Skeptic in Salem: An Episode of Death

by Fiona Grace

  “Well, let’s see, time of death is approximately eleven p.m. last night and Ms. Bold has no alibi. It took place at the old Browder house. She knows all about the Browder case. The current victim, Cindy Moore, died in the exact same manner,” Waite said.

  “Do you mind if I look at what you’ve got so far?”

  “Be my guest,” Waite said, sliding a file across the table.

  Landry picked it up and leafed through the police report and Mia’s statement. He seemed to turn the facts over in his mind.

  Mia started to wonder about the relationship between the two cops. They seemed a little prickly, as if they were rivals.

  Finally, Landry closed the file and stood up.

  “Come on, Mia, I’ll take you back to Salem.”

  “Hold on there,” Detective Waite said. “I’m not done questioning her.”

  “Come on, Charlie, you’ve got nothing and we both know it.”

  For a moment Charlie Waite tensed up. Then he smiled and spread open his hands in a diplomatic gesture.

  “All right, all right, I can call Ms. Bold in again. After all, you said you were going to help me on this case, right?” Waite stared at Landry, as if challenging him to answer.

  “Sure I will, Charlie. Whatever you need. I’ll nose around Salem for you, talk to witnesses, you name it.”

  “And you’ll take responsibility for her? If I need to question her again you’ll bring her in?”

  “Absolutely,” Landry said. “I’ll keep an eye on her.”

  “Well then, I’ll send you the files, Detective,” Waite said. “What’s that old saying about keeping your frenemies close? Anyway, let me walk you out.”

  Mia felt a deep sense of relief as they headed back into the squad room. Tandy ran over and jumped up excitedly, dancing in circles as Waite led them all out of the station and into the parking lot.

  “Have a nice day now,” Charlie Waite said as he watched them walk over to Mia’s old Toyota. “And don’t leave town, Ms. Bold. Clayton here is risking his job by vouching for you. I’d hate to see him lose his badge.”

  “Good to see you too, Charlie.” Landry saluted before walking around to the driver’s side.

  “Give me the keys,” Landry said. “You’ve had a shock.”

  Mia tossed her keys to him and let Tandy in the back seat. Then she slipped into the passenger seat.

  “Thanks,” Mia said.

  “It’s not over yet,” Landry said as he adjusted the seat. “Charlie Waite has your scent and he’s not going to give up easily.” He started the ignition and pulled the Toyota into the sunny street with a sense of command that put Mia at ease immediately. Tandy stuck his head out the back window so that his ears fluttered in the wind and his tongue lolled. He was happy to be on the move.

  “How do you know Detective Waite?” Mia said.

  “Charlie’s famous around these parts. As I’m sure you know, he was the detective on the Browder family murders. He got Donnie Browder to confess.”

  “I saw that interrogation on YouTube,” Mia said. “Can I ask why you came all the way to Swampscott to answer his question?”

  “I have my reasons,” Landry said mysteriously. “Why don’t you tell me why you went to your haunted location early when you weren’t due to film until tonight?”

  Mia sank back in her seat. The silence in the car lingered until it grew awkward. She supposed it was too much to hope that she would be able to get out of explaining herself in to Detective Landry. He was detail oriented and had just made a promise to a rival cop to keep an eye on her. She decided she might as well save time and jump in feet first.

  “I was facing my fears,” Mia said. “It’s hard to explain.”

  “Your fears? That’s not like you,” Landry said, adjusting the rearview mirror slightly. “What were you afraid of exactly”

  “The Elmswood House,” Mia said.

  “Why?” Landry said, baffled. “When it comes to the paranormal, you’re a seasoned investigator.”

  “This is going to sound crazy, but I had a nightmare about that place,” Mia said. She looked at Landry nervously but he didn’t flinch. A seriousness had crept into his demeanor.

  “What kind of nightmare?” Landry said.

  Mia was reluctant to go any further. She’d always been a skeptic who kept an open mind. Since moving to Salem her beliefs had been challenged by a series of paranormal encounters. But confessing her dream about dead people to a police detective was pushing her nerves to the limit.

  “Listen, Mia, I’m from New Orleans, remember?” Landy said. “I’m more open to the supernatural than you think. Tell me what you saw.”

  Mia took a deep breath and steeled herself. Landry would know all about the Browder case so there was no way to be vague. She had to assume he’d seen all the material she had seen, and then some.

  “In the dream, I was at the Elmswood House. There was an open field covered in snow. Then I saw a little girl—Lydia. She was trying to tell me something.”

  “The same entity Donnie Browder encountered,” Landry said matter-of-factly.

  Mia turned bright red and looked down at her hands, but Landry didn’t flinch. She wondered what he was thinking. Most people would never let this kind of exchange fly, but Landry seemed thoughtful, almost solemn.

  “Then I saw the Browder family. They cried out for help.”

  “And you being a skeptic.” Landry smiled.

  “I know it’s probably my subconscious mind. But there’s something awful about that house. So that’s why I came early, I needed to face my fear.”

  “Listen, Mia, my great-aunt was a mambo, a fully initiated Vodou priestess. She would have said you have Prizdezye, the ability to ‘see.’ So why go there alone? Why ignore your instincts?”

  “I didn’t want people to see me scared.”

  “You mean your co-host, Johnny Astor?” Landry said.

  That observation was cutting things a bit close. Was she that transparent? The truth was, she often tried to measure up against Johnny Astor. He was always so calm and collected and charming. And for some stupid reason, she cared what he thought about her.

  “I suppose so. He’s so good on camera, I wanted to get past my own reaction.”

  “Do you mind if I see the house for myself?” Landry said, turning down Elmswood without warning.

  “Go ahead,” Mia said and sank down into her seat. A feeling of dread rose up in her immediately.

  Landry turned onto Elmswood Road and pulled up in front of the house. Tandy growled. The forensic crew was gone but the crime scene tape was still up across the garage. Landy stepped out of the car and crossed the street. Mia let Tandy out and followed him.

  They stood side by side as the Elmswood House loomed above them.

  “So, this is the place?” Landry said, staring up at the steep angles, the crumbling wood, and the peeling paint. Everything was very quiet, no sound of birds or squirrels, just silence. Mia felt fear seep in like a fog. The urge to leave was overwhelming.

  “I see what you mean,” Landry said. “This place scares me too.”

  Mia realized she had better get back to Salem ASAP.

  “Would you mind taking me to the Bell, Book, and Candle production office?” Mia said. “I need to warn them not to come here.”

  “You do that,” Landry said, eyeing the house as if it might move. They both got back in the car and drove away as fast as they could.

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  The Bell, Book, and Candle crew was bustling in and out of the production office building, packing equipment in the van. Tandy stared at his friends across the street and started to wag his tail.

  Detective Landry parked Mia’s Toyota and turned off the engine. Mia was relieved to be back in Salem after such a shocking morning.

  “Thanks again for getting me out of there,” Mia said.

  “Are you sure you’re going to be all right?” Landry said.

  “Why wouldn’t I be?” Mia said.
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  “Maybe because you’re in shock?” Landy said.

  “I’ll be fine, really,” Mia said, scanning her latest message from Brynn incredulously. She’d pulled her phone out of her jacket and switched on the ringer. A dozen notifications appeared on the screen. Sylvie had tried to reach her and Brynn had left half a dozen texts.

  The Middletons were in full pest mode.

  Graham Stone made reservations for tomorrow night.

  Mom can’t wait to meet him!

  Mia stared at the message in shock. How had Graham gotten their number? Any hope of squirming out of his ridiculous dinner was fading fast. She shoved her phone back in her pocket and shook her head.

  “I think you are avoiding things,” Detective Landry said.

  “It’s just—my parents are in town. Being hauled into the Swampscott police station was the last thing I needed.”

  “Listen, Mia. Don’t give Charlie Waite a reason to focus on you, okay?” Landry said and held out the car keys. “You have no alibi, so things could get dicey.”

  “If you say so, Detective,” Mia said. She reached out to take the keys, but Landy pulled his hand back.

  “Now that I have your full attention, I want you to promise me something.” Landry stared at her with cool, gray eyes.

  “What?” Mia said.

  “I know you’ll try and investigate Cindy Moore’s death, so don’t deny it,”

  Mia bit her lip. Landry knew her only too well. In order to protect herself and the production company, she needed to find out what happened.

  “I might dig around a little,” she said finally.

  “Listen, Mia, you’re very independent, I get that. But the fact is you’ve come pretty close to getting yourself killed in the past.”

  “I’m listening,” Mia said, knowing full well every word he said was true.

  Landry looked at her with a serious, steady gaze.

  “If you get any leads, I want you to tell me, understood? Text me, ring me, whatever. Even though Charlie has invited me to work on this case, I have to tread carefully. Understand? But I can look into it in a limited way and I can advise you.”

  “Fair enough,” Mia said. “Anything else?”

  “Next time you go to a graveyard or the Devil’s Swamp, don’t go alone.”

  “How did you know I went to the Devil’s Swamp?” Mia said, startled. “Besides, I had Tandy.”

  “I have my ways,” Landry said. “And one more thing. Listen to your instincts. Supernatural or not, your instincts are always trying to tell you something. People who ignore their instincts end up dead.”

  Detective Landy tossed her the keys and stepped out of the car.

  “Okay, Detective,” Mia said. “And thanks.”

  “We’ll be in touch,” Landry said and walked down the street.

  Mia watched him disappear around the corner before getting out of the car. She held the door open for Tandy, who jumped out and sniffed the area.

  Jake, Will, and Sylvie were packing equipment in the production van for the night’s shoot. Graham Stone and Ollie Cooper were on the front steps on their cell phones. Johnny Astor was MIA as usual.

  Sylvie spotted Mia and waved.

  Tandy waited for Mia at the curb. She looked both ways and crossed the street. “Come on, boy,” Mia said.

  “Where have you been? I was trying to reach you all afternoon,” Sylvie said. Tandy rushed up to greet her and she petted his furry head.

  “The cops made me switch off my phone,” Mia said quietly.

  “The cops?” Sylvie whispered. “What now?”

  “I better tell everyone at the same time,” Mia said.

  Tandy trotted over to his familiar pack of people, greeting Jake and Will, who were running up and down the steps.

  “Come on, Proctor! Time for your workout,” Jake said, handing him a heavy case. Mia hated to interrupt them, but it had to be done.

  “Hey, guys? There’s something I have to tell you,” Mia said.

  But instead of listening, Graham and Ollie stared at their phones and Jake and Will started bickering over some lights and how to fit them in the van.

  Suddenly a sharp whistle cut through the air. Tandy sat up straight at attention, followed by every member of his human tribe.

  “Listen up!” Sylvie said. “Mia has an announcement!”

  The office door swung open and Albee Abernathy stepped out of the production office, dressed in his gothic Charnel Tours outfit. Mia cringed; she had totally forgotten about the fact he was going to brief the entire crew about the Elmswood House. For once she actually wanted to hear what he had to say, even though his attentions made her crazy.

  The moment Albee saw Mia, he broke into a grin and waved at her.

  “Hey, Mia,” he said, enthusiastically.

  “I don’t have all day here, what did you want to tell us?” Graham said, covering his mouthpiece. “I’m on the phone to LA!”

  “Hush,” Ollie said. “Let her speak.”

  Mia really did not want to explain the whole awful story of finding Cindy Moore. Not only was her death sad and horrifying, but the fact Mia found her was tricky to explain, especially with both the Swampscott police involved and now Detective Landry. She would just have to keep it as brief as possible.

  “The shoot is off,” Mia said loudly.

  They stared at her as a hush fell over the group.

  “For goodness’ sake, why?” Ollie Cooper said.

  “Yeah, why?” Graham said.

  Jake and Will put down the equipment they were carrying and everyone stared at her, waiting. Now she would have to tell them everything.

  Tandy looked from person to person, aware that they were all acting a little odd. Mia took a deep breath and braced herself. “Well. Because—”

  “—Cindy Moore was found dead,” said a silky, masculine voice.

  To Mia’s surprise and relief, Johnny Astor stepped up out of the shadows. Tandy trotted over to him and licked his hand.

  “Dead?” Graham said, stunned. “Listen, I’ll call you back.” He hung up the phone and stared at Johnny. “She was fine yesterday. Are you sure?”

  “I just got a call from a Swampscott detective named Charlie Waite,” Johnny said. “He wanted to know where I was last night. Apparently, they found Cindy dead at the house—carbon monoxide poisoning.”

  “I’m so sorry, Graham,” Mia said. “I know she was your friend.”

  Mia was relieved Johnny had just saved her from telling everyone the gruesome details of what happened, and that she had found the body. He had just bought her some time.

  “I can’t believe Cindy is dead,” Graham said, stricken and confused. He looked down at his feet, not sure what to do. Even his cheerful, powder blue leisure suit couldn’t lift his mood.

  “That’s the same way the Browder family died,” Albee noted.

  “All right,” Ollie said, shaking his head. “Unpack the van. We have half a dozen advertisers who’ve bought time on the show. I don’t know what we’re going to do now.”

  “Poor Cindy, she didn’t seem like the type,” Graham said. “We were so close to a deal, everything depended on this episode.” He trudged back up the office steps and disappeared inside.

  There was a flurry of activity as Jake and Will started to unpack the van and haul the equipment back inside the building.

  Johnny stepped closer to Mia until his arm brushed against hers. A tingling sensation passed along her skin as she looked up into his deep, hazel eyes.

  Oh my gosh, he knows! she realized.

  Detective Waite must have told him everything, about how she had found the body. This wasn’t a coincidence—Johnny was protecting her.

  “Thank you,” Mia whispered, leaning against him.

  “I’ve got your back,” Johnny whispered. “They’ll find out you discovered her body eventually, but maybe I can help you.”

  Seeing the secretive whisper between Mia and Johnny, Sylvie walked over and joined the c
abal, leaning in close and petting Tandy.

  “Okay, you two, what’s going on?” Sylvie whispered.

  “I went to the Elmswood House today,” Mia said. “I found Cindy dead, it was awful.”

  “No way!” Sylvie said. “Why would you go there?”

  “It’s a long story, I’ll tell you later.”

  “Listen, Mia, that detective asked a lot of questions about you,” Johnny said. “I think you’re a suspect.”

  “Oh no,” Sylvie said. “Not again!”

  “I was at the scene and I have no alibi for last night, when she died,” Mia said. “I only got out of there because Detective Landry kind of rescued me.”

  “Detective Landry saved you?” Sylvie said. “How ironic.”

  Mia didn’t want to alarm Sylvie, but Landry had only managed to buy her some time. If she didn’t solve Cindy’s murder soon, she might end up in jail herself. Whether or not the supernatural was involved in Cindy’s tragic death, she had to dig deeper, starting with the Elmswood House. And she could think of one person in Salem who was likely to know everything about that house—the biggest history nerd of all—Albee Abernathy.

  “Listen, I’ll tell you everything, but first we need to see what Albee Abernathy knows about that house.”

  “I thought you hated that crazy warlock,” Sylvie said.

  “I don’t hate him, he just seems—”

  “—lovesick?” Johnny said.

  “According to Love Addicts Anonymous, he has all the signs,” Sylvie said.

  At that moment Albee Abernathy walked down the steps, his eyes bright, heading directly for Mia. Tandy’s hackles rose slightly and he lowered his head, suspicious of Albee.

  “Bummer about the shoot,” Albee said. “I was really looking forward to the briefing. See you guys around—”

  “You can’t leave,” Mia said.

  “I can’t?” Albee said, confused.

  “I was so looking forward to your presentation,” Mia said.

  “You were? Wow.” A smile spread across Albee’s pasty face as he stared at Mia, hope rekindled.