Sofia was a little dumbstruck at the allegation that she would actually kill someone. She knew Dakota’s friend Celestial was good at solving mysteries and helping people so she threw her bee suit in the house and jumped in her car.
Celestial’s store was quiet as Sofia walked around breathing in the aromatic aromas of the products and candles. A petite brunette woman looked up from the counter and smiled.
“Good afternoon, can I help you with something?”
Sofia approached her. “Are you Celestial?”
“I am, and you are?”
Sofia held out a hand, “Sofia Jorgenson and I need your help.”
Celestial directed her to a chair and offered her tea which she refused.
“Do you know about the women who died yesterday?”
“Yes, and I know about your altercation with them in the market.”
Sofia looked shocked.
Celestial smiled. “Dakota told me and this is a small town.”
Sofia told her about Nikoli's visit and how he had asked her about her honey.
“I swear I never did anything to those women. Dakota told me once that you were great at solving murders and I need your help. If the people in the town think I had anything to do with this, they’ll stop buying my honey and I’ll be ruined.” She wiped an unexpected tear from her cheek.
Celestial placed a reassuring hand on hers. “I’ll do whatever I can to help.”
Chapter 4
When Dakota stopped by Herbal Heaven this time, Celestial was relieved that he chose the front door over his usual, less-conventional means of entry. Replacing everything Dakota broke when apparating somewhat lost its charm when she considered how many candles and creams she would have to sell just to break even.
“Dakota,” Celestial said as he made his way toward the counter, “Sofia has the impression that I’m quite the detective. I can’t imagine who might’ve given her that idea.”
Dakota smiled and replied “Well, given your track record, I’m not wrong. What did she say to you?”
“Just that Nikoli had been asking her some questions, and that she was concerned for her innocence. I told her I would do all I could to help, I just hope I don’t let her down. Or worse,” she added, “get involved in something out of my depth.”
“I think it would take quite a bit for something to be too much for you to handle, Celestial. And Sofia’s case is exactly what I’m here to talk to you about,” Dakota responded. “Those women from the LMS? I don’t think their deaths were an accident.”
Celestial wasn’t surprised, considering her earlier conversation with Sofia, but she was curious about what new information Dakota might have.
“So, what, are you saying they were murdered?” Celestial replied. “What makes you think that?”
“Stella and Bella were there,” Dakota explained. “They said the explosion was no accident. Someone left the gas on purposely. I think whoever killed those women was trying to cover up what really happened.”
Celestial thought back to what Sofia had said, the scrutinizing questions Nikoli had been asking about her tenuous relationship with the LMS.
“It is rather suspicious that all three women shared an extreme distaste for Sofia’s “lifestyle” -- and an even stronger taste for her curative honey.” Celestial and Dakota weighed this thought to themselves before Celestial questioned, “Dakota, what do you make of Sofia? Do you think it’s at all possible that she could be responsible?”
“No way!” Dakota practically shouted, his enthusiasm quelling most of Celestial’s doubts as to Sofia’s innocence. “Sofia is incredibly gentle and kind. She helps people with her magic! She may have a tendency to run her mouth a bit when given a reason--and those LMS hags definitely gave her one--but she wouldn’t hurt a fly.”
“That might be how you feel, Dakota, and you might even convince me to feel the same. But the fact remains that she had more than enough motivation to commit the crime. Even the people we think we know the best can change at the drop of a hat when the motive is strong enough.”
Dakota considered Celestial’s point before replying. “But wouldn’t that be an ideal distraction for the real killer? If Sofia is the perfect suspect, they could walk away from the whole situation completely unscathed.”
“If not Sofia, then who?” Celestial wondered to Dakota, “Who else wanted those women dead?”
“The LMS isn’t exactly the most popular organization in town,” said Dakota, “I imagine there are lots of people who aren’t exactly torn up over a blow to their ranks. It could be just about anyone.”
They both fell silent. She didn’t want to admit it, but Celestial knew Dakota was right. She could practically feel any hope at this case being solved quickly and easily slipping from her grasp. It would take quite a bit more digging if Celestial wanted to prove Sofia’s innocence.
* * *
Celestial sent Dakota home for the night; she needed to gather her thoughts on what could have happened to Jayne, Jolene, Gladys, and Mariah. Celestial was hesitant to show any interest in the case to Nikoli, but she had no choice. Celestial knew Nikoli had a soft spot for her, and even though she didn’t like to use it, it was quite the advantage. She needed more concrete details if she had any hope of finding out exactly what happened to the LMS. Celestial pulled up Nikoli’s number and stared at the phone for a full five minutes before she pressed the call button.
“Celestial,” greeted Nikoli. He picked up just as the second ring began; even a cool-headed detective like Nikoli was hopeless when confronted with someone they truly care about. “I hope you’re not trying to do my job again.” His joke was tinged with his true worry. Celestial’s past as an amateur sleuth had put her in greater danger than either of them cared to think about.
“Well,” Celestial responded a bit sheepishly, “I am actually calling about that case...you know, the LMS …” She trailed off for a moment, but her best course of action was to be blunt with Nikoli. Celestial couldn’t dance around the subject if she wanted to make any progress. “Did those women really die in the explosion?”
There was a strenuous pause on Nikoli’s end of the line before he quietly responded “No.” Nikoli let out a long, exasperated sigh before explaining further. “They died from anoxia--complete lack of oxygen. They were already dead when a stray cigarette spark ignited the gas being released from the stove.”
So the explosion was a cover-up, thought Celestial, or at the very least a wonderful coincidence for the killer.
Nikoli interrupted Celestial’s train of thought before it could pick up steam and leave the station. “Listen, Celestial … You can’t tell anyone about this. I shouldn’t have told you. You shouldn’t be involved. Honestly, we would both be better off if you just forgot the whole thing.”
“Forget it? Nikoli, four women were murdered! It’s not exactly every day four of your neighbors just drop dead. People are worried. I’m worried.”
“And that’s why,” Nikoli carefully retorted, “you need to let me do my job. I don’t want you getting yourself in danger. Not again.”
Chapter 5
Standing on the steps just outside his small church, the Reverend James Younger shouted and gesticulated wildly to a small crowd. To call what he was doing “preaching” would be rather generous, but that was certainly what Younger thought he was doing.
“Now,” the Reverend quieted slightly, “I know many of you are grieving for our recent loss in town. But instead of wallowing in that grief, let it be a reminder: those women of the Ladies Morality Society were an abomination in the eyes of God.” The Reverend’s voice rose as he continued. “Any person must exact the harshest punishment on those unwelcome in God’s glorious kingdom. These women were afraid, too lenient on the obvious supernatural presence at their doorstep.”
The crowd around the Reverend was small, but more and more listeners gathered to hear Younger’s admonishing speech. Among them was Celestial. She stood at the farthest point of the
crowd and paid just as much attention to the Reverend’s words as to those who listened.
“Witchcraft,” the Reverend boomed, “cannot be tolerated. Witches must be snuffed out from this holy land, and anyone who disagrees is as lost as the witches themselves. Those women were co conspirators with witches, in league with Satan, and for that they deserved to die.”
Reverend Younger continued to expound on the evils of witchcraft and other supernatural doings, but Celestial turned her attention more fully to the crowd itself. What had started as a paltry gathering of no more than five listeners had grown to an alarming size: at least thirty were there, listening to the Reverend’s hate speech. To Celestial’s relief, the majority watched with obvious disdain, shaking their heads and muttering to one another.
“Who is this guy, anyway?” a woman on Celestial’s left whispered to her companion.
“John something, I think?” Her friend responded, “He’s kinda scary.”
“That’s an understatement,” the woman replied, “This guy’s a certified whackjob. What does he think this is, Salem?”
This was more-or-less the conversation being had throughout the crowd, but there were a select few at the front who remained silent. Celestial watched with dismay the men and women who hung onto every one of the Reverend’s words like they were coming directly from the mouth of God. Their reverence for James Younger was the scariest part to Celestial: one man spouting garbage like this was awful enough, but the danger came when he could form a mob of devout followers.
“And so,” the Reverend said, his voice rising to a crescendo. “I urge each and every one of you, for the sake of your mortal soul and the soul of your home, do not let witchcraft go unpunished in Brightborough. We must rid this town of evil! If you suspect anyone--be they friend, sibling, even spouse--of dealing with the devil, report them to me immediately. Together, we can make our town pure enough to bask in the light of God’s glory.”
* * *
Celestial returned to Herbal Heaven, her mind reeling at the thought that anyone could be so harsh and puritanical in this day and age. As she began gathering supplies to make a fresh batch of lavender face cream, Nikoli entered the shop.
“Hey, Celestial,” he said, “hope I’m not interrupting anything.”
“Oh, hi, Nikoli. You’re fine, I just got in myself. What’s up?”
“I just thought you’d like to know the new information we have.” He paused for a moment, “About the LMS case.”
Celestial had been busy grinding the lavender petals into a fine dust, but Nikoli’s statement made her stop everything. She stood up and asked “What is it?”
“The gas leak at Jayne’s house was not an accident,” Nikoli responded. “Forensics confirmed that the stove had been tampered with prior to the group arriving there.”
“How, though?” Celestial asked, “Wouldn’t they have smelled the leak as soon as they came in?”
“Not likely,” said Nikoli, casually leaning his body on the checkout counter. “All four of them were smokers, had been for years. Their senses of smell would have been long gone.”
Celestial sat back down, unsure what this development would mean for Sofia. Celestial knew deep down that Sofia was innocent, but she wasn’t sure if Nikoli felt the same.
As if he read her mind, Nikoli went on. “Sofia is already in custody. Too many people saw her at Jayne’s house; my hands were tied on this one.”
“But you don’t think she messed with the stove,” Celestial said to Nikoli as a statement rather than a question.
Nikoli sighed, straightened up, and ran a grizzled hand through his hair. “No, but she’s the only lead I’ve got right now. There are plenty of people in town that had more than enough hatred toward those women. But I have no clue where to start.”
“I might have an idea,” Celestial said morosely, “Reverend James Younger. You should have seen him today, Nikoli.” Celestial’s voice quickened. “He was talking like we lived in Salem, saying Jayne and the rest deserved to die because they didn’t agree with him that witches need to be burned at the stake. What is it with this town and the pastors in it anyways? They don’t really do any preaching but just going about getting people all riled up and angry. Is it something in the water the preachers are drinking?” The speech had riled up Celestial more than she had thought; she nervously hugged her arms close to her body.
Noticing her distress, Nikoli approached and put a reassuring hand on Celestial’s shoulder, “I’ll look into him, Celestial. I promise, there will be no witch trials in Brightborough.”
Celestial nodded and gave Nikoli a grateful smile. “Thanks.”
Nikoli took his hand from her shoulder and wrote down James Younger’s name in his notes. “I’ve got to go, Celestial, but everything will be okay. Just be careful.” He walked out of the store, anxious to follow up on this new lead.
Chapter 6
Celestial browsed the wares of the bed and breakfast’s gift shop. Similar shops in similar towns were often traps for passing-through visitors, selling cheap knick knacks and gifts made to look homemade far above market value. This shop was different, though. Many town residents were regulars because Meredith, the owner of the B&B and its attached shop, refused to charge such ridiculous prices. Her mission was to share local goods whenever possible. Everything in the shop was truly homemade by someone in town: jams, jellies, breads, quilts, and even Sofia’s honey were all for sale at modest prices.
As Celestial examined the stitching of a particularly beautiful quilt, she heard the subtle jingle of the bell above the front door. Turning, Celestial saw Reverend James Younger hastily enter and make a bee-line for the table housing Sofia’s honey. He snatched up two jars and quickly walked them to the register but stopped when he caught Celestial’s inquisitive gaze. He was a lean man in his forties, about six feet tall with a tidy beard and sturdy glasses covering small, green eyes
The Reverend tipped his hat to her. “Good afternoon, miss.” A smile graced his lips, but his eyes betrayed his disdain, as if it was Celestial’s fault that she had caught him doing something he shouldn’t have. Unsure what to do next, but feeling a need to explain his actions, Reverend Younger asked Celestial “Have you ever tried this stuff?” He held up one of the jars. “It’s my mother’s favorite. The beekeeper, Sofia, uses wildflowers. Mother says it makes a world of difference, but, to be honest, I’m not sure I can tell.”
Ashley, the young clerk in Meredith’s employ, piped up as she was ringing up the honey, “Well, Reverend, you must notice something special about this honey. After all, this will make three jars this week. I can’t imagine your mother goes through all that by herself.”
Reverend Younger glared at Ashley, but the smile was still plastered to his face, “That’s right. That jar I bought went straight to my own kitchen. As I said, honey is honey, but this shop here was the most convenient place to replenish my home stock.” It was clear to Celestial that the Reverend was perturbed that Ashley would remember his previous purchases, but why?
“Reverend,” Celestial spoke up as Ashley bagged up the two jars, “I’m actually glad to run into you. I caught your speech the other day. The one about the LMS women. Don’t you think you were being a bit harsh? Four women are dead, but you said they deserved it? I can’t imagine that’s something a merciful God would want.”
Any veneer of friendliness the Reverend had thus far maintained completely fell to the wayside, “A merciful God?” His voice rose, “I consider it a mercy they died when they did. God’s punishment is its own mercy, and those abominations from the LMS deserved punishment of the highest degree. Anyone with a connection to the supernatural does.”
“But why the LMS? They weren’t doing anything supernatural...they wanted the supernatural out of this town. I’d always assumed you and they were on the same side.”
The Reverend scoffed, “If only. I had hoped we could be, but when I visited them that day they were unreceptive to what I had to say. To th
em, death to witches was a step too far.”
“That day?” questioned Celestial, “Do you mean the day they died?”
Silently admonishing himself for letting this piece of information slip, the Reverend tried to keep his composure, but he was obviously bothered. “Yes,” he replied, “as a matter of fact, I do. There’s no reason to deny it; I visited those women to convince them to join my league of witch hunters. I didn’t stay long. As I said, they made their distaste for my … methods quite clear. Now,” he scooped up his bag and laid down a $20 dollar bill in one swift motion. “I must be going. If you ladies will excuse me.” And with that, Reverend Younger hastily left the shop before Ashley could even give him his change.
Meredith, who had caught wind of the whole conversation from the back, made her way out front and toward Celestial. “So, do you think his head would, like, explode if he found out just how much of the town are supernatural ‘abominations?’” She snidely put this last word in air-quotes.
Celestial sniggered. “Maybe. I’m not sure it would be any great loss.”
“You know,” Meredith said, “if I were a bit more conspiracy-minded, it wouldn’t surprise me one bit if the dear Reverend had something to do with those deaths.” The thought had already crossed Celestial’s mind, but she was wary of being too forthcoming with any suspicions. The last thing anyone needed was gossip muddying up this case.
Graves and Goons (A Hocus Pocus Cozy Witch Mystery Series Book 4) Page 2