A Drop in the Potion Page 8

  “If we weren’t immersed in a murder,” Tessa said over the phone. “This snow would be driving me crazy.”

  “You’re preaching to the choir,” I said. “As soon as we solve this murder, we go to work on the snow. And I don’t care if we have to bring Lily out of her frogdom.”

  “Don’t say that,” Tessa said. “We’ll find another water witch to set things right. Hold on, Mara’s calling in.”

  Three-way calling was proving to be a convenient way to conduct our stake out. Tessa and I could monitor the progress from our shop.

  “You there, Samantha?” Tessa asked.

  “Here,” I answered.

  “Me too,” Mara whispered. “I’m in the entry. Where do you want me to begin?”

  “Master bedroom,” Tessa suggested.

  “I agree,” I said. “And from now on, we won’t talk unless we have to. While your phone is invisible as long as you hold it, I don’t think it’s soundless. You talk, we listen.”

  “I’ll talk only when I come upon something interesting,” Mara whispered. “The less we say, the better.”

  Tessa and I listened, not talking even to each other. Mara kept us informed of her whereabouts inside the manor. Stairs, hall, master bedroom, we followed her as she went about looking. From her description, the master bedroom was vacant, and it didn’t look as if it had been slept in. From there, she explored the other rooms, which were no longer locked. She found no one and nothing of interest.

  Steps, hall, den, library, billiards room, dining room, ballroom.

  She went through the entire first floor without encountering anyone. That seemed odd, but then, it was early.

  The kitchen was the last room she entered, and it was just as empty as the other rooms. I couldn’t help but wonder if Mr. Bluth was gone. We expected him to be there, but his comings and goings weren’t advertised anywhere.

  “Try the basement,” I suggested.

  “There is no basement door,” Mara said.

  “There has to be,” Tessa said. “Amelia used to tell us about practicing spells where no one could hear or see.”

  “I tell you, there’s no door,” Mara repeated.

  “Try the pantry,” I said.

  “The pantry?”

  “I can remember Amelia coming out of the pantry with her hands empty. Who does that?

  “Try it,” Tessa urged.

  “It’s here,” Mara said. “Behind a cabinet that swings out. Clever. Hold on.”

  We waited silently, as Mara went into the basement. I didn’t count the minutes. I didn’t have to. Anxiety built with every passing second. I was certain that Mara had run into trouble, even though we had agreed on a safe word should that happen. If we hard Mara shout “RUGBY”, we were to come running. Not hearing the word didn’t make the vigil any shorter or palatable. It was just before I was about to ditch the phone and go running for the manor that Mara’s breathless voice came over the phone.

  “You won’t believe it,” Mara said. “You just won’t believe it.”

  Chapter 12

  “A red plush coffin?” Tessa asked. I thought she was joking until...

  “Exactly,” Mara said as she drove. “In the basement. Hughes was there, and he watched Mr. Bluth eat a bit of yogurt, do some yoga, and then climb into the coffin. I couldn’t believe it.”

  “It means we need to talk to the Gallaghers,” I said.

  “Me too,” Tessa said quickly. “I want in on this. No vampire is going to take out people in my town. Even ones I don't particularly like.”

  “And sooner better than later,” I said. “If Mr. Bluth discovers that we’re on to him, he’ll disappear. And we’ll be without our probable killer.”

  The Gallaghers agreed to meet us at the end of the day, as they were busy, and we all agreed that Mr. Bluth would sleep away the day anyway. It would be better to confront him later, although more than a bit of doubt raced around inside my head. Tessa said she would bring a crucifix. Mara said she would get some holy water. I was responsible for the wooden stake. I didn’t think it would come to that, but I had to be prepared.

  We met the Gallaghers at the Grill, and as the sun sank below the tree line, we headed for Windermere Manor. The Gallaghers allowed us to come because they thought magic might be involved, and they wanted some anti-magic, if they could find it. Hughes opened the door and let us inside, with his usual lack of smile. I wondered if his face had been frozen in some fashion. Smile muscles needed to be exercised too, didn’t they?

  Mr. Bluth was about to sit down to brunch in the dining room.

  “Well, hello,” Mr. Bluth said. “How kind of you to stop by. Hughes, more plates, please.”

  “We aren’t here on a social visit,” Ethan said.

  “No? Then, why?”

  “It’s about Linda Downs,” Ada said. “We think you murdered her.”

  Mr. Bluth laughed. “Oh, my, that is rich. And how did you come to that conclusion, may I ask.”

  “Because you’re a vampire,” Tessa said.

  A frown replaced Mr. Bluth’s smile. My hand slipped into my pocket where a small wooden stake resided. I could feel everyone getting tense.

  “But, of course, I am,” Mr. Bluth said. “Did you just now surmise that?”

  That was when everyone began talking at once. Ada and Ethan started asking questions about Linda Downs’ death. Tessa wanted to know where the blood was stored. Mara asked about the coffin. I was halfway to taking his picture with my phone.

  “Please, please,” Mr. Bluth said. “Let’s not make this unsavory. Sit down, have some brunch, and we’ll discuss this like civilized people.”

  The others looked at me, and I shrugged. “Let’s be as civilized as Mr. Bluth,” I said.

  With that, we all sat, and Hughes went about getting plates and silverware and more food. I wasn’t particularly hungry, but I did have a curiosity that needed satisfying.

  “Let’s begin at the beginning,” Mr. Bluth said. “I am a vampire, and I assumed everyone knew that. It’s not as if I’ve been hiding it. So, I’m at a loss as to why you would come as a group to confront me.”

  “Vampires drink blood,” Ethan said. “And well, Goodsprings doesn’t need a bunch of bloodless cadavers.”

  “I will admit that my kind preyed on humans and other creatures for centuries. But we are not so plentiful as we once were, and we wish to live in harmony with all other creatures. All modern vampires swear off blood. As you can see by the fare, we get our iron through lentils and seeds and other plants. We have ethics, and we wish for peace.”

  “What of Linda Downs,” Ada said. “You didn’t kill her?”

  “We should have,” Hughes said in a moment of pique. “She will not be missed.”

  “Please, Hughes,” Mr. Bluth said. “Let’s not speak ill of the dead. And no, Miss Gallagher, I did not kill Miss Downs, although she certainly irked me to distraction. I have no idea who did kill her, but I assure you, it wasn’t me.”

  “Excuse me, Mr. Bluth,” I said. “But why did you come to Goodsprings?”

  “Because it’s known on the Nocturnal Net—”

  “Nocturnal Net?” Tessa interrupted. “Now what?”

  “A place on the Internet where werewolves and vampires chat and trade information. It was there that I learned that Goodsprings was a friendly place, especially for those of us who are not fully human.”

  “Well,” Mara said. “It has been the home to witches for some generations, but I wouldn’t think that enough to warrant our reputation.”

  “I agree,” Mr. Bluth said. “I was circumspect until I saw them.” He pointed to the Gallaghers.

  “What about them?” Tessa asked.

  “Surely, you’re being facetious,” Mr. Bluth said. “You don’t know?”

  “Know what?” Ada asked.

  “That they’re twins.”

  “Oh, of course, we know that,” Mara said.

  “Twins that are half-vampires.”

  Ev
eryone stopped talking. Mr. Bluth’s words hung in the air, completely baffling us.

  “Dhampirs,” Hughes said. “More populous at one time.”

  “No, no, no,” Ethan said. “If we were dhampirs, or whatever you said, we would know it.”

  “That’s right,” Ada said. “We would sense it.”

  “Dhampirs,” Mr. Bluth said. “I suppose if you weren’t told that in childhood, you wouldn’t know. Although, anyone can see that you are pale by nature. I’m guessing you sunburn easily.”

  Ada and Ethan exchanged looks.

  “You probably like spinach and lentils and rare meats.”

  “That doesn’t mean anything,” Tessa said. “I prefer rare meat.”

  “I’m sure you do.,” Mr. Bluth. “But you should probably explore your background. It may be enlightening.”

  At that moment, Tessa’s phone chirped. “Allie,” she said and left the table.

  “Mr. Bluth,” I said. “Are you certain, about Ada and Ethan?”

  “Trust me, to a vampire, it’s clear as night.”

  Tessa returned to the table. “I have to go,” she said. “Allie has had a relapse. I think it’s time for more medicine.”

  “I’ll go with you,” I said.

  “I think it’s time we all left,” Ethan said.

  At the cars, we stopped for a brief discussion.

  “I think he’s pulling our legs,” Ethan said. “Ada and I are anything but vampires.”

  “I’m sure he is,” Mara said.

  “I’m gone,” Tessa said. “Work it out and get back to me.”

  “I’m coming with you,” I told Tessa. “Mara, ride with the Gallaghers?”

  “Sure,” Mara said. “I’ve always wanted to ride in a police cruiser.”

  Ada laughed. “Just not in the back seat, I hope.”

  “What did you think of that?” Tessa asked as she raced away from Windermere Manor.

  “I believe he’s a vampire,” I said. “The Gallaghers? I’m not so sure.”

  “Me either. I mean, I don’t see how that could be. They’re far too nice.”

  “Mr. Bluth is very nice, as far as that goes. He’s still a vampire.”

  “A reformed vampire. He still could have killed Linda Downs, even if he didn’t drink her blood. Do you think he got away with not paying her commission?”

  I had to laugh at that. “No, I think the contract would be put in effect for her heirs, who don’t live around here. I checked that out after she died. A commission that big might be worth killing for.”

  We talked about the murder and the revelation all the way to the apartment, where we picked up a very sick Allie.

  “Sorry, Aunt Sam,” Allie said. “But I ran out of soup.” She coughed horribly.

  “That’s all right,” I said. “It doesn’t work for everyone. Genevive?”

  “She’s much better.”

  “Don’t talk,” Tessa said. “We’ll be there soon.”

  In fact, we did arrive in a matter of minutes, and while Tessa parked the car, I escorted Allie into the facility. We were lucky to be greeted by Nurse Misty Glass.

  “What do we have here?” Misty asked.

  “A rather bad cough,” I said.

  “You’re in luck,” Misty said. “We happen to have exactly what the doctor ordered for bad coughs. Of course, it will also deal with those other flu symptoms. Come with me.”

  Tessa appeared, and Misty pointed to the office. “Get her checked in,” Misty said. “I’ll start the treatment.”

  “Don’t worry,” I told Tessa. “I’ll be with her.”

  I could tell that Tessa didn’t like leaving Allie to anyone, but life was half paperwork. We both had learned that from running our shops. She went off to sign over her soul, while I walked behind Allie and Misty.

  “Don’t be afraid of anything,” Misty told Allie. “Nothing causes any pain, and you’ll be able to breathe fully in a few minutes. Well, more like an hour, but if we tell people that, they run off, like an hour is too long.”

  Misty left Allie and me in a small treatment room. Allie had the big, comfortable recliner. I had the little, hard chair.

  “I’m going to be all right, aren’t I?” she asked.

  “Of course, you are,” I answered. “This is nothing. Something to clear your lungs.”

  “No magic for that?”

  I shook my head. “I don’t know it, although I’m sure it exists.”

  Misty returned, pushing a machine with a mask and tube that led back to pump of some kind.

  “Here is what is going to happen,” Misty said as she helped Allie with the mask. “The device will pump air through the tube that you will inhale through the mask. Simple. I will add medication to the device, and that medicine will go directly to your lungs. I could give you a pill. In fact, I will give you a pill before you leave. But this is faster. Direct relief. I know it looks like some kind of monster, but it’s not, trust me.”

  I watched as Misty adjusted the mask, started the machine, and waited till Allie had become accustomed to the feeling. Then, she added the liquid medicine to the reservoir.

  “Smell like vanilla?” Misty asked.

  Allie nodded.

  “Good. You breathe. I’ll be back in a bit.”

  Misty left just as Tessa arrived.

  “Alright?” Tessa asked Allie, who nodded.

  “Did I miss anything?” Tessa asked me.

  “No, it’s all according to the book. By the way, I believe I drank too much coffee at brunch. I’ll be right back.”

  I was on my back after visiting the ladies room to the treatment room when I stopped at the water fountain. It was there that I heard the nurses—Misty, Tanya, and Helen. The lounge was right around the corner, and I suspected they were on break. I was about to say hello, when Tanya said something that caught my ear.

  “I still say it’s the ghost of Amelia Windermere.”

  “Why is that?” Helen asked.

  “Because she was murdered there too. It’s simple revenge. The place is cursed.”

  “You don’t really believe in ghosts, do you?” Misty asked.

  “About as much as you believe in vampires. Still got that wooden stake in your car?”

  Misty laughed. “That was for the garden, and you know it.”

  “If the manor is cursed, how would you know?” Helen asked. “I mean, it’s not like a ghost would put up a sign. You know, come on in and get killed.”

  “I’m guessing there would be ways of finding out,” Tanya said. “Certainly, ghosts would make some kind of noise or something.”

  “Oops,” Misty said. “Time to check on my patient.”

  That was when I turned and walked quickly to the treatment room. I didn’t want it to look as if I was eavesdropping—although I was. Yet, the eavesdropping held a nugget of gold for me. If the manor were haunted, who would know? I stopped outside the room and pulled out my phone. Misty passed me with a smile, and I nodded to her. I wanted to thank her for the lead, but that would mean I was listening when I shouldn't have been. For both our sakes, I would let that slide.

  “How would you like to take a ride?” I asked as soon someone picked up the phone. “And yes, you’re driving.”

  Chapter 13

  “You should get a car,” Ada said.

  We were almost to Lake Windermere, and the road was only a bit slippery. The overnight snow hadn’t yet started, as it wasn’t all that late.

  “You’re right,” I said. “I should, but I can’t really afford it. I should also reroof my house, but I can’t afford that either. And I have to tell you that all this snow isn’t helping.”

  “So, what are we going to do at the lake?” Ada asked.

  “We’re going to find out if the manor is haunted,” I said. “Among other things.”

  “And how exactly, do you propose to determine that?”

  “By asking the Otter King.”

  Ada glanced over, and I sensed a real curiosity on
her part. “You think he’ll know?”

  “He lives in the lake, and he’s not stupid, even if he does like to dumpster dive. So, yes, I believe he’ll be able to shed some light on the issue.”

  “Think he knows who killed Linda Downs?” Ada asked.

  “I’m not sure. I doubt it. I think he would communicate with us, if he knew. He’s not some kind of monster.”

  “I accept your evaluation. But I’m still glad I’m armed.”

  “I doubt you have enough bullets to hurt him. And there is no need. He’s really quite accommodating.”

  We walked to the edge of the nearly frozen lake. With all the snow and cold, the ice stretched nearly to the middle, although I was certain it was exceedingly thin. To my knowledge, no one had ever skated on Lake Windermere.

  “I call Muirchertach, the Otter King.”

  “That will bring him?” Ada asked.

  “I think he already knows we’re here. I just wanted to put a little formality in it.”

  At that moment, the ice near us cracked, and the Otter King rose out of the water.

  “Oh, my word,” Ada said.

  “Good evening,” the Otter King said. He sat up on his haunches while Ada gaped. “What brings you to the lake?”

  “Questions,” I answered. “Questions, I think you might be able to answer.”

  “I will do what I can, but you’re aware of my limited knowledge. Also, you haven't introduced your friend.”

  “I'm sorry,” I said. “This is Ada Gallagher, one of the detectives in town.”

  Ada wasn't sure if she should curtsy or bow.

  “Nice to meet you,” the Otter King said. Ada nodded.

  “You’re being humble. I know there are things you know that we don't,” I said. “But let’s start by asking whether or not you know that Mr. Bluth, the new owner of Windermere Manor, is a vampire.”

  “I am aware,” the Otter King said. “And in case you don't know, Mr. Bluth is a very old and very powerful vampire, a vampire Lord.”