CHAPTER 14

C HAPTER 14

T he living room was buzzing with people as the judges' meet-and-greet started promptly at six that night. Mia had put up a sign, asking that everyone stay off the walkways in the backyard, but that didn't stop people from stepping out to check out the stage and the event site. She was standing outside, monitoring the wanderers, when she heard a voice behind her.

"Trent's just being overly cautious about the stain. I'm sure people could walk on them if they wanted to, but we'd probably have to touch them up again before Friday's event." Thomas Majors stood beside her, two glasses of wine in his hands—one red, one white. He handed them both out toward her. "I didn't know which you'd prefer?"

"I'm not a big drinker, but I'll take the white." She took the glass and nodded to him. "Thank you."

"You are most welcome. I have to admit, I saw you as the enemy for so long, but now I'm beginning to think you're an ally." He glanced around the backyard. "This is beautiful. You've done an amazing job with the school. I was here just before you bought the property. It was in such bad shape, I thought you were insane."

Mia laughed, then took a sip of her wine. "There were days when I knew I was crazy for buying the school. But it's coming together."

"You've taken a piece of Magic Springs' history and brought it back to life." He nodded back toward the party going on inside. "Kind of like what you and Abigail are doing for the queen contest. The coven needed to downplay all the pageantry a bit. Having it here allows them to do less in terms of the actual event. They're trying to modernize the contest. Make it less of a formal beauty contest."

"They have a long way to go." Mia hadn't meant to be so honest. "Sorry, I know you're a judge. I'm just not keen on what the contest represents."

"It's a way to give out scholarships to deserving young women. Yes, in years past, the event was more about the power families in the coven. But after the shenanigans that have occurred the last few years, the board decided to change up the way they assign the member a large seat." He chuckled at the look on her face. "I know, you've been told differently. The winning girl's family takes a seat on the coven board. And they do, but it's not a voting seat. And the money the family used to get is now funneled into scholarships. You learn a lot by serving as a judge."

Mia tapped her nails on her glass. "Then why was Carla so invested in her daughter winning? If the money isn't going to the family and everyone gets a scholarship, why kill for the pleasure of winning?"

"Competition, greed, or maybe just a misunderstanding of what's at stake. I told the board I'd stay on and judge, even though I knew there might be some danger. Carla's death was unfortunate, but the coven can't be held responsible for one woman's greed."

Something about what he was saying didn't ring true. She didn't want to disbelieve Abigail's husband and Trent's dad, but something else was happening, and she could feel it. "Well, I'd better go in and check the food trays. Thanks for the chat."

He waved, but instead of going back inside, he leaned against the railing that separated the deck from the rest of the backyard. The place was beautiful. But still—something else was going on. One woman had already died for this contest. And the potion bags kept showing up. Mia wasn't sure the coven's objective for a friendlier, more modern event was everyone's goal. At least not this year.

Abigail had just sent out the last run of appetizers and the kitchen was empty when Mia poked her head into the room. She glanced at her watch,—almost eight thirty. The event was scheduled to end at nine, and so far, there hadn't been any issues. When she went back into the reception area, she found Abigail and Grans watching the group. A swarm of girls was coming down the stairs, giggling and laughing. Mia recognized Crissy and the others, but Melody wasn't with them.

Abigail leaned into her. "Those girls are trouble. You can just see it on them."

Mia laughed. "Says the mother of all boys."

"You get a feeling. Levi was always bringing home the troublemakers. I knew each of those relationships wouldn't last. They were needy. They were the ‘look at me—I'm amazing' types. Like these girls."

"Sounds like Levi finally figured it out. Christina's not that way." Grans moved over to a stool and leaned on it.

"She was more like that when she first got here." Mia thought about the goth girl who had come up for the summer to work and get away from her family. "She's been through a lot, and it's made her mature. Maybe that's all those girls need, some life experience."

"Life isn't always kind." Abigail nodded over to where Melody and her grandmother stood. They had arrived a little later. And they stood on the edge of the party. Not excluded by the others, but not part of any group either.

Mia saw the older woman glance at her watch, then shoo Melody toward the other groups. She could tell that Melody was being sent off to be sociable. This kind of forced social event would have embarrassed Mia to death when she was a teenager. Just talking to adults during her parents' parties had been painful. But she'd had other kids to escape with. Melody was on her own. Especially since Crissy had already played one prank on the girl.

Christina came out of the group of judges grinning as she walked over. "What are you guys doing over here? The party's that way."

"Christina, you're my social queen. Just represent Mia's Morsels, and I'll be happy to stay in my corner here." Abigail brushed a crumb off Christina's shiny party dress. "Besides, you seem to be having fun."

"I am having fun. One of the judges knows my parents, so we were catching up. Isaac's breakdown at the altar is the talk of Boise." Christina waved one of the servers over and got another glass of wine. "I explained that he was overwhelmed with emotion at the thought of marrying his soulmate and that's why he stepped off and went out of the chapel for a moment."

"You didn't tell me this." Mia shook her head. Typical Isaac, it was always all about him. He was a drama queen with all caps.

"My dad followed him out and must have said the right things because he came back and finished the ceremony. Mom gave us the party line about Isaac being so sensitive and not wanting anyone to see him cry happy tears." Christina sipped her wine as she turned her gaze on Mia. "Isaac told me later he was upset over losing you. That it should have been you joining him at the altar."

"Well, he waited a long time to realize that fact. Too long," Mia responded as she sipped her wine. "Besides, Isaac's always been in love with only one person—himself."

"I'll give you that." Christina nodded to the group. "So, come out and chat with everyone. You need to be seen as the passion behind this business."

"I'm on temporary leave from the business right now," Mia reminded her. "At any event, I represent the interests of the Lodge. I don't think going out there is the best thing for Mia's Morsels. Abigail has already shot you down. Tonight, you're the company butterfly, go do your magic."

"After the wedding, I swore I hated this stuff, but I'm having a great time here." Christina paused before heading back into the swell of people. "Maybe I just hate my mom's events."

"Good insight." Mia smiled as she waved her fingers at her friend. Abigail was right; this was where Christine shined. They just needed to stay out of her way. She turned toward Abigail. "I talked to Thomas. He said the board is changing the contest into more of a scholarship opportunity for local girls."

"He can say what he wants, it's still dangerous." Abigail pointed toward the judges' table. "Check out Tatiana in that boob dress. She's been hanging out with the judges all night. Every time a waiter brings by a new tray of drinks, she switches out their empties for them. If I'd known she was so good at cocktail waitressing, I would have hired her."

Grans chuckled. "I don't think she'd be interested in helping out anyone but those five men. I used to be desirable like that."

Mia hugged her. "You're still desirable. Besides, aren't you getting married soon?"

"One man, so many nights." Grans smiled sweetly. "How much longer is this event supposed to go on?"

Before they could answer, a scream came from the middle of the room. Mia hurried over and found Marnie Carter on the floor, convulsing. Mia knelt beside her. "Christina, call nine-one-one. Get everyone back—she needs some room."

Mia looked around and found Marnie's purse. It had a chain made of wooden dowels. She broke one off and put it between her teeth.

Rachel fell to her knees next to her mother. "Mom, what's going on? Mom, can you hear me?"

"I think she's having a seizure." Mia grabbed the girl's wrist to get her attention. "Does she have any medical conditions?"

Rachel shook her head. "No, I mean, I don't really know."

"Rachel, where's your dad?" Mia glanced at Christina, hoping she'd know what she was asking without having to ask. Rachel didn't answer her; she was staring at her mom.

"Five minutes. Levi's on call tonight, so I called him directly. Mark Baldwin's on his way too, just in case." Christina glanced around at the group, watching them. "I'm going to move everyone into the gym."

"Good idea." Mia turned back to the shaken teen. "Rachel, honey, can you call your dad? When the paramedics get here, they'll want to talk to him."

Mia watched as Marnie's body eased from the seizure and her eyes closed.

"Mom!" Rachel reached for her, but just then, the front door opened, and the emergency crew hurried in with a gurney. That was the good thing about living in a small town—everything was close.

As Mia stepped back, she heard Levi talking to Rachel about her mom's condition. Mia walked over to the door and watched as Mark Baldwin's truck pulled into her parking lot. He climbed out and put his hat on, nodding to her.

When he came up the walk, he shook his head. "Mia, we've really got to stop meeting like this. What happened now?"

"On the surface? It looks like Marnie Carter had a seizure." Mia glanced around the foyer, listening to the music that was playing softly through the speakers. It was an old Rat Pack song. Abigail must have chosen the music. Frank Sinatra was her favorite. "Or someone is messing with the contest again."

"But why would they target the mothers?" Mark watched as the EMTs prepared Marnie to move her to the hospital. "Where's everyone else?"

"Christina moved them to the gym so it wouldn't be so chaotic over here." Mia walked over to the door. "Do you need to talk to everyone?"

"She had a medical issue. Why would I talk to everyone?" He rubbed his forehead. "Look, just get me the names of everyone who was here. I'll take her glass and the contents. Was she eating?"

Rachel was standing by the wall, watching Marnie. Mia nodded toward the girl, who had her phone to her ear. "Her daughter might know."

Mark followed Mia over to where the teenager leaned against the wall. "Miss Carter? Can I ask you some questions about your mom?"

She handed him her cell phone. "This is my dad. He wants to talk to you."

Mark took the phone and stepped away. Mia turned toward Rachel. "How are you doing?"

"I'm freaking out a little. First Kristin's mom dies, now Mom has a seizure? What's going on?" Rachel crossed her arms in front of her.

"I don't know, honey, but we're going to find out." Mia saw Levi strapping Marnie onto the gurney. "They're getting ready to take her to the hospital, and I'm sure you can ride along. But before you go, can you show me where your mom was before the seizure? Was she eating or drinking anything?"

"It's after seven, so she wasn't eating anything." Rachel shrugged when she caught Mia's gaze. "It's some diet called Intermittent Fasting. She tried to get me to do it, and I told her I was, but I didn't. You basically only eat during part of the day. Anyway, she was at that table with Crissy's mom and Bambi. They were all talking about the judges. I guess one of them has been a judge for years."

Mark walked back over to Mia and Rachel. He handed the girl back her phone. "Your dad will meet you at the hospital. Do you want to ride in the ambulance with your mom?"

Rachel nodded, and Mark waved Levi over to collect her. As they walked away, following the gurney that held Marnie Carter, Mia showed Mark the table. "Rachel said she was right here and not eating."

Mark called an officer over who'd been standing nearby and pointed at the table. "Clear all that and send it to the crime lab. I want to make sure there wasn't anything in her drink."

The officer nodded and went to the table. Mark glanced at his watch and then back at Mia. "I've got to get going. It's story time at the house."

"Okay, thanks for coming out. I'll send you the guest list. I'll also have Christina take pictures of everyone who is currently in the gym. It would be nice to know if anyone's missing."

Mark tapped the table where he was standing. "You're getting the hang of this investigating thing. Sometimes it's just as basic as that. Especially with amateurs. I'm sure we're not dealing with a serial killer. This is Magic Springs."

"I'm not convinced that it wasn't anything more than a stressed-out stage mom, but you never know. If she's limiting her food, well, it might have been low blood sugar. But after what happened to Carla, well, I thought you should see this." Mia followed him to the doorway.

"Never apologize for calling. If you're being too much of a Nervous Nelly, I'll tell you and cut you off. As it is, I'd rather be safe than sorry. Especially when we've got a group of teenage girls in the mix." He tipped his hat and left.

Mia stood by the door for a few minutes, watching as the ambulance, the police car, and Mark's truck drove out of the parking lot. One thing about a Magic Springs event, it was never boring. She shut the door, then went to find Christina to have her take pictures of the guests.

Night one was in the books. Now they just had to survive four more. She sent a blessing for the event up to the Goddess and heard Gloria's giggle. Mia didn't like that at all.

* * *

The next morning, Trent dropped the newspaper on the table when he visited for breakfast. "I found this when I stopped by the store for orange juice. The reporter is calling it the ‘Cursed Queen Competition.' There's a bit about Melody's mom dying years ago in the article as well."

"Maybe the coven should just cancel the contest this year. This is a lot of press, and two people have been attacked." Mia picked up the paper, glancing at the picture of her school on the front page.

"Right now, both Carla and Marnie's situations are health-related. No one's been ‘attacked.' At least, that's what the normals are saying," Trent reminded her. "We may suspect magic, but there's no evidence."

"Except for the potion bags," Grans reminded him. "I'm surprised Cerby hasn't brought up another one. That dog has a strong hunting nose for a hellhound. Usually, they're known more for their strength, not their tracking skills."

"Physically, he's a Maltese. Maybe he's adapting to his limited strength by increasing other talents," Trent offered as way of explanation.

"Either way, we have three bags. And no clue on who made or set them out here in the school. And if they were set up to kill someone, they're not doing a very good job of it." Grans glanced out the window. "What's on the plan for today?"

"It's delivery day. Christina and Abigail will be heading out, and I need to get the tea and treats ready for the interviews tonight. We'll only have the judges, the competitors, and one family rep in the building," Mia explained the process. "Interviews will start at six and end no later than eight. Then the judging group will meet in the downstairs classroom until nine and do their ranking."

"I talked to Bambi this morning. Both Kristin and Rachel are still committed to competing. They will be here tonight. Rachel's aunt will step in for her mom, and Kristin's grandmother will be her chaperone." Abigail refilled her coffee cup. "Business as usual."

Mia sipped her coffee and wondered what was wrong with people. The Show Must Go On was kind of a dated motto, but everyone was embroidering the saying on flags and waving them high for all to see.