Enchanted Island Mysteries : Serena & Grant Read online

  “Human?” Grant mused. “You wanted to fall for a human? Why?”

  I shrugged. “I thought it would be less complicated. And I think secretly I wanted to know what it was like to just be like everyone else.”

  “What happened?”

  I closed my eyes and shook my head. “It’s too painful.”

  “I’m a good listener.”

  I smiled, eyes still shut. “I’m sure you are.”

  When I felt Grant squeeze my leg, my eyes flew open.

  “I mean it,” he said. “You can tell me anything.”

  I turned and faced him. “Okay. We’d been seeing each other for a few months. And it was nice, ya know? No pressure about the relationship because we were both busy with school. He said he respected the fact that I wanted to spend so much time perfecting my recipes with Tamara, and that he needed time alone too so he could focus.”

  I stopped talking because I couldn’t speak past the sudden lump in my throat. The pain of the betrayal was still there, but now instead of sorrow I felt anger. True anger at what Cameron had done.

  “Then what happened?” Grant prompted.

  I sighed. “One night, he stayed over and—and while I slept, he went through my things. He found my chef’s journal, something every pastry chef has, and took photos of my recipes.”

  “I’m almost afraid to know how you found out what he’d done.”

  I snorted. “For our class final, we had to dazzle our instructor with a dessert using certain ingredients. They were pretty much basic ingredients, but we could also add whatever we wanted to make the dessert pop. Well, he created the same recipe I did…only there was one problem.”

  “What?”

  “My recipes all have at least one magical secret ingredient complete with a spell added…sometimes they have two. The basic recipes have been handed down through the generations, but the magic is never written down because it comes from the heart. He had no idea. So when the time came for the instructor to taste the desserts, not only was his missing key ingredients, but the presentation was all off. But mine was over-the-top good. The instructor couldn’t stop raving about it.”

  “I bet that didn’t go over well,” Grant said.

  I snorted. “Can you believe Cameron accused me of purposely sabotaging him?”

  “What?”

  “Yeah. He claimed I didn’t hide my book of recipes hard enough because I wanted him to find them and use them and fail the class! I deliberately withheld certain ingredients so he’d fail.”

  Grant grinned. “Did he fail the class?”

  I grinned back. “Almost.”

  We sat there in silence for a few seconds, and I marveled at how freeing it felt to tell that story.

  “Then what did you do?” he demanded. “Did you report what he’d done.”

  “No. I stopped seeing him, obviously, and when Tamara and I finished our degrees, we left and came back to the island.”

  “So he still has your recipes?” Grant asked.

  I shrugged. “Maybe. But they won’t do him any good without the missing ingredients and the spell that binds them together.”

  Grant emitted a low wolf-like growl, and I blinked in surprise. When he didn’t acknowledge the sound, I pretended not to notice.

  Chapter 10

  “Turn right at the next road,” I said. “Then follow it until you get to the crossroads and take a left on Magick Drive.

  “Is there anything specific I need to know about the Wartons?”

  “Liza is around my mom’s age, but they weren’t friends because the Wartons are known to dabble in black magic.”

  “Meaning?”

  “Simply put? Witches use their powers for good. Those who deal in black magic use their powers for evil. The Wartons have walked that gray line for as long as I can remember, but from what I understand, Beatrice is trying to change their reputation. My mom did tell me once that Liza left the island to attend college, and I think she even has a degree in science or something like that.”

  “I’ll be sure to ask.”

  “She came back to the island and opened her shop, The Craft & Candle. She makes her own products. I recently learned she retired about eight months ago and her daughter, Beatrice, is running the store full time now.”

  “So Liza Warton has a daughter but never married?” Grant mused.

  “That’s right. It was pretty scandalous at the time. Liza refused to name the father of the baby, and she raised Beatrice on her own. The driveway is up ahead on the left.”

  Liza Warton lived in a modest two-story brick house with black shutters, black window frames, a dark roof, and a black front door. Even the pillars on the front porch were painted black.

  “You’d think with all the black it would be creepy,” I said, as we walked up the walkway, “but I actually think it’s quite beautiful.”

  The front door opened and a stunning woman with long, wavy red hair stood in the doorway. I guessed her to be in her late thirties. Her youthful, rosy complexion set off her captivating lilac eyes. “Can I help you?”

  “We’re here to see Ms. Warton,” Grant said.

  “I’m Ms. Warton.”

  I squinted and cocked my head. “We’re looking for Liza Warton.”

  The beautiful woman laughed. “My dear, Serena. It hasn’t been that long has it?”

  I frowned. “Liza?”

  “Of course, dear. Who else did you expect to answer the door?”

  “Uh…no one. You look—well, you look amazing.”

  She flipped her red hair over her shoulder. “Why thank you. It’s nice hearing a compliment come from someone so lovely as yourself.”

  I wasn’t sure what to say. The last time I’d seen Liza Warton, she looked her age. But that had been over a year ago when I’d been in her shop. I didn’t usually shop at The Craft & Candle simply because I didn’t care for the Warton image. Now I wish I’d paid more attention to the anti-aging crap she tried to sell me that day.

  “Ms. Warton,” Grant said, “my name is Detective Grant Wolfe. I have a few questions I’d like to ask you.”

  Ms. Warton gasped. “Is it Beatrice? Has something happened to my daughter?”

  “No, ma’am,” Grant said. “Can we come in?”

  “I’m in the middle of working on my formulas,” Ms. Warton said. “Is it really necessary you come in?”

  “No, ma’am, we can stand out here and speak if you wish,” Grant said smoothly.

  “Call me Liza, Detective.”

  “Liza, we have an eye witness putting you at Tinker’s Antiques yesterday afternoon.”

  “Yes, I was there. Probably around three or four o’clock.”

  “Why were you there?” Grant asked.

  “Well, it is almost Christmas, Detective. I do need to buy gifts for family members.”

  “Are you aware Mr. Tinker was murdered yesterday?”

  Ms. Warton gasped. “Why no, I was not. How dreadful!”

  “Can you tell me, specifically, what time you left the store?” Grant asked.

  “Ummm…let me see. I guess it would be around three-fifty or four o’clock. I only remember because Mr. Tinker mentioned he still needed to find a basket and gift to give to someone who would be there in an hour. I think he mentioned people stopping by around five. But that’s just a guess. I don’t know for sure.”

  “The witness I spoke with placed you there around three, and you say you left around four. That’s nearly an hour inside the store. Did you buy anything?” Grant asked.

  “I did, yes.” She put her finger to her lips, eyes twinkling. “But they’re Christmas presents so I can’t tell you.”

  “Do you have a receipt?”

  Ms. Warton frowned. “I suppose I do somewhere. Hold on and let me see if I can find it.”

  She stepped back inside her house and closed the front door. I didn’t even have time to question the odd behavior before the door swung open and Ms. Warton stepped back outside, handing Grant a recei
pt. He nodded and handed it back to her.

  “When you left at four,” Grant said, “Mr. Tinker was alive?”

  Ms. Warton gasped. “Most definitely.”

  “Did anyone else enter the store while you were in there?” Grant asked.

  Liza pursed her lips. “I don’t believe so.”

  “Did you see the Yule Log in the window when you entered the store?” I asked.

  “Mrs. Songbird’s prized possession?” Liza asked. “Yes, I did. Stunning as always.”

  “Serena tells me you sell your own skin care line in your store,” Grant said.

  “I do.”

  “Did you attend college on the mainland?” Grant asked.

  “I did. I received a bachelor’s degree in Chemistry.”

  I thought Grant was going to ask her another question, but instead, he handed her his card. “If you think of anything else that might help in the investigation into Mr. Tinker’s murder and the theft of the Yule Log, I’d appreciate it.”

  Liza gasped. “The Yule Log? You mean Mrs. Songbird’s familial log is missing?”

  “Did I forget to mention that?” Grant said.

  “Yes, you did,” Liza said. “The poor woman. She must be going mad. I know how much that log means to her family.”

  “Well, if you remember anything that will help in the investigation,” Grant said, “I’d appreciate you letting me know.”

  “Of course, Detective.”

  Liza closed the door, and we walked back to Grant’s vehicle. He started the car and pulled out onto the road. Once again I waited for him to start the conversation.

  “I smelled it,” he said.

  “What?”

  “The smell I smelled on Laverne and in Mr. Tinker’s shop. I smelled it on Liza Warton.”

  “That is so weird,” I said. “I haven’t smelled anything. But what would be Liza’s motive to kill Mr. Tinker and steal the Yule Log?”

  “That I don’t know. There’s no crazy long-standing family feud between Mr. Tinker, Bronwyn Songbird, Archibald Night, Laverne Swindell, and Liza Warton is there?”

  “No. Not that I know of.”

  “Liza Warton’s property isn’t near any of the others,” Grant mused, “so it can’t be a land dispute.”

  “Maybe the sheriff was right,” I said, “and the murder had more to do with the Yule Log than of Mr. Tinker himself.”

  Chapter 11

  “It’s almost one,” Grant said. “Do you want me to drop you off at the bakery?”

  “Please. I’m sure they could use the help.”

  “I’m going to follow up on some leads at the office,” Grant said. “You still plan on attending the Yule Parade of Lights and the Christmas tree lighting tonight?”

  I nodded. “I am. Are you?”

  “I’ll be working. Unless there’s a crack in the case.”

  “Then I guess I’ll see you tonight,” I said.

  He grinned. “Maybe we can grab a cup of cocoa or something.”

  I grinned back. “Maybe.”

  Ten minutes later, I gave Grant the evidence we’d collected, waved goodbye, and hurried inside the bakery. Piper wasn’t at the front door, so I figured we’d given away all the Christmas cookies.

  “There you are,” Mom called from behind the counter. “Just in time to help Tamara in the back.”

  I wove around the eight or nine customers inside the store, gave Mom and Tamara’s mom each a kiss on the cheek, then headed to the kitchen. Hanging my purse on the peg, I grabbed my apron and hurried over to Tamara.

  “I guess we’re out of cookies?” I asked.

  Tamara groaned. “It was a madhouse out there. I think Piper gave away her last cookie right before lunch. She decided to head over to the park to see what was going on and to do some Christmas shopping. But enough about that. What’s going on with the investigation?”

  I motioned her closer. “I personally don’t think it’s Kyle Night. After we finished talking to both the Songbirds and the Nights, I feel pretty confident I know what’s going on there.”

  “You mean something outside of the feud?” Tamara asked. “What?”

  I grinned. “I think Brenna Songbird and Kyle Night are in love.”

  Tamara gasped. “No! I can’t believe it. Their parents are going to freak.”

  “Understatement.”

  “So who does that leave?” Tamara mused. “Laverne Swindell?”

  “Well, she was in town yesterday around four, so it’s plausible.”

  “But you don’t think so?” Tamara asked.

  “I honestly don’t know,” I said. “But get this…Liza Warton was at Tinker’s Antiques too. She’s probably the last one to see him alive.”

  “What motive would Liza Warton have to kill Mr. Tinker and steal the Yule Log? That makes no sense.”

  “I know. I’m truly stumped. Pun intended.” I picked up a cupcake and started frosting. “There’s something else.”

  “More?”

  “I think Detective Wolfe may have the wolf gene inside him.”

  “What?” Tamara set down the cupcake she was decorating. “What makes you say that? I mean, that’s serious, Serena.”

  “I know. Today when we were out, he picked up on things I couldn’t and…well, and a human couldn’t either. He noticed a high-pitch frequency and he kept smelling a certain scent I couldn’t discern.”

  “Someone needs to tell him. The next full moon happens in a week and a half, right before Christmas.”

  “I know. I want to ask him if he’s noticed any changes, but I’m afraid to. You know how weird he still is about accepting all the magic involving the island.”

  “Maybe you should,” Tamara said. “He needs to know. Or at least let his grandparents know.”

  Could it be possible that Grant did, in fact, have the wolf gene? He’d been on Enchanted Island long enough to channel that capability if it was there, just lying dormant all these years. Was there something about the island—away from the human world—that made it so Grant’s gene was no longer dormant? You either had it or you didn’t. If he did have the gene, he’d be the first in his line to have it, seeing as how it skipped his dad and grandfather. But stranger things had happened.

  We worked until two, then closed down the bakery to go home and relax a few hours until we needed to be uptown for the Yule Parade of Lights and Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony.

  ***

  “Good evening, Ms. Spellburn. Don’t you look lovely.”

  I turned and smiled up at Grant. “Why thank you, Mr. Wolfe. Nice of you to say so.”

  I’d taken a little extra care with myself tonight in anticipation of seeing him. My dark skinny jeans were tucked into black knee-high boots with a forest green sweater and a black knee-length cardigan. My matching red scarf and gloves made me feel very Christmas-y.

  “I have to help direct traffic after the parade and then again after the Christmas tree lighting,” Grant said. “But maybe after that we can get a hot chocolate?”

  “I’d like that.”

  Tamara bumped my hip with hers. “I see my mom. I’m going to go talk with her.”

  “I actually need to go,” Grant said. “I’ll text you when I have a free moment.”

  Tamara and I had just crossed the street when someone bumped me from behind. I turned to say I was sorry…and stared into the angry face of Laverne Swindell.

  “Sorry,” she said stiffly. “I didn’t see you there.”

  “It’s okay.” I didn’t want to let her sour my good mood. “No big deal.”

  “I didn’t realize you were seeing Detective Wolfe,” Laverne said.

  I frowned. “Is that a problem?”

  She stared daggers at me for a few more seconds. “Anything new with the investigation?”

  “Even if there was,” I said, “I couldn’t tell you.”

  She leaned in close. “Little thing like yourself should probably be careful where she wanders at night.”

  I fr
owned. “Were you following me last night, Laverne? Did you leave that little present for me this morning on my door?”

  She leaned back and shrugged. “I have no idea what you’re talking about. You have a nice night and enjoy the festivities.”

  Tamara sidled up next to me and grabbed my hand. “Everything okay here?”

  “Just fine,” Laverne said. “I was just telling Serena to enjoy her night.”

  Tamara and I watched her flounce away.

  “She sure is something.” Tamara handed me a couple Glowstick necklaces and bracelets. “Get dolled up. It’s dark enough for the parade to start any minute now.”

  The Yule Parade of Lights went off without a hitch. This year’s theme was A Magical Candyland Christmas, and while each lighted float represented a character from the board game, the hook was each float had to have an actual edible food to pass out. Grandma Nutt—Nana—sat rocking and waving to the crowd next to her peanut brittle house while her helpers hurled baggies filled with peanut brittle to the crowd, Princess Lolly and her helpers tossed lollipops to the kids, Queen Frostine and her court passed out cupcakes, and even Lord Licorice got involved by trying to make kids take the licorice he and his evil minions threw out…of course, they were all rejected and even a few got tossed back! But the best surprise was the final float holding King Kandy—Mayor Stone—waving next to a massive gingerbread castle, while on the street next to the float dozens of Gingerbread Kids scrambled to hand out gingerbread cookies under adult supervision.

  “That was awesome.” Tamara looped her arm around mine, and together we followed the crowd to the park where Mayor Stone would throw the switch and light the tree to signal the start of the Christmas and Yule season.

  We spotted Grant standing about ten yards back from the tree and stopped next to him. He grabbed on to me when the crowd threatened to run me over.

  “That was the best parade I’ve ever been to,” Grant said.

  “Wait until you see the tree,” I whispered.

  Five minutes later Mayor Stone—still dressed as King Kandy—walked up the wooden platform in front of the tree and addressed the crowd. Once he finished his speech, he reached over and flipped the switch, and thousands of lights illuminated the tree. I could hear the oohs and aahs around me.