The Ghost and the Witches' Coven

by Bobbi Holmes

  Walt smiled at Brian and said calmly, “Because I am the original Walt Marlow. My ghost lived at Marlow House for almost a hundred years. Danielle saw it. Chris saw it. Heather saw it. Even Evan saw it. You felt it a few times, like when you grabbed Lily and I decked you. Or when I made you spill beer on yourself at Ian’s bachelor party. But I did bring you a towel. And then there were the cigars I used to smoke. You could smell them. But I gave cigars up for Danielle.”

  Brian’s eyes widened, but he said nothing. He continued to listen.

  “When my distant cousin Clint Marlow, who looked just like me and shared my name, came to visit and almost died in a car accident, his spirit did not want to return to his body. He wanted to move on with his fiancée, and the universe let him. And I was given a second chance in life, in my cousin’s body. I don’t know why the fingerprints of Clint’s body changed into my own. But when one dies and then is reborn, it doesn’t mean that person has all the answers.”

  Twenty-Six

  “I’ll get it,” Lily called out to Ian when she heard the doorbell ring. He was in the living room on the floor, playing with Connor, while she was in the kitchen, fixing them both a glass of iced tea. Sadie the golden retriever followed her to the front door, her tail wagging.

  When Lily opened the door a minute later, she found Danielle standing on her doorstep. By her expression, she knew Walt and the others hadn’t returned. Lily opened her arms, and before exchanging any verbal greetings, Danielle accepted the offer, and the two friends hugged while Sadie tried pushing her way between them, vying for attention.

  The hug ended and Lily took Danielle by the hand, leading her into the living room, while Danielle gave her a quick update. Sadie followed the pair, her tail still wagging.

  When they entered the living room, Ian looked up at the women. “Any news?”

  Danielle shook her head and immediately set her sights on Connor, whose eyes lit up when he saw her, opening his arms for her as his mother had done. Needing love and comfort, Danielle scooped up the baby, holding him close and breathing in his scent—a mixture of milk and animal crackers, while Lily conveyed to her husband what Danielle had told her.

  “You haven’t seen Marie?” Danielle asked as she set Connor back on the floor with his father.

  “We never see Marie,” Lily reminded her.

  “You know what I mean.”

  “Sorry. I don’t think she’s been here since before they went missing. Connor has not acted like she’s been around, and she usually lets me know by writing hello on the board,” Lily said.

  “Still no sign of Eva or Marie?” Ian asked.

  Danielle shook her head. “No. I could really use a Casper right about now.”

  Lily frowned. “Casper?”

  “Yeah, it’s a term Chris coined this morning,” Danielle explained. “You know, Casper the Friendly Ghost. That’s what we could use, a friendly ghost.”

  “Where is Chris?” Ian asked.

  “That’s sort of why I’m here,” Danielle began. “We’d like to find Eva and Marie. I think they could help. Eva always seems to know more than anyone else—as in any other spirits. And if those women from Pagan Oils had something to do with their disappearance, or know something that they aren’t telling, the quickest way to find out is to have Eva or Marie over at their house, listening in on what they’re saying. But we need to find them first. Chris left Marlow House a little while ago, heading down to the cemetery. Sometimes they go there to visit. And I’m going over to Adam’s house. I know Marie likes to hang out with him.”

  “Is there anything we can do?” Lily asked.

  “That’s one reason I stopped by. I’d like to write a message for Marie on the dry-erase board in Connor’s room, just in case she stops in while he’s napping and doesn’t let you know she’s here. I also left a note for her and Eva at Marlow House, if they stop by while I’m out.”

  On the drive over to Adam’s house, Danielle tried to think of what she wanted to say. While she frequently dropped by his office to say hello, she didn’t normally drop by his house. But it was Sunday afternoon, and she knew he wouldn’t be at the office. If she wanted to find Marie, one of the first places to look was at Adam’s.

  While the chief seemed to believe the Parkers were not responsible for the disappearance, she had a gut feeling he was wrong. She then thought of the Bairds and what the chief had told her about his last conversation with the sisters before releasing them without filing charges. Just as she pulled into Adam’s driveway, she knew what excuse she would give him for stopping by.

  “Danielle,” Adam said with surprise when he opened the door a few minutes later, “any news?”

  “I’m afraid not,” Danielle said.

  Adam opened the door wider, welcoming her inside. He didn’t notice when Danielle glanced around, looking for any sign of Marie.

  “You just missed Mel,” Adam said. “Can I get you something to drink?”

  “No, I just stopped by to ask you something.”

  Adam led Danielle into the living room, and they both sat down.

  “Sure, what did you want to ask me?”

  “Those women who rent a house from you, the ones who lost the necklace I returned?” Danielle began.

  “Ahh, my witches? What about them?”

  “I’d like to talk to them. I was hoping you could tell me where they live.”

  “You don’t think they have something to do with the disappearance, do you?” Adam asked.

  “No. But I’d like to ask them some questions about the owners of Pagan Oils. From what I understand, they sort of know them,” Danielle explained.

  “Well, I suppose it makes sense all the witches in Frederickport know each other,” Adam snarked. “But frankly, all that witch stuff is just goofy. Mel says it is like those people who start sleeping in coffins and call themselves vampires. Actually, there was a guy in town who got a dentist to put fake fangs in because he wanted to be a vampire. Nuts. So, tell me, you really think the women who run Pagan Oils are responsible for their disappearance?”

  “I just think they know more than they’re saying.”

  Adam told Danielle where the Bairds lived and then asked, “When I was downtown a while ago, I noticed the Packard and Heather’s car were no longer by the museum.”

  “Yeah, I dropped Chris and Ian down there last night, and Chris drove the Packard to Marlow House while Ian drove Heather’s car back to her house. We had extra keys, and the chief okayed it,” Danielle explained.

  “You are not going there alone,” Chris insisted when Danielle told him she was on her way to see the Baird sisters. She had just said goodbye to Adam and called Chris on her cellphone while walking to her car.

  “Why?” Danielle asked while opening her driver’s side door.

  “I just don’t think it’s a good idea. Let me go with you.”

  Holding the cellphone by her ear, she laughed at Chris while getting into the car. “No way, you are too much of a distraction.”

  “What is that supposed to mean?” Chris asked.

  “The Baird sisters, there are three of them. My guess, all in their twenties. If you come with me, they will never be able to focus on my questions.”

  “Funny.” By his tone, it didn’t sound as if Chris really thought it was funny.

  “Anyway, you need to keep looking for Marie and Eva. Find us a Casper, will you?”

  There were no cars parked in front of the Bairds’ rental house, not in the street or in the driveway. But that didn’t mean no one was home, Danielle told herself. Their cars could be in the garage. She parked along the sidewalk in front of the house and turned off the ignition. A few minutes later she stood on the front porch, ringing the doorbell.

  Danielle waited for someone to answer the door. When no one did, she rang the bell again.

  “No one is home,” Danielle heard a woman’s voice say. Danielle turned around quickly and found herself looking at the woman she had talked to downtown�
��the one who had seen the necklace drop—a necklace that matched the one she wore—the woman Danielle thought looked like a hippy. The woman wore the same outfit she was wearing the last time Danielle had seen her, and she wondered if she was homeless.

  “You were the one I talked to downtown,” Danielle said.

  “Yes. And thank you for returning the necklace to Finola. I would have done it, but I’m afraid I was in a hurry.”

  “So you know the Baird sisters?” Danielle asked.

  The woman smiled. “We haven’t met. But I know who they are. I’ve seen them around. I saw them not long ago when they were getting ready to leave. I overheard them say they were going to Pier Café for an early dinner, if you’re looking for them.”

  “Um…thank you. Do you live around here?” Danielle asked.

  “I’m staying with some friends. But I need to be going now.” The woman turned and hurried away. Danielle watched as she disappeared down the street. With a sigh, Danielle pulled out her cellphone and dialed Chris.

  “Everything okay?” Chris asked when he answered the call.

  “Any luck finding Casper?” Danielle asked.

  “I’m afraid not.”

  “How does Pier Café sound for an early dinner? I’ll meet you there.”

  “Sure. What happened with the Baird sisters?” Chris asked.

  “I’ll explain at the pier.”

  Chris arrived at the pier first, and when Danielle spied him sitting in the parking lot, she pulled her car next to his. After they both got out of their vehicles, they started walking toward Pier Café while Danielle told him one reason for being there.

  “I thought you didn’t want me with you when you talked to the Bairds?” Chris asked.

  “I’m hungry, figured you could use something to eat too. And if Carla is working today, I’d sorta like to talk to the Baird sisters without her hovering about. You can keep Carla distracted while I do.”

  “What’s the real reason you don’t want me with you when you talk to the Baird sisters?” Chris asked.

  “I told you, you’re a distraction,” Danielle said.

  “Knock it off. What is the real reason?”

  Danielle let out a sigh. “I just think I’ll have more luck with them opening up and telling me something that they might not have told the chief if it is just me.”

  “If they have anything to tell,” Chris reminded her.

  “I know it’s a long shot. But it’s easier to confide in one person than two people. Because later, if you regret being candid, it’s easier to change your story. But with two people—two people you don’t know—listening to what you have to say, people are more cautious. I want candid, not cautious. And, when I met the Bairds, they were pretty standoffish. They only got friendly after they realized I had something they wanted.”

  Carla rushed to Danielle and Chris the moment they walked into the restaurant.

  “Has there been any news?” Carla asked, giving Danielle a hug.

  “No, I’m afraid not,” Danielle said, not bothering to ask Carla how she knew about the disappearance. Not only was it a small town, where news traveled fast, the disappearance had been the front-page story of the morning newspaper.

  “No ransom demands?” Carla whispered to Chris.

  “No. Nothing,” Chris said.

  When they pried themselves from Carla’s questions, they headed for an empty booth while Danielle scanned the café, looking for the sisters. She spied the three sitting at a table for four along one window.

  After Carla took their order a few minutes later, Danielle stood up, and by all appearances it looked as if she was headed for the women’s restroom, when she was in fact walking towards the Bairds’ table. When she reached their table, she stopped, standing silently for a moment until the three sisters noticed her.

  “You’re the one who returned my necklace,” Finola greeted her with a smile.

  “Yes, I’m Danielle Marlow.”

  “I heard about your husband. Is he still missing?” Finola asked.

  Danielle nodded. “Yes, along with Brian Henderson and Heather Donovan, both friends of mine.”

  The sisters each expressed concern, and then Ina Baird asked, “Have there been any leads?”

  “Well, actually, that’s why I’m here. I was wondering if I could have a few minutes of your time. Please. It’s very important,” Danielle said.

  “Um, I’m not sure how we can help,” Finola said.

  “I understand you know the Parker sisters,” Danielle said.

  By reflex, Finola touched the hawk carving hanging from her neck. “We don’t know them, exactly.”

  “I think they are someway involved in my husband’s disappearance. Please, can you spare me just a few minutes,” Danielle begged.

  The sisters exchanged glances, and then Finola reached out to the empty chair next to her and pushed it out slightly. She nodded to the chair and told Danielle, “Sit down. I’m not sure how much we can help. But we’ll try.”

  Twenty-Seven

  Danielle sat down on the offered chair. Finola, who had just finished her meal, pushed her empty plate away while her sisters listened to what she was about to say and quietly finished their food.

  “This is a small town, so I imagine you’ll hear about our recent arrest,” Finola began, with no hint of embarrassment. She then repeated what Danielle had already heard from the police chief.

  Danielle silently listened, occasionally glancing at the two sisters, who said nothing while eating their meal.

  When Finola finished her telling, she cocked her head slightly, studying Danielle. Finally, she asked, “Why do I think you already knew everything I just told you?”

  Danielle blushed and then said, “I confess, I knew some of it. That’s why I’m here. I wanted to know what you didn’t tell the police.”

  “I heard the Marlows were pretty chummy with the local police department,” Finola said.

  “They have arrested me a few times,” Danielle said.

  Finola laughed. “Nice to hear it. So we aren’t the only ones?”

  Danielle grinned. “No. But the police chief is a good guy and someone who tries to do the right thing. My husband is one of the people who are missing, so naturally he is a little more open with me on this case than he would be with someone else.”

  “Does he know you’re talking to us?” Finola asked.

  Danielle shook her head. “No.”

  Finola eyed Danielle and asked, “What do you want to know?”

  “Do you think the Parkers could be behind the disappearance?” Danielle asked.

  “Like I said, we’ve never actually met them,” Finola said. “But yeah, I think it is entirely possible.”

  Danielle did not respond.

  “You looked shocked?” Finola asked.

  Danielle shrugged. “I suppose a little.”

  “We just believe the Parkers are irresponsible and potentially dangerous,” Finola said.

  “How so?” Danielle asked.

  “Have you checked out their YouTube channel?” Finola asked.

  “I looked at it a little last night, but it didn’t really tell me anything. At least nothing I felt might be helpful in finding out what happened to my husband and the others.”

  “That’s because you don’t understand what you were seeing,” Finola said.

  “How do you mean?” Danielle asked.

  “For one thing, they claim to be blood witches, which I don’t believe for a minute. My sisters and I are blood witches.” Finola paused a moment and then asked, “Do you know what that means?”

  “Someone descended from a line of witches,” Danielle said.

  Finola nodded. “Yes, that’s correct. One of our direct ancestors, Gavenia Tolmach, was a witch. They burned her at the stake.”

  “In Salem?” Danielle asked.

  Finola shook her head and said, “No, in Scotland, about four hundred years ago.” She then touched the hawk carving and said, “This b
elonged to her. The leather strip, of course, has been replaced many times over the years. But the carving, it belonged to Gavenia. She gave it to her daughter just days before they burned her at the stake. In our family it’s passed down to the eldest daughter.”

  Danielle leaned toward Finola a moment, taking a closer look at the hawk carving again, and then sat back in her chair. “It’s very similar to the one they sell at Pagan Oils.”

  “You mean the one we stole,” Finola asked with a smile.

  “Why did you steal it?” Danielle asked.

  “We saw it in the store’s window. It looked so much like this one. We couldn’t believe it. It made little sense. Gavenia’s husband made it. There is only one like it. Or so we thought.”

  “I saw another one. When I found your necklace after you dropped it, a woman who was walking down the street pointed it out, told me she saw you drop it, but she was going the other way and asked if I would give it to you. When she walked away, I noticed she had one like it around her neck.”

  “She probably bought it at Pagan Oils,” Finola suggested. “I guess you thought I was pretty foolish when you asked me where I bought it, and I went on about it being a family heirloom and one of a kind. I imagine you thought I was lying.”

  Danielle shrugged in response.

  Finola touched the carving again and asked, “Do you know what Gavenia means in Scottish?”

  “No,” Danielle said.

  “White Hawk. That’s why her husband carved her a hawk. The eldest daughter in our family who receives this is sometimes called a White Hawk.”

  “So you’re called a White Hawk?” Danielle asked.

  Finola shook her head. Her hand dropped from the necklace and then reached for her glass of iced tea. She picked it up, took a drink, and then said, “The last White Hawk was my grandmother’s great-grandmother. The White Hawk has special powers. Someday, I hope to have a daughter, and she will be the White Hawk.”

  “Special powers?” Danielle asked.