Everyday Witches

Marge and Jude pulled into the Mayhew’s drive, one behind the other and put their vehicles in park. Jude climbed out of his truck first and walked around to let Kojack out. The large dog hopped down onto the gravel drive and sniffed at the air curiously, turning his head from side to side. The air was heavy with the latent remnants of magic, and the German shepherd no doubt sensed it as much as Jude did. Walking back to Marge’s car, which was parked behind his in the drive, Jude waited for Marge to get situated and climb out of the car.

“Whew,” she said, fanning a hand in front of her face. “Someone has definitely been working some magic out here lately.”

Jude nodded. “No doubt. It’s not fresh though, it’s just lingering. Whatever they were up to, they’re finished with it now.”

Marge patted the pocket that contained the protection potions, comforted by their presence. “They may be finished with it for now, but who knows what they were up to and if they’re planning on starting it back up.” She paused. “I wonder if he’s really the one who killed that man. I guess it would make sense, but I really didn’t believe it. I mean Scott is trouble, for sure, but I didn’t think he’d get into something that heavy.” She scanned the yard and the front of the house worriedly.

Scott had let the house go a little, since his parent’s passing, but it really wasn’t as bad as she would have expected. The yard was a little overgrown, but it had been mowed in the recent past anyway. And the house still looked to be in good shape. The property was on the outskirts of town, similar to Jude’s, but there wasn’t a farm attached and it was at least five miles away from where he lived. It butted up against a large unincorporated area that was relatively undeveloped and was still mostly wooded areas, with some large grassy fields interspersed here and there. A narrow dirt road was the only way to access the property, and it was bordered on the other three sides by trees. There was a spacious yard that stretched out in between the tree lines, dotted with flower beds and hedges. A large slab walkway led from the road to the front of the house. On the porch sat a swing, suspended from the roof with chains, and it shifted slowly in the breeze. There was no sign of anyone about.

Marge and Jude walked slowly across the walkway towards the door; Kojack trailing along beside. As they walked, Marge scanned the windows along the ground floor, and then those upstairs. She thought she might have seen a flutter in the curtain of one of the upstairs windows, but it could have been just the sun reflecting off the window glass. When they had reached the porch, Jude put a hand out, signaling Marge to stay back while he approached the door. He lifted a hand to knock, but before he could the door opened a few inches.

“Hello,” Jude called into the house, not wanting to push it.

A boy around Brandon’s age poked a nose out of the door, but didn’t pull it open all the way. It was Chad Mayhew, Scott’s younger brother. His sandy hair stuck out at all angles as if he hadn’t bothered to brush it for quite a while or had just woken up.

“Can I help you,” Chad asked, his tone not nearly as nice as his words.

Jude glanced back at Marge before answering. “Um, hi Chad. Is your brother home?”

The boy shook his head and yawned. “Nah,” he replied. “He’s been out of town for about a week now. Who are you?” Jude and Marge both introduced themselves and the boys eyes narrowed. “Jude, huh? I’ve heard about you.” He looked thoughtful, as if he’d just thought of something important.

“Yeah,” Jude replied. “Usually I get to know all of the young witches once they’re initiated; but your parents decided to skip out on that part with you guys. We have a lot of fun though. Hang out around the farm, learn about what life as a witch is all about, and get to know each other.” He glanced back at Marge again, a question in his eyes, but then decided to just go ahead with it. “Marge’s son is actually being initiated soon, and I’m going to have a new class. You could drop by and give it a try if you like. I know you’ll be older than the other boys, but maybe…”

Chad shook his head and laughed cynically. “No way dude. I think I’m good here.” He started to close the door, but Jude reached a hand forward.

“Wait. That’s not all,” Jude continued. The door remained open a few inches, Chad’s narrow face just visible through the gap. “Can we come in for a few minutes,” Jude asked. Marge seconded the request from the edge of the porch.

The boys nose wrinkled, but he pulled the door open a little wider and stepped back. Changing his mind though, he put a hand out in front of him and asked, “That dog friendly? He’s not coming in here if I’ve got to worry about him attacking me.” Jude assured him that he was and Chad relented, moving back from the door again and giving them room. They filed into the house, Marge bringing up the rear and closing the door behind them.

The house was modest, but had obviously been well cared for by the boy’s mother. The front door led into an entryway that opened onto a small living area, with windows and tables that were still adorned with needlework that looked like it had been hand made. There was a thin layer of dust on much of it, but it was otherwise mostly clean. Chad skulked into the room and flopped down onto a well worn recliner, gesturing at the couch opposite. Marge skirted the coffee table and took the seat closest to Chad’s chair, leaving the other end of the couch for Jude. He plopped down beside her and Kojack settled in beside his feet. Chad gazed at them intently, appearing to be sizing them up.

“So Chad,” Marge began, settling her purse on the ground and then nudging it forward until it was hidden from Chad’s view, beneath the coffee table. She wanted Annabelle to be able to size things up, but she didn’t trust letting her out in the open right now. “Where is your sister, is she at school?”

The boy nodded and rolled his eyes. “Yeah, she’s at school. She rides the bus every day. I make her lunch though.”

Marge nodded in return and responded slowly. “And… you’re not?”

The boys eyes narrowed again and he picked at a fingernail. “No, I’m not. So what?”

“It’s just that Scott may get in trouble,” Marge replied, her eyes creased in worry. “And you too. You know that you have to go to school until you’re eighteen, right?

Chad snorted and pushed himself up straighter. “I don’t care. I go to school when I feel like it. And right now I don’t.” He paused. “Besides, nobody is here to make me.” He looked at Jude in challenge. “Is this what you’re here for? Just to make sure I go to school?”

Jude sighed and shook his head. “No, of course not. You really should, you know? It’s important. But that’s not why we’re here. Where exactly is your brother anyway?” Chad looked really suspicious now and Jude thought to himself that if looks could kill, they’d definitely be dead by now.

“Not that it’s any of your business,” Chad began, “But he’s visiting a relative in Louisiana.” He looked down at his hands, picking at a fingernail again. “They’ve been in touch ever since our parents… you know…” He looked back up at Marge and she was surprised to see the pain in his eyes. “They’ve been in touch for a while now anyway, and something came up and he went to visit.”

“And you’ve been here by yourself, caring for your sister for the past week,” Marge responded softly. Her heart broke as she thought of these three youngsters struggling to get by in the wake of their parent’s passing. And Chad was nearly the same age as Brandon. These kids may not always make the best choices but they didn’t deserve this either.

Jude felt bad for the boy too, but he wasn’t quite as taken in by the sad story. The place smelled highly of magic and the boy had admitted that he hadn’t been to school in the last week. He had obviously been up to something. “I’m sorry that you’ve been left here to care for your sister,” he began, carefully. “But I’m sure that you’re up to the task.” He gave Chad a small smile of encouragement before he dropped the axe. “I, uh… I also noticed that you’ve been conducting some magic around here recently. Mind telling me what you’ve been up to?” He tried to look stern without seeming overly suspicious.

“Geez,” Chad replied, slamming a hand down on the chair arm in frustration. Kojack jumped in surprise, lifting his head above the coffee table to look warily at the boy. “I don’t know who you people think you are, coming in here and asking me all these questions. I mean… really! I’m a witch. Witches do magic. End of story. What gives you the right to get all up in my business about it?”

Jude reached a hand down and patted Kojack’s head reassuringly. This part was going to be tricky. At least the boy’s age would work in their favor if he could play this out right. “I was just asking,” he responded soothingly. “We do make it our business sometimes to keep an eye on things around town. We’ve got to be careful, make sure everybody stays safe and all. But you’re not in trouble or anything. I was just curious and I thought that if you needed some help with anything, we could help you out, is all.” He paused, gauging Chad’s reaction before continuing. He still seemed irked but he hadn’t closed down entirely. “You know, magic can be really difficult and sometimes if we don’t get it right there can be unintended consequences. Actually, I heard about a witch that made up some spells last week that ended up turning him orange.” Jude made a goofy face but he and Marge both watched Chad carefully for any sign of guilt. Annabelle, who was hiding beneath the coffee table peeked her tiny face around a table leg, studying him closely as well.

Chad looked at Jude in disbelief. “That’s stupid. What kind of idiot must he be for his potions to do something like that? Mine never come out like that.” He sighed. “It was just some stupid luck potions, okay? I’ve been out doing some hunting and I was hoping to find a pixie and I made a bunch of luck potions to help me out. That’s all it was.” He ran a hand through his sleep tousled hair. “Now, are we done here?” A soft thumping sound came from upstairs, startling everyone, and Jude and Marge both looked up, alarmed. Chad winced but he stowed it quickly.

Marge looked at Jude and then back up the stairs. Finally her gaze settled on Chad. Looked like the boy had duped them after all. “Chad,” she said stiffly, her normally smiling face drawn into a tight frown. “Who’s upstairs? You said Scott is out of town and your sister is in school.” She tapped a foot against her purse, urging Annabelle to hurry up and climb back in.

The color had drained from Chad’s face and he sat completely still. He was obviously frightened but trying hard not to show it. “Nobody,” he responded, unwaveringly. “I told you that they aren’t here and I meant it.”

“You’re lying Chad, and you know it,” Jude responded. He stood up quickly, bumping a shin against the coffee table. Marge stood more slowly and bent down to pick up her purse. She hoped dearly that Annabelle had made it back inside. As she slung it over her shoulder, she heard a little tell-tale buzzing from within and exhaled in relief.

“Alright, Chad,” Marge said, in her best mothering voice. “You need to show us what’s going on up there. Right now.” She patted the pocket with the gum container potions anxiously. She didn’t want to have to use them on a kid, but she was really worried now.

“Okay, okay,” Chad said, rising from his own chair. He looked guilty as sin and appeared to be thinking furiously. “It’s not what you think though. I wasn’t lying about that.” He sighed and seemed to deflate suddenly, his shoulders hunching and his head dropping low. “It’s just… I told you I was looking for a pixie and I found some.”

Marge and Jude exchanged a skeptical look. “I don’t believe you Chad,” Jude said flatly. “You need to show us who’s up there. Right now.” He turned and made his way towards the stairs, and Marge made to follow.

Chad looked panicked but he raced ahead of Jude and mounted the stairs. “Okay, you stupid pixies,” he said loudly,” as he hurried up the stairs. “I’m coming to get you. And I’ve got company. You better not be up to any trouble up there.” He looked back once at Marge and Jude and then turned down the hall. The two older witches hurried up behind him, Kojack following close behind.

Reaching the landing first, Jude turned in the direction he had seen Chad take and walked down the hall until he saw an open door. Chad was standing inside a small bedroom, decorated mostly in blues and greens with a few movie posters tacked to the walls. Must be his room, Jude thought as he stepped inside and looked around. He didn’t see anyone else in the room, and nothing seemed to be out of place. Chad cleared his throat and stepped to one side, revealing a medium sized aquarium that currently house an ungodly amount of pixies. From behind him, Jude heard Marge gasp and she hurried into the room. There must be at least fifteen of the poor things crammed into the little aquarium. There were also an assortment of underwater themed fish decorations strewn about the bottom of the tank. It was possible that they were the cause of the noise they’d heard from downstairs. If an angry pixie had chucked one up against the wall of the aquarium, they certainly could have heard it.

“Chad Mayhew,” Marge exclaimed. “What on the green Earth are you doing with that many pixies? And how could you keep them all stuffed into that aquarium?” The pixies all seemed to be talking at once, and several of them banged on the walls of the aquarium with tiny fists. Marge heard an angry buzzing sound from inside her purse and she tapped the side of it in warning.

Chad looked down at his shoes and shoved his hands deep into his pockets. Marge was unrelenting though and finally he looked back up at her. “I was just having fun, is all. Gathering some pixie dust. I was going to use it on a jerk at school. I would have let them go eventually.” Marge’s purse buzzed again and she thumped a hand against it in frustration.

“Well this is not acceptable, young man,” Marge replied, thrusting a finger at him, furiously. “These pixies are living creatures and you may not treat them like this.” She turned towards the aquarium and began speaking soothingly to the pixies within. Pixies were smaller and wilder looking than Annabelle and her kin, and they didn’t usually take to witches as well. And they were undoubtedly furious at being caged and mishandled this way. They’d have to be careful in releasing them, so that they didn’t end up pixed as well. The smaller fae were notorious for their ability to release a dust from their wings that would irritate the skin and caused nearly unbearable itching for some time after making contact. There were remedies, but it was quite uncomfortable in the mean time.

“Jude,” Marge exclaimed. “You take this aquarium downstairs and release the pixies and I’ll search the house for Scott.”

Jude looked at her with concern. If the older witch were here it could still be dangerous. “Are you sure,” he asked, cautiously.

Marge looked over at Chad, who still looked guilty and a bit defiant. “Is. Scott. here,” she asked, sternly, her vexation over the treatment of the pixies outweighing her fear. She scraped a finger across the bottom of her purse, hoping that Annabelle would listen and respond.

Chad stood up a little straighter, squaring his shoulders. “No, I told you he wasn’t and I meant it.” There was no tell-tale buzzing from the purse this time.

“Alright,” Marge said, taking him at his word. Even though she couldn’t see him, Annabelle would’ve known if he was lying outright. “I’m going to check the rooms anyway, just to be sure. And you can go downstairs with Jude to release the pixies.” She pointed a finger at Chad again, stabbing the air with each word. “And I expect you to apologize to them as well.” Chad nodded sulkily and Jude moved to pick up the aquarium. He hoisted up the heavy glass enclosure and then followed Chad out the door.

Marge looked around the room again and then opened the closet, checking inside to be sure that there was no one hiding inside. When it was clear that there wasn’t she turned back towards the door, almost tripping on a girl’s tennis shoe. She picked it up and looked at it, wondering why Chad would have one of his sister’s shoes in his room. Kids would be kids though, she muttered to herself. She left the room, leaving the door open behind her and made her way up the hallway; checking in every room along the way to be sure that Scott wasn’t hiding in one of them. The rooms were all empty and once she had cleared the floor she made her way back down the stairs. She was sure that they would’ve heard if someone had slipped down the stairs while they were up there, but she went ahead and checked all of the rooms on the ground floor too, just to be safe. There was no sign of Scott anywhere and, feeling relieved, she stepped out onto the porch in search of Jude.

The front yard was empty and Jude and Chad hadn’t come back into the house yet, so she climbed down the front steps and circled the house to the side yard. The sun beat down heavily and she hoped that Jude had found a shaded area in which to release the pixies. After all they had been through, they didn’t need to be subjected to a long flight in the broiling sun. When she reached the back of the house she could see Jude and Chad standing with Kojack in the shade, near the tree line that encircled the back yard. Jude had his focusing stone out and was making a sign over the boy, who was hunched over and scratching furiously at his arms.

Crossing the yard quickly, Marge came up beside Jude and peered down at Chad. All of the boy’s exposed skin- his face, ears, arms, was covered in a mottled red rash. Even though he surely knew that it was best not to scratch at such things, he was clawing desperately at his arms. Jude finished his rune casting and dropped his hands to his side. A small pop sounded and the resonance of magic filled the air. Chad’s scratching slowed, but didn’t stop.

“They got you, huh,” Marge asked, trying to suppress a smile. She could hardly blame them after what he had done to them. “Do you have a spell to remove the toxin?” She looked at Jude apologetically. “I’m sure the rune will help, but I doubt that it will clear it up entirely.”

Chad looked up miserably, his skin still red but slightly less irritated looking. “No, but I can make one.”

“No need,” Marge replied, slinging her purse around to the front and reaching a hand in. Beside the built in fairy perch was a little pouch that held all sorts of medicinal items. Being the mother of three boys, she always kept one handy. Pulling the pouch out, she opened the zipper and then rummaged through the band aids and ointments for the little glass bottle. She found it and pulled it out. It was one of the sample sized perfume bottles, like the ones she’d used for the potions she and Jude had brought along for protection. These cleansing potions were more shelf stable than some of the higher brow potions like the others and would stay potent for quite a bit longer. She usually made up a batch and then divvied them up around the house and the family, replacing them about once a month. They worked on pixie dust but also on things like ant bites and bee stings and were invaluable for a household of active boys.

Chad looked at her gratefully as she popped off the lid and sprinkled the contents of the tube across his skin. “Now, use your hands and spread it around on your skin,” she said. “It’ll counteract the toxin and bring you some relief soon.” She probably should have let him suffer for a little while first, but she was a mother and had a hard time seeing any child suffer like that. However deserving. Chad nodded and began rubbing his face and his arms, his wounded expression softening as the soothing balm took effect.

“Now, just because you’re feeling better doesn’t mean that you’re off the hook,” Marge continued, hands on her hips. “I don’t want to hear of you doing anything like this ever again. Really. At your age, you should know better. We have a duty to treat the Earth and all of its creatures with dignity and respect. You cannot round up a gaggle of pixies and chuck them all into a cage. And if I ever hear of you doing something like that again, it’ll end up much worse than this.”

Chad nodded, his eyes red-rimmed from irritation. “Yes ma’am,” he responded, but without much conviction. “I won’t.” He looked back towards the house. “Can I go now?”

Marge and Jude exchanged a look and Marge nodded. “Yes, go ahead. But make sure to tell your brother that I’d like to talk to him once he gets home.”

“And really think about coming to the meeting with the new initiates,” Jude added. “You might find that you actually enjoy it. And you might learn something new.” He smiled hopefully.

Chad shook his head, the corners of his mouth turned down in a little frown. He paused and a dark look crossed his face. “Thanks, but no thanks. I learned everything I need to know from my family already.” He turned and began to hurry across the lawn towards the back door of the house.

As soon as the boy was out of earshot Marge turned to look at Jude. “Coffee at my place,” she asked. Jude was watching the boy walk towards the house, a guarded expression on his face. He didn’t respond immediately.

“I’m not sure that we got the whole truth about what was going on here,” he said, his eyes narrowed in worry. “But yeah, I’ll meet you there and we can go over what to do next.”

A short while later Marge and Jude were seated in her dining room, steaming cups of coffee in front of each of them. Annabelle sat in her customary place at Marge’s side, a thimble sized cup of tea in her hands. The visit to the Mayhew’s hadn’t gone at all as they’d expected and they were trying to sort out what had happened there.

“I really think that it was just as it appeared,” Marge was saying. “I don’t think the Mayhews had anything to do with the murder at all. Scott wasn’t even in town when it happened and I don’t see how he could have been the one to have done it.”

“But I really think that there was something more going on there,” Jude replied, leaning in to breathe in some of the steam rising off of his cup. “You saw how nervous Chad was, and he had that whole cage full of pixies.”

Marge tucked her hair back and brought her coffee mug up to take a sip, savoring it for a moment. She set the cup back down and sighed. “But that really doesn’t mean anything. He was nervous because he felt guilty about the pixies. And boys will be boys. I know, I’ve raised three of them myself. They’re always doing stupid things like that.” She glanced over at Annabelle before continuing. “My boys would have known better than to treat the poor things like that, but Chad and his brother and sister didn’t have the same kind of upbringing as we do around here. I bet his parents never bothered to teach them about magical responsibility and respect for living creatures at all.” She looked over at Annabelle again and asked, “What do you think about the whole thing? I know it must have been upsetting for you, but were you able to get a read on Chad at all?”

The fairy set her own cup on the table and stood, putting her on a more even level with the two witches. Jude scooted his chair a little closer to Marge’s and leaned in. He wasn’t as used to deciphering the high pitched fairy voice as Marge was.

“He wasn’t lying about Scott,” Annabelle said, clasping her hands together and holding them in front of herself. “He was definitely nervous, but it could have just been because of the pixies. It seemed like maybe he was lying while we were still downstairs. You know, after we heard the noise. But then once we went up there and found the pixies I don’t think he lied about anything.” The small fairy sniffed. “I don’t like him. Anyone who would treat someone the way he did is a bad, bad, man. But I don’t think that his brother is the man who murdered that person.”

A knock sounded at the front door and all three of them turned their heads in surprise. “Marge patted a hand on the table and pushed her chair back. “Hold that thought,” she said. “I’ll be right back. She made her way to the door and peered through the peep hole, ready to tell Annabelle to hide, if need be. It was only Callie though, the woman Maria had intended to be Jude’s wife and partner. Marge shook her head dismissively at the other two so they wouldn’t worry, and pulled the door open. She stepped aside and beckoned for Callie to come in.

The young woman rushed into the room, sweeping Marge up into a hug, a cloud of expensive perfume surrounding her. She stepped back, holding Marge at arm’s length and smiling. Callie was the daughter and apprentice of the witch who ran the local salon, and as always, her hair and makeup were perfect and her outfit expensively tailored.

“Marge, good to see you,” the young woman gushed. “How have you been?” Just then she noticed Jude sitting at the table. Her eyes lit up and she waved delicately. “And Jude, what a nice surprise. How are you?”

Marge patted the younger woman’s cheek and headed towards the kitchen, indicating that she intended to make another cup of coffee. Callie nodded and thanked her. She glanced around the room and then walked towards the dining room table. Picking the seat next to Jude, she settled herself in and greeted Annabelle. Then she turned to Jude. “Fancy meeting you here,” she said with a wink. “What brings you over to this part of town?”

It actually was nice to see her, Jude thought, breathing in the scent of her expensive perfume. She had this way of lighting up every room that she entered. He could see what his mother liked about her. And she was definitely hot. Maybe he should give her another chance. He ran a hand through his dark hair, trying to come up with an excuse for being at Marge’s. The thing about Callie was that she was a huge gossip and he knew that if he told her that he and Marge had been looking for a murderer, the whole town would know about it by lunch time. There was a time and place for those sort of things, but in this case, it would make things even more dangerous for them if the murderer were to find out that he was being sought after.

“Oh, you know,” Jude replied, sketchily. “This and that. Mostly just going over preparations for the initiation coming up. You know that Ricky just turned thirteen?”

Callie smiled broadly, her perfect teeth glinting as she did. “Yes, that’s right,” she enthused. “Marge must be so proud! How are preparations coming along?”

“Good, good.,” Jude responded. “Everything is mostly ready, just a few loose ends to tie up. “I’ve got to make sure to get the cattle rounded up and away from the camp site and get the stones set out; things like that.”

Callie’s nose wrinkled in distaste, and Jude frowned slightly, remembering the other thing he didn’t like about her. She was solely a city girl and didn’t have any interest in animals or the outdoors; the things that meant the most to Jude. He could have moved into town when he turned eighteen, but he loved the farm life and had chosen to stay and help his dad work the farm, offering fishing tours and wilderness retreats for extra income on the side. It was what he lived for. And he didn’t see Callie ever trying to fit into that sort of life.

“That’s great Jude,” Callie responded quickly, realizing her gaffe. “Marge is lucky to have a friend with such a cool, out of the way place to host the initiation.” She elbowed him gently. “One of these days though, you really need to move into town and live a little. I know a guy who’d love to have a roommate, and we all get together on Friday nights at that new little bar they opened on Monroe. It’d be fun.”

Jude smiled sadly. He didn’t see himself fitting into her world anymore than he could see her fitting into his. But he allowed himself to imagine just for a minute what it would be like. Living in town. Hanging out at the hottest bars on the weekends and maybe going home with Callie. It could be fun. A part of him ached for it; even if he would have to try so much harder to hide what he was. In his imagination though, Callie’s face morphed into Beth’s, and he saw her riding through the horse pasture, her blond hair trailing behind her in the wind and a lazy smile on her face. “Maybe sometime,” he said, noncommittally, shaking his head a little to clear out the wisps of fantasy. “I really love the farm though, and I’ve got a prime new stallion that I’m raising to breed. I’ve got a lot of stuff going on out there, actually…” He let his sentence trail off, realizing that there was no point.

Callie nodded and pushed back her chair. “Well, if you ever change your mind,” she said as she stood. “I really need to talk to Marge though, and then head back to the shop. I was hoping that she’d have some spare curl potions around. We have a group of ladies coming in soon and we’re running low.” She set a hand gently on Jude’s shoulder and then disappeared into the kitchen.

Jude sat staring into his coffee cup for a few minutes, thinking about Beth, and Callie. Callie was great, but it seemed like everything she did was so practiced and polished; like it was all for show. With Beth he never felt like he needed to be anything other than what he was. And she made him feel amazing for it. If only… Suddenly Marge and Callie reappeared. Marge was unusually tense and her face was whiter than usual. Callie had a small paper bag in her hand; probably the curl potions she had been after. Callie gave Marge a quick hug goodbye, a worried look on her face. Then she came over to the table where Jude sat. She leaned over and laid an arm across his back, giving him a half hug. “Keep and eye on her,” she whispered. “She got a call from Jeff and it spooked her.” Jude nodded in understanding and said he would. They said good bye and Callie left.

When she had gone, Marge paced around the table, repeatedly checking the front window as she waited for Callie’s car to pull out. When she was sure it was clear, she turned to Jude. “I think we’ve got him,” she said, fear and excitement chasing each other across her face.

“Got who?” Jude asked, confused.

“The murderer, of course,” Marge replied. She put a hand on the back of a chair as if she were thinking of sitting, but then returned to pacing the length of the table. “Jeff called, and there’s been another burglary. No murder this time though, thankfully. But get this.” She paused for emphasis. “The victim was another stock broker.” She grinned, hands held out in front of her as if she’d solved the mystery.

Jude looked at her blankly. He chewed on a lip, trying to connect the dots. “Um, okay. So what exactly does that mean to us,” he asked, finally.

Marge exhaled in exasperation, waving her hands around excitedly. “He was a stock broker! Both of the victims were stock brokers. And if you’ll think about it, I think you’ll know of someone who might be connected to them both.” She held a hand out towards Jude in anticipation of the realization.

Jude considered it. There weren’t many witches he knew that were interested in finance. There was one though… “Tom Delaney,” he said questioningly. The witch made his money as a day trader. Rumor had it that he had managed to catch a leprechaun and had harnessed its luck to assure he bet on the right stocks. Wait a minute. The leprechaun. The two young witches in Gage’s shop had been going on about a witch who had lost their leprechaun and was getting desperate. Jude’s eyes lit up and he jumped to his feet.

“Exactly,” Marge exclaimed. “It has to be him. If his luck ran out and he lost all of his money, then he could definitely be desperate enough to rob a few guys. And who better to rob than men he already knew would have a bunch of money laying around?”