brimstone witch 10 - deal with the grim reaper

by April Fernsby

  “I don’t either. But if magic was used to put him here, then I should be able to use magic to release him. Stand back, Stanley. I’m going to try and get him out of here.”

  I stood up, took a few steps back and thought of a spell I could use. I’d never come across a spell to release a petrified dwarf from a cave before, so I used a mixture of a revealing spell and a freeing one. If it didn’t work, I’d go back to Brimstone town centre and ask Gran for help.

  I cast the spell and waited. Nothing happened at first. Then there was a noise of pebbles falling. I noticed the ground around Oddec giving way.

  Stanley pointed out, “If all that rock around him falls downwards, is he going to go crashing to the cave underneath?”

  “Probably, but I’m going to use a levitating spell on him in a moment.”

  As more rock fell away from Oddec’s middle, I used a spell to lift him up. I moved him towards me until he was floating inches away from my eyes.

  Stanley walked underneath the floating dwarf and said, “I can’t see any signs of physical damage. Not from this angle, anyway. Do you think he was murdered?”

  “It’s hard to say at the moment. But if we are to believe those mine-knockers about magic being used to trap him here, then it’s safe to assume someone did this to him on purpose. We’ll know more once Dr Morgan has had a look at him. Though how she’s going to work out his cause of death is another matter.”

  Keeping Oddec afloat, I manoeuvred him out of the cave, down the twisting steps and into the back of the train carriage.

  Mowibela was waiting on the platform upon our return. I was about to warn her to prepare herself for bad news, but I never got the chance. She took one look at her stone husband, shrieked with terror and fainted.

  I leapt out of the carriage and ran over to her. Using a mild spell, I brought her around and helped her into a sitting position.

  She couldn’t take her terrified eyes off Oddec. I could barely hear her as she said, “Oddec? What’s happened to him? Where was he? Why is he like that?”

  I gave her all the details and she shook her head slowly as if it was too much information to take in.

  I concluded, “I hate to say this, but I think Oddec was murdered. If that’s the case, I’m going to do all I can to find his murderer.”

  Chapter 12

  Getting the petrified body of Oddec Hammerhands over to Dr Morgan’s building was not an easy task. I did consider sending a butterfly message to the doctor and asking her to visit the cave to retrieve the body. She’d done this before in other murder investigations. Even though she was human, she knew a variety of spells including a teleporting one which was helpful when it came to deceased beings. However, seeing as Mowibela was in such a distressed state, I decided to move the body as quickly as I could using my own magic.

  I levitated Oddec out of one carriage and into the one which would take us out of the mine. I secured him into place. I hated to leave Mowibela in such a tormented condition, but she assured me she would be okay.

  In between quiet sobs, she said, “You just get on with your investigation, Cassia. I want to know who did this to Oddec.”

  Once we were out of the mine, I had to continue using the levitating spell on Oddec as Stanley and I flew back to Brimstone town. It was like a grotesque fairground game and I had to keep one hand on the broomstick and the other aimed at the stone body flying at my side. We did receive more than one curious glance as we came in for a landing at the side of Dr Morgan’s building.

  A couple of residents were walking past as we landed and I asked them to help me take Oddec’s body inside. I was worried about breaking a part of him off if I levitated him through the front door which suddenly looked too narrow. To their credit, the residents didn’t ask any questions and were of great help. Dr Morgan didn’t say a word as the body was taken into her office and laid on a table at her side. She gave the stone body a curious glance and then looked at me.

  I said thank you to the residents and closed the door behind them as they left the office. Stanley and I sat on the chairs in front of Dr Morgan’s desk and we smiled at her.

  Dr Morgan slowly shook her head. “I see you found Oddec Hammerhands. I wasn’t expecting him to be in a condition like this. But nothing surprises me in this town anymore. Before you tell me where you found him, I’ve been talking to Blythe and Esther. They’ve told me about that horrific curse that silly witch cast on you. They also told me you were looking into the disappearance of Oddec.” She glanced towards the body on the table. “I’m glad you found him. I don’t normally say this about a resident, but I hope Oddec is the subject of the unsolved murder case.”

  “I hope so too,” I said. I told the doctor where we’d found Oddec and who we’d spoken to regarding his supposed disappearance.

  Dr Morgan went over to Oddec and stared down at him. She touched his leg, shook her head, and then touched his arm. Stanley and I joined her at the table.

  Dr Morgan said, “How am I supposed to find out what killed him? How can I test for any possible poisoning? Well, Cassia, this is certainly going to be a challenge.”

  I said to her, “I wonder if there’s a spell I can use to bring him back to his flesh self? Perhaps Gran or Blythe might know one.”

  Dr Morgan continued to stare at the body. “That’s a good idea and it would help me immensely. Why don’t you go over to Blythe’s house now and find out about that? I’ll see if I can find any wounds or defensive marks on Oddec. I can’t guarantee anything, but I’ll do what I can.”

  We thanked the doctor and left her building.

  Blythe answered her front door to us a short while later. When she opened it, she frowned in confusion. She said, “Hello? Can I help you?”

  My blood ran cold. “Blythe, it’s me, Cassia.”

  “And me, Stanley. Don’t you know who we are?”

  Blythe blinked and shook her head at herself. She opened the door wider and said, “Of course I know who you are! Sorry about that. Your names fled from my mind for a second there. Age must be catching up with me. Come in. Can I get you something to eat or drink?”

  I walked into her house and shook my head at her last question. “No, thank you. I’m not feeling hungry at all today.”

  Blythe’s eyebrows rose. “Oh? That’s not like you, Cassia. Is something on your mind?”

  I shared a worried look with Stanley. Was Gertrude’s curse beginning to work on Blythe?

  Blythe took us into the living room and told us to take a seat. I noticed Gran wasn’t there and the papers had been tidied up and put away somewhere.

  Blythe sat down and gave us a bright smile. “Now then, is there something I can help you with?”

  That feeling of unease which had settled into my stomach hours ago now felt like a heavy stone.

  I began, “We’re here about Oddec Hammerhands. Stanley and I are looking into his disappearance.”

  “Oddec Hammerhands? That name rings a bell. Didn’t your mum look into that case years ago? Why are you dealing with it now?”

  There was panic in Stanley’s voice as he said, “Blythe, why are you asking us that? Can’t you remember what’s going on? Have you forgotten about Gertrude Winter and her curse?”

  Blythe’s forehead furrowed. “Gertrude Winter? What’s she got to do with anything? Has she risen from the dead? I hope not. She had a terrible reputation and I’d hate to think she was running amok in this town.”

  I didn’t have time to explain the curse to Blythe and why we were looking into Oddec’s disappearance. I said, “We found Oddec in a disused cave in the Hammerhands Mine. He’s been petrified. Blythe, do you know of any spells which could return him to his former self? Something that would unpetrify him? If that’s even a word.”

  Blythe settled back in her chair as if she had all the time in the world. “Petrified? I’ve never come across anything like that before. How fascinating. Tell me more about your case. I might be able to help you with it. Are you sure you don’
t want anything to eat or drink? I was going to have a spot of lunch. You could stay the afternoon and we’ll have a good talk about your case.”

  I swallowed my rising panic. “No, thank you. Do you know of any spells which could turn Oddec back into flesh? Any spells at all?”

  She shook her head. “Nothing springs to mind. But I’ll mull it over and let you know if I come up with anything.”

  Stanley fidgeted nervously at my side. He said, “Where’s Esther? She might know a spell which could help Cassia.”

  Blythe’s forehead wrinkled again. “Esther? I don’t know anyone called Esther. Is she one of your human friends? Where does she live?”

  I swiftly got to my feet. “It doesn’t matter. Blythe, we have to go now. We’ve got things to do. We’ll see ourselves out.”

  “Oh? Are you sure? Why don’t you call back later? We can have a stroll around the town and perhaps do a bit of shopping. I love lazy days like this when there’s nothing much to do.”

  It was obvious the curse had worked its evil magic on Blythe and there was nothing she could do or say to help me. Stanley and I quickly left her house and set off at a brisk pace along the pavement.

  Stanley said, “That was awful. How could Blythe forget about Esther? This is like a living nightmare. She almost forgot about us too.”

  “I know. It’s just part of the curse. I wonder where Gran is anyway? Stanley, let’s go to Gran’s apartment and see if she’s there.”

  Gran had an apartment in town which was located over the Mooncrest Café. We went through the street-level door, up the stairs and through the door at the top.

  We both stopped in our tracks and stared at the room in front of us. Gran wasn’t there, and neither was some of the furniture which was normally there.

  Stanley said, “Where did the sofas go? Where’s the table? Cassia, what’s happening? The furniture was here last week. Did Esther tell you she was removing some of it?”

  “No, she didn’t. I fear this is more of the curse taking effect.” I strode over to the bookshelves so I could look for Gran’s spell books. I froze as I saw the empty shelves.

  Stanley padded over to me, took in the empty shelves and said, “Where have the books gone? What’s happening? Where is Esther? Has she disappeared too?”

  Chapter 13

  A pale yellow butterfly fluttered through the open door and came to rest on the top shelf of the bookcase. It was a male butterfly and he opened his wings to reveal a message from Dr Morgan.

  I read it and said to Stanley, “Dr Morgan has found something important concerning Oddec and she wants to see us immediately.”

  I took one last look at the empty shelves and then turned away. I was worried sick about Gran, but realised with a sinking heart, that I couldn’t do anything about her whereabouts at the moment as Oddec had to take priority.

  Breaking into a run, Stanley and I left the apartment and headed back to Dr Morgan’s building.

  Once inside, she took us over to the table where Oddec’s body was now covered with a sheet.

  Dr Morgan said, “Brace yourselves.” She pulled the sheet back and I almost passed out.

  Stanley craned his neck and said, “I can’t see. What are you looking at?”

  I picked Stanley up and showed him Oddec’s body which was now in two pieces.

  Stanley said quietly, “What’s happened to his head? It isn’t attached to his body anymore.”

  Dr Morgan explained, “I couldn’t help it. I began to carefully chip away at a piece of stone on his neck thinking it was part of his original body, when all of a sudden, his head rolled off and fell to one side. On the bright side, I did find something interesting inside his body.” She retrieved a small box from beneath the table, opened it and showed its contents to us. “This was inside his throat and looked as if it had been stuffed down there. I discovered scratches on the inside of his throat which confirms force was definitely used. I wouldn’t be surprised if this is what killed him.”

  We surveyed the silver necklace which was nestling inside the box. There was a star-shaped pendant in the middle of the chain and smaller stars were embedded along the sides of the chain. The stars were gemstones which Stanley and I had seen before.

  Stanley raised his paw towards the necklace and exclaimed, “Those are the same gems which Jackreth Hammerhands has in his shop. Look, Cassia. They’re the same blue with those light sprinkles of brown. Jackreth must have made that necklace.”

  I said, “That is a possibility. But it doesn’t mean Jackreth did this to his brother. Anyone could have bought the necklace from Jackreth and done this to Oddec. We have to consider all possibilities.” I turned to Dr Morgan. “Is this the cause of death? Did Oddec suffocate because of this necklace?”

  “I’m not one hundred percent sure about that. This necklace hasn’t been turned to stone because it doesn’t have any organic material.” She took the necklace out, bunched it up in her hand and said, “This is how I found the necklace when Oddec’s head fell off. It was together in a big ball like this and it would have been enough to block his airways. It’s possible a poison could have been used on him to subdue him, but without any blood in him, it’s highly unlikely I’ll be able to find any poison. I can still do the necessary tests on what we have, but I’m not sure what the results will be.”

  I asked, “Can I keep hold of the necklace for a while? I’d like to show it to Jackreth.”

  “Of course.” She put the necklace back, closed the lid on the box and handed it to me. “Did you find a spell to turn Oddec back into his former self? I know his head has come away, but we could still turn him back and find out more about how he died.”

  “No, I didn’t find anything,” I said. I told the doctor what Blythe had said to Stanley and me. And then I told her what we’d discovered in Gran’s apartment.

  Dr Morgan gave me a concerned look, put her arm around my shoulders and squeezed me. “You know it’s the effects of the curse, don’t you? If it’s any consolation, I haven’t forgotten about Esther. How could I? I’ve been friends with her since we were at school. This is just a temporary situation, Cassia. I know you’ll soon discover who murdered Oddec. I won’t keep you a minute longer. You concentrate on finding out who did this to Oddec, and I’ll do what I can here. If I find any new information, I’ll get in touch with you.”

  I couldn’t keep the worry from my voice as I said, “Do you think I’ll find the murderer in time? Do you think Stanley and I can break the curse?”

  She gave me a bright smile. “Of course I do. I have every faith in you.”

  Chapter 14

  With time running away from us at an alarming speed, Stanley and I zoomed back to the town of Adonis Blue and landed outside Jackreth’s jewellery shop. We marched straight in and I was relieved to see there were no customers around to get in our way.

  I placed the box on the counter, opened it and pushed it closer to Jackreth. I said, “Do you recognise this?”

  Jackreth picked the necklace up and peered at it through his spectacles. He gave a slow nod and said, “Yes, I do recognise it. It was part of a jewellery set I made years ago. Where did you get it from? Has somebody sold this to you?”

  I ignored his questions and continued, “Do you know who bought it from you originally?”

  He put the necklace back in the box and reached for something under the counter. He brought out a book and began to flick through it. It seemed to me like he was moving in slow motion.

  He came to one page, tapped a column with his finger and frowned. He looked at me and said, “The customer’s name hasn’t been written in here. This is highly unusual but sometimes our customers require discretion if the item is going to be a gift.”

  “Can’t you remember who it was?”

  “It wasn’t me who sold the jewellery set. It was my colleague.”

  I glanced towards the door behind Jackreth which was marked Staff Only, and said, “Can I speak to your colleague?”

 
“No, he died years ago. Why is this necklace so important to you? Does it have something to do with Oddec? Have you found him?”

  I sighed and decided it was time to tell him about his brother. “Yes, we have found him.” I gave him the full details of Oddec’s petrified death.

  Jackreth paled and put one hand on his chest. “What an awful way to go. And he’s been in the mine all this time? Why didn’t the mine-knockers say anything to Mowibela? They could have put her mind at ease. Those dreadful creatures! I never liked them. How is Mowibela taking this? I should go and see her.”

  “She hasn’t taken it very well, as should be expected. Is there any way of finding out who bought this necklace?”

  “I don’t think so. The only thing I could do is put a note in my shop window and describe the item. Someone might know something, perhaps.” He gazed into the distance and his shoulders dropped. “This is dreadful news. Not just about Oddec, but about the consequences of his death.”

  “What do you mean by that?” I enquired.

  “It means Hammerhands Mine becomes my responsibility now. That’s the last thing I need. I don’t have time to run the mine. This is a complete nuisance.”

  I asked him, “Why would the mine come to you now? Why doesn’t it go to Mowibela?”

  He let out a bitter laugh. “It’s because of Mowibela that it’s coming to me. You’re right in your assumption; if anything happened to Oddec then the mine should have gone to her. But she insisted it came to me in the event of his death. She didn’t agree with me not having a part in the mine and kept hoping I’d return one day to help Oddec run it. Such was her belief in me returning that she insisted I get the mine if Oddec died before me. I wish she hadn’t insisted on it. What am I supposed to do with it now? I’m too busy running my jewellery business to take on another business, especially that awful mine of my brother’s.”

  “Can’t you give it to Mowibela?” I suggested. “It seems the right thing to do.”