Page 91 of Bargain with Fate
At least I knew Meemaw would jump at the opportunity to cast another spell. Magic use was strictly limited on the island, much to the chagrin of many capable Neighbors. Judd had been a strict constructionist when it came to HOA rules and regulations, whereas I was somewhat looser in my approach. So loose, in fact, that I flat-out ignored them when I deemed it necessary, like today.
Judd would be rolling over in his grave right now.
I glanced skyward. “Sorry, boss. Desperate times call for desperate measures.”
I called Meemaw to make sure she was available.
“Come on over,” she said. “Bring snacks. I’m out of pretzels and chips.”
Chips I could handle. I raided my cupboard and found a family-size bag of unopened barbecue potato chips. I turned toward the door and looked down to see Jinx’s green eyes fixed on me.
I hugged the bag to my chest. “Don’t judge me. Family size was on sale.”
Jinx turned and walked away. The swish of her tail said she was definitely judging me.
I drove my golf cart to Magnolia and parked outside the building next to Meemaw’s. I didn’t want people to notice my visits and start questioning their frequency.
As I rapped on the door, I heard muffled chatter from inside. The door swung open.
“You didn’t mention you had company,” I said, presenting the bag of chips to Meemaw.
The crone shook the bag. “Why do you think I asked you to bring a snack?”
“I assumed you were hungry. Did you reschedule your Bookstabbers meetup?”
“No, we’re holding out for Martin. He sneezed and threw out his back.” She looked me up and down. “You seem to have all your limbs intact. What’s the emergency?”
I cast a hesitant glance at the others. “Remember that information I shared with you about Darlene?”
Her mouth formed a small O.
“I finally know whose shadow it is, and I need to find a way to capture it.”
She lifted an eyebrow. “Will the person be held responsible for the actions of his shadow?”
“That part isn’t up to me.” I wasn’t sure how I felt about it. Stephen shouldn’t be completely off the hook. After all, he created the monster that killed Darlene. The old me would’ve reaped vengeance on Stephen. No mercy. No extenuating circumstances. As far as I would’ve been concerned, Stephen’s own hands had done the foul deed. I’d been a black-and-white thinker then, much like Stephen’s shadow.
But I wasn’t that person anymore.
“What are you two in cahoots about over there?” Margie shouted from the living room.
“It’s top secret,” Meemaw said.
“We’re your coven,” Catherine said. “There shouldn’t be any secrets between us.”
Meemaw tossed a glance over her shoulder. “Trust me, dearie. You don’t want to know everything I know.”
Same, I almost said, but managed to hold my tongue.
“What does Justine think of all this magic?” Meemaw asked, turning back to me. “She might want to consider amending the rules, make them less stringent.”
“I don’t think she’d be receptive to that. I’m using it to solve crimes. You know what Neighbors are like. Give them an inch and they’ll be using magic to turn their golf carts into hovercrafts.”
“Rightfully so. We’ve been promised hovercrafts for over a century. We’re tired of waiting.”
“Come on, Maya,” Margie said. “Share with the class. We promise not to tell anyone.”
I fought the urge to laugh. Their gossip muscle was the strongest one in their bodies because it got the most exercise.
