Page 14 of Oohs, Ahhhs, and Orbs

“Tell Bobbi Jo that I will arrange it soon.”

“Good man,” Mac murmured as he rang the bell.

Soon, footsteps could be heard coming towards the door, and without first asking for the identities of who was at her home, the door was swung open wide. A beautiful woman who was in her forties, according to the report I’d pulled up on her, but looked closer to thirty, stood at the threshold smiling widely, showing off her brilliant white teeth with just the slightest gap between the front ones.

“Hello, gentleman. What can I help you with?”

“Miss Hillary Grimes?” I asked as I pulled my badge off my jeans to show her while Mac did the same. “My name is Detective Storm, and this is my partner, Detective MacKenzie. Do you have a few minutes?”

Her smile dimmed just the smallest amount before she forced it back into place. Her eyes immediately grew worried. “Oh. Yes. Yes, of course.” She held the door open wider and gestured with a dark-skinned hand that was covered in several jeweled rings. “We can sit in the living room. Would you like something to drink? I have freshly made sun tea that is sweetened. With sugar, of course.” Mac and I exchanged a glance. The woman was nervous, but it wasn’t the type of nervous someone who was guilty of a crime would be.

“No, ma’am. I’m good. We won’t take up much of your time.” I settled into the small loveseat she’d gestured to as Mac did the same, murmuring his refusal as he hiked up the knees of his slacks and squeezed in next to me. Miss Grimes took a seat across from us in a comfortable-looking armchair. I glanced around the room, which was decorated in light pastel colors. It looked soft and feminine. It also showed many signs of herbeing a witch, with spellbooks in a tall, thin bookcase, along with crystals scattered around the room on various surfaces.

“Well now, I don’t get many visits from such fine looking gentlemen such as yourselves. I’m assuming you’re here because of Emily Brooks?”

“You knew Mrs. Brooks?” Mac asked as he pulled a small notebook from the pocket on his shirt and flipped it open.

Miss Grimes’ smile dimmed and her eyes grew glassy as she looked out the window behind us. “Oh, yes. The witch community is close here in Gainsburg. Even if we aren’t close, we knowofeach other. I was very sad to hear of her passing.”

“Do you know of anyone who might have wished Emily Brooks harm?” I asked as I took her in carefully, searching for any signs that she might have been hiding something, but I saw none. Hillary Grimes shook her head.

“No, never. She was a kind, sweet woman. She liked to talk about her daughter and granddaughter. I don’t recall hearing anyone say a disparaging word about her. The witches in this town have a long history. A long time ago there might have been someone who’d do this, but not now. Not here. The witch’s council strictly monitors behavior, magic ability and power strength to prevent witches from trying to harm others. That, and it just goes against our core beliefs.”

“If I may, Miss Grimes,” I began, only to have the woman wave a hand.

“Please, call me Hillary.”

I inclined my head. “Hillary. Just as a formality, can you tell us where you were on the night of the fourth?”

She graciously nodded. “I understand. I was actually assisting with the birth of a child that night. I am a certified doula, and my client went into labor earlier that day. She had a long, grueling labor that lasted until close to noon on the fifth.”She smiled broadly, showing how much she truly enjoyed her profession. “It was a little boy.”

“That’s excellent news. Congratulations to the new parents.” Mac grinned and closed his notepad after jotting down the information to verify later. After tucking the notepad back into the shirt pocket along with his pen, he slapped his hands down on his thighs and stood to his feet. “Well, I believe that’s all the questions we have for you at this time.”

I stood up next, reached into my pocket for a business card, and handed it over. “If you can think of anything that could help us find justice for Mrs. Brooks, please give us a call.”

Hillary stood up and then followed us to the door. “I will be sure to do that.”

Mac opened the door and stepped outside. As I followed behind him, I paused. “Be sure to check your visitors before opening the door next time.”

Hillary chuckled as she gripped the door handle. “Oh, dear Detective. I already knew who was coming to my door.”

I eyed her for a moment as she smiled up at me. Why didn’t I doubt that she had been expecting us? “One last question,” I began. “Who would you say had the strongest magical talent in Gainsburg?”

Hillary’s smile turned into a broad grin. “Why, that is easy. Twenty years ago, I would have said Suzanne Waters, but now I would say it’s your Bridgette,” she said with a knowing look.

Mac chuckled and slapped me on the shoulder. “Well, now, isn’t that something?” He turned and walked past the array of blooming flowers toward the SUV as I stood in the warm sunlight.

“Thank you for your time, Hillary. Please don’t take your safety for granted.”

Hillary Grimes suddenly became serious as her eyes grew somber. “I will be on my guard, Detective Storm. Please takecare of our sweet Bridgette. She deserves all the love you are willing to give, and I can see you will have a lot. She also has a big heart, one that must be prodded open gently yet firmly. But the best things in life are always worth the effort. Don’t you agree?”

The woman had a perceptiveness that most would have difficulty coming to terms with. I couldn’t help but wonder what it was like for her to have so much knowledge about those she came in contact with.

“I do,” I murmured. Then I gave her another nod and turned to join Mac.

Chapter

Nine

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