Pet Psychic Mysteries Boxset Books 5-8 (Magic Market Mysteries Book 2) by Erin Johnson (reading diary .TXT) 📗

He shrugged as Daisy tipped her nose to the air and gazed at him. “He was able to test the potion left in the vial—it was poisoned.”

I pressed my lips together. Not a surprise, but good to know we for sure had a murder on our hands.

Peter absentmindedly scratched Daisy’s head. “Besides, Daisy smelled Opal’s statements as truthful when she said she didn’t kill Pearl. Sometimes these alternative healing people can be pretty averse to some of our more invasive magical methods.”

I raised a brow, not totally convinced. Opal had seemed overly protective of her sister’s remains to me. Then again, maybe it only seemed suspicious to me because I didn’t share her views.

Peter patted Daisy, then folded his arms across his broad chest. “Gabriel also found trace amounts of the poison on the victim’s lips.”

I nodded. “So who had access to the vial?”

Peter lifted a broad palm. “Clearly her husband, Ralph.”

I lifted a brow. “And Opal seemed to be suggesting he was having an affair. After meeting the oaf, I’d say everything points to that being true.” I flashed my eyes at Peter. “Like I said earlier, my bet’s on Avery Ann. She denies having an affair.” I shuddered. “Yuck. But something’s going on between them. Maybe she decided to take out the competition.”

“Mm.” Peter shot me a doubtful look. “It could’ve been Ralph. Maybe he wanted his wife out of the picture without having to divorce her and lose his assets in the company, since his wife technically founded it.” Peter nodded to himself, scratching at the scruff on the side of his throat. “I think Ralph’s guilty. Let’s go have another chat with him.”

I pushed off the wall I’d been leaning against. “By that you mean arrest him?”

Peter shrugged and started up the street. I jogged to catch up with him and Daisy. “Why him and not Avery Ann?”

Peter kept his eyes straight ahead. He gave a polite nod to two old ladies who walked by as we headed past a busy market alleyway. “Because Daisy said the assistant was telling the truth that she didn’t touch or tamper with that vial Pearl drank from. She didn’t even know Ralph had it on him, and since we now know that was definitely the cause of death, we can rule her out.”

I sniffed. “Fine. But Daisy also said Ralph was telling the truth.”

We walked over a stone bridge. The dark water in the canal below glowed with orbs of varying colors—the mermaids were out and about. Cheery music drifted into the night through the open door of a bustling restaurant.

Peter just huffed and continued on so fast I had to jog to keep up with his quick strides. “Well, Ralph stood to gain a lot more from Pearl’s death—he’s set to inherit the company and all of their assets.”

I could tell he’d made up his mind, so I resigned myself to arresting Ralph—though I still had my suspicions about Miss “a little too perfect” Avery Ann.

19

Arrested

Peter, Daisy, and I were joined at Potent Potions headquarters by a few other cops. We nodded our hellos, the cops flashed their badges at the half-asleep security officer in the lobby, and then we stormed up the right side of the spiral staircase to the second story. Daisy led the way, bounding up steps two at a time, while workers perusing scrolls or speaking into their communication devices threw themselves against the railing to clear a path.

On the second floor, bright pink double P’s magically glowed and sparkled against a white marble wall, surrounded by a shimmering silver heart. Gold chandeliers with multicolored flames glittered overhead, casting disco ball-esque light all over the landing. It was gaudy and over-the-top—exactly what I’d expect from Pearl and Ralph, from what little I’d seen of their style at the summit.

Peter’s shoes squeaked as he jolted to an abrupt halt. Potent Potions employees bustled about, heading in all directions at full speed. A man tugged a magically hovering cart laden with scrolls and documents down the hall, while a woman with a red face shouted, one finger pressed to her earpiece. Several people, wands out, directed hovering bundles of golden chests—the same kind I’d seen at Sue and Carolyn Lopez’s places.

I frowned. The place was in chaos… or was this just a normal day at Potent Potions? A circular table in the middle of the landing held a vase taller than I was, exploding with fresh flowers, sea sponges, coral, and shells. More vases and baskets and condolence cards littered the table and the floor around it. Guess the place was in mourning… though it was hard to tell with the electronic dance music blaring and nightclub atmosphere.

We passed a complimentary potions bar with rows of neatly stacked vials and a seating arrangement with a chair that looked like a pair of lips. I smirked—classy.

Peter stopped outside a frosted glass door labeled Ralph Litt, Co-owner, and rapped hard. He barely waited a beat before pushing the door open and storming inside.

“Ralph Litt?”

Ralph, who sat behind a clear glass desk in a tall leather office chair, startled and looked up, eyes wide in his overly tanned face. Avery Ann (of course) perched on the edge of the desk, looking over Ralph’s shoulder at some documents in front of him. She gasped and hopped off the table, then lowered her eyes, cheeks burning pink.

I crossed my arms as the other cops swarmed forward, wands drawn, and looked between the two of them. Guilt was written all over their faces. I glanced at Peter’s back—he may be right about Ralph killing Pearl, but I still got the distinct feeling Avery Ann was hiding something.

Ralph shoved back from the desk and scrambled to his feet. He extended a hand toward Peter. A gold watch studded with diamonds glittered on his wrist. “Oh, uh—good to see you, Officers.”

Daisy, who stood beside Peter, growled. Liar.

Ralph looked around the room, flashing a smile so white it