The Witches Ladder

by Wendy Wang

  Melinda's strange smile widened. “Oh?” she said, her voice going up an octave. “Who are you with again?”

  “My name is Deputy Jason Tate and I'm with the sheriff's department.” Jason held his badge out for her.

  “Oh,” Melinda sounded taken aback. She examined the badge closely. “And who are you looking for?”

  “Layla Blake,” Jason said.

  “What has that girl done now?” Melinda's smile faded, and her lips pressed into a straight line. She took a step back and gestured for them to enter. Jason stepped in first followed by Charlie and then Ben.

  “What's this about? Why do you need to talk to Layla?”

  “I can't really comment on a case, but Layla's name came up during our investigation. I need ask some routine questions, that's all. Are you Layla's mother?”

  “No, of course not. Do I look old enough to have a sixteen-year-old? She's my niece. My sister's not well and she's been living with us since December,” Melinda said. “Do I need to call my lawyer?”

  “Well that would be up to you ma'am, but just know that means we need to take Layla down to the station for formal questioning if you go that route,” Jason said.

  Melinda's gaze darted between Jason and Charlie as if she were trying to figure out why Charlie was with the deputy. She scowled. “Wait right here and I'll go get her.”

  Melinda headed up the curved staircase to the second floor and, once on the landing, disappeared down a long hallway.

  Charlie took in the foyer with its marble floor and pale gray walls that stretched to a twenty-foot ceiling. An intricately detailed crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling. Two sets of double doors flanked the foyer. On the left was a formal living room, filled with expensive antiques and furniture upholstered in dark blue velvet and silver brocade. On the right was a formal dining room with a table that could seat twelve and a large brick fireplace on the far wall.

  “Looks like Melinda's doing pretty well for herself,” Charlie said softly.

  “You know her?” Jason asked.

  “Yeah, we went to high school together,” Charlie said.

  “This really is a small town,” Ben muttered.

  “You have no idea,” Charlie said.

  Melinda appeared at the top of the steps accompanying a tall, slim teenage girl with spiky black hair. She wore diamond patterned black stockings beneath a black tulle skirt and a black form-fitting cami-top with a sheer black blouse over it. A black velvet choker accentuated her pale, slim neck. The girl's blue eyes were rimmed in thick black eyeliner and Charlie thought her bored expression and lack of conformity must have driven someone like Melinda insane.

  “Ma'am, would you mind if we spoke with Layla alone?” Jason asked.

  “Well, I don't know about that. I'm her guardian I should probably be here,” Melinda said.

  “It's fine, Aunt Melinda,” Layla said. “I swear I haven't done anything, so I don't mind answering their questions.”

  “Well if you're sure,” Melinda said.

  “I am.” Layla nodded and gave her aunt a reassuring smile.

  “All right then, can I get y'all some iced tea?” Melinda said.

  “That would great,” Jason said. “Thank you.”

  “I'm gonna check on Camille and then I'll get your refreshments,” Melinda said. She gave her niece a pointed look before she returned upstairs. As soon as she was out of sight, Layla folded her arms across her chest and scowled at Jason.

  “Whatever it is, I didn't do it. I have been to school and home,” Layla said defensively.

  Jason stepped back. “Charlie this is your show.”

  “Layla, my name is Charlie Payne and I had a conversation with a friend of yours tonight.”

  Layla shifted her gaze to Charlie, looking down her nose. “I don't really have any friends.”

  “So you weren't friends with Ryan Whisnant?”

  Layla shrugged. “I know her, but I wouldn't exactly call us friends. Why? What did she say about me?”

  “Well, she said that you were a little weird and into witchcraft.”

  “That bitch,” Layla muttered under her breath. She gritted her teeth and shook her head.

  “So which is more offensive to you?” Charlie asked. “The fact she called you weird? Or because she told us about your spell work?”

  Layla's gaze darted to the top of the stairs. She lowered her voice. “I don't know what you're talking about.”

  “I think you do,” Charlie said.

  “Listen, Layla . . . “ Jason pulled a photo from his back pocket and looked down at it thoughtfully. “Did you see Ryan at school today?”

  “No,” she said. “I think her stepfather died recently and I know she's missed several days because of it.”

  “I want you to take a look at this,” Jason said handing her the photograph.

  Layla took the photo and studied it for a moment. Her pale face took on a gray hue and her breath became shallow as she looked down at the crime scene photo of Ryan's body crumpled at the bottom of the steps. “My God. What happened to her?”

  “Her neck was broken. I'm investigating her death,” Jason said. “And sometimes I call Charlie into help in very special cases.”

  Layla looked up from the picture. “You don't think I did this, do you?”

  “No, Layla, we know who did it,” Charlie said. “Ryan told me.”

  “I thought you'd said Ryan was dead,” Layla said, her eyes full of confusion.

  “She is dead,” Charlie said. “That's my specialty. I can talk to the dead. And I had a conversation with Ryan this evening. Which is why we're here.”

  Layla laughed. “This is some sort of joke?”

  “Come on Layla,” Ben said. “You know it's not a joke. If I go upstairs and I look in your bedroom under the floorboard that you have dug out in your bedroom, I'm going to find a spell book. Right? Probably Boorman's Everyday Spell Work. Or A Caster's Guide to a Charmed Life by Gilstrap. If I search a little deeper, I may even find a family grimoire.”

  The smile on Layla's face faded and she swallowed hard. “How do you know that?”

  “Because I'm a witch,” he said. “Just like you are.”

  Layla's lips twisted into a frown. “What do you want from me?”

  “We need to know about the curse that you gave Ryan and the curse that you cast on Debra Duguid,” Charlie said.

  “What are you talking about? Who is Debra Duguid?” Layla asked.

  “She's the mayor's wife,” Jason said.

  “Listen, I didn't give anybody other than Ryan a curse and it wasn't to kill anybody. The only thing I did was have her concentrate on what she wanted. I figured she must have wanted him dead.”

  “She says she didn't,” Charlie said.

  “We'll she's lying,” Layla said. “I mean he used to beat the crap out of her. Seriously, she came to school with bruises on her body all the time.”

  “And no one did anything about that?” Jason asked.

  “Not that I know of. But I haven't been there very long. I don't think the teachers even noticed though.”

  “But you did,” Jason said.

  “Yeah, sure. I found her crying in the bathroom couple weeks ago because she didn't want to go to gym. She had run out of excuses as to why she couldn't change, and she was afraid somebody would see the big ass bruise on her back that son of a bitch gave her when he threw her into a wall.”

  “Yes, I'm familiar with her stepfather's temper,” Charlie said. “Well if you didn't cast the curse on Debra Duguid, who did?”

  Layla shrugged. “I don't know. Are you going to arrest me?”

  Jason shook his head. “No. There are no laws against cursing someone, at least none I can enforce.”

  Layla let out a nervous laugh. “Thank god.”

  “Not so fast,” Ben said. “You still have to be held accountable. Death curses are a serious matter to the Defenders of Light.”

  “Who are the Defenders of Light?” Layla as
ked warily.

  “They're the judge, jury and executioner of the magical world,” Ben said.

  “Stop scaring her,” Charlie said.

  “She should be scared. Her actions caused a death, regardless of her intentions. If that happened in Jason's world, she would be charged with involuntary manslaughter and even possibly serve jail time,” Ben said.

  “He's right. If I had a law that allowed me to enforce consequences for casting a curse and a prosecutor could prove that her actions resulted in a death, it's very possible she'd spend time in jail.”

  Jason put his hands on his hips and nodded. Charlie wasn't sure if this was some sort of good cop/bad cop routine.

  “I know you didn't mean to, but you did admit that you're at least partly responsible, Layla.”

  “I'm not even seventeen yet. I don't want to go to jail.” Layla took a step back, panic filling her pretty face. “Maybe I should get my aunt down here.”

  “Just calm down, nobody's sending you to jail.” Ben held his hands up. “But what I will have to do is issue you a warning.”

  “Okay.” Layla's brow furrowed as she listened to Ben. “Is that all?”

  “No.” Ben shoved his hand in the front pocket of his pants and pulled something out. He opened his fingers and quickly blew a silvery powder into Layla's face. The girl breathed it in and then began to cough.

  “What the hell?” Charlie said, stepping between Ben and the girl. “What was that?”

  “It's a monitoring spell,” Ben said. “Layla Blake, you have been found guilty of executing a death curse and for next twelve moon's the Defenders of Light will be monitoring every spell you craft. If you continue to practice the dark arts, then you may be brought before the Council of Seven for further judgment and punishment. Do you understand the charges against you?”

  “I didn't know.” Layla covered her mouth, her large blue eyes watery.

  “You didn't know that purposefully causing a death is wrong?” Ben asked, his tone hard and unforgiving.

  Fat tears pushed onto Layla's face and her black makeup streaked across her cheeks. “I didn't know it was illegal.”

  “Magic is more than just spells and potions,” Ben said. “It is also about intention and will and recognizing that there is an equilibrium that must be maintained and when you play with dark forces without thinking about the consequences, it can throw the world completely out of balance.”

  “I didn't mean for anyone to die.” Layla's lips quivered as she spoke.

  “I know. But someone did die,” Ben said. “I'll be keeping an eye on your magical movements. If you stay away from dark magic then I'll be back to remove the spell. “

  “What happens if she doesn't,” Charlie asked.

  “Then I'll have no choice but to take her before the Council. Then her fate will be up to them. If they decide to go easy on her, all they may do is bind her magic so that she never accesses it again.”

  “And if they don't go easy on her?” Jason asked.

  “If she causes another death? She could pay with her life.”

  Layla burst into tears and Charlie put her arm around the girl's shoulders. “It won't come to that. Do you hear me?” Charlie whispered into the girl's ears. “I won't let it and neither will you.”

  Chapter 14

  Debra's funeral was set for 11 AM on Tuesday at the Third Street Methodist Church. Jen watched as her sister parked her little white BMW on the street in front of the Kitchen Witch Café and hop out. Lisa wore a smart, black suit paired with a pale yellow blouse and a pair of black pumps that Jen thought defied reason. When did five-inch heels become the norm? Jen untied her apron, slipped it over her head, and folded it neatly before stowing it in the cubby beneath the cash register. She wore a white blouse with small gray daisies, a black cardigan, her best black trousers and a pair of black flats.

  “Is that what you're wearing?” Lisa asked.

  Jen ran her fingers through her hair trying to tame the short waves. “Yes,” Jen said, taking in her sister's perfect French twist. “Is that what you're wearing?”

  “Yes. Why?”

  “You look like a lawyer,” Jen smirked. “It might scare people.”

  “Well, I am a lawyer and I'm okay with being scary.” Lisa smiled. “You on the other hand look like a soccer mom.”

  “I'd rather not be scary,” Jen said. She grabbed the two brown paper bags from the counter. “Let's get going.”

  “Wait. Is Charlie riding with us?” Lisa looked at her watch.

  “No, she said she'd meet us there,” Jen said.

  “Is Daphne coming?”

  “I have no idea, she didn't say,” Jen said.

  “What's that?” Lisa pointed to the paper bags.

  “It's food,” Jen said. “For the reception.”

  Lisa frowned. “Reception?”

  “Yeah, we have to go to the reception.”

  “Why?” Lisa asked. “Isn't the funeral bad enough?”

  “I just thought it might be nice to pay our respects,” Jen said as the two made their way toward Lisa's car.

  “Isn't that what the funeral's for?” Lisa sounded dubious.

  “Well, I wouldn't want people to say we're unsupportive.” Jen opened the door and put the bags on the floorboard and sat down. She really hated this car. The seats were slung too low and she always felt like she was climbing inside the cockpit a racecar. Of course with the way Lisa drove she almost wished it had the harness of a racing car. She settled her legs around the bags and strapped herself in.

  Lisa shrugged “Okay. Whatever you say.” She cast a look at Jen and fastened her seatbelt. “It couldn't be at all that you're just as nosy as old Debra. You're just nicer and more discreet, which is why nobody calls you on it.”

  “Obviously you don't have a problem doing it.” Jen folded her arms across her chest. Her sister was right to question her motives for wanting to go to the reception. Jen would have never admitted it out loud but she wanted to see if Josh Helms showed up to support Kristen and validate her theory that he was the secret beau.

  “Nope,” Lisa grinned. “None at all.”

  When they arrived at the church a crowd of people had already gathered waiting to get inside.

  “I had no idea she was so popular,” Jen said.

  “The way I see it, she's got two things going for her. One, she's the mayor's wife, and two, most of these people are here to make sure the wicked witch of the east is really dead,” Lisa said.

  “That's an awful thing to say,” Jen said.

  Lisa shrugged. “It is, but it doesn't make it any less true.”

  It took several minutes before they could get inside. Jen stood on her toes scanning the rows closer to the front for empty seats. Lisa grabbed her arm and leaned in close. “Let's sit in the back.”

  “No, we should sit near Kristen,” Jen said. “The whole reason I'm here is to support her.”

  “We're never going to get near her and if we sit in the back we'll be able to see who comes in better,” Lisa said.

  “Good point,” Jen said. Lisa led them to the very back row and they sat down on the side closest to the door. Jen started making mental notes, especially about the women came in to the church.

  “Hey y'all,” A voice said from Jen's right. She turned to find her cousin Daphne plopping down next to her.

  “Well, hey,” Jen said. “I wasn't sure if you were gonna make it or not.

  “Debra Duguid was one of my best customers. There's no way I'd miss her funeral,” Daphne said. “I just wish Tom would've let me do her hair.”

  “Did you ask?” Jen said.

  “I did but he pays Mandy Pogue from Fancy Klips to do make-up and hair.” Daphne twirled the blunt end of her pink -tipped hair around her finger. “I'm surprised to see you here Lisa.”

  “Yeah, well Jen dragged me here and I'm nosy,” Lisa said smirking.

  “Is Charlie coming?” Daphne asked, craning her neck looking around.

  �
��She said she was, but she had to do something first. You know funerals aren't her favorite thing, because . . . well you know.”

  “Yeah. It'd be interesting if Debra showed up though, wouldn't it?” Daphne chuckled.

  “Shush,” Jen said pointing to Kristen as she made her way toward the back pew.

  “Hey, Jen. Hey, Lisa. It's so nice of y'all to come,” Kristen said. “Hi Daphne. My mother just loved you.”

  “Aw, that is so sweet. Well, she was definitely one of my favorite customers. I'm so sorry she's not with us anymore,” Daphne said.

  Kristen's eyes became teary and she sniffled into a white cotton handkerchief. “Thank you all for coming. I've got to get back. Now.” Kristen said jerking her thumb toward the front of the chapel.

  “We'll talk to you later,” Jen said.

  She watched Kristen make her way back towards the front pew where her father and brother Todd sat.

  “Hey y'all,” Charlie said, sliding into the pew next to Lisa.

  “Billy at 10 o'clock,” Jen whispered in Lisa's ear. Her sister grimaced.

  “Hello ladies,” Billy said, straightening his tie. “Do you have room for me?”

  Jen and Lisa spoke at the same time echoing different sentiments.

  “Of course,” Jen said.

  “No,” Lisa said her mouth a straight line.

  Jen's cheeks heated with embarrassment.

  “Hey, Billy,” Charlie said. “You can sit by me.” Charlie scooted, forcing Lisa, Jen and Daphne to move down the pew.

  Jen felt her sister's body tense. Lisa stared straight ahead, not looking at Charlie or Billy as he took a seat.

  “Well that's interesting,” Lisa muttered as she watched Josh Helms take a seat behind Kristen. He leaned forward put his hand on Kristen's shoulder and gave it a very visible squeeze. Lisa leaned close to Jen's ear. “Is that what you were waiting for? “

  “Yep.” Jen nodded. Her eyes scanned the other pews. There didn't seem to be any sign of Melinda. Jen's breath caught in her throat when Ben Sutton walked in looking handsome as ever wearing a dark gray blazer over a white button-down and a pair of jeans. He stopped at the end of the pew and looked at down at Charlie and smiled.