A Witch Called Wanda (iWitch Mystery Book 1) Read online

  “Are you kidding me?” Rodney roared. “Let me call you back,” he said, hanging up. “Get out, you stupid mongrel!” The man grabbed Wanda by her ears.

  “Hey!” Maeve shouted after him as Wanda fell out onto the pavement. “Are you out of your mind?”

  The man spun around just as Wanda struggled to stand upright. The poor dog’s tail fell between her legs, and she cowered behind Maeve. Rodney snarled his response. “Is that your dog? I ought to make you pay to have my seats cleaned!”

  Maeve glanced around the man to see that his seats had been left in perfect condition. A part of Maeve wanted to reach over and slap the man across his face for his abrasive behavior toward Wanda. “You yanked her by her ears! You could have hurt her!” she said, deciding that raising her voice would suffice.

  The man’s face was bloodshot, and he was gritting his teeth. “Whatever,” he said. “Were you the one shouting my name? What do you want? I’m busy.”

  Maeve took a deep breath. Be Zen, she told herself, he’s not going to help you if you scream at him about Wanda. “I’m sorry about the dog,” she said. “My name is Maeve O’Dare. I’ve been trying to get in contact with—”

  He cut her off. “The singer?”

  “Um ... well, not singer really, I’m a song—“

  “I liked your little half-time performance at last year’s super bowl,” he said.

  “That wasn’t me,” Maeve said. “Listen, I’ve been trying to reach—”

  “Then who was it?” he asked, interrupting her yet again. He laughed to himself. “Of course it wasn’t you. Pretty dumb of me to think I’d run into a real celebrity in Wisteria Pines, right?”

  Is he serious or is he joking?

  Maeve couldn’t tell. She stood with her jaw hanging open slightly, hardly believing how easily this man had thrown an insult out to a complete stranger.

  He grinned. “You’re new in town, right honey? What are you doing tonight, sweetie? Why don’t you let me take you to dinner, and I’ll show you a fun time.”

  It took every amount of restraint not to spin around on her heels and walk away. Did he really believe she would say yes to a date after he assaulted her dog and insulted her career? “You have a lot of nerve,” she said.

  “Aw, did I hurt your feelings?” he laughed and then leaned forward in a menacing manner.

  Maeve instantly felt threatened, and she took a step back. Wanda must have sensed her fear; she let out a loud, angry growl followed by a quick snapping of her jaw.

  The man jolted backward. “It almost bit me!” he shrieked, yanking his left hand back to reveal perfectly unmarred skin. “You stupid mutt!” he raised his right hand as though he intended to hit Wanda.

  “Don’t you dare!” Maeve roared.

  An unfathomable amount of anger bubbled within her–more anger than she had felt in a long time. Even angrier than she’d been the last night she’d seen Frank. Before Rodney could swing his arm down, her own hand reached out and grabbed him by his forearm–stopping him mid-swing. When she grabbed him, a strange, electrical sensation gurgled up from her gut, through her chest, and up her arm.

  She wasn’t sure if she really saw it, or if it was just her imagination, but a ray of purple electrical currents seemed to whip around her arm and straight into Rodney.

  She no longer felt resistance in his swing, and she saw his shoulders slump. For a moment, his eyes appeared as purple as the bolt of lightning she’d seen.

  Rodney, in his surprise, dropped his cell phone. “I’m so sorry,” he said, lowering both his arms.

  Maeve did the same, reeling from the strange power that had just overtaken her.

  Rodney put one hand to the side of his head. “I ... I don’t know what came over me.” He acted as though he had a headache. “I’m so sorry. It’s been a crazy couple of days. Nadine, my co-worker, died or was killed. We don’t know. I’m doing her job and mine, and I’m about to hit my limit. I hope you can forgive me.”

  Maeve stared at Rodney. He seemed much less threatening now and more approachable. If anything, he looked sad. “Are you all right?” Maeve asked, wondering if perhaps she’d hurt him.

  “I don’t know,” he admitted. “I miss Nadine. She never really liked me, and I can’t blame her, but I sure did like her. She was smart and sweet. I don’t know why I’m always such a jerk.” Rodney was suddenly rambling off way more private information than Maeve had ever gotten from a stranger. She glanced down at Wanda for confirmation on this bizarre behavior, and the dog seemed to shrug at her as though to say, “I don’t know, Maeve. You did it, don’t ask me!”

  Clearly, Rodney had been through a couple of rough days. He knelt down by Wanda, and petted her, apologizing for pulling her by the ears.

  Wanda’s tail wagged as the man asked Maeve if he could give the dog some of his leftovers. She agreed. He opened up his doggy bag and gave Wanda a meatball from his sub. He stood up and wiped off his hands on his expensive looking suit. “You wanted something, didn’t you?” he asked, now looking very embarrassed. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to go off on a tangent there. Is there something I can help you with?”

  It was as though she was speaking to an entirely different person. “Um ... yes,” Maeve said, shaking away the discomfort for a moment. “I’ve been trying to get in touch with someone at the mayor’s office. I only need five minutes alone to speak with Mayor James Wayne.”

  Rodney perked up again. “Oh, I can do that. He has an opening this afternoon, in fact. Can you do four o’clock?”

  Maeve grinned. “Yes, that’s perfect. Thank you, Rodney.”

  Rodney nodded. “Okay, I’ll pencil you in, Ms. O’Dare. And I’m sorry about the not-a-real-celebrity crack. That’s far from the truth. I love your songs. Have a nice afternoon, and I’ll see you at four.” He hopped into his car and drove off.

  Maeve could see him singing along to the radio as though he didn’t have a care in the world.

  “That was weird,” Maeve said out loud. “Maybe he needed someone to talk to?” She glanced at Wanda. “I guess we pushed a stressed-out guy over the edge, huh?” Maeve shivered, realizing she was making excuses for the unusual event that had just occurred.

  She led Wanda back toward her car, and they both climbed in. Maeve sat in the driver’s seat but didn’t start the car right away.

  That slight purple flash she’d seen was familiar to her somehow. “It’s weird,” she said to Wanda. “That feeling I got when I touched Rodney, I think that’s happened before. Back in LA. Whenever I would speak to new managers or producers ... when I was negotiating contracts and there was something I really, really wanted ... and then they would ... change their minds.”

  She looked toward Wanda, then smiled and petted the dog’s head. “You probably think I’m crazy, huh? Well, I’m probably imagining things. I better go get ready for my interview with Mayor James!”

  Chapter Six

  Chuck

  The man yanks me by my ears, pulling me from the car. I had no idea something like that could hurt so bad! I’d only been trying to help Maeve, as she is obviously distracted by this local murder. There’s no way she’ll pay enough attention so I can communicate with her if she is trapped in her own head all the time. Maybe hopping into the man’s nice car wasn’t the best idea. I think this just as my snout hits the pavement, and he releases my ears.

  Thank goodness for Maeve; she looks pissed as she is suddenly standing toe to toe with the man who is rambling off about his dirtied seats.

  Um, sorry, man, but I am clean ... well ... I lift up one of my paws. Mud from a little trip off the sidewalk to sniff some flowers. Sorry, bro. Cry about it. Besides, I can tell you sprung for the cheap knock-off leather on those seats. I take a peek into his car, glancing around him, and I don’t see any mud. He’s being a drama queen.

  As I am wondering about the seats, Maeve and the man continue their shouting match that, after a moment, dwindles. “My name is Maeve O’Dare. I’ve been trying to get
in contact with—” I hear Maeve start to say.

  “The singer?” he cuts her off.

  “Um ... well, not singer really, I’m a song—“

  “I liked your little half-time performance at last year’s super bowl,” he says.

  “That wasn’t me. Listen, I’ve been trying to reach—”

  “Then who was it?” he says and then laughs to himself. “Of course, it wasn’t you. Pretty dumb of me to think I’d run into a real celebrity in Wisteria Pines, right?”

  Whoa. Low blow. Who is this jerk? Why are we even talking to him? The next thing I know, the tool-bag is using words like honey and sweetie to try to get her to go on a date. Is he that stupid? Come on, I was a total player back in LA, but even I wouldn’t think I could have convinced a woman to go on a date after abusing her dog and outright insulting her. Besides, this girl is mine, Mr. Roddy ... or Rodney ... or whatever your name is–I wasn’t paying attention, but that’s beside the point!

  He gets eerily close to her, and Maeve takes a step back. He steps with her, and I can feel him intimidating her.

  What a creep!

  I can almost sense Maeve’s heartbeat pick up. Her face grows red, and her eyes widen with alert. I’m not sure why it gets me so worked up, but it does, and I react like the hound that I am. I jump up to nip at him–really scare him good.

  I snap my strong jaw down hard. My breath heavy on his hands. He yanks back. I could have bitten him, really torn him up ...

  But I’ll let you off with a warning, Robbie ... Roddie?

  “It almost bit me!” he wails like a little girl. “You stupid mutt!” He raises his right hand, and I cringe–expecting to feel a fist come down on my head.

  This time, though, Maeve comes to my rescue, rather than the other way around. “Don’t you dare!” Maeve screams and grabs him by his forearm with a tight, inhuman-like grip. Then the miraculous thing I’ve been waiting for happens.

  I see it, and there’s no denying it now: Maeve is a witch.

  A string of purple lightning-like light zips around her–appearing to come from her chest and up her arm and into ... I want to say Rodney?

  Yes, that’s it. Rodney–into Rodney.

  The purple electrical current whips around her arm, piercing him. Both their eyes glisten a slight purple, and Rodney immediately relaxes.

  That’s my girl!

  I knew I found a witch! I smelled the magic. I knew it! I knew it! I knew it! I’m going to be me again before too long. Now I just have to find a way to tell her ... Wait ...

  That look. That look of shock and fear in her eyes. She doesn’t know!

  Ah! No. No. No, no, no, no, no! Of course, I would find a witch who has no idea she is one! This must be part of the curse? Surely, I’m not that unlucky.

  While Rodney is spouting off his entire life story–something about having a crush on the dead girl, wanting Maeve to forgive his behavior. Whatever, man, we’ve all got problems. At least you’re not a dog. A girl dog.

  I pace back and forth while they chat. Should I leave Wisteria Pines and try to find another witch? Probably not. I mean, what are the chances I’ll find another one? It’s not exactly a common thing. I’ll have to find a way to tell her I’m a dog, as well as hope there’s some off chance she can figure out how to change me back. This curse just got a whole lot worse.

  While I’m panicking, I suddenly get a whiff of meatballs. Ugh, these new doggie senses sure are a nuisance! Now all I can think about is food.

  “Do you mind?” I hear Rodney say as he opens his doggy bag.

  “Not at all,” Maeve says.

  I perk up when I realize the food is for me. He gives me a meatball from his sub, and I chomp it down. I’m always starving–probably because I refuse to eat the dog food Maeve leaves out for me. She’s noticed, and I suppose eventually she’ll realize I’m not going to touch it and start giving me real food. He pets me and rubs my ears. “So sorry I got mad, girl,” he said. “It’s been a long day. I hope you can forgive me.”

  Keep petting me and calling me a girl, and I might bite your face while you’re down this low.

  Before I know it, Maeve has weaseled her way into an afternoon appointment with the mayor. You go, girl.

  While Maeve is finishing her conversation, I make a decision. I’m going to stick around, but I’m going to help Maeve solve this murder. Maybe once this thing is no longer looming over her, I’ll be able to find a way to explain to her what’s going on with me. It may be a waste of time, but it’s better than nothing. Besides, she so cute, I can barely think of leaving her.

  The next thing I know, we’re back in her little purple Volkswagen headed toward the mayor’s office. The entire ride there, she is nervously tapping her fingers against the steering wheel. “What was that ...?” she mumbles under her breath.

  Magic! If I could do jazz hands to make this more dramatic for you, Maeve, I would. She rolls the window down for me, and I stick my head out and let the wind whip through my fur.

  Why does this feel so amazing?

  I better be careful enjoying doggie pastimes, or I might actually wind up eating the dog food one day.

  We arrive early, so Maeve pulls through a drive through and orders me some French fries. She eats a few herself, but ultimately, she hands the little box to me.

  Oh, I love you!

  Seriously, though, why am I always wanting food?

  Maeve checks the time and nods. “Okay, Wanda, let’s head over to the courthouse.”

  We leave the car, and I follow her. As we arrive at the front of the courthouse steps, we’re stopped by a security guard. “Is that a service dog?” the man asks.

  “Oh, I’m sorry,” Maeve says. “I don’t know what I was thinking. I’ll leave her in the car.”

  Um, no you won’t.

  I brush up against the man.

  You’re not the only one with a little magic in you, Maeve.

  The man suddenly perks up and smiles. “Don’t worry about it. Go on inside,” he says.

  Maeve looks at the man suspiciously for a moment, but she enters the building when the man opens the door for her. I follow, wagging my tail. I have to say, a small part of me will miss the magic when I’m human again. We head up the elevator, down several hallways, stop to ask for directions, and eventually find our way to right outside the mayor’s office.

  “Oh, thank you so much, Rodney,” I hear a woman’s voice say as she starts to exit a room to the right. She’s holding a to-go tray with four cups of coffee. “I can’t believe you bought all the ladies downstairs coffee. I have to admit, it’s a little out of character.”

  “What can I say?” Rodney sings. “I’m having a good day.”

  He exits behind the woman and enters the hallway.

  “Rodney?” Maeve questions as the woman happily skips away with the tray of coffee. “You seem ... different.”

  She’s right. He seems even perkier than he’d been earlier in the parking lot. Jeez, what kind of spell did she accidentally cast on him?

  “Maeve!” he says happily. I look behind him and see Nadine’s name on the door. “I was gathering some personal effects of Nadine’s to send to her family. Hold on, my office is right across the hall.”

  We follow him, and he pets my head and scratches my ears as we go. He’s starting to weird me out. Seriously, he is practically skipping.

  Maeve, what did you do?

  “Um, are you okay, Rodney?” she asks.

  “I’m great!” he says, plopping down behind his desk. “Oh, you know what? Since you’re new in town, I want to invite you to church with me this Sunday at Renowned Baptist. I’ve never actually gone myself. I’ve been out of church for a while, but something is telling me I need to go back. I’d love to see you there! I hear the preacher is wonderful.”

  She cast a Jesus spell.

  Is that a thing?

  Sure, why not. Looks like Maeve helped the local creep find the Lord. Inside I’m laughing so hard right n
ow, but darn it, I realize dogs can’t laugh or even smile!

  “I’ll let you know,” Maeve says. She looks around the room as if hoping for an exit.

  I hear you, girl!

  Rodney phones into the mayor’s office to let him know his appointment has arrived. After a moment on the phone, he hops up and escorts us down the hall to a set of double doors.

  Mayor James looks up from his desk. “Come on in,” he says to Maeve. “Rodney, close the door, would you?”

  “Yes, sir!” Rodney says happily as he closes the door behind us.

  Maeve sits down at a seat in front of the mayor’s desk, and I sit down on the floor beside her. Mayor James raises a brow. “Did courthouse security not tell you that you can’t bring dogs in here unless it’s a service animal?”

  “Um ... they told me it was fine,” Maeve responds.

  “Okay,” he says with confusion in his tone. I wag my tail and do the head tilt thing everyone seems to love, and he chuckles. “I guess he can stay.”

  Yay –he!

  “Oh, Wanda is a girl.”

  Stop it, Maeve.

  The mayor nods. “Okay, she can stay. I have to ask, how in the world did you convince Rodney to set up this meeting so last minute? I noticed it wasn’t on my schedule until earlier today.”

  “I’m persuasive,” Maeve says nervously.

  “Evidently so,” Mayor James says. “He’s been acting unusual today, though. He’s not normally so ... perky. So, tell me, Ms. O’Dare, what can I do for you?”

  “I’m hoping you can answer a few questions about Nadine. You see, as I’m sure you’ve probably heard, the police are looking into me.”

  “Yes, I’m aware, and like I told them, I doubt you have anything to do with it,” Mayor James says. “And I’m sorry if any of them have been harassing you. This little town isn’t used to Hollywood types coming in, and I think there may be some prejudice there. I apologize for that, but I assure you that this will be a professional investigation. If you had nothing to do with Nadine’s death, then you have nothing to worry about.”