Mystics are Murder (Bijoux Mystery Series Book 2)

by Teri Barnett

  “Mind if I join you?” Dave asked. “I always enjoy hearing stories from real psychics.”

  “Sure, why not? I haven’t been doing this long, but I do have some juicy gossip,” Rocky answered and the pair moved to an open table in the corner of the bar.

  Morgan watched Rocky for a moment, then turned back to the bar and her food. There’d be time tomorrow for more questions, but she needed to get organized in her mind first. Maybe take another look at the purple wizard van, see if she and JJ missed anything that could point directly to Rocky’s potential involvement.

  “Huh. Guess those three didn’t think we were good company,” Cal said.

  “You’re not,” Morgan said as she squirted ketchup onto her plate.

  “He left because Morgan’s such a cop sometimes.” Frankie winked at Morgan. “He was getting ready to start hitting on our friend before you, that psychic showed up.” Frankie paused. “Do psychics have groupies? Because I’m pretty sure that’s what Jimmy is.”

  “No idea. And for heaven’s sake. Why would you say that guy was going to ask me out? That’s not at all what happened.”

  Frankie pointed at her head. “Bartender’s intuition. I see it all the time.”

  “Yeah, I don’t think so. But Doc Pete is another story. He did ask me out. At least I think he did.” She rubbed her forehead. “It’s been so long since I had a date, literally a decade I’m not sure I can recognize the signs anymore.”

  Frankie and Cal leaned toward Morgan at the same time. “Details.” Frankie demanded.

  “What exactly did he say?” Cal asked. He leaned even closer.

  Morgan instinctively moved slightly away from Cal. She was used to being the interrogator, not the interrogatee. There was an intensity in Cal’s tone that told her the tables had definitely shifted. She met his gaze, and it took a couple of heartbeats before she could look away. Her stomach flipped again. Damn him. “Just something like, want to grab a coffee or beer sometime?”

  “Sounds date-like,” Frankie said. “So, what was your answer?”

  “I asked him if he was asking me out. Then Gris let out a bloodcurdling howl and the tone of the conversation changed.” Morgan shrugged. “How weird is that?”

  “I’ll tell you what’s weird,” Cal said in a blunt tone. “You asking Doc Pete if he was asking you out.” He shook his head.

  Morgan squared her shoulders. “And why is that weird?”

  “Don’t take offense.” He sighed. “Look, you’re one of the smartest humans I know. You miss absolutely nothing when you’re in cop mode. Drop into normal person mode, though, and it’s like you don’t know how to function.” He leaned back in his chair and took a drink. “I’m not criticizing, mind you. Just an observation. I sometimes even like that side of you.” He smiled.

  “Wow,” Frankie said. “You hit the nail on the head Cal. Although I would add that she’s a bit better now than when we were kids. But only a bit.” Frankie smiled at her friend. “I think she was born to be a cop.”

  Morgan huffed. “If you’re both done analyzing me, I’d like to eat my food in peace.”

  “And how often does that actually happen?” Cal asked as he grabbed a fry off her plate and took a bite. “Needs salt.”

  “If you even think about salting my food for me, I will break your arm”

  “Cal, don’t push it,” Frankie said. She exchanged a glance with Morgan. Long years of friendship meant Morgan didn’t need to say anything. Her eyes said it all. “Enough with the teasing, Morgan has a lot on her mind.”

  Cal cleared his throat and had the decency to look sheepish. He picked up his hard cider and took a long drink.

  Morgan gave Frankie a grateful smile. At least she could now eat her dinner in relative quiet. But that didn’t erase the fact she was dealing with another murderer in Bijoux. And it also didn’t erase the fact she’d been asked out on a date. For some reason the date thing was bothering her more at the moment. Maybe it was because it shook loose the cobwebs of the past and the fact she still hadn’t solved Ian’s murder. And she just couldn’t allow herself to move on until she did.

  Chapter Eight

  Morgan left the Perch Mouth around ten p.m. and headed for the lakeside cottage she’d inherited from her mom. Billie had loved this place and Morgan did too. It was starting to feel like home, now that she’d started painting and doing repairs. She was grateful her dad had taught her how to fix things; it meant she didn’t have to rely on anyone else. And the colors she used were ‘just right’ — traditional beachy tones of blue-green, soft white, with a pop of orange, inside and out.

  “I have just the spot for you when we get there,” Morgan said to Griselda. “My place isn’t big, but we’ll put your litterbox in the laundry room and your carrier in my bedroom. That way, you have a little hideaway if you feel the need to be alone.”

  Griselda mewed.

  “Exactly. I, too, understand the importance of personal space. Unlike most of the humans around me.” She frowned, then smiled. She was well aware she wore her gruffness like an armor. If she were going to be completely honest with herself, it was good to have friends and family who could see past it and love her anyway.

  Morgan pulled the truck up to the cottage, shut it off, and took the cat inside. Once loose, Gris ran a few laps through each of the rooms, then settled into Morgan’s favorite spot on the worn, brown leather sofa. “Hey, that’s where I sit.”

  Gris responded by licking her tail and immediately falling asleep. Morgan checked her watch. Ten thirty. “Okay. You can sleep there for now, but only because I’m heading for bed myself.”

  The cat opened one eye in response, sighed, and turned her head.

  Morgan rolled the tension out of her shoulders and headed for her bedroom. “Cats.”

  Morgan stood outside the front door of the police station at eight a.m. the next morning, debating how to get it open without dropping the cat carrier or litter box. She decided to give it a little kick. JJ jumped up from his desk, pushed the door open, and held it for Morgan. “That’s a lot of cat. And cat stuff.”

  “There’s more in the back of the truck. Would you please get it?” Morgan asked as she made her way through the station, hands still full. “I’m going to park the litter box and crate in the cell.”

  “Makes sense. It’s not like it really gets used all that much.” JJ retrieved the container of litter, food, and dishes and placed it on the cell cot.

  “Did you close the front door? I want to let Gris out so she can stretch those long legs of hers.”

  “Closed up tight.” JJ emptied the litter into the box and set it in the corner. He then proceeded to fill the bowls with dry food and water.

  “Hey, you’re good at this.”

  “Little Dog has trained me well.” Little Dog was JJ’s Chihuahua, confidante, and best friend. Aside from his girlfriend, Hannah, that is.

  Morgan opened the crate door and Griselda took a tentative step out. After being free to roam Morgan’s cottage last night, she wasn’t all that happy about being crated again. The cat stretched a single back leg, then bolted out of the cell. “Hey!” Morgan yelled.

  JJ shook his head. “It’s what cats do.” He pushed the crate under the cot. “Where did you get all this stuff? I don’t recall seeing any of it beyond the chow and crate in Edna’s van.”

  “Doc Pete. He gifted it all to me when I picked Gris up last night. Said something about wanting to help the police out.” Morgan shrugged. “It’s not like we have extra in the budget for cat things, so I accepted. He also found some blood on her claws and sent it in for DNA testing. Maybe we’ll get a lead.”

  “Ah, the vet.”

  “Why did you say it like that?”

  “I hear he’s sweet on you.”

  Morgan stopped arranging the cat stuff and turned to her deputy. “Where did you hear that?” Her eyes narrowed. “Who have you been talking to?”

  JJ held up his hands in surrender. “I saw Cal at Dave
’s when I was grabbing coffee this morning. He may have mentioned it.”

  Damn him. The man was always sticking his nose in where it did not belong. She crossed her arms and stared at JJ. “What else did he say?”

  JJ stared back. “Great news on the claw blood. For the rest, I plead the fifth,” he said and exited the cell. “Hey kitty, kitty. Where’d you go?”

  Morgan stomped to her desk and started to drop into her seat when she realized the cat had taken it over. And was snuggling Bubbles, one of her Powerpuff Girl figures. “Oh, no, we’re not going to play with those, Miss Gris,” she said as she carefully extracted it from the large paws. Morgan scratched behind Griselda’s ears. “And I need my seat, so go find somewhere else to sleep. If you recall, we’re working to find out who killed your person.”

  Griselda let out a soft mew and Morgan thought her heart was going to melt. She was definitely getting a cat after this case was solved. She considered the Maine Coon. Maybe, when this case is closed and if it’s all right with you, I’ll be your new person.

  “So how’d it go with the mayor yesterday?” JJ asked.

  Morgan grimaced as she booted up her desktop. “As well as can be expected. I’ll be happy when the election is over since it seems to be where he puts his priorities. He actually criticized us for not running enough patrols.” She threw JJ a glance over her shoulder. “Hey, didn’t you tell me once we had a group of volunteer deputies?”

  “Yeah, your dad started the program one summer during the Fourth of July parade. The town was split over the march route and arguments were heating up between the groups. Able brought in some volunteers to help keep the peace.” He looked over at Morgan. “That was the first and last time we used them, though.”

  “Well, we only need them to drive around at night, nothing else. Just a reassuring police presence.”

  “Okay, I’ll make some calls. Should I reach out to Arnie, too?” Arnie Hart was Morgan’s uncle and the county sheriff.

  “Let’s see how we do with the deputies first, though I appreciate the thought.” She smiled. “You’re the best, JJ.”

  JJ grinned. “Yes ma’am.”

  The station door opened and in walked Rennie, Davey Rocket, Daisy of the one first name, and Jack Steve of the two first names. “Can we help you?” JJ asked.

  “We are here to help you,” Jack replied and deposited a box of Hannah’s pastries and two coffees on the counter.

  Morgan approached the front counter and peered in the box. Bear claws. Her mouth watered, but she would not be bought so easily. She closed the box and crossed her arms over her chest. “Thank you for the coffee and donuts, but I thought I was pretty clear yesterday. None of you were to get involved.”

  “The L.A. police were a little hesitant at first to accept my help back in the ‘80s. Until I started leading them to bodies, that is.” Jack said.

  Morgan’s eyes narrowed. “And exactly how did you know where the bodies were?” she asked, wondering now if anyone had ever looked into Jack Steve’s background. She assumed the L.A. police did before hiring him, but she’d have to verify. Criminals were known to sometimes insert themselves into investigations. She made a mental note to do some research into the man.

  “It’s the cat.” Daisy interrupted, looking off into the distance. “She spoke to me last night.”

  The officers looked at each other, skepticism ran unspoken between them, then back at Daisy. Davey poked at her arm. “Go on, tell them what the beast told you.”

  “So, as I mentioned yesterday, besides being a regular-type psychic, I’m also a pet-type psychic. Sometimes animals tell me things. Griselda came to me in a dream.” She shivered. “She said Edna was strangled.” Daisy shook her head. “Poor thing saw it all. She tried to help Edna, but the killer was just too strong for her.”

  Morgan leaned forward. The confirmation that Edna had been murdered by strangulation hadn’t been released yet, only that a death had occurred. The blood on Griselda’s claws might confirm she had, indeed, tried to protect Edna. While she didn’t believe this woman could talk to animals, Daisy may have witnessed something and not realized it. Morgan had seen it before. The subconscious acting out. Or, maybe she knew more than she was letting on. “Anything else?”

  “That was all. I’d like a moment with the cat if that’s okay. If I touch her, maybe I can get more details.” She glanced around the station. “We stopped at the vet’s office first and he said Griselda was probably here.”

  JJ motioned to Morgan’s desk. “She’s in the captain’s chair over there.”

  Daisy walked up to Gris and crouched down, so she was looking eye to eye with the feline. Gris growled, low and deep. A cat warning if Morgan had ever heard one. “I’m not sure she wants you to bother her right now,” Morgan called out.

  “Nonsense. All animals love me,” Daisy said with a smile. She reached out to pet the cat and in the span of a heartbeat, Gris was up on all fours, fur on end, and hissing at the older woman.

  “Well, apparently you found one who doesn’t,” Morgan said.

  Daisy shook her head. “She’s so angry, there’s no way to get any information out of her right now.” She stood and straightened her patchwork maxi dress. “I’m positive it has nothing to do with me, though.”

  “Sure,” Morgan muttered. She turned to the other psychics. “Was there anything else? Aren’t you supposed to be over at the bookstore to look at the set up?”

  Davey checked his phone for the time. “We’ve reserved a spot, but I suppose we should get moving along. Daisy?”

  “The only image I’m getting is wax and tarot cards. Though she’s also wondering where Rocky is.” Daisy looked at Morgan. “They had a horrible sibling rivalry and Griselda is relieved to not be around him right now, so she can mourn in peace.” She continued to watch the cat. “Edna wasn’t always nice. I just know there’s more Griselda wants to tell me.” She sighed and walked back to her husband.

  “What do you mean?” Morgan asked, recalling the way Daisy had glared yesterday at the orientation when Jack said what a kind woman Edna was. “Did you two have an issue?”

  Daisy laughed and Morgan thought it sounded more than a little nervous. “What aren’t you telling me, Daisy?”

  Davey stepped forward. “No interrogation without legal representation.”

  Morgan crossed her arms. “I’m not interrogating. I’m simply asking questions based on her own words.”

  Daisy placed a hand on Davey’s arm. “It’s okay.” She squared her shoulders and held her arms out. “Go ahead. Arrest me. Pop those cuffs on.”

  “For what?!?” Morgan asked. “What are talking about?”

  “For whatever made up charge you have in mind to take me down.” Daisy looked Morgan up and down. “You and Edna. Just the same. Accusing when there’s no evidence of anything.”

  “What did Edna accuse you of?”

  “Making her coffee taste bad. People hated it, so came back to us. She made horrible coffee. And we are the host family, so they should’ve come to us first, anyway.”

  Morgan had heard enough. She walked around the desk and opened the front door. “Thank you so much for the information. Have a good day.” Daisy and Davey exited, but Jack and Rennie stayed. “Was there something else?”

  “We’re going with you to see Zoe,” Rennie said.

  “I didn’t say I was going over there.”

  Rennie just looked at her with a knowing smile. Damn. Well, she could’ve easily assumed Morgan might need to check in about details for the upcoming wedding. No such thing as psychics, Morgan reminded herself.

  “Fine. Give me a sec.” She walked back to JJ, leaned over and whispered, “Run a background on both Jack Steve and Starman McGee.”

  JJ glanced over at one of the subjects in question, then back at Morgan. “Yeah, I get that.”

  Morgan straightened. “Back in a bit, JJ. I’m going to run by the Raven’s Nest, then you and I will head out to the Preserve and see i
f we missed anything. Please follow up on the case items we discussed.”

  JJ saluted. “Yes, ma’am. You know I’m on it.” Griselda howled and everyone turned toward Morgan’s desk. The cat was sitting up in her chair as if she’d start using the computer at any minute. “I’ll remind her where her food is, first.”

  The trio walked out into the cool morning air. Main Street was buzzing with a fair number of colorful folks, all with coffee or tea in hand, many heading towards the Raven’s Nest bookstore. A zombie march if there ever was one, Morgan thought, then forced the image out of her mind. She had to remain impartial if she was going to do her job properly.

  “Did you two just meet this weekend?” Morgan asked Rennie and Jack as they made their way across the street to Hal’s.

  “Oh, heavens no,” Rennie said. “I’ve known Jack forever.” She patted his arm and he smiled. “He and Zoe were engaged in the early eighties, before she moved back east.”

  Morgan stopped in the center of the street. “Excuse me?”

  Jack chuckled and nodded. “Ah, yes. Those were the days. Just two psychics embarking on an amazing adventure of love and the afterlife in L.A.”

  Suddenly feeling protective, Morgan asked, “Does my dad know about this?”

  “I’m sure I don’t know, but I can’t imagine Zoe would keep something like this from him,” Rennie said. “We believe in honesty.”

  A car pulled up and stopped. The driver hung his head out the window. “If you don’t mind...?”

  Morgan waved. “Sorry.” They finished crossing the street and walked into Hal’s.

  “I know that’s you, Rennie. I can sense you anywhere!” Zoe called from the coffee bar at the back of the store.

  Rennie laughed. “And I come bearing gifts.”

  Zoe met them halfway and stopped. “Oh, my goddess. Jack? Is that really you?”