Read Online THE WITCH AND THE TEA PARTY (A Rachael Penzra Mystery) by Elizabeth Shawn - Free Book Online

anything at the last minute?”
    “I can’t think of everything!” I snapped. But the same worry had already passed through my mind. Not one of them ever seemed to stop and think . “I’m sure they didn’t. They were just fine here while they were eating, and you know how they give things away without meaning to. There were no exchanged glances when I asked if they thought they’d have enough hot water with the one urn. Nothing, and you know they’d realize I wouldn’t be happy if I found out later that they’d done something like that.”
    “True,” she agreed, thinking it over. “Well, that’s a relief. Anyway, unless they added a real poison, the most they could be had up for would be accidental killing.”
    “Patsy!” I yelped. “Don’t even think it.”
    “If it involved anybody other than those three, I wouldn’t.”
    We sighed in unison. I decided that changing the subject somewhat before we got too depressed wouldn’t hurt. “I wonder if those limo drivers know what happened?” I pointed down at the two long vehicles.
    “I’ll go see,” she said, grabbing at the excuse to do something, anything.
    “Ask if they’d like some coffee,” I called after her. That would give her an excuse other than pure snoopiness. I come from a family that always covers its snooping tendencies with socially acceptable excuses.
    I watched as she appeared below me and wisely skirted the lightest areas to reach the first car. She leaned down as the driver’s window opened and I could see her exchanging words with the person inside. It looked amiable enough. I hoped it would garner us some much needed information.
    She waved good-bye and headed back to the house. “They wouldn’t mind some coffee, Aunt Rachael,” she called up. “So I’m starting a pot. Can I defrost some cookies quickly?”
    I gave permission readily. I keep a well-stocked freezer, mostly goodies. Besides, it was after midnight and they were probably ready for a snack. The thought reminded me that I wouldn’t say no to something to help calm my battered nerves. Chocolate immediately sprang to mind.
    With a last glance across, where nothing seemed to have changed much, I trotted down to the kitchen. “What did he say?” I asked.
    “ She said they didn’t know any more than we do. The other driver’s in with her, waiting. They haven’t even had a cell phone message from inside about whether or not they should wait or leave. They’re staying, of course, simply out of decency. They were only hired until midnight, but under the circumstances they can’t see taking off and leaving the party stranded. They’ll either get paid extra or take the loss. It isn’t as though they had another affair at this time of night, so the limos aren’t needed elsewhere.”
    “Mrs. What’s her name with the hyphen hasn’t thought to call them?”
    We exchanged looks. “Do you think she’s the one who’s dead?”
    “Brown-Hendricks!” I suddenly remembered. “That’s her name. You’d think she’d be a little worried about their transportation, but I suppose she figures that if they don’t wait, she can call a cab. She sounds rich enough not to mind the expense. Still…”
    “Yes, there’s been plenty of time for her mind to start functioning normally, and it would seem natural to think of their getting out of there as soon as possible. But maybe they’re not being allowed to make any calls, although that seems unlikely. But Aunt Myrtle hasn’t called here, has she?”
    I closed my eyes, wishing it would all go away. “No. And usually that would mean that she’s done something she’d just as soon we don’t know about. On the other hand, she tends to forget that sort of thing when she’s excited.”
    “Wishful thinking if she believes neither of us has noticed all the activity,” she groaned. “I hope they haven’t gotten themselves into a mess again. Ah, coffee’s done. I’ll run this across to Verna and the other driver. Maybe