Witch Indeed (A Mackenzie Coven Mystery Book 2)

by Sonia Parin

  “Have you sensed anyone with ‘gifts’?” Jonathan asked.

  “I hadn’t thought of that. In fact, there’s barely been enough time to even think what I’ll wear to dinner.”

  “Lexie? Have you been beguiled again?”

  She considered that for a moment. During her recent stay at House St James, she’d been beguiled into a state of utter bliss and enjoyment of haute couture and fine dining. Then there had been the singing...

  “Argh! If anyone’s messing with my dress sense, it’s my mom. But...”

  “Yes?”

  “Lord Bradbury’s brother died under suspicious circumstances and no one wants to talk about it. They’re more concerned about their cats, Luna and the next meal. Maybe we’ve all been beguiled...”

  Chapter Five

  “Dante O’Rourke.” Lexie checked her reflection in the mirror. Every time she dipped into her suitcase, she came up with something she hadn’t noticed there before. The black cocktail dress with a mini train sweeping down one side and a neckline that dipped far enough to make her chest a point of attraction was stunningly gorgeous. For someone used to wearing jeans all the time, Lexie was having no trouble enjoying wearing something different. It was like taking a vacation with someone else picking up the tab.

  “Do you have anything to report?” Dante asked coming through loud and clear.

  Lexie swirled around but then decided the dress required a haughty demeanor so she strode toward the end of the room, her head held high.

  “Alexandra Elizabeth Mackenzie, can you hear me?”

  “Yes, there’s no need to yell.”

  “Do you have anything to report?” the detective asked again.

  “As a matter of fact, I do. I spoke with Eloise Fitzpatrick and she seemed to favor death by apple over a generic death.”

  “She said that.”

  “She said more than that. I gave you the abbreviated version but if you want the full version. She came over—”

  “Did you mention the apple to her?”

  “No. I thought it best to avoid telling people I’d discovered the body.”

  “Then how did she know about it?”

  “Perhaps Grayson mentioned it.”

  “No. I specifically asked him not to.”

  “And you trust him to keep his word?”

  “He’s a butler. Lord Bradbury was present at the time of questioning and gave his nod of approval.”

  Lexie dipped into her magic suitcase and drew out a pair of black heels with ankle straps. Was her mom trying to send her a message? She’d never interfered with Lexie’s dress style but she had mentioned something about revamping her look.

  “What else?” Dante asked.

  “I didn’t realize you wanted me to be your eyes and ears.” She stood in front of the mirror. “Out of curiosity, what was I wearing today?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “When you saw me today. Do you remember what I wore?” She heard him clear his throat.

  His hesitation told her Dante could see her wearing the Mackenzie coven outfit her cousins had given her on her birthday, even if she wasn’t wearing it... something that still didn’t make sense to Lexie.

  “You wore black.”

  She looked over at the clothes she’d discarded earlier. She’d worn her jeans and t-shirt. That confirmed it. Dante could also see her in her Mackenzie outfit.

  “Why do you ask?”

  “I spoke with Jonathan earlier and he wondered if perhaps I’d been beguiled. It would be interesting to know if someone here has ‘gifts’.”

  “And knowing if someone can see you in your Mackenzie Coven outfit would be a way to find out?”

  “Yes.”

  He seemed to give it some thought. “I didn’t pick up anything from anyone.”

  Lexie grumbled under her breath. She was the High Chair... the incoming High Chair. Yet she only had basic skills and had no idea how to tap into her potential. Mirabelle had told her to focus. Her junior high school teachers had told her to focus. Her senior high school teachers had also told her to focus. But no one had ever told her what to focus on...

  “Have you ever tried to figure out those magic eye paintings?” Dante asked. “You know the ones where you focus until you lose focus and then an image emerges?”

  Had he read her mind? Lexie rolled her eyes. Yes, she’d tried... and failed.

  “You can apply the same technique to reading people. It’s a matter of looking beyond surface appearances. You focus long enough, you start to see something. A light shimmering around the edges of a person. A spark in their eyes.”

  “What do you see when you look at me?”

  “A kaleidoscope of colors.”

  That perked her up. She’d never thought of herself as a colorful person.

  “It’s rare and quite dazzling.”

  Even better.

  “So... in order for me to know if someone can see it... my true colors, I should be on the lookout for dazzled expressions.” Lexie frowned. Now that she thought about it, everyone had appeared to be somewhat dazzled.

  Could they all see her true colors?

  “Is this ability to see exclusive to people... in the know?”

  “Hard to say. Regular people see things too, but dismiss them as oddities.”

  “So I should look for someone who’s more intrigued than puzzled.”

  “I’d rather you focused on what people have to say. Someone is bound to slip up.”

  “When exactly did I become your on-the-field person?” she asked practicing walking in her heels.

  “When you crash-landed in a closet and found a dead body. Nothing ever happens by accident. You’re here for a reason.”

  Lexie stopped her pacing. Had Mirabelle sensed something about to happen? She seemed to have the knack for it. Lexie gave a slight shake of her head. Surely Mirabelle wouldn’t have sent her here unprepared...

  “What do we know about Stewart Bradbury?” she asked.

  “What do you mean?”

  “Unless he choked on the apple, we can assume he was killed. If not by the apple, then by some other means, which you are most likely looking into. I’m guessing most homicide victims are killed for a reason. Why would someone want him dead? The only reason I can come up with is jealousy or revenge. Everyone here had an affair with him.”

  “That’s too obvious, but I’m looking into it.”

  “What was his role in this household? He was Lord Bradbury’s brother. Did he live off him? Did he have his own money? Did he need money? Did he owe someone money?”

  “You’re really getting into the spirit of this.”

  Not really. Lexie stomped her foot. If she didn’t fill her head with something she’d think about Mirabelle sending her on some sort of quest. Worse. She’d thrown her in at the deep end. At least last time Mirabelle had given her a few prompts and Lexie had known she’d be walking into a difficult situation.

  “Like Lord Bradbury, Stewart liked his cats. He collected them.”

  “Sounds as if he had a horde of them, but I’ve only seen as many cats as there are owners.”

  “He liked his cats stuffed.”

  Luna stopped her preening and shrunk away.

  “Yes, you heard right, Luna. Stuffed.” Lexie took a turn of the room. “Did he have the cats stuffed or did he collect cats already stuffed?”

  “We don’t know that. Maybe you can find out. Lord Bradbury could barely string two words together when I spoke with him. He was that upset.”

  Stuffed cats. “What a strange creature. A Casanova and stuffed cat collector.”

  Luna screeched.

  “What’s your problem?”

  Must you be so macabre?

  Lexie shrugged. “You’re too sensitive for your own good.”

  “What was that?”

  “I was talking to Luna. What about Ramona?” Lexie asked. “How did she behave in the interview?”

  “The cross-dresser fears for he
r life. She can’t die now because she’s put in an order for new wigs. It’ll be her new black look... go figure. I didn’t push her too hard. She started crying and her eyelashes came unstuck. That made her even more upset.”

  “It’s a strange group, Dante. Henry Stuyvesant and his cat Blackwell give Luna the creeps. That has to mean something.”

  “How do you know they give her the creeps?”

  “She told me.” Lexie clamped her hand over her mouth and then she remembered Dante was a guardian. He’d know all about cats talking... She hoped.

  “I see you’ve connected with Luna.”

  Had she? “I’m still on probation. Do you think her talking to me is a good sign?”

  “Hard to say. She probably realized she depends on you for her safety.”

  “Needs must?” She gave Luna a raised eyebrow look. “Yet she’s being snarky with me. Is there someone I can complain to about her? Like a cat’s disciplinary board?”

  “You only need to show her who’s the master.”

  “She won’t have a bar of that. I don’t know that much about cats, but I do know they’re an independent lot. It’s a common trait.”

  “I wouldn’t know. I’m a dog person myself.”

  Lexie brightened. “Hey, me too.” The clock on the mantle struck the hour. “It’s cocktail hour. I have to go.” She stopped and checked herself to make sure she hadn’t been charmed again into responding to dinner gongs and anything to do with champagne. “Ready, Miss Hepburn?”

  “Who’s that?”

  “Ramona said Luna has Audrey Hepburn eyes and reminded her of Breakfast at Tiffany’s. I’m actually starting to worry about the attention everyone is giving Luna. And I’m not just talking about the cats. Their owners are just as interested. Lucinda Carmichael even made an offer for her.” Luna sauntered over to the door. “Someone’s in a hurry to make another appearance. Eager to see your mutual admiration society again?”

  Luna flicked her tail up in the air.

  “Okay. We’re off.”

  “Remember to keep your eyes open and ears tuned in to everything everyone says.”

  “Will do. By the way, are you a real detective?” she asked but Dante had already switched off. Lexie shrugged and strode out. In the hallway, she met Ramona.

  “I have been looking forward to this for ages,” Ramona said waving her hand in an elegant flourish. “Simply ages.”

  She wore a flowing pink and orange halter neck body hugging beaded gown. Her short black bob had been replaced by a long mane of honey blonde locks and her lips highlighted in orange.

  Despite Luna’s earlier criticism of Maurice’s fishy smell, she appeared to be happy to walk alongside him.

  “What’s so special about Lord Bradbury’s feline shindig?” Lexie asked.

  Ramona smacked her hand against her cheek. “Do you really need to ask? Just look around. The sumptuous setting, the select company. This is an exclusive, by invitation only club. Everyone, simply everyone clamors to get an invite to this annual event.”

  “So who gets invited?”

  “Only the best.”

  “As in, the cats with blue ribbons?” She knew there were serious cat owners who entered their pets into back-to-back competitions and lived to take their place in the winner’s podium. This affair appeared to be something entirely different.

  “Think of it as a respite get-together. A reward for all the hard work we put in throughout the year.”

  “I’ve only had Luna for a short time. I didn’t realize she’d been a show winner.”

  “Oh, she hasn’t been. In fact, I’ve never seen her participate in a show. She’s above all that.”

  She was? “Then how did you know about her?”

  Ramona gave a breezy wave of her hand. “The same way one knows the sun will rise. She comes from a distinguished line of felines. I’d kill to have her.”

  He... she would?

  Had Stewart Bradbury been killed because he’d owned something someone coveted?

  A stuffed cat?

  “I hear Stewart was an avid collector of stuffed animals.”

  “Cats.” Ramona shivered. “Very morbid. Yes, life is a cycle and must be accepted. We live. We love. We... expire. But what Stewart did to cats was unforgivable.”

  “I guess some pet owners can’t bear to part with their loved ones.”

  “Stewart didn’t wait for his cats to die of natural causes.”

  Oh. That sounded like a motive for murder. It would only take one person to feel strongly enough and take action.

  “Would you consider stuffing your cat... when his time comes?”

  Ramona pressed her lips together and shook her head. “I have a family plot for my precious Maurice. It houses all his predecessors.”

  Would Ramona’s disapproval of Stewart’s activities compel her to commit murder?

  “Are you about to suggest I killed Stewart?” Ramona asked.

  “I’m sure the police already cleared you.”

  “Yes. They did.”

  So unless Stewart had something else Ramona wanted, that put her out of the running. Then again, killing Stewart to gain something from him was only one motive. “Did you... and Stewart ever... you know...”

  Ramona giggled. “He did like to play the field.”

  “So... did you?”

  Ramona giggled again. “I never kiss and tell,” she said in a singsong voice. A long sigh later, Ramona gave her a light nudge. “My wife would have puppies if I cheated on her.”

  “What about the other partners?”

  “I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting them all. Only a few attend with their spouses. Who can say what they’d do. They might express indifference in public but might privately fume. The general consensus is that all partners have so far been happy to turn a blind eye.”

  Henrietta Langton had said something along those lines. Lexie couldn’t think of anything stranger than sharing a lover among so many people she knew. “Didn’t it get awkward?”

  “Oh, sometimes. I didn’t notice a strict schedule and on occasion I saw signals misread. It was all quite amusing.”

  “And people wandered into places they shouldn’t?”

  “Precisely.”

  As they entered the music room, Lexie scanned all the people there and found one she hadn’t encountered before. “Who’s that by the fireplace?”

  “Oh, I didn’t think she was coming. That’s Aurora Smithson and Jack.”

  Lexie noticed Luna stop in her tracks and then move as if caught in a trance. If that wasn’t odd enough, when Jack noticed her approaching he began to pad his way across to her. They met in the middle of the room. The dark chocolate tabby brushed his cheek against hers and guided her toward the windows.

  Ramona sighed. “Poor Maurice. I can feel his little heart breaking.”

  Ramona’s cat looked crestfallen. Lexie didn’t blame it. Luna had ditched him without a second glance. “Those two seem to be acquainted. I wonder where they know each other from?”

  “He hails from your neck of the woods.”

  “New York?”

  Ramona nodded. “Upper East Side. I’m actually surprised to see Aurora. She’d said she wouldn’t be able to make it this year. Something must have changed her mind.”

  Lexie didn’t have to think of a way to approach Aurora. The woman made eye contact with her and, getting herself a fresh glass of champagne, she made a beeline for her.

  “You must be Luna’s new owner,” she said without even acknowledging Ramona.

  It didn’t seem to bother Ramona who remained where she was almost in defiance of Aurora’s aloofness.

  “You’ve met Luna’s previous owner?” Lexie asked. It was something she hadn’t even thought about. Had Luna’s previous owner been a witch? And if so, who had it been? And what had happened? Had she failed to impress Luna?

  “Actually... no, I haven’t.”

  “So where do you remember Luna from?”

 
“That’s strange... I can’t put my finger on it. Oh, well...”

  That didn’t make sense. If everyone knew about Luna, she must have done something spectacular to be recognized so easily.

  “You’ll let me know if it doesn’t work out between you.”

  Lexie frowned at the remark. It seemed Aurora knew about the strange set up between her and Luna. But that was impossible. Lexie remembered Dante saying he hadn’t sensed any magic in the people he’d interviewed. There had to be a reason why they were all so drawn to Luna.

  “I’ll give you my card.” Aurora produced one from her tiny clutch bag. “It has all my contact numbers.”

  Ramona snorted.

  “Is there something you wish to say?” Aurora asked.

  “You know as well as I do cats like Luna are not bought.”

  Aurora looked over her shoulder.

  “And don’t think your Jack gives you the advantage either.”

  Switching off from the two squabbling guests, Lexie gave the room a skating glance and noticed Henry Stuyvesant holding his cat, Blackwell, his steady stroking almost mesmerizing. There was something about the man...

  “If you’ll excuse me, I see someone...” Aurora moved on to another group.

  “Watch out for her,” Ramona warned.

  “I’m watching out for everyone,” Lexie said under her breath as she sent her gaze over to the windows where Luna sat with Jack.

  Hey, Luna. Is that your boyfriend?

  Luna ignored her. In fact, Lexie would swear Luna was doing her best to disown her.

  Lord Bradbury appeared holding a cat Lexie hadn’t seen before.

  “What sort of breed is that?”

  “You don’t know much about cats, do you?” Ramona chortled. “It’s a Siamese. He has several of them.”

  “I thought I saw him earlier with a hairier cat.”

  “That’s the Persian Stewart had recently acquired.”

  Oh... Had Stewart intended stuffing it?

  Someone sat at the piano and began playing a soft tune. A wave of lively chatter wafted around the room. Lexie noticed Henry Stuyvesant still gazing at her. She had the feeling he didn’t necessarily want to catch her attention but rather, keep her in his sights.