A Heap of Truffles Read online

  “Mm. This is heaven,” said Patty. “So, will you still be joining us tonight?”

  “Yes. Eight o’clock, right?” Margaret replied.

  “Yep. You can come a bit earlier if you want to,” said Patty.

  “I just might do that,” said Margaret. She put the rest of the crab candies in the display and helped some customers who had just come into the store.

  Later, when Margaret was getting ready to close, Patty said goodnight.

  “I’ll see you in a few hours,” Patty said as she walked out the door. Just then David appeared. He greeted Patty and walked into the store.

  “Where are those journals?” he asked Margaret.

  “In the back,” she said. He followed her into the kitchen and Margaret showed him José’s books. While David looked through them Margaret closed the shop. She grabbed the fresh candy and took it to the kitchen. She picked up a crab with jelly and popped it in David’s mouth.

  “Oh yum,” David said. “That is delicious.”

  “I’m glad you like it,” said Margaret. “Did you find anything in the journals?”

  “Not really, but didn’t you tell me that his coworker accused José of stealing his commissions?”

  “Yes,” said Margaret.

  “Well, it looks like the opposite is true. According to this, José’s coworker took a large sale from José last month. He wrote about it below the sale. See?”

  Margaret looked at the journal. “Well, if Rob lied about that, I wonder what else he is lying about.”

  “What did you think of Michael’s stepfather?” asked David.

  “He was really nice. A bit too nice if you ask me,” said Margaret. “He seemed to be really interested in Michael’s well-being.”

  “And that is a problem?” asked David.

  “It’s almost as if he didn’t think José could take care of him. Maybe he wanted José out of the picture,” said Margaret.

  “Maybe. I can check out his alibi while you cast spells tonight,” David teased. Margaret smacked his arm and he pulled her close and gave her a hug.

  “All kidding aside, be careful,” David warned Margaret.

  “I will,” she said.

  “Well, are you ready to go?” asked David.

  “Sure,” said Margaret. “I’ll stop by that bar and check on Rob’s alibi.”

  “We could go together and have a drink,” suggested David.

  “We could but then the mayor might show up,” Margaret teased.

  David laughed. “Okay, you win. I’ll see you at your house later tonight,” David said.

  Margaret gathered up her things and David walked her to her car. She started her car and headed for the Ox Tail. It was a small bar and grill that the locals liked to hang out in. The place was a ways out of town, but Margaret thought she would have plenty of time to go there and get to Patty’s afterward. Margaret pulled into the parking lot and walked inside, heading straight to the bar.

  “What can I get you?” the bartender asked. He was middle-aged and nice-looking.

  “Ginger ale, please,” said Margaret, showing him her business card. “Also, I was hoping to get some information.”

  “Okay,” said the bartender.

  “Did you know José Santiago?” Margaret asked, as the bartender set a glass in front of her.

  “The realtor? Sure. They all liked to come in here with clients. It’s a relaxed atmosphere, and a little nicer than some of the bars in town,” said the bartender.

  “Did you hear about his death the other night?” Margaret asked.

  “Yes. That was awful,” said the bartender. “I was working that night. I hadn’t seen him for a couple of days, and was wondering what happened to him.”

  “Do you know Rob, who worked with José?” asked Margaret, taking a sip of her ginger ale.

  “Sure, he was always trying to move in on José’s sales. It got pretty nasty at times,” said the bartender.

  “Do you remember if Rob was here with clients that night?” Margaret asked.

  “No, he wasn’t,” said the bartender. “In fact, I remember thinking it was odd that neither one of them was here. Usually one of them would be here chatting up a client.”

  “So he wasn’t here? Are you sure?” asked Margaret.

  “Yeah, I’m positive. It was a slow night, and Rob is a guy you can hear clear across the bar,” said the bartender.

  “Yeah, I can see that,” said Margaret, remembering Rob’s booming voice. “Well, thank you for your time.” She started to pull out her wallet, but the bartender stopped her.

  “On the house,” he said.

  “Thank you,” Margaret said. “I’ll come back soon for a real drink.” She gave him a wave as she left the restaurant. On her way to Patty’s house she called David and let him know about Rob’s alibi. David thanked her.

  “By the way, Jamie was telling the truth. He was at the bowling alley that night,” said David. “Lots of witnesses.”

  “Wow. I guess there are still nice guys around,” Margaret replied. “Well, I’m pulling up to Patty’s right now. I’ll talk to you later.”

  “Okay. Be safe,” David said.

  “Always,” said Margaret, and she hung up the phone.

  Patty’s house was a nice older two-story house. It was a quarter to eight when Margaret arrived. There were a few nice cars in the driveway as Margaret walked to the front door and rang the bell.

  9

  Patty answered the door. “Welcome to my home,” she said, leading Margaret to the front room. There were a couple of women sitting down on Patty’s sofa.

  “This is my boss, Margaret,” Patty to them. “She’s also a private investigator. She is looking into José’s murder. You both knew José. Margaret, this is Emily,” she said, pointing to a mousy younger woman on the sofa, “and Samantha,” pointing to an older woman. Emily smiled and said hello to Margaret. Samantha looked Margaret up and down. She said hello but in a somewhat snide way. Margaret said hello and sat on a chair near Emily.

  “So Patty tells us you’re interested in witchcraft,” said Samantha.

  “Well, I was interested to learn there was a coven here in town,” answered Margaret. “I had no idea.”

  “We have been gathering for quite a few years now. Isn’t that right, Patty?” Samantha asked Patty. Patty had just returned from the kitchen, and set a cheese tray on the table.

  “That’s right, Samantha. Quite a while, really,” said Patty.

  Sitting down, she encouraged the others to have some of the cheese. Emily and Samantha helped themselves.

  “So Patty, I have to say I was a bit shocked when you told me about your group,” said Margaret, helping herself to some cheese.

  “Well, we don’t make a big deal out of it. We know what a lot of people think when they hear the term witch,” said Patty.

  “I can understand that,” said Margaret.

  “Understand what? Who is the new person?” A tall dark-haired woman walked in. She had a streak of gray in her hair that gave her appearance a dramatic flair.

  “Oh, hello, Ashley,” said Patty. “This is Margaret. I invited her to attend the meeting tonight.”

  Ashley walked over to Margaret.

  “Show me your hand,” she demanded.

  “Okay,” said Margaret, smiling a bit.

  Ashley took Margaret’s hand and turned it palm side up.

  “Your love line is broken,” said Ashley. “Your life line is long, see?” Ashley pointed to a line on Margaret’s palm.

  “I see,” said Margaret.

  “So you’ve started the readings without me?” a voice demanded.

  Everyone turned to see an older woman standing with her hands crossed across her chest.

  “Now Sarah, you know we wouldn’t start without you,” said Patty.

  “Who is this?” she asked, pointing at Margaret.

  “This is Margaret,” said Patty, getting up. “I tried calling you to let you know she would be here—
”

  “I had my phone turned off this afternoon,” said Sarah, cutting Patty off. “Anyway, hello, Margaret.”

  “Hello,” said Margaret.

  Sarah and Ashley sat down.

  “Now that everyone is here we can start the readings,” said Sarah.

  “I just got done with Margaret,” said Ashley. “You know I can’t resist a new palm.” Margaret smiled. Sarah stuck her hand out to Ashley.

  “Do mine next,” Sarah said. Ashley looked at her palm and made some comments about love and happiness.

  “I doubt it,” said Sarah. “Tom, my husband, works so much I hardly see him. When he’s home he doesn’t say much.”

  “That’s probably because he can’t get a word in around her,” Patty whispered to Margaret. Margaret bit her cheek.

  Margaret watched as Ashley went around the room reading palms. Then everyone got up and went over to a chest. Patty opened the chest and they each pulled out a flowing white gown. They put on the gowns over their clothes and stood in a circle. Sarah started chanting and the others joined her. They seemed to be chanting a blessing on Patty’s house. Then Sarah’s voice dipped a bit and she intoned some words Margaret couldn’t understand. After a minute they stopped chanting. They all raised their hands to the ceiling and sighed. Then they dropped their hands and took off the gowns. Patty went into the kitchen and Margaret followed her.

  “What was all that about?” asked Margaret.

  “Oh, we read that spell in a book that Sarah has. It’s a good wish and happiness spell for the town. I thought we could use it after José’s murder.”

  “Everything helps,” said Margaret. She helped Patty with the dinner and then Patty called the ladies into the kitchen. They each grabbed a plate and helped themselves to the food. Patty and Margaret followed them back into the living room.

  “So what is the latest gossip?” asked Samantha.

  “Well, did you hear about Steve and Vicki?” asked Sarah.

  “No,” said Samantha.

  “Well, I really shouldn’t say anything but I think she is leaving him,” confided Sarah.

  “Oh no,” said Samantha. “What will happen to their house?”

  “Well, I suppose they will have to sell it. Neither of them can afford it on their own with their salaries.”

  “Well, I heard that the teacher we were talking about is at it again,” said Samantha.

  “What teacher?” asked Margaret.

  “Ms. Ness-Scott,” said Samantha.

  Margaret sat up. Michael’s tutor, she thought.

  “What is she doing?” asked Margaret.

  “Well, I’m not one to gossip, but we have seen her going into hotels with the fathers of her students,” said Samantha.

  “Is she doing that again?” asked Sarah.

  “I’m not sure,” said Samantha. “She’s up at that summer camp now. I don’t see how she would have the time. Aren’t the kids out on summer break?”

  “Yes,” said Margaret.

  “Well, then it’s probably just hearsay,” said Samantha.

  The evening continued with gossip and wine. Margaret sat and listened to everyone talking. After they were done eating they went out to the lawn. They formed a circle and invited Margaret into the middle. They danced around her holding hands and chanting. Afterward, Patty explained that it was a good luck charm for Margaret.

  “That was very nice of you,” said Margaret.

  “Well, like I said, we like to do good things,” said Patty. They went back inside. Margaret noticed Sarah handing something to Samantha.

  “What is that?” Margaret asked. It was a small pouch tied with a string.

  “It’s a potion I made to help Samantha sleep,” said Sarah.

  “Oh, that is interesting,” said Margaret.

  “Yes, she needs to keep it under her pillow so she won’t have any bad dreams,” said Sarah.

  “I sometimes have migraines, too,” said Samantha.

  “That will help those as well,” said Sarah.

  “Wonderful,” said Samantha.

  The ladies gathered up their purses and got ready to leave.

  “Thank you for including me in this meeting,” said Margaret.

  “You’re welcome,” said Patty. “You’re welcome again any time.”

  Margaret got her purse and went out to her car. She drove home thinking about the women and their coven. When Margaret arrived home she smiled when she saw David’s car in her driveway. As she got out of the car she could see into her living room from the front window. David and Zach were sitting watching television together. Margaret’s smile grew wider. I’m glad they are getting along, she thought as she walked in the front door.

  “I’m home,” she said.

  “In here,” Zach called, from the living room. Margaret walked in and sat on the sofa next to David.

  “So, did they give you any potions or spells?” Zach asked. Margaret laughed.

  “No, just wine and gossip,” she said. Zach and David laughed.

  “Let me get you some lasagna,” said David.

  “Lasagna?” asked Margaret.

  “Yeah, he made it from scratch,” said Zach. “So good.”

  Margaret followed David into the kitchen and she sat at the table. David gave her a plate and she dug in.

  “This is delicious,” she said.

  “I’m glad you like it,” said David.

  “I really do,” said Margaret.

  “So, did you learn anything at the meeting tonight? Who was there?” asked David.

  “Well, some woman named Ashley read my palm. Then there was Samantha and Emily. Emily was a bit shy. Samantha liked to gossip. Sarah, though, was clearly the Queen Bee. She entered the room and everyone paid attention. I thought she was a little pushy and catty but the others seemed to like her. She might be an acquired taste.”

  “Did anyone fit the note that was left?” asked David.

  “Not at all,” said Margaret. “They mostly just sat around and gossiped. They danced around me in Patty’s backyard.” David laughed.

  “Hey, it was for good luck,” Margaret said, laughing herself. “There was one thing, though.”

  “What was that?” asked David.

  “Well, Samantha mentioned Ms. Ness-Scott, and—”

  “Michael’s tutor?” David interrupted.

  “Yes. Samantha said that some of them had seen her going into a hotel with the fathers of her students.”

  “Oh really?”

  “Yes, but then Sarah said Ms. Ness-Scott was at the camp this summer and wouldn’t have time to do that,” said Margaret.

  “Well, it certainly is something to keep in mind,” said David. “What would you like me to do with the leftover lasagna?”

  “I’ll take care of it,” said Margaret, getting up. She put the lasagna in a plastic container and washed the lasagna pan. “Here you go, good as new.”

  “Thank you,” said David.

  “Would you like to stay and watch some more television?” Margaret asked.

  “No. Thank you, though. I should get home. I need to get a good night’s sleep. Got a big day tomorrow.”

  “Okay. Well, I really appreciated your making the lasagna,” said Margaret.

  “Any time,” said David, giving her a hug. After he left, Margaret joined Zach in the living room. About an hour later they went to bed.

  The next morning when Margaret woke up she felt a breeze and couldn’t figure out why. Her windows were closed. Her bedroom door was open. She walked downstairs. The front door was wide open. And there were notes stuck all over her house.

  “Zach!” Margaret yelled, running back up the stairs. She got to his room just as he was opening his door. “Are you okay?”

  “Yeah, Mom, why? What’s going on?” Zach asked.

  Margaret told him about the notes. He told her to come in his room with him and they called David and the police. They waited in Zach’s room until they heard David’s car pull up.

>   “Where are you?” they heard David yell.

  “In Zach’s room,” Margaret replied.

  “You can come out. There’s no one here,” said David.

  Margaret and Zach went downstairs. There were notes stuck to the walls of all of Margaret’s downstairs rooms. Margaret looked outside and gasped. Her car was covered in notes too. All of them were threatening. They told Margaret to stay away from the case. One of them said that Margaret’s life line would be cut short if she didn’t leave the case alone. Another threatened her with dark magic.

  “Why don’t you get dressed, then you and Zach can go into town. The forensics team will be here soon and I can lock up your house when they leave,” said David.

  “Thank you,” said Margaret. She and Zach got dressed and drove into town. They parked by the store and Zach looked up. He told Margaret to stay in the car.

  “Why?” asked Margaret, looking toward her store. The door was open and there were notes all over the store. Margaret gasped.

  “Who on earth did this?” she wondered aloud.

  “I’m going to call David,” said Zach. “Why don’t you go straight to the café. I know David won’t want us touching the notes.”

  “Okay,” said Margaret. Just then Patty pulled up in her car.

  “What is all this?” she asked, getting out of the car. She read the notes and turned pale. “Oh, Margaret, what happened?”

  “We don’t know. Whoever did this broke into my house last night. They covered my car and the downstairs rooms with these notes. David is at the house right now. I guess he’ll send someone over here as soon as he can.”

  “David is on the way,” said Zach. “He said not to touch anything. I told him we would be in the café waiting for him.”

  “Okay,” said Margaret. “I don’t suppose there is anything we can do until he gets here.” They all went into the café. Stacy was there and she got everyone some coffee.