“That doesn’t sound good, but I have complete confidence in you, Aunt Maxine, that you’ll find a way to intervene.”
“Shouldn’t you be concerned about where Pansy is?” Noah asked.
“He was around before we went in search of Tara,” Petunia reminded him.
“Not for long, though. Of all your cats, he’s the most mischievous.”
“You’re exactly right about that,” Petunia said, as they left.
“Shouldn’t we have asked your aunt if she had any of that antidote left in case Kelly was poisoned?” Noah asked, as he climbed into the car.
Petunia slid in and said, “Let’s hope that isn’t the case. We don’t need another hair growth problem among the staff of the cat show. I’m waiting for a hail storm to happen at any moment.”
“We better get to the country club and fast.”
All Petunia could think about on the way was how on earth she would be able to fix Aunt Maxine’s potion debacle. She couldn’t undo it herself, although she did use a portion of Petunia’s potion. Or Petunia could whip up a batch herself that might be able to alter the effects.
Noah drove along Lake Forest and the lake was beautiful, but free of tourists. Were that many people going to the cat show today?
“Did you happen to notice that the contestants of the cat show had greatly diminished?” Noah asked.
“Actually, I wasn’t paying that much attention, but after the poisoning it’s understandable. Mr. Calhoun mentioned that himself.”
“I wonder what it will mean for him if the cat show is ruined?”
“He’ll be out a chunk of money and the residents of Lake Forest will be quite upset. It’s not everyday we get the chance to do something like that,” Petunia said.
Noah and Petunia approached the main counter of the country club where a blonde with a bob cut was blabbing on the phone about the problems at the cat show.
Petunia tapped her fingernails on the counter until the woman hung up.
“Can I help you?” she asked coolly.
“Yes, we’re here to see Kelly Newhart, if you can point us in the direction of her room.”
Her eyes widened. “Why would I want to do that, Petunia Patterson? Do you plan on casting a spell on the poor woman?”
Petunia then recognized the woman as none other than Robin Bridgewater, who didn’t care much for Petunia or her aunt. Robin hated that Lake Forest had witches running amuck, or so she said to anyone who would listen.
“No but I might cast a spell on you,” Petunia began, rustling in her purse. “Now,
where did I put my wand?”
Robin’s eyes widened. “Room twelve at the top of the stairs.”
Chapter 13
Petunia lightly knocked on the door of room twelve. She looked up the cream-colored hallway with golden light holders covered with greenery. Just as the door swung open, Petunia’s nose twitched and she sneezed, causing cascading bubbles to appear and blow into Kelly’s room. Kelly stood in the doorway, staring first at Petunia and then at the bubbles.
“Y-You’re a witch?” Kelly shrieked, her hands shaking as she attempted to close the door, but Petunia quickly put her foot in the way.
“Witches in Lake Forest?” Petunia laughed hysterically. “Whoever told you that?”
“The woman at the counter told me all about a Patterson family in town. She said the people are hideous witches. Did you know they poisoned the champagne at the cat show?”
“Hideous?” Petunia blurted out. “I hardly think—”
“What makes you think witches were responsible for the poisoning?” Noah interjected.
“The woman downstairs told me that after I told her what happened at the cat show.”
“Can we please come inside? We’d like to ask you a few questions about what happened yesterday,” Petunia implored.
“What about the bubbles?”
“I’m sure they won’t cause you any problems and neither will I.”
Kelly opened the door further and they hurried inside before she decided to slam the door shut. Kelly then glanced up at the bubbles. “They are kind of pretty … the bubbles, I mean.”
“I hope you don’t let Robin downstairs jade your stay here in Lake Forest.”
“I suppose I’m easy to lead in the paranormal department. I grew up in a house full of ghosts.”
“Let’s get back to why we’re really here,” Noah exclaimed. “Were you aware that the champagne you served was poisoned?”
Kelly plopped down on a chair. “Gosh, no. I imagine you must think I’m responsible since I was serving the champagne. The sheriff certainly does. He grilled me for quite a time this morning. He took my fingerprints even.”
“Wouldn’t your fingerprints be on the bottles and glasses when you served the champagne, or didn’t you actually pour the champagne?” Petunia asked.
“I poured it all right, but I didn’t open the bottles.”
“Who opened the bottles?” Noah inquired.
“You know I’m not certain with the crowd that was lingering around. I heard the tops being popped opened, but I was too busy setting up the glasses. Someone handed me the champagne.”
“Surely you must have known who handed you the champagne,” Petunia insisted.
Kelly’s face went blank for a moment before she said, “I remember, it was one of the entrants, Mrs. Tuddlington. She was quite eager to have a glass of champagne.”
Petunia exchanged a look with Noah. “That’s a new name for us and I don’t recall a Mrs. Tuddlington being poisoned. Are you certain she had a glass of champagne?”
“I’m quite sure.”
“What about you, Kelly?” Noah began. “Did you have a glass of champagne, too?”
“Oh, no. Mr. Calhoun would have a fit, but the truth is I don’t care for champagne. It tastes nasty to me.”
“I can agree with that,” Petunia said. “Do you remember anything that might help us figure out who would poison the champagne?”
“I’m sorry, but I can’t imagine anyone doing something so diabolical as this. This has put a damper on the cat show. Mr. Calhoun called me not ten minutes ago, telling me that if any more contestants dropped out of the show, he’d be forced to cancel the event.”
“That’s not fair to everyone who hasn’t withdrawn their cats from the competition,” Petunia exclaimed.
“That’s what I told him and he felt quite bad about it, but what is he supposed to do under the circumstances?”
“How well do you know Mr. Calhoun?” Noah asked with furrowed brow.
“I don’t know what you mean?”
“Certainly you must know what I mean. It’s not unheard of to be romantically involved with the grand marshal of the cat show.”
“Now, Noah,” Petunia scolded him. “Not everyone would have a fling with their boss. He already seems to be quite busy in that respect.”
Kelly sighed. “Mr. Calhoun has always been nice to me and he paid for me to come here. Not every man his age is running after younger women.”
“I see,” Petunia said. “Is there anyone else who was involved with him?”
“Melanie has been sneaking around with him. It’s quite obvious they’re somehow involved, but I’m not sure whether anyone else has noticed it or not.”
“So they’re being somewhat discrete about it?” Noah asked.
“I’d say yes, since I caught them by accident a few times kissing at a show.”
“What do you know about Tara Ingram?”
Kelly rolled her eyes. “Mr. Calhoun told me all about her, the mysterious daughter who showed up out of the blue? She’s after Mr. Calhoun’s money, if you ask me. He doesn’t have a wife or children. Why, if he doesn’t have a will, she might walk away with everything. He mentioned that he doesn’t much care for lawyers.”
“Wow, you certainly know a lot about Mr. Calhoun,” Petunia remarked. “For only an employee.”
Kelly frowned. “I don’t think I like how you s
aid that.” She then stood up. “I think it’s time for you both to leave.”
“I apologize,” Petunia said quickly. “I suppose it’s not a crime to gossip.”
“Not that I’m aware of,” Kelly said, leading the way to the door.
“Kelly certainly brought up a few interesting points,” Petunia said once they were back in the car.
“Yes, although I’d have loved it if she knew who opened that champagne.”
“So, are we going back to the show or checking out the place that bottled the champagne?”
“At this point I think we should head back and find this Mrs. Tuddlington,” Noah suggested, “unless you have another suggestion.”
“Not really. Besides, I’d like to know how many people did withdraw from the cat show.”
Petunia admired the scenery of the main drag of Lake Forest, which consisted of quaint brick buildings that housed the many businesses, from bistros to drug stores. Why, even Mystical Remedies had the same red brick with a black fire escape that ran along the side of the building, although nobody lived on the second floor.
Noah pulled into a parking space in the back of the building where the cat show was being held. “Are we back here for a reason?” Petunia asked.
“Actually, yes. I thought it might be a great idea to see what we can find from this vantage point.”
“Great idea, Noah. I wonder if they keep the back doors locked?”
“I suppose we’ll find out.”
Noah and Petunia tried the back door and it was indeed unlocked! “It seems to me anyone could have entered the building,” Petunia pointed out.
They moved up the hallway and passed an office where Mr. Calhoun sat, his hands on his head. “Is everything okay?” Petunia asked.
Mr. Calhoun glanced up with actual tears shining in his eyes. “It’s over, the cat show is cancelled. I’ve never had to cancel a show before.”
Petunia bit a fist. “Why did you cancel the cat show? Surely not everyone pulled out their cats from the competition.”
“Not everyone, but enough did where it wouldn’t be worth it. Besides, I’ve been told by the sheriff that the residents of Lake Forest are boycotting the cat show.”
“Because of the poisonings, no doubt,” Noah said.
“Yes, bad word certainly travels fast in this small town, but I can’t say I blame them.” Mr. Calhoun wiped a hand over his chin hair.
Petunia swallowed hard. She didn’t recall his chin looking quite so hairy earlier.
“So, what are you going to do now?”
“Not much I can do at this point except pack up and go home.”
“I’m so sorry, Mr. Calhoun.”
“Don’t blame yourself, dear. It’s apparent that someone meant to ruin this show. If only I knew who.”
“If it means anything to you, we’d still like to find out who,” Petunia said.
Mr. Calhoun glanced behind them with a shake of his head.
Petunia turned to find a red-faced woman with a bouffant hairstyle standing there, tapping her foot. She had dark hair streaked with several strands of gray hair. “I hope you plan to give all the people their money back, Jay.”
“I suppose you’ll insist on it. This will certainly ruin me, but I imagine you’ll be happy about that, Mrs. Tuddlington. You’ve been wanting to replace me for years.”
“It’s about time, don’t you think, Jay? You’re simply not quite grand marshal material any more. My cat show in Eastwood is much better attended than any of yours.”
“That’s not true. I’ve always had record-breaking attendance and national champion cats.”
“So, it was you who sabotaged this cat show? We’re aware that you opened the bottles of champagne right before it was poured into the glasses,” Petunia said.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about, young lady, but apparently someone filled your head with nonsense.”
“Actually, I have witnesses who saw you open the champagne and hand it off to be poured,” Petunia suggested.
“I imagine Sheriff Pinkerton has already checked the cameras by now,” Noah added with a shrug.
“Wh-What cameras? Lake Forest businesses can’t afford cameras,” Mrs. Tuddlington declared.
“How would you know, Mrs. Tuddlington? You don’t live here,” Petunia added. She pulled out her cell phone and called the sheriff.
“What did you do that for?” Mrs. Tuddlington asked, as she shuffled backwards.
“Where are you going, Mrs. Tuddlington?” Mr. Calhoun asked. “It would be embarrassing if you weren’t here when the sheriff arrived. What if he blabbed all over the radio that he was in pursuit of you? Why, everyone in Lake Forest would hear it on their scanners.”
A range of emotions displayed on Mrs. Tuddlington’s contorting face, from disgust to fear, as if she was caught.
“I believe I left my insulin in the car,” she said, racing for the back door.
Mrs. Tuddlington was stopped by Tara, who waltzed in the door with Sheriff Pinkerton. “I believe this is your culprit,” Tara insisted. “I knew once she got word that the show was cancelled she’d show her face to rub it in to my father before she left.”
“She’s the one who opened the champagne,” Petunia added. “She then handed it to the girl who poured and served it.”
“And here I thought the Lake Forest Winery was the guilty party,” Pinkerton said. “I’ll have to ask you to come to the station, Mrs. Tuddlington, so we can sort this out.”
“Fine, but you have the wrong person. If I poisoned the champagne, how come I didn’t fall ill because I certainly drank it.”
“Your drink must have come from a bottle you didn’t poison,” Petunia suggested.
“Thank you, Petunia, for calling me. I was just informed that the other bottles of champagne I confiscated earlier weren’t tainted.” When Mrs. Tuddlington didn’t move, Pinkerton asked, “Are you coming or would you like me to place you under arrest?”
“Fine, I’ll go, but only if I can drive myself there.” Mrs. Tuddlington sighed. She then turned to Petunia, Noah, and Mr. Calhoun. “You’ll all regret doing this when you find out just how wrong you are about the poisonings.”
“If you have something to say, I’m willing to listen,” Noah said.
Mrs. Tuddlington turned on her heels and marched out the door with Sheriff Pinkerton on her tail.
“I told you it would all work out Mr. Calhoun,” Tara said.
“You can call me dad if you’d like, since it’s been proven that you’re my daughter.”
“We should give you some time to yourselves,” Noah said. “I’m sure you have a lot to talk about.”
“I’d like to thank you both for everything you’ve done,” Mr. Calhoun said. “Of course my daughter is one smart cookie, too.”
“How did you figure out what Mrs. Tuddlington was up to, Tara?” Petunia asked.
“Melanie told me that Tracy mentioned that she saw Mrs. Tuddlington open the champagne and it looked like she might have slipped something into it.”
“Where is Tracy?” Petunia asked.
“I don’t really know, why?”
“How well do you know Tracy?”
“Tracy has always been so kind to me since I showed up. Not too many people were. I only hope that you’re ready to tell everyone that I’m really your daughter, dad.”
“You’ve never really been a secret, everyone who matters knows the truth. I just didn’t think it was a good idea to tell people that I left your mother when I found out she was with child all those years ago. I’m not the stand-up man people think I am, but I’m glad I was able to mend fences with you, Tara.”
Petunia and Noah left and Merlin and Pansy blocked them from entering the main room of the hall. Each of them was in a fighting pose, but they never got much of a chance to brawl as Petunia picked up Merlin and Noah pulled Pansy up by the scruff of his neck.
“Let me go, you lug-head!” Pansy roared, trying to claw Noah.
“Perhaps you should give Pansy to me, Noah.”
“Not going to happen. This cat needs to go straight into the kennel.”
“You’re going to hurt him carrying him around like that.”
“Help!” Pansy shrieked, as he was carried a short distance and placed in the kennel.
“Are you okay, Pansy?” Petunia cooed to him from the outside of the kennel, nearly receiving a paw full of raised claws right in her face. Fortunately, she abruptly pulled away from the kennel before he got his claws in her. “You need to calm down, Pansy.”
“You need to let me out of here, Red. I can’t stand small spaces and I have to help you solve this case.”
“Since when did you want to help doing that? You’ve been off running around.”
“Fine, but you’ll be sorry when you get yourselves into trouble. I won’t help you!”
Chapter 14
Petunia smiled as she strolled over to where Hazel and Mr. Cooper were laughing.
“Do you happen to know where my aunt is?”
“In case you didn’t notice, she’s gone. Wanda and your aunt went with Estelle and Maria to get electrolysis done today. Apparently they have a hair growth problem on their chins and faces.”
Petunia frowned. “That doesn’t sound good.”
“You could say that and from the narrowed-eye looks Estelle and Maria shot your aunt, I believe our truce might be over.”
“I can’t leave my cats here, though.”
“We’ll watch over your cats,” Mr. Cooper said. “At least I don’t have to get them out of a tree.” He laughed.
Petunia hurried into the brick building where the electrolysis center was located. She practically ran into Maria, who stood near the door, glaring at Petunia.
“Well, look who’s here, Mother,” Maria said.
Petunia moved further into the room and gasped at the sight of Estelle, who had hairs popping out everywhere … her brow … her cheeks … her lips!
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