He might have been using his vampire mojo, or maybe Danvers was just afraid of him. Either way, the Sheriff agreed I could talk to her. Just me. So Mama D and the familiars went out to the car to sit and wait.
Cassandra was in the last holding cell in the back. She wore the same clothes she’d had on earlier. Her hair was down and covered her face. She looked up and smiled as Danvers let me into the cell with her and we hugged. She clasped my hands as we sat together on the cot and she sniffed. I waited for Danvers to leave and said, “Tell me everything, Cass. The email address.”
“It’s one I made up years ago. I only ever used it on eBay. In fact, I’d sort of forgotten about it, you know?”
“Did anyone else know about it?”
“Everyone at work. We’d used it a few times to grab rare books, like I said, off of eBay. So everyone knew the password.”
“And you told Danvers this?”
She nodded. Sniffed. “Yes, I did. But he’s not listening to me, Cass. What am I going to do? I don’t know anything about this stupid book. I’m not a witch. Not like you and Melody and everyone else. You know me. This was never my thing.”
She was right. Cass had never really excelled in magic when we were kids. But that had never separated us as friends. No…I’d let my own failures in life do that. “I didn’t know about your dad. I’m sorry you’re going through this.”
“It’ll be okay. He’s who I’m mostly worried about, though. I’m his only caretaker right now. And if they put me in prison—” that thought started the crying again.
I held her and rubbed her back. “Cass…the gun.”
“It’s dad’s. Same thing, Ginger,” She said and sniffed and rubbed her face on her sleeve. “It was in the nightstand. I never bothered to hide it or anything. Any number of people knew it was there.” She looked at me. “I’m so sorry about Carmine. I didn’t know till the Sheriff said something. Do you know where Melody is?”
“No. But we’ll find her.” I forced a smile. “One more thing, Cass. The deadly nightshade. I mean, why grow that?”
“I don’t grow anything, Ginger. You know that. It’s my dad’s garden. The soil’s good because he took care of it. And it’s a good size. Do you remember it? All the squash and tomatoes and cucumbers he’d grow?”
I nodded. I did. I remembered how good Cass’s mom’s salads were with everything taken from the garden.
“I started taking one of Mavis’ classes. You know the ones she teaches with herbs and stuff? I took it because I needed the distraction…I needed something else to do besides watch my dad die. They needed a place to grow some of the herbs we’d be using so I volunteered our garden.”
“They planted deadly nightshade there?”
“Yeah. I didn’t know that’s what it was though. Kind of freaks me out. But I swear it wasn’t me, Ginger. You can ask Mavis. Her students put it there.” She looked at me and a tear trailed down her cheek. “I’m going to jail, aren’t I?”
I smiled at her. “Not if I can help it, Cass. Just stay strong. And I’ll be back.”
Magpies & Muffins was still open when Max and I arrived. I’d dropped mom back at her place so she could feed Burt. I told her I’d call if anything happened.
There were two cars in the parking lot and I recognized one of the girls behind the counter. She waved at me and then ducked through the door. Seconds later Mavis walked out. Her face was flushed, and she wasn’t wearing her company apron.
She came around the counter and approached me. “Ginger…I’m glad you came back by. I want to apologize for being a basket case earlier. I heard what happened to Cassandra and I don’t believe a word of it.”
“Neither do I.”
“I just don’t understand how that idiot could actually think a Cowen like Cassandra Walker could kill a sweet man like my Charles.”
I steered her over to a chair by the cork board and sat down. Max remained at my feet, curled up but listening. “Mavis, how much about the murders do you know?”
“Not a lot. Charles was really freaked out when Manchester was killed. But as far as I know, he had very little contact with Cassandra.”
“I believe that. I spoke to Cass, and she’s terrified. I didn’t know about her dad.”
Mavis’ expression became even sadder than before. “Oh, I know. After all that man put her through when she was in High School. He was such a mean old fart.”
I blinked. I’d forgotten about that. “Especially when his wife passed away.”
“Yeah. But Cass did say a few times in class that he’d mellowed out since the cancer diagnosis and he wasn’t quite as hostile. I guess not since he’s staring at death’s door.”
Cass had told people in class. “Cassandra mentioned she attended your herb class.”
“Oh, she did. And she took to it pretty well until her father’s remission wasn’t a remission at all. She hated that she had to bail on the lessons but wanted to be a part of things. That’s when she volunteered to let us use her father’s garden.”
Bingo! “She told me. The police found deadly nightshade planted there. The coroner’s report said the two men died from poisoning that called respiratory failure.”
Mavis’ eyes widened. “Oh no. That’s why the Sheriff arrested her?”
“That and the fact it looks like her father’s gun was used to kill Carmine.” I didn’t want to get bogged down in retelling everything just yet. “Can you tell me about the garden in Cassandra’s yard? Like, who tended it?”
“Oh, all of us did. She gave us the combination to the lockbox she left in the garage. That way we could get to the back without bothering her father. There were a few in class who really took to the garden.” Then her expression turned harsh. “There was one student who excelled in growing things. I figured him for a Hedge Witch, like you, though not as powerful.”
What? Was there a sign on my back that read Hedge Witch Here and an arrow pointing at my head? “Did something happen with him?”
“Yeah, he started asking a lot of the wrong questions. Look, I show and teach my students all aspects of herbs. You have to know how to use them to be safe with them. Which was why when he suggested deadly nightshade, I was hesitant but gave him the go-ahead. It wasn’t long after that he started asking me questions about the book.”
“The book?”
“You know. The one the Hunters used? The Book of Ill Deeds? I wanted to know where he heard of it, but he said it was online somewhere. And you know they put everything online these days.”
I don’t know at what point I figured it out—I only knew that it came to me with bright clarity. And when I thought about it, all the pieces fell into place. They had the opportunity, the means…but I needed to know the motive. I had a pretty good idea on that, but I needed to check something before I told Danvers my suspicions. The last thing I wanted was for that man to screw this up. “Mavis, what was this student’s name.”
“You know we don’t use real names, Ginger. We use Craft names. Funny thing though,” Mavis frowned as she focused on her hands. “I can’t remember what the name was.”
“Can you describe him?”
Mavis narrowed her eyes at me. “Why are you asking?”
I reached out and put my hand on hers. “It’s important, Mavis. Did you know him outside of your class?”
“I’m afraid not. Some of the students seemed to know him. They said his dad used to be well off.” She shook her head. “Was going to open a bed-and-breakfast years ago but didn’t.”
I stood up and Max moved out of my way. I squeezed her shoulder. “Thanks, Mavis.” I tried not to run out of the shop but I failed. Once I got back in the Mercedes, I called David.
He answered on the second ring. “What’s wrong?”
I had to laugh. It was a nervous laugh though. “Are you busy?”
“Not really. Why?”
“Can you check out a property for me?”
“Right now?”
“Yeah. I need your p
reternatural powers.” I gave him the address and told him to call me if he found anything.
“Am I supposed to find something?”
“I hope you do.” I held the phone as I pulled my seatbelt on. Max settled in the passenger seat. “Otherwise Cassandra’s going to jail for something she didn’t do.”
SEVENTEEN
I tried not to speed to David’s house. The last thing I wanted was a ticket. I felt like time was against me for some reason.
“Why didn’t you tell David you think the Bishop house is where he’ll find your sister?”
I nearly wrecked when Max said that. He hadn’t said much of anything since we were at the police station. I’d almost forgotten he was there. “How did you…”
“Same way you figured it out. Who’s the one person who had access to Cassandra’s email, her father’s gun, and the garden? Tad Bishop. But I didn’t recognize that address.”
“It’s his father’s old place. It was a converted school. Wayland Bishop, the father, wanted to make it into a bed-and-breakfast. But something happened with the financing and he lost everything. Tad inherited it.”
“That seems a little obvious—I mean, as a place to hold someone captive.”
“Yeah. But it’s the only place I can think of where he might hide Melody.” I turned down the road to David’s and was relieved to see his house was dark. He wasn’t there. I parked the car behind the house and got out. Max followed and the two of us went inside since David left the back door open.
I flipped on a few lights downstairs before I ran upstairs to the bedroom where I’d hidden the book. Max jumped on the bed as I pulled the box from the air inside the fireplace and put it on the bed. When I opened up the box, The Book of Ill Deeds stared back at me. It no longer looked like a deck of Tarot cards.
“What are you planning on doing?” Max said.
“We all assumed Tad was just a Cowen. A non-witch. But what if he is a witch? Mavis said he had talent, and he was taking her class to learn herbs. So if he is a witch, and he killed three people—”
Max stood on all fours. “Then his name would appear in the book! Ginger, that’s genius. But you know that won’t be proof to Sheriff Danvers, right? He can’t use the book in any court of law.”
“No, but the Hunters can.”
Max jumped on the book before I could pick it up. “No! You can’t give this book back to the Hunters! It’s not fair!”
I reached down and ran my fingers over his soft, furry back. “I know you think your name is in the book. I’m going to see for myself if it is.”
“You are?” His green eyes widened.
“Now get off the book and let me see, okay?”
He reluctantly jumped off, and I picked the book up and then set it on the bed. I sat down as well and stared at it for a second. I didn’t know anything about this book. I didn’t know if there was a penalty for opening it. I didn’t know if I opened it I wouldn’t bring the whole of the Hunters down on top of me. I just didn’t know.
But I had to find out if my gut was right. I believed Tad Bishop was behind all of this. I touched the cover, took a deep breath, and opened it.
Nothing happened. There was no bright light. No explosions. No Ninja Witches jumping through the window. I looked down at the first page. It was blank except for a single sentence.
“Speak the name of the accused so their crimes may be revealed.”
I frowned and tried to open the rest of the book, but it was a fake. The back pages were all stuck together like a brick. I sighed and shrugged. “Theodore Bishop.”
The book glowed, and the pages turned themselves, no longer fused together. I looked at Max and he was watching the book, mesmerized. It finally stopped and on the left page was Tad’s name, his birthday, his age, his height and weight, and a picture of him. It was definitely Tad from the library.
On the right-hand page numbers appeared and beside them were names. Below the names were descriptions.
Silus Castle, shot in the chest by Theodore Bishop.
Carmine Kyle, shot in the face by Theodore Bishop.
Hardin Manchester, poisoned by Theodore Bishop.
Charles Willmington, poisoned by Theodore Bishop.
David Caldwell Flanagan, shot in the chest by Theodore Bishop.
I had no idea who Silus Castle was, but I was surprised to see David’s name in there. I mean, he wasn’t really dead. Maybe the book only saw the deaths and not the resurrections. Or it didn't take into account if a victim was already dead. I waited for a fifth name. I was terrified Melody’s name would appear on the page. But it didn’t. Nothing else appeared.
Melody was alive! Or at least she hadn’t been killed by Tad.
“Max, what’s your full name?”
“Maximillian the Wise.”
I blinked at him. “That’s…that’s your name?”
“Hey, at least I didn’t get the name Sparkle. Or something equally bad as Pooper or something. I like my name. Heather might have been a psychopath, but she had good taste sometimes.”
Uh huh. I closed the book and reopened it. The rest of the pages were stuck again, and the line was still on page one. It was actually an ingenious idea for a tattle-tale book. Create the spell like a database where any single person couldn’t rip out the page with their name on it. “Maximillian the Wise.”
A loud noise downstairs made both of us jump. I closed the book and shoved it back in the box. “What was that?”
“I don’t think that’s David,” Max said as he jumped off the bed and went to the door.
“Neither do I.” I held out my hand as I charged up my zapper. I had fire ready as well as I gathered the elements needed. I had spells ready too. I just didn’t want to have to use them.
I opened the door and looked down the hall. I didn’t see anything but I could hear something, or someone, downstairs. With a glance back at Max I tiptoed down the hall and stood at the top of the stairs. The front door was on the floor and the kitchen light shined from the right. Shadows moved in there and I was pretty happy I didn’t call out David’s name.
Cause this was not David.
A growl caught my attention to the left as I tiptoed half-way down. It was low and sounded a lot like a—
“Oh my,” a male voice said from the kitchen door. I’d been so focused on the growl from the shadows where the living area was that I hadn’t noticed the tall man come from the kitchen. I didn’t recognize him. “What do we have here? See…I figured the book was in this town. Because this is where it originated.”
Wait…what? I took a single step backward, up a step. “You’re not welcome in this house. You’re trespassing.”
“Oh, I don’t think my being inside of a vampire’s home is a punishable offense. Because you see, he’s a vampire. And all vampires are abominations against nature.”
I knew who this was. “Rush Knight.”
He actually gave me a mock bow. “Very good. And from the red hair and power emanating off of you, I’d say you are one of the Blackstone sisters. Now, as a witch, you know how important the book is to us, don’t you?”
“I—I don’t know what you’re talking about. David will be back at any moment.”
“He’s not here now. And it will only take a moment for you to give me the book,” he pointed past me. “And that familiar that’s not yours, and I’ll be on my way.”
The growling became louder as a huge freak’n dog stepped out of the living area and stood beside Rush Knight. I’d heard of Hunters having pets that were like familiars, but they weren’t magical. Just big and scary. And this one was on the nose.
“This is Stride,” Rush said and gestured to the dog. “He’s here to make sure you do what I say.”
Use your power.
I tried not to jump when Max’s voice spoke in my head. I didn’t know what he was talking about. So I thought back, What?
Your power. This entire house is full of plants. Use them!
How?
&n
bsp; Like you did when you found David. Become the plants. Pick one. My power can amplify your magic.
Rush put his foot on the first step. Behind him sat a potted Ficus Benjamina Braid tree. I had had one of those in my apartment in California and I missed it. I reached out to the tree, soothed it, spoke to it and within seconds the bush of leaves on top shook and moved. The noise made Stride bark at the tree and Rush turned to look.
At that moment the tree grew out of the pot and spun toward Rush, knocking him back with a right cross.
“Run!” Max said as he and I turned and dashed back up the steps. The tree’s trunks followed us up the steps, smashed into the wall and through the wall. It destroyed the banister as it navigated the hall after me. I could hear Stride close behind us and then a squeak as if something scared him and a “Stride! Get back here!”
Max and I went into the room and slammed the door. I locked it and watched with fascination as the leafy tips of the Ficus came under the door and enveloped it. Limbs stretched out from side to side and within a manner of minutes the door was held in place by the tree.
“What the hell did you do?” Max hissed.
“I did what you said to do!”
Something banged on the door. “Damn Hedge Witch. You think this will stop me from getting that book? I’ll burn this place down before I let that book fall into the hands of the witches!”
We didn’t hear Rush again for a few minutes. “You think he left?” I asked.
“I don’t. But we have to get out of here.” He jumped on the night table in front of the room’s only window. “Oh and that is one high jump. We’d hurt ourselves if we jumped.”
I grabbed the lockbox and hid it again in the fireplace just as we heard someone outside the door. Max jumped into my arms and we stood next to the fireplace. “What do you think he’s doing?”
Max nuzzled me under my chin. “I don’t know.”
But I learned pretty fast. There was a knock, and I felt a sharp pain in my left thigh. Another knock and the pain intensified. A third and I collapsed when my left leg went out from under me. I tried not to scream as a fourth knock struck me against my left hip and put me on my side.
The Book Of Ill Deeds_A Paranormal Cozy Mystery Page 14