by Jinty James
“Who wouldn’t?” Maddie smiled as she thought about Trixie.
Suzanne sighed. “I wish I was a witch like you. You’re so lucky, Mads.”
“Do you think so?” Maddie wrinkled her nose. “I can only do two spells, and I’ve been so shaken with what’s happened to Joan that I haven’t had that little feeling again that tells me when to cast the coffee vision spell.”
“It will come back.” Suzanne touched Maddie’s arm. “I’m sure of it.”
“Maybe you should be the witch instead of me,” Maddie joked, knowing deep down that if she did lose her powers, she would feel like she’d lost part of herself, even if she could only cast two spells. And what about Trixie? Would the loveable cat stay with her if she was no longer a witch? Or would she find another mistress – one with full magical powers?
“Hey, maybe there’s a spell in your book about turning someone into a witch!” Suzanne grinned. “Then we could both be witches.”
“I’ll have a look tonight,” Maddie promised, although she didn’t remember seeing such a spell in the book. Could you really turn someone into a witch just like that? Or was it part of your DNA before you were even born?
“Call me and tell me if you find anything like that in the book,” Suzanne said.
“I will.” Maddie jumped into the driver’s seat and turned on the ignition. “Let’s go home.”
Once they arrived at Maddie’s house, Suzanne turned to her. “Hey, I forgot to tell you I had a good look at Phoebe’s blouse when we were at the library and I could definitely see a gold chain around her neck. But if it was the locket, it was tucked into her blouse.”
Hmm.” Maddie turned off the engine, the last chug dying away. “That’s interesting. Don’t you think it’s a bit weird she went over to his house last week to talk about this charity project? And that Brian went over to her house yesterday morning to talk about it again? It must be a huge enterprise if it requires them to talk about it out of work hours twice.”
“And it was quiet in the library just now,” Suzanne said thoughtfully. “She seemed to be the only employee there and didn’t appear to have a problem handling the workload.”
“So why wouldn’t they have time to talk about the charity project when they’re both working?” Maddie finished her friend’s thought.
“Unless it gets busy at times,” Suzanne offered. “Maybe they have a toddler’s story time or something during the day.”
“But if she’s innocent, why would she get angry about us asking her those questions?” Maddie started up the porch steps. “It just seemed out of proportion.”
“I know what you mean.” Suzanne snapped her fingers. “What if she does have the hots for Brian – her boss?”
“And she killed Joan to get her out of the way.” Maddie unlocked her front door. Trixie was nowhere in sight.
“Because Phoebe and Brian were having an affair!” Suzanne followed her inside.
Maddie faced her friend, nodding in agreement. “I think that makes sense. Brian’s initials are on her locket, and she got all flustered about that locket last time. She’s visited his house, and he’s visited hers. Do you really think he was being unfaithful to Joan?”
“There’s only one way to find out.”
CHAPTER 11
AS MADDIE AND SUZANNE entered the living room, Trixie hopped off the couch and trotted to greet them.
“Hi, Trixie.” Suzanne bent and stroked the Persian’s shoulder.
“Mrrow!” Trixie turned to Maddie, looking at her expectantly.
Maddie crouched down, and rubbed the Persian behind the ear. Instantly, a loud purr filled the room.
“Hey, we could look at the book now.” Suzanne’s gaze strayed to the sofa, where the witchcraft book lay.
“Okay.” Maddie sat down on the couch. Trixie joined her, sitting on the soft, periwinkle sofa cushions. Suzanne sat on the other side of the book.
Maddie turned the pages, starting from the beginning, but didn’t see anything about turning someone into a witch. There were spells for sleeping soundly, glamour spells, love spells, and even instructions on how to make yourself disappear for a few seconds, but nothing about how to gain witchy powers.
“That disappearing spell sounds cool. It’s almost like an invisibility spell.” Suzanne’s eyes sparkled. “Just imagine what kind of sleuthing you could do if you could make yourself disappear for a short time.”
“Mmm.” Maddie didn’t sound convinced. “But what if I couldn’t make myself reappear? What if remained invisible?”
“Does it say you can make someone else invisible? Or does it have to be yourself?”
Maddie scanned the wording. “Just myself.”
“Oh.” Suzanne sounded disappointed.
“But this way, at least you’ll be visible when you go to visit Ramon,” Maddie teased.
“There is that.” Suzanne giggled.
After talking about everything they’d discovered that day, Suzanne departed, giving Trixie a goodbye pat. Now they’d already made the health balls for the next day, they didn’t have to get up early tomorrow.
Once Suzanne left the house, Maddie sat on the sofa with Trixie, watching a crime show on TV. But she couldn’t concentrate – all she could think of was: did Phoebe, the library assistant, kill Joan?
JUST AS MADDIE AND Suzanne opened up for business the next day, their first customer was Brian, Joan’s husband.
“Hi, Mr. Hodge – Brian.” Maddie greeted him, a little surprised at his presence.
“Hi.” He smiled briefly. “I thought I’d try the coffee Joan raves – raved – about.” His smile dimmed.
“Of course. What would you like?”
“How about a latte?” He pulled out his wallet.
“It’s on the house,” Maddie said hurriedly, as she busied herself at the coffee machine. Hissing and grinding ensued. His request for the same drink that Joan used to order made her shiver. Did he know that was his wife’s regular drink? Or did he usually drink spiced lattes as well?
“Hi Brian,” Suzanne greeted the man, only a little surprise in her tone.
“Hi.” Brian nodded at her.
“Would you like to try a health ball?” Suzanne showed him the tray full of coconut cacao balls they’d made yesterday. “On the house.”
“Thanks.” He helped himself to a round morsel, and began chewing. “That was good.”
“Thank you.” Suzanne smiled at him. “It’s our new line. I don’t think anyone else around here sells them.”
“Here’s your latte.” Maddie pushed the cardboard cup across the counter. “I hope you enjoy it.”
Brian took a sip, satisfaction crossing his face. “Now that’s what I call a good coffee.”
“We like to think so,” Suzanne said, grinning. “Maddie makes the best coffee in town.”
“Now I know why Joan kept badgering me to come here and try it myself.”
“How is everything going?” Maddie asked. Joan’s husband appearing like this would save her and Suzanne a visit to him later. Before Suzanne left Maddie’s house last night, they’d discussed interviewing him today to try to get to the bottom of whether he was having an affair with his library assistant.
“The funeral is going to be held in a couple of days’ time.” He looked sorrowful. “Once Joan’s body is released.” His voice cracked.
“Will you be going back to work after – after everything?” Suzanne put in. “Or will you be having more time off?”
“I think it’s best if I go back to the library as soon as possible,” he replied.
“We were at the library yesterday,” Maddie said tentatively. “Phoebe, the library assistant, seems very capable.”
“She’s a great employee.” Brian nodded. “She’ll probably have my job one day.”
“That charity project you’re planning with her is still going ahead, right?” Suzanne asked.
“I hope so.” He took another sip of coffee.
“It must b
e a big undertaking if you meet outside work to discuss it,” Maddie said innocently. When he frowned, she continued, a knot of tension in her stomach, “Someone mentioned Phoebe visited your house last week.”
He looked puzzled for a split-second. “Oh, yeah.” His brow cleared. “That’s right.” He took a big swallow of coffee. Thanks for the coffee.” He lifted the cup in salute. “I’ve got to be going now. Get an early jump on the day.”
He walked across the town square. As soon as he was out of sight, another customer stepped up to the counter.
“Hello, girls.” Detective Edgewater greeted them.
“Hi.” Suzanne grabbed the plate of health balls and held it out in front of him. “Would you like one?”
“What are they?” He looked at the morsels doubtfully.
“Full of goodness,” Suzanne enthused. “Come on, detective, you liked Maddie’s coffee, didn’t you? So far everyone who’s tried one of these has raved about it.”
Maddie didn’t know if that was strictly true, but they hadn’t received any complaints. And, they had experienced repeat customers coming back for more of the healthy bites.
“The ingredients are listed here.” Maddie pointed to the list Suzanne had made yesterday and placed in front of the domed plate.
Detective studied the list. “Hmm. Okay. Give me one. And that coffee you made me before.”
“Sure thing, sir.” Maddie busied herself with the coffee machine, the sounds of grinding and whirring filling the air. Pleasure bubbled through her as she worked; she’d converted a new customer to her coffee.
The detective tasted the health ball, an expression of pleased surprise crossing his face.
“Not bad, girls. Not bad.”
“Thanks.” Suzanne smiled. “Would you like another?”
“Why not?” he shrugged. “I didn’t have time for breakfast today.”
“That will be seven dollars and forty cents, please.” Suzanne held out her hand for the money.
He blinked. “No wonder you girls make a living at this.” He pulled a ten-dollar bill from his wallet. “I might need to get a second job if this becomes a habit,” he joked.
“And it would be totally worth it.” Suzanne handed him his change and the second health ball.
The detective munched, then swallowed. “But your coffee isn’t the only reason I’m here,” he said. “Why was Mr. Hodgeton here just now?”
“I don’t know.” Maddie looked as surprised as she felt at the question. “He said he wanted to try my coffee – apparently Joan told him how good it was.”
“Hmm.” The detective took a sip of the vanilla cappuccino Maddie pushed across the counter to him. “Well, I wanted to warn you girls not to interfere with the case. I know you visited the library yesterday.”
“What’s wrong with going to the library?” Suzanne asked innocently.
Maddie darted a glance at her friend, Suzanne’s tone arousing her suspicions.
“Nothing – if the only reason you went there was to borrow a book,” the detective said sternly.
“How did you know we went to the library?” Maddie asked, furrowing her brow.
“People talk.” He wagged a finger at them. “Do you think I’m not going to speak to everyone connected with the case? I talked to the library assistant yesterday, apparently just after you left there. Of course she was going to tell me about you two interrogating her.”
“Of course.” Suzanne made a sour face.
“It wasn’t really interrogating,” Maddie put in.
“Whatever it was, you two need to stop.” He took another sip of his drink. “Stick to making fancy coffee drinks and those balls, whatever they’re called. Otherwise, you might be drinking percolated coffee down at the station.”
He departed, striding across the green.
“I think that proves my theory,” Maddie said slowly. “Why would Phoebe, the library assistant, complain to him about us if she isn’t guilty?”
“Exactly!” Suzanne shook her water bottle. “I thought she was guilty yesterday and now I’m even more convinced.”
Before Maddie could reply, a wave of customers stood in front of the truck, pulling out their wallets.
“We’ll talk about this later,” Maddie whispered, before turning to the first customer.
One hour later, when there were only a couple of people left to serve, Suzanne flopped onto a stool.
“Wow!” She took a sip of water. “That was insane.”
“Tell me about it,” Maddie agreed.
“Hello, girls.” The senior citizen with the pink rinse in her hair, who’d visited the truck yesterday, stepped up to the counter. “Can you give me the same coffee I had yesterday, dear?”
“Of course.” Luckily, Maddie usually remembered her customers’ orders if they were regulars or even semi-regulars – unless they were slammed with a crowd demanding coffee right away and she didn’t have time to look up to see who she was making each drink for.
“You had a cappuccino, right?” Maddie smiled at the senior, the machine already grinding and hissing.
“That’s right, dear.” The elderly woman rifled through her black purse for her wallet. “Here you go.” She handed a bill to Suzanne.
“How about a delicious, healthy treat?” Suzanne held out the plastic domed plate to the woman. “They’re selling like hotcakes!”
The senior wrinkled her nose as she looked at the coconut covered balls. “I don’t think so, dear. All that shredded coconut might play havoc with my dentures.”
“Oh.” Suzanne’s expression dropped.
“But I’ll be sure to tell my friends about them,” the senior continued. “Why, I’m sure Joan’s husband would enjoy them.” She tsked. “I don’t know what he’s going to do now for meals. He isn’t much of a cook.”
“He tried one this morning.” Suzanne smiled at the elderly woman.
“He might become of your regulars, then.” The senior beamed at both of them as Maddie handed over the cappuccino.
An alarm pinged in Maddie’s brain. While she’d been making the coffee, she’d listened to the conversation as well. It was something the elderly customer had just said that had given her a jolt of – something. Intuition? Half remembering what someone had told her during the last two days? What was it?
“Thank you, girls.” The senior strolled across the square, taking tiny sips of coffee as she went.
“Another satisfied customer,” Suzanne said, counting the treats remaining on the plate. “But not a health ball fan.”
“Maybe you could come up with a recipe without coconut,” Maddie suggested. “Easy to chew and swallow ingredients that don’t get stuck in false teeth, and you could call it Goodies for Seniors.” As Suzanne stared at her, she added, “Or something like that.”
“That’s brilliant!” Suzanne grinned. “I’ll get started on it right away.”
“As long as I don’t have to get up early again,” Maddie joked.
“Don’t worry, Mads, I can do it during our slow periods – now that we’ve been warned off from sleuthing.”
“I know.” Maddie frowned. “Surely it’s obvious to the detective that Phoebe the library assistant killed Joan?”
“Maybe we should march into the station and tell him,” Suzanne suggested. “And bring a few health balls as well. We might convert the staff in there and get more customers.”
“Or bribe our way out of jail with them,” Maddie teased. Then she sobered. “But what are we going to do, Suze? Why hasn’t he arrested Phoebe yet?”
“We don’t know that he hasn’t,” Suzanne said slowly. “Do we?”
They stared at each other, their eyes widening.
BUT WHEN THEY VISITED the library later that day, with the excuse that they were actually going to borrow some books – Suzanne grabbing the first book off the first shelf she passed, which turned out to be a men’s health book – Phoebe worked the desk, helping a thirty-something blonde check out a racy romance.
“Grr,” Suzanne growled. “What is wrong with that detective?”
Before Maddie could answer, the library assistant looked up, blanching when she saw them.
“What are you two doing here?” she demanded in an angry whisper.
“Borrowing a book.” Suzanne waved the book in the air, then placed it on the desk.
“Fine.” Phoebe snatched Suzanne’s library card, scanned it, and then did the same with the book, a beep emitting. “Here you go.” Her eyebrows rose as she noticed the subject of the book.
“Thanks.” Suzanne tucked the hardback under her arm.
Maddie sketched a wave at the library assistant as she and Suzanne walked out of the building.
“What are you going to do with that book?” Maddie asked as they headed back to the coffee truck. By now it was after four - they’d closed up the truck before going to the library.
Suzanne shrugged. “Maybe I’ll give it to my brother to read.” She flicked through the pages. “Ooh – it’s got a chapter on sex. Maybe I’ll read that first.”
“You’re naughty!” Maddie shook her head, smiling.
“That’s why you like me.” Suzanne grinned.
“But,” Maddie sobered, “our library visit didn’t clear anything up. If Phoebe hasn’t been arrested yet, does that mean she’s innocent? And if so, then who is the killer?”
CHAPTER 12
WHEN MADDIE ARRIVED home, she checked the mailbox. Only one unaddressed white envelope. She frowned. That was strange. She took it out and carried it inside with her.
“Hey, Trixie,” she greeted the cat. The Persian was curled up on the sofa, next to Wytchcraft for the Chosen.
“Mrrow.” Trixie looked at the envelope expectantly.
“I wonder what it is.” The envelope wasn’t sealed – the triangular flap was just folded inside the bottom half. Maddie pulled out a piece of paper, the words scrawled in big black ink.
STOP SNOOPING.
Maddie stared at the piece of paper, then flung it away from her, as if it were a snake attempting to bite her. She sank down on the sofa.
