she didn’t have a car, she couldn’t check there.

  Petunia walked outside and began searching in the bushes all around her house. She spotted Noah looking out his window, coffee cup in hand—wondering what kind of lunatic she was, most likely. Within minutes, he joined her outside.

  “No luck?” he asked.

  “Nope. I suppose you must think I’m foolish, looking in my bushes for the knitting needles?”

  “I’m not sure I want to answer that question. It might get me into trouble with you, but I wouldn’t describe it as foolish, exactly.”

  Petunia sniffed. It was not an unpleasant smell, but Noah had definitely put on a very manly cologne. The musky fragrance wafted over to her, making her feel like a sneeze was coming on. She raced into her backyard just as she sneezed, bubbles appearing. She quickly popped them before Noah rounded the corner.

  “Where are you off to?”

  “Your cologne made me sneeze.”

  “Oh. You could have sneezed in front of me, you know.”

  Petunia didn’t know what to say as she stared at Cora, who was staring at her from her side of the fence. “Don’t think I didn’t see that, Petunia. One of these days, people will find out what you are, and then you’ll be cooked.”

  “They don’t burn witches at the stake anymore,” Noah laughed.

  “You’re so not helping her fantasy. She already is trying to oust me from the neighborhood.”

  “She can’t do that and you know it. Ignore her.”

  Petunia followed Noah back to the front yard, and it was then that she noticed the tee shirt he wore that displayed his muscled upper body, his jeans hugging his narrow hips. She quickly looked away when his eyes met hers.

  “Is there something wrong with what I’m wearing?”

  “No, why?”

  “No reason. You look beautiful.”

  “Th-Thanks. We should head to the marathon now.”

  “Sounds like a plan. After I lock up, I’ll meet you back here.”

  Petunia went inside and grabbed a small purse, putting the strap over her head so it crisscrossed. That way, she wouldn’t have to keep putting the strap over her shoulder all day. She also brought out two lawn chairs for them to use to watch the marathon runners.

  Noah was revving the engine of his motorcycle. “We can just walk there,” Petunia said.

  He cut the engine off. “I thought the marathon started at the Lake Forest Country Club.”

  “Yes, but I always watch from in front of the government building. It’s near the finish line.”

  “Won’t Mayor Hopkins and Florence McHenry be there?”

  “Yes, and your point is?”

  “Just that it’s apparent that neither of them care for you.”

  “I know, but the mayor’s wife, Bonnie, will be there, too,” Petunia said. “I haven’t seen her in a long time.”

  “I hope you don’t plan to tell her about her husband’s wandering ways. She doesn’t need that.”

  “I’d never do it, even though I think she has a right to know about Florence and her husband.”

  “Don’t make life for yourself even more difficult, is all I’m saying. Don’t forget, you’re a murder suspect.”

  “I know. Believe me, how could I forget?”

  Noah took the lawn chairs from Petunia and walked alongside her as they crossed the park until they were at the government building. The mayor’s wife motioned Petunia over. “Here, put your chairs next to me.”

  Noah set the chairs up and they sat next to Bonnie Hopkins.

  Bonnie looked over to where Noah sat. “Who is this, Petunia?” she asked.

  “My new neighbor, Noah Becker. He just moved to Lake Forest from New York City.”

  “Why would you move from an exciting place like that to Lake Forest?”

  “I wanted a change.”

  “He’s planning to run for sheriff in the next election,” Petunia explained.

  “Are you, now? How nice. It’s been a long time since Sheriff Pinkerton has been challenged for sheriff.”

  Petunia admired Bonnie’s blonde hair that she could well afford to keep looking nice. She came from a very well-to-do family—or old money, as it was called. Her grandfather had made good investments through the years that set his up family for generations. Most of the money was put into trusts so that nobody would be able to mismanage it and lose everything. That way, all of his descendants would benefit from his savvy business skills—or so Aunt Maxine had told her.

  Mayor Hopkins and Florence made their way over to them. When Florence spotted Petunia, she said, “Wh-What are d-doing here?”

  “No need to stutter, girl. I asked Petunia to sit with me,” Bonnie informed her nicely as she arched a brow. “Do you have a problem with that?”

  “N-No, not at all. I should check on the water station.”

  Florence quickly strutted away at a near-sprint herself. She should have entered the marathon, too. She could win the race by imagining Bonnie chasing after her with a lethal weapon. Well, it sounded good anyway.

  “Can I get you a glass of lemonade, dear?” the mayor asked his wife.

  “Don’t dear me. Check on your girlfriend before she messes everything up. She’s not known for her organization skills.”

  The mayor left without a word, but a very red face.

  “Y-You know about—” Petunia quickly clamped her mouth shut. “Sorry.”

  “Yes. Our marriage was
never a happy one, but I’m comfortable with my role as mayor’s wife. All the money is mine, so he knows better than to leave me, unless he wants to be dirt poor again. He’d never have had the money for his campaign for mayor without me. He had better be discreet before people in town start gossiping. If they do, I’ll have to give him the boot anyway. I can’t have anyone knowing I allow his dalliances.” She gave Petunia’s hand a squeeze. “Of course I know I can trust you not to say a word, Petunia.”

  “Neither will I,” Noah said.

  “I’m sorry for the way I hear people are treating you in town. I, for one, know you’re no murderer. If you’re ever arrested, just give me a call. I’ll hire an attorney for you.”

  “I couldn’t do that. It’s not your problem. It appears to be mine.”

  Bonnie squeezed Petunia’s hand again, this time whispering, “All you have to do is whip me up a batch of whatever you made for Lucy. It must be a miracle cure. I have bad knees and I’d love to forgo an operation.”

  “But the salve was only for arthritis. I hardly think it would help your knees if they’re truly bad.”

  “Salve?” Noah said. “I thought it was herbal tea?”

  “It is. I used herbs and tea leaves to make the salve.”

  Noah gave Petunia a look that she knew meant he wasn’t fooled by her story.

  Sheriff Pinkerton meandered past, stopping and saying, “Any luck with finding those knitting needles, Petunia?”

  Before she had a change to respond, Bonnie said, “Really, Sheriff? Can’t the lady enjoy her day without you grilling her at ever turn?”

  “It’s my job, remember?”

  “Of course, but not right now. I’m so enjoying her company today.”

  “Noah, would you care to take a walk with me?”

  Noah stood. “Why not. It doesn’t look like any of the runners have made it here yet.”

  The finish line was five hundred feet from the government building. And since the race had began early this morning, the first runners would be coming along anytime now.

  Petunia watched as Noah walked away with the sheriff.

  “Don’t worry about Noah. I’m sure he’ll be back soon. The sheriff is probably questioning him out of my hearing range.” She cleared her throat. “You’d better not let this one get away, Petunia.”

  “He’s not my boyfriend. I’m not interested in him.”

  “Liar. You’re a horrible one, by the way, like that whopper you told Noah about the salve being herbal tea. I went to your aunt’s shop and the tea I bought didn’t help my pain.”

  “I’m sorry. I don’t know why Lucy told everyone that.”

  “She was covering for you. She wants to keep the salve all to herself. Can’t blame her for that. She was in quite a state before your salve made her able to enter this marathon, and there she is.”

  Petunia stood just as a proud and smiling Lucy ran past, barely looking like she had worked up a sweat. The crowd cheered and Petunia looked around for Noah, but he was nowhere in sight.

  * * *

  “So, what about those knitting needles?” Sheriff Pinkerton asked Noah.

  “She told me she couldn’t find them.”

  “You didn’t help her in the search?”

  “No. She didn’t want me to. What woman would want a man she doesn’t even know that well to go through her things?”

  The sheriff’s brow furrowed. “Really? Seems like you two have been pretty chummy lately.”

  Sheriff Pinkerton didn’t need to know how Noah really felt. “I’m trying to help her clear her name, is all.”

  “I bet. Can’t say I’d blame you. I was once your age until I met my wife. Us men have a problem not helping out a damsel in distress.”

  “I’m not sure I’d describe Petunia that way.”

  “Just be careful, is all I’m saying. It’s so easy to be swayed by a pretty face?”

  Noah took his leave and saw that Lucy had won the marathon, but couldn’t find Petunia anywhere as a large crowd then circled around Lucy, congratulating her.

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  Petunia walked toward Lucy to give her a proper congratulation, but someone grabbed her arm. “Hello. I meant to tell you, Petunia,” said Susan Jacobs, the girl who worked at the Hobby Shack. “You left you bag at the store last week.”

  “So that’s what happened? I knew I couldn’t remember bringing those knitting needles home. If you could tell the sheriff that, I’d be off the hook. He’s using that purchase against me and believes I’m a suspect.”

  “That’s horrible. It’s policy that we keep the purchases at the store until someone claims their packages. Someone else must have told the sheriff you bought the needles that day because he never spoke to me about it.”

  “So what happened to it?”

  “I gave it to Donna Douglas, the manager. She’s probably holding it in her office.”

  Petunia didn’t give it another thought. She marched up the sidewalk and to the Hobby Shack that was a few blocks down. She should have tried to find Noah, but the crowd was massive. Nobody Lucy’s age had ever won the marathon before and she had never exchanged numbers with Noah to tell him where she was going. The way she looked at it, she had to act on the tip.

  As she came up on the Hobby Shack, it was smooth sailing since most everyone else in town was at the marathon. Petunia made her way through the double door and asked one of the cashiers who was on her iPhone—watching YouTube videos, from the sounds of it—where she could find the manager.

  She was then directed to where she could find the office and knocked on the door. It was opened and Donna greeted her. “Oh, hello. You must be looking for your lost package.”

  “I didn’t think it was lost. I just forgot it, is all.”

  “Come inside.”

  Petunia walked into the office where a man was on the computer. After Donna looked for a few minutes in boxes under the desk, she asked the man, “Hey, Jay. What happened to the package Petunia Patterson forgot? I put her name on it.”

  “Oh,” he said, turning. “I gave it to Olivia Brownmeyer. She told me she’d give it to Petunia.”

  “That’s not the policy, Jay,” Donna scolded him.

  “I know, but you know how those forgotten packages pile up. I was just trying to help.”

  “Except that Olivia is no friend of mine,” Petunia said. “Henry used to be my fiancé before she came along.”

  “Oh, I’m awfully sorry.”

  Petunia whirled with one thought in mind—Olivia Brownmeyer was up to no good and she’d confront her, posthaste.

  She walked two more blocks to the house Henry had bought with his new wife, with a lump in her throat now. The cedar-sided house was blue with white shutters, and the lawn quite manicured. Not a weed in sight in the flower bed, where roses bloomed in pinks and reds.

  Petunia rapped on the door. A curtain was pushed aside and a quite shocked Olivia looked out. It was five minutes before the door was opened by Olivia. Petunia didn’t even think about why this woman would even invite her in, but that’s what she did.

  It wasn’t until the door closed before Petunia knew she had just run into trouble, big trouble, as Olivia held a revolver that was pointed right at her.

  “I can’t say I’m surprised to see you.”

  “I guess not, when you took those knitting needles that I left behind at the Hobby Shack. Now that I think about it, you were in the store that day.”

  “I was, and I’m fully aware of their policy, which is why I waited until Donna had left the store that day. She’s a stickler for the rules, where Jay is not.”

  “Why take the needles to begin with?”

  “You’re not that stupid, Petunia. I’m sure you have it all figured out.”

  While Petunia pieced it together in her mind, it didn’t make any sense. Why take her knitting needles, just so it would make her look bad? No … it was more sinister than that and completely unbelievable to Petunia.

  Petu
nia tried to edge nearer to the door. “You killed Helen, Kaye, and Charlene?”

  “See, I knew you’d figure it out.”

  “But why? And where is Henry?”

  “He’s a little tied up at the moment. It seems he thought he’d leave me and try to go back with you, Petunia.”

  “That’s ridiculous. I’ve barely even seen Henry, other than when he’s with you. And I certainly wouldn’t ever take him back after what he did to me.”

  Olivia balled the hand that wasn’t holding the revolver into a fist. “You’re a liar, a horrible liar. You saw him at the Hair Hut only yesterday.”

  “Yes, but only in passing. I was with Noah that day and went there to question the beauticians. It’s not like I’m stalking your husband.” Petunia shook her head sternly now, as she added, “You’re the one who took those letters to Kaye and Charlene. You lured them out to the beach at Lake Forest and murdered them!”

  “Don’t be so melodramatic. They were the likely victims. I went to a lot of trouble to pick victims who would lead straight back to you.”

  “My only link to them was in high school. I never spoke to either of them since then.”

  “I’m quite aware of what you did to both Kaye and Charlene. It’s quite the circle with Kaye. You stole Henry from her, I stole him from you, but there’s no way I’ll lose him to you.”

  “What about Helen? Where does she fit in?”

  “It’s quite well known that she hated your cats and called animal control to pick one of them up before. Plus, she was also trying to pose as someone related to you. She was quite the talker when she drank. She told me all about her failed attempt to get money out of your Aunt Maxine and I plan to tell the sheriff all about it. I didn’t want to do that too soon since many people know I stole your fiancé.”

  “So what now? You murder me with the last three knitting needles?”

  “No, you’ll have them in your hands when I shoot you. You came here to murder poor Henry and I saved the day when I shot you. It’s too late for poor Henry, though. He’ll never keep his mouth shut after he found those knitting needles. He figured out I was the killer and packed his bags. I made sure to put everything back where it belonged so nobody will ever be the wiser that Henry and I were having problems.”