Mystics are Murder (Bijoux Mystery Series Book 2) Read online

  “Trent knows.” Zoe tilted her head. “He will not speak of it, though. He’s too afraid.”

  Trent’s eyes filled with tears. “I carry the guilt of it with me every day.” He looked at Morgan, JJ, and Cal. “I want you to know that.”

  “What guilt, buddy?” JJ asked. “Maybe we can help you with it.”

  “Yeah, there’s no helping me at this point.” Trent gave a desperate laugh and shook his head. “Dad called me over that day to say he’d written me out of the will and was donating everything to his dachshund rescue project.” He uncoiled the rope and slumped on the edge of the bed.

  Morgan wrapped her arm around Zoe who was breathing heavily and gently pulled her away from Trent.

  JJ made a move toward Trent, but Morgan touched his arm to stop him. “Let him talk.”

  “We fought about it. Dad dangled the old will in front of me, was going to throw it in the fireplace. I shoved him, hard, and made a grab for it. Knocked him over. His head slammed against the hearth.”

  “Sounds like an accident,” JJ said.

  “It was. Sort of,” Trent said. He shrugged. “Until it wasn’t.”

  “He left me there, bleeding out while he burned the new will. Intentionally let me die. Intentionally let his own father die….” Zoe’s voice drifted off and she began to cough as her hands rubbed her neck.

  Trent looked at her, surprised. “Wait. You saw that? I thought you were unconscious.”

  “I was hovering above my body, witnessed all of it.” Tears ran down Zoe’s cheeks. “And I want you to know, I’ve let go of my anger. I forgive you, my boy.” With this last statement, Zoe tilted, unsteady, and Cal caught her before she crumpled to the floor. She whispered to Cal and he looked at Morgan, who nodded, having heard what Zoe wanted to do. JJ moved to block the door and Cal held Zoe’s arm as she moved closer to Trent. She sat beside him on the bed and reached out, laying a hand on Trent’s cheek. “He loved you very much, he just wasn’t good at showing it.”

  “You are not a fraud,” Trent whispered, tears streaming down his cheeks. “You are the real thing. No strikes against you. You get to live.” Tears ran down his cheeks and he tossed the rope on the floor. “Thank you for seeing my pain.” He looked up. “And my guilt.”

  Morgan and JJ escorted Trent, in handcuffs, down the hall and through the lobby of the Firefly, Cal helping Zoe along behind them. Team Edna and Team Rocky were lined up on either side with Team Animal closest to the door.

  “He doesn’t look like an animal,” Janine sniffed. “But he is blue.”

  “It’s not the full moon yet,” Sven offered. “Maybe he gets meaner and hairier the closer we get to it.”

  Rennie retrieved Zoe from Cal and looked her sister over. She hugged her tight. “You’re all right.”

  Zoe smiled. “That I am.” She looked over at Trent, her eyes filled with tears. “But he’s most definitely not. I’m not sure he ever was or ever will be.”

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Morgan and JJ drove Trent to the police station while Cal stayed behind to get the psychics settled in for their closing night banquet. Once they had Trent secured, JJ started the arrest paperwork. He also placed calls to Traverse City and Detroit to let them know the suspect was detained. “Hey, Cap’n. Detroit claimed first jurisdiction and is sending someone in the morning to pick Trent up.”

  “Thanks, JJ.” Morgan lingered by the cell, watching. “Why Zoe?” she asked her prisoner.

  Trent ignored her from where he sat on the tiny cot and dropped his head in his hands.

  “I asked you a question. Why Zoe? All these psychics in one place, why did you choose her this time?” Morgan asked.

  “I’ve been watching her the entire event. I asked around. People talked about how good she is. But people always talk without actually knowing things, don’t they? They thought Edna and Rocky were good, but they were hacks. So I had to see for myself.”

  “You were going to kill her.”

  “Maybe. I don’t know.” He shook his head. “You wouldn’t understand.”

  She crossed her arms and leaned against the bars. “Try me.”

  He let out a long breath. “I didn’t set out to kill my father that day, but it happened all the same. Believe it or not, I was consumed with guilt, but terrified to admit what I’d done. Dad frequented psychics, believed wholeheartedly in their ability to tell the future. I thought maybe one of them could see what I was going through.”

  The pieces started falling together. “You wanted to be outed for your crime?”

  Trent nodded. “Yeah, basically.”

  “Okay, but why kill those psychics? And why call them frauds? What happened to make you angry enough to go after them?”

  He stood and started pacing the small cell, rubbing his face, running his hands through his hair. “Because they were frauds! Not one of them could see beyond the standard crap— Oh, look, you’re going to find love, have amazing friends, and be happy forever,” he finished in a sing-song voice. Trent plopped back down on the cot. “Please. Do I honestly look like that kind of person?”

  Morgan had to agree with him. Sadly, he did not look like he’d ever known happiness or love. “Just because they’re not any good, it doesn’t mean you should have killed them.”

  “Of course I did. You just don’t get it.”

  “Educate me.”

  “They had no business claiming the mantle of psychic.” His eyes met Morgan’s. “What sort of person would I be if I left them to lie to others like they lied to me?”

  Ah, here’s the crazy I knew was there if I dug around enough. “We’ll get you some dinner in a bit. But don’t get too comfortable. You’re leaving in the morning.”

  The next day, Morgan arrived at the station early to hand off Trent to the officer from Detroit. She checked her watch. A black SUV pulled up and parked along the curb. Nine a.m. Right on time.

  “Hey, officer.”

  Morgan knew that voice. “Liz! What are you doing here?” She rushed to her friend and hugged her.

  “I convinced the detective in charge of this case to let me make the trip.” Liz held Morgan at arm’s length and smiled. “Small town life seems to agree with you. Well, besides the murders and all.”

  “Don’t get me started. It’s been good and horrifying here all at the same time. But four deaths in three months is a bit much.” She sighed. “I mean, it’s great to be back home. Dad and I are doing really good.” Morgan smacked her forehead. “Oh my god. He’s getting married this afternoon. You have to stay for the wedding.”

  “I actually planned on hanging around overnight so we could catch up. I was hoping that’d be okay and it sounds like it is.” Liz smiled. “Need a date?”

  Morgan laughed. “You know I always do.” She linked her arm with her friend’s. “Come on inside. Let’s get the transfer paperwork out of the way. Then we’ll go to my place and get ready for the ceremony.”

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  It was late afternoon and Morgan stood beside her dad, their arms draped over each other’s shoulder, both dressed in black tuxes with light gray shirts and purple ties. “Looks like a great turnout,” she said. “Thanks for making me your best man.”

  “I’m grateful you’re here, back in my life.” Able wiped at his eyes and squeezed his daughter to him. “Besides, who else would I pick?” He laughed and shook his head. “If you had told me just a few years ago I’d be remarrying and it would be to a psychic witch, I’d have called BS on you right then and there.”

  Morgan laughed, too, and patted his back. The friends and family gathered were, indeed, a colorful group. Zoe’s friends from the Walk into the Light gathering, her sister Rennie from neighboring Lac Voo — who was currently shooing a stray sea gull away from the seats before taking her place on the bride’s side of the makeshift altar — the Bijoux locals, Cal sitting with Liz and Frankie and looking fancy in a dark gray suit with a purple handkerchief artfully poking from his breast pocket. S
tanding at the middle of the dais, where vows would be spoken, was Jack Steve dressed in a navy pinstripe suit and looking every bit the officiant.

  Guitar strumming began and the first notes of the theme song from the old movie, Love Story floated around them. A barefoot Zoe, silver hair piled high on her head, dressed in her lavender charmeuse shift, and holding a bouquet of native wildflowers, appeared from behind a bamboo screen at the back of the aisle. She smiled at Morgan, winked at Able, then slowly walked toward her soon to be husband.

  Able sniffed and Morgan squeezed his arm. “Are you ready?” she asked.

  He smiled. “That I am. Let’s do this.”

  Thirty minutes later, after they’d spoken the vows they’d written, Jack Steve pronounced them husband and wife. The crowd clapped and cheered as the couple walked back down the aisle to James Taylor’s, ‘You’ve got a Friend.’

  “Come one everyone,” Able called out. “Join us in celebrating with Hannah’s heavenly red velvet cupcakes and champagne.”

  “No coffee cake?” Morgan asked, laughing, as she hugged her dad. She turned to Zoe and hugged her, too. “Welcome to the family.”

  “Congratulations, you two,” Rennie said as she joined them. She had another woman with her Morgan didn’t know, but she could’ve been a younger version of Rennie and Zoe. “Able, I don’t think you’ve met our niece. This is Kate O’Connell. She owns the Coffee Shop Gallery in Lac Voo.” Rennie beamed at her. “Helluva an artist, too.”

  “I can attest to that,” Cal said. He carried a tray of champagne flutes and passed them around. “She did the painting of the Raven’s Nest hanging up in the bookstore. Good to see you again, Kate,” he said as he hugged her with one arm.

  “That’s why your name is familiar,” Morgan said. She held out her hand and smiled. “I’m Morgan. Able’s daughter. It’s nice to meet you.”

  “You as well,” Kate said shaking hands. Then she turned to Zoe. “Aunt Zoe! You look so beautiful.” Kate beamed at her aunt and hugged her tight. She turned to Able, who held his arms out to her. “As do you, Uncle Able.”

  Able laughed. “Who knew I could be beautiful?”

  “Well, I did, that’s for sure.” Arnie Hart, Able’s twin brother, walked up and clapped Able on the back. He winked at Morgan and gave her a hug. “It runs in the family.”

  Cal offered a flute to Arnie and raised his. “A toast to the happy couple. May your days be filled with love and friendship, may you never find yourself wanting, may you always have whatever you need, especially each other.”

  Zoe sniffled. “What a lovely toast. Thank you, Caleb.” Her eyes shimmered with tears and Able wrapped his arm around her waist and handed her his handkerchief.

  The reception went on into an evening filled with friends, family, and music. It was a beautiful night on the beach, the lake rushing in and out, a fat waxing moon lighting the sky. Morgan, Cal, Frankie, and Liz sat around a table near the edge of the dance area. Morgan had kicked off her heels and was digging her toes into the sand.

  “You’ll ruin that pedicure,” Frankie said. She looked at Liz. “Not that she ever really cared about her toes. This one hates shoes and would go barefoot year-round if she could.”

  Liz laughed. “You should’ve seen her when the stripper showed up for her going away party if you want to talk about things she really doesn’t like.”

  “Who doesn’t like a good stripper?” Frankie asked, giggling.

  “Exactly my thought when I hired him,” Liz said, raising her wine glass in a toast toward Morgan.

  Morgan just smiled as she watched her two best friends. She had a feeling when she introduced them they might just click with each other. Well, that is if I believed in psychic premonitions. But the idea of it made her happy. It was, after all, a night for love.

  “Frankie Whitaker. We need to talk,” Mayor Ed said as he approached the table.

  “Yeah, no. It’s not a good time.” Frankie made a sweeping gesture. “We’re at a wedding reception, if you hadn’t noticed.”

  “Of course, I noticed. I’m not a fool. You’ve been avoiding my phone calls and whenever I stop by you always seem to be out running errands. I just want you to know I will be proposing legislation at our next town council meeting requiring all shopkeepers to comply with the new Bijoux Beautification Ordinance. I hope to see you there, Ms. Whitaker. You too, Caleb.” He turned to Morgan. “Good to see you. Nice work on the case,” he added then sauntered off.

  “What’s that about?” Liz asked.

  “We have two divisions in Bijoux,” Morgan said. “Those who are updating and renovating buildings on Main Street and what some call the ‘Hold Outs.’ The businesses who want to preserve our rundown lakeside charm.” She looked at Frankie. “No offense. You know I love your rundown place.”

  “None taken.” She sighed. “Guess I’ll be going to battle again.”

  Morgan realized Cal had been unusually quiet throughout the encounter. “What are you thinking?” she asked. “You’re considered a Hold Out too, so this affects you and the Raven’s Nest.”

  “I’m thinking maybe I should run for mayor,” Cal said.

  “That would be the best thing ever!” Frankie exclaimed and clapped her hands together. She turned to Liz. “Cal here used to teach at U of M. He’s level-headed and isn’t a jerk. He’d have to do a better job than Ed Peltier has done lately.”

  “Um, thanks…?”

  “Well, it’s something to consider,” Morgan said. “Though, you know, it could randomly put us on the opposite sides of things. And you wouldn’t be able to tag along if something happens.”

  “Not true.” He lifted an eyebrow. “As mayor, I would set the rules, so I could make it mandatory you have to let me ride shotgun.”

  Liz turned to Frankie and whispered loud enough that Morgan heard. “What’s going on with these two?”

  “Something they’re both too stubborn to admit,” she answered.

  “Hey, Morgan. Dance with me.”

  Morgan looked up. Beau Cornet strode toward them, a beer in one hand and a plate of cake in the other.

  “Sorry, Beau, she’s taken for this dance,” Cal said as he stood and held out his hand.

  “Huh.” Beau eyed Liz. Liz just shook her head. He shrugged. “Okay then,” he said and walked away.

  Cal continued to hold out his hand. “Morgan?”

  “We don’t have to actually dance. He’s gone now,” she said, even as she stood, took his hand in hers, and allowed herself to be led to the dance floor. Moondance by Van Morrison started playing. “I’ve always loved this song,” Morgan said.

  Cal slipped an arm around her waist and pulled her close. “Me too.” He chuckled. “You know you owe me, once again, for rescuing you from an unwanted suitor.”

  Morgan smiled. “How about I just don’t lock you up for all the times I should have?”

  “Fair enough.” Cal grinned at her. “Though locking me up would certainly add to the roguish resume I’m building to support my new mystery writing career.”

  “Excuse me?” Morgan almost choked, she laughed so hard. “Roguish resume? Who talks like that?”

  Cal spun her at arm’s length, then pulled her in tight. She felt his eyes on her soul, hated it — and didn’t — all at the same time. Damn him.

  “The man who’s holding you, that’s who.”

  A Note from the Author

  I hope you enjoyed Mystics are Murder, Book 2 in the Bijoux Mystery Series!

  Reviews are like coffee (us authors need a lot to survive) and chocolate (we’re addicted to reading them). I welcome any and all reviews – the good, the bad, and the in between. If you’d like to leave one for Mystics are Murder (which I would greatly appreciate), please click here. Thank you!

  I love to hear from readers! You can contact me through my website at www.teribarnett.com or via email at [email protected].

  About the Author

  Teri Barnett is a bestselling author, award-winning ar
tist, and commercial interior designer who brings a lifetime of learning and exploration to her writing, workshops, and art. She currently lives in Indianapolis with a bossy black cat who’s earned her own hashtag, #theblackcatlou. When Teri isn’t busy working on her next book, or redesigning the world, you can find her doing the artist thing in her studio, fighting the good fight, or riding through the corn tunnels of Indiana on her motorcycle.

  You can visit Teri online at www.teribarnett.com to learn more about her books and subscribe to her newsletter. Follow Teri Barnett on BookBub and Instagram @teribarnettauthor.

  A Special Sneak Peek of Cupcakes are Murder: Bijoux Mystery Series Book 3 - Coming in 2021!

  Chapter One

  Officer down.

  The call every cop dreads hearing.

  Morgan Hart rushed to the address given over the car radio. Her heart in her throat. A terrible feeling of anxiety came over her as she turned onto the street. Pulling up to the location, she saw her husband Ian’s truck parked at the curb.

  Maybe Ian was in the area? Maybe he heard the same call I did. Maybe he got here just before me.

  But the anxiety, now laced with fear, grew and intensified as Liz Shore, her partner and friend, tried to stop her from going into the alleyway. James Wheat, Ian’s partner, blocked her after she pushed past Liz.

  “You don’t want to see this,” James whispered harshly.

  She shoved him aside and ran to the sheet draped body, careful not to step in the blood pooling on the ground.

  And froze.

  Morgan looked pleadingly at the medical examiner. “Please,” she mouthed, unable to speak.