by Wendy Wang
"No honey. Uncle Jack is definitely not a witch."
"Am I ... a wizard?" Evan asked. "Or is it warlock? I dunno. Are boys allowed to be witches?"
"Definitely not a warlock. And a wizard is something altogether different. Boys are definitely allowed to be witches. You know Jen's friend, Ben? He's a witch."
"Cool," Evan said.
"Do you want to be a witch?" Charlie asked. "It's not quite like it is in the movies. Nobody flies around on a broomstick or turns someone into a toad. At least not with the wave of a wand,” Charlie said. "It's more complicated than that."
"Maybe. It's why I sometimes see things before they happen, right?" Evan asked.
"Probably. You're young, it could fade as you get older," Charlie said.
"Oh," Evan said sounding surprised. "What if I don't want it to fade?"
"You don't?" Charlie asked.
"No. I kind of like it. I mean sometimes it's scary. But, sometimes it's cool, too. I can tell who's really my friend, and who just thinks I'm like a lucky charm or something."
"That's a good skill to have. It's important to see who our real friends are. And who just wants to use you for your gifts,” Charlie said.
"I'd really like to come to the bonfire," Evan said.
"Okay, I'll talk to your dad then," Charlie said. "And sweetie, I wouldn't mention exploring being a witch to him just yet. He's just getting used to the idea that you are sensitive. Being a card-carrying witch, that might be a little much for him at this point."
"Don't worry I won't say anything to him or to grandma. She would definitely not like it,” Evan said.
"You've got that right," Charlie said. Her ex-mother-in-law was a staunch Episcopalian, and the last thing Charlie needed was for her to label Evan as a heathen or something equally heinous in the old lady's eyes.
Evan reached his hand over and placed it on top of Charlie's.
"I like this," Evan said.
"What?" Charlie chuckled.
"Knowing what to call it," Evan said.
"It does make it easier, doesn't it?" Charlie said.
"Yeah, it does," Evan said. He gave his mother a smile, and she pressed the gas pedal a little more to speed up. She was ready to get home, take a bath and forget about the day if she could.
Chapter 5
Jason Tate closed the folder in front of him and placed it on the stack in the tray on the corner of his desk. Five case files, all on the verge of going cold. The most recent was a young woman killed in her apartment in August. He'd had one solid lead, and the guy’s alibi had checked out. Unless someone came forward with new information or a confession (a confession would be nice for once) these cases would end up in a cabinet to be reviewed later. Maybe even years later. Then there was the case that haunted him. The case of thirteen-year-old Keeley Moore. She’d been abducted this summer and vanished without a trace. Her parents called him every Monday like clockwork just to check in. They’d be calling him this afternoon.
He leaned forward and put his elbow on his desk. His fingers found the bridge of his nose and pinched. It didn't help the ache in his head. He cracked his neck and tried not to scowl as his partner leaned against Jason's desk and folded his arms across his chest.
"Don't you have your own desk to defile?" Jason asked.
Beck grinned down at his partner. "I do. But it's more fun doing it to yours."
"Get off," Jason jerked his thumb toward his partner’s desk five feet away. Beck chuckled but didn't move.
"I've seen that look before," Beck said.
"What look?" Jason asked.
"The look of profound regret," Beck teased.
"Fuck you," Jason said. "And get your ass off my desk." He dug his elbow into Beck's thigh. This time his partner moved.
"Just admit it," Beck said getting to his feet. "You miss her."
"I ... miss her friendship. Friday night dinners aren't exactly relaxed,” Jason said.
"Yeah, I bet. I also know bullshit when I hear it. And that, my friend, is bullshit." Jason cast a scowl at Beck, but he didn't seem to care, and Beck kept talking. "Just pick up the phone and say the magic words."
Jason shifted in his chair. "What magic words?"
"I'm sorry. I was wrong,” Beck said. "Either phrase will work wonders on a relationship with a woman."
"Like you've had a successful relationship with a woman,” Jason scoffed.
"Hey!" Beck frowned. "I was married."
"And now you're divorced, so –"
"Fuck you. Take my advice or not. That stack of hopeless you’re hanging onto," Beck pointed to the folders on the corner of Jason's desk. "It’s not gonna go anywhere until you get your head out of your ass and ask for help." Beck walked away and waved at one of the deputies like he had a question.
Jason hated that Beck had a point. Not just about his cases. A slight burning in his stomach spread across his abdomen. He reached into his desk drawer and pulled out a bottle of chalky orange flavored antacids. He never had stomach issues when he and Charlie were working together. He never had a reason. She made his job easy. Made him a star in the department. Now his stats weren't just sinking, they were sunk. He had the lowest close rate of anyone. He pulled his phone from his pocket and thumbed through his contacts. He stopped when he got to her name. One I'm sorry would do it. His thumb hovered over her phone number. Something inside wouldn't let him press it, though. He had nothing to be sorry for. She'd been the reckless one, not him. She was the one that should be apologizing. He growled and closed her contact info. He didn't have it in him today to grovel for forgiveness when it wasn't his fault. He thumbed up to another number. A second later the phone began to ring.
"I was just thinking about you," a familiar voice said.
"Good things, I hope." Jason smiled. "What's your schedule look like for lunch?"
"Who's buying? You or me?" Lisa Holloway teased.
"Me,” he said. "You want to have lunch at the cafe?"
Lisa laughed. "Cheapskate."
"What?" he said. They both knew that having lunch at The Kitchen Witch Cafe, Lisa's sister's restaurant, meant neither of them footed the bill. Family ate free. Jen always insisted on it.
"Come on, say yes," Jason said.
"Fine. I'll have lunch with you," Lisa said. "But only because you're cute."
"I'll take it," he grinned. He felt Beck staring at him, and Jason turned his head. Beck opened his mouth and put his index finger toward the back of his throat then made a gagging sound. Jason raised his free hand and lifted his middle finger. Beck laughed and shook his head.
"I'll meet you there at noon," Jason said. Lisa agreed and ended the call. Jason stood up and shoved his phone in his pocket and walked over to Beck and Deputy McCleary.
"I'm going to lunch," Jason said.
"Did you call her?" Beck asked.
"No, but you already knew that," Jason said.
"You are one thick-headed SOB, you know that?" Beck said.
"Maybe I am," Jason said. "I don't have anything to apologize for. She does."
Beck jerked his thumb at Jason. "See this guy? He doesn't know shit about women."
"Is that why he has a hot girlfriend, sir?" Deputy McCleary said, his voice so deadpan that Jason wasn't sure if he was joking or not.
"Don't you have a report to file Deputy?" Beck snapped.
Deputy McCleary grinned. "Nope. It's already done."
"I'm going to go have lunch with my – what did you call her McCleary? Hot girlfriend?" Jason teased.
"Yes sir, I believe that's the proper term," the deputy said.
Beck's lips twisted into a sneer. "Go on and laugh. But I'm not the one with the shitty solve rate, am I?"
"Well, I'm going to see what I can do about that," Jason said. He patted Beck on the shoulder and walked past him toward the door. Charlie Payne wasn't the only witch he knew. Nor was she the only one with talents for finding people. Now he just had to convince his girlfriend.
Jason walked
into the law offices of Birney, Shaw, Grimes, and Holloway on a mission. Convince Lisa Holloway, love of his life and witch extraordinaire to help him with the abduction case he was working. The case had practically started out cold. He didn't need much. Just one solid lead. Hell, at this point, he'd take a not so solid lead if it pointed him the right direction. Lisa could be touchy about her witchcraft, though. It would take something important to spur her into helping. He didn't know what that was yet, but he was sure it would come to him.
"Morning, Marianne," Jason said and approached the receptionist's desk. A stunning older woman with silver hair and sharp blue eyes smiled at him. The wrinkles around her eyes spread across the top of her cheeks and her bright pink lips pulled up into a smile revealing her bleached teeth.
"Good morning, Lieutenant Tate," Marianne said.
"Is she with a client?" he asked.
"No, but she did have a conference call this morning. Let me check and see if she's available." Marianne dialed a number and spoke into the sleek microphone attached to her ear. "I have a handsome lieutenant from the Sheriff's department here to see you." A smile drew her lips up, and she nodded to whatever Lisa was saying. "Will do." She pressed a button and ended the call. "You can go on back."
"Thanks," Jason said. He walked around the corner to a long hall. All but one door was closed. At the end of the corridor, through a half-open door, he could see Lisa pacing back and forth. She had her cell phone in her hand and was talking into it. When he was close enough, he knocked on the door, and she looked up at him and gestured for him to come in.
"And I need that done by four-thirty. Keep me updated. Thanks," she finished.
"You got it, boss," a voice said over the speaker in her hand. The line went quiet.
"Hi," he said.
"Hi," she said and put her phone down on the desk.
"Sounds like you're conquering the world."
"Nope, just settling an estate plan for a client," she said.
He moved in close. "That sounds serious."
She wrapped one arm around his shoulders and closed the gap between them. "It is to my client, and since it helps pay my bills, it's serious to me, too."
"Right," he whispered. He leaned in and brushed his lips across hers. "How about this? Is this serious enough for you?"
"Jason Tate, you are seriously going to put a dent in my day if you start that with me,” she said.
He pulled his head back out of range of her lips. "I can stop," he said.
"I didn't say to do that," she laughed and then kissed him in earnest. Her other hand went around his neck, and he snaked his arms around her waist, pulling her close. When she pulled away from him finally, she sounded a little breathless.
"The things you do to me," she said.
"Back at ya, Red," he whispered and stroked his hand across her long strawberry blonde ponytail.
"So what are you really doing here on a Monday morning? I mean having lunch is nice, but you usually put me off when I ask. Don't you have cases to investigate?" she asked.
"Of course I do," he said. "But I’ve gotta eat lunch, and I wanted to see you. Is that a crime?"
Lisa stepped back and narrowed her hazel green eyes. Her round face and delicate features twisted with doubt. "That is not why you're here," she said. There was no anger in her voice, but there was curiosity. Maybe he had a chance at getting her to help him. Maybe. "Spill it."
"I have a case that I can't get a handle on," he said.
"So make up with Charlie. I'm sure she'd love to help you," she said.
"I don't think so. I mean she's polite and all but …"
"But what?" Lisa asked.
"I don't know if I'm ready to work with her again. I don't know if I can trust her.”
"And you want me to smooth things over? I'm not really the best person for that sort of thing. Maybe you should talk to Jen,” she said.
"No, that's not what I was thinking," he said.
"What were you thinking?" Lisa said, her voice wary.
"I was thinking ... maybe you could help me." He gave her a hopeful smile.
"Me?" Lisa walked over to the door and pushed it closed. She turned to him, her arms folded across her chest. "I'm not psychic."
"No. But you are a badass witch. I was hoping maybe you could cast a spell or something,” he said.
"What kind of spell?"
"I need to find someone who knows something about an abduction case I'm working. So far, it's just been dead end after dead end,” Jason said. "It's almost like the universe hates me since I stopped working with Charlie. My solve rate is in the toilet."
"So that's a pretty easy fix. Stop being stubborn and make up with her,” Lisa said.
"I don't think so," he said.
Lisa rolled her eyes and stepped closer. "I might have an idea or two that could possibly help, but I'm not guaranteeing anything."
"Really? You'll help me?"
"Yes, I'll help you. But, you have to do what I say, and we have to do this after work. I've got too much of my own work to spend a lot of time on this."
"Sure. No problem,” he said. His pulse gave a hopeful lurch as he pictured the case sliding into the solved column.
"And I expect payment," she said. "My time is not free."
"Absolutely. I will make sure you are compensated," he grinned. "One way or another." He held out his hand. "Come here."
"What?" she said, her lips tugging up at the corners.
"I want to pay my deposit," he said. Lisa took his hand and let him pull her into his arms. He kissed her until she moaned softly. A moment later she put her forehead against his.
"That was nice," she said. "But you're also going to have to buy me lunch and not from the café."
"Yes ma'am," he said. He looked at the clock on the wall. "How about some seafood?"
"Sounds perfect. Let me get my coat, and you can tell me about the case on the way over.”
Chapter 6
"It's here! It's here! It's here." Ruby squealed her delight and jumped up and down on the back porch. Jen walked over to the door and peered through the screen door. A large flatbed truck hauling a trailer carrying the playhouse Ruby had fallen in love with at the auction, pulled into the gravel drive. It stopped short of the parking pad and carport awning housing her father's boat. It had been nearly a week since the auction, and Ruby had talked non-stop about the playhouse and how she couldn't wait to see her new friend Barbara Jean.
"You can't see her now?" Jen had asked one evening at dinner.
"Of course not, silly," Ruby had answered and shoved some green beans into her mouth.
"Why not?" Jen asked.
"'Cause she lives in the playhouse,” Ruby answered.
Just as Jen had predicted, her daughter's wish had come true. Jack Holloway had been the only bidder on the playhouse and had gotten it for practically a song. Getting it delivered would cost more than he paid for the colorful structure, but her father, who sometimes had his own type of magic, especially when it came to money and negotiating with people, called in a favor and got a deal on the delivery. It helped to be a retired cardiothoracic surgeon. People always felt grateful that her father saved a loved one, and sometimes that gratitude came in handy. Like today.
"Daddy," Jen called to the front of the house she shared with her father and daughter. "The playhouse is here. Do you need to sign for it?"
She heard her father's heavy footsteps walk across the second floor. A moment later he walked into the kitchen, his face a little flushed from the exertion. She really needed to get him to exercise more.
"Yep," he said and walked past her out onto the porch. Ruby and Jen followed him to the yard. Jen grabbed Ruby by the hand and pulled her daughter against her body.
"We need to stay out of their way sweetie," Jen said. She glanced at the cottage across the yard and saw her cousin Charlie and her son Evan step out onto her front stoop. Jen waved, and Evan broke away from his mother to join them, Charlie on his
heels.
"So this is it?" Evan said, shifting his gaze to the white playhouse being upended by a mechanism on the trailer. The hydraulic arm lifted the flat trailer on one side, and a sliding arm gently placed one end of the playhouse onto the gravel driveway.
Charlie said, "This is quite an operation," she said. She took her place next to her son, and the four of them watched, mesmerized by the process. The driver finished unloading the playhouse and then retrieved a fancy forklift from the flatbed truck. Within minutes he had wedged the forks of the mini-lift underneath one side of the playhouse, had lifted it in the air and was slowly driving the playhouse across the grass toward Jack Holloway and the spot Ruby had picked out. Earlier in the week Jack had marked it off, dug out the grass, compacted the dirt, and put down sand and decomposed granite to make a solid, level spot for the playhouse. Once the deliveryman drove the painted shed to the right place and set it down, Ruby squealed and broke away from her mother.
"Ruby, wait!" Jen called after her. Ruby sped up, not listening to her mother's strained, worried voice.
"Come on," Charlie said, leading the way toward the playhouse. When they caught up to Ruby, she was standing with her grandfather holding his hand.
"Isn't it perfect, Mama?" Ruby cooed.
"Ruby you should not run off like that. This is dangerous work. You could get hurt if you got in this man's way," Jen scolded.
"I'm sorry, Mama," Ruby said. "I just got so excited I couldn't help it."
Jen sighed. How could she fight that face? Or that reasoning? "Well, next time you need to fight that feeling. Okay?"
"Yes ma'am," Ruby said.
Jack gave the deliveryman a check and handed Jen a key to the padlock on the door of the playhouse. Ruby bounced up and down on the balls of her feet as her mother slipped the key into the lock, opened it and pushed open the door. Ruby squealed again and ran inside. She spun in a circle and laughed.
"That's one happy girl," Charlie said.
"Yes, it is," Jen agreed. She tucked the key into her pocket and turned to her father. "Want to get the table and chairs and rocking chair out of your shed?" Jen said. "I'm sure Evan can help."
