Trail of Spells: Witch of Wickrock Bay, #3

By Wendy Meadows

Bad scores can close doors in life. In this case. It closed a life.

 

In the middle of a whirlwind lesson, Mimi and Baxter are interrupted by Rob at the door with an evidence bag containing her bloodied antique Irish iron arrowhead – a suspected murder weapon involved in the killing of a snarky professor, Cyrus Frisk. Mimi is stupefied against Rob's demand for an alibi – the antique had been under lock and key.

 

Someone has violated her privacy. Crossed into her territory and taken something precious from her – to frame her? Things can't get any worse when another knock on her door reveals a woman representing an East Coast group of supernaturals. She warns Mimi of a wizard named Reneus Ulzor and advises her to keep away from him at all costs.

 

As details of Cyrus's death slowly come to light, from his tempestuous relationships with past pupils to the way he conducted himself with residents – Mimi finds herself torn between defending herself from being a person of interest as well as canvassing around town for clues to track down the real murderer.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Majestic Owl Publishing LLC
• Release date: Aug 18, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201197643

Wendy Meadows

USA Today bestselling author, Wendy Meadows, is a passionate Cozy Mystery Author whose meticulously crafted stories showcase witty women sleuths and engaging plots. Her primary influences include but are not limited to mystery genre greats Joanne Fluke, Ellery Adams, and James Patterson. To date, she has published dozens of books, which include her popular Sweetfern Harbor Series, Maple Hill Series, and Alaska Cozy Series, to name a few. In a previous life, Wendy worked as a Graphic Designer, earning her Graphic Design Certification at the prestigious New York based Sessions School of Design. With this valuable artistic background, she designs her own book covers. In fact, she began writing fiction soon after designing numerous book covers for other fiction authors. When she isn’t writing about female detectives and their tactful crime solving, you can find Wendy either tending to her hobby farm, playing video games, relaxing on her back porch, or coloring in her growing collection of adult coloring books. She also loves spending quality time with her husband, two sons, two cats, and one adorable Labradoodle. Together, they call “The Granite State” home sweet home. To find out more about Wendy Meadows both personally and creatively, feel free to visit her official website at www.wendymeadows.com

Book preview

chapter one

Mimi Knotley turned around to check if there was anyone nearby, but the park looked empty. Her dog, Baxter, had disappeared into the nearby shrubbery, no doubt to do his morning business. It was probably a little too early for most citizens of Wickrock Bay. The February sun was still just above the horizon. The sky was covered with clouds. Fortunately, though, with the last few days being dry with no wind, it was the perfect day for what Mimi had in mind.

Swirling dry leaves. That was her task for this morning.

Taking a deep breath, she lifted her index finger and made a twirling gesture.

Nothing happened.

Wait. You need to imagine the move in your head, Mimi...

She repeated the move, this time bringing up the appropriate imagery in her mind. A handful of leaves she had placed at her feet lifted off the ground. And then fell down.

Mimi repeated her efforts. This time, she managed to get the leaves to swirl around once or twice before falling on the ground again.

Having special powers was cool, even though they took some practice to develop. She had discovered her ability to move objects with her mind only two months ago, by accident. At first, she was petrified and freaked out, but after doing some research, she realized that there were other people with similar strange powers. She had even had a visitor claiming to be able to help her with it. But so far, she had kept her little witchy secret.

Well, with one exception—her best friend, Sara Domico. Sara was the only person who knew about and had seen Mimi’s magical power. And Mimi intended to keep it that way, hence her caution this morning.

Mimi waved her hand again, making a little more complex move this time. The leaves followed her wish, rising in a neat spiral.

Something rustled behind Mimi’s back. Her hand jerked. The leaves tumbled down.

Mimi glanced around.

Ah, it’s you, Baxter, she said to her dog, releasing a breath. The apricot and black pug huffed and sat a couple of yards away from her.

Are you sure you’re done? Mimi asked. Baxter was a fairly new addition to her circle of friends, and she was still learning how to read him. Sometimes he didn’t behave like a typical dog.

Strange dog, he didn’t like to walk, bark, or chase birds...

Baxter tilted his head and looked at her.

Okay, just checking. Wanna see me swirling leaves? she asked.

Baxter gave a little squeal. Mimi smiled. For whatever strange reason, Baxter seemed to enjoy her attempts at practicing her supernatural powers.

Mimi twirled the leaves and sent them toward the nearest bush and back.

That was almost a success. The leaves slipped off the path she’d intended for them on the way there, so only one returned.

Mimi exhaled loudly.

I think that’s enough for this morning. Let’s go back. I need a coffee, what about you? she asked her pug.

Baxter just stared back at her.

I really wish you could talk. It would be so much easier than me trying to second-guess you and checking everything with you, she mumbled, picking Baxter up. She cuddled him in her arms, giving him a scratch behind the ear.

What else could she do with her superpower? Lifting things without touching them had proven very helpful—she had finally managed to clean that disgusting cupboard in the back room, and even sold it! That was a strange sale—Mimi shuddered at the thought of it. It was Mr. Redmond, the owner of a local restaurant and catering business, who bought it from her. He’d behaved oddly that day, checking the drawers and all the nooks and crannies. But now the room was empty and available to use for various occasions, such as the most recent Wine and Art evening.

Yeah...that room proved to be a lifesaver for the Wine and Art club. Even Lacy Strumbottom, the art teacher and a typical stiff-upper-lip Brit, didn’t feel comfortable having the evening in the same place, with the same decor as last time, when...

Mimi shook her head. That was nonsense. The murder hadn’t even happened in her shop, but nearby. Having said that, all the Wine and Art attendees that day had become involved, at least in the initial investigation.

Some of them even further down the line...

Anyhow...Mimi…What else can you do with your skill?

Maybe she should do another search on the internet. A discreet search, so that the man named...

What was his strange name? Nebuchadnezzar? No, Reneus Ulzor...?

Whatever his name, Mimi didn’t want him to come back. So for now, she was stuck practicing what she could do until she discovered another thing. And doing it quietly, without attracting any unwanted attention.

Mimi marched out of the park with Baxter under her arm. The air was fresh and dry, which was rare for this time of year. The town around her was waking up to another day; cars, little corner shops, police cars going about their business...strangely early this morning...cafés serving coffee. Yeah, that was what she needed. Starting her day with a good, smooth brew on board was always a good idea.

Mimi climbed up the little hill along Cormorants Walk and headed for her shop, Rare and Wonderful Antiques, but took a left turn one door away.

The light in the Wickrock Bay Café was on, the chimney puffing happily—signs that Scott Thomas, the new owner, was in and at work.

Mimi walked up the few steps and pushed the door open.

Hello, Mimi, Scott greeted her from behind the counter.

Mimi put Baxter on the floor. A wince crossed Scott’s long, bearded face, as it always did when he saw Baxter inside. But unlike other times, he actually said something about it.

Mimi, do you mind leaving—

Yes, I do, actually, Mimi cut in. He comes with me. It’s a combined deal, so to speak, but if I may give you a piece of advice, she continued, standing akimbo right in front of the counter. The café was empty at the moment, which was good, since Mimi didn’t want to embarrass Scott, merely spare him some problems. I’m not sure what it’s like where you come from, but here in Wickrock Bay, we treat our pets like friends. We don’t leave them outside waiting for us to get a hot drink, or whatever. And if we come to have a sit-down drink and breakfast, they come in with us. Unless they don’t want to, Mimi said, adding a stern look.

Scott’s face blushed right to the roots of his ash-blond hair.

Got it, he mumbled, turning back toward the espresso machine. Your usual Americano?

Yes, please, Mimi replied. Baxter sat by her feet, giving her a strange glance. Mimi stared down at him. What was he trying to tell her? Was he reproaching her for the comment she’d just made to Scott? Okay, it might have been a little harsh, but then, the guy needed to know what was likely to get him in trouble with the locals. Daniel George had known how to treat his customers. Mimi sighed.

Daniel George, the previous owner of the café, had died a little unexpectedly and in suspicious circumstances, and Mimi somehow got involved, and...

Mimi frowned. Better not bring bad thoughts on.