Witch in the Dell--And 2 New Mini Mysteries

by Cate Dean

“Aunt Irene? Are you okay?” She gripped Spencer’s arm. “Aunt Irene!”

  “What is it?”

  “She told me to run.” Her grip tightened, fear racing through her. “She’s in trouble, Spencer.”

  “Let’s go around back. If someone’s with her, they won’t know we’re here yet. Come on.”

  He took her hand, and they headed around the side of the house, using the tall hedge that bordered her aunt’s property to hide them from anyone looking out a window. Maggie’s hand shook in his, fear like she’d never known driving her forward.

  If anything happened to her aunt—

  Don’t even think it.

  She shut down her panicked thoughts and focused on not tripping as Spencer hauled her around the hedge, stopping at the corner of the house.

  “I am going in alone,” he whispered. “I want you to—ˮ

  “Not staying out here.”

  “Maggie—ˮ

  She tightened her grip on his hand. “I’m going with you.”

  “All right.”

  He crept along the back of the house, toward the door. Aunt Irene’s voice froze them, Spencer’s hand on the latch.

  “I do not have whatever it is you’re after, Jasper Noble.”

  “Maybe you’ll be changing your tune when your pretty little niece walks in.”

  Spencer glanced back at Maggie, squeezing her hand.

  “My niece is smart enough to leave when I warn her.”

  “You’re fortunate I didn’t shoot you for that.”

  “Please, Jasper. You have as much courage as the roses in my backyard. Less, since they have thorns as protection.”

  Maggie smothered a gasp when she heard the sound of a slap.

  “Where’s the necklace?”

  “Go,” Maggie whispered. “Please, Spence, he’s going to hurt her!”

  Swallowing, Spencer nodded, and pushed the latch.

  Aunt Irene wasn’t in the kitchen, like Maggie expected. Holding tightly to Spencer’s hand, she followed him across the kitchen, stopping at one side of the doorway. He inched his head around the doorframe—and jerked back, his face white.

  “They’re in the hall,” he whispered.

  That explained her voice carrying. The long, narrow hall was like a sound chamber.

  “What do we do?” she whispered back.

  “His back is to us. We can surprise him. Wait for any possible reaction before joining me. And stay behind me, Maggie.”

  She nodded, and let go of his hand, as much as she wanted to keep gripping it. If something happened, Spencer would need to be free to act.

  He slipped around the doorframe, and Maggie took a deep, quiet breath, waiting. When she heard nothing but Jasper’s harsh breaths, she joined Spencer.

  Aunt Irene faced them, an ugly red mark on her left cheek. She kept her gaze on the shorter man in front of her, but Maggie knew by her clenched fist that she’d seen them. Spencer tensed, and rushed forward. Before he could reach Jasper, Aunt Irene sprang forward, slamming into Jasper.

  “Run, Maggie!”

  Jasper grunted and hit Aunt Irene with the revolver in his hand, knocking her to the floor. She froze when he turned and aimed it at them.

  “Hello, Maggie. Your aunt and I were just talking about you.”

  Spencer stumbled back, putting himself between Maggie and the weapon. “You won’t touch her!”

  “Knight, isn’t it? John’s son.” Spencer lifted his chin, not saying a word, but Maggie felt him trembling under her hand. “I’d hate to have the police tell him that his only child was killed because he was stubborn. Now, stand aside, so I can speak with Maggie.”

  “Not a bloody chance.”

  “Your choice, boy.”

  Jasper cocked the hammer.

  “No!” Maggie moved to Spencer’s side, just enough for Jasper to see her. “I’m right here. You don’t have to hurt anyone else.” She glanced down at Aunt Irene, her heart pounding when she saw blood on her aunt’s cheek. “What do you want?” She knew, but she needed to stall.

  “You found the Pharaoh’s Eye. It belongs to me.”

  Maggie swallowed, inching her mobile out of her coat pocket. Standing partly behind Spencer helped cover the movement, and she was going to talk over any possible response to her call.

  “Answer me,” Jasper said, anger snapping through his voice.

  “I—ˮ She heard a voice on the other end of the line, and started talking. “I don’t have the necklace, Jasper Noble, so it’s not here for you to steal.”

  “It belongs to me!”

  “That’s a matter of opinion.” Maggie could hardly believe how calm she sounded. She kept channeling her mother, using the same courtroom voice she’d heard so many times. Spencer stared at her, then over his shoulder, stilling when he saw the mobile. “From what I read, your ancestor stole it from Cameron, so, technically, it doesn’t belong to you.”

  “What the—I will not have a child lecture me. I want the necklace.” He lifted the revolver, and to her horror, pointed it at Aunt Irene. “Now.”

  “I told you, it’s not in Aunt Irene’s house.” She heard a muffled curse from her mobile, and covered it with a cough. Now she had to keep Jasper busy until the police could get here. “Stop pointing that revolver at her.”

  “Stop telling me what to do!” His temper was flaring, and it terrified her. “Tell me where it is, now. Or I can’t guarantee your aunt will survive the next few minutes.”

  “Okay.”

  Spencer stared at her, and she tried to convey with a look that she knew what she was doing. Maybe.

  “Where is it?”

  “I have to show you. I hid it in a safe place. Aunt Irene didn’t know, so don’t glare at her.”

  Jasper’s nostrils flared, but he finally moved his revolver. Her relief died quickly when it shifted to Spencer.

  “Both of you, move slowly. If I think anything is wrong, or that I’m being set up, one of you will pay. Understood?”

  They both nodded, and Spencer turned, keeping Maggie in front of him. She headed for the back door, panicking. Where would she...

  The answer appeared when she stepped outside. The carriage house. Where Aunt Irene stored her latest finds, and extra stock for her consignment shop.

  Maggie had spent more than a few hours exploring it, and she knew right where she could lead Jasper, and maybe, have a chance for her and Spencer to get away from him.

  When they reached the sliding door to the carriage house, Maggie had to put away her mobile, and hope that the police had heard enough. She made sure to disconnect the call, so there wouldn’t be any sounds to alert Jasper to the fact that she had a phone.

  She got the mobile hidden just in time; Jasper shoved past Spencer and opened the door, standing in the doorway.

  “Bloody hell. How do you find anything in this mess?”

  “It’s perfectly organized, if you know what you’re looking for.” Maggie moved past Jasper, not surprised when he grabbed her arm. His grip still had her jerking, and he hauled her closer.

  “One misstep, and—ˮ

  “I know. I’ll need to able to walk, without running into anything.”

  “Fine.” He let her go, and grabbed Spencer, pressing the revolver against his side. “Walk slowly, Maggie, touch nothing, and keep your hands in sight.”

  She nodded, glancing at Spencer before she turned. He nodded, slightly, enough for her to see it. Trembling with nerves, she held her hands out to her side, and led the way into the carriage house.

  ***

  Maggie’s hands shook so badly, she was afraid she might knock over anything she touched. But she had to keep them in plain sight, so she made sure she didn’t brush against any of Aunt Irene’s treasures. Her huge Victorian was neat, but the carriage house always looked like it had been picked up and tossed around.

  Narrow pathways had been created through the jumble. It was a dream come true for Maggie, who had always loved thrift stores. She headed to the
back corner, and hoped that her wild, dangerous plan worked.

  “Where the bloody hell are you taking me?” Jasper’s angry voice made her jump.

  She glanced over her shoulder, careful not to meet Spencer’s eyes. “I hid it in the back, so my aunt wouldn’t find it.”

  “Clever girl. She would have taken it straight to the police.”

  Swallowing, Maggie moved a little faster. Aunt Irene could be dying, while she played a dangerous game with an armed thief. Her heart started pounding harder as they reached the back of the carriage house.

  “It’s behind this.” She pointed at a tall cabinet, and the space next to it she could just fit through.

  “Go on, get it.” He moved the revolver from Spencer’s side, waving it. “I don’t have the luxury of—ˮ

  “Down, Maggie!”

  She grabbed Spencer and dropped to the ground, just before Aunt Irene smacked Jasper on the back of the head with a table leg.

  Jasper stumbled forward, slamming into the cabinet face first.

  Spencer caught her arm and dragged her backward as the thief toppled. His revolver flew, landing next to Aunt Irene’s foot.

  “Aunt Irene—ˮ Maggie scrambled to her feet. “Are you okay?”

  Blood stained one side of her aunt’s face, but she grinned at Maggie, a fierce grin that would have terrified her, if she didn’t know her aunt.

  “I am fine. Furious, but just fine.” She picked up the revolver, glancing over her shoulder at the sound of sirens approaching. “You rang the police?”

  “Kind of.” She twisted her hands together, bracing herself for a verbal punishment, at least. “I dialed the station, and left the line open so they could hear what was happening.”

  “My smart, brave girl.” Aunt Irene pulled Maggie into a quick embrace, reaching out to include Spencer. “I am so proud of you. I never want you to put yourself in that kind of danger again.” She leaned back, her blue eyes narrowed. “Are we clear, Margaret?”

  Maggie flinched at her full name, and nodded. “I don’t want to be in that kind of danger ever again.”

  “She was so calm, Ms. Mulgrew,” Spencer said. He studied Maggie, admiration on his face. “I was on the edge of panic, but she talked to Jasper like they were sitting down to tea.”

  Maggie shook her head. “I’ve never been so scared.”

  “I didn’t see it.” Spencer took her hand, smiling at her. “You were brilliant, Mags.”

  “Thanks, Spence.”

  “Out of the carriage house, now, both of you. I will stand watch over Jasper until—ah, there they are.” Two constables appeared, obviously following their voices to the back. “He is right here, Terry.”

  “All right, Irene?”

  She touched her face, looking at the blood on her fingers. “I will be, as soon as you take this garbage off my property. He was here for the Pharaoh’s Eye, so let your DI know we caught his suspect.”

  “Not on speaking terms again, Irene?” Terry winked at her, and she smiled.

  “He got his nose out of joint when I figured out who had stolen the idol from St Mary’s.”

  Maggie looked from her aunt to the constable, Terry, her eyes wide. Aunt Irene solved mysteries? Spencer nudged her, nodding when she turned to him.

  “Wow,” she whispered, following him out of the carriage house. “I didn’t know.”

  “She’s rather famous for her deductions.” Spencer led her to the bench under the huge tree and sat with her. “It drives the new DI mad.”

  “I read mysteries all the time. It drives my parents crazy.”

  “I don’t think I want to meet your parents. No offense.”

  “Not offended. They’d never step foot here, so you won’t have to worry about that.” She let out a sigh, and Spencer draped his arm over her shoulders.

  “All right, Mags?”

  “Home will never be the same, not after this summer.”

  “You’ll be coming back next summer, right?” He sounded a little panicked.

  “Nothing will keep me away.”

  “Excellent.” He gave her the smile that would start breaking hearts soon. “I will spend the time planning all sorts of adventures for us.”

  “As long as they don’t involve mysterious necklaces, or thieves with weapons, I’m good.”

  He squeezed her before letting go. “I’ll do my best.”

  Laughing, she shook her head—and jumped to her feet when Aunt Irene walked out of the carriage house. Behind her, Terry and the other constable held a cuffed and cursing Jasper. He lunged forward when he spotted Maggie.

  “You—ˮ

  Aunt Irene stepped in front of him, her arms crossed. Maggie could tell from the way Jasper flinched that her aunt was giving him her best icy glare.

  “I will be down to the station to press assault charges, Terry.”

  “I’ll tell the DI to expect you.” He smiled at Aunt Irene, then hauled Jasper around the side of the house.

  “I believe I need to sit for a moment.” Aunt Irene swayed, and Maggie bolted forward. Spencer beat her, wrapping his arm around Aunt Irene and leading her to the bench. “Thank you, dear boy. I will be fine, Maggie, so stop twisting your hands. Head wounds bleed profusely, even minor wounds.”

  Maggie shook her aching hands out and moved to Aunt Irene. “I was so afraid for you,” she whispered.

  “Yet, you were able to lead Jasper on a merry chase, occupying him until the police could arrive.”

  “Or one furious aunt, with a table leg.”

  They smiled at each other, and Aunt Irene held her arms out. Maggie sank to the bench and leaned into her aunt, feeling safe and loved. Spencer sat next to her, and she held out her hand, pulling him in.

  Finally, Aunt Irene freed her, and pushed to her feet. “Come and help me clean up, Maggie. We will go to the station together; the DI will want your statement. Yours, as well, Spencer. Ring your parents, let them know you will be at the station soon, and they can meet us there.”

  He stared at her, his blue eyes wide. “I don’t—they don’t have to know what happened.”

  “Of course they do. You were incredibly brave, young man, standing by my Maggie. Your parents will be more proud than angry.”

  Spencer mumbled under his breath, but he nodded and headed inside.

  “They won’t be mad at him, will they?”

  Aunt Irene pulled Maggie into her side. “No more than any parent who learns their only child has been held at gunpoint. Don’t worry, Maggie. The Knights are used to Spencer getting into scrapes. He is an inquisitive lad, but a smart one. This will give them pause, but I will fill in what Spencer may be afraid or too shy to tell them. He will be fine.”

  “I don’t want him to get in trouble.”

  “What about you, Maggie?”

  She stared up at her aunt. “I—I’ll take whatever punishment you think I deserve.”

  Aunt Irene didn’t say a word as they headed into the house. Maggie figured she was trying to decide what kind of punishment would fit—and almost jumped a foot when Aunt Irene finally spoke.

  “Look at me, Maggie.” She stopped in the hall, turning Maggie and taking her hands. “I can’t punish you for wanting to protect me, my sweet girl. I needed to keep you safe, by trying to warn you.”

  “And I wouldn’t have left, Aunt Irene. I love you,” Maggie whispered.

  “I love you, Maggie.” She cradled Maggie’s cheek, her eyes warm. “I did not know what to expect, with your mother’s powerful influence, but you are a compassionate, kind, selfless person. I think you will be fine, my dear, and make your own way in the world.”

  Tears filled Maggie’s eyes, and she freed her hands so she could hug her aunt. She never cried—at least not in front of anyone else—and it felt oddly freeing to know she could, and not feel like she was disappointing someone.

  Somehow, Aunt Irene got her to the lounge and on the sofa, cradling her as she cried.

  Finally, exhausted and a little embarrassed,
Maggie eased back and wiped at her face with the cuff of her shirt.

  “Here.” Aunt Irene handed her a linen handkerchief, and rubbed her back as she blew her nose. “Better?”

  “Yeah. I’m sorry.”

  “Whatever for, child? Crying is a way to cleanse ourselves, release built up emotion. Never apologize for the way you feel, Maggie. Not here.”

  “Okay. Thank you,” she whispered.

  Aunt Irene squeezed her before she let go. “Come and help me look human again.”

  “Oh—I’m so sorry—”

  “No need, dear. My head won’t ache any less because the blood is gone. Before you say anything, I already phoned my doctor. He is meeting us at the station.”

  “Good.” Maggie handed her the handkerchief and stood. “Let’s get you cleaned up.”

  She helped Aunt Irene stand, wrapping her arm around her aunt’s waist when she swayed a little.

  “Mags!” Spencer appeared, moving to Aunt Irene’s other side. “You all right, Ms. Mulgrew?”

  “Nothing a strong dose of aspirin won’t cure. Thank you for your concern, Spencer.” Aunt Irene flinched, and Maggie moved faster, heading for the downstairs bathroom.

  To her delight, she found that her aunt was a terrible patient.

  By the time she and Spencer finished, Aunt Irene was squirming and complaining.

  “Hold still,” Maggie said, adding tape to the end of the folded bandage. “I’m almost done.”

  “Fine,” Aunt Irene muttered, and Maggie smiled over her head at Spencer.

  His wide grin had her fighting a laugh. She knew her aunt was going to be okay, that they would all be okay. Giving a statement to the police made her nervous, but with Spencer and Aunt Irene supporting her, Maggie knew she could do anything.

  ***

  The mystery of the wounded man was solved three days later, when he finally woke up at the nearby hospital. Terry, the constable Maggie had met when Jasper Noble had threatened them, showed up at Aunt Irene’s shop to give them the news.

  “Turns out that he’s Michael Cameron, descended from the Cameron.”

  “Why was he in the graveyard?” Maggie could hardly contain herself, and the question burst out before she could stop it.

  Terry smiled at her. “He was there to meet Jasper, and buy the Pharaoh’s Eye from him. Michael wanted it to return to the family.”