by J. D. Shaw
The door to the bathroom opened as a single set of footfalls echoed inside. A lonely melodic tune was whistled as the bathroom visitor waited patiently for his turn.
Joshua slipped the items back into his coat pocket and flushed the toilet. He unlocked the stall door and opened it to find the older man with the reading glasses blocking the door.
“You found it.” The older man smiled and then swung a heavy wooden baseball bat at his head.
Joshua dropped to the cold floor with a thud. He groaned and reached for the radio that was hidden on his belt behind his suit coat.
“You think I’m stupid?” The older man laughed. “I know all about your plan.” He swung once more.
Joshua saw stars and then everything went dark.
* * *
Miss Octavia waited patiently in the back of the Jeep with the radio. It had been nearly a half hour and still she hadn’t heard a peep from Deputy Arkins.
Her fingers hovered over the talk button to ask Joshua if he was still okay, but she thought better of it. If he happened to be sneaking up on Natalie at that exact moment, it could ruin the entire plan.
She would try to focus on something pleasant as she waited. The warmth of the Jeep in the sunlight reminded her of the carefree days growing up on Barbados as a child. She could picture the clear blue ocean beneath her father’s glass-bottom boat, as he took her out when tourist excursions weren’t scheduled. She would always ask him to try to find the mermaids hiding beneath the waves and he would tell her stories of how he saw a few just the other day with a boat full of tourists. How they waved to him and then disappeared beneath the surface to frolic amongst their coral playgrounds.
She missed him so. He had left this world more than a decade ago, but still her heart ached as if it were yesterday.
The shrill blare of sirens interrupted her nostalgic trip into memory. She remained hidden, waiting for the radio to tell her it was time to take action with her magical spells to restrain Natalie and force her to leave for good.
There was a knock at the window and she slowly pulled herself upwards to see who it was. Much to her surprise, a police officer in full uniform was standing outside the car. He knocked again on the window and gestured for her to get out.
Not wanting to disobey, she did as he wanted and opened the door. She reached to the floor to grab the radio when suddenly he yelled at her. “Hands up right now.”
Octavia changed her mind and raised her hands up. “It’s just a radio. I was waiting for Deputy Arkins to signal me. We’re working together.”
The policeman opened the Jeep door and grabbed her roughly by the upper arm. “Get out of the car, nice and slow.”
“There must be some kind of mistake here.” She spoke softly upon exiting the vehicle.
“Put your hands on the back of your head and turn around slowly.” The policeman ordered as a second police car came screeching into the church parking lot.
“Yes sir.” She did as he asked. “May I ask a question?”
“Shut up and stay still.” He ordered.
“Yes sir.”
The newly arrived officer on the scene flanked the first one. “Have you found Deputy Arkins yet?”
“I imagine he’s inside for Sunday mass.” The first officer replied.
Miss Octavia shook her head. “He’s in trouble, that’s what I’ve been trying to tell you.”
The first officer raised his voice at her. “Now take your hands and place them apart on the roof of the car.”
“Yes sir.” Miss Octavia complied.
He started to frisk her, working his way from her upper shoulders, patting down her midsection until he stopped at her waist where her the pockets of her winter jacket were stuffed full of magical spell supplies to take care of Natalie once they caught her. “What have you got in your pockets?”
“Charms.” She replied. “Little trinkets I use for my work.”
He reached into her pocket and pulled out a small bottle of holy water. “Alcohol?”
“Holy water.” She corrected him. “Like I said, just little charms I use to do my work.”
He reached into her pocket again and pulled out a small purse gun with a polished pearl handle. “Is this one of your tools you use for your job?”
“That’s not mine.” She protested. “Where did that come from?”
He handed it to the second officer who looked it over as he pulled out a small hand-mirror, some dried rose petals and foxglove blooms, five small birthday cake candles, and a plastic baggie filled with dirt. “Just what exactly is your job?”
“I am Miss Octavia and I am in the business of helping those who seek answers from the spirit world.”
“It’s loaded, Hank.” The second officer confirmed.
“So, you were planning on surprising him after church?” The officer named Hank asked her.
“Please, you must listen to me.” She continued to plead with him.
“That’s all we needed.” Hank produced a pair of handcuffs and pulled her arms down behind her back. “Miss Octavia, or whatever name you do business under, you are under arrest for threatening the life of Deputy Joshua Arkins.”
“What?” Octavia’s voice jumped up and octave. “Now just a minute.”
He snapped the cuffs onto her wrists and spun her around. “You have the right to remain silent.” He continued reading her the Miranda Rights, ignoring her requests to speak with Joshua.
“Do you understand these rights?” He asked.
“Yes, but if you’ll just get Deputy Arkins out here I’m sure he’ll be able to explain everything.”
“We’re taking you down to the Sheriff’s office where you will be provided with the opportunity to speak with a lawyer.” Officer Hank replied as he escorted her to the second officer’s police vehicle.
“Joshua.” Octavia yelled out as loud as she could. “Can you hear me?”
Hank opened the back door and shoved her inside. “Take her down to the station. I’m going inside to inform Deputy Arkins what has taken place.” He informed the second officer as he slammed the door closed.
“Shall I call for more backup?” The second officer asked.
“There’s no need to get the whole church riled up. I’ll sneak in and get him nice and quiet. You head back to the station.”
“Affirmative.” The second officer climbed into his car and sped away with Miss Octavia.
Hank glanced at the pile of items that he had pulled out of Miss Octavia’s pockets. He snatched the plastic baggie with the dirt inside and opened it. He took a long smell and smiled. “Graveyard dirt. How thoughtful.” He reached in and grabbed a handful just as the glamour spell dissolved away to reveal Natalie’s true form.
She turned back to face the church and listened to the sounds of the mass. She dropped a handful of dirt into her mouth and chewed it slowly. The dark energy stored in the cemetery dirt revived her, repairing the toll being on holy ground had taken.
She climbed into Joshua’s Jeep, pleased with how easy it had been to subdue and tie up Officer Hank. Lucky for her, she had flagged him down from the street only a few blocks away from the church on his standard morning patrol.
Having recognized her from the missing person fliers, he had been more than happy to give her a ride. Away from the holy ground, she had felt her dark magic return. As she distracted him with a bogus story about her disappearance, she snagged his Taser gun and fired. A short drive later to the wooded area behind River Road, she handcuffed him to a tree and cast a sleeping spell on him. He’d be out of her way long enough to finish her task.
As Natalie turned the Jeep on, she focused her energy and assumed the form of Vivienne Finch once more. She stepped on the gas pedal and pulled out of the secluded parking spot.
Suzette Powell came running out from the front entrance of the church and waved her arms wildly as the Jeep sped by with Vivienne behind the wheel. “Vivienne.” She called out as the vehicle made a right turn and disappeared i
nto traffic, oblivious to her pleas. “Don’t be childish.”
She turned to go back into the bake sale when a flyer on the church bulletin board caught her eye. It was a photograph of a woman and a child and the police phone number was listed below to call if anyone had seen either. She pulled the handle on the door to go inside when she suddenly placed the face. “Oh, my God.”
She rummaged through her purse to find her cell phone.
“Did you find Vivienne yet?” Clara asked as she emerged from inside the church. “We need her to help setup the hot drink station downstairs.”
“Clara, I just found that missing woman.” Suzette grabbed her found and called the number. “I found Natalie Burdick.”
Before the two women could say another word, a blood-curdling scream erupted from inside the church.
“What in heaven’s name is going on in there?” Clara asked Suzette.
They both dashed inside as several parishioners pushed past them with their cell phones held close to their ears in conversation.
“Edith? What’s going on?” Clara asked one of the choir ladies.
“Two men have been attacked downstairs. Blood everywhere they say.” Edith wrung her hands nervously. “Who would do such a thing?”
CHAPTER 23
Vivienne dreamt that she had the power to fly, just like the birds. She simply flapped her arms and with a sudden jolt she was soaring over the tree tops and feeling the breeze blow against her face. She climbed higher into the blue sky and then soared toward the ground with an exhilarating rush, watching the buildings below become larger.
Suddenly, she found herself entangled within a flock of wild geese, honking and pecking at her furiously. She tried to shoo them away, but they did not scare off.
The honking became a shrill ringing. She covered her ears but it wouldn’t go away. The ringing continued over and over until at last her eyes sprung open and she bolted upright from the sofa.
It was her cell phone that had stirred her from her deep sleep. She clumsily grabbed at it, trying to focus on the name and number displayed on the screen.
With a swipe of her fingers, she answered it. “Hello?”
“Vivienne. Where are you?” Kathy’s voice was filled with concern.
“I’m at home.” She croaked, her throat dry. “I dozed off waiting for Joshua to call me.”
“You need to get yourself over to Cayuga Memorial right now.”
“What’s going on?” She shook the sleep off.
“Joshua was hurt over at the church bake sale along with one of the church ushers.” Kathy explained. “Hasn’t anyone called you?”
Vivienne snapped awake. “What do you mean he’s hurt?”
“I don’t know anything else.” Kathy replied. “Clara searched the church high and low but couldn’t find you.”
Vivienne glanced at the wall clock. It was nearly half-past two in the afternoon. “No one called me.” She jumped off the sofa, still groggy.
“Why did you go home?” Kathy asked.
“I thought I could sneak a quick nap in before the bake sale.” Vivienne lied.
“You better get over there and find out what’s going on. Do you need a ride?”
“No.” Vivienne raced out into the living room and grabbed her winter coat off the wall rack. “I’ve got my car here.” She stepped into a pair of beat up sneakers and grabbed her keys. “I’m on my way.”
“I’ll let Clara know you’ve been found.”
“Thanks for letting me know.” Vivienne hurried out the front door and nearly tripped as she hurried to the car. “I’ll call you back when I get some more information.”
The drive to the hospital was a blur, but somehow she managed to get there safely. After a frantic conversation with the admissions desk, she was given access to Joshua’s room on the fourth floor.
As she entered, she was relieved to see that he had no roommate to share it with. Sheriff Rigsbee was sitting in the visitor’s chair next to the bed where Joshua was reclined with his eyes closed.
Most of his head was wrapped in bandages, an IV dripped pain medication into a vein on the top of his left hand. His face looked puffy and swollen.
“Joshua.” She could barely get his name out of her mouth.
Sheriff Rigsbee stood up from the chair and walked over to her. “Vivienne, I’m glad you’re here.”
“What happened to him?” She asked.
Zeke Rigsbee was dressed in his full duty uniform, but today he looked less than happy to be wearing it. “Someone attacked him and Carlton Jones in the men’s room at Our Lady of the Lake.” Zeke turned back to get another look at his bruised and battered body. “They used a wooden baseball bat from the church’s recreational supply room.”
“Carlton is in better shape. He’s unconscious, but expected to recover.”
Vivienne felt her lower chin quivering as she stared at Joshua lying so helpless in the soft light of the hospital room. “Who did this?”
“The last person anyone would suspect.”
“Natalie Burdick?” Vivienne asked him.
“Why do you suspect her?” Zeke asked.
“It’s a long story.” Vivienne shot back.
“Natalie and Connor Burdick are still missing persons at this point.” Zeke spoke softly. “But if you have some information that might lead to their whereabouts I’d like to hear it.”
“I don’t know where they are.” Vivienne wiped the tears that started to flow from the corners of her eyes. “Who do you have in custody?”
“The woman known as Miss Octavia.”
“What?” Vivienne shook her head. “No, she wouldn’t have done this.”
“My officers found her hiding inside Deputy Arkins’ Jeep in the church parking lot this morning. She was carrying a gun.”
“No, you’ve got it all wrong. She was helping him to capture the person who is responsible for everything that has been going on.” Vivienne tried to explain.
“Perhaps you and I should take a ride down to the station and you can tell me whatever it is that you’ve been holding onto.” Zeke offered her his hand.
“If it will free Octavia, I’ll go.” She replied. “But, I need a few minutes with Joshua first.”
“Of course.” Zeke nodded. “Would you like me to wait?”
“No, you go on ahead.” Vivienne walked over to the bedside table and stared at Joshua. “I’ll drive down in a little while.”
Zeke gave her a reassuring smile. “Joshua is a strong man. He’ll pull through this.”
Vivienne reached out and stroked his left arm gently. “Yes, he is.”
“I look forward to hearing your story.” Zeke quietly stepped out of the room.
“Joshua, I don’t know if you can hear me but I’m going to talk to you anyway just in case you can.” Vivienne sat down in the chair and listened to the rhythmic monitoring devices that beeped and chirped in the quiet hospital room.
“We really underestimated her power, but she’s not going to get away with this. I’m going to go down to the station and set things right.” Vivienne waited for some sort of sign that he heard her. She stared as his chest would rise and fall with each breath.
“Open your eyes, Joshua. Please, let me know that you’re still in there.” Vivienne grabbed his hand in hers and squeezed it. “Give me a sign that she didn’t destroy your mind with a spell.” The tears dripped from her face and splashed onto his blanket.
“Please come back to me. Come back to us. Come back to the life we’ve just begun to start making. I don’t want to walk another step without you by my side.”
She stared and waited for a sign, but there was none. He remained motionless. “I know you’re still in there. I can feel it.” She spoke softly. “You need to reach deep down inside yourself and find that will to come back.”
One of the nurses, a kind looking woman with very short hair stepped into the room. “Excuse me, I need to check on his wound dressing.”
Vivienne
sniffed back the tears remaining. “Of course.”
“I’m Carol, the evening nurse for Joshua.” She walked to the other side of the bed and gently tipped his head to the side. “A little bit of bleeding, but not bad. I expected to see worse.”
“Really?” Vivienne felt a little bit of hope flare up inside her.
“Given the severity of the injuries, he’s recovering remarkably fast.” Carol crossed over in front of Vivienne and checked the flow rate on the IV monitor. “He must have some angels watching over him.”
“I know he does.” She smiled weakly. “Has he woken up at all?”
“My shift just started a half hour ago, so I haven’t been here.” Carol reached into the pocket of her scrub coat and pulled out a tablet device. “Let me check his chart and see what we find.”
“Thank you.”
“He’s remained unconscious since he was transferred up here from emergency.” Carol gave a quick check to make sure the IV site wasn’t irritated. “Don’t give up hope. He’s definitely a fighter.”
“Are you going to be here all night?” Vivienne asked.
“I’m here until seven in the morning.”
“Will you give me a call if he happens to wake up?”
Carol nodded and tapped the tablet with a plastic stylus that was hung around her neck with a little chain. “I’m assuming your Vivienne Finch.”
“Yes, I am.”
“You’re listed as his third emergency contact, behind Sheriff Rigsbee and his brother, Hunter Arkins.” Carol confirmed.
“His brother?”
“That’s what it says here.” Carol put the tablet back into her pocket. “I’ll call you the moment he wakes up.”
“Thank you, Carol. It really means a lot.” Vivienne slowly pulled herself up from the chair. “I need to go down the Sheriff’s office and take care of some business.”
As Vivienne stepped out of the hospital she heard the whine of an ambulance siren and then another. She was really starting to hate that sound and part of her just wanted to run home and put a pillow over her head and be done with it. It was the sound of terror and death. The sound of pain and loss.
Pulling out the parking lot she watched as the first ambulance sped toward the emergency entrance with lights flashing.