Witch Indeed (A Mackenzie Coven Mystery Book 2)

by Sonia Parin

  “But in reality, you knew—”

  “Yes, I really knew, but I was happy to turn a blind eye.”

  “So when was the last time?”

  “Shortly before he... expired.”

  “As in... you were in the room with him the day he died... was killed? Lord Bradbury’s room?”

  “Yes, Stewart thought it would be fun to sneak in there. He liked playing musical bedrooms. Found it dull to always meet in the same place.”

  Eloise’s husky tone didn’t match the soft voice Lexie had heard. So there must have been someone else right after her...

  “Do you know if anyone else saw him that day?”

  “I couldn’t say for sure. Like I said, the only way to make our arrangement work was to ignore what went on the rest of the time.”

  “Did you tell Detective Inspector O’Rourke that?”

  “Of course.”

  “Do you remember if he had any food brought to him?” Someone had given him that deadly apple. Had one of the serving staff given it to him?

  Eloise’s lips quirked up into a small smile. “Stewart was always eating fruit. Wherever he went in the house, he always pulled something out of his pocket. It’s probably what kept him so... energetic.”

  Henrietta Langton and her cat, Nigel, joined them. “You two look as thick as thieves. What are you talking about?”

  Lexie turned to her. “There’s only one thing to talk about. Surely.”

  “Oh, yes. Stewart.” She looked around the patio. “I don’t know what we’re all going to do now. Soirees at Lord Bradbury’s will never be the same. I’d like to get my hands on the person responsible and...” She waved her hands. “Never mind.”

  “I hope the last time with him was memorable,” Lexie whispered.

  Henrietta gave her a conspiratorial smile. “I can’t believe it was only yesterday.”

  Okay. So Stewart had clocked up two encounters. Lexie wished she’d thought to ask Dante how many people had owned up to spending time with Stewart on that last, fatal day. Would the killer be brash enough to include herself? Assuming it was a woman...

  She watched Henrietta wink at one of the serving staff.

  “I suppose one will have to look elsewhere,” Henrietta said. “I never noticed how good looking the staff here are.”

  “It seems to have perked you up.” Lexie cast her attention around looking for other possible suspects. It didn’t surprise her to see Henry Stuyvesant’s gaze fixed on her. Lexie stared right back at him. It didn’t seem to faze him. “What do either of you know about Henry?”

  “Ugh! Not the most pleasant man,” Eloise said, “He disapproved of us.”

  Disapproved? “Of the way you all carried on with Stewart or generally?”

  “Yes... to both. He’s such a killjoy. I just ignore him. The same goes for his cat, Blackwell. A depraved little creature,” Henrietta offered. Nigel jumped onto her lap. “My little Nigel here has night terrors because of him.”

  “Why? Did something happen?”

  Henrietta gave a rueful shake of her head. “Blackwell snuck into our room one night. I’d left the bedroom window open because the air-conditioner had been making Nigel wheeze. Something woke me up and I saw Blackwell peering at my poor Nigel and looking as if about ready to pounce on him. I wish he’d stop coming. It ruins the event for all of us.”

  Lexie tried to sense something... as in, she told herself to try to pick up a vibe... something. Anything. She had no idea how she was supposed to do it. Whatever ‘gifts’ she’d been born with or had been given remained a mystery to her.

  “Your Luna seems to be quite taken with Jack.”

  Lexie looked around in a panic. She’d forgotten about Luna. Where was the little scamp? She followed Henrietta’s gaze and saw Luna sprawled on the steps next to Jack, their tails flicking from side to side.

  “Is there anything I should know about Jack?” Lexie asked, her voice carrying a hint of concern.

  Henrietta shook her head. “He’s a sweet cat.”

  She hoped Luna knew what she was doing. She looked over at Henry. He was still staring at her. But Blackwell wasn’t with him.

  Lexie sat up, her pulse racing as she searched for the leering cat and then she saw it skulking in a corner watching Luna and Jack. The intensity of its gaze made the hairs at the back of her head stand up.

  She’d definitely picked up a vibe, but it had nothing to do with magic. That cat was brewing up some nasty intentions.

  Henrietta checked her watch.

  “What’s next on the schedule?” Lexie asked without taking her eyes off Luna.

  “That’s what I was just wondering. I suddenly have several gaps in my day. I don’t know what I’ll do with myself.”

  Several gaps? How on earth did Stewart ever manage to juggle so many women?

  Eloise sighed. “I know just what you mean.”

  It took a minute for Lexie to realize Eloise’s voice had softened.

  Would the redhead be capable of murder? A killer would have to be extremely confident to remain so close to the scene of the crime, or assume they could blend in because everyone knew everyone else had been involved with Stewart. As for everyone else... They had to know the killer remained at large, roaming among them. Yet no one appeared to be concerned for their safety.

  Saying she needed to stretch her legs, Lexie strode over to the steps leading down to the gardens. Luna looked up at her and then returned to gazing adoringly at Jack.

  Dante O’Rourke.

  What’s happened?

  “I’ve identified the last two women to see Stewart alive,” she whispered.

  “Henrietta Langton and Eloise Fitzpatrick?”

  “Yes. Have you established the time of death?”

  “The killer struck shortly before you crash-landed in the wardrobe—”

  “Could you not phrase it quite like that?”

  “What would you prefer?”

  “Time of arrival.”

  “Okay. So we’re looking to fill a two-hour gap. Henrietta saw him two hours before you arrived. We’ve cleared Ramona because she was making a call from her room and the phone records can verify that.” He went on to name the others who’d been cleared because they’d been on a shopping trip to the nearest village and had credit card receipts to prove their absences from the house.

  “Can you trust those receipts?” Lexie asked.

  “What do you mean?”

  “Someone could have given their credit card to someone else.” She surveyed the patio to see if anyone was missing and quickly resumed her guard over Luna. “Don’t worry. I think I’m being overly suspicious. My mom told me there’s a price on Luna’s head and it’s all I can really think about.”

  “Take extra care. It might all be tied in together. You said it yourself, the cats are the common denominators.”

  “What if Stewart was killed because he had his eye on Luna and the killer wanted to clear the way for themselves?” Lexie asked. Everyone had expressed an interest in Luna. That made narrowing down the suspects impossible. “Okay, so who can’t account for that two-hour gap?”

  “Lucinda Carmichael, Aurora Smithson and Bebe Brown.”

  “What were they doing?”

  “They all claimed to have been in their rooms but they can’t confirm their alibis.”

  “What about the staff?” Lexie asked.

  “All accounted for. The housekeeper runs a tight ship.”

  “What if the killer decides they’ve had enough and leaves?”

  “No one is leaving without us knowing.”

  “How can you be sure?”

  “I have my ways.”

  Lexie couldn’t help looking over her shoulder. “This is where you reassure me and say you have someone working undercover in the house.”

  “Sorry. Can’t help you there. I’m nearby if you need anything.”

  Great to know she had the cavalry standing by but could she trust them to get to her in time?
/>
  Luna, Lexie mentally called out.

  I’m busy. Stop hovering over us and go away.

  This is important. Ask your buddy if he knows who killed Stewart.

  I’ll see what I can do.

  Just ask.

  Your timing sucks. I’m in the middle of something here.

  And I’m trying to keep you alive.

  As she turned she saw Aurora Smithson making a beeline for her.

  “If not for the food and drink, I would have left already,” Aurora said when she reached her, “Time’s dragging.”

  There were only two days left. At this rate, the killer could easily get away with killing Stewart. “Finding it hard to amuse yourself?” Lexie asked. “And what are you going back home to?”

  “More of this, of course.”

  Ah, a lady of leisure.

  “Coming here is the only reason I travel abroad. Otherwise, I would never set foot outside of Manhattan.”

  Charmed life, Lexie thought. She was about to ask if Aurora planned on returning the following year when it occurred to her that if she didn’t travel much then... she would have met Luna’s previous owner in Manhattan.

  She had no idea there were other witches living close to her. Her mom had nearly disowned her when she’d told her she was moving to the city. According to her, no self-respecting witch lived in the midst of so much chaos.

  Now that she’d been forced to accept her heritage she had no intention of changing her lifestyle to please the coven. It had been one of her conditions.

  “Will you come back next year?” Lexie asked.

  Aurora didn’t seem to give it any thought. “Of course.”

  “Even without the perks?”

  “The event hasn’t lost its exclusivity.”

  “And that’s all that matters?”

  Aurora glanced down at Luna. “Only a handful of us have the privilege of attending. I’m sure I’ll find something... someone else to amuse myself with.” She signaled one of the waiting staff for a drink.

  Lexie sighed and pretended to be at a loss for something to do or say. “Any idea where Stewart kept his collection?”

  Aurora nodded. “Second floor. The last room down the hallway. Why do you ask?”

  “I’m curious. I’d like to see it.”

  “Lord Bradbury mentioned getting rid of it all. It had been a point of contention between him and his brother.”

  Would that be his motive for killing his brother? “By the way, when was the last time you saw Stewart alive?”

  “Brunch. The morning he died. Or maybe it was lunch. The news shook me to the core. I still can’t think straight.”

  Lexie remembered Dante saying Aurora had claimed to have been in her room for the afternoon. Alone. “Were you with him long?”

  She shook her head. “About half an hour.”

  “And then what did you do with yourself?”

  “I went out for a walk.”

  She’d lied to Dante. “Did anyone see you?”

  “I don’t think so. Why do you ask?”

  “The detective asked me those same questions and I wondered how other people had responded.”

  “People usually need a reason to kill. He’s going to have a difficult time finding a motive. Everyone loved Stewart.”

  “Including the husbands?” Ramona had suggested the husbands had been grateful for the service Stewart had provided, but Lexie wasn’t convinced.

  Aurora gave a shrug of indifference.

  By this time tomorrow, Lexie thought, it would no longer be her problem. She’d be well on her way home.

  “Oh, I wonder where Jack’s gone off to.”

  Lexie looked down at the steps.

  No Luna.

  Where...

  She’d been there a moment before.

  Chapter Seven

  Lexie called out Luna’s name both out loud and in her mind.

  Hearing a faint mewl she walked to the edge of the garden and followed the hedge separating the garden from the rest of the vast estate.

  “Luna?”

  Nothing. She’d throttle her. High heels were not designed for walking on manicured lawns.

  Lexie hurried her steps, her gaze growing frantic as she searched along the hedge and the trees beyond.

  She couldn’t lose her cat now. She still hadn’t seen her in her true colors. And how would she feel when she did? She actually liked her golden fur. Not that it would make any difference. Luna would still be her same old snarky self. Lexie had no idea what she’d done to deserve a cat with an attitude that gorged on self-importance and illusions of grandeur.

  If someone had snatched her from right under her nose...

  Fury swirled inside her. Lexie clenched her teeth and growled.

  “O’Rourke, if you can hear me, my cat’s missing.” She waited for a response.

  Several voices swooped down on her from different directions, all spinning inside her head. If her heels hadn’t sunk into the soft ground, she would’ve toppled over. Lexie swayed and spun around. She kicked off her shoes and tried to find her balance. The voices echoed in her mind, growing louder and bouncing around her head like a pinball. She clasped her hands to her head and gritted her back teeth.

  This was worse than stepping inside O’Connor’s on Super bowl Sunday and being assailed by a blast of protests when, with less than a minute remaining, the coach made the worse decision ever costing the team the game. Argh!

  Dante O’Rourke.

  “Pipe down everyone,” Dante said.

  “There you are.” The voices in her head died down.

  “What did I tell you about not using my full name?” Dante barked out.

  “I won’t make that mistake again. Just how many of you are there?”

  “You didn’t call me to talk about my family tree. What’s up?”

  Frustration ripped through her. She curled her fingers into fists. She’d been so careful... The admission would cost her a layer of pride. “Luna’s gone missing.”

  “That’s... That’s actually bad. Very bad.”

  “Why do you think I called you?”

  “Unless you’ve forgotten, I’m in the middle of a murder investigation.”

  “Please spare me the lecture.”

  “What do you expect me to do about your cat? She’s your responsibility.”

  “Are you for real? I can’t be the first Mackenzie to lose her cat.”

  “I warned you. Don’t let her out of your sight.”

  “I’m not liking you very much at the moment.”

  “Okay, where did you last see her and how long ago was it?”

  “She was sitting at my feet and I don’t have a watch.” She raked her fingers through her hair. “Five... maybe ten minutes ago. I thought I heard her mewling.”

  “So she can’t be far. Have you tried calling her?”

  “Either she can’t answer or she’s ignoring me.” Hearing some leaves rustling she looked up at an elm tree. “You’d better not be up that tree.” The branches were too high for her to climb.

  “You really need to teach that cat who’s the boss.”

  “I guess you haven’t heard the latest. They’ve unionized.”

  “What is she demanding?”

  “I’ve no idea. All I know is that I risk being sanctioned and will probably end up with a scrawny alley cat, if I’m lucky. Then I’ll be the laughing stock of the coven.”

  “I got the feeling you didn’t really care.”

  “I don’t. Well, not much.” She followed the tree line and kept her eyes open for any movement. “When I get my hands on you I’ll wring your neck... and... and then I’ll make you wear pink ribbons and I’ll buy you a cat leash and take you for walks along Park Avenue or wherever Jack lives.” She heard more leaves rustling. “Luna, are you up there? Answer me, missy.”

  All right. I’m coming down. I’ve never been so humiliated.

  Lexie saw her appear from behind a thick branch, Jack a step beh
ind her.

  “What were you thinking going off like that? Didn’t I tell you to stick by my side? Which part of ‘there’s a price on your head’ didn’t you get?”

  Luna looked down at her, a deep scowl on her cute little face. Lexie thought she also heard her growl.

  “If that was a cat expletive, I’ll wash your mouth out with soap.”

  From one moment to the next, she appeared to lose her footing. Her legs sprawled out and she went flying. With a loud screech, she landed on Lexie’s head and scrambled to get a hold of something. That something happened to be Lexie’s hair.

  “You did that on purpose.”

  Sorry, I slipped.

  Luna jumped off her and sauntered to a safe distance, her tail flicking something that looked a lot like a rude remark.

  Jack leapt down and caught up with her, a naughty but happy boy look on his face.

  “All’s well that ends well,” Dante said.

  “Oh, spare me the platitude.” Lexie ruffled her hair back into place. “The two of you... yes, you too, Jack.” Lexie grumbled. “Start walking.”

  When they reached the patio, Jack rushed over to his owner, Aurora Smithson.

  “Oh, you found them. Thank you.”

  Lexie only now realized Aurora hadn’t lifted a finger to look for Jack. Had it been a botched attempt to lure Luna away or simply her cat getting up to mischief?

  “Keep walking,” Lexie told Luna.

  How could you? I’ve never been so embarrassed.

  “Yeah, well. Stick around long enough, and I’ll prove you wrong. I’m sure I can do better.”

  You call that incentive for me to stay?

  “I’m giving you fair warning. Time to lay down a few ground rules. You might think you have the upper hand but I’m warning you, if you walk away I will spread rumors about you so scandalous you’ll never be able to live them down. No one will want you. And I will replace you with a Corgi... or two.”

  Luna stuck her nose up in the air.

  “You don’t believe me? Wait and see.” Inside the house, she looked around. One of the staff appeared carrying a tray of drinks. Lexie pretended to admire one of the paintings. When the coast cleared, she rushed up the stairs. “Keep up.”