Deadly Magic by Elisabeth Crabtree

pool. “ If she was murdered. There’s a very good chance that I’m wrong. An excellent chance actually. I mean her death was ruled a suicide. They must have some proof to make them believe that. I heard she left a letter.”
    “ Something must have made you suspicious. Maybe you saw something and didn’t realize what you saw.”
    She shook her head.
    “Did you see anything strange when you were backstage?”
    “ Well, Louisa’s husband was running around backstage.”
    “ He was?”
    “ Apparently, with one of the magician’s assistants.”
    “ That’s interesting.” He leaned forward. “Anything else?”
    “ Belle Dragovich seemed annoyed with Lily. I don’t know. Being annoying is not enough to kill someone. If it was most of the people in rush hour would be murdered on a daily basis.”
    He smil ed. “True. What about that magician? She used to work with him, correct?”
    “ That’s what I heard. Things seemed kind of intense between them.”
    “ How so?”
    She shrugg ed. “I wasn’t there long enough to really get a good idea, but I heard her tell him that they needed to talk.”
    “ That sounds serious. Do you think they may have been having an affair?”
    Grace debat ed telling him about finding the underwear and Lily’s pendant in his dressing room after Lily claimed she had never been in the room before, but decided against it. In her opinion, Lily did seem genuinely confused about the whole thing. She glanced at the clock on the wall and quietly swore. She was late. Apologizing, she slid out of her seat and dashed to the door.
    ♣ ♦ ♥ ♠
    “What did you do?” Valerie asked, as Grace walked past her door.
    Grace turn ed back around and stepped into Val’s office. “Nothing. Why?”
    Straker has been yelling for you for over the last hour. He wants to see you right now.”
    A sick feelin g of dread came over her. “Why?”
    “ I don’t know, but you better get in there. Don’t forget your holy water and crucifix. It’s going to be that kind of day. Oh, and cancel any plans you have for the weekend?”
    “ Why?”
    “ I don’t know, but I overheard him tell Belle that you would be happy to help her Saturday. Oh, and before I forget, your new assistant blew the breaker to your office and almost burnt down the building. It looks like Santa exploded over there. An electrician should be here soon. Good luck,” Valerie said, opening Straker’s door for her and pushing her forward.
     

 
     
    CHAPTER EIGHT
     
    “ So, I heard you tell Valerie that you think my wife was murdered.”
    Grace froze. Stammering, she apologiz ed profusely. “I shouldn’t have said anything. I understand she left a letter. I don’t know why—”
    “ Well, you’re right. She was murdered. She didn’t commit suicide.”
    “ But there was a letter?”
    Straker pull ed out a piece of paper from his desk and handed it to her. “I received this by text, right before she . . .” He looked to the side, blinking rapidly.
    Averting her eyes, Grace focus ed on the piece of paper in front of her.
    I hate you. I despise everything about you. You’ve humiliat ed me once too often. Well, no more. You’ve charmed everyone around you.
    Grace look ed up at the man scowling at her. She quickly looked down and continued reading.
    But, tonight, everyone will see the pain your cruelty can cause. Happy Birthday, darling! Hopefully, you’ll be joining me soon.
    “When did you receive this?” Grace asked.
    “ A few seconds before she fell. I know my wife. She would never have killed herself. If she hated me, she would have gone after me . She wouldn’t have hurt herself. Never. Someone murdered her.”
    “ But the police are convinced it was a suicide?”
    “ They found her phone up on the scaffolding after she died.”
    “ How well do you know the other magician’s assistant? Tabitha Something or other.”
    “ I’ve heard Lily talk about her. Why do you ask?”
    Grace shrugg ed. “When I was backstage