“Like a family thing?” Chris asked. “That must be nice.”
“It’s nice to be around a family.” Landon appeared to be choosing his words carefully. “Even when they’re eccentric, they’re still family.”
There it was – the odd expression that he kept trying to hide. I couldn’t figure out his deal. His girlfriend or her family members clearly didn’t embarrass him, yet there was something about them he found amusing. I was almost positive he was looking forward to us meeting the women, although why was anyone’s guess.
“Are they witches?” I blurted out the question before I thought better of it.
Landon looked taken aback by my bluntness. “I’m sorry?”
“I think everyone in town is supposed to be a witch,” Jack supplied. “You’ll have to forgive Charlie. She’s new to the game – this is her first case. She was fascinated when I told her about Hemlock Cove being a town for witches.”
“Oh, that.” Landon visibly relaxed. “They’re all witches. Everyone in Hemlock Cove will claim some form of paranormal identity.”
“Because that’s part of their tourist shtick?” Chris asked.
“Yeah. I was a little thrown by it at first, but … I’m used to it now. The town wouldn’t be what it is if they didn’t have the witch theme going on.”
“Fun.” Jack slid a thoughtful gaze in my direction before returning his attention to Landon. “So you live here? There’s no FBI office in this town. It’s not big enough.”
“My office is in Traverse City. I used to have an apartment there,” Landon replied. “I get special dispensation because I’m mostly on the road – and often in Hemlock Cove – so I’m allowed to break the rules and live here thanks to some added effort by my boss.”
“And you did that for your girlfriend?” I was impressed that he not only put in the request but also didn’t seem embarrassed to admit it.
Landon’s smile was enigmatic. “I did that for myself. The scene is over here.”
Landon stood several feet from the area, which was cordoned off with yellow tape, and crossed his arms over his chest as Chris and Jack moved closer to the scene. There was a dark stain on the ground, and it took me a moment to realize it was blood.
“How was she killed?” Jack asked, straightening.
“Her throat was … missing,” Landon replied, grimacing. “That’s the best way I can describe it.”
“Meaning you think an animal ripped out her throat?” Chris asked, utilizing the expensive camera around his neck to snap photographs. “What kind of indigenous animals do you have here?”
“We have some bears, coyotes and the like,” Landon answered. “We’ve never seen an aggressive bear in this area to my knowledge. Coyotes aren’t big enough to do what was done to this victim – and we don’t have an identity yet. We’re waiting on the medical examiner for that. Then there’s … that.” Landon pointed toward an odd print on the ground closest to Jack’s foot. “We don’t know what that is.”
“Look at that.” Chris was excited as he used his hip to clear me out of the way so he could have a clear shot of the print. “This is clearly not a coyote print.”
“Or a bear,” Jack added, pursing his lips as he locked gazes with Landon. “You’ve been careful not to say too much, but your office contacted us.”
“I didn’t contact you,” Landon clarified. “That was my boss. He seems to have some relationship with a guy named Myron Biggs.”
“That’s my uncle,” Chris supplied. “I think they went to the same high school.”
“I have no idea about any of that.” Landon’s stance was firm. Even though Chris was technically in charge, it was clear he had more respect for Jack. I couldn’t figure out why – Chris was an amiable guy, after all – unless it was because they both had long hair and tough guy demeanors. “My boss suggested calling you in to utilize your expertise. Chief Terry and I will still handle the investigation. You can track down non-essential leads and focus on the animal aspect as much as you want.”
“But you’re not happy we’re here,” Jack prodded.
“I don’t care either way,” Landon clarified. “This place is my home. Something killed that woman. I don’t know if it was an animal or a human, but I plan to find out. I love a lot of people in this town, and I don’t want them being left at the mercy of a madman … or a mad beast, for that matter.” He seemed calm as he said the words, but I didn’t miss the fervency in his eyes.
“What do you think it was?” I asked.
Landon shrugged, holding his hand palms up. “I don’t know what it was. I know that I don’t want it to happen again. So I’m here to offer you whatever help you need. I will be following up my own avenues of investigation, though, so I will not be at your service for the majority of your stay.”
“Sounds more than fair,” Jack said, cracking his large knuckles. “We need to get casts of the prints, Chris. Then we need to look around.”
Chris snapped three more photos in rapid succession. “I’m on it. This could be it, Jack. We might finally be able to get proof of a hominid-like creature in the United States. Think about it.”
Jack forced a smile that didn’t make it all the way to his eyes. “Great. Get your clay stuff for the cast. I’m going to take a look around the perimeter to make sure the cops didn’t miss anything.”
Landon arched an eyebrow when Jack straightened. “What is it you think we missed?”
“I just want to make sure we have all of the bases covered,” Jack replied. “I didn’t mean it as an insult.”
Landon’s shoulders were stiff. “Then I guess I shouldn’t take it as one.”
“Great.”
THE NEXT forty-five minutes were extremely uncomfortable. I helped Chris with the foot casting while Jack prowled the immediate area, sticking his head through the sparse foliage in a bevy of different locations. It was spring, so the weeds and undergrowth hadn’t filled in yet and the ground was soft and muddy in places. That made searching with our eyes easier, but navigating the footpaths slippery and wet.
Landon remained rooted to his spot. He appeared mildly curious while watching Chris mix the fast-drying clay we used to make print casts, but otherwise remained lost in thought. After such an extended period of silence I couldn’t take the uncomfortable atmosphere descending over the area one second longer.
“How did you end up here?” I asked, causing Landon to jolt when the quiet was jarringly interrupted.
“I don’t understand what you mean,” Landon said after a beat. “I was assigned to the Traverse City office. I grew up in mid-Michigan and wanted to stay in the state from the start. I did. I was assigned here.”
“Oh, not that. I mean, how did you end up in Hemlock Cove?”
“Bay.” Landon’s answer was simple and the way his lips curved at the corners at mention of his girlfriend made him that much more attractive, if that was even possible.
“So you’ve been dating her a long time?”
“About a year and a half.”
“Did you meet her on a case?”
“What is this, Lifestyles of the Fed and Dateless?” Jack shot me an annoyed look, which I ignored. “Leave him alone. He doesn’t want to answer your questions. You’re being invasive.”
“I’m not trying to be invasive,” I protested, lobbing a dark glare in Jack’s direction. “I was simply trying to get a feel for how he ended up here. He doesn’t look like the sort of guy who belongs in a town like Hemlock Cove.”
Landon’s lips twitched. “And what kind of guy do I look like?”
“The kind who prefers the big city,” I answered honestly.
“I much prefer Hemlock Cove,” Landon explained. “As for Bay … well … I met her while undercover on an assignment a while back.”
“Was it love at first sight?”
Landon snickered as Jack groaned. “Yes.”
I readjusted my gaze so it was appraising instead of curious. “You’re very open, but you’re bei
ng kind of … weird … about certain things,” I noted. “I can’t decide if you’re telling the truth.”
Jack’s mouth dropped open as Chris continued with his cast. He clearly didn’t hear me. I expected Landon to tell me to mind my own business, but he was too amused.
“You’re going to fit right in at The Overlook,” Landon supplied. “The Winchesters love vocal women. I suggest you sit next to Aunt Tillie during dinner. She’ll find you fascinating.”
I refused to be dissuaded. “Who is Aunt Tillie?”
“Bay’s great-aunt.”
“Is she funny?”
“She has her moments.” Landon adopted a far-off expression, running his tongue over his lips as he considered how to continue. “I’m not being weird. I also don’t mean to be disparaging, so please don’t think that’s what this is. I simply can’t figure out what you are supposed to offer us.”
“Perhaps some expertise that you don’t have access to,” I suggested. “Not everything is black and white. There are some things harder to explain than others in this world.”
“I’m well aware of that.” Landon scratched his nose as he studied me. There was something weighted about his gaze, as if he was trying to see inside of my heart and mind. “Not everything about Hemlock Cove is as it seems,” he offered, adjusting his tone. “The people here are genuinely good, though, and I want them protected.”
“That’s what we want, too,” Jack offered, returning from one of his forays into the woods. “I can’t find tracks from this spot. No tracks that match what Chris is casting, no tracks for humans either. There are a few sets heading that way, but I have a feeling that’s from you guys and the medical examiner’s team.”
“That’s exactly what I found,” Landon confirmed, rolling his neck. “The evidence seems to suggest that she was killed here and yet … that scenario is hard for me to swallow given the lack of footprints.”
“Could someone have erased them?” I asked, glancing around. “The ground is still hard in some places and damp in others because the spring thaw isn’t complete. Maybe whoever – or whatever – it was simply didn’t make an impression.”
“That’s definitely a possibility,” Landon agreed. “I don’t know what to think. The state police evidence team collected a few items, but we’re hampered by the fact that all of the local high schoolers like to hit the woods for a party every weekend.”
“Ah.” Jack made a clucking sound in the back of his throat and nodded. He seemed to understand what Landon was saying better than I did.
“What does that mean?” I asked, confused.
“It means that any beer cans collected … or discarded matchbooks … or even condoms indicating sexual activity could be a lost cause because the kids will have roiled up the area,” Jack supplied. “It could be a long time before the evidence starts rolling in.”
“Yes, and we either have a killer human or animal on the loose while that’s happening,” Landon added. “I love this town. I love most of the people here. I will do what I have to when it comes to their protection.”
“Are you worried about your girlfriend?” I asked.
“I’m always worried about Bay.” Landon’s smile was back. “But she can take care of herself. She has a tendency to stick her nose in things that shouldn’t concern her. I have no doubt this case will be no different.”
“Why not order her to stay away?” Jack’s question seemed more of an order than a suggestion. “You are with the FBI, after all. She has to obey you.”
Landon snorted. “You’ve never been in a serious relationship, have you?”
“I have.” Jack looked caught. “I mean … I understand women.”
“You obviously don’t if you think you can boss them around,” Landon countered. “Bay is … a free spirit. She does what she wants when she wants, and I have to live with that. I’ll tell her to stay out of it, she’ll get mad and do what she wants, we’ll fight and then we’ll make up. That’s how we roll. She won’t be able to stay away from this one. It’s not in her nature.”
“Because it was probably Bigfoot?” I asked.
Landon chuckled. “No. Because she’s the editor of the only newspaper in town and she’ll be crazy for this story.”
“We saw the newspaper office,” Jack noted. “She doesn’t own a combat helmet, does she?”
“How about a shotgun?” I added.
Instead of laughing off the suggestions as ludicrous, Landon narrowed his eyes. “Why do you ask that?”
“Please tell me you’re not dating the woman in the combat helmet,” Jack sputtered. “She could be your grandmother.”
Something clicked into place for me. “He’s dating the blonde who opened the door at the newspaper office,” I corrected. “The one Chris commented on.”
“What did Chris say about her?” Landon asked, leaning forward.
I risked a glance at Chris and found him completely wrapped up in his own world, oblivious to the conversation as he poured the casting clay into the print. “Just that she was pretty,” I replied hurriedly.
Landon raised his eyebrows. “Yes, she’s lovely.” He stared at Chris a moment, an obvious appraisal, and shook his head.
“What about Bigfoot?” I pressed. “Do you think he’s a threat?”
“You’re very persistent,” Landon noted. “As for Bigfoot … let’s just say I’m less worried about Bigfoot attacking Bay than a human with an attitude trying to end her life.”
“That’s probably smart,” Jack agreed. “I’d be worried about the woman with the shotgun, though. She seemed determined.”
Landon was determined to be blasé, but I saw his expression crack. “You said she had a combat helmet on?”
“And a whistle,” I added.
Landon sharply inhaled and then exhaled slowly, the sound long and drawn out. “I’m sure Bay is fine.”
“Who is the woman?” I couldn’t help but be curious … and a little worried. Landon Michaels was an FBI agent, and he was supposed to be calm under pressure. He appeared anything but calm.
Landon ignored the question. “I’m just going to make a quick call.” He reached into his pocket and retrieved his phone. “I’d better get a mountain of bacon tomorrow morning. I can already tell this is going to be a long week.”
Four
“This is The Overlook?”
I couldn’t help but be a little disappointed. The way Landon, Clove and Sam built it up I expected something out of a horror movie. Instead, the inn was absolutely beautiful, the cookie cutter shutters accenting a huge facade that was more pretty than perilous. “It looks like it was a Victorian at one time, maybe something more when you see the back jutting out the way it does.”
Jack arched an eyebrow as he handed me my medium-sized suitcase from the back of the Tahoe. “You look sad. Not what you were expecting?”
“I thought it would look like witches live here,” I admitted. “This looks like someone’s grandma lives here.”
“I believe someone’s grandma does live here.” Jack’s eyes betrayed a flicker of mirth. “Didn’t you see the look on the FBI agent’s face when you mentioned the combat helmet, gun and whistle?”
“Yeah, that was pretty odd.”
“See, the way I read his face, it wasn’t odd at all,” Jack countered. “He was worried about his girlfriend getting in trouble … but not the kind of trouble that would get her killed.”
Confusion wafted over me as I tucked a strand of my long dark hair behind my ear. “What other kind of trouble is there?”
“The kind that gets you arrested and gives your FBI boyfriend a migraine.”
I was flabbergasted. “Seriously? You think she’s a criminal?”
Jack snorted, amused by my dramatic flair. “I think they have a unique relationship, and if you’re developing a crush on him you might want to look elsewhere. That man is clearly taken.”
“What man is taken?” Laura asked, sticking her nose between us. “Did someone meet
a man in this hellhole town? If so, I want a description and a map of where to find him, because I haven’t seen any men since we landed. All I’ve seen is a parking lot.”
Jack rolled his eyes as he grabbed the shoulder of my hoodie and tugged me away from Laura. He seemed to dislike the woman even more than I did, which was entirely possible because he knew her better. “We were talking about the FBI agent we met this afternoon.”
“And he’s definitely taken,” I added. “He lives on the grounds of this inn, in fact. He said he lived in a guesthouse, right? What’s the guesthouse look like?”
“It’s like a little cottage,” Hannah supplied, distracted by her phone screen. “The cell service isn’t very good here.”
“That’s what’s great about living in the country,” Chris added, inhaling heavily. “I love the country! This is where Sasquatch lives … and hopefully breeds. I can feel it, folks. This is the one!”
Jack muttered something unintelligible, rubbing his forehead. I didn’t miss the weary look on his face. I wanted to ask why he insisted on working in this particular field if he was a non-believer, but instead I merely forced a smile and extended the pull handle on my suitcase.
“I don’t have a crush on him,” I volunteered, keeping my voice low. “I just find him interesting.”
“Why? Because he’s dating a witch?” Jack looked amused at the prospect.
“No, because he clearly loves his girlfriend enough to give up any chance of FBI advancement. And he’s hiding something with the chief of police.”
Jack stilled, narrowing his eyes. “How do you know that?”
“Let’s face it, he would have to love that woman an awful lot to want to stay in this small town his entire life.”
“Not that.” Jack curled his lip. “The part about him lying.”
“Oh, well, I guess ‘lying’ is a strong word,” I clarified. “They’re clearly hiding something, though. I think this town has a secret. They exchanged a few looks when they thought no one was watching. And Landon was kind of evasive on certain topics.”
Witchy Dreams Page 51
