Death's Shroud

by Robbie Cox

  “He’s mine, I guess,” Laci said, giving Nazareth a stern look, which the older man ignored. She turned back to Tricia. “I’m sorry for my…partner’s…behavior, but we do need your help.”

  Tricia shook her head, sighing. “What cold case?”

  Mark handed her the file he carried. “Her name is Regina Hawthorn. She died twelve years ago. They ruled it death by natural causes, but I have reason to believe someone murdered her. My guess is poison or suffocation.”

  “Twelve years?” Tricia took the file, opening it and browsing the first few pages. “Did the family ask you to look back into this? I mean, natural causes doesn’t shout cold case as much as it shouts closed case. So, what’s the deal?”

  Mark shrugged, sliding his hands out of his pockets and crossing his arms over his chest. “Some additional information came up, and I promised to look into it.”

  Tricia cocked an eyebrow at him. “Should I ask who you promised?”

  Mark gave her a lopsided grin. “It’s kind of hard to explain.”

  She nodded as she closed the file, crossing her arms back over her chest. “Fine. For now.” She turned, tossing the file on her desk. As she faced Mark again, she said, “Since you’re here, though, would you like some info on Emma Croft?”

  Mark cocked his head to the side. “You figured out what killed her?”

  Tricia pointed to one of the tables as she crossed the floor. “No, but I know how she died. Or rather, I know what caused her death, not necessarily what killed her.” She shook her head. “I’m not sure how this happened, yet. There were no drugs in her system, no signs of an attack. Nothing.” She stood beside Emma’s corpse, the woman covered to her neck with a plain white sheet, eyes closed, arms at her side. “However, she showed signs of blunt force trauma, but it was from the inside, not the outside. I haven’t figured out how it happened, but it’s almost like she fell, but everything seems to have exploded from the inside out, like the trauma happened inside of her body as opposed to the outside.” She shook her head. “There wasn’t a mark on the outside of her skull.” She held her hands in front of her, clasping her hands together. She then shoved her fingers outward as if simulating an explosion. “Everything happened inside, busting outward.” She crossed her arms over her chest, shaking her head. “But I have no idea what caused it.”

  “The mind is a powerful thing,” Nazareth said as he lifted his flask to his lips and took a swig. When he finished, he shrugged. “All it needs is to be convinced of something bad enough to make it a reality.” He glanced over at the corpse of Emma Croft. “Whatever she dreamed about right before this happened was real enough to her at that precise moment to cause this to happen.”

  Tricia cocked an eyebrow at him. “You think a nightmare made her head explode? That’s how she died?” She shook her head. “I’m not buying it.” She turned back to Mark. “By the way, you wouldn’t know what happened in my autopsy room a couple of nights ago, would you? I had the other two bodies on the tables, but someone messed with them. Bryan thought he saw your car leaving when he returned from dinner.”

  Mark shrugged. “What reason would I have for messing with your bodies?”

  Tricia glanced back over at Nazareth, studying the older man through narrowed slits. “What reason do you have for looking into a twelve-year-old natural death?” She turned back to Mark, and by the look on her face, he could tell she was suspicious that something was going on; she just couldn’t quite figure out what it was. He hoped she never would. He didn’t need to bring anyone else into his demented world. “I’ll look into the old reports. That case was before I came on board here. I’ll let you know what I find.”

  Mark smiled, nodding. However, he doubted she would let the matter go. Instead, knowing Tricia the way he did, she would wait until there were no witnesses to her interrogating him further. “Thanks. I really appreciate it.” He motioned for the others to follow him out, regretting bringing them along in the first place. Once they were outside, he asked, “Do you really think a nightmare caused that woman’s head to explode?”

  Nazareth opened his car door, choosing the backseat. “Why is that so far-fetched? Did not the one guy die of fright and the elderly lady have her body crushed while she slept?” He paused before sliding into the car, one hand on the roof as he glanced over at the detective. “Tharon has the ability to make these people’s dream so real they feel whatever he is having them live. Josephine was literally crushed by the objects of her fantasies. Roger Sanders died because golems killed him.” He pointed back to the morgue. “I’m sure whatever that Emma Croft dreamed had something that killed her in it, and thus, killed her in real life, just as she was killed in her dream. Since it all happened in her head, it stands to reason that the reality of her death started there and burst outward.” He shrugged. “We are not dealing with a natural death, after all, but a demon killing people. Natural rules don’t apply.”

  Mark sighed as he jerked his car door open. Why can’t I just investigate a normal killing? I miss normal killings.

  Twenty-Five

  Tansy left Wanda in charge of The Murky Cauldron, while she drove Jayden and Regina to Regina’s son’s house. Before they left the store, Sherri had slipped back into her mind, allowing Regina to move to the forefront once more. Tansy still wasn’t sure how she felt about the two presences in one body, working in harmony with each other, trading places as necessary. They needed to get this over with, so Sherri could be alone in her own skin.

  “Why did you wait so long to possess someone?” Jayden asked from the backseat. “I mean, in twelve years, you didn’t think to do this already? Why now?”

  Regina stared out the passenger window at the scenery they passed. Tansy glanced over at the other woman, Regina sliding a finger back and forth on the glass. She thought the other woman would choose not to answer, but after a few seconds of silence, Regina said, “I had tried before, but they never lasted long. So, I spent my time tormenting my sister and Cale as best as I could, watching my children from a distance, plotting what I would do if I could ever make my soul possess a body long enough to make Cale pay for what he did.” She turned around so she could face the others better, her arm along the back of the car seat. “At first, I started out with healthy bodies, but they were too healthy, and the host could easily kick me back out. I then moved to those close to death, but most of the time, when I reached them, they died within seconds.” She waved her hand down her torso, indicating Sherri’s body. “When I found Sherri, she was stoned, but not close to death. Or rather, not that close. I was able to bring her back from the brink, but I knew in order to lock myself to her I needed help. About a week ago, I was raging through downtown when I came across Tansy coming out of the store. You used magic to close the door. It was then that I realized what I needed to make my possession last.” She turned, settling back in her seat as she looked to the side window again. “I didn’t realize I was picking the body of someone so…nice. My mistake was talking to her.”

  Tansy glanced over at the blonde. “I think that was your salvation. Revenge is not justice, and if you stole Sherri’s body, you would be no better than your husband. You’d be killing an innocent woman.”

  Regina slid her arms over her chest, choosing to say nothing.

  Tansy didn’t push it, returning her attention back to the road. While she agreed to help Regina get her goodbyes in with her family, Tansy knew she would need to perform an exorcism at some point or let Nazareth and Laci use their powers. It was sad, really. Regina seemed like such a nice person who had suffered a horrible fate she hadn’t deserved. It wasn’t fair, but then, life wasn’t fair.

  Glancing in the rearview mirror, Tansy asked Jayden, “What is your take on this Nazareth fellow? Do you trust him?”

  Jayden shrugged. “As much as I can with what I know of him. Laci’s talked to him more than I have. Outside of what you’ve seen of him, I’ve only met him one other time, and his dogs are still camped out in our backyard.
”

  Tansy felt her brows cock. “Dogs? He left dogs at your house?”

  Jayden rolled her eyes. “He says they’re not his, that they belong to Hekate, but this…goddess…has yet to make an appearance.” Jayden gave a soft laugh. “Now my mom is trying to feed two hellhounds. Who the hell knows what a hellhound eats?”

  ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

  Sherri listened to the others rattle on about the necromancer, not really paying attention. She had other things on her mind at the moment, like what would happen once Regina said her farewells to her children. “You know they’ll have that necromancer send you away once this is done, right?” she asked. She pictured herself sitting cross-legged in a small room. She found she could imagine things around her, make her existence inside her own mind a little more…normal.

  Regina appeared in front of her, leaning back against the wall, her arms over her chest. “Isn’t that what you wanted? It’s not like you volunteered for this, after all.” She shrugged. “I knew it would happen the moment that detective recognized you. It was a chance going to the witches, but one I had to take if I was to accomplish what I wanted.”

  Sherri nodded. “But you’re not going to accomplish what you wanted. At least, not all of it. Are you going to be all right with that?”

  Regina glanced off to the side. “It’s not like there’s much choice.” She glanced back at Sherri, and Sherri could see the sadness in the woman’s eyes. “I shouldn’t have stolen your body. I’m sorry. In my dybbuk form, all I could feel was the rage that went with Cale’s betrayal. It drove me, blindly. All I wanted was to get my revenge. I wasn’t thinking of anything else.” She shook her head. “I’m sorry.”

  Sherri shifted where she sat, wrapping her arms around her legs. It felt weird being in her head and seeing what she was doing, having a conversation with Regina, who was also in her head, as if they stood outside in a room somewhere. It felt weird, but also somehow…normal for her. “You actually saved me, you know?” She glanced up at Regina. “I mean, let’s face it; I was on the way to the morgue myself. I was pumping drugs into my body just to stop feeling how hard life was at the time, willing to trade sex for more drugs or the money to buy more drugs. I wasn’t worried about anything except my next fix. You came in, met the witches, and helped me get clean. As I see it, I owe you my life.”

  “I’d love to take credit for all of that, but the truth is, I did it for purely selfish reasons,” Regina said. “I didn’t do it to save you, but to steal you. I needed you clean to save me, to help me get my revenge.”

  “And now?” Sherri stared over at the other woman, her brows pinched. “How do you feel now?”

  Regina dropped her gaze to her feet, her lips pressed into a thin line. “Now?” She took a deep breath, her shoulders rising and falling with the action. “Now, I’m ready to move on. I won’t get to see the justice I craved, but I’ll at least get to say goodbye to my children. That’s more than I can ask, I suppose. You didn’t deserve this. I’m sorry.”

  Sherri cocked her head to the side. “What if it didn’t have to be that way?”

  Regina turned her gaze back to Sherri. “You have another body for me to jump into? Wouldn’t that be just as bad as when I intended on stealing yours?

  “What if we could share this one?” She couldn’t believe she even suggested it, but it seemed the right thing to do at the moment. “Look, I was wasting my life, and we both know it. You helped me see what truly matters. Now, let me help you. Don’t you want to see your grandkids grow up? I can help you do that.” She cocked her head to the side. “At least, I think I can. We would need Tansy and the coven to help us find out if what I’m suggesting is even possible, but I’m willing to try it.”

  Regina sighed. “I appreciate it, but I don’t think that necromancer will allow it. He seems determined to send me away.”

  “It’s not his body; it’s mine. He has no control over what I willingly do with my body.”

  “How would that even work, though?” Regina asked. “You’d be happy stuck in your mind while I use your body? What if you found someone you wanted to make a life with? What do we do then?”

  Sherri gestured around the plain room she created in her mind. “If I could do this, then I could probably do more, maybe even make some type of normal-looking room to hang out in, while you live out part of your life. I think it’s just a matter of combining our imaginations with the magic we’re learning. The question is, could you do it? Be satisfied with just existing out in the real world part time?”

  “As opposed to not existing at all?” Regina asked with a short laugh. “I think I would take what I could get, but would it be fair to you?”

  “I’m sure it would be weird at first, but I think we could manage it,” Sherri said, nodding. “I’m at least willing to try it, if you are.”

  “We’re here,” Tansy’s voice cut into their conversation.

  Sherri watched as Regina’s image faded, returning to the forefront of her mind. Sherri knew what she offered the other woman was unorthodox and agreed that the necromancer would have a fit more than likely, but it seemed like the right thing to do. It would be awkward at times, but no less so than her life had been before Regina stole her body. Furthermore, she wouldn’t be alone. She grew tired of being alone, nothing in her life but the next fix, the next john. She had used the men who invited her into their cars as a way to have some semblance of companionship, some physical contact with people who pretended to like her for just a little while. Now, thanks to Regina, Sherri had contact with genuine people who wanted nothing from her, and who would open themselves up to her without conditions attached to it. That contact was worth sharing her body with Regina. Sherri would never be alone again.

  ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

  Tharon arched an eyebrow at the blonde sitting on the floor of her mind. Oh dear woman, you had your shot at life and squandered it. There will be no redeeming yourself now. Not while I’m here to ensure you pay for such a waste.

  Tharon slipped deeper into the shadows of Sherri’s mind. It was time to do what the necromancer refused to do.

  ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

  Regina glanced out the passenger window at her son’s quaint home, a cinderblock structure painted a soft beige with elephant ear plants lining the front and a gigantic picture window giving her a glimpse inside. She clasped her hands together in an attempt to hide her trembling. Would her son accept what she had to say? “How do we convince him that what we’re about to tell him is the truth? It’s not like he’ll recognize me.”

  She felt Tansy’s hand on her arm, giving her a reassuring squeeze. “He’ll believe,” she assured Regina. “You know things about him that only a mother would know. You’ll convince him. I’m sure of it.”

  Regina nodded as she reached for the door handle. She hoped Tansy was right.

  The afternoon was warm as Regina led the trio to the front door. She had watched her son from a distance, but never really interacted with him. This would be the first time to see him and talk to him, rather than being a spectator in the distance. Her hands shook again. Seeing it, Tansy reached out, taking a hold of her hand and giving her a reassuring squeeze again. Then Tansy reached out and knocked on the door.

  Cynthia Hawthorn opened the door, a smile decorating her face. “Yes? Can I help you with something?”

  Regina opened her mouth to say something, but no words came out. She turned to Tansy, tears already pooling at the corner of her eyes.

  Tansy smiled at her and then took over. “I’m sorry to bother you, but we were hoping to talk to Reggie. Is he here by chance?”

  Cynthia stared at them a moment, her smile slipping to a puzzled expression. She then nodded and turned back to glance inside the house. “Reggie! Someone’s here for you.” Turning back to the ladies on her front porch, she asked, “Can I ask what this is about?”

  “We’re friends of his mother’s,” Tansy answered. “We need to talk to him about something important. I promise, we mean no trouble.” />
  Regina glanced at the leader of the coven at the word “Friends,” another tear threatening to fall.

  Reggie appeared from behind his wife, a curious furrow to his brow. “You knew my mother?” he asked as he opened the door wider and stepped around Cynthia. “You do know she’s been dead for twelve years, right?”

  Tansy nodded. “We’d actually like to talk to you about that. I know this is going to sound weird, but I promise what we’re about to tell you is the truth, and we need your help.”

  Cynthia shook her head. “I don’t know, Reggie. This sounds a little too…”

  “You know something about how my mother died?” Reggie asked, cutting his wife off. “I was told she had a heart attack.”

  “I’m sorry, but who are you again?” Cynthia asked, one hand on her husband’s shoulder. “Why wait twelve years to say something, if you knew she didn’t die of a heart attack.”

  Regina gave a soft laugh. “Because I didn’t have a voice until just recently.” She took a deep breath, squeezing Tansy’s hand once for support before letting the witch go to stand on her own. “I’ve always been around, though.” She smiled at her son, a tear finally slipping down her cheek. “I watched you grow up. I was even at your wedding.” She glanced over at Cynthia, a soft smile turning up her lips. “You made a beautiful bride, the baby’s breath in your hair.” She turned back to Reggie. “I saw your son born, Reggie Junior. I’m glad you named him after you.”

  “Who the hell are you? What do you know about my son?” Cynthia tried to shove her way past Reggie, but he kept his arm out, holding her back.

  “You’ve been stalking us?” he asked, his eyes narrow slits as he studied Regina.

  Regina shrugged. “I suppose you could phrase it that way, but it wasn’t because I wanted to hurt you or your family. I just had to watch my son grow up.”

  “Your son?” Cynthia said, her voice climbing higher. “Lady, you’re crazy.”