Free Witching The Night Away: A Cozy Mystery (The Witchy Women of Coven Grove Book 3) by Constance Barker Page A

blatantly, out loud, about Ryan’s ‘obvious’ guilt.
    Darla was already wondering what would happen to poor Bailey now. She looked sympathetic, and Bailey felt bad for being angry with her, but not bad enough to quit it.
    “Bailey,” Darla said gently. “You’re… uh, Ryan’s not done with intake just yet. He won’t be able to take visitors until he’s, you know… booked.”
    Bailey’s voice was cool and calm when she spoke. It took some effort. “I’m not here to visit with him just yet, although I do want to see him as soon as I can. I’m here to speak with the investigating deputy and if possible the coroner.”
    Darla blinked at her. “Bailey, dear… I’m afraid that’s not possible.”
    “Why not?” Bailey asked.
    “Well you’re a civilian, darlin’,” Darla said. It was the most obvious thing in the world, wasn’t it?
    “If I was a journalist you’d let me ask questions,” Bailey countered. “It happens all the time. Unless there’s another suspect, right?”
    “Yes,” Darla said patiently, “but you have to have credentials for that.”
    Bailey simmered quietly. She had to find out something. The frustration of being so helpless, even when she knew she wasn’t, was maddening. She could feel her temper rising. It wasn’t fair. There should be at least one person on her father’s side, one person who was willing to look at this all as a mistake, or a set up, or just a strange series of circumstances. One person who was willing to believe he was innocent, and if it wasn’t going to be one of them then it was going to be her.
    Darla’s thoughts were leaking into Bailey’s head. Poor girl must be just beside herself. Maybe we could put together a little something and take it by her house. I could make my green bean casserole; I bet she’d like that.
    Bailey snapped. “I don’t want your casserole,” she hissed. “I want you to let me speak with someone who can give me details about what happened to Professor Turner so that I can clear Ryan’s name.” There was a sudden spike of pressure behind her eyes. A cluster headache that lasted only a second, but made Bailey wince before it faded.
    “I suppose,” Darla said slowly, with a gloss of confusion over her eyes, “James might talk with you… under the circumstances…”
    Bailey rubbed her temple, but began to relax. Darla moved as if in a dream, though, and typed something into her computer before she handed Bailey a lanyard with a ‘guest’ badge hanging from it.
    “Just show that to James,” she said. “And return it to the front desk when you’re done.”
    “Okay,” Bailey muttered as she slipped it over her neck. She watched Darla suspiciously, as though she might change her mind. “Thank you,” she said. “Sorry about losing my temper.”
    “What’s that, dear?” Darla asked. Then she blinked, and looked down at her keyboard. She began to stir a moment later.
    Bailey wasn’t sure what had happened just then, but she wasn’t going to wait and find out. She’d talk to Chloe about it later. For now, she’d take what she could get. She went to find the coroner.
     

Chapter 10
    Avery watched Gloria for about ten minutes after Bailey left them. The woman bounced from one deputy to the next, and seemed to be getting more and more frustrated about their answers—or their dismissals; it was hard to tell at this distance.
    “So,” Aiden said, “you told Bailey about your apprenticeship?”
    Avery glanced over at his teacher, who’d moved to the front seat to watch for a good moment to do whatever it was he intended to do, and sighed. “You know she can read minds, right?”
    “I taught you how to prevent that,” Aiden pointed out.
    “When Ryan was arrested, she lost control,” Avery said. “It happens to her when she gets frazzled. If I hadn’t been shielded, she wouldn’t have found out. So, technically it’s your fault for not thinking ahead. How was I supposed to know she’d recognize your