The pair watched Roam stand and remove his rubber gloves as he sauntered toward them.
“Was there anything usual the last few days, or this morning, Cona?” Honey asked without taking her eyes off Roam.
“I’ll have to think that over to be sure. Lily made cider yesterday morning. Which wasn’t unusual. Dr. Wimpleton visited and stayed late into the evening. But he went home around midnight. She was excited about him.” He said.
“Really?” Honey watched the dog closely. She could see him thinking about what he was saying. “Did he seem interested in Lily?”
“Yes.” Cona didn’t offer more details.
“Now, that’s not necessarily odd. Most folks were makin’ a big deal ‘bout that fella. He’s become quite the deal in a short time. And Lily is a beautiful witch. Why shouldn’t they hit it off?” Roam moseyed up the steps and joined Honey in a rocker.
“Appears they did. What happened to her?” Cona turned his head to Roam, who leaned back in his rocking chair and held it in place.
“Poison.” Roam stated.
“How do you know?” Honey asked.
“Couple clues, really. She smells like almonds, but not the sweet ones. Bitter. Plus, the cherry color of her skin, that’s a sure sign.” Roam said.
“Almonds. Like the ones in the orchard?” Cona asked. “We’ve been harvesting those, too.”
“Well, probably not. Those are sweet almond trees. Not toxic.” Roam scratched his head. “I know this is not really easy, but I’m gonna wanna look around the house and the farm. I was also thinking it might be real hard for ya, to stay ‘round here. Seein’ as we’ll need to secure it as a crime scene. Honey, would it be fittin’ for Cona here to come stay with you?”
“Of course, Cona is always welcome.” Honey smiled.
“Thank you, Honey. I can’t imagine staying here without Lilly. You’ll make sure she’s treated right, Roam.” Cona shuffled off the porch, “Am I released?”
“I reckon.” Roam nodded.
“Where are you going, Cona?” Honey was surprised the familiar wanted to leave so suddenly.
“I need a moment to think. I won’t be far. The falls, where I can center myself.” Cona drew in a deep breath.
“Of course. Take your time. I’ll be at FACTS & FIBS whenever you feel like coming home.” Honey smiled.
Roam and Honey watched the giant dog gallop off toward the falls. They didn’t hear his howl until he was out of sight.
The Aftershock
Newstravelsfastina small town, and it didn’t take long for word of Lily McBride’s death to make the rounds in Cauldron Falls. Clive heard about it when Sally Swanton came into Spellbinders to deliver her daily gossip rag,The Curious Moon. Sally dabbed at her violet eyes with a vintage hankie as she stacked the folded newspapers into their slot on the center table.
“I just can’t believe it. Lily was such a bright light in our community. Can you believe it, Dr. Wimpleton?” Sally sniffed.
“No. No. I can’t. I just spoke with Lily. Just visited her orchard.” Clive’s chest fell, and his heart sank. Lily was so kind and beautiful. They had just spent a glorious afternoon yesterday sharing secrets and sparks, with the promise of many more to come. Clive’s visit with Lily was the first time in many moons since he’d been more interested in the woman than he was in the stack of books she wanted to show him. He remembered every second with Lily, and that was a first as well. His failing memory never held details so vividly. But he remembered her sweet apple and cinnamon scent. Her long silken hair, in contrast with her piercingly crystal blue eyes. Lily had a wit and intelligence he’d rarely encountered. And she was interested in all the things he was; history, agriculture, and the ancient arts. She was a rarity, and now she was gone. He composed himself, tapped a few buttons on the newfangled register contraption sitting on the counter, and reached for the keys to the shop.
“Whatever shall we do, Doctor? How can we go on without our Lily?” Sally’s melodramatic rhetoric struck the wrong cord with him.
“Well, I’m not sure about you, Miss Swanton, but I will not sit idly in this dusty old shop and contemplate that question. I must find out what happened.” Clive hurried from behind the counter and headed toward the purple door.
“I guess that is fitting. You must find out everything you can about Lily. That’s the only way you’ll ever know who is responsible for this tragedy, and be able to move on.” Sally followed close on his heels.
“I must say, you’re an odd duck, Sally. Odd indeed.” Clive held open the purple door and waved for Sally to exit.
“Thank you. Please do let me know if you need help. I can help if you’d like company.” Sally fluttered her eyes, breezed past him and ran down the street toward her printing shop.
Clive couldn’t waste time trying to decipher Sally’s odd behavior. He needed to find out more about Lily. He rushed out of the bookshop and over to Tabitha’s Tab’s Cafe. Word had quickly spread about Cona’s discovery of Lily's lifeless body, and soon crowds gathered at every gathering spot in town. The Tab’s Cafe was packed with witches, warlocks and familiars, but Clive found a lone seat at the soda counter. The familiar scent of apple cider permeated his senses. The faces of the townsfolk were etched with a mix of disbelief, sorrow, and shock as they muttered in hushed tones among themselves.
"Did you hear? It was poison," whispered an elderly woman, her hand shaking as she clutched her walking cane.
