by Traci Wilton
“I’m worried that you are going to ask one question too many to the wrong person. The reason I told you about Carl is that Officer Jimenez mentioned she’d slipped up by referring to him as a victim—and you noticed. Of course you did. You’re like a bloodhound.”
She wanted to apologize and give him comfort. But she could do neither. “I don’t mean to be. I might have inherited that trait from my mother.”
He groaned. “That’s about the best excuse I’ve heard yet. Your mother can be a real pain . . .”
“I know. Only too well.”
“Look, I shouldn’t be saying this, but we’re closing down on our killer. This is important, Charlene. I need your cooperation, and for you to not ask any questions that will disturb the investigation. Understood?”
A harried officer arrived with a file in his hands. “Sir? When you have a minute?”
Charlene took that as her cue and stood on quivering legs.
“Charlene?”
“I understand, Detective. You can count on me.”
CHAPTER 19
Charlene had three missed calls from the Flint household by the time she left the station. They were the last people she wanted to speak to right now. Sam had made it brilliantly clear that she needed to step back and do nothing. She clicked her phone off so she wouldn’t be tempted to answer it.
She had one agenda right now. To get home quickly and talk things over with Jack.
The moment she stepped inside her warm and brightly-lit home, her mood took an uphill swing. “Hey, Avery! How did it go?” The clock on the stove read four-thirty. “Any problems?”
“Easy peasy.” Avery slicked a short silver-purple lock of hair over her ear but it sprang right back. “The Jenningses, Toni and Robert, are so cool. They come from Missouri and do a lot of traveling. Their kids are out of college and Toni said that it’s their time to have fun.”
“Good. Did they like their room?”
“Loved it! After they unpacked, they came down to thank you for the wine and flowers. Said it was the nicest welcoming package they’ve ever had. I mentioned the happy hour and that you’d be back soon to greet them. They decided to go out for a walk.”
“I can’t wait to meet them. Way to go, hon. You handled it like a real pro. You’ve also practically got everything set up!” Charlene pulled the chilled platter of shrimp she’d prepped earlier from the fridge and placed it on the counter next to a couple bottles of her house wine. “Give me ten minutes to freshen up.”
“You’ve got thirty. No rush.” Avery gathered silverware and plates for happy hour.
She entered her suite and smiled at Jack. “I wasn’t sure if you were going to be arrested or not,” he teased.
“Jack,” she whispered in a tone just below the sound of the television, yanking off her boots and tossing her jacket over her love seat. “Orpheus was murdered. And he’s part of a theft ring. Those diamonds in his ears led back to the heist.”
Jack raised the volume of the TV with a lift of his palm. “Huh?”
“Yeah. Sam told me so that I’d stop asking questions and interfering with the investigation. They’re working with the police in Louisiana.”
“What else did you learn at the station?”
“Orpheus tried to serve Brandy drugged wine at his hotel. Jack, somebody was in the closet while we were there. She didn’t drink it. Good thing.”
“Did she know it was drugged?”
“I think her sixth sense alerted her—she didn’t say anything, but set it aside.” Brandy’d proved yet again she was a powerful witch!
“Another woman with good instincts.”
“Yes. I also found out why Sam won’t write off Serenity from his suspect list. And, unfortunately, he has a point.”
“What’s the reason?”
“He believes that Serenity intended to murder Alaric to bring him back to life. Just as Alaric planned to kill her.” Charlene rubbed her chilled arms. “I refuse to believe that, but it could be a biased opinion. I wish I could be a fairy godmother and whisk Celeste away from Asher and Elisabeta.”
Jack laughed. “Please, not another mythical creature. We have enough as it is.”
Charlene grinned. “We sure do! I told Sam my theory about the women around the vampires being under some sort of vampire allure, or brainwashed.”
Jack folded his arms. “I wish there was a way to snap them out of it.”
“Reminds me of those young girls who were burned at the stake.” Charlene tilted her head. “Why did they all point the finger at each other and act crazy?”
“Group hysteria.” He stopped pacing and studied her. “You must be exhausted. It’s been a difficult day.”
“Nothing compared to poor Sam—you should see his office. He’s on overload.” She never kept secrets from Jack, so she found herself blurting, “Sam says they’re closing in on the suspect.”
“He’s doing his best, but I must admit this is not an easy one to solve, not even for a clever guy like me.” He struck a pose like The Thinker and made her laugh.
She turned on her phone. “What do you think Brandy and Serenity want?” She showed Jack the now four missed calls. “I can’t tell them anything. I promised Sam. If I don’t respond, they’ll know something is up.”
“Your decision, but if it were me, I’d delay as long as possible.”
“Right. Oh, I asked Sam to check into Alaric’s medical history and mentioned that skin disease—I think you’re right about how it could have affected him mentally.”
Jack nodded. “Imagine that poor kid going to school? I found his elementary school transcripts. Grades only. They moved around a lot and he missed years completely, resulting in low scores.”
“What a nightmare for him.” If that was her child, she would want to keep him from the hurts of the playground. Give him a way to feel special rather than like a freak. “Maybe pretending to be a vampire was his way of coping.” Charlene shrugged. “Makes me almost feel sorry for him.”
“Watch your heart. Alaric, as an adult, manipulated people to make his way.” Jack winced. “I have to keep telling myself the same thing.”
“He wanted Serenity’s power to help him achieve something he could never do alone.” She was so grateful that the spell hadn’t happened—it would have ruined Serenity’s life as well as taken Alaric’s.
The sound of a dish crashing to the floor made her jump back. “I have to go—but we’ll talk later. Search the Night Shadows theft ring in Louisiana.”
She slipped on her sneakers and entered the kitchen.
Avery looked up, guilt on her face. “I’m so sorry!”
Charlene reached for the broom. “Accidents happen—it’s okay. Glad it was the bread dish and not the shrimp.”
“Really?”
“Really!”
They had the mess cleaned in minutes and a new ceramic tray loaded with garlic rolls and chicken wings instead of the loaves of banana and pumpkin bread Minnie had made.
Silva, sensing that they were in a hurry, meowed by her dish.
“It’s not time for dinner, fat cat. How about a treat?” Charlene opened the jar and gave her two that she chewed, kneading the kitchen floor as if she’d been starved. “I think you’re feeling better.”
Avery brought the food to the sideboard while Charlene greeted the newbies in the living room. “Sorry I wasn’t here earlier, but I promise to make amends. I’m Charlene, and you’ve met Avery. We’re so happy to have you here.”
She smiled at all their expectant faces, putting them at ease. “Please introduce yourselves and don’t be shy. Pour a drink and enjoy the appetizers. I’ll make my way around and get to know you one at a time.”
A few people turned to speak with those closest to them, so Charlene stepped forward and grabbed a bottle of red and one of white. “Who’s going to be first?” She waved it at them. “And if you’re a shrimp lover, come and get ’em!”
That broke the ice. Everyone came forward to a
ccept a glass of wine, grab some food, and mingle.
Charlene poured herself a generous glass of cabernet and placed a few shrimp and chicken wings on her plate, with a garlic roll to top it off. She greeted the couple behind her. “Hello! You must be the folks from Florida?”
“Good guess! Was it the tan that gave us away?” The woman was of medium height, tanned and toned with highlighted hair to her shoulders. Her husband, standing behind her drinking a merlot, raised his glass to her.
“No, your exuberant faces! Cheers,” she said and clicked her glass with theirs.
“Well, I’m Jennifer, and my husband is Chase. This is such an awesome place—outshines the photos online.”
“Why thank you. You’re staying—what? Three days?”
“We’re not committed right now. We might hang here longer or go visit Boston or Martha’s Vineyard.”
“It all sounds good.” Charlene turned her attention to the tall, solidly built husband. “Okay, I’m curious what you do for a living? My guess is you’re both fitness trainers or salsa dancers,” Charlene added for a touch of humor.
They both laughed and nudged each other. “Hardly, no!”
“I’m a police officer in Sarasota,” Chase said. “Doesn’t get much tamer than that.” He glanced at his wife with a grin. “Had to break up a fight once with two senior citizens over a parking spot for their fancy golf carts. Jaywalking is a big infraction too.”
“He’s kidding.” Jennifer used her knuckles to chuck his firm jaw. “My guy’s tough. He’s caught looters, broken up the occasional drug ring. I’m proud of him, but don’t want him in a big city where he could be killed.”
Chase did a few salsa steps. “Is that why we don’t move to Miami?”
The pair drifted away on a chuckle as another couple came forward. Charlene felt as though she was in a receiving line all by herself—but she knew Jack wasn’t far away.
“Hello, I’m Fredrick and my beautiful wife is Marjorie.” The handsome older couple shook her hand. “This is a very pleasant spot you have here. Big lawn.”
“One of the nicest things about having all this space is we never see any neighbors.” She lifted her glass. “Complete privacy, a beautiful garden, a wonderful landscaper, and a mile walk into town.” She turned to Marjorie, knowing she was about to share a woman-to-woman thing. “I moved here after losing my husband. We both worked in advertising at a firm in Chicago. I knew I had to get away and here I am—with my own little piece of heaven.”
Marjorie took her hand. “This is remarkable! And to think you achieved this yourself.”
“I can’t take all the credit. Couldn’t have done it without my wonderful cook, Minnie, her husband Will, who’s the gardener, and my youngest member of the staff who most of you’ve already met, indispensable Avery. Together we make a dynamo team.” She lowered her gaze. “At least we think so.”
Fredrick sipped his wine and glanced around at the other guests. “It’s a nice group you have here. All very friendly. Marj and I love to sit back and watch people for entertainment. We like to guess what they do, where they’re from; it’s our own unique entertainment.”
Marjorie shook her head. “That’s what happens when you’re our age and have nothing else to say at dinner.”
Charlene laughed. “I won’t keep you, but what do you both do?”
“I’m an adjunct professor at Columbia, and I’m called upon to lecture at other well-known institutes a few times a year.”
“And you?” she asked his wife.
“I run several salons in Manhattan. Keeps me busy.” She laughed softly and they moved on.
Charlene refilled drinks and listened to the various conversations as people got to know one another, completely in her element.
“Charlene, what’s your favorite thing to do in Salem?” Felicity Summers, the only guest she hadn’t met yet, was seated in Jack’s favorite chair in front of the fireplace. The positioning of the wingback had hidden her from sight, but obviously needing a refill, she’d lifted her wineglass and spoke for the first time.
“I didn’t see you sitting here until now. You must be Felicity?”
“The one and only.” She giggled. “Is it possible to have some more wine? And shrimp? These are delicious.”
“Of course.” Charlene half-stepped toward the sidebar but then stopped. “My favorite thing is welcoming new guests. Wait one sec while I get your wine. Anything else?”
Felicity nibbled her last shrimp. “Uh—maybe some of those chicken wings? I’m so hungry and it’s an hour till dinner.”
Jack whispered in Charlene’s ear, “You are going to spill it on her, I hope?”
She bit back her grin and poured the wine. A couple she hadn’t met yet said, “We’ll take this over for you. You’ve done so much.”
Charlene gave them a warm smile. “You must be Toni and Robert Jennings. Avery was singing your praises earlier. This is so sweet of you.”
“No problem, dear.” Toni took the wine. “We have children of our own, and they never quite grow up, do they?”
Charlene had no answer for that. “Thank you.” She made a plate for Felicity and joined the others who’d now settled in the living room.
Holding court was the overdressed—and much impressed with herself—Felicity. “I’m kind of by myself here.” She lifted her perfectly straight shoulders, revealed in a form-fitting wool dress. “As you can clearly see. First time on my own and I’ve booked like a zillion tours. What do you all think about the witches? Any believers?”
Fredrick leaned back on the sofa. “Are you referring to those poor young girls that were unfairly hanged without proof of any kind—with no legal representation, just a bunch of wealthy landowners who had more to gain than lose?”
“Well, I don’t know about that, but I’m thinking more modern-day witches. Like some of the tours I’ve booked claim they not only exist, but are a big part of the society here. Educated, highly respectable people, living amongst others in a normal way. Doesn’t that scare the crap out of you?”
Charlene rose from her chair. “Not at all. When I first moved here, not much more than a year ago from Chicago, I didn’t believe in the paranormal either.” She felt Jack behind her and smiled. “One of my best friends is a self-professed witch. You’re drinking her wine.”
Marjorie put down her wine with a stricken expression.
“Not to worry,” Charlene assured her. “The Flint family can trace their line back centuries and they’re immensely proud of their heritage. Brandy runs the most successful winery on the East Coast.”
“It tastes wonderful.” Marjorie picked up her glass again.
“That’s not spooky at all,” Felicity said dismissively.
“There are rumors of ghosts, of course, but the scariest thing I’ve heard is that a vampire coven wanted to set up roots around here.”
Just then the fire leaped and crackled as Jack blew on the flames. Felicity gasped. Everyone else laughed.
Charlene raised her glass with a smile. “Welcome to Salem. I have books on the shelves about various local religions. Feel free to borrow anything that captures your interest. I recently bought one called Salem Confidential that makes a fascinating read.”
“You’re a firm believer in the occult?” Jennifer asked. “You kinda have to be, living here and all.”
Charlene sipped her wine. Things were not black-and-white as she’d once believed. “There is more to the world than meets the eye.”
“What’s the book about?” Chase asked.
“Rum smuggling. Secret societies. Hidden tunnels.” Charlene picked it up and showed it around. “If you want more information about the paranormal element here in Salem, go see Kevin at Brews and Broomsticks. He runs some of the tours and has great stories. I’ve been on several and they’re a lot of fun.”
Felicity grinned. “Single, I hope?”
“Yes, but spoken for.”
“Not taken. The evening is looking up.”
>
“She’s something else,” Jack remarked. “Not in a good way.”
It wasn’t long before her guests drifted out—all in high spirits. Charlene cleaned up the food from the sideboard and put it away. By seven, she’d dropped off Avery and her bike and decided to stop by Brews and Broomsticks to chat with Kevin.
The bar was a favorite of hers. Only a mile from her bed-and-breakfast, it had a decent-sized parking lot, good music, fun atmosphere, and the best drinks supplied by one of the nicest men she knew.
“Hey, Kevin!” The place was hopping on a Thursday night, with a small country band on the stage. She sat at the counter, her purse strap over her knee.
“Charlene—what can I get for you?”
“Merlot, please.”
“I was about to call you, but I didn’t want to be the bearer of bad news.”
Oh no. “What happened?”
“My contact at the Oregon State Hospital no longer works there, and all of my pals in the tour guide system are very reluctant to go below.”
“Why?”
“Increased patrolling by the armed guard. Hefty fines of a thousand bucks if you’re caught.”
“Wow. That’s a lot of money.”
“I think it’s smart for the city to protect its assets, but why not just block them all off and snip the mystery, right?” He scanned the patrons at the bar counter, but no one needed his attention.
“Well, I read this book about it, and the author hints at Masonic beginnings and sordid secrets. Oh—that would be a great name for his second book.” Charlene dug a pen from her purse and wrote sordid secrets on the back of a cocktail napkin.
Kevin delivered her wine. “I can still take you aboveground, but isn’t the author going to do that next week?”
“Yes. But you know that I’m as patient as a kid promised an ice cream and I want to see for myself.” She smiled at him over the rim of her wineglass.
“Tomorrow? I don’t have to be here until two, so let’s do the tour around noon. I’ll let you treat me to lunch at Longboards when we’re done.”
“Sure. Sounds great—and I do appreciate it. You think Amy would want to come along?”
