by Joyce
We thanked him again for his time and walked toward the car.
“You see,” Brian said. “Not me. I couldn’t be mistaken for being less than five feet—even if I were dressed in black and it was dark outside.”
“Except that he was drunk,” Elsie reminded him.
“Come on.” He leaned on the hood of the car. “I did what you asked.”
I wasn’t impressed with Colt Manning’s statement either. No wonder Joe and Lisbet were so frustrated. I wasn’t certain that let Brian off the hook, but I had no proof that he was involved either.
Brian leaned close to me. “I didn’t kill Olivia. Hunting me down is a waste of your time.”
“We weren’t hunting you down. We came here to see Mr. Manning.”
He seemed surprised. “No? I came because I felt you pulling me here, like you did Manning. That’s why I spelled your son—for protection.”
Elsie shrugged, and I felt a shiver race up my spine. Was Olivia right, and Brian wasn’t the rogue witch? Had someone compelled him to come here because it would set us against each other?
“That wasn’t us,” I replied. “But it could be whoever is responsible for all of this.” I quickly explained about the disappearance of magic artifacts, fears that other witches might be dead and the council’s dithering on the problem. “I think they’re afraid of this witch too.”
He glanced away, acting like it didn’t matter, but his voice was worried. “Seriously? I don’t remember why I came here at all. I feel like a zombie. That takes some power, in my case.”
“Can we just smack him for being so obnoxious?” Elsie asked.
“So what are you doing about this? What’s the council doing?”
“Nothing right now,” I answered. “We’re trying to see what we can find without them. We’re hoping they’ll take over once we have some answers. I don’t think we can handle this witch by ourselves.”
“Maybe with your help—” Olivia’s tone was seductive. “I know how strong you are, Brian.”
“And you owe us for throwing us in the water,” I reminded him. “And threatening my family.”
“I didn’t throw any of you in the water,” he argued. “That had to be this other witch.”
“But you did threaten Molly’s family,” Elsie said.
“Let’s take it out in trade, shall we?” He held out his hand. “I owe you a debt. You name it.”
I put my hand in his. We both whispered a similar bonding spell. “Yes, you do. I’ll let you know when we need you.”
Elsie and I got in the car. Olivia darted in through an open window. I drove quickly to the downtown library and parked. I wanted to tell Dorothy that everything was all right. I knew she’d be worried. We were going to have to do something about getting new cell phones. This wasn’t the Middle Ages!
“There she is!” Olivia pointed her out when we were inside the building.
“And there’s Mike with her.” I smiled at him.
“You know this is never going to work between my daughter and your son,” Olivia told me.
“Why not?”
“Because I want her to marry another witch. Maybe someone strong, but not evil like her father.”
“Why would you want that?” Elsie asked.
“I don’t know.” Olivia tried to toss her hair. Nothing moved. “I think it might be better. And then her children would probably have magic too.”
“There are worse things than your children not having magic,” I told her.
“I know. But I feel so bad for you and Elsie being married to people you can’t talk to about magic, and now having children you can’t talk to about it. I wish you could know the joys of being a witch’s mother.”
“Oh brother!” Elsie sat down at a book table. “You’ve been a witch’s mother for all of a day!”
Dorothy and Mike looked surprised to see us.
“Hi, Mom. Find what you were looking for?” Mike quickly removed his arm from Dorothy’s shoulders.
“We should separate them now!” Olivia tried to wedge herself between Dorothy and Mike.
“What did you find out?” Dorothy asked carefully. “Did you talk to you-know-who about you-know-what?”
I smiled at her expression. She was definitely the kind of person I wanted to play poker with. Everything was written on her face.
“I forgot my bag in the car.” I tossed Mike my keys. “Would you mind getting it?”
He minded—a lot. But he did it.
When he was gone, Elsie, Olivia and I explained what Colt Manning had told us and what had happened with Brian.
“I’m so relieved!” She let out a long breath. “I was afraid he might do something terrible to you.”
“I think we’ll be okay with him, for now anyway,” I assured her.
“What about the killer?” She glanced at her mother. “If we eliminate Brian, all we have is a short person who dresses in black and likes to steal magic items. That’s not much.”
“I know.”
“Maybe you should just give up this quest for my killer, Molly.” Olivia smiled and tried to act as though it didn’t matter. “We need to concentrate on training Dorothy. That’s more important. What’s done is done, so to speak.”
“Except that we still don’t have our spell book.” Elsie picked up a book and shuffled through it.
“And we can’t give up on this.” I reached out to Olivia’s not-so-solid form. “You’re our sister. We can’t let this go. I don’t want the police to find this witch, even if they find her accomplice. If the council is afraid, the witch could kill any police officer who comes knocking on her door. We have to do this.”
Olivia made sobbing sounds, though her eyes were dry. “Oh, girls, I love you so much. I don’t know how I would have lived my life without you.”
“For better or for worse then.” Elsie grinned. “Let’s get some tea, shall we?”
Mike brought my bag up. We left right away. Dorothy was trying to work, after all.
I smiled at him as we were going back to the cars. “You like Dorothy, huh?”
“She’s awesome. Who knew you’d be friends with someone like her?”
“I appreciate that.”
“I don’t mean because she’s young and beautiful.” He attempted to explain. “Well, not completely. I mean, she’s really smart and knows a lot about the world.”
I put my hand on his face. “I think you’d better stop before it gets any worse.”
“Are you okay with me asking her out?”
“You already asked her out. I think the two of you make a nice couple.”
He tilted his head back. “We’re not a couple, Mom. We’re just dating—if I get lucky. I can’t be too serious about a woman right now since my whole future is ahead of me.”
“Is that what happened that made you leave school? Did you and a girl get too serious?”
“No. What are you talking about?”
“Why did you leave school, Mike? I think your father and I deserve to know. It’s not fair to play games with us.”
“It’s nothing.” He stared straight through me. “I-I don’t want to talk about it.”
“All right. I’ll see you at home later.” At least he’d admitted that there was a problem. That was something. “I love you.”
“Yeah.” He ducked his head as he got in his Camaro. “See you later.”
In the car, I turned to Elsie. “We have to try to contact Cassandra again. Failing that, we have to contact the council. I don’t know what else to do.”
Elsie agreed. “There will be hell to pay if we let the seer destroy what was left of Cassandra, but you’re right, Molly.”
“I hope we can do a decent summoning spell without Dorothy.” I started the car.
We tentatively agreed on our course of ac
tion and headed for Smuggler’s Arcane. It would be the best and safest place to consult the council, if that was what it took.
“Oh look!” Elsie said as we pulled into our parking place in front of the shop. “It’s Larry. Is it Wednesday already? I’ve lost all track of time.”
“Of course it’s Wednesday,” Olivia said. “I’m dead, and I know that.”
Elsie glared at her and then got out of the car. She had a soft spot for Larry.
He was an older werewolf who lived on a boat. At the right time of the month, he anchored off the coast to make sure he didn’t make any mistakes during his change. He’d been a vegetarian for the last twelve years. He always came in for his special tea and a new book before the moon got full.
“I was beginning to worry about you.” Larry took in Olivia’s present state, swiping his hand across his graying beard. “Geez, what happened to you? I’m gone a few weeks and everything changes.”
We explained as we went inside. Elsie already had Larry’s special herbal tea mixed. She even put a purple bow on top of the bag she gave him.
“Are you gonna stay a ghost?” Larry asked Olivia. “I mean, there’s nothing wrong with that. It’s just unusual to see a witch in ghost form.”
Olivia smiled. “It’s about time someone had something good to say about ghosts. I don’t know how long I’m going to remain this way, but I’d like to think of it as time well spent.”
“Yeah, sure.” Larry took the bag of tea from Elsie with a wink and a smile at her. “Thanks, doll.”
Elsie giggled. “I have the perfect book for you too.” She searched the counter, but everything was such a mess, covered with bits of Cassandra. “I might have left it on the shelf.”
Larry leaned down and sniffed the dust. “What is this stuff?”
“Just some remodeling.” Elsie looked for the lost book.
“Remodeling with witch dust?” Larry shook his head. “What are you up to in here, ladies?”
“It might be best not to say anything to anyone about this,” I added. “There are some things going on right now. Have you found that book yet, Elsie?”
She pulled a book off the shelf. “I guess I’m not going to be able to find the book I put aside for you, Larry. But this is a very good book too. I’ll try to find the other one the next time you come in.”
“You’re the best, Elsie.” He kissed her on the cheek and took the book. “I’ll be out on the boat next few days. Full moon. I wouldn’t want to be around here. I heard about that woman who was killed in the alley by the river. Werewolves are easy prey for accusations after something like that.”
“That was me,” Olivia said. “And I wasn’t killed by a wolf. I think it was only a magic-hungry witch who cut my throat and left me to die.”
That was more information than Larry wanted to hear. His face turned a pasty shade of green and he swallowed hard. He was squeamish for a werewolf. Not that I’d known many, but the ones I had known were a little more bloodthirsty. Witches and werewolves rarely mingled.
“I better get going.” He tried to smile and finally gave up, leaving Smuggler’s Arcane as quickly as he could.
“He’s such a nice man.” Elsie lifted Barnabas and stroked his soft fur. “I could imagine making tea for him in bed every morning.” She sighed lustfully.
Olivia laughed, apparently still a little miffed by their earlier conversation. “Elsie, dear, I think those days might be over for you. No doubt Bill was your last love.”
Even I was shocked at the level Olivia had sunk to with that jibe.
“You’re right.” Elsie sat down at the table and adjusted the red beret. Her eyes welled with tears. “I’m just a crazy old woman who no man will ever look at again.”
I glared at Olivia. She bit her lip.
“I am so sorry, Elsie,” she apologized. “I’m a wee bit frustrated right now with being dead and all.”
“That’s okay. I understand. At least I had a man for more than forty years. He lied and cheated almost every day we were together. But at least I had someone to wake up with each morning.” Elsie slyly smiled. “And I’m not dead yet, which means I still have more game than you.”
I laughed as I lifted the trapdoor into the cave. “All right, you two. Let’s get this over with. Cassandra isn’t going to come to us on her own. We have to call her.”
The magic was there for us. It would’ve been stronger with Dorothy, but I could feel that the summoning spell had worked. There was still no answer from Cassandra.
“What do you think that means?” Elsie asked.
“It means that you killed Cassandra,” Olivia said. “You put that spell on her, and it worked, for a change, but it killed her instead of suspending her. You should know better by now than to lose your temper and do something silly.”
“Is that what you think, Molly?” Elsie asked me.
“I don’t know what to think right now. I’m tired. It’s been a long day. I think we should keep this to ourselves awhile longer. If we don’t hear anything from Cassandra by tomorrow, we’ll call the council.”
“Good thinking,” Olivia said. “Cassandra doesn’t always answer right away anyhow. She could be in Venezuela right now. I’m sorry I said she was dead, Elsie. I don’t think any of us have the magic for that. I spoke hastily. I guess I’m tired too.”
“I don’t know.” Elsie put away her sword. “Maybe Aleese is right and I just need to go to a retirement home.”
“Even if you did, you’d still be a witch.” I put my arm around her shoulders. “You’ve always been a very good witch. Don’t give up yet. We’ll find someone to take your place.”
“Promise not to die so I get the next witch?”
“I promise.” I touched my mother’s amulet. “Let’s go home. We’ll start again tomorrow.”
We went upstairs and closed the trapdoor. We got our things together and were ready to go.
“Girls,” Olivia called. “You’re forgetting my staff. You know I can’t leave here without my staff. Just take it home with you, Molly.”
“Good night, Olivia.” Elsie waved.
“See you tomorrow,” I said.
“Come on. You can’t just leave me here all night. I need a home too. Molly? Elsie?”
We walked outside and closed the door behind us, locking it securely.
“That was kind of mean,” Elsie remarked.
“Yes, it was,” I agreed. “Any problem with that?”
“No. I’m fine with it. I’m sure Dorothy will take her home later. For now, we’ll let her stew.”
I dropped Elsie off at her house and drove home from there. Mike’s Camaro was in the drive next to Joe’s SUV.
For a minute, I wished things were back the way they had been two or three years ago. I wished Joe weren’t planning to retire and that Mike were still living at home.
But life had moved on, and I had to move with it. I went inside; the TV was on. The smell of pizza filled the house. I wished it had been anything but pizza. I’d had a little too much pizza the last couple of days.
“Hey, Mom,” Mike greeted me from his spot on the sofa. “Dad brought pizza home to celebrate.”
“Yes?” I smiled at him as Joe walked into the kitchen. “What are we celebrating?”
“We arrested Olivia’s killer today, Molly. I thought that was cause to party.”
CHAPTER 22
I call upon the ancient forest,
And the cold sea.
Keep my secrets safe from prying ears,
Keep them close to me.
I was hopeful. Joe was a hardworking and experienced detective. I knew he’d captured many bad guys in his years with the police.
The problem was, at least to my mind, that this was a unique situation. As far as I knew, Joe had never been involved with witches in any way. That made
things more complicated, and the rules he usually followed didn’t apply.
“Aren’t you interested in who we arrested?” He took one of the pizzas out of a box.
“Sorry. Of course I am. I was caught up in thoughts about Olivia.”
He slid his hand up and down my arm in a sympathetic manner. “I’m sorry. Maybe we shouldn’t be celebrating. It reminds you of what happened.”
I bowed my head. He was so sweet after our terrible discussion at the police station today. I knew he was as upset over Olivia’s death as I was. He wanted to understand what was going on. So did I.
“No,” I replied quietly. “Tell me.”
“It was someone you know, as a matter of fact. His name is Larry Tyler. He lives on a houseboat. He actually gave you as a character reference when we picked him up. He said he was good friends with you and Elsie.”
There it was again. I saw the suspicion in Joe’s eyes. I loved him, but I wanted to hit him with a sledgehammer. How could he think I could be involved with Olivia’s death? Now he thought Larry, Elsie and I were in on it together.
“Really?” I maintained my calm outer demeanor. “Yes, I know Larry. He’s a regular at the shop.”
“Killers are frequently people the victim knows and trusts.” Joe quoted words I’d heard him say many times.
“What makes you think Larry killed Olivia?”
“We found his prints on the second exam of the crime scene. We also found some hair and blood samples that match his. He hasn’t confessed, but we know it was him.”
“Did those blood samples match the ones you found at Olivia’s house?”
“No. That’s something we haven’t pieced together yet. Maybe he had an accomplice.”
“Larry never seemed like a killer to me.”
Joe rolled his eyes. “Do you know how many times I’ve heard that from people who know confessed killers? No one ever spots it—until it’s too late.”
“I suppose that’s true. Still, hair and fingerprints in an alley frequently used between bars and restaurants seems a bit circumstantial.”
“Circumstantial?” Joe glanced at Mike. “Look at your mom, Son. She’s a regular Sherlock Holmes today.”
