The Witch Weekly Part 2

Nope! No notes. However, I do have a recorder if I need to run to the bathroom and give myself some notes while Im out. I pointed at my necklace"a thin silver chain with a tiny diamond stud in the center. Or what looked like a diamond. If I put one finger on the front and one on the back, then squeezed for three seconds, the fake gem would begin recording. It wasnt magic, just good, solid technology.

You shouldnt record people without their knowledge.

I wont! I just use it when I need to jot down notes and forget my notepad or computer, I said. It also auto-saves, so I never lose my notes. The recording transmits to a little box I keep in my purse, or in my car, or at home"wherever I need it.

Thats neat, Bruce said, his interest waning. He leaned forward, pulling lip gloss from his person"where, I didnt bother to ask"and began applying it to my mouth without permission. Pucker up, he instructed, swiping back and forth. There. Thats good, doll. Weve gotta make you delicious since the entire countrys gonna be watching you fall in love.

My heart sped up. Wiping slightly sweaty palms against my skinny jeans, I tried to swallow, the taste of cherry gloss strong.

I knew that Bruce was just trying to plump up my confidence before the date tonight. It helped, a little. My palms had a sheen of nervous sweat on them, and as I pulled out the keys to my car, I wondered if blue-eyed Hank would be my ticket to success.

Chapter 4.

Hey Bel, hows it going? I answered the phone as I pulled into the parking lot for Bubbles & Broomsticks, the local town bar and grill. It leaned more towards upscale dining than fast food, and was a frequent choice of venue for my other best friend, the famous wedding planner Belinda Bright.

Are you at Jos? Belinda asked, her voice gentle across the phone line.

Where Layla was all outgoing fun, Bel was organized, thoughtful, and generally responsible. She ran the best wedding planning business in the whole town, possibly the whole country. Love was her specialty.

Jo owned Bubbles & Broomsticks, and she and Belinda were good friends. Jos restaurant sat midway into town, perched just across the street from the only wedding dress shoppe in Fairyvale. Usually after one of Bels brides chose her dress, the entire party would come here to celebrate. Since I often tagged along, I knew Jo, as well.

Im outside, I said, shutting the car off and sitting back in the seat. I welcomed the phone call. Any legitimate excuse that delayed the date was fine by me. Im trying to avoid going inside. Anyway, how did you know I was coming here tonight? I havent told anyone except for I sighed, and at the same time, both Bel and I said the same name: Layla.

She has your best interests at heart, Bel said. She called me to see if I could get Jo to reserve the best table for you and Hank. The romantic one in the corner; you know where Im talking about.

I dont want the romantic corner, I groaned. I just want a normal first date experience.

I know that your job depends on this gig, so get on inside. I just wanted to wish you good luck.

Im going, Im going.

Good. Bel waited a beat, and when she spoke again, her voice was softer. You know, Rosie, you probably dont want my advice, but Ill give it to you anyway. If you look at this date like its your job, itll never work.

What do you mean? I paused with one hand on the door k.n.o.b.

Falling in love isnt the same thing as crafting a perfect newspaper story, Bel said. Sometimes love is messy. Sometimes its not perfect. Sometimes its flawed, or broken, or complicated, and often times thats okay.

Love sounds really difficult.

Bel blew out some air. Just remember that Hank is a human. Dont try to turn this into an interview, or interrogate him. Just enjoy yourself, and Im sure h.e.l.l like what he sees.

I considered Bels words. I suppose you are the expert.

Some might say that. Bel gave a tinkling laugh.

She might be humble, but it was true. Hundreds of couples came to Bel every year asking for her to plan their weddings, and she had to decline the majority of them, since there simply wasnt enough time in the day. Bel had weddings stacked two years in advance.

Ill do my best. Okay, Ive gotta go, its seven oclock now.

Fas.h.i.+onably late, hon. Go get him.

Sliding out of the car, I made it to the door of the bar in a few short steps. I pulled the door open, surveying the seating arrangements before stepping foot inside the place.

Hiya, Rosie, Jo said, waving from behind the bar. She wore a cheeky grin and a knowing gleam in her eyes, which could only mean one thing: Layla had phoned her, too. I saved you a special table. You know the one over in the corner? Very romantic. I have one fella named Hank waiting for you.

I groaned, giving Jo a hug in greeting. Were keeping this quiet, right? The whole town doesnt need to know my business.

She winked. Of course. Anyway, Bel called me after Layla and told me to keep an eye on you. Im supposed to jump in if you start interrogating poor Hank.

Im not going to interrogate Hank!

Thats the right att.i.tude. She grinned. Go enjoy a nice dinner; dont worry about the bill, Ill send it over to Anderson myself. Im catering lunch for your office next week, so Ill add it to the tab.

I cant argue about that.

She leaned in and did a double wink. Which is exactly why I took the liberty of starting you too off with the darkest, richest red wine I have in the house. Some call it the love potion.

Jo!

What? She shrugged, and gave me an innocent stare, speaking with a joking lilt to her voice. You dont believe in magic and all those fairy tales, do you?

I laughed. Funny, Jo.

Go now, have a good time. Hes waiting for you.

I peeked over her shoulder to the so-called romantic corner where, as promised, a man with brownish hair sat tucked against the wall. Unfortunately, I couldnt tell if it was Hank, since the man sat perfectly still, slumped over his empty plate in what looked like a deep, deep sleep.

Is he okay? I hesitated before taking a step forward. Thats definitely not a good sign if Ive bored him to death before Ive even arrived.

Jo frowned. Maybe the wine I started him off with knocked him out a bit. They do say its an aphrodisiac.

Aphrodisiacs arent supposed to make you go to sleep.

No, no theyre not. She pursed her lips, then shrugged. Well, maybe wake Sleeping Beauty up with a kiss. Thatd make a good story down the line if you two end up working out.

I mumbled some sort of response, but I was already walking over towards my date. Something was off, I could feel it. That same feeling when I was on a story and about to stumble onto a critical piece of information.

Hank? I reached out and tapped him lightly on the shoulder. Hi, Hank. Im Rosie.

One or two heads turned to stare as I stuck my hand out and waited, never getting a response back.

I lightly grasped both of his shoulders and gave a little shake. Hank? We can cancel. seriously, if youve had a long day But something wasnt right. There wasnt any snoring, or any deep breathing, or hold on a second. There wasnt any breathing at all.

I leaned in, shaking Hanks shoulders harder, but there was no resistance this time. He slumped from the chair to the floor and landed face up, his eyes staring at the ceiling, unseeing.

Oh, no I backed up. I backed way, way up. Call 9-1-1. Somebody call the police! Help!

Whats wrong? Jo rushed around the bar and reached my side in seconds. What happened to Hank?

I dropped to the floor, feeling for a pulse and listening for breath. When I looked up a second later, I shook my head with wide eyes, the adrenaline rus.h.i.+ng through my veins. Jo, call the police! Hank is dead.

Chapter 5.

Go home, Rosie.

I shook my head. No, Im sticking around.

Look. The Chief paused, glancing around before gripping my arm and pulling me away from the crowd. Ive been extremely lenient about you poking your noses in places it didnt belong before, but Im putting my foot down this time. Were not talking about stolen lingerie here, alright? We have a dead body, Rosie.

Thats exactly why I should be involved, I argued. Dead bodies equal stories. I need information. Help me out, Chief.

He waved his hands back and forth, a frustrated sigh escaping his lips. No. I need information from you, not the other way around.

The Chief and I had a long, long history of b.u.t.ting heads. Itd started back when we were kids, and only got worse as we aged. As I looked down at the body, a streak of sadness for Hank twisted in my stomach, and I relented.

Okay, I said finally. What sort of information do you need? I already gave my statement to the cops er, cop.

The Chiefs eyes s.h.i.+fted to his partner, one of a handful of cops in our town. Fairyvale was not known for violent crime. Nor was it known for any sort of crime at all. It was a land of magic, happiness, and love"which didnt require a whole lot of law enforcement on a normal day, hence our small staff.

Weve got backups coming, but I dont think well need them. The Chief shook his head. Well have to s.h.i.+p Hanks body out for an autopsy, though. Next town over.

So you dont know why he died?

I didnt say that. The Chiefs lips tightened. But"

Rosie, help, Jo interrupted, calling from across the room. I pushed past the Chief and strode toward the owner. Jo stood against the bar wearing cuffs. Theyre arresting me!

For what? My jaw dropped wide open. You wouldnt hurt an insect!

I know that, but they seem to think I poisoned his wine, Jo said. I would never.

Of course you wouldnt, I said firmly. Jo was as good as a sister to Bel, Layla, and myself, and shed rather die than poison one of her customers. So why do they have you in handcuffs?

She blinked, then lowered her voice and leaned away from a cop who was examining a wine bottle on the counter. Theyre guessing the wine is what killed him, or at least something in it.

I followed her gaze to the bottle on the counter. The label read Nectar. I tried to get a closer look, but one of the cops was dusting for fingerprints and instructed me to stay away.

Do you mind? he growled, sliding the bottle further away from me with a towel. This is a crime scene.

Yes, and youve arrested my friend for something she didnt do, I said. Jo would never poison her customer.

How do you explain what happened then? The cop straightened up, and I realized he was new around town. I knew most of the local Fairyvale residents, and I hadnt seen his face before. A guy walks into the bar, asks for a gla.s.s of this womans most potent wine, and then minutes later, hes dead.

I dont know! Allergic reaction? I shrugged my shoulders. Or someone else?

It wasnt all that busy in here tonight, the cop said. We talked to everyone, even the barback, who confirms that hed restocked the wine selection exactly one hour before Hank was found dead.

How does he know if he restocked this particular bottle?

The cop held up a sheet of paper. Inventory. He restocked it at six p.m., and he claims the bottle was sealed. Jo agreed that it was sealed when she opened it. She was the only person handling the bottle between six and seven p.m., and she was the one who made the wine recommendation, opened the bottle, and poured the gla.s.s.

Well, youre missing something. Jo would ever hurt another human being. What if what if it was an accident? Maybe an allergic reaction, or I dont know, a heart attack or something?

The cop s.h.i.+fted his weight from one foot to the other. We wont know all of the details until we get the autopsy back.

Then you cant arrest her!

The Chief walked over, his tall, lean form standing so close my heartbeat skidded into overdrive. I blamed it on nerves, and not the way his muscles looked underneath his s.h.i.+rt. This man, for whatever reason, got my blood pumping like n.o.body else. Whats the problem here?

Your new buddy is the problem. I pointed at the young cop. Theyre trying to arrest Jo for murder. Shed never commit murder.

Luke, let me tell you one thing. The Chief extended a hand towards the new cop. Its pointless to argue with this woman here. Her name is Rosie Shaw, and shes The Witch Weeklys most talented reporter. She can weasel information out of a rock, so its best to just keep your mouth shut around her.

I had the strongest of urges to stomp my kitten-heel right on the Chiefs toes, but I refrained. After all, it was sort of a compliment.

Rosie, its time for you to go home, the Chief said. Please.

She should be here, Jo said. She was the reason that Hank was here in the first place.

The Chief turned slowly to me, raising his eyebrow. Do tell.

I told him in my statement, I grumbled, nodding at Luke. He should have it in his notes.

Enlighten me, the Chief said, his patience waning, judging by the tightening in his jaw. What brought you and Hank together?

It was a date. I ground out the words between my teeth. First date.

You were coming here on a The Chief cleared his throat. A date?

I almost shot back a combative retort again, but I caught myself in time. Yes, I said, tipping my chin high. A date. Is that so hard to believe?

You dont date. The Chief crossed his arms. I know that for a fact.

Just because we didnt work out doesnt mean that I wont find someone who will work out.

We didnt work out because you never gave us the chance. The Chief took a few steps toward me, and the spicy mint of his breath skittered hot down my neck. You didnt want to try.