"Willow's Tail" 30 ( narrowing down the suspects)

“I’m glad you’re willing to talk to me,” Jon said as he placed the teacups on the table.

“I wouldn’t say willing; it’s more like compelled,” Perfidia mumbled.

“Fair enough; so, how’ve you been?”

“Since when; since you left me for Gloria or since you left without a goodbye?” She'd said it with sarcasm but she hadn’t wanted to respond at all. Unfortunately, she had no hope of keeping her thoughts to herself, not with her own potion working against her.

Jon’s eyes widened at her accusation..

“Do you mean after you’d made it clear there was nothing between us; why would I think you’d care that I left?”

“Really, that’s your defense?”

“It’s the truth; no defense is needed,” he said with a sharpness slipping into his tone.

“If you say so,” she said with indifference.

“I say so because it’s the truth Perfidia,” he insisted.

“The truth…?”

“Yes!”

“Do me a favor Jon.”

“What?” he asked with suspicion; thinking she was about to tell him to go jump in the lily pond.

“Taste Martha’s tea; let me know what you think of it.”

“Taste the tea?”

“Yes…please,” she managed a softer tone.

Jon eyed her with humor as he picked up the teacup and took a healthy sip.

“Okay, I’ve tasted the tea.”

“What do you think of it?”

 “I’d say the trophy was well awarded to Martha but everyone knows Martha’s a wizard with tea leaves so, why ask my opinion?”

“Hmmm, yes, she’s a wizard with tea but take another sip. Can you taste the delicate flavors?” She asked, appearing to be interested in his answer but she had to be sure he’d ingested enough of the potion before she questioned him.

Jon shrugged and took another sip.

“It’s indescribable; not a flavor I recognize,” he said with a raised brow challenging her, “Do you want me to taste more?” His eyes looked deeply into hers.

Perfidia ignored that intense look and shook her head

“No, I think that’s enough…so what was it you were saying, about your reason for not saying goodbye?"

Jon put down the teacup and chuckled. “Before we discuss that…I think it’s only fair you taste the tea too.”

“What…why?”

“I think we both know why; it would make things balanced between us, truthfully so.”

“How…?”

“I know your potions Perfidia, in fact I know you very well.”

“Then if you knew the tea was enhanced why did you drink it?”

He didn’t give a reason but made his request again.

“Take a sip Perfidia, be fair.”

Perfidia crossed her arms in defiance. It didn’t truly matter if she drank the tea since she’d already tasted the wine! But she didn’t want him to know that, and she certainly didn’t want to let him think he could challenge her.

“No, I don’t feel like it,” she replied with a stubborn look but it was an honest answer.

“That’s quite all right, just finish your wine then.”

Her eyes grew suspicious at his tone.

“You did it, didn’t you?”

“What?”

“You put the tea into the wine?” She accused with a heavy dose of disbelief in her tone.

“Did I?” He asked, offering no denial.

Perfidia sniffed the tea in her cup and it was Martha’s tainted tea then she reached over and picked up his teacup and knew.

“This isn’t Martha’s tea!” She accused.

“Oh…isn’t it?”

“What are you doing Jon? What have you been up too?”

Jon rested his arms on the table and leaned closer. “I’ve leveled the field Perfidia; now you’re the one trapped in your own deception…so tell me the truth; why do you care that I left after you’d made it very clear you had no feelings for me?”

Perfidia bit her lip hard and with Herculean strength swallowed the words that were demanding to be said. Then she stood up and walked away. She had to find Martha; there was a good chance Jon was their mischief maker!

*

Martha had been stopped by too many friends expressing their honest opinions. First, offering kind regards on her return and complimenting her winning tea but after that initial pleasantry, each one gave their candid opinion on how she’d left and her lack of contact since. Martha needed a break from the emphatic good wishes and adamant opinions of these friends and neighbors.

She left the hall and stepped out into the rose filled garden looking for a peaceful spot to de-stress. The garden’s lily pond had a calming effect but she wasn’t the only with that meditative idea. There was only one empty bench available near a grove of rose bushes and she hoped no one would spy it before she could claim it.

“Martha?”

Martha closed her eyes hoping she hadn’t heard her name but the second time she heard it, she had to relent and turn around.

“Oh, it’s you Odessa,” she said with a genuine smile.

“Were you going to sit and wait for the sunset?”

“I was thinking of it.”

“I don’t want to interrupt but I was hoping we could chat.”

“Of course we can.”

“I was curious why you left and didn’t keep in touch.”
Martha sighed; she was drained of answers to that inquiry but Odessa had helped her win that contest and did deserve a response.

“I know everyone blamed Percival but it was me. I was dissatisfied and needed to change things, a complete break to see where I’d end up and I didn’t want to be reminded of home for awhile. Can you understand?”

“Of course, we all have paths we need to tread and you followed yours. So enough of the past…can you stop by my garden before you leave this time? I’ve made a hybrid plant from your tea plant and it has some amazing properties. I think you’ll be impressed and I’d like to give you a cutting.”

“Yes I’ll stop by and…I promise I’ll keep in touch.”

Odessa’s smiled. “Good, now I’ll leave you to the sunset; I haven’t tasted your winning tea so I’m going inside and rectify that now.”

“Odessa, with the best of intentions, you should have the champagne instead but I promise I’ll bring you my tea when I visit.”

Odessa chuckled. “Why do I have a feeling Perfidia has been up to something?”

“Because you’re a very perceptive person,” Martha confirmed with a nod, “And don’t taste the wine either.”

“Okay, champagne it is; thank you for the warning.” She turned to go but curiosity made her stop and ask, “What’s the effect of the tea and wine?”

“Well, if I’d had some, I’d find it difficult not to answer that question truthfully.”

Odessa grinned and shook her head.“Perfidia never ceases to amuse, but you know what? I shouldn’t waste this chance for getting truthful answers. There are some acquaintances here I might like to pose a question or two to.”

“Odessa, you wouldn’t,” Martha said with feigned shock.

“What? Opportunity strikes with reason; don’t you agree?”

“Maybe I do; have fun Odessa.”
”Oh I will,” she giggled then walked away with purpose.

 Martha continued on towards the vacant bench but a waiter stepped into her path with a tray of champagne filled glasses and offered her one.

“Care to toast the sunset?” he asked.

“Why not,” she smiled accepting a glass of the bubbly, knowing it had no ulterior motive other then to tickle her nose.

She’d had a suspicion earlier that Perfidia had tainted her tea with a truth potion but then she'd also detected it in the wine but Perfidia had taken a glass of wine and that was odd. Did Perfidia not know the wine was altered? If Perfidia hadn’t altered it that meant the troublemaker might be here, and still creating havocs. She'd have to alert Perfidia but at the moment her need for solace was the greater need.

She took a sip of champagne, impressed by its superior taste and breathed in the scent of roses around her. The late afternoon light reflected off the lily pond and melded with the tranquility of the garden; she closed her eyes to absorb it.

*

Miriam had stormed away from Percival believing he was still in love with Martha; she couldn’t bear to hear him confirm it so she didn’t wait for him to respond to her question; but she didn’t need to; she already knew his answer.

She maneuvered around several arguing couples as she walked through the room heading to the garden. The room was heated with discordant conversations and they grew louder around her, too loud to allow her to think. She felt claustrophobic and broken and needed that open air. Just before the door that led out to the garden, she grabbed a glass of wine from a passing waiter’s tray and drank it half way down before stepping out into the fragrant air. She sighed with relief taking long purposeful strides as she walked towards the pond but abruptly stopped when she saw the woman causing her discontent sitting on a bench a few yards away.

Miriam felt her anger tip back up and walked with determination to that bench.

 “Hello Martha; it seems I can’t escape you today…or ever,” she mumbled the last with open annoyance.

Martha’s eyes had been closed in meditation but they flew open at the irritated tone.

“Hello Miriam, is something wrong?”

“Your tea is amazing but no surprise there.”

“Thank you, I think.”

 “Why are you always so darn kind Martha and thoughtful and…how can I compete with that?” Miriam groused, unable to stop her thoughts from being spoken and not liking the truthful compliment she’d given Martha. She lifted the wine glass and drank it to empty, hoping to stifle her honesty.

Martha sighed; her contemplative moment lost and now she’d have to try and placate Miriam’s sore loss too.

“I’m sure your tea is amazing Miriam.” Martha offered the consolation but Miriam snickered.

“Sure, I suppose coming in second to yours is an accomplishment.” Her eyes filled with tears and she continued in a whimper, “I thought Percival would get over you in time but he hasn’t; he still loves you!”

“No, you’re mistaken Miriam; Percival loves you.”

Miriam shook her head in defeat and sat down next to Martha on the bench.

“No, he doesn’t but I know it’s not your fault…I’m sorry I…” her words trailed off as she sobbed softly.

“You’ve nothing to be sorry for,” Martha assured her.

Miriam wiped her tears and looked at Martha with troubled eyes. Then she shook her head and choked out, “I have to go.” She stood up and quickly walked away.

Martha watched Miriam’s hurried retreat and thought it was past time she tossed an antidote into that brewed tea and wine but before she could do that, her eyes grew troubled and her heart chilled.

Dillon had stepped into the garden and their eyes collided.

“There you are,” he said with a tentative smile.

“Unfortunately I am,” she said, not bothering to hide her displeasure.

“May I join you?”

“It didn’t go so well the last time we shared a space and I’d hate to cause a rumble in the garden beds with our unleashed antagonism.”

Dillon chuckled. “It’s not antagonism that’s between us Martha.”

“And I’d say it is.”

“Then I’d say you haven’t had any of your tea or tried the wine yet because you aren’t being honest.”

Martha’s eyes darkened.

“What do you know?”

“I know you want to find the one who caused you trouble so I’m guessing this was the easiest way to get the truth, but I should to tell you, not because I have to, it’s already warn off on me.”

“That’s a pity but how can you think I’d spike anything with a potion?”

“I’m only stating the tea and wine have been doctored.”

“And I’m guilty?”

“You’re not denying that you know about it, so I assumed-”

 “You really are something,” she fumed with indignation as she stood up and before he could say another word, she walked away.

Dillon’s brow furrowed with uncertainty. He hadn’t meant to argue with her again; he’d meant to smooth over that earlier conversation but that hadn’t happened. She was the most obstinate, annoying; opinionated...amazing person he’d ever met.

He grabbed a glass of champagne from a passing waiter and sat down on that recently vacated bench to stare with frustration into the waning daylight.

 

Martha stepped into the noisy reception hall and the air was even more disturbed by disharmony then when she’d left it. She had to side step out of the path of a very vocal, angry woman followed by a repentant and confused husband.

“You never did like this dress! You lied when you said I looked lovely!” The woman accused.

“Honey, don’t be upset; even if that dress isn’t flattering, you’re still lovely,” he said with a warm smile and love in his eyes.

The woman slowly turned back to her husband, a small smile forming on her lips but then he concluded his thought, “but honestly, that dress…it does make you look a little fat.”

“Oh… I hate you,” she sputtered and threw her small purse at him then stalked off.

“Honey wait,” he caught the purse and barreled off after his wife, not understanding why he’d felt compelled to tell her the truth; it was stupid!

 

Willow was taking a cat nap under a chair having had her fill of seafood and chicken morsels that she’d made sure had dropped in her vicinity when she heard her human calling. Her ears pricked forward and she opened her sleepy eyes. After a long languid stretch, she slunk out from under the chair and answered the call.

Willow sauntering over to Martha just as Miriam collided into Martha’s back.

“What the…?’ Miriam cried out steadying her wine glass as Martha turned to face her. “Why do I keep running into you and now I’ve literally run into you?”

“I’m wondering that myself,” Martha’s eyes took in the half filled wine glass and the troubled look on Miriam’s face.

Miriam fought hard not to loosen her tattle telling tongue but lost the battle again.

“Maybe it’s because I have to stop trying to fight the fact that Percival will always have feelings for you and I’ll never get you out of his life.”

“That’s ridiculous.” Miriam shook her head.

“It’s not; I’ve loved Percival since the day I met him.”

“I know.”

“So I had to know how he felt; I had to know if he still loved you, even if it caused havoc.”

“What?” Martha questioned sharply, her interest captured by that word.

Willow sat down next to her human turning her ears with curiosity towards the interesting conversation.

Miriam continued ranting. “You do love him Martha; admit it; you can’t fool me. I know how lovable he is!”

“What did you say about havocs?” Martha asked, frustrated by Miriam’s lack of focus and thought about pulling her back out to the garden and making her expound on that tell tale morsel.

“There you are,” Percival exclaimed interrupting their one-sided conversation. He stepped in front of Martha and confronted Miriam, “I’ve been worried about you and I’ve been looking all over for you Miriam.”

Miriam’s eyes filled with more tears. “You were?” She asked but she began to cry harder and ran away.

Percival turned bewildered eyes to Martha. “I don’t know what I’ve done to upset her.”

“I’m not sure you did anything but I have a word of advice.”

Percival nodded. “Please.”

“Don’t drink anymore tea, or wine, and in time this should all sort itself out.” Martha patted him on the arm before walking away intent on finding Miriam and finishing that conversation.

Percival didn’t understand Martha’s advice although, he did decide a cup of coffee might ease the tension headache that had begun to throb.

 

Perfidia saw Martha walking with determination through the room and caught up to her.

“Martha wait,” she called to her.

“What is it?”

“I think Jon might be our problem,” she whispered when she was next to her.

“Why do you think that?”

“He admitted he poured my tea into the wine; he knew what I’d done; so it must be him.

“He admited to all the havocs?”

“No, he admitted he'd poured the tea into the wine; pay attention Martha; Jon is the one.”

Martha wasn’t so sure.

“If all he did was to interfere with your attempt to trap him in truthfulness Perfidia; I’m not sure that makes him responsible for our other havocs. But I do have a suspect. I think it might be Miriam.”

“Miriam? That doesn’t seem possible. Are you sure?”

“Not yet; I need more information. She’d alluded to something about havocs but then ran off so I don’t know what she was referring to.”

“Okay, you find Miriam and I’ll go back and question Jon but first, I need Willow to erase the effects of that wine on me.”

“Then I’d ask nicely if I were you,” Martha warned her.

A loud confrontation drew their attention and they saw two contest judges nearly at blows in the middle of the room; one was accusing the other of cheating at their weekly poker game.

“Ask Willow to rid everyone of those effects, before someone is hurt,” Martha whispered to Perfidia before walking away.

Perfidia nodded. She would ask Willow to do that but she’d leave a few names off of that antidote list, all the ones they still needed to question.