Page 44 of Christmas Mittens Murder

“Smart idea. I’ll be right down.” Abigail hung up, and Mia finished making coffee. She heard Abigail talking to Mark as she poured him a cup. She hurried out to the living room. The several trees they’d put up for the holiday season were blinking sparkling lights. They hadn’t finished the full Christmas treatment, but Trent was eager to Deck the Halls as soon as he came back into town. If it had been up to Mia, she would have left it as it was with just the trees.

Mark took a sip from the cup. “That hit the spot. Can one of you go to a different room so I can ask you questions without the other hearing? It’s standard protocol.”

“Of course. Abigail, do you want to go first? I need to check some supplies for the party we’re catering next week anyway.” Mia was glad she’d already warned Abigail about the lie she’d told on Christina’s whereabouts. “I’ll be in the kitchen.”

“Sure. That way I can go back upstairs afterward and check on Christina. I’ve been so worried about her, I stayed over last night just in case Mia needed help.” Abigail met Mia’s gaze. Another touch point on why she was even here.

One lie always led to another. Mia just hoped the Goddess would forgive them the untruths since it was the only way to keep from talking about the cursed mittens. If she came out and told Mark that Christina was under a Sleeping Beauty spell and that Christmas mittens were trying to kill her, the Magic Springs chief of police might just take her to the station to be transported to a local mental hospital to get her thoughts right.

She unlocked the kitchen and stepped into a lushly furnished den. A woman Mia didn’t recognize sat at the desk and smiled at her. Mia turned to see the kitchen door disappear and a wood door appear in its place. “What just happened?”

“Sorry for the transportation, but we’re aware that Mark Baldwin is at your school, chatting with Abigail. We don’t have long, so I’ll get you acclimated fast. I’m Sabrina Newport. I’m head of the National Office of Regrettable Events. We’re investigating the Geoffrey Brewer incident. And of course your assistant’s current situation. You have the one mitten?”

“Yes, but how did I get here?” Mia felt woozy. “Are you investigating the professor’s murder?”

“Yes and no. Typically, we try to stay out of witch-to-witch arguments. But since both Geoffrey and Miss Adams are human, I’m afraid we must investigate. Especially since magical items were used recklessly in the actions.” Sabrina stood and walked around her desk. “I’ll be arriving this evening. Hopefully we can get this all settled and the coven at Magic Springs back under cover before Monday. Otherwise, we might need to disband your coven.”

“Not my coven. I’m not a member.” Mia glanced around the room, which was starting to waver at the edges. “So you can help us heal Christina?”

Sabrina shrugged. “Possibly. Our primary concern, however, is to gather the mittens and take them out of circulation. If the human lives, well, that’s just a bonus, right?”

“Actually, no, it’s not just a bonus.” Abigail now stood at the door, and Mia could see into the school’s living room. The sun shone in that room behind Abigail. “We’re saving Miss Adams’s life. And if your investigation gets in our way, we’ll fight you until she’s safe. I hope you understand my meaning, Sabrina.”

“Oh, I understand, Abigail.” The woman appeared to shoot darts through her look at Abigail. “We just need to ask Mia some questions. If you handle this, we’ll stay out of the way.”

“We’ll handle it. And sorry, Mia’s needed here in our world. You’ll have to interview her when you arrive here in person. Or if you do. When was the last time you left Italy, Sabrina? One hundred, two hundred years ago? We have airplanes now.” Abigail took Mia’s arm and pushed her toward the door. “I’ll be right in after Sabrina and I talk. Mark’s waiting for you.”

As Mia moved through the doorway and back into the school, she felt a pull of energy pop between the two worlds. Blinking her eyes, she saw Mark watching her. Apparently, she didn’t look like she’d materialized from another world, at least not to Mark. So that was good.

Chapter Four

That afternoon, Mia stood in her room, staring at herself in the mirror. Or more accurately, staring at Christina’s reflection in the mirror. She looked exactly like her friend. She checked Christina’s phone. She read off the most recent text and told Abigail and Grans the information. “Mother Adams bought Christina a new dress for the event. All I have to do is get there by six so I have time to change.”

“That girl needs a new dress as much as Muffy needs a new dog toy.” Grans spun Mia around to fluff her hair. “Just remember, you need to be back on the road to here by ten because your glamour is going to disappear at ten-thirty, more or less.”

Mia stared at her grandmother. “And what do you mean by more or less?”

“That’s why you need to be in the car and driving back here by ten. That should give you the wiggle room.” Grans turned to Abigail. “Do you think she should leave earlier?”

“No, I think it will last until ten. Or even later. Just don’t dawdle. You don’t want to change in front of people. Christina’s a size smaller than you are. You might not fit in the dress anymore.” Abigail met Gran’s gaze. “Shall we play some cards while we wait? Or watch a movie? I haven’t seen Practical Magic for a while.”

“You just like the midnight margarita scene.” Grans smiled and reached down to pick up Muffy. Abigail had brought the little dog back with her when she’d gone to get supplies. “You better go. That woman probably has an ulterior motive for Christina being there tonight. Just be careful and don’t get her stuck in some contract or dating some lawyer in Boise. I don’t think Christina would appreciate that.”

“Are you sure Sabrina and her gang won’t be here before I’m back?” Mia glanced over to the bathroom where Christina was still sleeping in the tub of goop.

Abigail took her by the arms. “Trust us. We won’t let anything happen to her. She’s part of our family now too. You might not know it, but your grandmother and I are quite formidable in our magical skills. If the National Office gets here before you get home, they won’t get even close to Christina. I’ve already talked to the coven, and they’re taking our side in this as well. Christina won’t be used as a pawn.”

Mia swallowed hard. “Then I better go have fun at this party. Thank you.”

“Christina isn’t the only one that’s part of the family now, Mia.” Abigail kissed her on both cheeks. “Drive safe.”

“And don’t kick Isaac in the nether regions. I would, of course, but for some reason, Christina seems to like her brother.” Grans gave Mia a hug as well. “Go get this over with.”

Mia pulled on one of her own coats. She needed to be warm and covered, just in case the glamour didn’t last as long as Grans had calculated.

Mr. Darcy sat at the door to Christina’s bathroom and watched them. Mia reached down and gave his head a rub. “You’re in charge. Watch out for Christina.”

And with that, the cat meowed and went into the bathroom. Mia glanced after him and saw he’d made a bed out of Christina’s bathmat. Mr. Darcy was on the job.

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