Looking for Mr. Good Witch

by Joyce

  “Yes.” I finished running her MasterCard and gave her a receipt. “I’ve heard that too. Cassandra is supposed to be at the celebration tomorrow night. I hope she has more news on that front.”

  “It’s the beginning of a new purge,” Phoebe said. “There are too many witches now, and we’re too open about what we do. Do you know how many witchcraft pages there are on Facebook?”

  “No. I don’t get on Facebook much.”

  “I counted one hundred and fifty,” she confided. “That’s why they want to do away with us.”

  Being a witch didn’t preclude being paranoid from time to time. With the history of our craft, it wasn’t surprising.

  “That sounds like a lot,” I agreed. “I don’t think we can take back the knowledge that we exist now.”

  “The council could take it back. They could erase the memory of us from all the non-magic people in the world. Then we’d be protected. I have a petition right here that I’m planning to present to them.” She rummaged in her large handbag and pulled out a petition that was written on a scroll. “Will you sign it, Molly?”

  Since I was fighting not to have Joe’s memory of witches erased, I could hardly sign her well-meant petition. As I glanced up for a diversion that could allow me to escape from behind the counter without hurting Phoebe’s feelings, a large bag of lemon balm fell to the old wood floor.

  Olivia smiled and shrugged.

  “Excuse me, Phoebe.” I smiled at her. She was a very good customer and an old friend. “I have to clean up this mess.”

  “Oh!” Dorothy noticed the bag of lemon balm. “I can do that for you, Molly.”

  “Kay needs your help choosing a new robe for the celebration,” I told her.

  We had brought in a few new robes, dresses and other elaborate apparel for the event. Not dozens of them, since they were expensive, but I hoped to sell them all.

  “Sorry. Sure.” Dorothy went to help Kay, who was from Wrightsville Beach.

  I still had to sweep up the spilled herb. Phoebe waited for a few minutes, and then one of her friends came into the shop and claimed her attention.

  “Sorry, Molly,” Olivia said. “It was all I could think to do on the spur of the moment, and then it almost didn’t work. What does Phoebe think she’s going to accomplish with that petition? All she’s going to do is rile up the council.”

  “I guess if you’re afraid or worried enough it doesn’t matter.” I swept up the mess and went to dump the dustpan into the trash container in the supply closet. When I opened the door, the Bone Man was standing there, grinning at me.

  I dropped the dustpan and the broom. What was it with him and closets?

  “Will you speak to me now?” I asked in a low voice, not wanting to attract attention.

  But it was as though he were nothing but a shadow. He stood there without moving or speaking for a moment and then disappeared again.

  “Do you need help with that?” Dorothy came up behind me. “I think Kay found a robe she wants. I’m not sure how to work the cash register, with or without magic.”

  “Yes.” I took a deep breath and gathered my scattered wits. What did it mean? Why was the Bone Man haunting my closets?

  I rang up Kay’s purchase of a beautiful sea green robe. She was very excited about the big celebration. It was the first of its kind in Wilmington. Usually witches met privately and kept their activities secret.

  In recent years, the council had encouraged us to go out and celebrate the full moon and other important events more openly in the hope that other witches would join in. It seemed to be working, as there appeared to be more witches in the city, where they had once hanged our kind.

  “It’s going to be a good strong moon too,” Kay said. “I’m very excited.”

  “So am I.” I bagged her purchase and handed it to her. “I hope to see you there. Blessed Be, my friend.”

  Portia de Winter came in with a lovely, warm smile for everyone. She was in charge of getting the full moon celebration going. The council had tasked her with the responsibility of making our events more visible.

  She was a beautiful, older witch with long silver hair and sharp, blue eyes. She dressed well, always wearing a colorful ankle-length skirt. She was ready for the full moon in a gorgeous silver cotton that almost matched the color of her hair.

  I couldn’t think of a better choice for a witch who had to go out among other witches and spread the word. Witches could be clannish and, sometimes, rude to strangers. Portia had a way about her. She was friendly and appealing.

  She nodded to the witches she knew as she came into the shop, and shook hands with those she didn’t know, introducing herself to everyone in Smuggler’s Arcane.

  “Good afternoon, Molly.” Portia came up and took my hand. “I can see you’re very busy. I hope a lot of this is for the celebration.”

  “I’m sure it is.”

  Dorothy was finished cleaning up the lemon balm I’d dropped. She eagerly shook hands with Portia. “How are you? I’m so looking forward to my first full moon celebration. I can’t believe I missed out all these years.”

  “We’ll just have to make up for that by having the best celebration ever,” Portia responded with excitement in her blue eyes. She was a water witch, like me, but with much stronger magic.

  “Great! I can’t wait.”

  Portia worked for the council, and was also the only council representative we’d met who didn’t immediately spurn Olivia’s presence. “Hello, Olivia. How are you today?”

  “I’m just fine, except for a growing feeling of loss regarding my magic. My own familiar, Barnabas, refuses to come back home. I still feel like a witch, but I’m reviled by my own kind. It’s very difficult being a ghost. No wonder witches usually move on right away.”

  “Olivia, take heart,” Portia counselled. “Things will change. They always do. At some point, ghost witches may even be able to use their magic again. Don’t give up. Remember—you’re here for your daughter. I can’t think of a worthier cause.”

  Elsie came in while Portia was still there. She stowed her large purple bag behind the counter. “I’m sorry, Molly. I was just so upset seeing Aleese that way. I overreacted. I guess I owe Brian an apology too. I don’t even know how long it’s been since I got that hot—literally. I didn’t even know it was possible anymore.”

  “It’s not a big deal,” I told her. “I know how you felt. We tried all our lives to protect our families from magic. It’s hard when it comes right into our homes. I think Brian was embarrassed by the whole situation with his parents and then with Aleese. He isn’t used to dealing with those kinds of issues.”

  “He’d probably be better off if he was more interactive with his family—although they seemed like twits to me. The emotion would have been good for him. He’s all brain and knowledge, but there’s very little heart in his magic.”

  “I know.” I told her about seeing the Bone Man again in the supply closet. “I don’t know what to think about it. He’s not exactly the person you want to have visions of.”

  She knit her red brows together. “Maybe he’s trying to contact you. Maybe he needs help.”

  I gazed at her with complete disbelief. “First of all, why would the Bone Man need help? He’s an entity unto himself. And second, why would he contact me? It’s not like we’re friends or something. I’m as terrified of him as you are.”

  She shrugged as two more witches came up to pay for their purchases. “I don’t know. Olivia had some kind of relationship with him that I’d rather not think about. Maybe she could pop out there and talk to him. You should ask her when things get quiet.”

  But the shop was even busier after Portia got there. We made tea for her, and she sat at our table drinking it and talking with friends. It was always a pleasure having her there. We all wished she’d become a member of the council.
/>   Dorothy was getting familiar with the merchandise, but was still unsure of many things, which meant that Elsie and I had to talk her through dozens of purchases. I thought she did an exceptional job for her first big day there. I couldn’t have asked for more.

  Around five P.M., people slowly stopped coming in. We helped those who were already there and got ready to close for the day. I’d convinced one woman who believed she was being visited by a demon that it probably wasn’t so. She wasn’t a witch but had created what she considered a perfect lover from her fantasies. I assured her that demons didn’t really make good lovers, despite present day fiction, and sent her home with some Valerian root so she could get a good night’s sleep.

  “Girls, I think this may be the busiest I have ever seen our shop.” Olivia was smiling, although sometimes her ghostly facial expressions were difficult to decipher. “I’m so glad I was here to be part of it.”

  “I’m glad you were here too, Mom,” Dorothy added.

  “I wish I could join in tomorrow at the full moon celebration, but I’m afraid some of the others might be mean to me. I hate to miss it.”

  “Let’s think about it.” I had no real goal in mind. I knew how most witches felt about ghosts, even ghosts of witches. “Maybe we can think of some way to hide you.”

  Portia had gone, and Dorothy saw the last customer out of the shop before she locked the door and put out the closed sign. We were intent on closing up, giving Barnabas food and water, and then going home.

  I was particularly anxious to talk with Joe about his new case—and his new partner.

  “Did you ask Olivia what she thinks about the Bone Man appearing out of nowhere?” Elsie put on her purple hat and picked up her bag.

  “What about the Bone Man?” Olivia’s whole body shuddered. “He wasn’t so bad. I just don’t ever want to go out there again.”

  “I’m not planning on going out there,” I assured her. “I’ve been seeing him here.”

  The expression on Olivia’s face was simple this time—horror. “Molly, I can’t believe he’s your type. And what about Joe? This is too much.”

  Dorothy frowned at me. “Is that a good idea? I mean, I haven’t met the Bone Man, but Joe is such a nice person. And what about Mike? How is he going to take this?”

  I ignored her question about my son and what he’d think about the Bone Man. “I’m not dating him. I saw him in my bedroom this morning after coming out of the closet. I saw him here in the supply closet. That’s why I dropped the dustpan.”

  “You mean he’s appearing to you?” Olivia asked. “That’s odd. I’ve never heard of him reaching out to anyone. Have you, Elsie?”

  “No. Never.” Elsie adjusted her bag on her shoulder. “Maybe it has something to do with your mother’s amulet that you started wearing. You remember, he was very keen on it when we were out there last time.”

  I fingered the amulet. “Maybe that’s it.”

  “Or maybe he’s in trouble,” Olivia said. “Maybe you should check on him, Molly. What if he needs help and you’re the only one he can connect with?”

  “I think you should go, Olivia. You know him so well,” I suggested.

  “No. Not me. He hasn’t been appearing to me anyway, Molly. I think he wants you.”

  “This is the Bone Man we’re talking about,” I reminded her. “We don’t randomly stop in at Oak Island with a Bundt cake and ask him how he’s doing.”

  “But what if Mom is right?” Dorothy added. “If he were anyone else, you’d help him.”

  Elsie giggled. “Sounds like a road trip.”

  CHAPTER 7

  Teach me what I need to know,

  Show me truth and light.

  I fear no evil—no remorse.

  Gird me for the fight.

  Dorothy was excited by the idea of finally meeting the Bone Man. That was only because she’d never met him. I felt sure she’d be as frightened of him as the rest of us once she laid eyes on him.

  “I’ll just wait at the house tomorrow until you girls come back.” Olivia went out the door with Dorothy, who was carrying her staff. “I’ve spent all the time I want out there. Just be careful. We know the Bone Man can be tricky. Don’t let him take your amulet with some kind of shady deal, Molly.”

  “I’m not entirely convinced this is the right thing to do.” I locked the shop door behind us, and we headed to our cars. “How would we approach him? The only reason witches visit him is to trade for knowledge or items we need for spells.”

  “Why can’t we just say we’re checking on him because you had visions of him?” Dorothy unlocked her brown Beetle.

  “I can’t imagine saying that to him.” Elsie shrugged as she got into my car. “But Molly was pretty good with him last time—except for letting him have Olivia.”

  “Don’t remind me,” Olivia called out. “Dorothy, make sure you leave my staff at home when you go.”

  Elsie laughed. “I thought you had a good time with him, Olivia.”

  “I dated a weredragon once too,” Olivia said. “We don’t want to go into all my mistakes.”

  “I’m sure we’ll think of something,” Dorothy decided cheerfully. “Should I bring my magic stone?”

  “Not unless you want him to trick you out of it,” Olivia replied. “I don’t know, girls. Maybe Dorothy is too green to go out to Oak Island.”

  “I think she’ll be fine,” Elsie said. “She’s bound to go out there with us sometime. It might as well be tomorrow.”

  I sighed as I got behind the wheel. Elsie and Dorothy seemed very sure it was the right thing to do. Olivia did too—she just didn’t want to be part of it.

  As we drove back to Elsie’s house, I prepared her for the fact that I might decide not to go to the island tomorrow. “There’s so much to do. I don’t know if there’s time for the ferry trip and to get ready for the full moon celebration. Maybe we should wait a few days.”

  “Not afraid, are you, Molly?” Elsie asked.

  “Yes. All of us are—except for Dorothy, who doesn’t know any better. I don’t know what kind of magic the Bone Man has, but I know he’s a lot more powerful than the three of us. The only times we’ve gone out there, we were desperate. I don’t feel desperate enough to allow my fear to overwhelm my common sense.”

  “I don’t like him either, but he has helped us many times. Remember that one time we were trying to help that poor Selkie who’d lost her skin? He was the only one with a workable solution.”

  “Solution? You mean the time we all had the fillings in our teeth removed so we could give them to him,” I reminded her.

  “Oh, yes.” She frowned. “I’d forgotten about that part. But we did help the Selkie. Is she still around Wilmington?”

  “I see her almost every day down by the docks with her easel and paints.” I pulled in front of Elsie’s house. “That was different, don’t you think? We were trying to help someone who couldn’t help herself.”

  Elsie stared at me with emerald green eyes. “We don’t know we aren’t trying to help someone this time, do we?”

  “You mean the Bone Man?” I shook my head. “It’s hard for me to believe he needs our help. Maybe that’s uncharitable, but usually association with him comes at a price.”

  “Well, give me a call in the morning if you change your mind.” She smiled. “I’ll change it back for you with a major guilt trip from all the stories I can remember of the times he helped us. Good night, Molly.”

  I watched her walk slowly into her house before I drove away.

  Joe was home when I got there. I wished I could explain to him about the Bone Man. I felt sure he’d agree with me about not going to the island. It would’ve been nice to have someone in my corner.

  But the only way we could discuss witchcraft was inside an enchanted bubble to protect us from the prying eyes and ears of the
council. The enchantment didn’t last long. Certainly not enough time to explain my fears and trepidation about seeing the Bone Man again.

  I walked in the door to the smell of Joe’s peppers and onions sizzling on the stove. He’d also made veggies with meatballs and marinara to go on hoagie rolls.

  “Hi, Molly.” He grinned as he stirred the peppers and onions in the skillet so they wouldn’t burn.

  “I didn’t expect you to be home, since you’re working on a homicide.” I put my bag on a chair. Isabelle came up and nudged me with her head, reminding me how much she disliked the smell of peppers and onions. She wanted her food so she could take a nice long nap while we ate.

  “The task force is still trying to decide if the young man who died in Southport is part of the homicides we’re tracking.”

  “What did he die from?”

  “That’s unclear. Some people think it was a drug overdose. There are no wounds on the body. Suzanne and I can’t do anything until we get all the information. I thought you and I could have dinner together before this whole thing becomes a rock rolling downhill.”

  I wanted to talk to him as much as he could about the case before we had to discuss its portents of witchcraft in the bubble. I was never quiet sure how long I could hold on to that magic. The amulet had increased my abilities, but I still felt uncertain. When you try something enough times and it doesn’t work, it makes you feel insecure.

  Joe told me what he could about the possible serial killer. “It’s been the same story since Savannah. The numbers change in each town, but the deaths all look the same. No apparent wounds that could cause death. No poisons. No reason these healthy, young men should be dead at all. That’s one of the reasons everyone has hesitated to label these murders as the work of a serial killer. We can’t figure out what’s happening.”

  I tried to imagine how this could fit in with what Cassandra had said. It was possible for a witch to kill without leaving a mark on the victim. But that would mean we were dealing with a witch killing his or her own instead of a non–magic user killing witches.