Wicked Ways: Death at the DuMond (A Cozy Witch Mystery Book 1) by Ava Collins Read Free Book Online Page B

lunch, and we can chat.”
    “Thank you. That’s so kind of you to offer. I’d love to stay, but I’ve got class.
    “I’ll show you some of my prized masterworks,” he said, dangling the offer like bait. “A far better education than any classroom.”
    “How about a raincheck?” I asked.
    Otto smiled to cover his disappointment. “Absolutely. Stop by and visit anytime.”
    I left Otto’s apartment and felt a wave of relief wash over me as I stepped into the hallway. Then I instantly felt silly. Like I had overreacted, panicking over nothing. Why would Otto want to kill Mrs. DuMond? It seemed ridiculous. 
    Down the hall, Isabella was fumbling for the key to her apartment. I called out to her and dashed over before she could step inside. 
    “Do you have a minute?” I asked.
    “I’m really busy right now. Perhaps later,” Isabella said, trying to rush inside. She didn’t want to talk to me at all.
    “Jake is going to spend the rest of his life in prison if someone doesn’t help him.” That seemed to get her attention, but she was still hesitant.
    “I don’t really know how I can help,” she said. “If he did it, there’s nothing that can be done.” She had already stepped inside her apartment at this point and was attempting to close the door.
    “You don’t really think that, do you?”
    “I don’t know what to think,” Isabella said.
    “But you know Jake. He wouldn’t do something like this.”
    Isabella’s face tensed and she looked conflicted. 
    I knew she and Jake were close. Possibly even dating. If they were, they kept it a secret. Mrs. DuMond had a policy that forbid dating among employees. I couldn’t figure out why Isabella was so hesitant to talk. I would have thought she would be the first person who would want to see Jake exonerated.
    “I just have a few questions. It won’t take long,” I said.
    Isabella nodded and let me inside. I sat on the sofa in the living room, and she offered me something to drink. I declined. At this point, I wasn’t about to eat or drink anything anyone gave me. Call me paranoid, but when people start dropping dead around you, it’s best to be cautious.
    Isabella went into the kitchen. She returned a moment later with a glass of water and a tray of cupcakes. My eyes grew wide. They looked just like Mrs. Abbot’s cupcakes. 
    “Do you want one?” she asked, as she sat across from me.
    “No, thank you,” I said. “Where did you get those?”
    “From the old lady’s office. I wasn’t going to let them go to waste.”
    “But that’s evidence.”
    “Nonsense,” Isabella said. “She was bludgeoned to death. Not poisoned.” She bit into one of the cupcakes. I stared at her, eyes wide, as she devoured the treat. “Are you sure you don’t want one?” she asked.
    “You know, on second thought, I will take one for later.” I felt that at least one sample of the cupcakes should be preserved for evidence. I didn’t really think Mrs. Abbott would poison the cupcakes. But there was something odd about the whole thing. I couldn’t wrap my mind around why Mrs. Abbott would give them to Mrs. DuMond. Sucking up to the old lady didn’t ever seem to do anyone any good. And Mrs. DuMond certainly wouldn’t lower someone’s rent just because they brought her cupcakes. 
    “Here, take two,” Isabella said. “You can’t eat just one.” She started gobbling down a second cupcake. I figured I better start asking questions, just in case the cupcakes were poisoned.
    “You and Jake are… friends, aren’t you?” I asked.
    Isabella nodded.
    “More than friends?” I asked.
    “No, just friends,” she said. I couldn’t tell if she was being truthful, or covering.
    “I hope you don’t mind, but I’m going to have to ask some direct questions.”
    “I understand.”
    “I guess, before we go any further, I should ask where you were at the time of the murder?”
    Isabella frowned. “That’s the problem. I don’t have an alibi. I was alone