Skeptic in Salem: An Episode of Death

by Fiona Grace

  “Um, surprise,” Mia said and inclined her head in the direction of the kitchen. Sylvie’s eyebrow went up in surprise, but she recovered on the fly and went into diplomacy mode.

  “You must be—don’t tell me,” Sylvie said and extended her hand. “Brynn? I recognize you from your phone avatar. Mr. And Mrs. Middleton? Can I call you Daniel and Madison? Love the car coat, Maddy. And this must be Reynolds?” They all nodded, happy to be recognized.

  Mia was amazed at the way Sylvie handled her family. She felt so grateful that she had such a wonderful best friend.

  “You’re Sylvie Payne?” Daniel said. “Mia’s next-door neighbor?”

  “And sidekick.” She grinned and shook their hands. “I know a great little French cafe. Shall we?”

  Mia shook her head, trying to dissuade Sylvie from taking her family to Café Noir. After Mia’s first date with Hugh, she was trying to figure out his interest level and her own feelings. She wasn’t sure she wanted to subject him to the entire Middleton clan! Not just yet, anyway. Sylvie saw the look on Mia’s face and signaled back that everything would be fine.

  Mia decided to trust her and pulled on a jacket. They all walked down the narrow steps and out front where Tom Hatter was sweeping. He was wearing a checkered shirt and a shop apron emblazoned with Hatter’s Emporium across the front. His gray hair was tucked under a newsboy’s cap.

  “I see your people found you, Mia,” Tom said and jangled his keys. “If you folks need any more maps or historic information, stop by the shop.”

  “I might take you up on that, Mr. Hatter,” Daniel said. “Thank you for your time and the guidebook.”

  “My pleasure,” Tom said.

  “Er, thanks,” Mia said. So that was how they got upstairs!

  As they started down the street, Daniel turned to Mia and added, “Lovely man, knows his history.”

  The Essex Street mall was busy with tourists and street performers. The Middleton party passed a Wicked Witch of the East and a group of costumed time travelers congregating on the corner.

  Mia tossed some coins in the hat as her stepfather sniffed in disdain.

  “You shouldn’t encourage the riffraff, Mia,” Daniel said.

  “You know how Daddy feels about street performers,” Brynn said, rolling her eyes.

  “Well, I think the town center is quite charming,” Reynolds said, casting a sympathetic glance at Mia. If anyone knew what a handful Daniel Middleton could be, it was his long-suffering assistant.

  “I certainly don’t think a town with this kind of history should cheapen itself with such vulgar displays,” Daniel said in a huff.

  “It’s all in good fun, Dad,” Brynn said. “Anyway, you know Mimi loves this kind of stuff, don’t you? All the witches and ghouls and ghosts?”

  Mia was about to open her mouth and explain that her real interest lay in exploring the truth behind paranormal phenomena. After all she had equipment that measured electromagnetic activity, EVP recorders, night vision cameras, and other technical gizmos to measure haunted places. She was about to explain all this, but Sylvie grabbed her arm.

  “It’s not worth it,” she whispered in a low voice. “Just humor them.”

  “So, how’s your hotel?” Mia said, trying to distract them.

  Across the street was Charnel Tours, which would drum up some bad memories. The company had briefly shut down after the owner turned out to be a murderer, but had reopened with a new owner, former employee Albee Abernathy.

  The local reporter Suzy Sharpe had badgered Mia’s family with phone calls and updates on the case. The last thing she needed was to open up that particular can of worms.

  Albee Abernathy stood outside the storefront dressed in a Victorian waistcoat and tall hat. He spotted Mia and Sylvie and waved.

  “Who’s that?” Daniel said.

  “The local warlock,” Sylvie said. “Er, I mean tour guide.”

  “I see,” Daniel said. “ Does everyone know you around here from your show?”

  “Not really,” Mia said. “Up until a month ago, Bell, Book, and Candle was just podcast.”

  “And now?” Daniel said.

  Mia’s stomach twisted into a knot. She had avoided telling her mom and stepdad about the cable show. Daniel had made his feelings very clear about the acting profession, and while being a co-host of a televised program might not be considered acting, technically, it was still a no-no in her stepfather’s book.

  “A cable network is interested in us,” Mia said.

  “A television performer?” Daniel said, but before he could get too concerned, Madison interrupted him.

  “Oh, Daniel!” Madison said. “Look at the soaps. They have flower petals inside.” Madison had stopped at a street vendor’s table. Daniel stepped up to gallantly pay for his wife’s packet of soaps. The vendor was a stout man, with tattoos and bowler cap on his head.

  “Do you know my daughter here?” Daniel said, inclining his head toward Mia. For the second time in a day, Mia’s cheeks blazed bright red. Were they going to embarrass her the whole time they were here? she wondered.

  The storekeeper looked Mia up and down, his lip protruded.

  “I can’t say that I do.” He swiped Daniel’s credit card. “Should I?”

  “Well, according to her she’s the star of a cable show,” Daniel said.

  “Bell, Book, and Candle,” Mia said, trying not to die of embarrassment.

  “You mean the show with Johnny Astor?” the man said.

  Of course, Mia thought. Everyone knew Johnny Astor, while she was chopped liver, apparently.

  “That’s the one,” Sylvie said, trying to help. “There it is, our very own French café.”

  Mia shuddered at the thought of her family meeting Hugh Wolfe, the guy she was kind of, almost dating. She guessed that now would be a test of her budding new relationship. She closed her eyes and steeled herself as the group walked into Café Noir.

  CHAPTER THREE

  The café was busy that day with frantic servers bustling about. Mia was nervous as she searched for Hugh Wolfe. Then she saw him hard at work behind the back counter, supervising his employees.

  Hugh Wolf was a handsome man. Tall and athletic, he had dark hair, pushed back behind one ear with a few locks falling over his deep brown eyes. He was tan, outdoorsy, with a strong jaw, toned body, and rugged features that were unequivocally handsome. He looked up and caught Mia’s eye, noticing the crowd around her. She smiled as he tilted his head curiously, not sure why she had shown up with this group of people. Mia smiled back meekly and waved.

  He took off his apron and hung it up before making his way across the crowded restaurant. In the meantime, Daniel and Madison looked around Café Noir with happy expressions on their faces. The beveled windows, original tile, elegant dining tables, and interior touches, dating back to the early twentieth century, all had captured their attention. This was what they had expected to encounter in Salem; charm, elegance, and history.

  “This is more like it,” Daniel said, looking around the café appreciatively.

  “Very nice,” Madison said.

  Brynn smiled at Mia knowingly. They had both grown up in the same household and knew exactly what Daniel and Madison were like. They were good people but when it came to appearances, they were snobs.

  At that moment Hugh arrived and gave Mia a warm hug, practically lifting her off her feet. Mia blushed from head to foot and glanced at her mom and stepdad, but they were busy pointing at the carved acoustic ceiling panels. The last thing she needed was for Daniel and Madison to pry into her personal relationships. Brynn, on the other hand, clocked the embrace and raised a curious eyebrow.

  “Who are all these people?” Hugh whispered in Mia’s ear. He let her down gently.

  “Boy, are you in for it,” she whispered back. Then she introduced her family. “Hugh, I want you to meet my parents, Daniel and Madison Middleton, my sister, Brynn, and our friend Reynolds, who works with Dad,” she said. “This is
the owner of Café Noir, Hugh Wolfe.”

  “A pleasure,” Daniel said. There was a flurry of handshakes as Hugh met the Middletons.

  “Well, well,” Hugh said. “We are going to have to get you a table.” He motioned to a couple of the busboys and they sprang into action, moving a few smaller tables until they formed one large table able to accommodate Mia, Sylvie, and Mia’s unexpected guests. In a flash, the busboys set the table, stacking plates on chargers, then two forks, two teaspoons, a dessert fork and spoon above the setting, cups and saucers, bread plates, water and wine glasses, and to top it all off, napkins fanned like seashells.

  Daniel puffed up with delight as he watched the careful construction of their dining experience.

  “Voilà,” Hugh said and led them to the table.

  “Est-ce que tu parles français?” Madison said to Hugh as he held out her chair.

  “Pourquoi bien sûr, madame,” Hugh said and winked at Mia. “Now if you’ll all excuse me I need to supervise the preparation of your le petit-déjeuner.”

  Hugh nodded gallantly and disappeared behind the counter, putting his apron back on before he disappeared into the kitchen.

  “What exactly did he say, Mrs. M?” Sylvie said.

  “Only that he spoke French and he was going to prepare us breakfast,” Madison said and sighed. “He has an impeccable accent, by the way.” Madison nodded toward Daniel with approval.

  Sylvie looked at Mia and raised her eyebrows. She was certainly getting the full Middleton treatment. The next step in her assimilation would be one of their cosplay dinners, where they all had to wear historical outfits.

  After a rocky morning, Hugh had managed to shift the energy with her family in just minutes. Mia was so relieved she started to relax a little bit. Hugh’s niece Becca arrived with menus and passed them along the table before reciting the specials of the day. They all ordered and settled down to wait for their meals to arrive.

  “Top-notch,” Daniel said, flicking open his napkin and placing the cloth across his lap.

  “Wait until you taste the food,” Mia said and smiled. She could tell her stepfather was feeling happy from the way he surveyed his surroundings like a lord in his castle. Her mother took a deep breath of the fragrant aromas coming from the kitchen.

  “Well, I must say that smells lovely,” she said.

  “Where are you all staying?” Mia asked.

  “Reynolds has a friend in town who he’s staying with so they can catch up. The rest of us are at a lovely little place called the Salem Inn. Right down the street from you, dear,” Madison said.

  “Built by Nathaniel West,” Daniel said.

  Mia knew the Salem Inn well. Each room had its own character and if you believed the local gossip, one of them had a ghost. “What rooms are you in?”

  “Well, let’s see, we’re staying in the Derby room,” Daniel said. “And your sister is staying in one of the smaller rooms.”

  “Which small room?” Mia said.

  “Seventeen,” Brynn said.

  “Didn’t they tell you it was haunted?” Sylvie said. “You might want to switch rooms. Katherine the ghost is kinda famous around town. You might be okay though, they say she hates men.”

  “They did tell me, but I didn’t take it seriously,” Brynn said. “Besides, they’re all booked up. I couldn’t move if I wanted to.”

  “Enough of this haunted nonsense,” Daniel said and took his itinerary out of his pocket. He unfolded the paper and spread it onto the table.

  “I have a full day planned,” Daniel said. “We can start with the Ropes Mansion. After that, there are a number of historical residences I would like to see. Mia? Are you available to take us?”

  “Well, the Ropes Mansion is within walking distance.” Mia picked up the list and looked it over. Daniel had gone crazy; these houses were scattered all over town. “Wow, this is a lot.”

  “There’s a lot of history to get through,” Daniel said proudly. “But it’s not just all fun and games. This is a working holiday, right, Reynolds?”

  “Yes sir, Mr. Middleton.” Reynolds grinned before exchanging a knowing look with Mia. Everyone who knew Daniel understood that he never stopped working. He was absolutely passionate about antiques. When Mia was a kid, family vacations were spent in auction halls and combing through country estate sales hunting for unique items. By the time Mia was in high school, Reynolds was working for Daniel. They both knew that once Daniel got going, he would barely have time for Mia. And since Bell, Book, and Candle was about to film, she hoped that fact would keep the entire family busy for the next few days at least.

  “Why don’t you start with the Ropes Mansion, the Jonathan Corwin house, and the Phillips house? Those are all in the Chestnut Street District,” Mia said. It was all coming back to her. Daniel was so Type A, he did not have a spontaneous bone in his body. When it came to research, he would comb every inch of this city. After going through the historical residences, he would start looking for antiques. Then he and Reynolds would spend all their time cataloguing every possible antique they could find. Not just the ones that they planned to buy that day, but possible follow-up purchases too. Mia was exhausted just thinking about all the anxiety that would go into their walk-throughs of these seventeenth- and eighteenth-century homes and antique shops.

  “That sounds like a good plan,” Brynn said, her attention drifting off. That was Brynn’s way of coping with her father. She tended to play dumb or just disconnect and follow her own whims.

  The food arrived at the table in a flurry. Becca Wolfe carried a tray and had enlisted another server behind her to carry a second.

  Brynn had ordered thick slices of French toast with wedges of creamy butter melting over the stack, sprinkled with powdered sugar. Balancing at the edge of the plate was her own small bottle of pure, golden maple syrup. Madison chose Pâté de Campagne with homemade French bread and Daniel had bucked the breakfast trend and ordered a Salade Niçoise with olives, green beans, hard boiled eggs, and anchovies. Reynolds had opted for crepes garnished with fresh lemon slices, powdered sugar, chocolate, and whipped cream. Mia and Sylvie stuck to less exotic French omelets. The pièce de résistance was when Hugh Wolfe arrived with complimentary cappuccinos, decorated with fleur-de-lis in the crema.

  Daniel and Madison were beside themselves. The authentic cuisine and stylish presentation had won them over. Mia watched her mom’s and stepdad’s pleased expressions in awe. Hugh had managed to impress her parents so effortlessly. She shouldn’t be surprised, really. She was just as taken by Hugh’s European manners and easygoing confidence, not to mention his food.

  “Mr. Middleton, when you’re done with breakfast, would you like to see my collection of Salem photographs?” Hugh said.

  Daniel looked at Hugh, then at the delicious meal in front of him, and history won out.

  “Could we take a peek now?” Daniel said.

  “Sure,” Hugh said.

  Mia hoped he wasn’t insulted that her stepfather would postpone his meal to look at photos. But Hugh didn’t seem to mind.

  “Start without me. We’ll just be a minute,” Daniel said and was whisked away by Hugh to look at his excellent collection of street pictures of Salem’s town center.

  The moment Daniel and Hugh were out of earshot all eyes turned to Mia.

  “Is that the man you’re dating?” Brynn said.

  “We’ve only been on one date,” Mia said. “But yes, we plan to go on another.”

  “Impressive, isn’t he?” Sylvie said.

  “He certainly is,” Reynolds said and smiled at Mia. Although Daniel had spent years of his life trying to get Mia and Reynolds together, they had an understanding. For one thing, Reynolds was gay, even though Daniel didn’t seem to notice that obvious fact.

  They all dug into their meals and Mia was pleased to hear oohs and aahs around the table as they each savored their selection.

  Moments later Hugh brought Daniel back. Mia could see that her stepfather
was thrilled by his little tour of the city of Salem. Seconds behind them Becca Wolfe arrived with a complimentary plate of croissants with chocolate swirls. Mia looked at Hugh, amazed. He was really pulling out all the stops. But if it kept her family happy, she was elated.

  Suddenly her phone rang. Mia looked down to see that one of her producers was calling, Ollie Cooper.

  “I have to take this,” Mia said and stepped away from the table.

  Usually, Daniel would’ve found that a profound infraction of etiquette, but he had just done the same thing. Besides, he was too busy with Hugh to notice Mia stepping out to the front patio.

  “Mia Bold,” she said.

  “Mia? Oh good, I’m glad I caught you,” Ollie Cooper said. “Listen, we have a new location that’s just come up. But it’s time sensitive, and we need to get over there today.”

  “Today?” Mia said, surprised. “But—”

  “Let me put you on with Graham,” Ollie said.

  There was a shuffling as the phone switched hands, and then a blustery voice blasted into her ear. Graham Stone always spoke as if he were announcing something.

  “Hey, Mia, Graham here. We got a line on a haunted house in Swampscott, you know where that is?”

  “Isn’t that the town just southeast of Salem?”

  “That’s it, only a few miles away. Thirty-minute drive tops. I’ll text you the address. The crew’s going to meet there at noon. Got it?”

  Ordinarily, Mia would be annoyed to drop everything and rush off to see a location she’d never heard of before, especially after sending them top-notch, vetted locations that were perfectly suitable for their needs. But today the Middleton family was in town and she was the opposite of mad. She was thrilled. This was just the excuse she needed to ditch her high-maintenance family for a few hours.

  “No problem,” Mia said. “ See you there at noon.”

  She tucked the phone back in her jacket pocket. As she turned to go back inside she found Hugh Wolfe standing with a white towel draped over one shoulder and a sheepish grin on his face. Mia walked up to him smiling.