No Ladder What (Witch of Wickrock Bay Book 4)

by Wendy Meadows

  “As long as the food is safe to eat, I’m game,” Rob replied and hung up.

  Mimi rushed to her kitchen to check what she had in the pantry and the fridge. Having taken stock of her supplies, she went shopping. She left Baxter in the apartment, still fast asleep and lightly snoring, and hurried to her car.

  But the crazy day wasn’t over yet. As soon as the door of her car clicked open, a familiar shape emerged from behind the trees on the other side of the street.

  “Go away,” Mimi whispered, watching the hunched figure cross the street. She grabbed the door handle, ready to get into her vehicle and drive away.

  “Mimi, wait,” the old man called out.

  “I don’t want to,” she fired back and threw her handbag on the passenger seat. She bent to jump into the car.

  “You should be honored, not dismissive,” Reneus Ulzor said with reproach in his voice.

  Mimi stood up and crossed her arms.

  “Honored? What about?” she asked.

  “That a coven of powerful witches and wizards is extending their invitation for you to join them. And I’m the emissary. You should be honored to be asked.”

  “Guess what, Mr. Ulzor. I’m not.”

  Reneus’s wrinkled face darkened. He clasped his bony, knotted hands.

  Mimi’s heart broke into a gallop.

  “That’s rude, young lady. And very foolish of you. I’ve been waiting on your reply for ages.”

  There was something in his voice, his posture, the way he spoke, that inspired respect, or maybe, rather, fear. If he was indeed as powerful as he implied, he could easily turn her into a toad, or some other animal or thing. Maybe she shouldn’t have been so rude to him. After all, he was just a messenger. And an elderly man who had probably traveled far to talk to her.

  “Okay, Mr. Messenger, or Emissary, if you prefer. First, I’m sorry if I sounded rude to you, but you’ve been freaking me out. And you keep turning up on my doorstep uninvited. And at least one neighbor has seen you and is suspicious. Why don’t you email me or call me?”

  “Because I don’t have your contact details,” the man replied.

  “You don’t?” Mimi asked, genuinely surprised. “You can always send a pige—er… But aren’t you monitoring everything I do?”

  The man pursed his narrow lips and pushed his half-moon glasses up his long nose.

  “That is a completely different matter. I am not in possession of your electronic contact details, I can assure you.”

  “Okay, never mind.” Mimi waved her hand. “I wanted to say thank you very much, all powerful wizards and witches, for your kind invitation, but I’m not in a moo—that is, position to join. Don’t have time, or energy, or, in fact, probably what it takes. But I’ll let you know once I am ready.”

  Reneus Ulzor nodded gravely.

  “That may not be the answer we have been expecting, but we’ll understand. When you decide you’d like to join us, just start thinking about it, or put it into your…well, that internet search thingy. I’ll know it’s the time to pay you another visit.”

  “Okay then,” Mimi replied, her back tensing again.

  Was that it? Would he leave her in peace now?

  “Yes, I’ll go now. I bid you a good day, Mimi Knotley.”

  Mimi watched him disappear behind the trees before she released the breath she’d been holding.

  She’d already had the answer for Reneus and his band of powerful wizards. It was a big fat no. Reneus was extraordinary, but not in a good way. No. And if his friends were like him, Mimi definitely didn’t want to join their coven.

  But how to tell him without him turning her into a toad?

  Maybe she’d find an answer one day. For now, keeping quiet and pretending she hadn’t made up her mind yet was a good enough strategy.

  Mimi got into the car and drove away, mentally revising the list of groceries she needed for the salad she was planning to serve and still hesitating over the main dish.

  Later that evening, Mimi placed a platter with a steaming roast on the table.

  “Smells divine, Mimi,” Rob commented, unfolding his napkin. “Do you need help with anything in the kitchen?”

  “No, everything is ready, gentlemen. You’re my guests tonight. Please enjoy the meal.”

  Orlando London cleared his throat.

  “I’d like to say something before we start,” he said.

  You already have…

  “Yes, please, go ahead,” Mimi said, adding a smile she hoped looked encouraging.

  What was it going to be this time around? Another accusation?

  “I wanted to apologize for the stress I’ve caused with this investigation.”

  “Ah, that…that’s okay,” Mimi replied, taking a deep breath. She caught a pleading glance from Rob. “I mean, I’ve dealt with it, but you owe an apology to Connor Hewitt as well.”

  “Mr. Hewitt,” Lt. London started and paused. He glanced at Rob, who just gave him an encouraging look.

  Mimi wriggled in her chair. Was Rob orchestrating this conversation?

  Well, if he was, there was a good reason for that.

  “But tell me, Lieutenant London—”

  “Orlando.”

  “Orlando,” Mimi blurted. “Did you really think I killed Drew Honeycomb?”

  “Well, I, uh…”

  “I told you she wasn’t a killer, but you wouldn’t listen to me,” Rob cut in.

  “I needed to be impartial.”

  “Yes, but if you had listened to me about Mimi, we could’ve closed this case two days earlier,” Rob protested.

  Orlando blew out a breath. “Well, maybe. But I had to conduct this investigation my way, so I could report to the headquarters with no bias. But on another note, you two are two of a kind,” he said, his voice suddenly softening. He shifted his gaze from Mimi to Rob and back again. “You should really be dating.”

  Rob looked at Mimi and smiled.

  Mimi’s face burned. She smiled back at Rob.

  “Isn’t that what we’re doing?” Rob asked.

  Mimi laughed. “It sure is.”

  Thanks for Reading

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  About Wendy

  Wendy Meadows is a USA Today bestselling author whose stories showcase witty women sleuths. To date, she has published dozens of books, which include her popular Sweetfern Harbor series, Sweet Peach Bakery series, and Alaska Cozy series, to name a few. She lives in the “Granite State” with her husband, two sons, two mini pig and a lovable Labradoodle.

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