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Luca was quiet as we flew back to Brimstone. He’d turned into his rabbit form the second we’d left the pub. I didn’t mind that he was silent as I didn’t feel like talking either. The thought of someone in Brimstone hiring an assassin was beyond comprehension. What would the residents do next?
We arrived back at Brimstone and I made our landing outside the café. Within seconds of Luca transforming back into his human form, we were approached by a furious-looking Astrid.
She jabbed her finger at me and snarled, “Where have you been with my boyfriend? What have you been doing with him? I bet you’ve cast one of your evil spells on him.”
“Enough!” Luca thundered making me jump. “Astrid, don’t talk to Cassia like that. It’s disrespectful.”
Astrid’s voice was full of scorn as she retorted, “She doesn’t deserve any respect. She should go back to her own world and leave us alone. She doesn’t belong here.”
Luca’s face turned red and I thought he was going to explode. Before he could say a word, I held my hand up to him and said, “Luca, I can deal with this.”
“This? Are you talking about me?” Astrid folded her arms and looked me up and down. She looked like a sulking teenager.
I smiled as politely as I could at Astrid and said, “Luca and I have been out investigating a murder. May I remind you, Astrid, that I am a justice witch. I have the right to ask any citizen of Brimstone for help during my investigation. Luca is a guardian of this town, and it is his duty to help me whenever I need it.” My smile was slipping somewhat by now, but I continued. “Astrid, you are also a guardian and you should be doing what you can to help me, not hinder me. Luca and I have discovered some disturbing news about the murder.”
Astrid looked unsure of herself now, but it didn’t stop her from saying, “So?”
“So, it’s something we need to deal with urgently,” I said. “I don’t have time to explain myself to you. I’d like to point out that I never need to explain myself to you. Luca and I are friends, and we always will be. Also, we will be working together on this murder case. Instead of accusing me of whatever foolish ideas are in your head, I’d prefer it if you could help me too.”
Luca looked at Astrid and added, “I would like that too. What do you say, Astrid? You like a good mystery.”
I could see the conflict on Astrid’s face. She looked like she still wanted to shout at me.
Astrid gave a belligerent shrug and muttered, “I suppose I could help.”
Luca put his arm around her shoulders and said, “That’s the spirit. Come with me and I’ll tell you everything.” He looked my way. “I’m going to inform Blythe about Alan. I’m going to suggest we send a search party out for him. We’ve got many creatures who’ll be able to track him from his scent. Could I have that material?”
“Sure.” I handed it to him.
He hadn’t finished giving me orders yet. “Cassia, don’t go looking for Alan on your own. You heard what Pam said about him. Don’t put yourself in danger.”
I could have sworn I saw Astrid’s eyes light up at the thought of me being in danger.
I said to Luca, “I won’t go after him on my own.”
Luca stared right into my eyes. “That doesn’t mean you can go after him with Stanley at your side. I don’t want either of you trying to track him down. Understand?”
“I understand.”
Astrid said, “Luca, if Cassia wants to go after this Alan creature, you can’t stop her. She’s a justice witch and she’s got a job to do, no matter how dangerous. Isn’t that right, Cassia?” Her false smile was aimed in my direction.
Luca’s arm dropped from Astrid’s shoulders. “Don’t encourage her. Cassia, promise me you won’t go after Alan. If your gran was here, she’d say the same. You can’t do everything on your own.”
“I know,” I replied. “I promise I won’t go after Alan. I’m going back to the apartment now to check on Stanley and Kitty. Let me know what Blythe says.”
“I will do.” He gave me a brief smile and a nod before walking away.
Astrid’s weird smile was still on her face. She said quietly, “I think you should do whatever you feel you have to. Trust your gut instincts. See you later!” She jogged after Luca.
I shook my head. I didn’t know what to make of Astrid. I was trying to find good aspects about her, but she was making it difficult.
Stanley and Kitty were awake when I entered the apartment. They were playing hide and seek. Kitty was hiding behind the curtains but I could clearly see her white paws, and I could hear her little giggles.
Stanley said loudly, “Oh, hello Cassia. I’m looking for Kitty. I can’t see her anywhere. I think she must be invisible.”
A fresh round of giggles came from Kitty and her paws jiggled from side to side.
“Is Kitty hiding?” I asked. “She must have found a great place to hide. I can’t see her.”
Stanley said, “I’ve been looking for her all over the place. I don’t think she’s here at all. I think she sneaked out of the cat flap.”
Kitty jumped out from the curtains and announced, “I’m here! Stanley, I’m here. I was behind the curtains.”
“Really?” Stanley declared. “You clever cat. Well done. You won the game.”
Kitty jumped from paw to paw. “I need a wee.”
“You know where the cat litter box is,” Stanley informed her. “Off you go.”
Kitty scampered away.
I took the opportunity to tell Stanley about Alan and his unknown client in Brimstone.
Stanley was shocked and had to sit down. He said, “I can’t believe someone in this town would do such a terrible thing. Who do you think hired him? Treto? Selo’s brother? His father?”
“I don’t know. There could even be someone else that we haven’t considered yet. Luca and Blythe are going to locate Alan. Once they do that, we can find out who his client was.”
Kitty ran back into the room and over to me. I sat down on the carpet and she snuggled closer to me. She purred and said, “I missed you.”
I stroked her little head. “I missed you too.” I pulled her onto my knee and cuddled her.
Stanley cleared his throat. “Cassia, now that you’re back, is it alright if I go out with Rascal? He thinks he might have some leads on you-know-who. He popped round while you were out and said he’s heard a rumour that a field mouse knows something, and Rascal wants to talk to him.” He shivered. “A field mouse. I will never trust a mouse. I don’t care if they live in a field or a palace. They have no scruples, none at all.”
I smiled. “You’ve told me how you feel about mice before. I thought Rascal felt the same. Why would he want to talk to a field mouse if he doesn’t trust them?”
“He thinks the mouse might be telling the truth this time.” Stanley cast a fond look in Kitty’s direction. “We have to do all that we can to find you-know-who. Even if that means talking to the foulest kind of creature that ever roamed this earth.” He shivered again for good measure.
“You go,” I told him. “I am more than happy to stay here with Kitty.” I looked down at her. “Are you hungry?”
“No. I’ve had some food. Stanley gave me some lovely food.”
Stanley said, “Gilda brought us some supplies up. She’s been asking around the town about our problem with Kitty, but no one knows anything.” He smiled at Kitty. “You like Gilda, don’t you?”
Kitty giggled. “I do. She brings me food.”
Stanley chuckled before walking away from us and towards the cat flap.
I felt a sudden knot of fear in my stomach. “Stanley, be careful out there. Alan is on the loose. He might know we’re after him.”
“I’ll be fine. I’ve got my cat gang with me.” He gave me a wink before disappearing through the cat flap.
I tried to dismiss my worry, but I couldn’t. I willed Stanley to return safe and sound soon.
I looked down at Kitty and said, “Do you want to watch a movie? I’ve got lots of them. I’ve got some with cats in them.”
A whimper came from Kitty and she said, “I don’t feel well.” She arched her back and a groan came from her. “Ouch! It hurts! Make it stop!”
