Read Online What's a Witch to Do?: A Midnight Magic Mystery by Jennifer Harlow - Free Book Online Page B

a single lustful thought about him. About two months after he proposed to me he got engaged to Jolene, who he has been divorced from for two years. She cheated, the bitch. Never deserved him.
    “Hey,” I say as I sit. “Sorry I’m late.”
    He puts his cell away. “You’re always late. How’s Cora? I heard about her hand.”
    “Two stitches, no big deal.”
    Tamara slides into the booth next to Clay with a sigh. “I hate Sundays. How’s Cora?”
    “Jeez, does the whole town know?”
    “Cora and the stolen car are the hot topics of the day,” Tamara says. “Care to comment? Clay here needs a quote.” Clay is one of three full-time reporters at the Goodnight Star , our local paper. Before I can say a word, Tamara starts talking again. “Oh, before I forget, that gorgeous doctor was in here asking questions about you.”
    “What doctor?” Clay asks.
    “The new one. You’ve seen him. Tall, thin, Yankee, mediocre tipper?”
    “Him? Why would he ask about her?” he asks with distaste.
    “Thanks, Clay,” I mutter.
    “Guess, mo-ron . I saw him walk to her shop right after.” She looks at me. “Did he ask you out? Because I got the distinct impression he wanted to.”
    “Not exactly,” I say.
    “Wait, I think I played golf with him once,” Clay chimes in. “Blackish hair? Snooty attitude?”
    “He does not have a snooty attitude,” I protest. “He’s wonderfully nice.”
    “He kept complaining about how small the course was. The man could play though.”
    “Shut up, Clay. No one cares about golf,” Tamara says. “Did he ask you out or not?”
    “He asked if I was going to the bachelorette auction, then strongly suggested I sign up.”
    Tamara squeals. “I knew it! He likes you! Oh Mona, how exciting! It’s finally going to happen for you. I just know you two are gonna get married! You’re so damn picky, and finally someone picked you right on back. I always said it only takes one,” says the woman on her third marriage.
    “Tam, calm down. He hasn’t even officially asked me out yet.”
    “He will at the auction, I know it. You’ll have to buy a new dress, but I’ll do your hair and makeup.”
    “Tam, stop it,” I say.
    “How can you not be excited about this? A hot doctor wants you. I’d be dancing in the streets if I was you.”
    “I have other things on my mind.”
    “What could be more important than the first date with your future husband?”
    So I tell them. They both know all about us preternaturals. Hell, only a few in town don’t. They also know to keep their traps shut.
    “Holy shit,” Clay says.
    “Yeah,” I say, sipping my water.
    “I don’t believe it,” Tamara says. “No way. Out of everyone in this town, you’re the least likely to be murdered.”
    “Adam has no reason to lie, and Jason confirmed it.”
    “But … kill you?” Tamara asks. “To become queen of the witches? All you do is complain about how crappy it is. Why would anyone want to do it?”
    “Hell if I know. I’ll ask her before she shoots me.”
    “And you can’t abdicate or step down?” Clay asks.
    “There are only two ways out: die or be censured for black magic.”
    “Then go start sacrificing some goats to Satan,” Tamara suggests.
    Clay and I shoot her a look. “What can we do?” Clay asks.
    “I need help investigating the four women, Erica and Cheyenne especially. Between the two or you, not a piece of gossip slips past. Any ammunition or rumors about them might be useful. Just be discreet. Whoever this is doesn’t think I know. She could get desperate if she does.”
    “I spend thirty hours a week with Cheyenne in this diner, and let me say she does not have the brainpower to put together a hit. But I have heard the rumors about black magic.”
    “I’m gonna talk to Meg and Belle tomorrow to see if I can get more out of them,” I say. “Their names keep popping up in the rumors too.”
    “And I’ll pull everything the paper has on Shirley and Erica,” Clay says.