Framing of the Witch Read online

  Framing of the Witch

  Crypt Witch Cozy Mystery Series, Volume 6

  K.E. O'Connor

  Published by K.E. O'Connor, 2019.

  While every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this book, the publisher assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions, or for damages resulting from the use of the information contained herein.

  FRAMING OF THE WITCH

  First edition. February 3, 2019.

  Copyright © 2019 K.E. O'Connor.

  Written by K.E. O'Connor.

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright Page

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Investigate more cozy mysteries by K.E. O’Connor:

  Chapter 1

  “Tempest, if you want to take off for the evening, we’ve got a handle on things here.” Merrie Noble nudged me with her hip as she leaned against the bar.

  “No, I’m good. Why do you ask?” I looked up from the notes I’d been studying.

  She grinned. “That customer’s been trying to get your attention for five minutes.” Merrie nodded to the warlock standing at the bar with an empty glass in front of him.

  I sighed. My head wasn’t in the game tonight. I tapped my finger on the notes. For the past month, I’d become obsessed with finding out Toby Matlock’s dark secret. Everything else had been put on the backburner, serving thirsty customers at Cloven Hoof included.

  “And, I don’t want to make you mad, but you look pale. Maybe you should take the night off if you’re not feeling well,” Merrie said.

  I wasn’t feeling all that lively. I’d been exhausted and grouchy for days. I also had a headache. “I’m fine.” I made a move toward the customer, but Merrie stopped me.

  “Don’t worry. I’ve got this.” She dashed over and swiftly served the customer, dazzling him with her easy charm and excellent bartender skills.

  My gaze traveled around the bar. It was the usual midweek crowd in this evening. Everyone was here to kick back and enjoy themselves after work. It was only Merrie, Izzie, and me on tonight. I didn’t want to leave them shorthanded, but I had two more piles of notes I needed to plow through before bed.

  Whenever I had a spare moment, I’d been hassling the angels about information on Toby. Dazielle had stuck to her word and had given me access to the stacks of papers relating to the investigation they’d been running on him. They’d been trying to pin something on Toby for five years.

  I’d initially scoffed at their incompetence, but having read through the files, the angels had tried just about everything to get him. As I was well aware, Toby was wily and excelled in covering his tracks. Although there were plenty of rumors about him and his underhanded dealings, there was no evidence to link him to any crime.

  I turned my head as somebody cleared their throat.

  Damon Shadowsoul stood by the bar, a sly smile on his face. Gone were the days of his slick, too tanned appearance. Damon came with a sharper edge, messed up dark hair, and a gleam in his eyes that suggested all his thoughts were impure.

  “What will it be?” I shoved the papers under the bar.

  “Are you studying for an exam?”

  “My studying days are long gone.” I placed an empty glass on the bar.

  Damon’s gaze went to the papers. “So, what are you up to?”

  “Bringing down a problem,” I said. “Although, it’s taking longer than I thought it would.”

  Damon leaned his elbows on the bar, intrigue lighting his gaze. “What’s the problem?”

  I hadn’t shared what I’ve been doing with many people. Granny Dottie knew, as did Mom, but that was about it. If word got back to Toby that I was investigating him, he might try more of his mind manipulation on me. The last time that had happened, I ended up wearing a lemon-yellow bridesmaid’s dress, declaring him to be my closest friend, and hugging him. I’d felt grubby for days after that experience.

  “Have you ever had dealings with Toby Matlock?” I asked.

  Damon’s eyebrows rose slowly. “I can’t say I have. Of course, I know about him. He’s probably wealthier than I am, but his magic creeps me out. All that messing with people’s minds. You need to play fair when you use magic.”

  “You’re telling me you always play fair?”

  He grinned. “I bend the rules a little. Why are you interested in Toby?”

  “Because he’s soon to become my brother-in-law, and I’m not keen on that prospect.”

  “Oh, sure, he’s getting hitched to Aurora.” Damon shook his head. “I never saw that one coming. Does she have a thing for older guys?”

  “So she says. It’s hard to know what’s going on in Aurora’s head these days.” We hadn’t spoken in weeks.

  “I noticed that Heaven’s Door has been closed for a while,” Damon said. “Is Aurora giving up the business when she’s married?”

  “Definitely not.” I ground my teeth. Toby had been slowly taking over every aspect of Aurora’s life. She’d given up her apartment, not opened her store for weeks, and taken to wearing ridiculous flouncy dresses and high heels that weren’t her style. It was all Toby’s doing; it had to be. My little sister could be ditzy, but she knew her own mind and had never let herself get manipulated by a guy before.

  “When’s the big day?” Damon asked.

  “If I have anything to do with it, never,” I said.

  Damon’s gaze went back to the pile of papers. “Oh! I get it. You’re digging for dirt on Toby.”

  I tilted my head from side to side, trying to work out the kinks that had been lodged in my neck for days. “There’s something about him that sets my teeth on edge. The angels know he’s dodgy, but they can’t get evidence to take him out of circulation.”

  “What do they think he’s done?”

  “He’s defrauded money from former girlfriends.”

  “Why do that?” Damon asked. “The guy’s crazy wealthy. He doesn’t need more money.”

  “Maybe he does it because he can. Toby could get a thrill from taking whatever he wants from other people. He’s done that with my sister. The problem is, there’s no proof. He’s always insisted that these girlfriends gifted the money to him.”

  “What do the former girlfriends have to say?”

  “They came forward with the same story originally but then changed it.” My lips pursed. “Anyone would think their minds had been manipulated.”

  Damon smirked. “I’d place money on the likelihood of that happening. Have you talked to these women? Maybe their stories will be different now Toby’s out of their lives.”

  “I’m having trouble getting hold of them. The first complaint was submitted by Marianne O’Hanrahan. She reported that Toby had taken over a million from her private account.”

  Damon whistled out a breath. “Surely that’s enough to charge Toby.”

  “The angels were building a case, but Marianne suddenly withdrew her complaint. She said there’d been a mix-up and Toby hadn’t taken anything. I’ve got contact details for her, but she’s responded to none of my messages.”

  “What about the other women?”

  “There’s also Ava Capaldi. She
had double the amount taken by Toby, but exactly the same thing happened. She complained and then withdrew her statement. Olivia Dearhart’s the same.”

  “None of them have gotten back to you?”

  “Nope. Much like the angels, I can’t locate them.”

  “Are they hiding? Maybe they’ve experienced Toby’s oily charm one too many times and want to keep out of his way.”

  “I wondered about that. Either they’ve gone to ground, or Toby’s done something to them.” I rubbed the back of my neck. The ache behind my eyes felt almost unbearable. It had been building all day. If I wasn’t careful, I’d give myself a migraine.

  Damon touched the back of my hand. “Is everything okay with you?”

  I hadn’t realized I’d closed my eyes until he touched me. I pulled my hand away and nodded. “Nothing that won’t be solved once Toby’s behind bars, but I could do with some fresh air.”

  “Merrie can look after me while you’re gone.” Damon looked over at Merrie and winked.

  “About that,” I said. “I hope you’re treating her well.”

  “I treat all my women well.”

  “That’s what bothers me. You’ve never been a one-woman kind of half-demon. Don’t mess around with Merrie.”

  Damon’s eyes narrowed a fraction. “I have no plans to mess her around. Merrie’s great. She’s cool and fun. We understand each other.”

  “This place would be nothing without her. If you go fooling around with Merrie and break her heart, she might not stay. You prop up this bar most nights, and she won’t want to see your smug face here if you do anything wrong.”

  Damon raised his hands before placing one over his heart. “Merrie is safe with me.”

  “She’s anything but that.” I jabbed a finger at him. “I’m watching you.”

  “What a treat.” Damon chuckled. “You have nothing to worry about. I like Merrie.”

  “Just so long as she knows the situation. You’re known for overpromising and under delivering when it comes to relationships.” Damon was something of a playboy. I’d never seen him stick with anyone for more than a couple of months. Maybe things could be different with Merrie. Just in case they weren’t, I’d keep an eye on their relationship. If Damon messed up, he’d be in a world of pain. No one upset my bar staff.

  After giving him one final stern look, I headed out from behind the bar.

  Wiggles had been doing his usual social rounds all evening, chatting up the customers in the hope of getting a free snack.

  He trotted over when he saw me walking to the door. “Are we going somewhere?”

  “Do you fancy a midnight stroll?”

  “Any time.”

  I waved at Merrie and gestured to the door to let her know I was leaving.

  She waved back to show she’d seen me before turning back to Damon.

  I sucked in a welcome breath of icy air as we got outside. My head instantly felt better as the music faded and the door swung shut behind us. I normally loved being in my bar, but not tonight. My eyes felt puffy, and my head was tender. Maybe I was getting sick.

  “I saw you chatting to Mr. Smooth,” Wiggles said as we strolled under the moonlight.

  “Damon’s not so bad. He seems sweet on Merrie.”

  “He’s mildly less of a creep these days. Whatever his father did to him when he was out of Willow Tree Falls, it improved Damon.”

  Damon’s father was Kroni, a powerful demon. After Damon had almost been killed, he’d recuperated with his dad for a couple of days and had returned a changed half-demon. It was a darker version of the half-demon I knew, which was another reason I was keeping an eye on him. My sideline was hunting rogue demons. I hoped Damon would never become one of those. I considered him an ally.

  “Hey, look! It’s your mom.” Wiggles picked up the pace as he spotted Mom heading toward the cemetery.

  She stopped when she saw Wiggles and bent to pet him. Mom stood as I got near.

  “Hi, Mom. Have you got the midnight shift?”

  She kissed my cheek. “That’s right. I’m meeting your Granny Dottie there. How’s everything with you? You look tired. Aren’t you sleeping?”

  “I’m good. The bar’s quiet, so we’re just taking a stroll,” I said.

  She tilted her head. “Have you heard from your sister?”

  I frowned. “She’s not been in touch.”

  “Have you been in touch with her?”

  “I don’t dare go near Toby’s house after the last time,” I said. My visit to Toby’s had involved an unpleasant experience with mind manipulation, almost tearing Toby’s head off when he’d revealed his true colors, and Wiggles facing off with Toby’s terrifyingly large butler.

  “I wish you two would make up,” Mom said. “There are only three weeks until the wedding.”

  “Which I’m no longer invited to.” I tried to pretend it didn’t hurt that Aurora had sent me a letter telling me I was no longer welcome at the celebration. Before that, I was to be her only bridesmaid. Not anymore. I wasn’t even allowed to go to the reception. There would be no wedding cake and buffet for me.

  “I keep asking her to change her mind, but Aurora has dug her heels in.” Mom patted my arm.

  “I’ve been watching her store, hoping she’ll stop by,” I said. “It’s neutral territory, so I planned to go in and speak with her.”

  “If it’s about what happened to the dress, Aurora will understand if you apologize.” Mom knew all about me ruining my bridesmaid’s dress. It hadn’t been deliberate, but I wasn’t sad that I’d no longer have to prance around looking like a giant ear of corn in lemon-yellow.

  “It’s so much more than the dress.” I kicked my foot through the dirt. “This wedding can’t happen.”

  Mom clasped her hands together. “None of us are thrilled about what’s going on, but it’s Aurora’s decision. And so far, you haven’t found anything against Toby. There’s nothing to prove that his intentions are dark.”

  “Mom! You have to admit Aurora’s not herself.”

  Mom sighed. “I agree, but I can’t get her to talk about it. Every time I mention that she seems different, she tells me it’s wedding jitters. She’s so busy planning everything and making sure their big day is perfect. Maybe she’s right. A bride-to-be gets nervous about her big day.”

  “Aurora’s not letting anyone help,” I said. “She’s keeping us away for a reason. I understand why she kicked me out of the wedding, but none of you have done anything wrong. You hardly see her.”

  “Which I don’t enjoy, but I do understand. I have managed to corner Toby on two occasions and see if he’s up to anything dubious. Nothing he tells me sets off alarms. He always has Aurora’s best interests at heart.”

  I shook my head. “It’s not in her best interest to abandon Heaven’s Door. And it can’t be good for her to live with Toby.”

  “We just have to accept that we’re adding Toby Matlock to our family.”

  “I can’t accept that,” I said. “If I can speak to the three women he’s already messed with, I’m sure this will be resolved. Maybe they’ll speak to Aurora and tell her what Toby’s really like. She’d have to believe them.”

  Mom hugged me. “Keep looking, but I’m trying to fortify myself that this wedding will happen. You have to be prepared for that, too.”

  “I won’t be.” I pulled back from the hug. “We could always kidnap Aurora. If we can get her away from Toby, we can break his hold on her.”

  “Kidnap your sister!” Mom chuckled and shook her head. “She’d never forgive us.”

  “I’m willing to do it. She already hates me, so it can’t get any worse. She’s not walking down that aisle with Toby.”

  “Aurora doesn’t hate you,” Mom said. “It would be so good if you reunite before the wedding.”

  “Aurora won’t let me anywhere near the wedding. She knows that, if I’m there, I’ll do everything I can to stop it.”

  “Tempest! Don’t do anything rash. Think abo
ut this. Your sister’s happiness is at stake.”

  “It’s all I’ve been thinking about.” Toby had become an unhealthy obsession. Nothing else mattered. I had to get people to see the real Toby Matlock and get Aurora away from him.

  “I’d better go,” Mom said. “Granny Dottie’s all alone in the cemetery. You know what she’s like when she gets bored.”

  I grimaced. Granny Dottie was worse than an unsupervised school child on a sugar high.

  “I’ll see you later.” I walked away with Wiggles, not going in any particular direction. I just needed quiet time to think about this wedding.

  “We could sabotage it,” Wiggles said. “I could get some buddies together. We could sneak in and eat the food.”

  “How is that sabotaging the wedding?”

  “Everyone will be miserable because there’s no nice food.”

  “Aurora and Toby will still be married.”

  “There’s no food at the actual wedding ceremony, is there?”

  “I don’t think so.”

  “There’s no point in me being there then. Eating is what I’m best at.”

  I sighed, not able to work up the energy to warn Wiggles away from the wedding buffet. Every bone in my body ached like I’d had a wrestling match with a giant demon.

  He nudged me with his nose as we continued to walk. “I get it. It sucks being excluded. I love Aurora, too. She’s making a huge mistake, but she can’t see it.”

  I nodded. “It’s a good job we can. If being excluded from Aurora’s life is what it takes to stop Toby Matlock from marrying her, then that’s what I’m prepared to do.”

  “I still vote for the buffet sabotage.”

  “You focus on the buffet. I’ll figure out how to get Aurora away from Toby.”

  Whatever it took, this wedding wasn’t happening.

  Chapter 2

  “Bleurgh. I’m dying.” My head throbbed, my eyes felt swollen, and my mouth was Sahara dry.

  I hadn’t moved from my bed since I’d collapsed into it last night.

  My skin was sticky with sweat, and I longed for a shower, but I couldn’t face moving from under the warm duvet.