Giving me a weak smile, she patted my hand. “Honey, don’t worry about it. Maria put a silencing spell on the room. You would have to be psychic to know I was in there.”
I nodded, my expression grave. “I thought so. But why did she go after Tim?”
Theresa’s whole face turned a vivid red.
“She…probably told you about some things that went down about ten years ago.”
“Yes, she did, but that still doesn’t explain why she went after him.”
Theresa sighed, using her fork to draw designs in her mashed potatoes.
“He found out that she kidnapped me and threatened to expose her if she didn’t let me go. She pretended like she was coming over to free me, but all she did was drop off more food and water and taunt me, saying she was going to kill him. She said it was a more fitting punishment than killing me. I’d have to live with the knowledge that I’d caused his death.”
Jo let out a low whistle. “What a psychopath.”
Theresa’s expression darkened. “Yes, that sums it up well.”
I shared a significant look with Jo, then turned back to Theresa.
“It’s lucky Jade was at the house,” I murmured. “She came to get us and tell us what happened.”
I made a silent vow to find out Jade’s favorite type of cheese and get her a whole truckful of it, along with some crackers.
Jo walked across the room and sat down in the chair by the bedside. He clasped Theresa’s hand in his. She returned the gesture with a fond smile, and I took that as my cue to leave.
“Um…I’m going to head out. I should check on Jade. But I’ll come by tomorrow, okay?”
I walked faster and faster the further I moved down the hall, irritated with my sudden tears. I wiped them away with furious swipes. Why was I even crying?
I told myself that it was the adrenaline wearing off. In one night, I’d been betrayed by my best friend, found Theresa, and nearly witnessed a murder. Anyone would cry after that, wouldn’t they?
It didn’t matter that Jo and Theresa were together. The case was solved, and even if Maria didn’t go to jail, she’d lose her powers. I could live my life in peace and quiet, running the shop and hanging out with Jade and Faith.
That was all I needed.
Several days later…
It was a quiet Wednesday afternoon at the shop. I paged through a catalog while Jade slept on the counter next to me.
The bell over the door rang. I looked up and saw Jo and Theresa come inside. Theresa looked much better since she’d been released from the hospital, her freckled cheeks full and rosy once more. Both of them beamed at me as Theresa held out a beautiful bouquet of stargazer lilies and white roses.
“Surprise!”
I looked between the two, stunned.
“What’s this for?”
“For helping us. If it wasn’t for you, I’d still be stuck in that basement.”
My cheeks turned red as I gave a modest shrug. “Jade’s the real hero.”
“Jade?”
Theresa looked at Jo. “Is that the cat?”
He laughed and nodded. “Sage’s familiar.”
Jade sat up, her eyes narrowing when they rested on Jo. I shot her a warning look.
“How are you feeling, Theresa?”
“Good as new! How are you?”
She peered at me, poking at the elephant in the room without coming right out and saying it. Everyone in town knew that I’d been asked to testify against Maria when her court case came up.
“I’m not looking forward to the trial, but it’s got to be done. She confessed, so it’s really a formality, but I don’t really want to see her again.”
“I don’t blame you.”
Theresa shuddered, then turned her eyes on Jade.
“So this is your familiar?”
I smiled down at Jade, who still wore a sour expression.
If she pets me, I’ll fart on her.
I gave her a not-so-gentle nudge and muttered under my breath at her to be nice. She gave a petulant meow, and I had to press my fingers to my lips to keep from laughing.
