A Shade of Murder

by Constance Barker

  “Exorcism exhaustion. It’s pretty common. Just let her rest,” the feline said dismissively, crawling on Fern’s back and curling up with a yawn.

  “On the ground?” I demanded incredulously, but received no answer. I glanced over my shoulder, watching as Todd’s eyes blinked open, taking in the spiritual form of his sister. She periodically flickered, and I could only guess that it was the pull from... well, the beyond.

  “You have to go, don’t you?” Todd asked quietly, staring up at Norma.

  “Well, someone has to explain all of this to mom and dad,” she teased, her voice trembling.

  “I... I’m so sorry, Norma. After all I’ve done, I... I’m sure I’ll never see you again,” he gasped out, tears spilling down his cheeks. I noticed, belatedly, that the tears had disappeared from Norma’s own face, and she seemed to glow with inner peace.

  “Don’t worry, Todd. You’ll see me when it’s time. Live your life, and when it’s time...,” she paused, brushing the tears from his cheeks. “Me and the folks will be waiting for you. Stay safe, alright?” She finished warmly, glancing towards me with a faintly chagrined expression. “I know I have no right to be asking favors, considering what a brat I’ve always been, but—,”

  “We’ll keep an eye on him, Norma. And, hey, at least things were never boring when you were around,” I chuckled, feeling tears pool in my own eyes. She laughed, not the mocking or snide sound I was used to—a genuine, heartfelt laugh.

  “Thanks Mazie. Give your sister my regards when she wakes, will ya? I’ve got places to be,” She said with a smirk, and before I could respond, she flickered out for the final time. Overcome with emotion and exhaustion, I joined the others on the ground, laying flat on my back and staring at the stars.

  I remained there until daybreak, where Becky discovered us with a sharp screech that I would definitely tease her for later. If I said things were suddenly okay, that the sadness was purged from my body altogether, I would have been lying.

  I was confident, however, that in time...

  Everything was going to be okay.

  CHAPTER TEN

  Fern picked idly at the funnel cake we were sharing—strawberries on her half and chocolate syrup on mine. Being in charge of the whole reenactment came with it’s perks, one of which being what was arguably the best seat in the house. The top corner of the bleachers were reserved for ‘The Stuart Family’, and while it wasn’t as ritzy as reservations at some fancy restaurant, it was still a nice thought. My mother and George sat on the row in front of us, and although I still wasn’t particularly fond of George, I had the comfort of knowing he wasn’t a murderer. He glanced up at me on occasion, some unreadable emotion on his face, before turning his attention back to the reenactment. It was pretty well put together, all things considered. Billie Jean was thriving in her role, wearing a pin emblazoned with Norma’s name in beautiful script. The entire group of volunteers wore a similar pin, but it had only seemed fair that Norma be most represented in the role she’d been so eager to steal away. I might have expected Billie Jean to be happy about the absence of her rival, at least, before she came into the museum a couple of nights prior, wielding the box full of shimmering pins and an idea on how to properly honor the prickly woman who had lost her life.

  Fern was still vaguely tired, but I was glad I had managed to convince her to join the rest of us for the big event. After all we’d been through, it almost felt as much a fruit of Fern’s labor than my own. That was how things usually worked with my sister and I, and you wouldn’t find me complaining. When we’d had a moment alone with our mother, I’d regaled the entire tale—emphasis on the unexpected exorcism. She was undoubtedly proud, and... well, it wasn’t as if she needed to know about our prior suspicions regarding her boyfriend. I couldn’t help frowning, however, as he glanced back up at me. I tried to ignore his prying eyes, startled when he tapped me on the leg. I inhaled a calming breath, looking at him expectantly.

  “Listen... I know you and your sister aren’t crazy about me. I don’t really blame you. I... just want to apologize for the loss of your friend. What could have been one of her final conversations wasn’t as friendly as it probably should have been and...,” he trailed off, averting his eyes.

  “We all have mistakes to live with, George. For what it’s worth... I appreciate the apology. As long as you continue making our mom happy, you won’t have any issues from Fern or myself,” I smiled gently.

  “Speak for yourself,” Fern teased through a mouthful of fried dough. I rolled my eyes, but George seemed amused instead of offended, so... baby steps forward.

  There was, however, one thing that made the big day considerably less enjoyable—something that only Fern, my mother, and I had to endure. Moody and The Colonel lingered beneath the bleachers, their voices somehow reverberating with every little complaint they voiced. I glanced towards Fern who shrugged a little, actually seeming interested in the reenactment. Grumbling, I leaned back and tried to ignore the plaintive voices.

  “And this—you see, this is preposterous. If they think this can remotely compare to the actual heat of battle, they’re delusional! Most of these people couldn’t fight their way out of a grocery bag, let alone survive a war,” the Colonel announced haughtily, and I rolled my eyes, wanting to point out that he hadn’t exactly survived, but... well. For the sake of looking like a perfectly sane individual, and to let the moody old spirit have his idea of fun, I simply sighed, trying to listen to the encouraging speech Jimmy Jack was giving his mock soldiers. “And that boy! To think he’s supposed to represent me; it’s borderline insulting. You’re not supposed to coddle your soldiers with sweet little speeches, you’re supposed to get them fired up! A proper battle cry,” Augustus continued, and Moody hummed her acknowledgment.

  “Well, at least you’ve got a young, moderately attractive human playing your role. Ol’ Billie Jean has seen better days, bless her. I don’t understand how Mary Jane isn’t in a tizzy over this sad portrayal. And Little Timmy isn’t even represented in a role! Doesn’t that hurt his feelings?” The feline drawled, and the Colonel made an excessively snooty noise.

  “Mary Jane is just happy with the festivities, the silly woman. And Little Timmy usually just picks his favorite soldier from the bunch and claims that it’s him,” The Colonel grumbled. Moody laughed a bit, and I couldn’t help grumbling as I tried to actually enjoy what I’d worked so hard on. I glanced towards the side of the bleachers as Mary Jane disappeared beneath them, and I idly hoped she could put the Colonel in a better mood somehow. Unable to focus on the actual reenactment, I continued listening to the conversation between people who had actually experienced it, and... well, my cat.

  “Don’t you think it’s so romantic, Colonel? The tension between our characters... it’s nearly enough to make me grow faint,” I heard Mary Jane announce cheerfully. The Colonel hummed for a moment, sounding torn.

  “At least they captured the purity and sweetness of our relationship on the field,” he finally admitted. I smiled a bit, startled when Mary Jane began to laugh. The Colonel huffed and puffed indignantly, and I could picture metaphorical steam flowing from his ears.

  “Oh, Augustus. There was nothing pure about what we did on that battlefield. Sweet, yes, but pure...? Heavens no,” she teased, and Moody groaned a bit about lovebirds.

  “At least this is a family friendly event. I’d hate to see them ruin my most treasured memories on the field,” the Colonel said a bit sullenly. Mary Jane tittered, and I was somewhat surprised that even the former field nurse couldn’t pull the Colonel out of his tantrum. Oh well, I suppose she did all she could...

  “I don’t suppose you’d feel up to our own reenactment, then, Augustus,” Mary Jane said teasingly, and I glanced towards Fern who looked utterly mortified. I thanked our lucky stars that Moody was with the two, because I knew they at least had some shred of dignity.

  “Ehhh. I’m going to leave you two crazy kids alone. Fern has funnel cake, which means I
have funnel cake by association,” Moody announced, sounding somewhat awkward in spite of her usual confident personality. Considering the sounds that I could faintly make out, I couldn’t terribly blame her for being embarrassed. Still, I prayed to whatever higher power that was listening that Moody would not leave the two to their own devices. Seconds later, however, Fern jolted beside me, holding our plate up a bit higher. Dread brewed in my stomach as I glanced over, spotting a chagrined Moody staring up at the food.

  “Funnel cake by association? You wish,” I heard Fern hiss. Moody grumbled a bit, but fell silent as the sound of airy giggles and warm chuckles echoed beneath the bleachers. I stared straight ahead, my face burning in a way that I’m sure would even put Fern to shame. Glancing over, however, she seemed equally mortified. “I can’t believe you convinced me to attend this dumb thing,” Fern grumbled, pushing the plate of funnel cake into my hands and covering her ears with a frown. I considered that she might have overreacted, but as a soft moan reached my ears, I felt my face grow impossibly redder. It was either keep the funnel cake out of Moody’s reach, or surrender the treat so I could subtly cover my ears as well.

  After all was said and done, Moody licked powdered sugar from her lips with a bright smile. Fern and I glared at the feline, who looked back at us with a sly expression.

  “Young love, am I right?” Moody grinned, and I wanted to wring her little neck. Before I could open my lips to respond—

  A sudden moan.

  “Well, that’s enough of that. See you two later,” Moody grinned, hopping down from the top of the bleachers and sauntering away, her bloated stomach swaying beneath her. I glared after her, vaguely aware that my sister was following suit.

  “We should have gotten a dog.”

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  CATALOG OF BOOKS

  THE WITCH SISTERS OF Stillwater

  Hoodoo and Just Desserts

  A Shade of Murder

  THE MONKEY’S EYEBROW Tea Room Series

  A Tiny Bite of Murder

  Murder on the Ghost Walk

  THE GRUMPY CHICKEN Irish Pub Series

  A Frosty Mug of Murder

  Treachery on Tap

  A Highball and a Low Blow

  Cursed With a Twist

  THE CHRONICLES OF AGNES Astor Smith

  The Peculiar Case of Agnes Astor Smith

  The Peculiar Case of the Red Tide

  The Peculiar Case of the Lost Colony

  OLD SCHOOL DINER COZY Mysteries

  Murder at Stake

  Murder Well Done

  A Side Order of Deception

  Murder, Basted and Barbecued

  THE CURIOSITY SHOP Cozy Mysteries

  The Curious Case of the Cursed Spectacles

  The Curious Case of the Cursed Dice

  The Curious Case of the Cursed Dagger

  The Curious Case of the Cursed Looking Glass

  The Curious Case of the Cursed Crucible

  THE WE’RE NOT DEAD Yet Club

  Fetch a Pail of Murder

  Wedding Bells and Death Knells

  Murder or Bust

  Pinched, Pilfered and a Pitchfork

  A Hot Spot of Murder

  WITCHY WOMEN OF COVEN Grove Series

  THE WITCHING ON THE Wall

  A Witching Well of Magic

  Witching the Night Away

  Witching There’s Another Way

  Witching Your Life Away

  Witching You Wouldn’t Go

  Witching for a Miracle

  TEASEN & PLEASEN HAIR Salon Series

  A Hair Raising Blowout

  Wash, Rinse, Die

  Holiday Hooligans

  Color Me Dead

  False Nails & Tall Tales

  CAESAR’S CREEK SERIES

  A FROZEN SCOOP OF MURDER (Caesars Creek Mystery Series Book One)

  Death by Chocolate Sundae (Caesars Creek Mystery Series Book Two)

  Soft Serve Secrets (Caesars Creek Mystery Series Book Three)

  Ice Cream You Scream (Caesars Creek Mystery Series Book Four)

  Double Dip Dilemma (Caesars Creek Mystery Series Book Five)

  Melted Memories (Caesars Creek Mystery Series Book Six)

  Triple Dip Debacle(Caesars Creek Mystery Series Book Seven)

  Whipped Wedding Woes(Caesars Creek Mystery Series Book Eight)

  A Sprinkle of Tropical Trouble(Caesars Creek Mystery Series Book Nine)

  A Drizzle of Deception(Caesars Creek Mystery Series Book Ten)

  SWEET HOME MYSTERY Series

  Creamed at the Coffee Cabana (Sweet Home Mystery Series Book One)

  A Caffeinated Crunch (Sweet Home Mystery Series Book Two)

  A Frothy Fiasco (Sweet Home Mystery Series Book Three)

  Punked by the Pumpkin(Sweet Home Mystery Series Book Four)

  Peppermint Pandemonium(Sweet Home Mystery Series Book Five)

  Expresso Messo(Sweet Home Mystery Series Book Six)

  A Cuppa Cruise Conundrum(Sweet Home Mystery Series Book Seven)

  The Brewing Bride(Sweet Home Mystery Series Book Eight)

  WHISPERING PINES MYSTERY Series

  A Sinister Slice of Murder

  Sanctum of Shadows (Whispering Pines Mystery Series)

  Curse of the Bloodstone Arrow (Whispering Pines Mystery Series)

  Fright Night at the Haunted Inn (Whispering Pines Mystery Series)

  MAD RIVER MYSTERY SERIES

  A Wicked Whack

  A Prickly Predicament

  A Malevolent Menace