The Witches Ladder

by Wendy Wang

  “Sure. It will have to be tonight or tomorrow though. I've got to go to work at eleven.”

  “Okay. I'll text you later and we'll figure out a time.”

  “Thanks for letting me know.”

  “Sure thing,” Jason said and ended the call. Charlie stared at her phone until she felt Tom's warm hand touch her in the middle of the back.

  “What happened?”

  “Ryan Whisnant, the girl I told you about. She and her mother are dead. I guess I know what he meant now.”

  “Who?”

  “Tony Smoak. The dead man who attacked me. He said something about his step-daughter last night, but everything happened so fast. I should have known then what he meant.”

  “How could you?” Tom said, “You're too hard on yourself.”

  “You still think humans are admirable?” Charlie sighed.

  “Some humans. Yes.” He smiled.

  She tucked her phone into her back pocket and considered Tom's face. He was still handsome enough to make her heart ache when she looked at him. Would that ever wear off? Some part of her hoped it never would. “I need to go to meet with the DOL guy.”

  “All right. Talk soon?”

  Charlie nodded and backed away, smiling. “Talk soon.”

  Chapter 11

  Charlie left her car at the mortuary and walked the three blocks down the street to The Kitchen Witch Café. Even this early there were still plenty of people on the street but Charlie couldn't shake the feeling of being watched. She kept scanning her surroundings and glancing over her shoulder. What would happen if Tony Smoak attacked her on the street? No one would be able to help her. She quickened her pace. As much as she hated to admit it she felt safer knowing there was at least one witch in the vicinity that could stop him.

  She saw Ben Sutton through the window sitting at the counter leaning forward. He had his eyes on her cousin Jen and something yawned inside of her. Something fierce and protective. She walked through the front door, the bell jingling behind her. Even though things wouldn't get really going until Memorial Day, the café was bustling at this time of the morning with tourists and locals alike. Charlie marched up to Ben.

  “What are you doing?” she said her voice sharp and filled with accusation.

  “Well good morning to you, too.” Ben turned his head and gave her an appraising look.

  “Charlie,” Jen said, sounding mortified. “Don't be rude. Do you two know each other?” Jen looked confused.

  “Know is a little strong,” Charlie said.

  “We became acquainted last night. How do you two know each other?” Ben asked.

  “This is my cousin,” Charlie said, aware that she sounded almost territorial.

  “Of course she is,” Ben said dryly.

  “Charlie?” Jen's tone was a little curt. “May I speak with you please? Now.”

  “Of course.” Charlie glared at Ben. “I'll be right back.”

  “And I'll be right here.” He reached for his coffee.

  Charlie walked around to the end of the counter and followed her cousin into the kitchen.

  “Charlie, how do you know Ben?”

  “He didn't tell you?” Charlie lowered her brows, suspicion in her question.

  “No. What should he have told me?”

  Charlie glanced around to see who was in the kitchen. Evangeline was too busy at the grill to notice and the other two waitresses that worked for Jen kept buzzing in and out of the kitchen, paying them no mind.

  Still, Charlie leaned in and whispered, “He's a witch.”

  “No.” Jen said shaking her head. “I would have known if he was a witch. He's nice.”

  It was on the tip of her tongue to say bless your heart but Charlie knew it was a good way to start a fight and she had already alienated Lisa. She didn't want to do the same thing with Jen.

  “Honey, he's a witch. I went to Evangeline the other day and we contacted the Defender's of Light. Long story short I was in the middle of an attack last night.”

  “What you mean? An attack?”

  “Well . . .” Charlie took a deep breath. “I'm afraid that Tony Smoak the spirit who attacked me in my car? Somehow he broke through the boundaries last night. Ben seems to think it was his will.”

  “What?”

  “Did you not see my text?” Charlie asked.

  “I. . .” Jen shook her head no. “I'm sorry I didn't even look at my phone this morning before I left.” Her hand flew to her mouth in concern. “What happened?”

  Charlie ran through the events of last night ending with Ben showing up and blowing her chance at capturing Tony Smoak. She didn't mention Tom, though. She would leave that subject for another time.

  “That Ben out there?” Jen pointed to the door.

  “I'm sorry honey. But yeah,” Charlie said.

  Jen's face filled with disappointment.

  Charlie wrapped her arms around Jen and gave her a gentle squeeze, her voice incredulous as she spoke, “You like him.”

  “He flirted with me. Even asked me on a date.” Jen stepped back, staring into Charlie's face. “No point in going if he works for the DOL.”

  “Why not?” Charlie said softly.

  “They're nomads. Never in one place for very long.”

  “I'm sorry honey,” Charlie said.

  “It just felt good. That's all.” Jen's lips pulled into a frown. “It's been a long time since I've been on a date.”

  “I'm know.”

  “It doesn't matter. Come on. Let's go talk to him.” Jen turned to the busy kitchen. “Evangeline, I think we're gonna need you.”

  Evangeline gave them a puzzled look then said something neither of them could hear to the new sous chef she was training. The three women emerged from the kitchen and Ben straightened up, the lines in his forehead growing deep as they approached him.

  “Well this looks serious,” Ben said. “I'm not sure what she told you Jen --”

  “She told me the truth,” Jen said. “Which I'm afraid is more than you did, Ben.”

  Ben frowned. “Now wait a minute. He glanced around at the busy restaurant. I was not in a position to be totally upfront with you.”

  “I think that's secondary to the matter,” Evangeline said. “I take it that you are the help we requested?”

  Ben stood up. “Yes,” he said. “I thought you were just one of the cooks.”

  “I am one of the cooks. I'm also one of the owners and these two women are my nieces.” Evangeline said.

  Ben nodded his head. “A family business I see. Does everything run in the family?”

  “Yes,” Charlie said. “It does. But I believe you knew that already. So let's just get to the point shall we?”

  Evangeline glanced around at the crowd. “Why don't we head back to the back office? It's less likely we'll be overheard there.”

  “Now that's the best idea I've heard all morning.” Ben said.

  “Come with me.” Evangeline said. Ben, Charlie and Jen followed Evangeline through the kitchen doors past the kitchen, past the walk-in freezer and storeroom to the tiny back office where Jen did their books and ordered inventory. Evangeline opened the door and gestured for Ben to walk in first. A small desk with the computer took up most of the back wall. A small television was perched on top of the printer stand and there were only two chairs. An office chair and a ladder-backed wooden chair pushed into one of the corners.

  “Please have a seat,” Evangeline said.

  Ben walked in and looked around. “Nice set up you have here.” He took a seat in the office chair. Charlie pulled the ladder-backed chair away from the wall and offered it to Evangeline.

  “No thank you,” Evangeline said serenely. “I'll stand.”

  Jen took the seat and folded her arms across her chest. She glared at Ben; the betrayal she felt filled every line of her face. Charlie took a seat on the edge of the desk and Evangeline closed the door and positioned herself behind Jen's chair holding onto the top rung.

&
nbsp; “I didn't expect this to be a family affair.” Ben said.

  “I didn't expect you to be so young,” Evangeline said. “I thought for sure the DOL would send an experienced agent.”

  “Oh, you don't have to worry about that ma'am.” Ben bristled and narrowed his eyes. “I'm very experienced. I just need to get some information from Charlie here about her complaint, what she's witnessed and this spirit who attacked her. Then I'll be out of your hair.”

  “I think you need more than my statement, Mr. Sutton.” Charlie said. “I have some experience myself investigating these sorts of things. I think you could use my help.”

  “Well I appreciate that, honey but . . .”

  “I thought we had settled this. Do not call me honey,” Charlie said firmly.

  “Sorry. I appreciate that you think you have some experience. But from what I've seen, you lack training and discipline. And I work alone.”

  “Then why should I share anything with you?” Charlie said.

  “You're the one that called me, sweetheart.” he said.

  “Mr. Sutton, I'm not gonna tell you again about using terms of endearment that you haven't an earned.” Charlie said.

  “Fine,” he said. “You called for me because you suspect a witch is cursing people in your town. And I came. Now tell me what you know so I can catch the witch who's responsible.”

  “Well I've changed my mind. I don't think I need your help after all.” Charlie said. “I have a contact in local law enforcement and a case that he received last night actually coincides with mine so we'll be working together. I'm sorry that I wasted your time.”

  “That's not how this works. You and I both know that your,” Ben held up his hand and made air quotes, “local law enforcement are useless when it comes to supernatural matters. I've already been here for two weeks looking for this witch. I know your deaths look natural and accidental. There's not a damn thing that local law enforcement can do for you.”

  “Well I have two murders in the mix now,” Charlie said. “So I have all the resources I need.”

  “What murders?” Ben asked.

  “A teenager and her mother were murdered last night. Their necks snapped.” Charlie said.

  “What does that have to do with my witch.”

  “They were the stepdaughter and wife of the spirit that you, what was your word? Miscalculated the capturing of. He evidently killed them last night before he attacked me.”

  “Why are the police wasting their time looking for a spirit?”

  “Technically they don't know it's a spirit.”

  “But you do,” Ben said.

  “Yes I do. And since I'm what you called a conduit, I'm hoping that their spirits are still hanging around. That way I can get some information and then help them cross over to where they need to be.”

  Ben locked his gaze on Charlie and pursed his lips. “I could call them. I am a necromancer after all.”

  “You're a necromancer?” Jen sounded slightly appalled. “I thought necromancers could only call spirits of their ancestors or spirits that they've already made connections with. You can't compel a spirit that doesn't know you. In fact you can't compel a spirit at all, right? All you can do is beseech a spirit and ask them for their help.”

  “Jen is correct,” Evangeline said.

  “Looks like you're not the only one that's highly trained around here.” Charlie didn't even bother to suppress her righteous grin.

  “I don't know you, Mr. Sutton,” Evangeline said her voice as calm as a mountain lake. “But if you have been in this area for two weeks then I'm sure you've already done your research on us. My family has been here since the early 1700s. And we have produced hundreds of witches with the collective knowledge that has been passed down for over 300 years. So even though Charlie has only recently embraced her heritage as a witch, don't underestimate her. She's a natural witch. And she has a tremendous amount of power that she hasn't even begun to tap yet.”

  Ben's cheeks turned ruddy and his jaw tightened. “Well looks like you don't need me at all then. I guess I'll be going. Jen it was really nice to meet you. Despite what you may think of me, I really did enjoy talking to you.”

  Ben got up from his chair and hiked up his jeans.

  “Wait,” Charlie said. “I think you and I could work together. But you'd have to open your mind a little.”

  “And you'd have to do what I said,” Ben said, challenging her.

  “You're not the first law man to ever have to tell me that.”

  “And how did that work out?” Ben asked, the corners of his mouth tugging into a wry grin.

  “We're still working on it,” Charlie said.

  “I'm probably gonna regret this,” Ben said. “And I'm not going to pay you.”

  “I don't expect you to.” Charlie offered her hand. Ben took a deep breath and shook her it.

  “All right, what can you tell me about these murders?” he asked.

  Chapter 12

  After Charlie clocked out at 7 PM she walked down to the lobby and waited just inside the doorway until Jason pulled up in his black Dodge charger. She walked out of the building, waved and then hopped in the front seat.

  “You sure you want to do this tonight?” he said, putting his car into gear.

  “Yes I'm sure. There's something I need to talk to you about first, though,” Charlie said.

  “Okay, shoot,” Jason said, easing away from the curb.

  Charlie went on to explain how she had contacted the Defenders of Light for help when Jason told her that he couldn't investigate because technically the deaths of Tony Smoak and Deborah Duguid were not crimes.

  “So the Defenders of Light have an investigative unit?” Jason said.

  “Yes. And one of the investigators is in Palmetto Point. He's here to capture the witch responsible for the curses,” Charlie said.

  “What happens to her?” Jason asked.

  “There'll be a tribunal and evidence will be presented. She will be allowed to defend herself and if she's found guilty then she shall be stripped of her powers.” Charlie looked away at the passing scene out her window as she reflected on dark witches.

  “How does that work?” Jason asked.

  “You don't want to know. Rather painful. From what Evangeline told me,” she said.

  “Who knew? So there's this whole shadow world. Witches, ghosts...”

  “Yep.” Charlie nodded her head. “And demons and vampires.” She gave him a side-eyed glance. Jason shifted uncomfortably in his seat.

  “Okay, you're just joking about the vampire thing, right?”

  “Whatever you say,” she said, a sly grin on her face.

  “No, I'm serious now.” Jason twisted in his seat to check traffic but Charlie could see he was trying to disguise his agitation. “Vampires are just a thing that Bram Stoker made up, right?”

  “What if I say no?”

  “You're right, I don't want to know.” Jason shook his head and gripped the wheel tighter. “Are there any here? You know, in the greater Charleston area?”

  “Probably,” Charlie said, unable to stop grinning. This was too much fun. “I personally don't know any that live here but that doesn't mean they don't. It just means I've never crossed paths with one.”

  Jason sighed heavily and shook his head.

  “How's that shadow world looking to you now?” she teased.

  “Shut up,” Jason said.

  She asked him for the address and then texted it to Ben Sutton once she and Jason were close to the Whisnant house. She would rather wait for Ben than have him get there first. She didn't need him snooping around on his own.

  Jason parked in the driveway of the two-story house. Fresh crime scene tape formed an X over the door and Charlie could see a paper seal had been put into place to keep people out. She and Jason waited on the porch for Ben to arrive. A few minutes after she texted him he drove up on a motorcycle. He pulled into the driveway and parked next to Jason, took off his mirr
ored-black helmet and perched it on the seat.

  He raised his hand in a wave as he approached them. And Charlie waved back.

  “Deputy Jason Tate this is agent Ben Sutton of the Defenders of Light.”

  Ben held his hand out and Jason took it and shook. The two men sized each other up.

  “Are you carrying a weapon?” Jason asked.

  “Of course,” Ben said. “But not the kind you are. Mine is not quite as destructive as a gun.”

  Jason kept his face neutral and nodded. Charlie had seen him do this before; he had an excellent poker face.

  “The place has already been dusted for fingerprints,” Jason said, pulling a few pairs of gloves out of his front pocket. “But since were going to be looking for evidence, I would prefer that we all wear gloves. Do you have a problem with that?”

  Ben shook his head and took a pair of gloves. “Not at all. This is your show.”

  “All right,” Jason said.

  Charlie accepted gloves from Jason and slipped them on, watching Jason take a small penknife from his front pocket and slice through the paper sealing the front door. He carefully removed one end of each of the strips of crime scene tape letting them hang down like party streamers. He turned the knob and they entered the residence.

  A chill immediately settled around Charlie's shoulders.

  “They must've left the air conditioning on,” Jason said, rubbing his hands together. “It's like a meat locker in here.”

  “The air-conditioning is not on,” Ben said. He dug through his pocket and pulled out the gold amulet he'd shown Charlie last night.

  Jason looked to Charlie for confirmation and she nodded. “He's right. This isn't from air-conditioning. Her breath puffed out in little silver clouds as she spoke. “There are spirits here.”

  Jason reached into the neck of his polo shirt and pulled his pendant out. “Where's your necklace Charlie?”

  “I gave it to her,” Charlie said.

  “Who?”

  “The girl who lives here.”

  “The dead girl?” Jason asked.

  “Yep.” Charlie reached into the large leather bag she wore across her body. She pulled a red and black God's eye cross from the purse and held it at her side. “It's okay I have this.”