Page 60 of Seven Secret Spellcasters
“Maybe you just call him Edmund?” Mia turned and looked at him. “I think you’re looking at this wrong. If you treat people as people and stop labeling them, you won’t have this problem. I’ve already told you that magic wasn’t involved in Howard’s killing. So now it’s either money, love, fear, or revenge. It’s that simple.”
When he didn’t respond, she worried she’d upset him. “Mark, I’m sorry. I’ve got a lot on my mind. I didn’t mean to question your methods.”
He shook his head, focusing on the road. “Sometimes I forget that. You’re right, people are people. I’ve been focusing so long on what makes us different, I’ve failed to see what makes us alike. Elise Marie is going to have to grow up in this world. Good or bad, we have to accept the life we’ve been given and stop hoping for a different one. It’s the only way we’ll move forward.”
Mia didn’t respond. She knew Mark had had a huge paradigm shift when his daughter was born with witch powers. Then to find out his wife and his mother had hidden the coven and their involvement in it for years. Maybe Mia was asking him to go one step too far.
After a few minutes of silence in the truck, he looked over at her. “What, do we sing ‘Kumbaya’ now and clasp hands together?”
Mia burst out laughing. “How should I know? I’m a newbie to this world too. Mark, I think we do what we can.”
“Well, I have you investigating with me. Who would have thought that would happen two, three years ago?” He looked sharply at her. “And don’t think this is an ongoing situation. One and done, and you don’t tell anyone about it.”
“I think I’ve already broken that last rule.” Mia relaxed into the seat. The fall sun was shining brightly, warming the truck cab. Soon, rays of sun wouldn’t be able to shine brightly enough to break through the blanket of cold they’d have this winter. And this road would at times be a sheet of ice.
Another reason Mia liked living in Magic Springs. Especially with her old car. Maybe she should replace the tires this year.
They came up to the freeway, then crossed it and the bridge over the Snake River. As they started coming into town, she turned to Mark. “So, where are we going?”
“The pancake house. The cook is a friend of Sarah’s and swears she saw Alfred Howard there on Wednesday morning. With a friend. She wouldn’t talk on the phone. She thinks people are listening to her conversations. So she mailed a letter to Sarah. A letter.” Mark shook his head. “I’d be more afraid that the post office was reading my mail if I had paranoia.”
CHAPTER24
Mia followed Mark into the log cabin–style restaurant and immediately was overtaken by the smell of warm maple syrup and pancakes. And maybe sausage or bacon. Mia’s stomach rumbled, and Mark laughed at her warming face.
“I told you I’d buy lunch. If you don’t mind brunch, we can eat here.” He approached the hostess stand. “Two in that booth in the corner, and we need to see Patty.”
“She’s cooking, but I’ll tell her. Name?” The girl grabbed two menus and two sets of silverware rolled in paper napkins.
“Chief Baldwin. She’s expecting us.” He motioned Mia into a seat and took the one that put his back against the wall. Old cop trick. She’d noticed he’d done the same thing at the school. He didn’t want to be blindsided.
At least not by a person.
“The caramel-apple topping is homemade and pretty amazing,” he said as they studied their menus.
After the waitress took their order and brought coffee, a woman in kitchen whites came out and approached their table. She hugged Mark, then smiled at Mia. “This isn’t your lovely wife, Mark. I’m Patty. Chief cook and bottle washer around here.”
Mia liked the woman immediately. Some people had that glow around them that told you they were fun. “Mia Malone. I own a delivery and catering business in Magic Springs and work at the Lodge.”
“Oh, I’ve heard of you. Good food coming out of your kitchen. My mom lives in town and gets her meals delivered.” Patty nodded at Mia, then looked at the clock. “Sorry, I don’t have a lot of time, so I’ll get right to it. That leprechaun guy was here with a woman. She handed him an envelope. I have my staff watch for those things around here—too many drug deals since we’re so close to the Nevada border. Anyway, she never took anything back. So, Janie, your waitress, she was confused. She almost didn’t tell me, but she’s a good girl, and she listens.”
Mia glanced at Mark. “Do you have a picture of Howard?” She was hoping it wasn’t the one from the morgue.
“I got one from Brandon last week.” Mark opened his phone and showed Patty. “This was the guy?”
She narrowed her eyes. “I know a leprechaun when I see one, Mark. But yes, that was him. The woman paid the bill in cash and wore a hat and coat. It was one of those gorgeous, warm fall days here, and she wore a coat. Talk about standing out. Anyway, I came out and visited the couple in the next booth. They’re regulars. I heard her talking about an incubus in town. I thought maybe she was talking about Halloween outfits. You don’t see one of those guys around much. I don’t think I’ve even heard of one being out this far west. Unless you’re in Nevada.”
An idea was beginning to form in Mia’s head. Where had Blake been on Wednesday? Had she hired the leprechaun to take care of the incubus without knowing that he and Edmund were friends?
It was crazy enough to be true. Mia didn’t have a picture of Blake in her phone.
Their meal arrived, and Patty returned to the kitchen. She’d added bacon to both of their orders, because it was the best bacon in town.
As they started eating, Mia waved a strip at Mark. “You’re right. This place is so good. Is Patty involved in the local group?”
He nodded as he ate a bite of the pancakes. “Sarah and Patty went to school together. Patty moved to Twin to open this place, and Sarah quit the group so she could marry me.”
“Connections, it’s always about connections,” Mia said as she focused on her food. “Do you mind dropping me off at the Lodge? I’ll have Trent come and get me when I’m done.”
