“One night.”
I turned the envelope in my hands. “Then why did he leave this behind?”
“Because he didn’t want to risk keeping it at home?” Ange suggested.
“Again, why?”
“In case someone would come and steal it?” Reina proposed.
“Open it,” Harper said.
I did. Inside was a single sheet of paper which reminded me painfully of my high school days, when I’d almost flunked chemistry. “It’s a lab report, but the name of the laboratory has been covered with black marker. Can you understand what the results mean?” I showed the report around.
One by one, my friends shook their heads.
I folded it and stowed it away next to Candice’s letter. “This has to be the clue to solving Tim’s murder,” I said. “The spell led me straight to it.”
“Sleep on it. Maybe your magic needs to recharge overnight,” Ange said.
“True.” I stifled a yawn. My personal witching hour had crept closer to ten pm or even earlier. One glance at my phone told me that I’d already passed my normal bedtime.
So had Ange, and Reina and Harper weren’t exactly fresh as a daisy either.
“A bite to eat and then off to bed?” Harper asked.
“The question is, where do we get food here?” I wondered.
“This is again where we shine.” With a deep bow, Harper ushered us next door where Reina opened a bag with an assortment of bamboo bowls, containing sushi rolls, chicken wings, cheese straws, fresh sourdough bread, quiche, and assorted meat skewers.
Mrs. Miniver and Mr. Chips drooled as they saw the feast.
Harper gave them each a marrow bone and the dogs flopped with their treats onto their blanket.
“For breakfast we have Greek yoghurt and fresh fruit. Unless you’d rather go home now that you’ve completed your mission here?” Reina handed out plates and cutlery.
We dug in. “You can go home, if you want to. I’ll stay, in case Ange is right, and I have an inspiration overnight,” I said.
“Then we’re staying too. Every good witch needs her coven to be at her best,” Harper said.
“Good point,” I admitted-
“Then that’s sorted.” Ange wiped her hands on her napkin. Arm in arm, we left Harper and Reina for the night.
I was glad to share with Ange. Sure, Tim hadn’t been killed here, but left on my own, I’d probably have nightmares.
Chapter 26
Awet lick on my face woke me. I sat bolt upright in my motel bed. Mrs. Miniver wagged her tail with abandon, obviously happy with the results of her action.
Mr. Chips had given Ange the same treatment. She flung off her duvet, grabbed her dressing gown and stepped into her slippers. “Breakfast’s coming up,” she told her dogs. To me, she said, “Good morning. You talk in your sleep.”
“I do? Sorry.” I hopped out of bed, too. A glimmer of light fell through a chink in the curtains.
Ange filled two bowls with dog food and put them on a rubber mat. Mrs. Miniver promptly left my side, to take care of her belly. Mr. Chips joined her, and peacefully they enjoyed their food.
“You said, pay … and then a few words I couldn’t understand, before I fell asleep.”
I headed to the bathroom for a quick shower. “That’s not much.”
