Life's a Witch by Amanda M. Lee

that means, but I’m not here on a social call,” Chief Terry said.
    Landon shifted in his chair, his sarcastic mirth turning to worry. “What’s wrong?”
    “I’m glad you’re in town this weekend. We found a body.”
    “What kind of body?”
    “A dead one, pervert,” Aunt Tillie supplied.
    Landon wagged a threatening finger in her face. “I’m going to make those active wear pants come true if you’re not careful.”
    Aunt Tillie rolled her eyes. “Promises, promises.”
    “Who died?” I asked.
    “I’m not at liberty to say just yet,” Chief Terry replied. “I need Landon to go out to the scene with me.”
    Landon and I exchanged a look. “I guess I’m on the job,” he said. “I would worry you did this, but I know where you’ve been the last twenty-four hours.”
    “Ha, ha.”
    He brushed a quick kiss against my cheek and stood, grabbing his bacon for the trip. “Can you drive? My truck is at the guesthouse.”
    “Sure,” Chief Terry said. “I’m sorry for ruining your day.”
    “Oh, you haven’t ruined our day,” Mom said, her voice full of faux sugar. “Now Bay doesn’t have an excuse to ditch the festival.”
    My heart sank as my stomach rolled.
    “Actually she does,” Landon said, causing hope to flare. “I need her to come to the scene with me.”
    Aunt Willa frowned. “You’re taking Bay to see a dead body? That doesn’t sound very sanitary.”
    “I need her to … look things over and tell us what she sees,” Landon explained.
    “Why?” Rosemary was confused.
    “Because I need her with me,” Landon replied, glancing at Chief Terry for support. “You don’t care if she comes, do you?”
    Chief Terry shrugged. He knew something was going on, and even though he wasn’t sure what it was, he clearly wasn’t in the mood to argue. “The more the merrier.”
    “Oh, darn,” I said, standing and gracing my mother with a rueful smile. “I guess I’m going to miss out on the festival. What a bummer.” She couldn’t argue with Landon and Chief Terry about the necessity of my presence at the scene without tipping Aunt Willa and Rosemary about why they wanted me there.
    “Fine,” Mom said, giving in. “This isn’t over, though. We will have a talk about this.”
    “I can’t wait.”
     

Eight
    “Does anyone want to tell me what was going on at breakfast?” Chief Terry asked, navigating his Dodge Durango from The Overlook’s driveway and heading out of town. “Things seemed tense.”
    “Oh, no. That’s how they always are,” I replied from the back seat.
    “No one needs your sarcastic tone, missy,” Chief Terry warned, although his eyes twinkled as they met mine in the rearview mirror. He never stayed angry with me.
    “It’s … a long story,” I said, adjusting my attitude. It wasn’t Chief Terry’s fault my mother wanted to kill me.
    “We have twenty minutes until we get to Hollow Creek,” Chief Terry replied. “Spill.”
    “My Aunt Willa is in town,” I started. “She brought Rosemary.”
    Chief Terry furrowed his brow. “Rosemary? Isn’t she the cousin who terrorized you at camp that one summer?”
    “How do you know that?” Landon asked, surprised.
    “I know everything about Bay,” Chief Terry replied. “She had a rough childhood sometimes. That Rosemary teamed up with Lila. I remember that because she was upset. I don’t like it when she’s upset. I’m a softie where she’s concerned. Why are they here?”
    “We have no idea,” Landon replied. “They’re clearly up to something … and they haven’t said a pleasant thing since they arrived. Aunt Tillie is planning mayhem, and Winnie is struggling to hold things together.”
    “How are you handling it, Bay?” Chief Terry was always sympathetic and kind.
    “I’m not the same kid I was back then,” I reassured him. “Rosemary can’t get to me like she used to. I’m more … self-confident ... now.”
    “That’s because you have a handsome boyfriend who carries a gun,”