A Charming Crime by Tonya Kappes Read Free Book Online Page B

Isadora
liked to be called, had gotten me in touch with Bellatrix Van Lou, the owner of
Bella’s Baubles, the only jewelry store in Whispering Falls. She had a small
house I could rent until I found something to fit my needs.
    On the way into
the village, I motioned out of the Green Machine’s window for Oscar to go
ahead. He was going to start his police duties today, and I was going to give
Bella my first month’s rent.
    Bella’s Baubles
was like all the other stores in Whispering Falls. A quaint cream cottage with
a pink wood door that was adorn with different colored jewels. The sun hit each
jewel just right, showing its brilliant color.
    I got out of the
El Camino. Before I could tell Mr. Prince Charming to stay put, he was already
doing figure eights around my ankle.
    The store hours
were painted on the sign that dangled from the stone casing. Morning to
night. I was definitely morning.
    “Come on,” I
told him and walked up to the store. The door was incredibly heavy, I had to
push with both hands.
    Once inside, there
was a small entry way that led to two other doors. One of them had a mailbox on
it and the other had Bella’s sign on it.
    Ding, ding. The bell above
the door swayed back and forth.
    “I’ll be right
with you.” The voice came from the woman who was bent behind the glass counter.
I could see her hand working in the case. She laid out pieces of jewelry by
color. “I just got some new charms in and I wanted to get them out before the
rush.”
    Charms? Faintly I
remember the man in the top hat telling me about this place. I had no clue that
my landlord was the owner. I hurried over to see her selection, hoping there
was a turtle to replace my lost one. Maybe I could get a real charm bracelet
that fit.
    “Your signs said
the hours are morning to night. I assume you are open.” I craned my neck to get
a better view of the charms.
    She stood up and
adjusted her shirt. No turban. Bella’s round cheek’s balled up through her
grin, exposing the small gap between her two front teeth. Her long blonde hair
framed her face, and cascaded down her small frame. There was no way she was
any taller than five foot two.
    “Get back here!”
I yelled for Mr. Prince Charming who had jumped on the clean glass counter, and
over to Bella’s side. I reached over the counter to get him, but he was already
out of my grasp. “I’m so sorry.”
    “You must be June.”
Her smoky eyes twinkled with laughter. “And I’ve heard about you, Mr. Prince
Charming.”
    Great! I bet the whole
town heard about the new girl fighting with Ann. I chalked one up for the new
girl. . .me.
    Completely
embarrassed, I hid my face when I noticed Mr. Prince Charming had crawled into
the jewelry case.
    “He must like
the lights.” There weren’t any other explanation. He loved to sun himself.
“I’ll get him.”
    Before I got
around the counter, he was already out and dropped something out of his mouth
on the counter.
    “It looks like
he wants to give you a charm.” Bella waved the silver charm in the air. “A
square, Celtic knot. Good choice, Mr. Prince Charming.”
    Mewl, mewl. He tiptoed
around in circles, wagging his long white tail from side to side.
    “I’m sorry. We have
a strange relationship.” I pulled the rent check out of my pocket. I had to get
out of there before the darn cat destroyed the place. “Here’s your rent. Thank
you so much. I will be looking for a place soon.”
    “Don’t worry
about it. In fact, the cottage has the most beautiful view. Nothing else in
Whispering Falls compares to it.” Her fingers worked on a piece of jewelry.
“Here you go. Welcome to Whispering Falls.”
    She uncurled her
hand. Between her finger and thumb dangled a real charm bracelet with the
Celtic knot attached. She shoved it towards me.
    “He wants you to
have it. Celtic knots protect you from evil spirits.” Her eyes darkened as she
moved it closer. “Take it as a welcome gift.”
    Evil spirits? What was it