Sleuthing In The Pink, page 1
part #4 of Witch's Cove Mystery Series
Sleuthing In The Pink
A Witch’s Cove Mystery
Book 4
Vella Day
Sleuthing In The Pink
Copyright © 2020 by Vella Day
Kindle Edition
www.velladay.com
velladayauthor@gmail.com
Cover Art by Jaycee DeLorenzo
Edited by Rebecca Cartee and Carol Adcock-Bezzo
Published in the United States of America
E-book ISBN: 978-1-951430-10-8
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission of the author except in the case of brief questions embodied in critical articles or reviews.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, business establishments, events or locales, is entirely coincidental.
Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright Page
About the Book
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Other Books by the Author
About the Author
A new job. A new hobby. And then death by bowling pin.
Hi, I’m Glinda Goodall. After enjoying my waitressing job at my aunt’s restaurant for the last three years, I got sucked into opening up my own private investigation firm—as an amateur sleuth, of course. Just because I was a good listener [read: gossip seeker] and helped solve a few crimes, that didn’t mean I had any business hanging up my shingle. But hang it I did.
In need of a different gossip source, my partner and I joined a bowling league. I know, right? I’ve shunned anything to do with athletics my whole life. Just my luck, the league had only begun when someone ends up dead on the alley with a pin in his mouth—make that a pink pin. And no, I didn’t kill him, not that everyone believes me.
But don’t worry. I’ll be fine. I just needed to find the killer. If you need to find me, I’ll either be working part time at the Tiki Hut Grill or at my new digs above the Wine and Cheese Emporium.
Chapter One
“What do you think?” I held up the wooden sign that my new partner in crime, Jaxson Harrison, promised he’d mount outside our new office tomorrow.
Penny Carsted, one of my best friends and fellow coworkers, raised her wine glass in a toast. “It’s amazing. To Glinda Goodall and The Pink Iguana Sleuths!”
I leaned the wooden plaque against my sofa, grabbed my glass, and touched my drink to hers. “To The Pink Iguana Sleuths.” I inhaled the joy, only to let reality seep in. I sighed.
“Is something wrong?” Penny asked.
Darn. I hadn’t wanted to share my insecurities with her tonight, because she seemed so happy, but what were friends for?
“What if I’m making a mistake by starting my own firm—and with Jaxson, no less?” I slipped next to her on the sofa. “I’ll miss talking and sharing things with you if we aren’t working side by side every day.”
“It’s not like we can’t visit.”
“True, and it’s not like I won’t be working here for the near foreseeable future—at least until our business is up and running,” I said.
“I agree, and starting your own firm is what the universe has always had in store for you. You’re organized, focused, and determined to help others.”
“I worry about expenses a bit, what with getting an office and setting it up.” I don’t know why I was whining. This was my dream.
“It won’t cost you that much. Didn’t you say that Drake isn’t charging you any rent for the office space?”
Jaxson’s younger brother, Drake, was my best male friend and owned the two-story building, the Howl at the Moon Wine and Cheese Emporium, just two buildings over from my second-floor apartment above the Tiki Hut Grill—make that my rent-free apartment. I did have the best aunt in the world.
“He is. I know it’s perfect. Drake was using the second floor of his building as a storage room, but being a doll, he straightened it up for me—more or less.” I don’t know why I was worried. “The best part is that our new office has an outside staircase, a small bathroom, and even a tiny kitchen—one that currently is stacked with empty wine boxes.” As I said, the place was more or less cleaned up. “I’m pretty sure he would have charged me if his brother wasn’t part of the deal.”
Penny lifted a shoulder. “That could be, but since Drake wants his brother to be happy, he’ll do whatever it takes to make it happen. Besides, I think this new adventure will help both of you.” She reached out and squeezed my hand.
“You’re right.”
Jaxson Harrison had come to town a few months ago after staying away from Witch’s Cove for eleven years. Why that long? He’d been accused and convicted of a crime he hadn’t committed. As a result, he’d served three years in jail for robbery. Thankfully, he was able to move forward with his life—kind of—by going back to school. Not only did he study some law, he’d earned a degree in computer science.
When he returned to test the waters, Witch’s Cove was anything but friendly, thanks to the crooked sheriff and his deputy son. When the truth came out about Jaxson’s innocence—partially thanks to yours truly—he was exonerated and his record was expunged. Ever since then Jaxson’s outlook on life had improved greatly.
“I know I’m right,” Penny said. “Now drink up.”
I wanted to believe her more than anything. “Jaxson told me that he was feeling a bit restless working in Drake’s back room, but I hope he isn’t just joining forces with me because I helped clear his name.”
“Nonsense. I haven’t spoken to him recently, but from what you’ve told me, he seems to like working on cases.”
“He does.”
If anyone had told me a few months ago that I’d be partnering with Jaxson Harrison, I would have laughed in their faces. He wasn’t my type when I was fifteen, and he was even less my type when he first returned home. He was angry. So angry. As long as he doesn’t take it out on clients, I could handle any mood swings.
After everyone learned that the sheriff had lied about Jaxson being the guilty party in the liquor store theft, his personality had totally transformed. It improved even more last week when the courts deemed Duncan Donut—or rather Sheriff William Duncan—guilty of lying on the stand. He received three years in jail, followed by three years’ probation, and a three thousand dollar fine. It wouldn’t give Jaxson his time back, but it did help his mental state.
“The truth is that I worry about going into business with him,” I said.
“I don’t see why?” Penny finished off her glass of wine. “Jaxson seems great. And he treats you well.”
“He does. For now. But what if he becomes too controlling? Being protective is one thing, but if he insists we do things his way, it might be a problem.”
If we ended up fighting all the time, it could be a deal breaker. It was why I promised myself to avoid arguing at all costs.
“He won’t do that. He knows you’re the witch.”
“A witch with few powers. Every spell I’ve done of late seems to mess up things even more.”
Penny set down her glass and wrapped an arm around my shoulder. “Stop obsessing.”
“Obsession is my middle name.”
She laughed. “That is what will make you a successful sleuth.”
“You think?”
She smiled. “I know so.”
“Thanks.” It helped having the support. My aunt was on board with this new adventure, but my parents? Not so much. They’d been hounding me forever to find a real job that would use my math degree, but being a sleuth was too dangerous in their minds. Oh, well. I couldn’t please everyone. It was what I wanted, so it was what I was going to do.
Penny sat back up and refilled her glass with the bottle I’d left on the coffee table. When the two of us got going, we could plow through one in no time.
“I really love the name of your new company—and the pink signage.”
Penny was clearly trying to change the subject to cheer me up, and I appreciated that. I chuckled. “Well, it is the only color I wear.”
“And I’m pink,” Iggy said, lifting his chest. He’d been sitting quietly—a rarity—on the edge of the coffee table for a while.
Iggy is my pink iguana familiar—make that my talking pink iguana. Anyone new to Witch’s Cove probably would not know that when I was twelve, I went into the Hendrian Forest and conjured him up by doing a spell. Sure, I was hoping for a black cat—what pre-teen wouldn’t wish for one—but I got Iggy instead. He claims he was born green, but when I came along, my obsession with wearing pink must have changed his color. Trust me, he hasn’t let me forget it in the last fourteen years.
I will have to say that of late, he hasn’t been complaining about it as much. It might be because I recently tried to do a sp
I inhaled to push aside my rather maudlin musings and smiled. I wanted Iggy to know how much I loved him. “Yes, everyone will flock to our company to ask for our help regarding their investigative needs, because I have the best pink iguana detective in Witch’s Cove.”
“I’m the only pink iguana in Witch’s Cove or in all of Florida for that matter.”
“True.”
Poor Iggy. Ever since his new girlfriend refused to give him the time of day, he’d been a bit depressed. Then again, Aimee was a cat, so it was understandable.
“Is Jaxson okay with the firm’s name?” Penny asked. “I thought he wanted Goodall and Harrison.”
“He did at first, but the name wasn’t exactly catchy. After we discussed it—and Iggy chimed in—Jaxson agreed with the new name mostly because he conceded that the firm is mine and that he is still merely the muscle.”
“I love it,” Penny said. “And he is all muscle. I have to say, it takes a secure man to work at a company with that name.”
“Jaxson is very sure of himself.”
“Do you know what I think about the sign?” Iggy asked, moving forward a bit, careful not to knock over the almost empty wine bottle.
I knew what he was going to say. “The best part is the pink iguana wearing the Sherlock Holmes’ hat?” That and the name.
“Yup. And the magnifying glass implies I’m really smart.”
I laughed. “You are smart, magnifying glass or not, but I thought it was a nice touch too. Putting your image on the sign was actually Jaxson’s idea.”
Having Jaxson Harrison as a partner—at least part time—was what convinced me to get into the amateur sleuth business in the first place. Would anyone actually pay us for our help? Only time would tell.
One thing for sure, if pursuing someone required me to carry a weapon, I’d have to turn the information over to Sheriff Rocker and let him handle it.
Our lawman was already aware that Iggy and I could communicate with one another, as well as the fact I am a witch with some abilities. It had taken some work to convince him that the occult was real, but now that he was a believer, it would make providing my sources much easier. I no longer had to worry that he’d dismiss me because I was some crazy waitress turned sleuth.
Chapter Two
Penny picked up her glass from the coffee table and leaned back. “This is nice,” she said.
“What is?”
“Relaxing in your apartment while my mom watches Tommy.” Tommy was Penny’s seven-year-old. “I really needed this time away from it all.”
“I couldn’t agree more. We haven’t had time to even chat.”
These last few months had been hectic to say the least. First our deputy was murdered—and Penny’s ex-husband had been accused of the crime. Then I drank a potion that some ancient witch had mixed wrong that enabled me to see ghosts. Let me tell you, that was a trip. While I could still see my dead uncle, I was thankful no one from the other side had contacted me recently.
“When are you officially opening?” Penny asked.
I blew out a breath. “That depends on when I finish setting up my office. I love Drake, but as I said, he’s a packrat. To his credit, he installed a movable wall, so our clients won’t see his junk.”
She chuckled. “Who knew? His store is very organized.”
“I know. It’s like he has an evil twin who lives on the second floor—one who is messy.
Penny smiled. “I can so relate. I think I have an evil twin like that too. But putting up a wall to screen his belongings goes above and beyond.”
“That’s Drake for you. I just need to buy a few more pieces of furniture, and I’ll be set. I really loved the comfortable vibe of Gertrude’s office with her cushy sofas, the pink and white gingham curtains, and all the flowers.” Gertrude Poole was Witch’s Cove resident psychic and retired witch. She’d helped me many times to solve a case. “I have a black thumb when it comes to growing anything, so unless I go with plastic flowers, that design element isn’t going to happen.”
She laughed. “If you need help, let me know.”
“I appreciate that, but my mother is insisting she lend her artistic talents.”
Penny sat up. “Oh, no. Please don’t tell me she wants to paint a rainbow on the wall.”
I laughed. “I hope not. I was firm about not having any Wizard of Oz memorabilia in my office. I want my place to look professional. I don’t think I could handle it if some client came into my office and suddenly burst into song singing, ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’.” Penny clasped a hand over her mouth, clearly trying not to laugh. “You’ve seen what she’s done with the funeral home. Her yellow runner extends from the entrance to the viewing parlor. It’s her tribute to the movie’s brick road. That is way over-the-top, even for her,” I said.
“I agree, but plants and fresh baked goods will really draw people in,” Penny said.
I waved my glass at her. “I like your style.” I snapped my fingers. “I forgot to ask, why aren’t you out with your new beau, Hunter Ashwell, tonight?” Whenever her mom had agreed to babysit these last few weeks, Penny had gone out with him.
“He has a class to teach on how to hunt with a crossbow or something.”
Hunter was a park ranger in the Hendrian Forest. “Interesting. Dad is at the funeral home, last I checked. He usually takes those classes, but he might have had a viewing or something and couldn’t go. Did Hunter ever explain why he likes to hunt at night? I mean, don’t you need to see the animal before you can shoot it?” I really needed to check on whether hunting at night was even legal. I probably hadn’t looked because I didn’t want to know the answer.
Penny smiled. “I think it’s safer not to ask questions.”
I had to give Penny credit. “I think you might be right.”
They’d only been dating for a couple of weeks, but I’d never seen her happier. After all the stuff she’d gone through, she deserved a nice guy.
“How is Sam handling the new beau?” Since Penny hadn’t complained about her ex-husband lately, I figured things were stable between them.
“He seems fine. I think he is actually seeing someone.”
“Interesting, but you’re not sure?” She shrugged. “Tommy hasn’t mentioned her?”
“No. I figured Sam is being discrete.”
Maybe her ex-husband had finally grown up. Good for him.
Penny polished off her wine. “I have to work tomorrow, but this has been great. I am so proud of you for realizing your dreams.” She leaned over and hugged me.
“Thanks. Let’s hope I’m just as excited about this in a month.”
“You will be.”
Even though I no longer had to set my morning alarm to get up at five forty-five, my body was wide awake at six. Why? Why? Why?
I closed my eyes and ran through what I needed to do today. Jaxson said he’d hang the company sign and then help with the office setup. While he was there, I really needed to discuss some of our plans.
As much as I didn’t want to get out of bed, I realized sleep was not going to happen for me this morning. I rose, washed and dressed, and then headed into the living room.
Iggy rotated his head and opened his eyes. “You’re up early,” he said.
“Don’t remind me.” Like a zombie, I shuffled into the kitchen, put on the pot of coffee, and fixed a plate of greens for him. His water bowl looked untouched from last night, so I left it for now.
“What’s on the docket for today?” he asked in a too chipper voice.
Docket? He acted as if I was going to work for some judge. “More office work.”
“I want to come with you.”
I was wondering when he’d make that demand. I had promised him that he could be at the office if he behaved. I couldn’t afford to have him scare the clients. I figured this could be a trial run, but if he chatted with me all day, he’d have to stay home. “Okay.”
“Great. Do you have any specific office work in mind?”
“Are you applying for a position as a secretary or something?” It wasn’t like he could answer the phone.
“That’s not a bad idea!”
