Free A Charming Crime by Tonya Kappes

because I have combined some ingredients makes me a
spiritualist? My eyes narrowed with speculation.
    “As
you can see, every shop owner is a spiritualist where their shop name
camouflages their gift since we are open to the public,” she said.
    “What
about you?” I questioned Mr. McGurtle. For a spiritualist, he could use some
lessons in manners.
    “I
moved to Locust Grove when Darla took you there.” He looked to Chandra who did
a little shimmy-shake into the room. “I was watching over the two of you.
Orders from the village council.”
    “Nasty.”
Chandra chuckled.
    “What’s
with her?” I ran my hands through my hair to make a ponytail using the rubber
band around my wrist. I was going to deal with Mr. McGurtle later.
    “Locust
Grove is nasty. All those wandering spirits crawling around, rubbing their legs
together.” Chandra did an extra shake with a dramatic finish. “Eeck! Makes me
itch thinking about them.”
    “Spiritualist’s
that aren’t the cleanest of souls or people for that matter, generally come
back as the creepier insects.” Izzy dusted her hands together.
    “Like
bees?” Bees scared the living daylights out of me. Once Mr. Prince Charming
batted at a bee and the bee turned around and stung me. I told Mr. Prince
Charming to never touch a bee again, or if he did, I hoped it stung him.
    “Absolutely
not!” Petunia drew back, and put her hands on her hip. “Bees are loyal, loving
creatures.”
    She
retreated to the back of the room with her head down, nervously fiddling with the
flowers in her hair. I guessed I had to be careful about what I said about
animals since she was the one who could talk to them.
    “We
are going to have to explore all of this later. What matters now is that you
get situated and figure out how Ann got your charm bracelet.” Izzy’s A-line
skirt and hair cascaded down in unison as she stood up.
    “So
you know that I didn’t kill her since you’re psychic and all.” I needed them to
confirm that they believed me. I rubbed the new charm bracelet and glanced over
at Mr. Prince Charming. No wonder he was obsessed with cicadas. Was everything
he had done, even picking out the new charm a coincidence, or was he back as
someone else?
    Nah. He
was lying back with his hind leg straight up in the air while he licked
himself. No self respecting spiritualist would come back and do that. . .would
they? Nah .
    Izzy
snapped her fingers and Oscar handed her the packet. . .again. She flipped it
open and pointed to Number Two in the Bi-Laws. “Spiritualists can’t read other
spiritualists.” She handed it back to Oscar.
    “Which
reminds me.” Oscar stood over me with a Ding Dong outstretched for me to take.
“I’m going to have to separate friendship from professionalism. Although I
don’t think you did it, you are the only suspect at this time.”
    I
jumped to my feet and snatched the Ding Dong. “You can’t possibly think that I
killed Ann. I only knew her for under an hour, and although she was mean, I’d
never kill anyone.”
    Mr.
Prince Charming ran over and did figure eights around my ankles. He always knew
when I was upset. I’ve always heard that animals have great instincts when it
comes to their owner’s emotional ups and downs.
    “I’m
not accusing you. Besides, village law states that no one is to be arrested for
a crime. They just can’t move out of the village until the crime is solved.
Including murder.” This time Oscar opened the packet and pointed out Number
Five.
    “Are
you. . .” My mouth dropped thinking that Oscar could be a spiritualist. “a
spiritualist?”
    “You
need to rest.” Izzy pushed Oscar out of the door before he could answer my
question. “And you need to get settled into Whispering Falls. You will find all
the supplies you need to get started at the shop. Here is the key.” She put the
old skeleton key on the kitchen counter.
    Everyone
left, even Mr. McGurtle, who assured me that he would answer any questions