Stanley lifted his chin and said, “I’ll look after her.”
Brin smiled his way. “I know you will. Call by the house soon. Blythe is eager to see you both. Take good care out there.” She gave us a concerned look before leaving.
I looked at Stanley and said, “Mrs Stez is after me. So is Astrid or whoever is pretending to be me. Then there’s the being who murdered Augustus. They could be after me too. I wonder how many times I’m going to cheat death today?”
Stanley rested his chin on my arm. “Don’t even joke about things like that.”
I didn’t add that I wasn’t joking. I was worried sick about leaving the apartment. But I had a murder to solve.
Chapter 23
It was another hour before Stanley and I felt brave enough to go outside. I’d performed a protective spell on us before leaving. It was supposed to form an invisible shield around us which wouldn’t let anything harmful through. Stanley was eager to test it out.
As we stood on the pavement outside the apartment door, he said, “Throw something at me and see what happens.”
“I’m not doing that,” I told him. “It’s the first time I’ve cast this spell, and I’m not convinced I’ve done it right.”
“I trust you and I believe in your magical powers.” He gave me one of his cute cat grins. “Throw that sharp rock at my head.”
“No.” I stood my ground.
He looked at the pavement and moved his paw along it. “Alright. What about this teeny tiny pebble? Throw that at my leg. Come on, Cassia. We need to know that your spell works. What if a goblin pickaxe came flying through the air at you? You need to be protected.”
I still wasn’t sure but I picked the pebble up anyway.
Stanley braced himself. “I’m ready.”
I gently aimed the pebble at his paw. If the protective shield didn’t work, I didn’t want Stanley to be injured.
To my utter amazement, the pebble bounced right off him and rolled away.
“Phew!” Stanley declared. “I wasn’t sure you’d cast the spell correctly.”
“So much for you believing in my magical powers,” I muttered.
“You were thinking just the same as me. Throw something bigger. And throw it like you mean it this time.” He took up a wide-legged stance and waited for me.
I found a large pebble and threw it at him. Once again, the missile bounced off the invisible shield around Stanley. I found something bigger and lobbed that at him.
Stanley laughed and declared, “I am invincible! Throw your broomstick at me now.”
I laughed and aimed my broomstick at him.
I was suddenly tackled to the ground and my broomstick was yanked from my hand.
“Get off!” I cried out.
“I don’t know who you are, but you can stop impersonating my friend right now!” Luca glowered down at me, his hand firmly on my shoulder pinning me down.
I wriggled. “It’s me. The real Cassia. Get off!”
“Ha! Nice try,” Luca said. “The real Cassia would never throw stones at her cat. Give me your real name. Now!”
Stanley scampered over to my side. “Luca, she is the real Cassia. And I’m the real Stanley. We were only testing out Cassia’s spell.” He looked earnestly into Luca’s eyes.
Luca wavered and his hand loosened its grip. “She was throwing stones at your head.”
Stanley nodded. “I know. They bounced right off. You can have a go if you like? It’s good fun.”
Luca turned his attention to me. “Is this true? Are you the real Cassia?”
“Yes. Now get off me.”
“Prove it. Tell me something only you and I would know.”
I thought back to our childhood and recalled the names he used to call me when I beat him at running games. I also remembered the names I called him.
I gave him a big smile and said, “Are you still rubbish at running, Mr Stick-Legs? Have you got cotton wool for brains still? Mr Stick-Legs-Cotton-Wool-Head. That’s your new name. That’s what I’m going to call you.”
Luca tipped his head back and roared with laughter. He helped me to my feet. He said, “I’d forgotten you used to taunt me with that silly name. What did I call you?”
I shrugged. “I can’t remember.”
Luca grinned. “Freckle-Face. Because of that.” He reached out and touched the huge freckle on the end of my nose. “And I called you Frizzy-Haired-Freckle-Chops. What else did I call you?”
A stone suddenly shot towards my forehead. I didn’t have time to blink before it abruptly bounced away. I turned my head slowly towards Stanley and raised my eyebrows in question.
In a sheepish voice, Stanley said, “I had to test that the spell was working on you too. Luca just touched your nose and he wasn’t repelled. How did that happen?”
“Maybe it only works on objects flying through the air,” I informed Stanley. “But what if the spell hadn’t been working on me? You could have had my eye out.”
“Sorry.” Stanley hung his head. He peeped up at me. “Shall I throw something bigger just to make sure?”
Luca held his hand up. “No one is throwing anything. Where are you two going now?”
“To the hotel. I want to talk to Jeff Collins,” I said.
Stanley said, “Have you heard what our impersonators have been up to now?” His face twisted in disgust. “The cat was having its nails done.”
Luca said, “I did hear about it. I’ve been going around the town reassuring residents that it wasn’t actually you two.”
“You have?” I asked. “Thank you.”
He shrugged. “I can’t have anyone thinking badly of my two best friends. Cassia, I am concerned about this. I’ve put the word out amongst the other guardians. If it is a shapeshifter who’s doing this, we’ll soon find them.” He hesitated. “It could be a witch too. Perhaps Blythe’s evil cousins? I will do all that I can to help you.”
A sharp tinkle of a laugh sounded out behind us. I spun around and saw Astrid standing there. She wasn’t alone. An older woman had her slim hand tucked through Astrid’s elbow. They both had shiny auburn hair cut into bouncy bobs and their faces were delicate and doll-like. Two pairs of light blue eyes stared at me with feigned friendliness.
Astrid laughed again and said, “Luca, sweetheart, you don’t need to help Cassia with anything. She’s perfectly capable of dealing with a murder investigation on her own. She’s a professional justice witch. She knows what she’s doing.” Her bright smile focused on me. “Cassia, I don’t believe you’ve met my mother. I’ve told her all about you. She’s been dying to meet you. This is Stella.”
Stella gave me the same overly bright smile. I felt the hair on the back of my neck lift. She said smoothly, “Hello there, Cassia. Isn’t it a shame about the murder? I believe Mr Augustus Stez was a respected member of the goblin community. I do hope you find the murderer soon.”
Astrid and her mother made their way over to Luca. They broke away from each other, moved to either side of him and slipped their arms through his. He looked trapped.
Astrid said to him, “You promised to take us out for breakfast. We’ve been waiting patiently for you.”
Luca’s smile was tight as he replied, “I don’t have time for that. I’m helping Cassia and Stanley. We can meet up later.”
I saw Astrid’s grip tighten on Luca’s arm. There was ice in her voice as she said, “I insist that you take us out now. You promised. I don’t like promises to be broken. And neither do you. You know that, Luca.” She turned her cold look my way. “You can deal with this murder thing on your own, can’t you? If you need help, ask your gran or some other witch.”
Luca tried to protest. “Astrid, I have important work to do.”
“A promise is a promise,” she said without taking her eyes off me. “Cassia, you may go now. You’ve got a job to do. You can’t let the residents of Brimstone down.” A nasty look came over her delicate features and she tilted her head to one side. “You do look a
tad haggard this morning. You should get yourself to the spa at The Brimstone Hotel. They do marvellous work there.”
Stella held her free arm up and added, “They do a wonderful manicure too. I’ve had my nails painted this wonderful shade. It’s called Red Revenge. Isn’t that a cute name? Cassia, dear, we won’t keep you from your little job. We must go. Family business and all that.”
Luca shot me a hopeless look and said, “I’ll catch up with you soon.”
The two women spun him around and practically dragged him down the street.
I stared silently after them, my blood simmering at Astrid’s nasty remarks.
Stanley nudged his head into my leg and said, “I can hear your teeth grinding. What do you think about that conversation? I’m convinced more than ever that those two are our imposters.”
“I’m convinced too.” I looked down at Stanley. “I think Astrid’s got some hold over Luca. Did you hear what she said about breaking promises? There’s something going on there. I can feel it.”
Stanley nodded. “I could tell that Luca wanted to walk away from them. I could see it in his eyes. What are we going to do about Astrid?”
“Nothing yet. I want to get this murder solved first.” I smiled at him. “Let’s head over to The Brimstone Hotel. I’ll throw some stones at you on the way if you like?”
He shook his head. “I’m not in the mood for being attacked anymore.”
Chapter 24
As soon as Stanley and I arrived at The Brimstone Hotel I asked at reception to see Jeff Collins. I was told that he was out of the hotel on personal business - again. What was he up to? Was he hiding something? Or trying to avoid me?
We were about to leave the hotel when I spotted Ovrid scurrying across the foyer with a package covered in brown paper tucked under his arm. He was wearing a blue dressing gown over yellow pyjamas this time. I jogged after him and called out his name.
There was agitation on Ovrid’s green face as we caught up with him. He pushed the package further under his arm and asked what we wanted.
I said, “You were spotted talking to Ulx last night outside a pub. You were arguing with him. Can you tell me what that was about?”
Ovrid’s face flushed and he looked away. “It was nothing. Just a misunderstanding. You’ll have to excuse me. I’m in a rush.”
“Ovrid,” I said in a gentle tone. “I know you’re lying. I know you were asking Ulx to increase the amount he’s going to pay you. Why are you so desperate for money?”
His head snapped back to me and there was anger in his eyes. “It’s none of your business!”
“It is my business if it has something to do with the murder of Augustus.”
I was startled to see tears spring to Ovrid’s eyes. He said, “My need for money has nothing to do with Augustus. I give you my word over that. I do have a desperate need for money but it’s for personal reasons. Please don’t pry into my personal life, Cassia.”
“I’m sorry, but I have to.”
There was a sudden commotion near the reception desk and I looked that way. There were a couple of trolls arguing with each other. It looked like one of them was about to hit the other on the head with a suitcase.
I frowned and looked back at Ovrid. He wasn’t there anymore. I said to Stanley, “Where did he go?”
Stanley’s attention was on the reception desk. “Did you see that? That troll whacked the other one in the stomach with a coat rack. They’re getting into a proper fight now. Are you going to do something about it? You’re a justice witch and you’re expected to keep the peace.”
Letting out a sigh of exasperation, I marched over to the fighting trolls. The largest one was screaming that he wanted the room with a view.
“Hey!” I called out. “Stop this right now! You’re causing a disturbance.”
The trolls ignored me and started punching each other.
I really didn’t have time for this. I quickly cast a spell in their direction. The trolls abruptly froze, floated away from each other and hovered in the air.
Stanley chuckled. “You’re getting really good at this immobilising spell. What are you going to do with them now?”
I pulled the suspended trolls towards me and wiped their ears clean of magic. I said to them, “You are having some time out to think about your actions. Okay? If you can’t behave in a civilised manner in this hotel, then you will leave. Understand?”
I moved one troll to the side of the foyer and lowered him to the ground. I did the same to the other, but on the opposite side of the foyer. Once I’d done that, I said to the startled elf on reception, “My spell will wear off soon. Let me know if they cause any more bother.”
She gave me a nod and said, “Thank you, Cassia, thank you so much.”
“It’s okay. Don’t forget to tell Mr Collins I’m looking for him.”
“I won’t. Thank you again.”
We walked quickly out of the hotel and looked towards the town. “Which direction did Ovrid go in?” I asked Stanley.
He said, “We’ll get a better view of the town if we’re up high. Real high.” His eyes glittered with excitement.
I shook my head at him. “You are becoming an adrenaline junkie.” I lowered my broomstick. “Hop on.”
Stanley did so and I got on behind him. In a second, we were airborne and soaring over the town centre. I kept my eyes peeled for a dressing gown-clad figure.
Stanley waved his paw to the right. “There he is. He’s going into the bank.”
We landed at the side of the bank and I peeped through the window. I saw Ovrid handing over the package to a figure standing behind a glass partition. There was a short conversation then Ovrid swiftly left the bank and headed back towards the hotel.
When Ovrid had disappeared from view, Stanley and I entered the bank and walked over to the being who had spoken to Ovrid. I had no idea what sort of a creature he was. He looked like a man, but his face was a perfect circle and he had enormous eyes that stared at us without blinking. His head was covered in tiny feathers and he had little ears. He looked like an owl.
“May I help you?” he asked.
“Yes. I’d like to know what’s in that package that Ovrid gave to you just now.”
“No.”
“Pardon?”
“I said no. That’s confidential information.”
I gave him a smile. “Yes, I appreciate that, but I’m dealing with a murder investigation and the contents of that package could be relevant to it.”
“I understand that and I know who you are, Ms Winter. The answer is still no.” His huge eyes widened and I could see my face reflected in them.
I was about to argue with him about his decision when a young centaur trotted over to him behind the partition and said eagerly, “Mr Simpson, shall I take this over to Mr Ovrid’s mother now? That’s what we usually do, isn’t it, Mr Simpson?”
Mr Simpson’s eyes narrowed in annoyance. He made a shushing motion with his hands. “Don’t bother me now, Ricky. I’m busy with Ms Winter.”
“But Mr Simpson, I’m going out that way on another delivery. I could drop this off at the same time.” He looked down at the brown package and read the address out loud and clear. “Yeah, this isn’t far from where I’m going. Shall I take it now, Mr Simpson? You told Mr Ovrid we’d deliver it today. His mum will be waiting on the money. Mr Simpson?”
Mr Simpson had his eyes closed and his mouth was moving silently. He looked as if he were counting to ten. When he opened his eyes, there was a resigned look in them. “Ms Winter, I think you now have all the answers you need.”
I held my hand out. “I’ll be calling on Ovrid’s mother immediately. Would you like me to deliver the package?”
“I am tempted to say yes,” Mr Simpson said, “But allow me some professional dignity after my employee let confidential information slip just now.” He turned his head without moving his body and said to Ricky, “You can go out on your deliveries now. When you come back, we will be
having a little talk about bank procedure. You’ll need to have your staff handbook ready. I’ll be adding notes to it.”
Ricky beamed. “I love having our little talks, Mr Simpson.” He reared up on his hind legs. “I’ll deliver Mr Ovrid’s package first. Bye!” He leapt over the counter and sped out of the door.
The heavy sigh that came from Mr Simpson ruffled my hair. He muttered something about not being able to get the staff these days. I would have stayed to sympathise with him, but I had a centaur to follow.
Stanley and I ran out of the bank, jumped onto my broomstick and soared upwards. We followed the young centaur as he raced out of town and through the surrounding fields. He was going at quite a speed but we managed to keep up with him. The furry adrenaline junkie in front of me whooped with delight as we went.
We flew for fifteen minutes before the centaur below us began to slow down. He headed along a path towards a set of low mountains. From our height, we could see some stone houses set together in a large clearing at the foot of the nearest mountain. The houses weren’t in any sort of order and looked as if they’d been dropped carelessly by a giant. We hovered and watched as Ricky trotted into the back garden of one of the houses and spoke to someone reclining in a seat. They exchanged a few words and Ricky handed over Ovrid’s package. He then left the garden and galloped away, kicking up dust behind him.
Stanley said, “That must be Ovrid’s mum. Are we going to talk to her? Ovrid said the package was of a personal matter.”
“I know, but I feel it’s relevant to our investigation.”
I aimed the broomstick towards the back garden and came to a smooth landing in front of the reclining figure. She didn’t seem surprised to see us.
“Hello,” she said. “It’s Cassia and Stanley, isn’t it? I thought I might have a visit from you two. I know about the murder at the hotel. I told Ovrid to tell you about this money he was sending me,” she held up the package, “but he said it had nothing to do with anyone. I told him he should tell you anyway. Please, do take a seat. I’m Immul.” She looked as if she was going to say something else, but her mouth closed and she looked away.
Brimstone Witch Mysteries - Box Set 1 Page 43
