Innocent

The green flames turned deep gold and licked over the paper. A couple of seconds later the magical fire evaporated, leaving the note unmarked. A puff of gold smoke arose and within it, I saw the date. 

I stumbled back against the counter, holding on to its edge with curled fingers. My mother had received this note from Doug on the day they both died. He hadn't broken up with her. She hadn't been miserable with heartache because of rejection. 

The narrative told to me by Sheriff Cooper had been a lie. 

But was it his lie?

Or someone else's?

My thoughts spun and spun, twisting and churning with possibilities. I couldn't catch my breath and my heart felt like it was going to leap out of my chest as I considered for the first time that the murder-suicide scenario was wrong. 

And if it was wrong… 

My mother was innocent. 

Innocent.

I could barely make the word fit into my mind. 

Feeling wobbly, I slid down the cabinets and sat on the floor with my knees up. I wrapped my arms around my legs as I struggled to regain my calm. 

Was I actually entertaining the idea that Mom wasn't a murderer, but a victim?

Wait. 

Just wait a minute. 

I clasped my quaking hands together trying to steady my nerves. If my mother wasn't the murderer, then who was? And how had they convinced the police Mom was the culprit who'd committed murder-suicide with black magic? 

Who would've wanted to kill both Mom and Doug? 

The first person to come to mind was Carol. She might've wanted Mom dead, but not Doug. Hmm. Maybe she did. He'd cheated on her. Carol played the tragic widow so well. The betrayed spouse of a beloved mayor—she'd relished every moment of the drama that unfolded after Doug and Mom's deaths. 

I thought about Joe. He might've killed Doug to get him out of the way, leaving the door open to reunite with Mom. But love could so easily turn to hate. Joe could've offed them both in a fit of jealous rage. 

Tilda Miller popped into my thoughts, too. Now there was a woman unafraid to go after what she wanted. She'd made it clear early on that she wasn't a fan of my mother's. She'd coveted Mom's spot on the council from day one. And she'd gotten it, too. But why kill Doug? Collateral damage? 

I guess thinking about other potential suspects was easier than thinking about the dark guilt embedded into my heart like a monster's talons.

I had never sought to disprove the story given to me about what had happened. It had been easy for me to accept Mom had killed herself and Doug. Maybe easy wasn't the right word. Logical, maybe.

Given who Delia Willowstone was as a person… it was simpler to accept. Even as her own daughter, I'd believed without question she was a murderer.

Grumbler sauntered into the kitchen and rubbed against my leg. "Meow." I sense you are troubled, mistress.

"I'm a terrible daughter." I stroked her fur and instantly felt soothed. My familiar always knew when I needed her. That was one of the lovely aspects of the witch-familiar bond. 

I would not associate with a terrible daughter, chastised Grumbler. So what you say cannot be true. 

Well, that was Grumbler logic for you. If she deemed me worthy, then I was worthy. I leaned down and kissed her furry head. "Thank you." I hesitated then blurted, "What if Mom didn't kill herself or Doug?"

My familiar sat on her haunches and blinked up at me. Why do you say this?

"I found a letter that Doug wrote Mom on the night they died. I don't think he ever broke up with her. I think, maybe, someone else killed them." 

Her big green eyes focused on me. "Meooooow." Her vocalization contained echoes of sorrow. The situation would have never occurred if my former mistress had not forbid me to accompany her.

"It's not your fault. Mom told you to watch over us."

I will always watch over you and all the Willowstones. It is my honor to protect you and yours. Grumbler blinked. I regret being unable to save your mother. 

I scratched under the cat's soft, furry chin. "You're the best familiar in the world, sweetheart. I would never, ever blame you for what happened." I cupped her face and rubbed her ears. "And you shouldn't blame yourself, either."

Grumbler purred then she butted my hand away. "Meow, meow." You must take your evidence to the Council of Six. 

"Oh, Mother Goddess. You're right." I clenched my fists against my knees as I realized what this new truth meant. "We should've never been ostracized from the coven. They'll have to lift the ban." I looked at my familiar. "You know what? I'm going to the meeting tonight and will present this as evidence of Mom's innocence."

"Meow!" I will accompany you. You will not forbid me to go.

"Of course, you're coming with me," I reassured her. "I wouldn't go without you, sweetheart."

You must also tell Sheriff Cooper about this letter, advised Grumbler.

"Sheriff Cooper retired. But the new sheriff would probably look into it." I hadn't considered that not only would the letter prove to the coven that Mom had no reason to kill Doug, it might also be enough to get a new investigation. 

There might well be a killer in Garden Grove who'd gotten away with double homicide. Whoever it was would not be happy about people poking around in the past. But I couldn't worry about that now. I was determined to find out the truth. 

No matter what it took. 

 "I'll show the letter to Rane and ask him to re-open the case."

"Meow?" Who is Rane?

"Rane Keller. He's the new sheriff. He has brothers. They all look alike."

Triplets?

"Unless there's a fourth one hanging around then probably." Something in my voice must've tipped her off to the fact I liked him. Her gaze narrowed. You are attracted to this Rane. Why?

"He's cute. And nice. And… uh, he asked me to dinner." I looked at my familiar's questioning gaze. "I didn't say yes," I said. "Yet."

Grumbler rose onto all fours, flicking her tail at me. "Meow." You do not have an appropriate dress for a date. 

"I do, too." I climbed to my feet.

Be wary of these men. They are not simple. 

I waved my hands as if trying to shoo away the subject of the Keller brothers. "Forget about that. It's not important right now." I took the letter from the top of the mortar and held it out. "This letter is the key to everything, Grumbler. Everything."