A Witch Before Dying: A Wishcraft Mystery by Heather Blake Page A

said, “I’m in.”
    We made plans to snoop later, and I clipped on Missy’s leash and headed for the door. “Don’t forget our fitting this afternoon.”
    “How could I?” She bent down to give Missy love and affection.
    Harper wasn’t exactly a fancy dress kind of a girl, and it was only her love for Ve that was getting her into one of Pepe’s chiffon confections for the wedding.
    As she pulled open the door to see us out, she stuck out her thumb. “Number five. You have Missy. I miss her.”
    It had been hard for Harper to leave Missy behind when she moved out, but we all thought it best that Missy stayed with me and Ve since we worked out of the house and had more time for her.
    I tipped my head. “Are you doing okay on your own? You know, you can always move back to Ve’s and lease your apartment upstairs.”
    Harper waved away the suggestion. “I’m fine. Just a little lonely sometimes without Missy to play with.”
    Missy turned in circles, yapping, her tail wagging.
    Harper had said nothing about missing her big sister, but I could read between her lines quite well. I made a mental note to spend as much time with her as I could. But when? Then I had a thought. One that would help me on two fronts.
    “How do you feel about cooking?” I asked.
    “If you mean microwaving, I’m a pro.”
    That, I knew. “The Sorcerer’s Stove is giving cooking classes. The first one starts tonight. I’ll be there. You should sign up.”
    Missy barked as if in agreement.
    “I don’t think so,” Harper said. “Kitchens and I don’t get along. Remember the time I tried to make you a birthday cake and nearly burnt the house down?”
    “You were six.”
    “My culinary skills haven’t changed much.”
    She was so stubborn. I was going to have to play dirty. I wanted her to be there, not only to get her out of her apartment, but because Marcus would be there as well. I had a date to finagle. Getting them in the same place at the same time was half the battle.
    I put on my best innocent face and set the bait. “That’s a shame, especially since Jonathan Wilkens will probably be there. Maybe he’ll say something about dating Patrice Keaton. Or reveal why Roger Merrick blames him for Patrice’s death. I guess I’ll just have to give you all the details tomorrow. If I remember them. Unless, that is, you change your mind about those classes…”
    Harper narrowed her eyes. “You know me too well.”
    “So?”
    She smiled. “I’m in.”

Chapter Ten
    O n my way home, I stopped at Mrs. P’s empty bench. I sat and pulled my cell phone out of the tiny pocket in my jogging shorts. I didn’t usually run with my phone, but I had a call to make. One that had to be out of Ve’s earshot.
    Missy sat at my feet, enraptured with the Roving Stones vendors moving about their tents and setting out their wares. As I found the number I was looking for on my contact list, I glanced around, hoping to see Starla and her mysterious date. Unfortunately, they were nowhere to be seen. I couldn’t wait to get the scoop from her later.
    I dialed Cherise Goodwin’s number, all the while hoping the Curecrafter would have an explanation as to why Aunt Ve still wasn’t feeling better. I’d once been “cured” by Dennis Goodwin, Cherise’s son, and I could attest firsthand to how miraculous their powers were. What was going on with Ve didn’t make sense.
    Cherise answered on the first ring.
    Birds chirped happily overhead as I said, “Hi, Cherise. It’s Darcy Merriweather.”
    “Darcy! I was just getting ready to call you. Is Ve any better this morning? I spoke to her last night, and she still seemed unwell.”
    My stomach was suddenly in knots. “Not at all. In fact, she seems to be getting worse. What’s going on?”
    There was a long pause before Cherise said, “I don’t know.”
    “What do you mean you don’t know?”
    In the subsequent silence, I thought about what I knew of Cherise. Once upon a time, Cherise and Aunt Ve