Murder Lifts the Spirits

by Margaret C. Morse

  Wyatt shouted, "Limbs, freeze!"

  My arms and legs stiffened, and I felt the same happen to Adrian.

  Wyatt cupped his hand on my forehead. "Petra, limbs relax."

  I was really glad to be able to move. As I peeled myself off Adrian, she became visible. She was on her back, blood dripping down her face from a gash just above her eyebrow. She had teeth marks but not broken skin on her arm. Blaze flew from the area around her head and landed on my shoulder. A few red drops stained his beak, and I assumed he'd pecked her on the forehead, although I'd been too busy to actually observe him. Thankfully he hadn't poked her eye out.

  Wyatt kneeled next to Adrian, watching her closely. "Petra, see if Jake is okay."

  Jake sat with his back against the wall, hunched over. I put my arm around his shoulders, worried he might have internal injuries. "How are you?"

  He gritted his teeth. "She got me by surprise. I'm going to call the police. Help Wyatt. Leave your phone here so I can keep track of Linc's progress in inhabiting the photo."

  Wyatt sent me into the kitchen for some cooking twine. He said he didn't want to keep Adrian's limbs rigid too long because that was bad for her circulation.

  As I looked for the twine, I considered Adrian as a killer, discouraged that I had lately discounted her as a suspect. What had I missed? I'd certainly picked up on her anger. I'd been too enamored of my theory that the killer had to be as skilled in magic as a member of staff. As a shapeshifter Adrian was an accomplished spell caster. I'd seen her manipulate the shape of the rag dolls but had ignored the implications. What had really thrown me off was her insistence that I search for the killer. She'd fooled me good.

  I finally found some cotton twine, although I didn't think it would secure Adrian very well.

  When I returned to the dining room area, Adrian was seated with her back against the wall. Her head drooped on her chest, and her arms flopped at her side.

  Jake's face was pale and set in grim lines. "I performed a relax spell on Adrian. She can breathe but can barely move her arms and legs."

  I handed him the twine. "I don't see how this will hold her."

  He passed it on to Wyatt, who went into the kitchen. "Wyatt will enhance the twine with magic."

  "The cops should be here soon, right?" I asked.

  "Yes," Jake said, "but they don't want to interfere with Marco reaching out to Linc. I don't think Marco knows that Linc is manifesting down here, and I can't get a message through. The ghosts who are normally down here didn't report to him because they're upstairs totally focused on the summoning. The police will wait till Marco realizes he's connected with Linc, which should be any minute. I told Detective Jonson we had things under control."

  Wyatt brought back a coil of a narrow metallic rope. Sweat poured down his face in spite of the cool temperature of the room. "This is the fastest I've ever done this spell. It was hard work. I had to use some of the Pioneer House silverware to coat the cotton twine. Jake, can you do quell magic on it?"

  While Jake murmured over the coil, Wyatt checked on my phone, which rested on the floor next to the door. "Nothing has changed."

  I wished Linc would hurry up. "It took Cullen quite some time before he fully manifested and was able to talk to us. I expect Linc to do better. He was more mature and capable of focusing his thoughts."

  "Wyatt," said Jake, "I need you and Petra to help me secure Adrian. Lift up her feet a few inches."

  I cautiously held her feet off the ground. Exactly how much actual evidence, as opposed to suspicions, did we have that Adrian had killed Cullen and Linc? Nothing really, except her attempt to escape and her angry remarks about Cullen. Was I leaving myself open to a charge of assault by helping to secure her? No, she had attempted to assault Wyatt with a knife and had cannoned into Jake. Okay, so we were justified in holding her for the police. But—would they be able to get a confession out of her? I decided I needed to do something as I watched Jake point at the rope and direct it to wrap around her ankles. Delicately, I lowered her legs to the floor. I hoped that quell magic would do its job of preventing her from doing spells.

  After Jake had manipulated the metal-coated rope to tie her hands, he lessened the relax spell so that she could hold her head up and talk. Jake said the spell couldn't be imposed for very long because it slowed down the metabolism too much. He approved my request to get some bottled water for her in the kitchen.

  I put a bandage on her forehead. She managed to drink without choking or spilling. "Adrian, why did you accuse me of killing Cullen?"

  "Leave me alone." Her voice croaked.

  Fine, I shouldn't have expected her to volunteer a confession. Time to use shock tactics. I marched over to Jake and Wyatt, who were frowning at the chairs, which for a change weren't banging into each other.

  I clutched Jake's arm. "Look, why are we messing around? We have time before the cops come to use magic to get the truth out of her."

  Jake raised his brows, clearly surprised at my remark. "What are you talking about?"

  I cast an appraising look at Adrian, who watched me closely. "Let's ask Ira to come down here and do a mind read on her. We can justify it by saying we wanted to know if she had plans to hurt anyone else." Ira was the only wizard here who I knew for sure was an empath. The ghosts had all been empaths but didn't do mind reads because they couldn't actually touch anyone.

  "Jake, don't let her do it!" cried out Adrian.

  Wyatt intervened. "We can't ask Ira to violate the code of empaths and do a mind read without the subject's permission. I'm surprised that you, his girlfriend, would suggest it. And you're a lawyer." Wyatt had stepped right into the role of good cop.

  "There's an exception for an emergency," I insisted. Bad cop.

  An orange light sparked in Jake's eyes, which meant I'd angered him. "Of course we won't do a forced mind read. What are you thinking, Petra?"

  I surprised myself too by getting into the role of bad cop. Often my clients had confessed when the cops threatened them with a polygraph or a mind read. My performance had stirred everyone up.

  Time for the next move. I'd have the phone make a noise so Adrian would think Linc had started to speak. That should scare her into talking. I headed to the door where the phone was propped up so its screen was visible. Before I could do a spell, a cough came out of the speaker.

  "Linc!" I shouted. I dashed over, accompanied by Jake, and picked up my phone.

  Jake's eyes popped open, as did mine, when we heard "P-P-P" gasped in a voice slightly resembling Linc's. Startled, I dropped the phone, which, thanks to its hard case, didn't break. I was thrilled that Linc had come back and could speak.

  "That's why the chairs are quiet. Marco and his ghosts have stopped the summons because they realize Linc has returned. For some reason he chose the picture on my phone."

  "This is the last room I looked in," Marco called out from his portrait at the end of the tables, the very first place we heard him speak. "I sensed a new ghost was present, but I couldn't pinpoint his location till now. Jake, bring him over here so that you and I can confirm his identity with the Rhamberg test before we allow in the police."

  Jake took the phone over to Marco, where the two wizards began the chant for the Rhamberg test. I sank into a chair opposite Adrian and Wyatt. At first I couldn't focus on what Wyatt said. It sounded soothing, so he was continuing his role of the good cop.

  She seemed to be calmer, answering him in low tones. Why not build on his work? "Adrian, I'm glad Wyatt is helping you. I know you're upset with me for suggesting the mind read, but you need to think about what's going on. With Linc coming back, the mystery is going to be cleared up. I think Linc will be an articulate ghost much faster than Cullen. Here's my advice. Get in your side of the story first."

  "Why should I tell you?"

  Now was my chance to understand what happened. "Wyatt and I can be witnesses that you spoke out before Linc said anything. I admit I'm curious—why did you act so mad at me right af
ter Cullen died? You knew I didn't kill him!"

  "No, I didn't," she objected. "I couldn't see clearly what happened after I did the propel spell to send the bird to Cullen. I thought you'd ruined it with your messed-up magic. It was supposed to blow up in his face and scar him. That would disrupt his relationship with Hailey. I'd finally have my chance. Once I assumed a man's form, I would be the perfect soul mate for Hailey."

  What? She was leaving out some important steps like completing her treatment at the ranch. I didn't challenge Adrian since I didn't want to anger her and make her shut up. "So you didn't intend to kill Cullen?"

  "No. When I finally found out he'd reached for the bird, not you, I knew he was the one who'd botched my spell and made it attack him. He'd interfered with my magic."

  Talk about blaming the victim. "What about Linc? Do you blame him too?"

  She narrowed her eyes at me. "I don't know why I'm talking to you after hearing you try to have me undergo a mind read!"

  "That was kind of drastic," I admitted. "You should talk to us because we're the only ones available to hear your story. You can at least trust Wyatt. What about Linc?"

  "He told me he'd spent the day with Ira, and they'd talked a lot. He was going to ask Ira to do a mind read on everybody to see who the killer was. If anyone refused, that would look really suspicious. Of course I wouldn't have agreed. I had too many secrets, and I hate the thought of someone invading my mind."

  Ira had revealed to me that Linc had asked him to do something crazy but hadn't disclosed the details. "Okay, I can see Linc's plans would've distressed you. What kind of spell did you install in the cat figure you left in his room?"

  "There was another reason why I had to do it. Linc wanted me to shapeshift into Cullen's form. He thought it would help Cullen remember things and it might scare someone into incriminating themselves. I couldn't do it. I have to have a cool clear head to do a shapeshift. When I refused, I could tell Linc was suspicious."

  "So what was the cat supposed to do?"

  She twitched as if stung by the memory. "I installed a spell to put Linc in a trance so he would just shut up for a while. He must have accidentally done something to interfere with it working like I intended."

  I had to rethink everything she'd told me. "So what were you lurking down here for? You couldn't have expected Wyatt to try to escape, since he's not the killer."

  "I'd just finished making myself invisible so I could get out without anybody knowing." She scowled at me. "Then you came clumping downstairs. I had to make up the story about Wyatt."

  "The knife?" I asked.

  "What if someone tried to stop me?"

  Like me. It was a good thing I hadn't challenged her. There were so many things I wanted to ask her, but if I pushed her too hard, she might shut down. "You did a really good job of fooling me. I was completely convinced you were dead set on finding Cullen's killer."

  The compliment didn't please her. "I pretended to care about catching the killer so I could keep track of your investigation. You just never got what it means to be me. I spent the first twenty-five years of my life pretending I wanted to be a woman. That's how I learned to act a part. When I finally told the truth that I was a man, I found out how many people weren't on my side. That's when I learned to be angry. Hailey was the counselor who helped me with the rage. I couldn't let Cullen ruin her. Do you know my dream? Once I permanently shape shifted into a man's form, I would be the mate to fulfill Hailey and give her the happiness she deserves."

  The whole thing started from her love of Hailey, not her hate of Cullen or Linc. Before I could analyze her motives, I paused when the singsong of the spell chant from Jake and Marco faded out.

  Jake brought my phone over. "Marco and I have confirmed that this is Linc's ghost. Adrian, the police will be here soon."

  In the picture on the screen, Linc looked directly at me. "Pet-Pet-Pet."

  I was so pleased to hear Linc's voice almost say my name. I took the phone and smiled at it. "Linc, how wonderful Marco was able to reach out to you!"

  When I lifted the phone, it must have given Linc a view of Adrian tied up and seated on the floor, for he looked surprised.

  "Wh-What 'appened?" Linc managed to ask.

  Apparently he hadn't heard what Adrian had said. Not certain how much reality he could take, I kept it vague. "The police are coming to investigate your case."

  Linc opened and closed his mouth several times, but no words came out before Detective Sigrid Jonson marched in with four Proz. Wyatt approached her, taking her aside while the Proz stood around Adrian.

  I was pretty sure that the police would take Adrian into custody for questioning. "Jake, do you think we should fill Linc in on what Adrian said?"

  Jake nodded. "Linc, I know you're still adjusting to your new form. We'll work to help you get oriented."

  "Adrian?" Linc gazed at her through the circle of guards.

  "Linc," Jake explained, "Adrian has said she murdered Cullen and you."

  "Justice." Linc said the word slowly in a deep, gruff tone.

  Justice is how some people described revenge.

  "Must see," Linc demanded.

  I held the phone so Linc could view the scene around Adrian. Detective Jonson had just crouched next to her.

  Adrian blurted, "I didn't murder them. They did something to my spells. That's what killed them."

  Detective Jonson held up her hand. "Wait. I have to Mirandize you." After giving the warning, Detective Jonson continued, "I'm going to remove these cords and replace them with iron shackles. Then we'll drape a cloak lined in iron around you. That will prevent you from doing any magic. Don't try anything while this is going on." She held her hand over Adrian's chest. "If you mess with me, I'll use a stun spell, and I won't be as gentle as Jake."

  Detective Jonson used a spell to cut through the cords binding Adrian's hands. As soon as the rope fell away, a red light shot out of Linc's eyes. It streamed into Adrian's nose and mouth. Her eyes bulged. She convulsed, her back arching. She screamed, and the red light flashed back into Linc's photo. A pain like an electric shock jabbed into my hand. I gasped, my hand jerked, and the phone flew across the room.

  My palm stung. Something had burned me. I gaped at Detective Jonson kneeling by Adrian's body, which had gone limp. With one finger on Adrian's throat, she spoke into her phone. "I can feel a pulse. It's rapid but strong. Okay, come to the door to the right of the main entrance."

  Assured that Adrian was still alive, I examined my hand, which had a red mark across the palm that hurt. I wiggled my fingers to make sure they still worked.

  Jake cupped my hand in his. "I don't see any blistering. I don't think it's a bad burn. We'll have the paramedics look at it. Your phone may be somewhat compromised."

  Not my phone. It had everything I needed. "What?"

  "The way I see it," Jake explained, "Linc tried to inhabit Adrian, but the quell spell ropes on her ankles disrupted his magic. He bounced back into the photo. I'm not sure where the zap came from."

  Across the room Marco's ghost stood by my phone on the floor by the stairs. He darted to us. "I've implanted Linc's ghost in that photo. The phone is not an ideal holder, but we can't have him flitting all over."

  Jake must have sent me some kind of calming spell because I felt myself drooping rather than tensing at the news of my phone's new inhabitant. The important point, I told myself, was that Linc had been secured in a safe place. My hand smarted, but I was sure I felt better than Adrian.

  A bustle of uniformed people announced the arrival of the paramedics, who checked out Adrian and put some salve on my hand. By the time they'd finished, Adrian insisted on walking out on her own. After she shuffled to the door in the iron shackles, she looked over her shoulder at me. "Get me a lawyer."

  Before I could respond, they escorted her out the door. I was mad at her but felt sorry because she'd let anger ruin her life, and I wished she had remorse for what she'd done.

  Jake patted my s
houlder. "Pick a lawyer who's good on tricky legal stuff."

  Adrian didn't need one lawyer. She'd raise enough legal issues to keep a brigade busy.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

  Saturday Afternoon

  It was good to be back at the Disclaimer Ranch. We residents scattered to our individual rooms. I'd had enough of dormitory living. In my cell I packed up my stuff since I was moving to a new room, an unhappy upgrade, thanks to vacancies created by the deaths of Cullen and Linc and the arrest of Adrian.

  Before I settled into my new space, I decided to check on Cullen. Jake had briefed him on what had happened with Adrian, but he must have questions. Although Cullen could be demanding and exasperating, I wanted to work out some kind of positive closure to our relationship before he left. His parents had purchased an airline ticket for his trip to Iowa on Sunday morning. Until his departure, Jake had set up Cullen in the downstairs living room on a small coffee table.

  I found Ira watching Vidoc return to the room the magic lost during the exorcism. Vidoc recreated the spells that had animated the furniture and walls and made the room so comfortable. He decorated the ceiling with swirling clouds and blue sky. Pink and yellow flowers, tall grass, and a sparkling stream adorned the walls.

  Vidoc then restored the beanbags' ability to mold themselves companionably to the human form. Ira and I smiled thanks to Vidoc when he left. We plopped down, and our beanbags squirmed until they'd positioned us for the best view of Cullen.

  I reached for Ira's hand, glad finally to have some time with him. Being interviewed by the police and moving out of Pioneer House had kept me busy. I wanted to talk about Adrian with Ira but not with Cullen interjecting his comments.

  "I can't believe it was Adrian," Cullen said. "I thought she was my friend."

  "She was your friend," I reassured him, "until the very end when she decided she had to protect Hailey from you. It wasn't your fault Adrian obsessed over Hailey."