Witch One Dunnit? (Rachael Penzra mystery) Read Free

haven’t you, Rachael?” That was the start of a new phase in our relationship, and the beginning of my interest in “Alternative Religion.”
       She encouraged me to start developing my gift.  She sent me books.  For the first time in my life I considered my psychic abilities might be a gift , rather than a curse.
       And to be honest, I was curious.
       I wanted to release the little creature who had always been curled up inside of me.  Sometimes I thought it was me—my inner child, so to speak.  It was such a quiet little thing, and so gentle.  I’d always wanted to nurture it.
       So in the beginning I studied to please her.  In the end, I delighted myself.
       Aunt Josie did get involved with a coven, a group of people living in her area.  Some were into witchcraft for the secret thrill, some for power, a few with a mistaken idea about sexual orgies.  Still others felt it was part of the New Age experience. My aunt was basically a kind woman, but the stories she told about some of the coven members were downright hysterical. 
       For the most part, she seemed to enjoy the group. She could laugh at some of their antics, and she enjoyed spending time with people who shared her interests.  Yet for the last few months of her life, she had seemed to be growing dissatisfied – maybe even a little nervous – with them.  It wasn’t anything she ever said aloud, but she’d never made much of an effort to hide her thoughts from me.  Whenever the subject of her coven came up, I would feel a swell of... discomfort?  Is that the right word?  I’m not sure, but I think if it weren’t for her untimely demise, she might have discontinued her association with the group.
       With her guidance, working with aromatic herbs and spices became a favorite pastime of mine.  I made up bath mixtures for myself and my friends. I actually felt younger than I had in years (closer to my actual age) and I was bursting with interest in so many different things.  I took courses in aromatic therapy, in Reiki, in yoga and karate. Much to my surprise, it was karate where I really noticed my growing psychic powers.  After I mastered the first repetitious movements, I found I could “see” in slow motion during our mock fights.  What my body wasn’t equal to against younger opponents, I made up for with a strange sensation of controlling the pace of the action.
       I was good!  I’d never been good at anything. I was having fun .
       When I signed up for the mail-order course in witchcraft, I did it mainly as a joke.  It was one of the greatest pleasures of my life to learn how to indulge in my latent sense of humor.  I told my aunt about the lessons with “Professor Midnight Solstice” and his promise to make me an official witch for a mere $79.99.  Happily, I had finally reached the point in life where I could afford the money, and besides, it soon became clear the real money came from the sale of numerous books he recommended. It was rather a shock to find the course was both thorough and competent, however silly it had soundedfrom the ad.  I had joined for the laugh and the certificate.  It turned out I got my money’s worth.
       So I became an official witch.
       Aunt Josie was dead.
       And I inherited everything

 
    CHAPTER TWO
     
    From the Wiccan Rede:
    Live and let live
    Fairly take and fairly give.
     
       Aunt Josie’s lawyer, Mr. Goldberg, called bright and early the next morning.
       More accurately, his secretary called.  “Ms Penzra?  Rachael Penzra?”  The voice was pure secretary, the Voice of the Power Behind the Throne.  “Romano, Romano and Goldberg calling.”
       “This is Ms Penzra,” I assured the Voice, refraining from adding, “Penzra, Inc. answering.”  I had resumed my maiden name several years earlier when I started my own cleaning business.  It was a personal decision.  Penzra Inc. was purely mine.
       “Mr. Goldberg would like to speak