Meows, Magic & Murder (19 page)

Noah’s brow was furrowed now. “You do know if you start asking a deputy questions, it might seem suspect to them.”

“What? Why is that?”

“Suspects should stay far away from the case, not be pestering victims.”

“Or questioning them like we have been doing all day?”

He laughed now. “Exactly. That’s why I should be the one doing it.”

“We’ve been over this before and I insist on seeing this through.”

They went into the bistro, an all-brick building that housed many stores. It was in the corner spot and Noah opened the frosted glass door. There were wrought-iron tables and chairs on a patio, but nobody currently was seated outside. Normally she liked to sit there, but she planned on speaking to the deputy if it was Natalie.

“It would be great to sit outside today,” Noah suggested.

Petunia gave him a look instead of answering and walked into the bistro, as he still had ahold of the door handle. Along one wall was a mahogany bar. All tables to the left of that had a viewpoint of similar brick building on the opposite side of the street, where many other restaurants were. Large, neon signs hung on the side of the buildings and at night, this area was lit up.

They sat near the window and Petunia fingered the linen tablecloth until a server came over. “Hello, Petunia. Who is this? I hope not your boyfriend.”

“Why is that?” Noah asked.

“It’s just that—well, it didn’t go too well the last time she had one.”

“Jeremy you mean?”

“No, Henry. Jeremy was a serial dater. I’m not all that sorry that he’s no longer in town.”

“He’s also missing,” Noah began. “Did you have an ax to grind with him?”

“No, but he did break my heart, too, Petunia. I don’t believe you had anything to do with his disappearance. It wouldn’t surprise me if he just skipped town.”

Petunia nudged Noah now. “We’re not here to discuss this. We’re here to eat remember?”

Noah ordered an iced tea and Petunia a diet cola, and when the server disappeared, Noah said, “Have you ever considered investigating Jeremy’s disappearance, too, since you’re a suspect in that case?”

Petunia spotted Deputy Natalie Cartwright across the room, making her way to the restroom, and stood. “I’ll be right back. Order me the roast beef hoagie on rye.”

She sprinted away before Noah had a chance to say anything. Petunia just hoped he hadn’t noticed that she went in search of the deputy.

Petunia went into the bathroom and was washing her hands when she heard the whoosh that signaled a toilet had been flushed. Natalie came out of the stall, but Petunia kept washing her hands, eyeing her through the reflection of the mirror.

“Hello, Petunia. Fancy meeting you here. What are you up to today?”

“Up to?”

“Yes. The sheriff mentioned that you were bothering the victims’ families today.”

“Questioning them, you mean.”

“Look, I know what you’re trying to do here, but the sheriff won’t stand for much more. He’s getting ready for an arrest.”

Petunia sighed. “Is it true that both Kaye and Charlene were sent letters supposedly from me asking them to meet me at the Lake Forest beach?”

Natalie stiffened now. “And you learned of that how?”

“The families told us.”

“Us?”

“Yes. My neighbor Noah is helping me investigate.”

“Please, Petunia, for both of your sakes, stay out of the investigation.”

“There’s no way my fingerprints were on those letters and even if I wrote them, it would be very dumb to leave that kind of evidence for the sheriff to find, don’t you think?”

“I can’t say since I’m not telling you about any evidence we have on you, Petunia.”

“Fine, don’t then. But I hope you’re not planning to railroad me like the sheriff is doing. Besides, while I knew Kaye and Charlene from high school, how does Helen fit into this? I believe someone is trying to make me look guilty.”

“And what about Jeremy? Is someone also trying to frame you for that, too?”

“I-I don’t know. I’m sorry to have bothered you, Natalie. I just hoped that—”

“That I’d put my job on the line for you just because we were in a few classes back in high school?”

Petunia frowned and left the bathroom, sliding back into her seat now as Noah smiled. “What did the deputy have to say?”

“How did you know I spoke to her?” Petunia asked, shocked. She was sure he hadn’t seen her following the deputy to the restroom.

“I guess I’m more observant that you think. I used to be a cop. It comes with the territory.”

“Nothing, just the normal, ‘Stay away from the case.’ She did at one point make it sound like there were letters found, but wouldn’t confirm it.”

“I expect not. It would put her in a difficult situation with the sheriff.”

“She also said the sheriff is getting closer to an arrest.”

“Sure, but I bet you already knew that.”

Petunia frowned. She didn’t want to answer any more questions about Jeremy and hoped Noah would not bring that up again. She had no way to answer that line of direct questioning. If only there was some way she could turn Jeremy back into human form, or at least make it look like he actually left town to an unknown location.

The server delivered their sandwiches and Petunia concentrated on eating for the moment. She locked eyes with the deputy who strode past on her way out the door, and wished she’d have been of some help. Time was running out for Petunia, and she shuddered to think what would happen if she was arrested. Would Noah still then be willing to help her?

* * *

After lunch, Petunia called Aunt Maxine, who chastised Petunia for not coming to the shop to help out when they were being slammed, as she put it. Petunia did promise to stop by after they questioned Nathaniel Chambers. It was time to ask her aunt a few questions, also.

Noah drove to the Grease Monkey and they clambered out of the car, heading toward the garage area where there were three opened garage doors.

Petunia asked a young man who walked by if Nathaniel was working. With a nod of his head, he hollered, “Nathaniel, a woman is here to see you.”

Nathaniel surfaced from an opened door and met Noah and Petunia halfway. “Hello, I’m Petunia Patterson, and this is—”

“Noah, right? I heard about you two poking around about the murders here in town. I sure hope you find out who did this. Charlene didn’t deserve to die that way, or any of the other victims.” He shook his head. “I’m still rattled over her death.”

“But didn’t you break up some time ago?”

“Sure, but believe me, I did care for her deeply at one time.”

“Could I ask you about the nature of your breakup, if you don’t mind?” Petunia asked.

“I suppose. It’s not much of a secret. Charlene took quite the tumble in life after her parents divorced. Her father bankrupted them so her mother didn’t get anything to speak of. She works as a secretary for an accountant and Charlene was the kind of girl that was used to having the finer things in life.”

“Then why didn’t she go to college?”

“Perhaps you should ask her mother that.”

“I couldn’t get that much out of Rhonda. She’s quite angry about her daughter’s death.”

“I imagine so. Charlene didn’t think she needed to enroll in college. She thought some rich man would fall in love with her and when that didn’t happen, we dated for a few years. I even proposed to her, but she had set her sights on someone that made more money than I did.”

“That must have been a blow for you,” Noah said.

“Yes, it sure was, but I wasn’t about to chase after her. I don’t need that kind of grief in my life. Charlene was gorgeous. If she’d have left Lake Forest, she might have been able to find what she wanted.”

“It sounds like a fairytale to me,” Petunia said. “College would have been the best bet for her. I’m shocked her mother didn’t press her to attend.”

“She didn’t have the money to pay for her daughter’s education.”

“There are grants and student loans,” Petunia countered.

“I know you’re right, but it wasn’t something Charlene wanted to do, obviously.”

“Seems like she’d have been more motivated than that. Working as a beautician certainly couldn’t have been paying the bills.”

“Which is why she still lived with her mother.”

“Did Charlene have anyone that might want to harm her that you know of?”

“I’ve been broken up with her for six months, so I can’t say.”

“How about when you were dating her?”

“Sorry, I can’t help you there. But why are you investigating this case? Isn’t it the sheriff’s job?”

“Yes, well … I just don’t like the idea of a killer loose in Lake Forest.”

“And it could be because everyone thinks Petunia is responsible,” the young man said, who lingered close by. “Or so people are saying in town.”

Petunia put her hands up now. “No, it wasn’t me for sure. I’d have no reason to want any of the victims dead.”

“Is there anything you could add about Charlene that might help us locate her killer?” Noah asked.

“Sorry, but I hope someone figures out who the murderer is in town.”

Noah thanked Nathaniel for his help and they drove back to Noah’s house. Petunia then parted ways with him and went on home herself.

When Petunia opened the door, Pansy was perched on the back of the sofa, pacing.
“It’s about time, Red. I was wondering if I’d have to send out a search party.”

Petunia sat down and took her shoes off, massaging her toes that felt pinched from the shoes she wore.
“And how exactly would you do that? Call 911?”
She smiled.
“Send a cat patrol?”

“You underestimate the power of felines.”

“No, I don’t. You cats have it over us humans. Look how trained we have become.”
With that, Petunia moved into the kitchen, filling the bowls, as Gem, Merlin, and Sassy waited expectedly until she had finished, making a mad dash to gobble up the food.

“You cats act like you’ve never eaten before.”

Petunia went upstairs and changed into jeans and a tee shirt, finally slipping her feet into more comfortable shoes. She then descended the stairs and Pansy bounded forward.

“Where are you going?”

“What makes you think I’m going anywhere?”

“Well, aren’t you?”

“Sure, I was hoping to pick up ingredients for a potion to turn you back.”

“It’s about time. I’m going, too.”

Petunia's hands went to her hips.
“That’s out of the question.”

"Don't even try it with me, Red. I'm going … or else."

Petunia's brows gathered.
"Or else? What would you do if I left without you?”

Pansy now rubbed against Petunia's legs
. "Please, I've been locked up here all day with those cats."

Merlin came up and swung a paw, knocking Pansy over, and pinned him to the ground as Gem skidded into the room, jumping in her knitting basket.

“Obviously you might want to talk more kindly to your fellow cats, or about them. They've been here much longer than you, and quite set in their ways."
Truer words had never been spoken. Merlin was establishing himself as ringleader of the bunch now, even though Pansy had been assuming the role since he had been turned into a cat. Gem was more of a silly heart and quite affectionate. She was also the youngest of her cats. That left Sassy, who was … well, quite sassy. She had all the attitude of royalty, like if Petunia didn't feed her the food she liked. Forget store brand, all she'd eat was Fancy Feast. Petunia had no idea before she owned a cat just how much drama she'd have to endure. Through the course of her day, she could spend it easily picking up cat toys. Petunia then glanced around at her knitting basket and Gem was on the move. Yarn had been scattered and she followed a string into the kitchen and out the back door. Gem had ahold of one end and was taking it with her, under a fence and into a neighbor's yard.

Petunia tapped her foot in aggravation. She took a chair over to the fence and scaled the chain length span, hopping on the other side. She followed Gem, who had gone into a doghouse that was no longer in use. Petunia dropped to her hands and knees, glancing inside. She couldn't see anything, so she gingerly felt inside, pulling out the contents. Out came balls with bells, feather cat toys, stuffed toys—and—knitting needles!

"Gem?" Petunia called out. She then surfaced and Petunia scooped her up and the knitting needles. Marching back to the fence, she carefully lifted Gem up and over, putting her on the chair she had used to climb over.
However will I get on the other side of the fence, now?
Petunia thought.

She could go around the front of the house, but the gate was always locked, and Petunia didn't want to startle her neighbor by suddenly appearing at her patio door asking to be let out of their backyard when she shouldn't be there to begin with.

She wasn’t able to reach the back of the chair that was just on the other side of the fence, but found a cinder block in the backyard, using it to try and scale it. Unfortunately, she wasn't quite tall enough. She hitched her leg up to the top of the fence just as Noah appeared with a chuckle.

“What … are you doing?”

Petunia fell backwards, the top of the fence hooked on the ankle of her jeans as she dangled from the top. With a hop, Noah landed next to her and detangled her jeans. Boom, she fell to the soft ground below.

“Thanks a lot.”

“Hey, I did help you get loose.” Noah glanced to the ground. “Are those knitting needles?”

Petunia eased herself off the ground and snatched up the knitting needles. “Yes, I followed Gem over here. She’s the thief of my knitting needles. I found them in that dog house over there.”

“Seems strange that she’d go into a dog house.”

“My neighbor doesn’t have a dog anymore.”

“So that explains the yarn coming for your back door.”

The patio door swung open and Sheriff Pinkerton walked over with Emily Dobson, her neighbor. She was around ninety and only stood only about five foot. She nervously stayed on her patio slab as the sheriff walked to meet Petunia and Noah.