Charmed to Death (A Farmer's Market Witch Mystery Series Book 1)

by Constance Barker

  “You’re a rare breed,” I said.

  “As are you. And I’d like to keep you that way. So, I want you to stop trying to be Sherlock Holmes.”

  “Jason, I have my reasons.”

  “I’m sure they’re good ones—from your point of view. But they’re not good reasons from where I stand. I’m going to tell you what you already know. Going about breaking and entering private residences is not lawful. I recognize that you uncovered some useful information, but what you did was wrong. In the future, I may have to arrest you for it. Do you understand?”

  “But, we need to know more about James. He’s a prime suspect.”

  “I don’t care. Let us do our job. We’ll determine if he killed Larson, and we’ll arrest him if he did. You have to keep out of it.”

  Anger flared inside. I didn’t need a scolding, not after what I had provided to him. I stopped myself from saying anything that I would regret later, but I wasn’t happy at all. The happiness I felt before wilted away.

  “Get some sleep,” he added. “I would assign a deputy to cruise by during the night, but I have the feeling your house is more than adequately protected.”

  “That’s something to remember, deputy,” I said.

  He studied me a moment, before he nodded and turned for the door. I walked him out, neither of us saying a word. I locked the door behind him, and I still seethed inside. His chiding made me more determined than ever to keep investigating. I would show him. I didn’t need official approval. I would solve the murder and serve it to Jason on a platter.

  “I knew there was something different about him.”

  “Gus, you must remember that he’s a panther-shifter. Be careful, if you’re out at night.”

  “I’ll keep on my toes. Does he remember what he does when he’s a panther?”

  “I don’t know. Some shifters claim they don’t remember. Either way, we have to be aware.”

  I knew Gus would keep himself safe, and that would keep me safe. No panther-shifter would slip past my spells.

  I went to bed, with anger racing through my veins. I had hoped for something different with Jason. Sleep was a long time coming, and it was fitful when it did come. I woke to gray skies and soaking rain. It looked like an all-day affair, and that meant the market would be a bust. Over tea and toast, I decided I should take the day off and do something soothing. I didn’t need any more consternation. I picked up my phone and called Millie.

  “How would you like to spend the day looking for an amulet?” I asked.

  Millie’s alpaca farm didn’t look like much, but I knew her barn and shearing shed were immaculate on the inside. Her herd might have been the best cared-for animals in the state. Millie treated her animals as the valuable assets they were. She wasn’t about to risk losing them. I knew the vet visited the farm on a regular basis.

  Millie ran through the rain and hopped into my SUV. Her yellow slicker was bright with water, and her first question was about Jason.

  “How did it go?” she asked. “And don’t spare any details.”

  “Well, I’ll start by telling you that Jason is a panther-shifter.”

  “You’re kidding.”

  “Not one bit.” I went on from there, giving Millie the gist of my talk with Jason, including the dressing down I received.

  “The man is an ingrate,” Millie said. “You give him all the rope needed to hang the murder on James, and he scolds you? He should be taking you to dinner.”

  “Well, since he’s a panther-shifter, I’m not sure I want dinner with him.”

  Millie laughed. “That does put a different perspective on things. I suppose you told him you were a witch.”

  “I did, and he wasn’t entirely surprised. You know how that goes. But I’m not sure if he likes me, or is annoyed with me.”

  “He likes you...and he’s annoyed with you. Panthers are solitary animals. They don’t hunt in packs. So, you’re a threat to him too.”

  “I’m not a threat to anyone, certainly not a deputy sheriff.”

  Some miles from Abbot Rise, there was an antique mall. The building had housed a fabric making company at one time, before all the looms and jobs moved offshore. Individual booths filled the space now, and they featured all manner of antiques. It was the perfect rainy-day excursion—dry, insightful, and fun. They even had a coffee shop.

  We browsed slowly, taking time to take a good look at all the jewelry for sale, especially the amulets and charms. While Larson had been hunting for a particular amulet, I didn’t know exactly what it looked like. People, like Larson, sometimes confused amulets with brooches and charms. Both Millie and I used a bit of magic to survey the jewelry, checking to see if any of the amulets emitted magic vibes. Several items wore a sheen of magic, probably from being handled by a witch or warlock, but none possessed the deep magic needed for real power. I was pretty sure we would sense any amulet that could change the world.

  We were about to take a coffee break, when Millie tapped my shoulder.

  “Take a look.”

  I looked to where she pointed, and we both spotted...Vera.

  CHAPTER 13

  “Come on,” I said. “We need to see what she’s up to.”

  I led Millie through the crowd, keeping a good distance away from Vera, who seemed to know where she was going. She weaved through the rainy-day crowd, straight to a large antique jewelry seller in a corner of the large building. Millie and I loitered nearby, pretending to be interested in some antique, handmade comforters. There were conversation pieces, not really for use, and their designs were straight out of Dutch Hex country.

  “Recognize them?” Millie asked.

  “I do,” I said. “Horses ensure protection for farm animals and pets. Protects against lightning and disease and are placed in five-pointed stars.”

  “The lamb ones represent children. ‘Rachel’ is inside the heart, so I’m guessing the comforter was made to protect a girl named Rachel.”

  We drifted closer to the jewelry seller, trying to eavesdrop. Where was Percy when we needed him. We were rewarded when the older man approached Vera.

  “Can I help you?” the man asked.

  “I certainly hope so,” Vera answered. “I was wondering if you buy amulets.”

  “I do, and I will, if it’s an interesting piece. You have it with you?”

  “No, no,” I don’t,” Vera said. “But I have a picture. Can you make some kind of decision on that?”

  “Well, I’d rather see the piece, obviously, but I can give you a rough yes or no from a photo.”

  Vera opened her purse and took out three photos that she handed to the owner.

  I watched, not trying to hide my interest. The owner and Vera weren’t paying attention to anyone but each other.

  The owner looked at the photos, one after the other, and I sensed his excitement growing. He tried to hide it, but it was there. His hands were trembling.

  “You have this amulet?” he asked.

  “Not on me,” Vera said. “But, yes, I have it.”

  “Have any idea what it’s worth?”

  Vera shook her head. “Not really.”

  “Well, over the past year, I have had several inquiries into this piece—if it’s the piece I think it is. There are more than a few fakes circulating through the antique world. That’s the trouble with valuable antiques. There are always people willing to make a replica and try to pass it off as the real thing.”

  “I think, I think it’s authentic,” Vera said. “But I haven't had it examined. Tell me, is there a way to make sure?”

  “There is, but I won’t tell you what it is. If I did, you might go home and alter this piece to make it look even more real than it is.”

  “I see your point, but I assure you, I would never try to fool anyone.”

  He chuckled. “Every faker in the world says that line. Not that I think you’re faking anything. You understand my caution.”

  “I do,” Vera said. “I would not expect an
ything less. If it’s a fake, I would like to know that too.”

  I watched as the owner sized up Vera. While she appeared too naive to try and sell something false, appearances were often thin veneers that hid something rotten.

  “I tell you what,” the man said. “You bring in the amulet and let me validate it. If it’s real, I’m prepared to pay you handsomely for it.”

  “Can you give me an idea?” she asked.

  “Five figures easily and maybe six. This is something that could change your life.”

  I read the shock in Vera’s face. She had no idea the amulet was worth so much. Or, perhaps, she was putting on a show for the jeweler. Vera wasn’t known for acting, but, well, people often hid behind a facade

  “Thank you,” Vera said. “Thank you very much, and I will, I will bring it in. I’m really overwhelmed.”

  “May I keep one of the photos?” the man asked. “I would like to be able to show some potential buyers.”

  “Of course,” Vera said. “Take the one you like best. And if you have someone who would be willing to buy it, well, that would be great.”

  “I will see what I can do,” he said, as he pulled a card from his pocket and handed it to her. “Take this. When you’re ready, call me. We’ll do everything by appointment.”

  “Thank you very much,” Vera said. “I’ll be certain to call.”

  I turned away, as did Millie, as Vera hurried away from the jeweler. I was certain Vera had no idea that we had overheard her interaction.

  “Well,” Millie said. “What do you think of that. It seems Vera has herself a very valuable amulet.”

  “It would appear so,” I said. “I’m curious as to the possible buyers the jeweler knows. Six figures is a great deal to pay for an old amulet.”

  “We both know that an old amulet would never fetch that kind of money, unless there’s something extraordinary about it.”

  “Do you believe Vera didn’t know just how valuable it is?” I asked.

  “I think she suspected that it was worth something, but she seemed genuinely surprised by the amount.”

  “I agree. But she knew enough not to bring the amulet with her. Obviously, she didn’t want to risk losing it somehow.”

  We started for the exit, as I was sure Vera hadn’t stopped at another booth.

  “The last question is not about value,” I said. “It’s about whether or not, Vera killed her husband in order to get the amulet.”

  “That is the bottom line,” Millie said. “People have murdered for much less than five figures.”

  “Some have killed for pocket change. But a big payday certainly gives Vera a strong motive, especially when you throw in the fact that Larson was behind on alimony. Money does rear its ugly head at times, doesn’t it.”

  At the exit, we looked out into the rain. The day hadn’t improved.

  “We need to know more about the amulet,” I said. “We need to know why it’s so valuable.”

  “Why do you think that?” Millie asked.

  “Because, once we establish why it is wanted, we'll be able to determine who would want it. After all, there are any number of people who have no desire for it.”

  “I suppose you’re right. And that desire might lead us to the killer. But who would know about the amulet?”

  I smiled and tapped my noggin. “I know just the person.”

  CHAPTER 14

  Millie and I skipped through the rain and into the newsroom of the paper. At the back, by himself, working at his computer was Percy. He didn’t look up until we were standing in front of his desk.

  “Elle, Millie, what brings you here?”

  “We were at the antique mall,” I said. “And we ran into Vera. Well, we didn’t run into her. We followed her, straight to a dealer in antique jewelry.”

  Percy stood. “Not here. Follow me.”

  We followed Percy down a short hall and into a conference room. Percy closed the door, while Millie and I sat at the long table. The brown leather chairs were very comfortable.

  “Now,” Percy said. “Tell me about Vera.”

  “You go,” I told Millie. “Fill him in.”

  I listened, as Millie told Percy how we followed Vera to the jeweler and their subsequent conversation. Percy’s eyes opened wide. When Millie told him the amulet might be worth six figures, Percy whistled.

  “That certainly adds some wind to the sail, doesn’t it,” Percy said.

  “What would make the amulet worth so much?” I asked. “Do you know something about it?”

  Percy smiled. “I’ve been doing some research. It turns out the amulet has a history. A century ago, a witch by the name of Hilda Hickum was growing older, and she was being hounded by some dark witches that wanted Hilda’s power. Hilda wasn’t a purely white witch, so her power could be co-opted into black magic. Hilda didn’t want that to happen, so she imbued a number of items with her magic and then put a curse on those items.”

  “What did Hilda do with those items?” I asked.

  “She hid them in various places, to keep them out of the hands of the dark witches. That put off the dark witches. Hilda went into semi-retirement. She waited years before she started writing letters to her daughter. The letters hinted at the items and their power, and where they might be found. But the daughter didn’t take the letters seriously. Hilda was old, and she suffered from dementia. So, the daughter pretty much put the letters in a drawer and forgot about them.”

  “How are the letters important?” Millie asked.

  “In the last year or so, someone found them, someone who recognized what they really meant. That someone managed to enlist Larson in the quest—I think. But they must have had a falling out or something. Because, it was Larson chasing down the amulet. We all know that.”

  “You believe the story?” I asked.

  “I don’t know what to believe,” Percy said. “I’ve been around long enough to know there is white and dark magic. Sometimes, there is some really weird stuff that happens. However, I’m not so sure about the letters, the cursed amulet. And if there’s conspiracy involved, I can’t find it. But that doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. And either way, it will make one hell of a novel.”

  Percy laughed, and I laughed with him.

  “Have you seen the letters?” Millie asked.

  Percy shook his head. “No, so I’m still wondering. But there are several references I’ve dug up. It’s not like it’s all made up. Hilda did exist, and she was a witch. So, parts of the story are true. I just can’t seem to make contact in the present. Who found the letters? Who wants that amulet?”

  “I think you’ll find it,” I said. “Because you’re a very good at finding out things.”

  “Thanks, Elle, but I’m not so sure. It’s like chasing down a Shakespeare manuscript. You keep hearing rumors, but you never manage to get your hands on it.”

  “We could try magic,” Millie said. “I mean, there are finding spells, aren’t there? We could look for the letters.”

  “That’s a good idea,” I said. “We’ll have to do some searching for the right spell.”

  “Maybe,” Millie said. “Before we do, let’s have Percy put in some more legwork.”

  “Hey, hey,” Percy said. “I can use all the help I can get. Especially from some pretty witches.”

  “All right,” I said. “Back to Vera. What do you think? Could she murder Larson for the amulet?”

  “I don’t think so,” Millie said. “I mean, Vera is so loving. I don’t think she could kill him for money, no matter how far behind he was. But then, I’m a hopeless romantic.”

  “I’m with Millie,” Percy said. “I don’t think Vera would do it for money. I’m no hopeless romantic, but murder for money requires a certain coldness that I don’t sense in Vera.”

  “So, if Vera can’t kill for money, can she kill for love?” I asked. “Did she kill him because he broke her heart?”

  “Now, that might work,” Percy said. “Larson had a way of
getting at people. He was the kind that would pour salt into an open wound and laugh about it. So, if he was ragging on Vera, she might get so mad, she picked up the ice pick and jammed it into his ear.”

  “That does sound like Vera,” Millie said. “She is a slow boil, but I think she might have a quick explosion, if you know what I mean. People like that get to the point where they simply have to do something.”

  I wasn’t sure I shared the opinions of Percy and Millie. I hadn’t expected Vera to go looking for someone to buy the amulet, so I knew she could surprise me. Could she add murder to the list of surprises? People were always full of surprises. What was really in the middle of Vera?

  Murder?

  Millie had to rush home, as the alpacas needed care. I dropped her off and headed back to my house. With any luck, I would spend the rest of the day turning out charms for the market the next day. The sky was clearing. The sun would come out. It would be a good day for a market...cool and bright.

  That night, before I went to sleep, I looked out at the full moon. I liked full moons, just like all witches. What had Hilda hidden in that amulet? I had come to believe that the letters did exist, and someone had used them to reclaim the amulet.

  But how had Vera come upon it?

  CHAPTER 15

  Spring had always been my favorite time of year. The rebirth of the earth stirred something inside, so I enjoyed opening my booth and arranging the new charms I had fashioned, as well as the staples that always sold. The bright sun encouraged the birds that filled the air with song. I could tell the other vendors felt the same way. It was all smiles and encouragement. Millie was as happy as I was. The only booth not open was the one still made off limits by yellow crime tape. For a moment, I wondered if it would ever open again. I didn’t know who was running the pickle business. Anyone?

  When the gates opened, a crowd surged into the market. I supposed the favorable weather had stoked the fires inside people, who had been cooped up during the winter. The day was made for walking about the market. And Larson’s booth was a huge attraction.