Deadly Details (A Witch in the Woods 18.5)(Paranormal Women's Midlife Fiction)

Contents Title Page Copyright Contents Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 About the Author Title Page Copyright Contents Beginning About the Author DEADLY DETAILS A WITCH IN THE WOODS JENNA ST. JAMES Deadly Details Jenna St. James Copyright © 2023 by Jenna St. James. Published by Jenna St. James All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written permission of the author. This is a work of fiction. Names and characters are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental. Created with Vellum CONTENTS Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 About the Author 1 “I always thought this was a pretty cool place to put an office,” I said to my flying and talking porcupine partner, Needles, as I stepped up onto the houseboat. “Definitely unique, even for Enchanted Island.” Needles dropped onto my shoulder, his wings glowing purple and green. “Perfect for a mermaid.” Needles had been in my life since I was a baby in the crib—a gift from my dad, Black Forest King. And even though Needles was only five inches tall, it didn’t hold him back from being one of the bravest and fiercest warriors I’d ever known. He’d stayed by my side until I left the island at eighteen to join the Paranormal Police Academy. After that, Needles had gone back to Dad and lived in Black Forest. For the next twenty-two years, I’d worked in supernatural law enforcement—mostly with PADA, the Paranormal Apprehension and Detention Agency. It was there I rose to be one of the highest-ranking agents they had. But on my fortieth birthday, I decided I wanted more. Or less, really. I wanted to slow down and enjoy life. So I quit PADA nearly two years ago and returned to Enchanted Island as the game warden—a job I absolutely loved. A job which also introduced me to my gargoyle fiancé, Alex Stone, and his amazing daughter, Zoie. Alex had just been hired on as the island’s sheriff when I accepted the game warden position. I was about to knock on the houseboat’s door when the sound of tires crunching over crushed shells and rocks caught my attention. Turning, I waved to Ariana Hexton as she pulled to a stop next to my old Bronco and hopped out. “This is a surprise,” I said. “I don’t usually see you the one time I stop in during the month.” “I know,” Ariana said as she hurried down the dock and over to Needles and me, her dark hair billowing out behind her. “It’s something new.” Ariana Hexton was Dr. Waterson’s personal secretary, and had been since the psychologist arrived on the island nearly three years ago. I knew this because my grandma, GiGi, was a nosy witch who kept up with everyone. If I needed the latest gossip, all I had to do was ask GiGi. I stepped back so Ariana could unlock the door. “Well, I’m just here to take water samples around the houseboat and ask Dr. Waterson if she has any concerns. I do it once a month.” Ariana nodded. “Dr. Waterson mentioned it to me. Coming in on Tuesdays is relatively new. Since Mom has passed, I now come in more days.” She bent down to unlock the door. “When Mom was alive, it was impossible for me to work every day. Mom needed me home as much as possible—what with her agoraphobia and all.” “I was sorry to hear about your mother’s passing,” I said. “She was—” I stopped talking when I realized the front door had pushed open before Ariana could insert her key all the way. “Is that normal?” I asked, instantly on guard. Ariana’s brown eyes were wide as she looked up at me and shook her head. “No. Usually, if Dr. Waterson beats me to the office, she’ll lock the front door, so no one enters.” She bit her lip. “Shayla, she didn’t have anything on the books until this afternoon.” Needles sprang from my shoulder, his wings glowing red. “I’ll go in first, Princess.” Nodding, I motioned for Ariana to step back and be quiet. “Needles is going to take a look for us.” “Be back in a second,” Needles said as he rocketed through the front door. Until this last year, I had been the only supernatural, outside of my dad, who could hear Needles speak. But after a car explosion had nearly taken out Needles and all my closest family and friends, something magical had happened and those at the scene of the accident could now hear Needles talk. Something that drove my fiancé crazy. It didn’t take long for Needles to zip back outside, his wings throwing off so many colors, I nearly went blind. “We got a problem, Princess. Looks like the mermaid doctor has gone belly up. She won’t be examining heads anymore.” “Seriously?” I went to step inside the houseboat, but Ariana caught my arm. “Seriously, what?” she asked. “What’s going on? What did Needles say?” I heard the alarm in her voice and sighed. “I’m sorry, Ariana, but it looks like Dr. Waterson may be dead.” “Dead!” Ariana squeaked. “That can’t be! I mean, I just spoke with her last night before leaving!” “I need you stay calm,” I said. “I’ll go inside and assess the situation. You stay out here, okay?” Eyes wide, Ariana let out another squeak and bobbed her head up and down. “Yeah. I’ll stay here.” She grabbed hold of me again. “Be careful, Shayla.” “I will. I have Needles for backup.” As I stepped through the front door, magic