by Wendy Wang
“Henry,” she said softly. “You have to tell us what you've done. You can't go until you tell the truth. Did you kill those girls?”
Blood wetted his lips, spraying a fine mist across his chin as he spoke. His blue eyes fogged with pain. “Mine.”
Charlie felt them before she saw them. They shimmered in the shadows casting back the darkness. Charlie looked up as they surrounded her and Henry. Any fear they may have had didn’t mar their beautiful faces, some of which she recognized immediately. Trini, Macey Givens, and the young girl who had ridden past her on her bike. The other girls were faces from missing person fliers, but some she had not seen before. How many girls had he actually killed? Their tormentor was dying. Finally, they would be free.
One of the older girls bent over him and spit on him before casting her eyes skyward and disappearing. A soft rustling sound came from the other girls, and Charlie’s heart quickened. Were they going to pick up one of the garden tools and stab into him? She would not blame them if they did.
“I know,” Charlie said softly to them. “I know what he did to you. You can go now. I’ll make sure the world knows too.”
“Charlie?” Jason knelt next to her. He placed his hand on her shoulder and looked around the room.
The old man let out one last wheezing breath and his eyelids fluttered. A moment later Henry Hatch stood staring down at his body. Confusion and fear deepened the lines and folds of his old face. The girls who had not departed huddled together, their fearlessness melting away. His eyes widened when he saw them.
“Don’t be scared. He can't hurt you anymore,” Charlie said. “Go on now.”
One by one the girls cast their eyes toward the ceiling and disappeared.
Trini stood frozen, staring into the dark shadows of the corner. His glowing amber eyes appeared first, then he emerged from the darkness as if it had borne him. Trini's face twisted with fear and she shook her head, running to the back of the building. Her body disappeared before it made a physical connection with the exterior wall.
“Trini, wait,” Macey Givens called after her, following her friend.
Charlie watched in horror as the reaper took his scythe and struck it through the center of Henry's heart. The old man’s spirit screamed in agony. Charlie squeezed her eyes shut and tears of sorrow traced over her cheeks, falling onto the dusty floor. When she opened them again, Henry and the reaper were gone.
“Charlie?” Jason asked. “You okay?”
Charlie nodded and looked at her friend.
“Yes,” she said. “I think I know why the reaper was following me now.”
“What?” Jason asked. She knew he was trying not to look at her like she was crazy, but it still came through his hazel eyes.
“Nothing,” she said. “I'll tell you about it some other time.”
“Okay. I need to take you down to the station to give a statement.”
“All right,” she said. “Then I just want to go home and hug my kid.”
Chapter 21
On Friday afternoon, Charlie walked into the café and took a seat at the lunch counter. She leaned forward on her elbows, fighting the tired seeping into her muscles. It had been the longest couple of days, and she was grateful to have gotten to the end of the week without being arrested for breaking into Henry James Hatch’s shed. Somehow, the sheriff’s deputies bought her story and didn’t push too hard on how she got the keys to it or why no crying child had been found. She knew she probably had Jason to thank for that. When it was all said and done, they were more concerned about what they found in the shed. They were still sorting out the bodies, but the count was up to nine. Charlie worried about Trini and Macey – had they finally moved on? It was impossible for her to say. Once the dust settled a little, she would go back to the Givens woods and see what she could find.
Evangeline came over and put her hands on Charlie’s arms, giving her a half hug. “Hey there, sunshine.” Evangeline took the empty seat next to Charlie. “How are you feeling?”
“Good – exhausted but good.”
“Well, I’m glad to hear it. I really appreciate you picking me up. Brett Henderson swore he'd have my car back to me by this afternoon but you know how that goes.”
“It's no problem, Evangeline. I'm happy to do it.” Charlie peered up at the chalkboard menu on the wall behind the counter. Her stomach growled.
“We just have to wait until Dottie comes in at five then we can leave.” Evangeline said. “Is there anything I can get you in the meantime? Iced tea?”
“Tea sounds good.” Charlie leaned forward.
“Lots of ice no lemon.” Charlie and Evangeline said simultaneously.
Evangeline laughed and shook her head. “Child, you think I don’t know you by now?” She picked up a clean glass sitting on a rubber mat that ran half the length of the service cabinet behind the lunch counter. She scooped it full of ice, took one of the tea pitchers and filled the glass.
She placed the glass down in front of Charlie. “How about a piece of pie while you wait.”
“Thank you, but no ma’am. I don’t want to spoil my appetite.”
Evangeline winked at her. “Smart girl. Jen’s making fried chicken.”
“There ya go.” Charlie smiled and picked up her glass and sipped the sweet tea. Just the way she liked it. The bell above the door rang and a tingle of recognition spread through Charlie’s senses. She resisted the urge to turn and look as Tom Sharon sat down at the counter next to her.
“Well, if it isn't Charlie Payne. It's been quite a long time since I’ve seen you, my friend,” he said a little too loudly.
Charlie glanced around at the nearly empty café.
“I don’t think Miss Cookie heard you.” She jerked her thumb toward the older woman with perfectly coiffed silver hair, wearing a bright aqua colored suit and every piece of jewelry she owned. Miss Cookie didn’t look up from the farthest booth on the far wall, but licked her thumb and turned the page of the worn paperback romance in her hands.
“Yes, but I think she’s a little deaf, isn’t she?” Tom quipped.
Charlie laughed and finally let herself look at him. His stark good looks still didn’t fail to overwhelm. His golden-brown eyes glittered with humor. Tom leaned in and lowered his voice. “I just don't want anyone to get the wrong idea. I don't want to make trouble for you, Charlie.”
“I appreciate that.” Charlie’s cheeks slackened and her smile faded.
Evangeline returned from the kitchen and stopped in front of Tom. “Good afternoon, Mr. Sharon. How are things going over at the new mortuary? Have y'all opened up yet?”
“Yes, we've opened the doors. We had our first funeral this week actually. Myra Burns.”
“Oh my gosh, that's right. I forgot about Myra. I was so sorry to hear that she had passed,” Evangeline said.
“She was the last of the Burns’, wasn't she?” Charlie asked.
“She was. I wonder what they're going to do with that property now? She probably hasn’t lived there in thirty years, and it’s dilapidated. I don’t think she has any heirs.”
“Well, maybe the county will tear it down.” Charlie took another sip of tea.
“They should,” Evangeline absently poured Tom a glass of tea and set it down in front of him. “At least that would keep the kids from vandalizing it.”
“Why hasn't she lived there?” Tom took the lemon wedge perched on the edge of the glass and squeezed it into the tea before tasting it. Charlie wrinkled her nose.
“Well, the poor thing went into a home after she had a bad fall and broke her hip. Never came out. I used to go by and see her every once in a while. After her hip healed she actually liked living in the home so she moved from convalescence to assisted living. I think she was just lonely. And she was rich enough that she didn't need to sell the house so unfortunately it just sat there and rotted.”
“That’s a real shame,” Charlie said.
“It won’t be sad for the developers that g
et their hands on it, I'll tell you that,” Evangeline said. “That property is probably worth a fair penny these days. It’s got a marsh view and could easily be subdivided.”
“I guess that's what they call progress.” Charlie shrugged.
“Tom, are you here for some supper or are you just here to visit with our fair Charlie?” Evangeline asked.
“Maybe both if I can talk Charlie into joining me,” Tom said raising his eyebrows, his face hopeful.
“Oh I’m sorry. It's Friday night. I always try to have dinner with my family.”
Tom's face deflated. “Of course. It's silly of me to think you wouldn't have plans.”
“I really am sorry. But it's probably not a good idea anyway, at least until I have this custody thing sorted.”
“Of course,” Tom said softly.
“So,” Evangeline leaned over the counter in front of Tom and smiled wide. “What are you doing for dinner, Tom? I would be overjoyed to have you as my guest for dinner.” Charlie gave her aunt a pointed look. Evangeline’s eyebrows raised, and she brushed off her niece’s questioning glance. “What? I can't have friends to dinner?”
Charlie sighed. “Well, of course you can.”
“Listen, I really don't want to make trouble for Charlie,” Tom held his hands up in surrender.
“Nonsense. And don't you worry about Scott,” Evangeline narrowed her blue eyes. “I can handle him if it comes to it.”
“Evangeline,” Charlie warned.
Evangeline picked up her order pad, ripped out a check, and turned it over. She quickly scribbled the time and address. “We eat dinner promptly at seven. Dress is casual so you don't have to wear your suit.”
“Yeah and you can bring Uncle Jack some whiskey if you really want to kiss some ass,” Charlie said dryly.
“What kind of whiskey?” Tom asked.
“Don't you listen to her,” Evangeline said. She tucked the piece of paper into the front pocket of Tom's dark gray suit. “Don't be late.”
Tom glanced at Charlie, his expression full of uncertainty. “I won’t come if you don't want me to.”
Charlie sighed and looked at her aunt.
“You know you want him to,” Evangeline goaded.
Her cheeks filled with heat, and she glanced at Tom. “Just make sure you park behind my uncle’s house. Okay?”
“Great.” Tom beamed. “Now seriously what kind of whiskey should I bring?”
“I like him,” Evangeline said when they were halfway to her uncle Jack's house.
“Evangeline. I like him too, but that’s not the point. Scott is going to use every means available to him to keep me from getting custody. Especially since I outright challenged him. If that means not having a relationship with Tom, then that's what I'm gonna do.”
“You know I've been wondering,” Evangeline said. “Why haven't you asked us for help on that matter?”
“Because there's nothing you can do.”
“My love, there is plenty we could do to help you but you would have to let us.”
“Evangeline, please don't do anything crazy. I don't need Scott ending up dead somewhere.”
“Nobody's gonna kill Scott. He still Evan's father. We respect that. And I'm not talking about dark magic. But we can certainly appeal to the forces of good and light to help with your custody case. It might help keep Scott straight. Instead of dirty tricks like threatening you for having a relationship with another man.”
“I hadn't really thought of it like that.”
“Well, if you would just accept who you are —”
“I am not a witch,” Charlie protested.
“Sweetie, you have just as much witch blood flowing through your veins as the rest of us Payne women. We all have different talents and we have all learned how to exploit them. And there's nothing wrong with that. Yes, Lisa, Jen, and Daphne are all better at traditional magic. But that little talent of yours of communing with the dead and seeing the future? That's as witchy as it gets, honey.”
“Maybe it is,” Charlie snapped. “But I'm not ready to deal with that now. About all I can handle right now is fighting for Evan and doing my job.”
Evangeline placed her hand on top of Charlie's arm. “I'll leave you alone about it for now. But denying who we are catches up with us in the end. We’re for you, that’s all you need to know.”
A bittersweet pang spread throughout Charlie’s chest and her throat tickled with emotion. “Thank you.”
“That reminds me. I want to give you something.” Excitement lit up Evangeline’s face and she reached for her bag, rifling through the oversized denim tote before finally pulling out a small velvet pouch. She opened the drawstring and emptied it into her palm. A large polished black stone covered the center of her hand.
“I want you to take this and keep it with you at all times. Put it in your pocket, put it in your purse, just make sure you keep it with you.”
“Black tourmaline?” Charlie took the stone in her hand and wrapped her fingers around the cool smooth stone. A sense of calm immediately swept up her arm, dispersing its energy through her.
“I already have a couple of beads on my necklace.”
“I know. But this one is supercharged and I've already blessed it, so it will give you more protection. Jen told me about your concerns about the reaper and that worrisome spirit you’ve been dealing with.”
“She shouldn’t have told you that. I didn't want to worry you.”
“I s’wannee girl, you make me crazy. What's family for if not to help you with your troubles? You really need to work on asking for help.”
“Yes ma'am,” Charlie glanced at her aunt and smiled. It warmed her heart to be so loved. She shoved the stone into the pocket of her jeans. “I'll keep it with me.”
“Good.” Evangeline gave her a smug grin. “I've been keeping a secret of my own.”
“I know. It's been driving Jen crazy.”
Evangeline chuckled. “She and Daphne are the nosiest girls I've ever met.”
“Well, are you gonna tell me or are you gonna make me wait, too,” Charlie asked.
“I plan on telling everybody at dinner tonight. Well, except for Jack because you know.”
Charlie nodded. Her uncle Jack would absolutely lay down his life for anyone of the women in his life — and he recognized that all of them were talented and special — but it was better not to flaunt the cause in his face. As a doctor, he always looked for the rational reason behind things. There was nothing rational about her ability to hear snippets of his thoughts or see the dead the way she did. Or to know that company was about to arrive or have her food work like a magical balm for any situation like Jen. Or Lisa's ability to find any sort of lost object. Or Daphne's talent for making any woman, or man for that matter, feel like the most beautiful version of themselves and then project that to the rest of the world. Or Evangeline's ability to heal not just the broken or wounded, but the soul. Ignorance was bliss when it came to Jack, and happily, he seemed to like dwelling there. So many times he overlooked things, chocked them up to coincidence or ignored them all together.
“Well, I'm excited to hear about it, whatever it is,” Charlie said.
“Well, just between you and me, I was chosen to be one of the leaders of the SCoW.” Evangeline beamed and folded her hands onto her lap.
“What is that again?” Charlie asked.
“The Southern Coalition of Witches,” Evangeline said proudly.
“Oh Evangeline, that’s fantastic. Why haven't you told us before?”
“Well, that's part of it. I couldn't. But I'm done training now so I can share the news.”
“I am so proud of you.”
“Thank you, Sweetie. That means the world to me.” Evangeline flipped on the radio before landing on a station playing classical music, letting them each get lost in their own thoughts.
“Well, it's about dang time y'all got here,” Jen scolded as Charlie and Evangeline walked through the back door.
/> “Sorry,” Evangeline reached for her purple apron hanging on the hook beside the door. “We had to wait for Dottie. I didn't want to just leave the restaurant without somebody there to manage it.”
“No, I suppose that would be bad.” Jen flipped the chicken frying in the heavy Dutch oven.
“What's wrong?” Charlie asked. “Why are you so contrary.”
“Nothing's wrong. I just—Ruby’s been underfoot and so has daddy.”
“Well, I'm here now. You need me to help cook?” Evangeline sidled up next to Jen and surveyed the situation.
“Could you bread the squash for me please?” Jen pointed to the sheet pan full of thin slices of yellow and zucchini squash. “I salted them and they’ve been sitting there for twenty minutes sweating.”
“I'll get right on that.” Evangeline quickly tied her apron strings around her trim waist and got to work.
“I'll set the table,” Charlie said
“Don't forget,” Evangeline said. “We need an extra place setting.”
“Why?” Jen asked wiping her hands on her apple green apron.
“Evangeline invited Tom for dinner.”
“Really?” A smile stretched across Jen’s lips.
Charlie rolled her eyes at her cousin’s excitement and sighed. It would be hard to fight them off if they all ganged up on her.
She opened the cabinet and counted out enough plates and napkins and set off for the dining room. A few minutes later Lisa and Daphne wandered in. Daphne pulled out the chair at the end of the table where Uncle Jack usually sat.
“So,” Daphne started. “It must be serious if we get to meet the boyfriend.”
“He is not my boyfriend, Daphne.” Charlie folded a blue and white napkin and placed it across the plate in front of her.
“But he is sweet on you, right?” Lisa asked.
Charlie fiddled with the silverware, making sure the placement of the forks, spoons, and knives was perfect. “Well, that does not a boyfriend make.”