Potions and Puzzles by Agnes Lester Brown

Author:Agnes Lester Brown [Brown, Agnes Lester]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: cozy, Crime, Fiction, Mystery & Detective, Paranormal, suspense, Witches
Amazon: B07JYMMWCC
Publisher: Blue Lantern Publishing
Published: 2018-10-27T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

The following morning, Lori helped Hazel pack trays of freshly baked pies into the van before the two of them drove to the inn. As they went past Mrs. Barkley’s house, Lori remembered her dream from the previous evening. She needed to take a look at Alvin’s crossword magazines that were still in the cottage as soon as possible, as Chief Winters might decide to seal off the room at any moment, and there was no way he’d let her in there if he did so.

Lori entered the reception area of the inn and saw Kermit and an elderly lady standing at the reception desk, talking to Lindy. Kermit looked irritated as Lindy kept shaking her head, at one point banging his fist on the counter. Not wanting to be drawn into their argument, Lori sneaked past them toward the hall where the first round of the day was already underway. She didn’t get far, though.

“Lori! Please come help us out here!” Kermit’s sharp voice rang out in the empty foyer.

Lori breathed deeply, put a smile on her face, turned around and walked over to the counter.

“Lori, meet Mrs. Parkinson, Alvin’s mother,” Kermit said. Mrs. Parkinson extended a small, fragile hand, which lay soft in Lori’s as they greeted. “Mrs. Parkinson arrived two days earlier than expected, and Lindy here insists there’s no room for her here at the inn. Do you know of any place she can stay?” Kermit asked, clearly trying to fob Mrs. Parkinson off on her.

The old lady smiled awkwardly. “I’m sorry to be so much trouble. Alvin used to take care of all my travel arrangements, but now I’m dependent on Alvin’s half-sister, and she has a very busy schedule.”

Lori opened her mouth to speak, but Kermit beat her to it.

“Lori’s from Fennelmoore and one of the organizers, so I’m sure she’ll take care of you,” Kermit said. “I have some important business to take care of, so if you’ll excuse me.” And with that, he turned and started speaking to a reporter from the Fennelmoore Times, the local newspaper, who’d been hovering nearby.

Lori noticed Mrs. Parkinson had interesting and unusual features. Despite her age, her eyes were sharp and intelligent, and she had pointed ears that made her look like a pixie. Her hair was still pitch black, and she wore small silver star-shaped earrings.

If this lady’s not a witch, I’ll be very surprised.

“I’m so sorry about what happened to Alvin, Mrs. Parkinson,” Lori said, gently touching her shoulder and noticing the soft velvet of her dress beneath her fingers. She’d already thought of the logical solution to Mrs. Parkinson’s dilemma. “And don’t worry about your sleeping arrangements. I already know of a place you can stay,” she said, picking up Mrs. Parkinson’s small suitcase and leading the way to the Whitewood van parked outside.

Out of the corner of her eye, Lori saw Lindy shooting her a thankful smile, which she acknowledged with a small nod.

“Here’s what I suggest,” Lori said once they sat in the car.

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