Page 18 of Seven Secret Spellcasters (Kitchen Witch Mysteries #7)
“I was afraid you’d say that. I thought the same thing. But the question is, should I have Frank, the actual coroner, do an autopsy? Your group left it to my discretion.” Mark sighed. “I called to see what you think. Besides that, I don’t think your boyfriend killed the guy.”
Mia knew Mark was giving her a way out. She could tell him to accept the coven’s story about how Alfred Howard died and close the case.
Heart attacks happened, especially with older, overweight men in the mountains.
They always thought they could do more than they could.
But she didn’t think Howard came all this way to die on Trent’s property. Besides, why was he even there?
Was he spying on Trent to see if his house held potions and spell work?
Or maybe he’d been already told about Buddy.
The training camp had an NDA, but who knew if they didn’t whisper, especially when a hellhound turned the camp pink with fairy lights and had a dragon friend.
Then again, weres didn’t trust the witches.
That was probably something that didn’t happen every day.
“Mark, he was here to see if Trent still has powers. He’s not supposed to since he turned over his inheritance to Levi years ago.
But when the Goddess gave him Cerby, well, the coven got curious.
” Mia knew Steve and Thomas were going to hate her for sharing, but Mark needed to know what was going on.
She’d never forgive herself if she found out Howard had been murdered but they’d helped to cover it up to keep Trent’s secret.
“That sounds like a big deal. Sarah told me she still has powers, and she wasn’t supposed to either.
That’s why she was worried about the baby.
” Mark was quiet for a long time. “Mia, I think this is a bigger problem than we know. I’m going to continue the investigation, but please tell Trent my investigation is not aimed at him.
I’m wondering if the people who are directing this want it to be aimed that way, though. ”
“And if they think you are clueless about the magic world, the evidence points right at him.” Mia felt like she was in a spy movie. “Don’t get yourself in a bad situation.”
“I could say the same thing to you, missy.” He chuckled. “So I guess we’re covert partners in this investigation?”
“I won’t tell your secret, and you don’t tell mine. Or really, Trent’s. I kind of love the guy.”
“Family is important. Okay, so I’ll start the file.
I’ll label it an unattended death case. Tell Trent I’ll call him for an interview tomorrow.
I’m sure Steve is going to throw a fit. I’ll give the go-ahead on the autopsy.
I’ll send you the report from the coven’s specialist via email. Let me know if something stands out.”
“Sounds horrific, but okay. I’ll be home until Monday. I took a few days off.” Mia said her goodbyes and tucked her phone into her jeans pocket. Then she went into the library.
A book slammed into her chest as soon as she entered. “Hey, stop that.”
Grans looked up from the table where the archives were open before her. “What did you say, dear?”
“Someone threw a book at me.” Mia held up the book. She set it on a table. “Dinner’s ready.”
“Is it that late already?” Grans closed the archive link and tucked her notebooks into her tote. “I’m starving.”
The book Mia had set down jiggled, then flew back into her chest.
“Okay, fine, I get it. You want me to read this.” Mia grabbed the book and glanced at the title. “ The History of Magical Creatures .”
“I’m sure it has a chapter on leprechauns.” Grans took Mia’s arm. “And it’s not nice to yell at the ghosts. They’ll stop talking to you if you’re not polite.”
“I wasn’t yelling. I don’t like having things thrown at me,” Mia explained, but the look on Grans’s face told her she needed to do more. She looked up at the ceiling and called out, “Sorry, I was testy about the book delivery. Thank you for your guidance.”
As Mia closed and locked the library door, Grans patted her arm.
“Now, was that so hard? It’s important to keep your channels clear of negative energy.
Especially when they’re so close to where you sleep at night.
Ghosts have been known to get a little aggressive when they think they are being ignored. ”
Mia decided to ignore that statement. “Abigail said I need to invite my circle for Thursday. What does that mean?”
“Your circle of advisors. The ones who have helped you so far. Only you know their names before Thursday’s event. Except for me. You have to invite me since I’ve been training you. And Abigail, of course.”
“Can I invite Trent? Or will that out him to the coven?” Mia hated secrecy, but this was one secret she thought was important to keep. Except she’d already told Mark. She needed to get Trent alone so he knew that Mark knew. And this was why she hated secrets. She was horrible at keeping them.
“It’s your circle. Humans can be invited, but they rarely are. It wouldn’t look odd to the coven. You two are a couple, and Trent knows about magic, even if he isn’t supposed to have powers.”
Mia nodded. She hadn’t told her grandmother about Trent, but she’d known. And when Cerby and then Buddy showed up, that cinched it. She opened the apartment door to chaos.
Trent and Steve were yelling at each other in the living room, with Levi trying to keep the brothers from coming to swings. Mia could hear Abigail and Thomas yelling at each other in the kitchen.
Christina was holding a barking Cerby back from attacking Steve’s ankles, and Muffy was hiding behind Christina.
He ran to Grans and begged to be picked up as soon as Mia and Grans stepped inside.
Mr. Darcy was up on the mantel, his back up, and spitting at the men who were still yelling at each other.
Gloria was laughing.
Mia had one skill she’d learned early on the playground of Roosevelt Elementary. She put it to use now, and with two fingers, she whistled loudly, breaking up both fights.
“What in the world is going on?” Grans held a shaking Muffy. “You all sound like you’ve gone crazy.”