by Sarah Kelly
Her magical mentor Luis had said, “Mami, it’s not me who makes the rules. It’s like the fact the moon shines at night, and the sun burns you up in the day. Non magical people can’t know about witches, or the whole system gets screwed up. That’s just the way it is.”
“But why?” India had asked. It felt isolating, not being allowed to share her innermost secret with her boyfriend and her best friend.
Luis had shrugged. “Asking that just gonna dig you into a pit you’ll never get out of. Just enjoy the powers you have, girl.”
India climbed up into her lifeguard post and kicked off her sandals. She knew the wedding would start in an hour or so, so that wasn’t much time to kill. Agatha Christie’s They Do It With Mirrors was in her crossover bag, and she couldn’t resist the temptation to slip it out and gobble up a chapter or two.
She only looked up when she heard the loud thump-thump-thump of a car playing music on a huge bass system. Glancing up to her left toward the sound, she had to part a couple of palm fronds open to get a clear view. An old beat up Chevy had pulled up to the kerb where the road met the complex. The sound system probably cost more than the car, India guessed. It was strange to see such a scraggy old vehicle in this upscale part of the beach, so she watched on. Though it was probably nothing, she wanted to keep her eyes open, given what Aleister had told her.
The Chevy swung into the gravel parking lot and the sound system continued to blast. India could imagine how annoyed the wedding party were getting, as the sound permeated the air and made her bones feel like they were shaking, even at such a distance. The windows were blacked out, so she couldn’t make out who was in the car. She was beginning to feel uneasy, but told herself it was all the murder mysteries she was reading. These days she jumped out of her skin when a door slammed in the wind or the phone rang.
Eventually the bodyguard Harry came out of the complex and into view. He glanced around for a moment, then approached the car, seeming to feel no fear at all. At least if he did, he didn’t show it. The window rolled down, and India squinted to block out the sun and get a better view. She saw a white man’s arm hanging out the window, but couldn’t make out any more. The music stopped abruptly. Harry looked awkward in talking to the man, and kept on glancing around and swinging his arms, like he couldn’t wait to be out of there fast enough. After a few moments, he turned and went back into the complex.
India watched as the blacked out window crept back up to closed. She wondered if the man was maybe another security guard, or even an undercover cop, come to help keeping the wedding safe. Whoever he was, Harry seemed to have it under control, and that was good for her.
Just before she was about to shrug and turn back to her book, she saw movement by the complex. Will marched up to the car and knocked on the window. After a moment it cranked down, and Will placed his hands on top of the car door, a threatening, powerful position for a man of his stature. India couldn’t tell what was going on, but it didn’t look all that innocent. A drug deal, perhaps? Or maybe the man in the car was connected to the threats being made to the Hooper-Walcotts, and Will was trying to scare them off? At any rate, Will certainly didn’t seem the picture of squeaky clean superhero he’d played up on the beach earlier that week. India was glad for the palms covering her, otherwise she’d have been in plain view, and as she knew very well from all her reading, often witnesses were silenced in violent ways.
Before long, Will returned back into the complex, leaving India to numerous conflicting thoughts about who this stranger could be.
A few minutes later, the driver and passenger side doors opened. India was surprised to see the driver looked like a teen, with scruffy blond hair under a snapback cap, and low slung skinny jeans and converse. The passenger looked like his African American double. The white guy had a string bag slung over his shoulder. They looked around, then strode toward the red colored Creole cottage and disappeared behind it. India frowned. Something strange was definitely going on.
Xavier and a couple of his cop colleagues were due in about a half hour to stand guard at the ceremony. She wondered about calling him to report what she had seen, but in the end decided not to. She noted down the registration plate of the car, and decided she’d wait 10 minutes for them to come out. If they didn’t, she’d ring Xavier. After all, she knew she had the tendency to be suspicious. She’d give them the benefit of the doubt for the moment, she decided.
But a cop would tell her later, as they examined the dead body on the floor, that she had made a big mistake.
CHAPTER 2
India glanced down at her phone. Midday. A half hour until the ceremony was due to start. Her butt had gone numb so she climbed down from her post, planning a quick walkabout before it all started. Who knew when she’d be able to move? Plus, she wanted to get a good look at the beautiful wedding arches with their vining flowers and sparkling, feminine decorations. It was going to be a tiny wedding, but a very beautiful one.
Just as she’d slipped her sandals off and stepped onto the warm sand, her phone rang. Amy, the screen read.
“Everything okay?”
“No,” Amy said, sounding like she was hyperventilating.
India’s mind immediately went to the worst. “Someone’s died?”
Amy burst out laughing. “No, you crazy woman! I’m just so swamped here, I need your help. These people are sending stuff back, making demand after demand, and we’re only on the canapés and tasters, for goodness sakes!”
“Aww, man. I can’t leave my post though, girl. I’ll lose my job.”
“Oh, help,” Amy said. “Isn’t there anything you can do? Please?”
India thought quickly. “I’ll try Brett. Gimme a sec and I’ll call you back.”
Brett’s girlfriend had given birth last year, and had opted for extra unpaid maternity leave from her job. Brett was still working every shift he could get to pick up the slack, which India admired him greatly for. Anytime she couldn’t make a shift, he was glad to pick it up.
And sure enough, he didn’t disappoint. He only lived five minutes from the beach, and ten minutes past noon he was up on the lifeguard post, giving India a thumbs up. “Much appreciated.”
“You’re a lifesaver,” India said over her shoulder as she ran over the hot sand, her sandals in her hand.
“Life guard, India,” he said, incredibly slowly. “Life guard.”
They both burst out laughing.
When she got to the parking lot, she slipped her sandals back on. The Chevy looked even worse close up, covered with dents and scrapes. It could have used a wash, too.
Just before going to help Amy, she paused at the red Creole cottage the teen boys had gone behind. She could see through the front windows that fashionable women’s clothes were strewn all over the place. Given the pastel, feminine palette, she assumed it was Katriane’s room. Why were the boys going to her room, or were they just going through the back to get to somewhere else? Why not take the path?
Feeling her heart beat faster, India took quiet steps around the outside of the Creole cottage, half hoping half dreading she’d catch the young men. She paused on the side of the adjacent wall, steeling herself to make a loud noise as she turned to startle them and leave them on the back foot. Rubbing her sweating hands on her dress, she let out a long, silent breath.
“Got you!” she cried out, thrusting her hands forward as she turned.
A black plastic water tank on a raised platform greeted her, along with a couple of straggling, neglected palms. A quick walk around the water tank showed her the place was clear.
Scolding herself for getting too involved, India took off toward the kitchen to help Amy.
***
It was the smallest wedding India had ever seen, certainly not what she’d imagined for one of Florida’s top celebrities. There were only four chairs laid out, with a gap down the middle to create the shortest aisle in wedding history. Aleister stood on one side in another linen suit, beige this time. Cecelia
was alone on the other side, still in her white lace and blue kimono. White lace to a wedding? India thought it was quite bad taste, but then the woman seemed horrible enough to do much worse. Her face was twisted into a scowl and her blue shades remained firmly on. Will stood at the beautiful arch in a pale blue linen suit, looking rather nervous. India wondered where Katriane’s mother was, or if she had passed away, and where Will’s family were.
The minister was a wiry, cheerful-looking man, and kept turning around to the sea, then smiling at everyone. He reminded India of a kid who couldn’t keep still.
India glanced at her phone. 1.30pm. A whole hour late for the ceremony. Still, Amy had been glad, as it had given her extra time to prepare the main meal. “Who knew catering for five could be so soul sucking?” Amy had said. She’d catered for up to 100 with less fuss. “They’ve picked the most finicky, fiddly recipes known to man, and ordered so many little teeny tiny courses for each person. I think I should get a Michelin star for all this.”
Now Amy was probably back in the kitchen with her feet up. India was back at her life guard post, and Brett had made his way home.
Aleister looked down at his watch, then nodded to excuse himself and headed back to the complex, probably to pick up Katriane and Harry. Within a few moments, they returned to the beach together.
Katriane wore quite an understated gown, to India’s surprise. It was a pale blush pink-peach in color, with a tulle skirt she had to hold up to avoid treading on, revealing her bare feet. Lace of the same delicate shade made up the bodice and straps. Her curly hair was pulled together in a loose bunch at the back of her neck. In all, it was a tasteful look, where India had expected a gaudy, over-the-top feminine style. She also looked nervous, but excited, too. Her wide eyes blinked over to Will at the altar, and she smiled in such a gorgeous way India felt her heart melt – they were obviously very close.
But then as Katriane looked over at Cecelia, her expression darkened. Not into sadness, but into hate. Pure, unadulterated hate. India was quite shocked. It only lasted a moment, and Katriane was soon back to her smile. Aleister was grinning along, though it did not appear to be entirely genuine.
When they got to the beautiful arch, Will took Katriane’s hands in his and looked her up and down, admiring her. She burst into happy tears, and Will hurried to wipe them away with his handkerchief.
The hyperactive priest began, “Friends, we have joined here today to share with William James Tremblay and Katriane Veronique Hooper-Walcott an important moment in their lives. In their time together, they have seen their love and understanding of each other grow and blossom…”
Aleister had taken his place at his chair and looked over at Cecelia. Her face was stone, and neither was he the picture of joy. He kept glancing around, agitated. Probably worried about security threats, India imagined. Harry, now standing next to him in the same black suit, was doing the same.
“…and now they have decided to live out the rest of their lives as one. Now, the bride and groom have composed their own vows. William, would you like to start?”
They commenced their vows, which were quite poetic, and exchanged the rings, while Cecelia looked on in disgust.
The minister beamed. “Wonderful! Now, Mr and Mrs Tremblay, I pronounce you husband and wife. William, you may now kiss the bride.”
Just as they leaned in, their lips nearly touching, Cecelia burst into loud sobs, then fled back into the complex, her head in her hands. Katriane pulled away from the kiss, watching her sister. A moment of stunned silence followed. Then she let Will cradle him in her arms as she cried, “Why does she spoil everything for me? I wish she had never been born.”
Aleister came over and wrenched the new couple apart, furious.
“Daddy!” Katriane said.
Then he softened. “Listen, sweetie pie,” he said. “Don’t let silly old Cecelia ruin your special day. Your mascara is running now. So go back to your room and fix yourself up, and then we’ll all go have a lovely meal together. Okay?” He stroked her back gently.
She paused, pouting, then slowly nodded. “Okay. As long as Cecelia won’t be anywhere near me. I don’t want her there. I never want to see her again.”
“All right, dear,” Aleister said soothingly. “I’ll have her lunch delivered to her room.”
“No,” Katriane snapped. “I don’t want her to have anything.”
Aleister nodded. “Okay, sweet girl. Okay.”
“Promise me, daddy. Promise me you won’t let her have not even a scrap of my food.”
“I promise,” Aleister said.
India’s mouth practically dropped open. What a spoiled brat! She wondered whether Aleister told Katriane whatever she wanted to hear, but would actually go behind her back and make sure Cecelia was comforted and fed, or if he’d actually ignore one daughter for the petulant wishes of the other. That would only be a recipe for major family drama.
“I’ll go then, Daddy,” Katriane said. She gave Will one last peck on the cheek. “See you in a minute, darling.”
Will smiled and held onto her hand for as long as possible. “In just a moment, Mrs Tremblay.”
Harry put his hand on Katriane’s shoulder and led her away. Will and Aleister and the minister stood awkwardly for a couple of moments, before Aleister put on a large smile and shook the minister’s hand. “I do apologize for the behavior of my daughters,” he said. “You know what young women are like. I have to run around, doing everything I can to keep them happy. Thank you for your part in the wedding, minister.”
Will shook the minister’s hand afterward. “Yes, thank you, indeed.”
“You’re both most welcome,” the minister said. “I wish you all the best.” He then took off up toward the street, past the patrol cars and blacked out Chevy parked in the lot.
Will and Aleister were about as far away from each other as it was possible to be as they took up their seats, waiting for Katriane to return.
India looked up and down the section of the beach she was responsible for, to see there was nobody there, just as she’d hoped. Though technically she wasn’t meant to leave the beach, she could go up and sit in Xavier’s patrol car for a moment or two. It faced the shore, so as long as she kept her eyes open she’d still be able to do her job. And should anything happen, her magical powers could come to the rescue.
“Indie,” Xavier said, beaming from ear to ear as she came into the parking lot.
“Hey.” She couldn’t keep a grin from her lips either. Even though she and Xavier had been official for nearly a year now, it still felt brand new sometimes. She slid into the passenger seat of his patrol car. “They only sent you and Curtis?” She nodded back to the young cop who sat in another police vehicle.
Xavier rolled his eyes. “Don’t think the department is taking the threats seriously, shall we say. They said if I see anything, to radio them. They even sent us out in separate cars, so one of us can get out of here if there’s another call.”
“Maybe that’s why Aleister looked so annoyed.”
“Aleister Hooper-Walcott,” Xavier said in a grand tone. “The chicken tycoon of the sunshine state.”
India giggled. “Chicken tycoon?”
“Sure. See the chicken we get on our pizza in Frankie’s? That’ll be a Hooper chicken. Plus about every other piece of chicken you can get your hands on in the state. Kosher, Halal, whatever, he’s got it covered.”
“So that’s how he made his money?” India said with a laugh. “I expected him to be something more glamorous, like a luxury hotelier.”
“Nope. Plain old chicken.”
“Wow.” India made sure to check there was no one on the beach. Thankfully it was clear. “You know, Cecelia ran out of the wedding crying and Katriane was a real brat about it.”
“Wouldn’t you be?” Xavier said, giving her a teasing nudge. “It’s my party and I’ll cry if I want to, and all that.”
India laughed. “No, it was really bad.”
Xavi
er had his window rolled all the way down, and the sound of running footsteps on the gravel made them turn their heads. The two young men were sprinting away from the complex, kicking up dust with their Converse.
“Oh! I forgot to tell you!” India said. The men jumped into the Chevy, then cranked it up and took off at lightning speed. “They were acting kind of weird before the wedding. They were here for ages and then they went around back of one of the cottages, but I couldn’t find them.”
Xavier frowned in his rearview mirror, watching the car zooming off down the street. “Doesn’t look good.”
“Hey, hey!” Harry ran out of the complex, his face pale and haggard. He called after the car, then turned to Xavier and India. “Katriane’s dead, and those boys killed her!” Tears shone in his eyes. “They shot her!”
“What?” India said.
Xavier didn’t waste a moment. Within a moment the engine was on, his blue light was flashing, and he was ready to go. “India, I need to go.”
“I’m coming with you.”
Xavier sighed, exasperated, then radioed in a message to the station.
“Please,” India said. “I want to be a private detective. Isn’t this the kind of thing they do?”
“It’s dangerous, In.”
But India had already made up her mind. “Sorry, Zave, but I’m not moving. If anything happens to me, it’s all on me, okay?”
