by Alex Marcoux
“What is wrong?” Daniel whispered.
“The first witches’ trial was last Friday.”
“And?”
“Her name is Bridget Bishop. She’s been imprisoned since April.”
“And what, John?”
“She is scheduled to be hanged on Saturday.”
“Oh, God.”
“But it’s not stopping there. They already have five women lined up to be tried at the end of the month. Daniel…this witch-hunt is out of control.”
“What are you saying?”
“They have over 70 people imprisoned so far, and they’ve just begun. Over half of them are from outside of Salem Town and Salem Village. Daniel, last week Martha Carrier was arrested.”
“Our neighbor?” Daniel was frightened. “Martha is Rebecca’s friend.”
“Yes, your neighbor. And let me tell you—it was very easy for me to find out about Rebecca. If I could…they will. You must stop her.”
Daniel debated all the way home that evening what he would tell Rebecca. John may be right, he thought. The risk is just too great. I will talk with her again.
But Daniel wasn’t prepared for what he found when he arrived at home. As he walked through the door, Rebecca rushed to greet him. She wrapped her arms around his neck, her lips joining his with a passion that hadn’t faded since their wedding a little over one year earlier.
Their lips parted from the kiss. Both smiled as they gazed into each other’s eyes. “Now what did I do to deserve that reception? Please tell, so I can repeat it every night,” Daniel said.
Rebecca laughed. “I have some exciting news and I just cannot wait to share it with you. Why don’t you wash for dinner; it’s ready.”
“Very well.” Daniel went to the basin and washed his hands. He sat at the table and Rebecca served his stew, then she served herself and joined him. Daniel noticed a gleam in her eyes. “Tell me darling, what is on your mind?”
Rebecca smiled, “I found…no, we found Ann.”
“Ann who?”
“Ann Osgood, Mary and Samuel’s baby. Remember? She was abducted in February.”
“Really? How? Who are we?”
“Me and Isis.”
“Who’s Isis?”
“A goddess I called upon and asked for help. I’ve been working with her for a couple months. Daniel, Ann’s alive and in Boston.”
It was obvious to Daniel that Rebecca was thrilled and under different circumstances, he may have shared in her excitement. “Rebecca, I thought you weren’t doing any of your…you know—rituals. It’s too dangerous—”
“Daniel, I have been very careful. You can’t expect me to completely stop the work I started before the witch-hunt. This is too important. It’s a child’s life at stake. Daniel what if it were our child?”
“Rebecca, I’m not scolding but I have to tell you—we must be careful. This witch-hunt is getting scary. There are over 70 people imprisoned, and they’re hanging the first in a couple of days. We can’t be careless now.”
“This is an innocent child, Daniel. I have information on her whereabouts. Can you just ignore that?”
Daniel was silent as he considered their next step. He knew if the lead on Ann was correct—it would be just too important to ignore. “Where is the baby?”
“On Church Road, in Boston.”
“Who has her?”
“A couple. I believe their name is Bradberry.”
“Bradberry?”
“Yes, Bradberry. That is what she said. The man is very successful, a businessman perhaps. They have a very distinguished home. The woman has jet-black hair with a streak of gray. Daniel you must believe me. Please?”
“I will go to Boston on Saturday and look around. You’re staying here.”
“You know I cannot do that. You’ll never find her if I don’t go.”
Chapter 7
Daniel was ready to leave for Boston that Saturday morning. He was not surprised when Rebecca boldly climbed into the carriage with him. He knew it would be a waste of time arguing with her, she always had a way with him. Rather than arguing, he took his wife’s delicate hand, held it to his lips and gently kissed it. “I love you Rebecca,” he whispered. “I just don’t want anything to happen to you. Let’s be careful.”
They traveled all morning before they stopped and ate a picnic lunch that Rebecca had prepared. Then they were back on the road. The afternoon was young when they stopped and asked a man for directions to Church Road. They were delighted to learn they were close.
“Do you know where the house is?” Daniel asked.
“I’ll know it when I see it.”
But as Rebecca and Daniel came to the end of Church Road, Rebecca shook her head. “This isn’t right.”
Daniel reined the horse in a u-turn and stopped, looking down the road they had just traveled.
“It’s got to be here, Daniel. How come I can’t see it?”
“Let’s try it again,” Daniel said.
Rebecca was determined to find the house. The street was lined with large trees, pastures, a church, and an occasional homestead. They reached the end of the road, again. “I don’t see it, Daniel.”
Daniel was patient; he turned the carriage around. “It’s okay, Rebecca. We’ll keep trying until you believe it’s not here. Okay?”
Rebecca nodded and about halfway down the road, another carriage entered the road from one of the homes. A man approached and smiled at Daniel and Rebecca. Rebecca’s hand rested on Daniel’s. Somehow, Daniel recognized Rebecca’s urge and stopped the carriage. The man from the other carriage saw the subtle plea in Rebecca’s eyes and stopped his carriage so the two buggies were side-by-side.
“Good day,” Daniel greeted.
“Good day,” the stranger said.
“Sir, do you know where the Bradberrys live?” Rebecca asked.
“You mean the Bradburys?” the man asked.
Bradbury, Rebecca thought. Yes, that’s got to be it. “Yes, excuse me. The Bradburys.”
The man turned around and pointed up the road. “There is a path about 100 yards on the right. The path will take you through the property. The homestead sits away from the road.”
“Thank you, sir,” Rebecca said. The two carriages parted.
It didn’t take them long to find the path. The trail ran through a pasture then into thicket, up a hill and at the crest of the hill, Rebecca recognized the Bradbury’s home. She smiled and squeezed Daniel’s hand. “This is it.”
Daniel stopped the carriage in front of the large house. “Okay. Now what do we do?” Daniel asked. “We certainly cannot just go knocking and asking ‘excuse me, did you steal the Osgood’s child?’”
“I know,” Rebecca said. “We’ll just improvise.”
“Improvise?”
Rebecca descended from the carriage, boldly walked to the front door and knocked.
A woman answered the door. “Good-day. Can I help you?” She smiled warmly.
“Good afternoon. My name is Rebecca Johnson. I’m looking for my aunt. She married a Bradbury from Boston some time ago. I was hoping that she may be here, or perhaps you may know of her.”
“Well, my name is Elizabeth Bradbury. What is your Aunt’s name?”
“Aunt Veronica.”
“And she married a Bradbury? About how long ago?”
“I think it is going on ten years.”
The woman appeared thoughtful. Then there was a disruption from behind her. She turned away from the door and leaned over to pick up something. “I have her,” she called to someone, then turned back to the door, holding a smiling toddler.
Rebecca smiled when she saw the baby. Right age, she thought. The toddler squirmed in the woman’s arms. She was dressed in clean clothes and appeared healthy. Red hair and freckles stood out on the child. The baby played with the woman’s bonnet strings, pulling them out of a neat bow.
“What a beautiful baby,” Rebecca said.
“Thank you.”
/> When Daniel heard the baby fuss, he approached the front entry.
Rebecca noticed Daniel approaching. “Goodwife Bradbury, this is my husband, Daniel Johnson.”
“Pleased to meet you; I’m Elizabeth Bradbury,” then she turned back to Rebecca. “I don’t know a Veronica Bradbury. I’ve only been a Bradbury a short while, though. My husband should be back anytime, would you like to come in and wait?”
“That would be very gracious of you,” Daniel said.
The woman backed away, permitting Rebecca and Daniel into the foyer. A stairwell led to the second floor while a doorway to the right went to the gathering area. “There’s a sitting room off to the left here,” Elizabeth suggested.
Rebecca was the first to enter. A magnificent stone fireplace dressed the sitting room. This is it. Rebecca recognized the room. A varnished board supported by trestles centered the room; chairs were on both sides of it. A soft chair with arms rested against the wall, away from the long table. The walls were whitewashed, the high ceilings were supported with stained beams, while off-white linen curtains lined the diamond-shaped glass windows.
“What a beautiful house,” Rebecca said, as she and Daniel sat in chairs on one side of the table, and Elizabeth sat near the head.
“Thank you. Would either of you like some tea?” Elizabeth asked, and she rang a small bell.
Minutes later another woman entered the room with a tea tray and set it on the table. Elizabeth deftly shifted the toddler on her lap and served the tea. The baby remained playful, pulling at Elizabeth’s white bonnet, exposing long dark locks of hair. Elizabeth remained good-natured and played lovingly with the baby.
“How old is she?” Rebecca asked.
“She’s going on 18 months.” The baby untied Elizabeth’s bonnet strings again. “Do you want my bonnet, Ann?” Elizabeth asked.
Ann? Daniel thought.
Elizabeth took off the bonnet, exposing the long dark hair. The woman gently pulled her hair away from her face. It was Daniel who noticed the distinguished streak of gray.
“So, where are you from?” Elizabeth asked.
“We come from the north, Andover,” Daniel answered. Daniel was impressed with his wife’s accuracy. Bradberry. The impressive house. The lady with the dark hair and gray streak. Ann? He wondered how she did it.
“Mrs. Bradbury, the child must have her father’s hair, she certainly did not get yours,” Rebecca said.
The woman smiled. “We believe her hair came from her maternal grandmother.”
Rebecca and Daniel visited with Elizabeth briefly, then the front door opened and a distinguished-looking man entered from the foyer. He smiled, kissed Elizabeth and Ann, then turned to greet their guests.
“Jacob, this is Daniel and Rebecca Johnson. They are searching for Rebecca’s Aunt Veronica who married a Bradbury about ten years ago.”
“Yes, and your wife has been most gracious,” Daniel rose and extended his hand to shake Jacob’s.
The man smiled, admiring his wife. “Yes. She always is.” Jacob Bradbury methodically went to the cushioned armed chair, picked it up and placed it at the head of the table. He took his seat among the group and as his wife had, he made the strangers feel welcome. “I have a cousin named Veronica Bradbury. But I am not aware of a family member who married a Veronica. I would be happy to ask family members. We’re having a family reunion next month.”
Rebecca and Daniel were asked to share the Bradbury’s supper with them. They learned that Elizabeth and Jacob had been married for three years. Before they met and fell in love, both had been previously married and had lost their spouses to smallpox. Jacob had been a lawyer and judge, and was recently appointed by the new Governor as a member in his advisory cabinet. It was apparent that the couple adored the baby. Likewise, Ann appeared to love the couple, was healthy and seemed happy. Both Daniel and Rebecca were touched by the Bradbury’s unconditional generosity. As they left the Bradbury’s homestead, both felt a touch of guilt about what had brought them there.
“They could not have stolen the baby, Rebecca. They’re decent folks,” Daniel finally said.
Rebecca knew something was not right. “I agree. They are good people. But that is the Osgood’s baby, Daniel. I’m sure of it.”
“What do we do?”
Rebecca and Daniel spoke about the situation all the way home. By the time they arrived, it was dark. They agreed that Daniel would approach Samuel.
The next day there was a church picnic after the service. Rebecca and Daniel placed their blanket and picnic lunch strategically next to the Osgood’s blanket. Samuel’s furniture shop had been completed and he had been promoting the furniture, encouraging people to stop by and see some of the pieces he had on display. As the owner of the general store, Daniel knew he could assist marketing Samuel’s furniture.
The men discussed the possibilities of selling the furniture at Daniel’s store before Daniel changed the subject. “I’ve been meaning to ask you,” Daniel started. “Do you know anyone by the name of Bradbury?”
Rebecca had been watching the men discuss the furniture strategy. She immediately became aware of the subject change by Samuel’s body language. The man withdrew and Rebecca saw the energy glow that surrounded him shrink and redden.
“Never heard the name,” Samuel finally said. He turned away and approached his blanket.
Daniel didn’t let it rest and followed him to within hearing distance of Rebecca and Mary. “Jacob or Elizabeth Bradbury?” he probed.
“I told you—I don’t know any Bradbury. Why are you bothering me with this?” The man’s personality changed. He became clearly agitated.
“They seem to be nice people. We met them yesterday.” Daniel knew he was pushing it. “They have a daughter the spitting image of Ann. She’s 18 months old. Would you believe their baby’s name is also Ann?”
Although Rebecca wanted to keep her eyes on the conversation, something inside her told her to look within. She closed her eyes and instantly saw the scales of Libra. On one side was a large moneybag in a pan. It outweighed a small object that was teetering in the air. Rebecca couldn’t see what was being measured against the money. Though clearly, the money outweighed the object. In her imagination, she reached in the pan and picked up the small object. It was Ann’s teething ring. When she looked back at the scale, the moneybag had disappeared, and in it’s place—a chair. It was Samuel’s escalating voice that brought her back.
“You know, I’m tired of you and your wife poking around. This is our life. If I see either of you snooping around my property anymore, I’m telling the authorities.”
“Ann wasn’t stolen,” Rebecca whispered.
The Osgoods overheard the whisper. Daniel turned to Rebecca. “What sweetheart?”
Then Rebecca spoke confidently. “Ann wasn’t abducted! The Bradburys bought her. The money was used to finance the furniture shop.” There was a part of Rebecca and Daniel that was relieved; they both had liked the Bradburys and couldn’t believe they could have taken Ann.
For a moment, Mary and Samuel were speechless. They just stared at Rebecca. Then a cool tone managed to escape Mary’s lips. “How did you know that?”
Daniel didn’t give Rebecca a chance to respond. He reached for her hand. “Let’s go.” The two began packing up their picnic belongings.
“My wife asked you a question,” Samuel yelled. “Now answer her.”
Rebecca turned and looked into Samuel’s cold eyes. Why couldn’t I have seen this before? Then she saw the same hostility in Mary’s eyes. “It’s not important how I know this. I’m just sorry that I didn’t see it before.” Rebecca and Daniel turned to pick up their blanket and basket.
“You have no basis to make such claims!” Samuel shouted. “This is unnatural. This is evil. You’re a witch!”
With this, Daniel turned to Samuel. “My wife is not evil. You have such audacity, standing here—calling her evil, after you sold your own child.” Daniel’s temples were throbb
ing. He turned to Rebecca and took the picnic basket from her. “Let’s get out of here.”
The two climbed into the carriage. “Rebecca Johnson, you’re a witch. You’re evil!” Samuel screamed.
As the carriage pulled away, Daniel turned back to see other congregation members gather around Mary and Samuel. Their eyes and mouths were opened wide in astonishment.
“I’m sorry,” Rebecca whispered.
Daniel took Rebecca’s small hand, brought it to his lips, and gently kissed her fingers. “I love you.”
Daniel’s head throbbed all the way home. He knew he needed to protect Rebecca, but didn’t know how to do it. “We must get rid of your things. We need to get them off our property.”
“Let’s not overreact, Daniel.” Rebecca was saddened at the thought of losing her treasured possessions.
“Rebecca, they are hanging witches! We’re in the midst of a witch-hunt. I don’t want to take any chances. I’ll hide your things in the storage area at the store. I promise Rebecca, I will not throw any of it away.”
When they arrived home, they wasted no time and went to the small shed. Rebecca sadly packed all of her ritual belongings. Even Ann’s teething ring got tossed in with the Isis bits and pieces. Later that afternoon they went to the store, where Daniel unloaded the crates and hid them in the storeroom.
It was Wednesday afternoon when John arrived at the store. He was visibly upset and anxiously waited until a customer left the store before he spoke to Daniel.
“The Osgoods filed a complaint. They’re alleging witchcraft. What the hell happened?”
Daniel took a deep breath. “How bad is it?”
“The complaint has reached the special council. They meet in the office next to my own. That’s how I learned about it. I fear they may raid your home, to search for evidence.” John nervously paced the store, his fingers twisting his mustache.
“I’ve already moved her things.”
“Move them? Just burn them.”
“I can’t do that. They’re Rebecca’s belongings. I promised her.”
“If they find them—they will hang her.”
