The special coven meeting turned out only about half of our normal members. The notice was short, but Esme had also left out the reason for the meeting.
“I didn’t want to worry people. The police detective had just talked to me when you texted. I can’t believe Trela is gone. She’s the one I thought had her stuff together. Brenda would rub people wrong more than anyone.” Esme glared at me.
“Yeah, Amelia was so on her own and in the medical world that I didn’t expect her to show for the coven. But Brenda and Amelia were odd. Trela seemed to have a plan and didn’t mind us.” I felt terrible for trying to put her death out of my mind.
“We should start,” Esme said. I nodded and approached the tables were the members were congregated.
“Yes. I’m sorry to call another meeting, but Trela—one of the new witches who was our guest last meeting—she was killed. It might have been a suicide, but the police are investigating like it may have been a murder. I wanted you all to know, because they may ask me for a list of members since she came to one meeting. I don’t think there’s anything to worry about. We’ve received no threats,” I said.
“But someone stole your books,” a member pointed out.
“Right, thank you. Those have been returned. It was anonymous, but everything is there. I’m not sure who did it, but at least, that’s one problem solved.” I shrugged.
“You don’t think it’s related?” Ellen asked.
“No. Trela didn’t have much magic, and I didn’t get the sense she was out to hurt me or anyone else.” I shook my head.
“Maybe someone is targeting witches?” Genie asked.
“Theft to murder is a big jump. Trela and I had nothing in common. Odds are they’re not related,” I said.
“Trela had a lot of debts and a boyfriend she left behind. Her troubles probably followed her,” Esme added.
There were a few more questions, but people seemed to accept that it was an odd occurrence and not to worry too much but to be careful.
After the meeting, Esme and I sat.
“Should we go see Brenda and Amelia?” she asked.
I frowned. “We’re not going to visit every member who didn’t show up for the meeting. Why do they get special treatment?”
“Come on. The theft of the books was someone at that ball. You met a lot of people, but those three new witches were the weird thing. Everyone else knew about you and your mother. I think one of them felt upstaged,” she said.
“And stole my mother’s books? Okay. Now, I have them back. Should I have them arrested?” I asked.
“You should know who your enemy is,” Esme said.
“Fine. Let’s start with Amelia. Brenda will make me mad,” I said.
We turned up on Amelia’s door, and she let us in without argument. That was odd.
“I heard about Trela,” Amelia said.
“We wanted to make sure you’re okay when you didn’t come to the meeting. I’m sure it has nothing to do with the rest of us, but we have to be careful,” I said.
She sat on the sofa and nodded. Esme and I took the chairs opposite her. “I hope so. I’ve had people not want me to treat their child because I was a witch. That’s another reason I moved. I didn’t want that label to follow me, but it has.”
“We weren’t trying to label anyone. Just offer support,” Esme said.
“No, I know. I wanted a bit of that. It’s why I came. I’m part of an online coven. Trela was, too. They mentioned the death on their site earlier today.” Amelia sighed.
“Did you know Trela?” I asked.
“Only online. I didn’t know it was her that I’d chatted with. We use screen names, so it protects us. They shared her screen name and said she died and gave the city. It was too easy to put together. Suicide?”
Esme and I shrugged. “The police are looking into it. It was staged like one.”
Amelia shook her head. “Trela was a move-on, life-is-great type. She cheered me up when I needed it online. She never stayed in one place very long so it probably someone from her past, but she was so nice. She said she charmed people into giving her money or forgiving her things. Like that was her magic.”
“Well, someone didn’t fall for it or had a big problem with her. I’m sorry for your loss. Did you know anyone else online that she knew? Or that was local? We want to be sure we reach out to anyone who might need it,” I said.
“No, the screen names are usually nonsense or fantasy names. I never really paid attention. I’d been on a lot less when I was moving, so I didn’t realize Trela moved to the same place. The urgent email they sent about the death of a member made me go catch up. You’re sure no one is targeting witches?” she asked.
Esme leaned forward. “There’s no reason to think anyone is, but you can check with the police. Let them know you knew her.”
“No. No way. I don’t want the police to know I’m part of a coven. Once it’s out in the public, it’s out. Right now, I’m just in school, but when I try to get a job, a lot of places don’t want anyone who practices an alternative religion,” she said.
“I understand. If you need anything, let us know,” I said.
Esme and I stood and headed for the door. Once we were in my car, she shot me a look.
“What?” I asked.
“Why offer to help her? She wants nothing to do with us.” Esme fumed.
“She’s afraid for her job. People get weird.”
Esme shook her head. “She’s not a kindergarten teacher. She’s a nurse. She should treat everyone the same.”
“And they should treat her the same, but people always find little ways of discriminating when they want to. A lot of hospitals have a religious affiliation. I can see her point. But she’s still part of the online coven, and she came to our meeting. That means she really cares about being part of something.”
“You’re right. I just hate drama and issues. We don’t need more murder.” Esme folded her arms.
“No one wants drama, trouble, or murder,” I agreed.
I parked in front of Brenda’s apartment building. “Out of the frying pan,” I said.
“Into hell,” she finished.
Part of me hoped Brenda wasn’t at home, but she was.
Brenda almost sneered when she answered the door. It was a smile/sneer combo that was creepy.
“Ladies. I thought I made my position clear,” she said.
She didn’t invite us in. No problem here.
“You did. We’re very clear. But we wanted to let you know that Trela was killed. We don’t think it’s anyone targeting witches, but just in case it is, we thought you should be aware. Coven member or not,” I said.
She didn’t look at all surprised. Was I the last one to know?
“You ladies really need to network online more. It was announced on an online coven earlier. I don’t interact much, but belonging to things that give me information and don’t bother me is helpful. You might want to think about it. Trela played the game. I don’t.” Brenda tried to close the door.
I waved my hand, and the door opened wide and pushed her backward. “What game?”
“You have to show off? Look, I know you’ve got stronger magic, but I had to make myself sound better,” she said.
“Better?” I asked.
“Never mind. The game. She ran a new age shop and sold stuff. Either you’re honest and you make crap and get pushed out of spot after spot because no one wants a witch around or you’re connected to the mob or the gypsies, and then, everyone wants a cut. I don’t do any of that. Trela got herself mixed up owing people money. She probably moved to try and run from it. I’m sure it wasn’t suicide, but I don’t know who it was. But we have nothing to worry about,” she said. “You are smart to have a legit business with just a theme.”
“Thanks,” I said uneasily.
“If the police ask, we might have to give them your name. We’re not interested in legal trouble,” Esme said.
Brenda rolled her eyes. “Do what you have to do. I had nothing to do with it. I have bigger things to do than kill someone or steal some books. All these accusations.”
“What accusations? I never accused you of taking the books,” I said.
“No, but some goons came around and did. Tried to scare me. You didn’t send them?” she asked.
“No. Maybe Bran did. If he did, I’m sorry. He’s a bit overprotective. We haven’t been dating that long. I didn’t ask anyone to do anything. I got my stuff back, and I’m not going to drag out the drama. Sorry,” I said.
“No problem. I’m not a follower or a joiner, but that doesn’t mean I’m a thief. I think I’m going to be a leader, but you won’t be interested. Have a good day,” she said.
I held the door with my magic. “Leader of what?” I asked.
“My own coven. I prefer a certain focus and style. Your coven is sweet and friendly and human-centered. I just can’t enjoy that. So, I’m going to start an alternative. I might not get many members, but it is invite only. No website. No public presence. Exclusive. Like the ball. Now, if you don’t mind, I have other things to do.” She went to slam the door hard, and I released my hold on it.
The door slammed, and the momentum caused Brenda to fall against it with a thud.
“That wasn’t nice,” Esme said.
“I don’t like her.” I stomped down the stairs. “Her own coven?”
My phone beeped. I checked the text.
Brad: Reminder, the werewolf will be here tonight. And the LARPers.
“Damn it. I was going to try to avoid the café with those kids,” I said.
“But?” Esme asked.
“Werewolf in the basement. Want to order Chinese and babysit a new wolf who is testing the potion and being locked up?” I asked.
“No. I’m going out with Vern. The vampires will handle the werewolf. Hang out with Derrick. The kids loved him,” she said.
“I supposed one night won’t kill me.” I nearly bit my tongue. “Poor Trela.”