A Spell for Trouble

by Esme Addison

  Minka had tilted her head. “Honestly, this is ridiculous. Have you ever heard of a single person dying in so many different ways?”

  Alex had sighed. “He truly was unlucky.” She was relieved to escape the gossip.

  She was interested in the soapmaking process, particularly by how the different oils worked together to create a balanced bar. Coconut oil, so moisturizing in oil form, created a very bubbly, hard, and cleansing bar of soap that could dry out the skin. As Lidia explained while Alex worked, coconut oil must be balanced with something like olive oil, which was gently cleansing and soft. But olive-oil soaps had little lather, so adding an ingredient like palm oil would support the big bubbles from the coconut oil. The result was a hard bar of soap that lathered well and cleansed without drying the skin—all made without any detergents.

  She carefully measured each ingredient the way Lidia had taught her and added a blend of essential oils that smelled fresh and clean: spearmint, orange, rosemary, and lemon. The best part of the process was mixing the lye water into the oils and stirring the batter, which went from oil to a puddinglike texture in seconds. Working quickly, she added scoops of sea kelp and spirulina to the mixture. She smiled as she poured the soap into the wooden loaf mold and created some fancy swirls on top with a rubber spatula. If only her chemistry class had been this much fun.

  She was so lost in her own work that she barely noticed that Lidia had grown silent. Alex set her soaping equipment into a ten-gallon bucket. She’d clean it tomorrow after the saponification process was complete and there was no caustic lye remaining in the batter. She pulled off her gloves and removed her goggles. “Is everything okay, Ciocia? You’ve been quiet.”

  Lidia had arranged a selection of herb-infused oils on the counter and was weighing beeswax pastilles into a bowl. “Everything is just fine,” she replied, keeping her back to the room.

  Alex didn’t buy it. Her family had been acting strangely ever since Kamila had come through the door that morning. “Is there—do you want to talk about Randy?” she began in an uncertain voice.

  “Thank you,” Lidia said over her shoulder. “But I enjoy silence.”

  “Okay. I’m just saying that if you wanted to talk about it—”

  “I said no, Aleksandra.” She turned around, and Alex was smacked with a sudden gust of air. Lidia’s blue eyes were bright, and her voice was sharp. “If you’re finished, I’m sure Minka could use some help.”

  Alex’s chin quivered. “Then I’ll leave you alone.”

  She pushed open the door to the retail floor and allowed it to shut loudly behind her. Alex told herself that her aunt’s brusqueness was nothing and that grief and regret could make a person do strange things, but that brush-off had stung. She’d only been trying to comfort her.

  Alex yanked a clean apron from a drawer. “Whatever.” But for the first time since she’d come to Bellamy Bay, she felt like the outsider she was.

  Chapter Six

  For the next few days, Alex’s family avoided discussion of Randy Bennett, except that Kamila mentioned in passing at dinner one night that she’d heard the coroner’s report had revealed no suspicious cause of death. “And you were so worried,” Lidia said, giving her oldest daughter a kiss on the cheek. “All for nothing.”

  The week passed quickly as Alex committed to learning more about the products at Botanika. She brought home samples of lotions and salves, and sampled all the teas. On Friday, Alex was standing at the back counter reading a book on holistic remedies when a tall figure passed in front of the front window. Her stomach tightened. It was Jack, and she hadn’t seen him since they’d made plans for dinner. She ran to greet him at the door. “Hey, Jack,” she gushed. “How did your mom like the tea?”

  But Jack’s face was pained as he gave her an incredulous look. “I’m not giving my mother anything from this store.” He glanced around the shop. “Is Lidia here?”

  The chilly greeting confused her. Two uniformed police officers entered the shop behind him, raising an alarm in her mind. “Yes, she’s in the back. Do you need to see her?”

  “Yes. Please ask her to come out.”

  Minka said, “I’ll get her.” Alex watched her cousin walk into the back room and call, “Mom? Someone’s here to see you.”

  Athena let out a huff and hurried to Alex’s side, the hair on her back at attention. When a low growl started in her throat, Alex set a hand on her head. “Hush, Athena.”

  She studied Jack’s oddly clenched jaw. “Jack? W-what’s going on?” Her eyes jumped from Jack to the two officers guarding the door. “Did something happen?” Her thoughts went to Kamila. “Is my cousin okay?”

  “Your cousin?” He blinked, momentarily confused. “Oh, you mean Officer Sobieski. Yes, she’s fine.”

  But her chest tightened as Lidia walked out, wiping her hands on a towel. Her aunt’s face gave nothing away, but her posture was steely. “Hello,” she said.

  “Lidia Sobieski?” Jack said.

  “Yes.” She put the towel down on the counter and set her hands on her waist.

  He took a step forward. “I’m here to arrest you for the murder of Randolph Bennett.”

  “What?” Alex’s blood went cold. “She had nothing to do with his death.”

  The shop was silent. Several customers were pressed against the wall, watching the scene unfold.

  Jack turned to Alex. “I’m sorry. I know this is upsetting.”

  “Upsetting?” Alex’s voice cracked. “It’s ridiculous. The coroner said he died of natural causes.”

  “Actually, the coroner concluded that Randolph Bennett was poisoned,” Jack explained. “We’ve kept it quiet while we conducted an investigation.”

  “What?” Minka shrieked, then clapped a hand across her mouth.

  Lidia’s face was blank with shock.

  Alex was light-headed. “I don’t understand.”

  “His stomach was empty except for tea leaves and berries,” Jack continued. “We have witnesses who have made statements saying that your aunt and Mr. Bennett were involved in an altercation on Monday. They saw her go into the back and get him a bag of tea.”

  “That’s impossible,” Minka shouted. “My mom wouldn’t hurt anyone.”

  “Well, quite a few people may disagree,” Jack replied carefully. “Ms. Sobieski is known for her, uh, fiery temper. And the witnesses in your shop that day said she pushed Mr. Bennett against the wall and threatened him.”

  “I was here. She never threatened him,” Alex said. “Ciocia Lidia, say something. Tell them what happened.”

  But the officers were already moving to lead Lidia away.

  Panic rose in Alex’s chest. “Ciocia Lidia, you didn’t kill Mr. Bennett. Tell them.”

  Lidia stepped forward, resigned. “Of course I didn’t kill him.” She looked at Jack. “I know you’re just doing your job, and I know you are sincere. But you’re making a mistake.”

  Jack frowned. “I’m following the evidence, ma’am.”

  Minka stood helplessly at the back register, tears streaming down her cheeks. Alex threaded her fingers through her hair. This couldn’t be happening.

  “Jack, you had to come into her shop to make this arrest?” she hissed. “In front of everyone? You couldn’t even be decent about this?”

  “Alex, please—”

  She brushed his hands away. “You could have asked her to turn herself in. You didn’t have to do it this way.”

  “I’m not sure you understand the gravity of the situation.” He clenched his jaw. “We had a search warrant executed on your aunt’s residence today.” He pulled a folded square of paper out of his jacket pocket.

  Alex’s jaw dropped. “You searched the house?”

  “While we weren’t home?” Minka gasped.

  “Standard procedure for an emergency warrant. We had to act quickly before evidence was destroyed, so the court granted permission. We didn’t need anyone to let us in. We knocked, and when no one answered, we broke down
the door.”

  Alex groaned. “You’re kidding me.”

  He handed the paper to Alex. “We found the plants we believe your aunt used to poison Mr. Bennett: deadly nightshade. The berries were found in Mr. Bennett’s stomach.”

  “That’s not true,” Minka burst out. “That plant has medicinal uses. Mom uses the leaves, not the berries.”

  He handed Alex the document. “Here. You can read the warrant yourself. We have probable cause to arrest Lidia. And we have reason to do so immediately, before she harms someone else.”

  Alex grabbed the warrant from his hand and tried to focus on the words, but her head was reeling. The cause of Mr. Bennett’s death had been found to be severe anticholinergic syndrome—whatever that meant—and the police were claiming Lidia’s tea was responsible.

  “I had my suspicions when I found the bag of tea from Botanika next to the body, and fortunately the coroner’s conclusion came quickly. The lab rushed the preliminary toxicology reports and confirmed that the berries in his stomach were deadly nightshade. It doesn’t take many berries to kill an adult. Maybe a couple dozen. We found more than enough.” Now Jack folded his arms and he lowered his voice to address her privately. “This was a brutal way to die. Mr. Bennett probably suffered hallucinations and delirium before his heart and lungs stopped.”

  Alex glared at him. “I thought you said this”—she waved her hands around the shop—“was all snake oil? Now you’re a believer?”

  Jack had the decency to look away. “I really am sorry about this, Alex. You have to know that I’d never do anything to intentionally hurt you or your family.”

  His words barely registered as she watched one of the officers lead Lidia out the door, reading her aunt her Miranda rights.

  “Don’t talk to anyone, Ciocia,” she called out. “Don’t say a thing. I’ll find you a lawyer.”

  “It’s all right, Aleksandra,” Lidia called over her shoulder. “Call Tobias Winston. He’s our family attorney.”

  Alex met Jack’s gaze. “You’re making a huge mistake. I hope you know that.”

  He shifted from one foot to the other. “About tomorrow night. Under the circumstances …”

  “Don’t worry. It’s off.” Alex’s cheeks warmed with anger. “It’s so off.”

  Jack nodded but didn’t reply.

  Alex stormed away to hug Minka, who had covered her face with her hands. “It’s okay,” she soothed her. “It’s a terrible mistake, that’s all. We’ll get it sorted out.”

  Minka sniffled. “Mom would never hurt anyone. Her entire business is healing.”

  “Minka. Alex.” Kamila burst through the front door. “I just heard. Oh my gosh.”

  “You could’ve warned us,” Minka said, her eyes filling again. “You just let them arrest Mom.”

  “You think I actually knew about any of this?” Kamila said, visibly shaking. “They lied to me, said they didn’t have a suspect in the case yet.”

  Alex moved to shield her cousins from prying eyes. As Minka covered her face with her hands, her body shuddering with sobs, Kamila’s face softened.

  “I didn’t know,” Kamila insisted. “Oh, Minka.” She pulled her sister into her arms. “We’ll figure it out.”

  “Officer Sobieski? A word?” Jack approached cautiously.

  “Please, just give me a minute with my sister.” Once he turned, Kamila shot him a drop-dead look. “Come on, why don’t you two wait in my car.” Kamila led them to the front of the shop. “We’re going to meet Mom at the station. I just need to see what Detective Frazier wants first. I hope it’s an apology.”

  “Your mom said to call Attorney Winston,” Alex said.

  “Good idea.” Kamila was already pulling out her phone. “I’ll get this cleared up if it’s the last thing I do.”

  Alex and Minka walked out the door together, keeping their heads high despite the crowd gathering outside. Alex didn’t know any of the faces in the crowd except one: Pepper Bellamy. And she was taking notes.

  * * *

  The women piled into Kamila’s small white SUV and, after dropping Athena off at home, drove straight to the Bellamy Bay police station. When they arrived, local media were already standing outside, snapping pictures and recording footage.

  “No comment,” Kamila said when a reporter shoved a microphone in front of her. She ushered Minka and Alex inside. “Bunch of vultures,” she growled. She led them to a small waiting area lined with hard plastic chairs. “You can wait here. I’ve got to talk to some people.”

  “I don’t want to wait,” Minka said. “I want to talk to Mom.”

  “Minka.” Kamila squeezed her sister’s shoulder. “It’s going to be a little while.”

  Minka plopped herself into a chair and set her head on her hands. “This is terrible. Just a nightmare.”

  Alex turned to Kamila. “We’re okay. I’ll sit with her.”

  Her cousin gave a small nod and left the room. Alex took the chair beside Minka, who was staring at the gray linoleum floor. “The whole town will think Mom killed someone. No one’s going to shop at Botanika. We’re going to lose the house—”

  Alex gripped her cousin’s hand. “One thing at a time. We’re going to focus on getting your mom out of here, okay? We’ll post bail—I’ve got some money in the bank. We’ll figure it out.”

  Minka’s complexion was ashen. “I think I’m going to throw up.”

  She ran out of the room, leaving Alex alone—but not for long. A figure darkened the doorway.

  “Hi, Alex.” It was Pepper Bellamy.

  Pepper flipped her hair over one shoulder and stepped into the waiting room. “Mind if I sit?” She took Minka’s seat. “It’s such a shock about Lidia, isn’t it? They’re saying murder, right?”

  Alex’s lips tightened. “I’m not sure,” she lied. She eyed Pepper sidelong. “Why are you here?”

  “Oh, you know. I am a reporter, after all. There’s a story here, and I’m going to write it.” Pepper pulled her messenger bag onto her lap and dug inside. “People are saying the police searched Lidia’s house. Is that true?”

  Alex massaged her forehead with her fingertips. “That’s what I hear. It just seems so extreme to treat Lidia like a common criminal.”

  Pepper found her notepad and flipped to a clean page. “But if she poisoned someone …”

  Alex straightened in her seat, wary of Pepper’s intentions. “She didn’t.”

  “You have proof?” Pepper leaned in, pen poised over her pad. “An alibi for the time of the murder? The police are saying it was about ten Tuesday night.”

  Alex wasn’t sure where her aunt had been that night, but she’d definitely been out. Of course, she could tell Pepper this. “I don’t have proof—or know if she has an alibi—but I know she wouldn’t kill anyone.”

  “How do you know that? You haven’t been to Bellamy Bay in forever. How well do you really know your aunt?”

  Alex opened and closed her mouth, unsure how to respond. She really didn’t know her aunt. But she was family, and who wanted to believe the worst of a family member?

  “Everyone in town knows she has a temper.” Pepper grinned. “And you can’t deny she knows her poisons.”

  No, Alex couldn’t deny that. But maybe she could appeal to Pepper’s sense of decency, if she had any. Alex frowned when Pepper began writing something down. “You and Minka went to school together, right?”

  Pepper narrowed her eyes, nodding slowly. “Yeah, so?”

  “Minka’s as sweet as they come. You wouldn’t go out of your way to write something that would hurt her, would you?”

  Pepper pursed her lips. “Not on purpose, no. But I have a job to do and my journalistic integrity to consider.”

  “Look, I understand that, but can’t you at least wait until the police complete their investigation?”

  Pepper shot her a look of regret. “Sorry, I have a responsibility to the public.” Then she grinned. “Speaking of which, I’m also working on another
article, one you’re really going to be interested in.”

  Alex’s stomach began to churn. “Why will I be interested in it?”

  “It’s a bit of town history. Here it is.” She pulled a dog-eared notebook from her bag. “I’ll give you a sneak peek.” She leaned closer to whisper, “I know the truth about the Sobieskis.”

  “Which is what?”

  “You’re witches.”

  “What?” Alex burst out laughing. Witches? No one believed in witches anymore. Was she actually going to publish that? “Pepper. That’s … the weirdest thing I’ve heard. Ever. Truly.”

  Pepper opened her notebook and flipped through the pages. “Water witches, descended from mermaids,” she continued. “It’s been town lore for years. Some people believe it; most think it’s absurd. But I finally have proof.” She looked up from her notes. “It’s all in my great-grandfather’s journal. Two greats, in fact. Captain John Bellamy? The great-grandson of the founder of Bellamy Bay.”

  “I hate to break it to you,” Alex replied, “but finding something in a journal from however many hundreds of years ago doesn’t make it true.”

  “It’s all in there,” she continued, as if Alex hadn’t spoken at all. “The town was founded on the story of a woman who could transition between her human form and being a mermaid at will. She fell in love with a fisherman and swapped life in the water for a permanent life on land, just to be with him. They left Warsaw in search of a new life together where no one knew her secret, and landed here in Bellamy Bay. Sweet, right?”

  “Yes, I read all about that in a fairy tale by Hans Christian Anderson,” Alex replied. “It’s called ‘The Little Mermaid.’”

  Pepper licked her thumb as she scanned her notes, undeterred. “Anyway, she and the fisherman married and had daughters, daughters who lost the ability to turn into mermaids but retained some of their powers. Captain Bellamy recounts this history and even gives a family tree. These women—your ancestors—were renowned for their beauty, healing powers, and prowess with men,” she added, with a touch of resentment. “Take Jack Frazier, for example. He’s the most eligible bachelor in town, and he hadn’t shown interest in anyone. Until you arrived.” She arched a brow.