Witch Charm

by Sonia Parin

  Chapter Eleven

  “Rubber baby buggy bumpers. Roberta ran rings around the Roman ruins...”

  “How long is she going to do that for?” Jake asked. “If I’m caught in here, Penelope Stewart will have my badge.”

  “A skunk sat on a stump and thunk the stump stunk...” Lexie held up a finger and gasped for breath. “Okay. It’s over.” She turned to Mirabelle’s orb. “When I get my hands on Catherine, I will... I will—” She stomped her feet in quick succession.

  Mirabelle sighed. “Lexie. You must get a hold of yourself. This type of behavior is beneath you. Have you learned nothing here?” Mirabelle’s orb swooped away in time to avert the white shoe Lexie threw at her.

  “Does that answer your question?” she asked flatly.

  “Yes... well, what was so urgent that you had to use your feline companion to drag us here?”

  Lexie grabbed her other white shoe. “I asked you here to sort this mess out, not to listen to you preaching about the Lauriston rules of conduct. I can’t do this alone. What’s the use of having a personal assistant if I can’t communicate with her?” She pointed the shoe at Mirabelle’s orb. “You have to pitch in. And that reminds me. You never mentioned anything about me not having my powers.”

  “Your intuition shouldn’t be affected.”

  Lexie growled.

  Jake stepped between them. “Ladies. Play nice.”

  “Argh! I need a notebook. I think the starch from my puffy sleeves is seeping into my system. I can’t think.” She smacked down her puffy sleeves. “Jake!”

  “Yes?” he asked, his tone cautious.

  “How did Claudette know all that remained of Lillian Somers were her feet?” Lexie asked, her tone exasperated.

  “Because the cook ran into the front parlor screaming it.”

  “Oh... I see. No one told me.” Actually, Claudette had mentioned something about it, but she hadn’t given any details. “So I guess that means you’ve spoken with the pupils.”

  “Of course I have. You might have reduced me to an errand boy delivering roast beef sandwiches but I’m still a detective running an investigation.”

  “Of course. No one denies that,” Mirabelle said trying to appease him.

  “What about the cooks? Someone mentioned they saw you taking them away.”

  “We questioned them,” Jake said. “But they didn’t reveal anything to incriminate themselves.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Positive. They both had early nights.”

  “And you believed them?”

  Jake shifted uncomfortably.

  I used my voice.

  His compelling voice... Lexie had firsthand experience hearing the O’Rourke Group’s voice. Very compelling indeed. “Well, then... couldn’t we line everyone up and ask them if they killed Lillian Somers?”

  “It doesn’t quite work that way. I must have compelling proof to use my compelling voice. The fact the cooks had easy access to the kitchens gave me leeway to employ it.”

  “I still don’t understand why Lexie is so flustered,” Mirabelle murmured.

  Lexie turned on her. “Perhaps because Claudette spooked me. She has... she has an air of insouciance about her that would make her the perfect killer.”

  “And?”

  Wasn’t that enough? “She’s turned her cat into an alcoholic and... and she’s guilty of something. I just know it. She has to be.”

  “So you are saying your highly attuned intuition is pointing at her,” Mirabelle mused.

  “Are you about to draw a conclusion, Sherlock?”

  “Not quite. Obviously, I’ll need access to more pertinent information.”

  Well... duh!

  “Couldn’t you hover around and use your High Chair abilities to zap pupils into revealing the truth?” Lexie suggested.

  “That would contravene our code of conduct.”

  They had one of those too? “Well, someone did some contravening to secure this land and building. I’m not naming names, but I’m sure you know I’m referring to the founder of this academy.”

  “We cannot hold someone who is no longer around accountable for their actions,” Mirabelle argued.

  “Aha.”

  Mirabelle’s orb and Jake fell silent, clearly waiting for Lexie to fill them in on her obvious moment of clarity.

  “Aha!” she repeated.

  I can’t hear you thinking anything, so I’m guessing you’re trying to buy yourself some time.

  Luna, you know me too well. I had a split second epiphany but the thought never took shape. I only experienced the sensation of all the answers I need coming to me. Now I’m drawing a blank. Hang on. I can hear something in the back of my mind...

  Yes, I can hear it too. It’s faint but there’s definitely a murmur... oh yes, it’s your tongue twisters...

  Argh!

  Jake cleared his throat. “You were going to illuminate us...” He turned to Mirabelle. “You’d said something about the founder not being around to answer—”

  “Yes, it just came to me,” Lexie whooped. “Jake. How far along are you in working out the family trees? Is it possible Lillian Somers was in some way related to Gertrude Lauriston? Lauriston Academy must surely be handed down from heiress to heiress...”

  So many generations to consider...

  “The Lauriston sisters’ children must have had more children and so on. Along the way, they most likely married, adding new names to the mix, but someone must always have inherited Lauriston Academy. What if... what if there’s some sort of caveat. Wills have been known to have special clauses.” Lexie swung on her heels and paced around the room. “Bear with me, I’m going to propose a theory. What if... Lillian Somers was related to Gertrude and Cynthia? I suspect the Leonard family is holding onto some sort of grudge...”

  “You think the Leonard family wanted to get rid of the heiress?” Jake asked.

  Mirabelle’s orb hovered around the room. “That is an idea I can get behind. However, from my recollections, there has never been any mention of a Lauriston relative working at the academy.”

  Clearly, Mirabelle would never accept the possibility that she’d been left out of the loop. Welcome to my world, Lexie thought.

  Jake brushed his hand across his chin. “Yes. Yes. There’s a picture starting to form and, yes. I think we’re on the right track.”

  Lexie pumped her fists in the air and performed a little celebration dance.

  “Are you all right there?” Mirabelle asked.

  “It’s so clear. We need to find the will. There must be a clause. Think, people, think. Gertrude Lauriston is suspected of beguiling a Leonard into bequeathing the house and land to her. What if there is a clause. Something along the lines of... If at any time there should no longer be a Lauriston heir, then the house and land is handed back to the Leonard family.”

  “I like it,” Jake nodded.

  “It sounds like something straight out of a gothic mystery.” Mirabelle sighed. “Okay. It is a sound theory.”

  Lexie clapped her hands. “Way to go, people. See, this is what I’m talking about. Teamwork. So how do we find the will?”

  Jake and Mirabelle appeared to exchange a knowing look.

  “Oh, right.” Lexie pointed at herself. “I’m the inside person.” And, therefore, the one who had to put her neck on the line and hunt around for the will...

  * * *

  “We need to draw up an agreement. I have certain needs which must be met.” Luna sat primly at the end of the bed.

  “I feed you. What else do you want?”

  Getting up, Luna strode around in a tight circle. “Well, there is the matter of my afternoon naps.”

  “We’re on assignment. Once we return home, you can nap all you want. And you could be napping right now. Instead, you’re complaining.”

  “I’m raising an issue which needs to be addressed. There’s a difference. Next on my agenda is my need to actually sleep at night.”

 
“I thought cats were nocturnal creatures. I’m sure I’ve heard you roaming around the apartment. In fact, now that I think about it, I’ve had reason to complain about you keeping such odd hours and waking me up.”

  “Next is my need for food.”

  Lexie flung the bedcovers off and sprung out of bed.

  “Hey, you did that on purpose.” Luna scrambled her way out from under the bedcovers. “And where are you going?”

  “To find a will.”

  “Are you mad? You’ll end up in the roasting pit. And... wait. You cannot possibly step out without your reticule.”

  Snatching the reticule, Lexie opened her bedroom door and peered out. She’d attended the evening recital but there hadn’t been any plans for another heist. While Claudette had suggested there would be a surprise, she’d said they’d decided to take a break, for a couple of days, at least. In any case, the thefts had taken place just after midnight, and it was now well past two in the morning. With any luck, she’d have the whole place to herself.

  “Where are you going?” Luna whispered.

  “I told you.”

  “Without me?”

  “Well... I’m not going to force you.”

  “What if something happens to us? Who’ll warn Mirabelle? Clearly you can’t do this by yourself.”

  “If you say so.”

  Lexie had taken the precaution of removing her shoes but there was nothing she could do about her puffy sleeves rustling.

  “Did you ever get around to drawing up your will?”

  “This isn’t the time, Luna.”

  “You obviously didn’t. Do you know who’ll take over from you as incoming High Chair?”

  “You’re kidding me. You want me to put in a word for you?”

  “That would be splendid.”

  They made their way down the stairs. Lexie wished she’d paid more attention to the lay of the land. While she had the light of a full moon to guide her, she hadn’t realized she’d have to navigate her way around so many pieces of furniture.

  “I’ll look in Penny’s room first. You stay outside and keep an eye out for me. If you see anyone, or hear anything, holler.”

  When they reached Penny’s office, Lexie took a few moments to steady her breathing and then let herself in, pushing the door open as slowly as she could to avoid the surprise of a squeaky door hinge.

  With Luna keeping watch, she took the risk of switching on a table lamp. If a will existed, it would either be here or in Eloise’s office. Then again, something so valuable might have called for extra precautions in hiding it.

  She searched all the obvious places, starting with the desk drawers but she found nothing. The cabinet drawers yielded similar results. Out of desperation, she looked behind and under every knick-knack.

  She knew the odds of her finding something in her first try were stacked against her. Yet she persevered.

  Assuming the next-door neighbor, Lindsay, had been searching for the will, Lexie wondered what she hoped to gain by finding it? Did she think destroying the proof would clear the way for her to reclaim the property? The academy would have years of possession in their favor...

  What if there wasn’t a will and ownership relied only on the assumption that one existed? Maybe the beguiling spell had been cast to dupe everyone into believing Gertrude Lauriston had been bequeathed the property...

  Lexie took off on a flight of fancy and imagined being able to cast spells. First, she’d make everyone forget she was the incoming High Chair. That meant she’d never again wake up to the sight of Mirabelle and Catherine hovering over her and demanding that she do something crazy like go chasing after an inky black fog...

  She stopped in front of the Lauriston sisters’ portraits.

  Of course, she’d have to be careful not to completely wipe her cousins’ memory of her. She’d still want to see them... every now and then. And she wouldn’t mind some day visiting Mackenzie Hall and seeing Mirabelle in her... milieu and Catherine in her cottage.

  Lexie hoped there wouldn’t be negative consequences to her spell. She rather liked being able to click her heels and travel anywhere and, perhaps some day, she might master the skill and stop landing in closets.

  Would she ever learn to cast spells?

  You have to learn to walk before you run.

  Luna?

  Yes, me. Who else would be speaking to you?

  I thought you could only hear me if I spoke to you directly. Since when have you been able to eavesdrop on my thoughts?

  Since... always. I am your loyal feline companion.

  You better not tell anyone what I’ve been thinking. As soon as we get home, you’re signing a confidentiality agreement.

  If we ever get home... Hurry up. I’m getting a sore neck from looking up and down the hallway.

  Lexie peered at Cynthia’s portrait. If a beguiling spell had been cast, she’d think... assume Gertrude had been responsible. Yet looking at the portraits, she decided to change her mind. Out of the two sisters, Lexie decided Cynthia would be the one most likely to cast a spell. Gertrude struck her as too... starchy. Cynthia, on the other hand, looked carefree enough to try anything.

  Lexie smiled to herself. If she’d had to find the perfect hiding place...

  Lifting the small canvas off its hook, she peered at the back. There was something attached...

  “You’re kidding me,” Lexie mouthed as she removed a document. She sat at the desk and studied it. This was no ordinary piece of paper. It felt thick and leathery. Parchment, she thought. Spreading it out on the desk, she tried to decipher the spidery handwriting.

  ...Sitting out here is giving me time to think...

  Shush. I’m trying to focus.

  Sorry, I’ll try to think quietly. Anyhow, I’m thinking I am a supreme feline companion and deserve to become a companion to a High Chair. Anything less and my upbringing and formal education will all have been for nothing. I can’t risk it. I graduated summa cum laude. That means I achieved the highest distinction. My place in society needs to reflect this. Heavens, Venus didn’t achieve such honors and she’s a feline companion to a High Chair...

  I can still hear you.

  “So much for luck,” Lexie muttered. Not the will, she thought, but... “A letter from Gertrude to her sister Cynthia.” Hoping to find a clue to the existence of a will, she read on.

  ...To think I passed up on the opportunity to become companion to Mirabelle. At the time, I thought I had options. British weather can be so severe. I know our winters are cold but at least we can rely on summer being warm, and as enticing as a Hall sounds, I suspect it’s rather drafty...

  Lexie pressed her finger to her ear as a way to muffle Luna’s murmurs but, of course, she could still hear the scamp complaining...

  Squinting, she tried to make sense of the slanted handwriting and the formal language used. Gertrude Lauriston had been intent on assuring her sister her children would be compensated as recognition of her part in winning the...

  “Favor of the Leonard family?” Did that mean Cynthia had been the one to cast the spell? Had her suspicions been right?

  ...I know things could be worse. I could end my days as a domestic cat, producing litter after litter, and not all necessarily from the same father. What sort of future could I provide for my kittens? With so many mouths to feed, we’re likely to be separated and I’ll spend my days wondering about their lot in life. I’m sure I’ll tell myself lies and imagine them all prospering but there will always be a seed of doubt and dread. Yes, dread that one of them might have ended up living in an alleyway...

  Lexie needed a fresh pair of eyes to read this. If she didn’t return the document, she risked getting caught but if she didn’t take it, they’d lose a possible lead. She checked the back of Gertrude’s portrait but didn’t find anything. If a will existed, it had to be well hidden.

  She slipped the parchment inside her reticule.

  Quit your moaning and tell me if the coast is clear.
r />   All’s quiet. I suppose it wouldn’t hurt to hone my skills. I’ll have to learn to catch mice. Argh! To think I was brought up on a cordon bleu diet. It’s my mother’s fault. Having such high expectations for us, she indulged us. How will I ever acquire a taste for mice? Oh, the shame of it. Imagine if someone sees me? I was voted the one most likely to succeed in life. All nine lives. And here I am, facing a life of drudgery and destitution. Where did I go wrong?

  “What are you going on about?” Lexie asked as she stepped out onto the hallway.

  “Me, ending up living on the streets and having to make my own way in life... and having all those kittens by different fathers. I’m not sure I have a maternal instinct.”

  “You’re a cat. Of course you have one.”

  “I was groomed to reach for the stars. I’m too young to give up on my dreams. Where did it all go wrong?”

  “Have you been drinking Sasha’s milk?”

  “It might very well come down to that. Yes, sweet oblivion. I’ll drown my sorrows...”

  Chapter Twelve

  Wake up! Wake up! We’ve been visited by the faeries.

  “Huh?” Lexie emerged from under the covers and peered at Luna. “Are you talking in your sleep?”

  “There’s a basket of food. Quick, open something. I’ve been scratching and clawing at the cans to no avail. Considering the thoughts weaving through my mind last night, I clearly need to hone my scavenging skills.”

  “Oh, good. You’re awake.”

  “What are you doing here, Mirabelle?”

  “You requested a care package and I have delivered. You may thank me after you’ve enjoyed your morning coffee and freshly baked croissants.”

  “Did you say croissants?”

  “All the way from a little bakery in Paris.”

  “Isn’t that against the rules?”