“They called here about Dixon, but no one told me about anything having to do with Stewart. They just said they couldn’t find Dixon, and I figured Stewart was up to his old tricks. Legally, Dixon can’t leave his visitation with his father unless his life is in danger. He’s getting older now, though, and has a mind of his own. A couple of times we’ve had to pick him up because he threatened to take off walking if someone didn’t get him. Stewart, of course, dragged me to court to have me fined or arrested. So far he hasn’t been successful, but you can tell the judge doesn’t like women. He’s getting to the point where he said he will find me in contempt if I don’t find a way to control Dixon. As if that’s ever going to make Dixon love Stewart again,” she said and let out an exasperated snort. “I’ve tried to warn Stewart that he’s ruining his relationship with Dixon forever, but he doesn’t listen. All he cares about is control and getting his way. As sad as it is to say, he doesn’t care whether Dixon loves him or not.”
“I understand,” I said as gently as I could. Nothing she’d said was a shock given what I’d witnessed at the Brew Station between Stewart and his son.
“Well, look at me just blabbering away. Guess I’ve told you my whole life story now,” Melanie said and looked down at the floor.
“It’s okay. We have that effect on people,” Reggie said and shoved half a cookie into her mouth.
“Who are you guys again? I mean… why are you here?” Melanie asked.
“I guess we should just tell you,” I began. “The sheriff that called you, Thorn, is my husband. I guess he probably wanted to tell you about Stewart in person, but I don’t know when he’ll have time to get out here to do it. Coventry was hit by a tornado, and things are a mess.”
“Tell me what about Stewart?” Melanie asked. “What’s going on?”
“He was killed,” I said. “The only reason I know that is because I was out helping look for survivors in some of the houses that were destroyed. I found him dead in his kitchen. That’s the reason the sheriff was looking for Dixon. The neighbors thought he was supposed to be with Stewart, and everybody panicked when we couldn’t find him.”
“Stewart’s dead?” Melanie asked and then held her breath.
“He is,” I said. “He was for sure dead.”
She let out her breath, and I could have sworn the corners of her lips played up into the tiniest smile. If nothing else, she looked relieved.
“He was probably murdered,” Reggie added, and I elbowed her in the side. I’d intended to find a more delicate way to say that part.
“That’s why we’re here,” I said. “I was hoping you could tell us who might have wanted him dead.”
“Besides me?” Melanie asked with an awkward chuckle. “I thought you said that your husband was the sheriff. Do you work for him?”
“I don’t,” I said. “I was just hoping you might talk to us about it. My husband and his deputies are swamped right now. I wanted to help.”
“I think our conversation is done,” Melanie said and stood up. “Thank you ladies for coming by and giving me the news, but I’m going to have to call my lawyer before I talk to anyone about this.”
That was our cue to leave, and I could see in her eyes she had no intention of backing down. “Come on, Reggie. Let’s go,” I said. “Thank you so much for the coffee and the cookies.”
“Thank you for…” Melanie searched for the right words, “changing my life.”
Chapter Six
When we got outside, Reggie and I found Dixon on the large front porch playing with Meri. The boy had a string tied to a stick, and Meri was going along with chasing it as Dixon let it dip down and then yanked it away.
“Hey there. I thought he was in the car,” I said.
“He talks,” Dixon said without looking at me. He was still intently playing with Meri.
“He’s a cat. He doesn’t talk,” I lied.
“Yes, he does. I heard him. I heard him talking to himself in your car. That’s why I let him out. I hope you don’t mind, but I was worried he’d gone bonkers.”
We were outside of Coventry, so the supernatural veil that kept people from noticing our magic was thin. It was nearly threadbare when it came to children anyway. So many of them could see right through it, but adults didn’t believe them. It didn’t really have to work on them because when they told people what they saw, the grownups thought they were making up silly stories.
“Well, I have to take him home now. Thank you for keeping him company. I’m sure he appreciates it,” I said.
“My dad’s dead, isn’t he?” Dixon said without missing a beat.
“I…”
“I heard you talking to my mom,” Dixon said and stopped moving the string. Meri looked defeated.
“You hear a lot,” Reggie said.
“I do,” Dixon said without further comment.
“I’m sorry you had to hear the news that way,” I said.
“I’m not,” Dixon said. “I mean, I never wished he was dead or anything, but now I don’t have to be afraid anymore.”
“I’m glad that you don’t have to be afraid anymore,” I said. “I’m sorry that it took this for you to feel safe.”
“Miss Olivia said that if he ever hurt me again, she would kill him herself,” Dixon said as he knelt to scratch Meri under the chin. “Maybe now that I don’t have to go to dad’s house anymore, I can get a kitten of my own. I will be able to take care of it all of the time.”
“That’s not the reason I wouldn’t let you have another kitten,” Melanie had opened the front door and was standing there listening. She’d been as quiet as a mouse, and I hadn’t heard her. “I
