Chapter 10 #3
“Don’t be silly,” Sal trilled. “We’d never suspect you in a million years!”
Chet hesitated. “Then why are you wasting time talking to me? There are other real suspects hanging around.”
“We simply had to know your gym routine.” Sal brushed Chet’s arm flirtatiously. “Oh my, you can feel those muscles ripple even through that suit. Don’t flex. You’ll rip the stitching—and is that Armani?”
Even if Arthur had been prone to undue jealousy, he would’ve lauded Sal for his quick thinking. Chet refusing to talk to them at all was suspicious, and now they had his full attention.
“You joke, but I actually have ruined a few shirts,” Chet said, guarded.
“I absolutely never joke. Just ask my husband. Mr. Serious, he calls me.”
Arthur managed to keep a straight face as he nodded. “He’s right. I call him that all the time.”
“It must be very expensive to be so swole and so well dressed. How can you possibly afford to rip such divine fabrics?”
“The coven pays me well. Besides, I’ve started taking off the sleeves.
” Chet raised his right hand to the seam on his left shoulder.
With a whispered spell, the fabric ripped apart—no, it was a clean separation.
The threads unstitched themselves in a very orderly fashion.
Sal made a choked noise of horror at the wardrobe malfunction, but Chet performed a complicated gesture and the suit jacket repaired itself.
“My alteration magic is good for more than just enhancing muscles. It’s versatile.
” Chet grinned. “So, what are you two benching?”
Arthur had no idea what that meant, but Sal answered for him.
“During the day, or at night? Because as vampires we’re much better in the dark.” Sal’s smile was more than flirtatious now.
Worried he was coming on too strong, Arthur interceded. “I’m mostly focused on health and wellness. Do you find the Celestine Coven potions to be effective for that?”
“Oh, it’s all about health, bro.” Chet nodded. “The gains are a side effect. With my protein potion system, anyone can see results.”
“I must admit,” Arthur said, “I wouldn’t have assumed you were a witch.”
Chet boomed a good-natured laugh. “I know I don’t fit the stereotype, but most witches don’t. Plus, the coven is open to all. We make it possible for anyone to reap the benefits of magic. That’s what the Celestine Coven is all about. Power through unity.”
That didn’t seem right at all. From what Arthur understood, witches were a paranormal designation like the rest of them.
One couldn’t help being a werewolf or a vampire any more than a witch.
Perhaps there was something he was missing about how the coven operated.
He recalled what Hailey and Ambrosia had said about the collaborative nature of potion brewing.
Maybe that’s what Chet was referring to.
“It seems potion brewing is a popular specialty among the coven. Did Lola Lataurelle have her own line of potions as well?” he asked.
Chet’s previously open expression shuttered. “No, she didn’t.”
“We know she was a psychic, but did she do any other kinds of magic?” It was a pity Arthur hadn’t bothered to learn more about witchcraft before now.
He really didn’t know where to start or what details would be most interesting.
“We know about spells and rituals, but are there other less common kinds?”
“I’m not here to teach you guys how magic works.” Chet crossed his arms. “Anyway, I told you I’m not a suspect.”
“We know.” Arthur raised his hands, making a placating gesture. “We’re just trying to understand more about Lola. Since you knew her better than us, anything you can share could be very valuable to the investigation.”
“I told you everything I knew about her earlier. I gotta go.” Chet hurried off without another word.
“Well, that was suspicious,” Sal whispered. “Should we go after him and force a confession?”
“No.” Arthur shook his head. “That was brilliant thinking, getting him to open up by asking about his gym routine. It really put him off his guard.”
“It just came naturally to me. I think I might have a talent for questioning suspects, you know.”
Arthur stopped listening as Sal rambled on.
Sal had displayed a real knack for getting Chet talking, but the moment Arthur had mentioned Lola’s name again, Chet had clammed up.
That was indeed suspicious. They couldn’t run after him and make accusations, though.
Not without any other evidence. Arthur jotted Chet Oakley on his suspect list, right at the top.
“I am brilliant, aren’t I?” Sal hugged Arthur’s arm, leaning his head on Arthur’s shoulder. “Who shall we alienate next?”
“The alienating isn’t the point.” Arthur scanned the milling crowd and his gaze fell upon an unexpected mourner. Brody Young was walking—no, he was storming—toward them, anger clear on his face.
“You shouldn’t be here investigating Lola Lataurelle’s murder!” Brody said, his voice carrying over the other conversation.
Every eye in the room turned to the three of them. So much for keeping a low profile.