A Cold Case Froze (Ice Witch Mysteries Book 2) Read online

  “Indie. I’m relieved to see that you’re recovering. I cannot apologize enough for my nephew’s behavior,” she said, looking around the room. The short, clipped tone kind of reminded me of how Nan sounds when I’ve done something she doesn’t agree with. “He will be reprimanded. However, that is not why I wanted to come by to see you.”

  I was very aware of Ash watching the conversation from across the room. Out of the corner of my eye, I could make out the tension in his jaw.

  “I appreciate at you coming by, nonetheless. Is there something I can help you with?” I asked her. I’d had enough of doing favors for her at this point.

  Her smile was grim. “First I wanted to thank you. I know you’ve worked diligently to find out the truth on my behalf, and I truly do appreciate it.” She gave me a small curtsy. “Consider yourself a special patron of The Cake Fairy. Free cupcakes for life, as far as I’m concerned.”

  Well, now. That was much more like it! “Thank you, Amortencia. That’s very kind of you. But really, I was just doing my job,” I said, gesturing to the newsroom. “I think we both know that the police needed some help with Chief Putnam at the wheel.”

  Was I being a jerk about the chief? Yes. Did I care? No. As long as he thought it was okay to try and start trouble with my friend, I will happily take issue with him.

  Amortencia sighed. “Yes, unfortunately you are right. I hope to bring it up with the rest of the Council soon enough. Speaking of…” she glanced around the room. “I am not sure if this is something you’d want anyone else to hear.”

  “Whatever it is, you can say it in front of the others. I trust them.” I said the same thing about Quicksilver once, yes, but that was beside the point.

  She gave me a nod. “All right. Quicksilver has mentioned some interesting things about your powers, Indie.”

  Ash was at my side in an instant. “It’s not up for debate, Amortencia. No one needs to know about that.”

  You could tell she didn’t like being spoken to that way, but she kept her eyes on me. “As a member of the Special Council, it is my duty to report abnormal magic usage. Now, I have not seen any of this firsthand, but I must let you know that it is possible the Special Council will want to look into the matter further.”

  “If they find out then I’ll never see the end of it,” I sputtered, embarrassed. “They’ll not let me out of their sight. And I’m not a danger to anyone!”

  She shook her head, her blonde hair swishing. “It doesn’t matter. This goes beyond that, I think.”

  I frowned. “Please, Amortencia. Please just keep it to yourself for now?”

  “I’m sorry, Indie. Truly, I am. But I did want to let you know ahead of time so it doesn’t come as a nasty surprise. Ash? Is there something else you wanted to add?” She was looking at him through slitted green eyes.

  Say what you will about Ash, but the man knows how to stay calm under pressure. “I suppose not, if you’ve made up your mind. But Indie will not be controlled at the whim of the Special Council. And I’m letting you know ahead of time.”

  Having back up in a situation like this meant a lot. When Amortencia was satisfied with her pre-warning warning, she gave me more well wishes and was gone just as quickly as she came.

  My cheeks felt flush, so I pulled on my favorite ratty cardigan and told Drusilla I was taking a break. “I just need to take in some fresh air.”

  Goldie stayed inside, helping Henny chase down some rodents, apparently, while Ash and I walked out to the balcony. I hardly ever came out here but I made a mental note to change that. There was something to be said for a change in scenery.

  I looked out over the snow covered hills that faded into the horizon. My cardigan was thin and the air was brisk as usual, but I didn’t care. It was nice to break free from being cooped up inside all the time. Call it the hippy in me.

  “Do you think Amortencia will really tell the rest of the Special Council about me?”

  “I’m not sure.” At least he was being honest.

  “You know her better than I do,” I said, turning to face him. “Do you think she’d hold it over my head? I mean… she pretty much conned me into hiring her murderous nephew. Not that she knew he was murderous, but still.”

  “You have a point, yes. But I don’t think she would blackmail you. Fairies can be manipulative at times, but it’s more of an ingrained thought process rather than them trying to be heinous. And no, I don’t think she would do that to purposefully manipulate you.”

  Purposefully being the keyword here.

  “I just don’t want to be anyone’s guinea pig. And I don’t want everyone staring at me. Because you know they will, as soon as they find out. People will talk about me, bother me, be jealous of what they don’t understand. And jealous small town folks are not something I want to deal with.”

  He came to stand next to me, his presence relaxing me. “We’ll keep doing what we do. We’ll stay one step ahead of everyone, and no one is going to make you their guinea pig. We won’t let them—I won’t let them. I promise.”

  The wind whipped my hair around my face. I nodded. “I believe you. And if they do end up confronting me, I’ll deal with it. But until then,” I began, leaning against the sturdy balcony. Spreading my arms out wide, I grinned at Ash. The fading sun caught the edges of his dark hair.

  A corner of his mouth pulled into a smile. “You’ll enjoy the view.”

  THE END.

  Want to know what happens to Indie and her friends next? Click here for book three, A Cold Case Spoiled!

  In A Cold Case Spoiled - Reluctantly powerful witch Indie Warren is stuck between a rock and a hard place. Okay, it’s more like she’s stuck between the charming, hunky leprechaun and the brooding reaper with the crooked smile.

  Things take a turn with the mysterious appearance of an enchanted hot spring - especially when a resident frog shifter turns up facedown.

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  Series by J. L. Collins

  Spell Maven Mystery Series Order:

  Spell Maven from Spell Haven (Book 1)

  Snitch Witch (Book 2)

  Tragic Magick (Book 3)

  Witch Hazel Lane Mystery Series Order:

  Grits in the Graveyard (Book 1)

  Devil on My Doorstep (Book 2)

  Monsters Under the Magnolia (Book 3)

  Ice Witch Mystery Series Order:

  A Cold Case In Spell (Book 1)

  A Cold Case Froze (Book 2 )

  About the Author

  J. L. (Jerri) lives in the Lowcountry of South Carolina, with her family and feisty furbaby. She loves southern food, literally any dog, hiking, Carolina sunrises on the beach, shopping on King Street, and curling up with about twenty different books on the weekends. Her favorites are mysteries and fantasies where the characters make her laugh, cry, and feel #allthefeels. When she gets the rare chance, she also likes to go exploring and learning more about Charleston’s rich history.