The inmate who jumped Justine Plimpton in the ladies toilets was someone I knew. Not only that, but it was someone I arrested. It was Johnny Goode, the man I’d put away for selling magical potions to humans. It was the love potions he doled out from his shop on Capel Street that gave him a life sentence. Making and selling love potions was not an act we took lightly in the witching world, and Johnny Goode was paying the price.
He’d never been good, or he wouldn’t be in Witchfield prison. But now … now Johnny Goode was being very bad. There he was, with his glamour-tan and his too-black hair, lunging at the Minister and strangling her in the stall. She fought back valiantly, trying out spells, gurgling for help, but all to no avail. I wanted, more than anything, to look away, but I knew I needed to pay attention. Because there was something about Johnny’s movements, and something about his eyes, that made me sit up and take notice.
‘He’s been hypno-potioned,’ said Max. ‘Or compelled.’
Finn and I nodded. ‘He’s definitely been hypnotised, one way or another,’ said Finn. ‘But wait. You have to watch this.’
The whole ordeal had only lasted a second before guards rushed into the room, but a second was all it took. Johnny’s strength was almighty, and Justine was dead long before he was pulled away from her body. As Walt, the guard I’d spoken to earlier that night, bound him in shackles, Johnny turned to Walt with a dead look in his eyes. ‘Tell Wanda Wayfair she’s next,’ he said. ‘Tell her that the Dark Team are coming for her. Coming for her, and everyone she loves.’
17. Someone Punched His Lights Out, Too
It was barely dawn when we gathered in the kitchen at Wayfarers’ Rest. Gretel and Max had come along, as well as Gabriel. I wanted to go and examine the murder scene and the ex-Minister’s body, but considering what Johnny Goode said, this kind of took precedence.
Finn, Gretel and I didn’t sit at the table, choosing to stand while we explained the situation. I’m not sure why they didn’t take seats, but I knew why I didn’t. Partly it was because Gabriel was there, and I didn’t want to make things obvious before I had a chance to speak with him. Mostly, though, it was because there was a free seat next to Max, and I was afraid that if I took it, I wouldn’t be able to keep my hands to myself.
Everyone had watched the holovisual recording, shocked at what they saw. Afterwards, Finn and I had explained just how close we were nearing to the Dark Team, and why we had kept our operation secret for so long.
‘Wait.’ Gabriel moved his chair around so that he could look directly at me. Blast him, anyway. I had thought I was safe once I was out of his eye line. Now I had him giving me the big eyes and making me feel guilty (technically he was narrowing his eyes suspiciously, but either way, I had a case of the guilts). ‘Both the Peacemakers and the Wayfairs were already trying to track down the Dark Team. What’s so different about this operation?’
Although Gabriel’s question was clearly directed at me, Finn decided that he had better answer. It could have had something to do with the fact that I was just standing there, opening and closing my mouth with no sounds coming out.
‘There were so many reasons,’ Finn said. ‘The key technique in our operation has been keeping track of everyone who worked for the former Minister. People who knew about Aengus’s captivity.’ He looked at my father. ‘When Wanda and I were almost killed the day she found you in Facility B, we were forced to make a deal, forced to say those people would go without punishment. We knew it was the only way we were going to escape with our lives. The only way we were going to get you out of there. But Operation Long Leash meant breaking that promise. Maybe not technically, because we did keep our promise not to arrest them for almost killing us. But since then, we’ve been storing up any and every reason to arrest them in the future. We felt we were doing the right thing, and we just wanted to get on with it.’
‘I understand,’ said my father quietly. ‘I remember you agreed not to arrest them. I said to Bea afterwards, didn’t I Bea? I said that if Wanda is anything like her mother, I’m worried that she’ll find some other way to make sure those people pay.’
My mother nodded, her hand tightly clasped around my father’s. ‘We had a feeling you were up to something. Working even longer hours than usual. We thought the best thing we could do was stay out of it, and try and prod your father’s memory so he could remember something that might help things along.’
‘We were hoping that would happen, too,’ said Finn. ‘But we didn’t want to push anything. We didn’t want to put any extra pressure on your recovery. And we certainly didn’t want to get anyone’s hopes up. But the longer we concentrated on the people who used to work with the Minister, the more evidence we had on the Dark Team. We knew we were getting closer. And now we know just how close.’
‘How close, exactly?’ said Gabriel, shrugging off his jacket. My mother had built up the fire when we all arrived, and the temperature in the room was rising steadily. ‘Do you know who the members are? Is there anyone you’re specifically keeping an eye on?’
Finn and I exchanged a glance, and he shook his head. ‘That doesn’t matter. Wanda, Gretel and I are still going to go ahead with our operation as is, and the less you all know, the better. You just need to know that you might be targeted by Dark Team assassins. I’m not saying you will be, but ... maybe all of Wanda’s friends and family should stay close to each other for the next few days.’ He looked around the table. ‘That should include Agatha, too, whenever she bothers to turn up. Does anyone know why she couldn’t be here?’
My father shrugged. ‘I called her and told her what’s happening, so she should be here soon. But as for keeping everyone safe, what if everyone stays here? We have plenty of room. Don’t we Bea? Christine?’
My mother nodded readily, but Christine was busy staring down at her phone. ‘Sorry. What? Did someone say something?’
I studied her carefully. She was shaky and nervous-looking, gripping her phone like it was a lifeline. ‘Are you all right, Christine?’
She gave me a frazzled glance. ‘Sure. Sure. Hey, I can’t get through to Kevin’s mobile. What’s the number for the shop again?’
I looked across at Ronnie. She, too, was anxiously checking her phone. She was still wearing her new uniform from the day before, and I had the horrible feeling that the only thing that changed since I saw her last was that she was staring at her phone in a different location. I looked at Melissa next of all. She seemed drawn, and kept making furtive, longing glances in Max’s direction.
And as for Agatha ... well, she would never be a no-show at an emergency meeting unless something was wrong. Whatever was going on with the coven was growing more serious by the second. I’d have to get to the bottom of it. But first, I needed to talk to Gabriel about Max and me.
As I crossed the room to where he was sitting, Finn grabbed my hand and pulled me into the hall. ‘I just got a call from a coroner who works with the Gardaí,’ he said. ‘He calls me whenever he thinks a murder scene is less than human. He described the victim, and I think it might be Barry Plimpton. He says he can keep the morgue clear for the next couple of hours, so you and I can go and check it out.’
I felt like I might throw up. ‘This is because of me. Because of my stupid plan to interrupt your aunt’s visiting schedule. I hoped it’d get things moving, but I didn’t think it’d get them both killed.’
Finn shook his head, speaking soothingly. ‘You couldn’t have known that, Wanda. And you shouldn’t feel guilty about it. I okayed the plan. I thought it was a good one.’ He paused and raked his hands through his fair hair. ‘And in a messed-up way, I still do. The Dark Team are panicking. And when people panic, they make mistakes. We’re going to find them, Wanda. Very soon. But first, we need to go and look at Barry’s body.’
He was right and I knew it, but it didn’t make me feel any better. ‘Sure,’ I said. ‘But can you give me a few minutes? I really need to talk to Gabriel.’
Finn looked irritated. ‘R
ight now? Seriously? Wanda, you twisted my arm into letting him into this meeting, which meant that we had to leave out some very important facts about what we’ve been up to concerning his dad. You know as well as I do that his father could be connected to this. And now you want to go off and have a chat with lover-boy when we have way more important things to do? I don’t know what’s up with your coven lately. You’ve all got your heads in the clouds.’
I sighed. ‘You’re right. There is something up with my coven. But there’s nothing wrong with me. First off, Gabriel is one of us. We’re spying on his dad, not on him.’
‘I’m not really sure there’s a difference. Him and his dad are weirdly close, Wanda. You really think he’s going to be able to see the difference?’
‘He’ll understand. He’ll see that it’s right. Anyway. Second off ... the reason I want to talk to him is because I need to break it off.’
Finn’s eyes bulged. ‘You what? You’re breaking up with him? Well, not that I don’t think it’s about time, but ... can’t it wait?’
‘No, actually. The thing is, me and Max have kind of gotten together. I don’t want to have to sneak around. I want to tell Gabriel now, before things go any further.’
If I thought Finn’s eyes were bulging before, now I was worried they might pop right out of the sockets.
‘Finally!’ he hissed. ‘It’s only taken you all these months to see what the rest of us have seen all along. You and Max will make a brilliant couple. But Wanda ... if you think Gabriel will be all right with us spying on his dad, how do you think he’s going to react when you go running off with Max? He shouldn’t be at this meeting, and we definitely can’t tell him anything else we know.’
The sick feeling became even more lurching and disturbing than ever. Yeah, Gabriel would be upset when I told him about Max. Very upset. Upset enough to go and tell his father everything we spoke about here tonight. Gabriel might do so in an innocent rant, but his father would find out things he shouldn’t know. I might not have any proof he had links to the Dark Team, but I had my gut, and my gut said he was involved in something bad.
‘Maybe I should leave off telling him for now. We’ll get off to the morgue, and I’ll think on it a bit more.’
‘Thank the stars.’ Finn slapped a hand to his forehead. ‘I was afraid you weren’t going to see sense. Let’s get going.’
≈
The thing about morgues is that they all have the same job to do. So even though the morgue at the Wyrd Court was for supernatural bodies, it really wasn’t all that different to the one Finn brought me to in Dublin. Same smell. Same creepy feeling. Same horrible knowledge that someday, we all die. Well, unless you’re a very careful vampire. Or a witch who uses dark power to gain immortality. Or a wizard who tracks down one of the many objects of awesome power which grant eternal life. But you know what I’m saying.
The coroner was an unempowered witch called Shane Moore, and he gave us a pensive smile. He and Finn shook hands like old friends, and then he turned to me. He was ridiculously good looking, with jet black hair and ice blue eyes, and he looked like he spent a lot of time in the gym. Although I suppose lugging dead bodies about might give a guy a broad chest and shoulders.
‘Wanda, it’s great to meet you,’ he said in a strong Dublin accent. ‘I wish it wasn’t here but ... anyway. Come and have a look. A couple of kids found him in a skip in a back alley. There’s nothing outwardly supernatural about the death. He was beaten to death. Two hard punches to the eyes, and a final death blow to the head. I don’t think any weapons were used. I think someone very strong punched his lights out.’
He uncovered the body, and it was undoubtedly Barry’s. I shivered. Not so long ago, he’d been trying to get me to eat diet food and play weird dress-up games, and now here he was, all cold and bruised and broken. The pattern of the blows reminded me of Nancy Berry. I had so many conflicting feelings. But when it came down to it, even a guy like Barry didn’t deserve this sort of death.
‘If there wasn’t anything supernatural about the murder scene, why did you decide to call Finn?’ I wondered.
Shane pulled the sheet back over the body. ‘Honestly? It just made me feel wiggy. Gave me the heebie-jeebies. When I was examining his body, I felt like I was being watched. Although I’d just seen the news about the old Minister being knocked off while I was eating a late dinner in the Plain Old Cauldron, so ... maybe I was already feeling wiggy. I remember seeing that woman doing the rounds during the last election. If I’d been eligible to vote, I definitely wouldn’t have voted for her. So is this him? Her old secretary?’
Finn and I nodded in unison.
‘Poor guy,’ said Shane. ‘Stuck working for her all those years and now this. Oh, but I need to point out – the place we found Barry wasn’t the place he was killed.’ He picked up Barry’s hand and pointed to his fingernails. ‘He was found in a back alley in the city, but he’s got traces of muck under his nails, leaves and muck in his hair, and the same on his shoes. I’d say he was killed somewhere wooded, and then dumped where he was found.’
Somewhere wooded. Why were those words shining so brightly in my mind? And why was that photo we’d found on Heber Montrose’s desk niggling at me again? Could there be a connection, or was I just jumping to wild conclusions?
‘So what do we do now?’ I asked. ‘I’m assuming there might be some questions if we removed him from your morgue.’
Shane nodded. ‘I’ll have to wait for the garda investigation to fizzle out. Then I’ll treat him as a John Doe, say he’s been cremated, and pass him over to you. It could take some time, but I’m not prepared to do it any other way.’ A tight smile formed on his lips. ‘The witching world has never gone out of its way for me, so I’m not about to risk my job for one of theirs.’
‘Yeah, I get that,’ I said. ‘One hundred percent. To be honest, I don’t think Barry had any family, so no one will try to pressure you. The Plain Old Cauldron is that new bar on Eile Street, right? I’ve been hearing good things about their lunches.’
Shane’s face relaxed. ‘Yeah, you have to try it out. Although ...’ He glanced at Finn. ‘Maybe a Peacemaker won’t be made to feel all that welcome.’ He held his hands up. ‘I know, I know. I heard the big announcement. No Peacemakers or Wayfairs anymore. You’re all Wayfarers now and anyone can work for you. No offence, but I’ll believe it when I see it.’
Finn gave him a sad smile. ‘I get why you’d think that. But give us a chance. And by the by, Dennis, the healer who works for the Department of Magical Law, has been talking an awful lot about retirement lately. When he does, we’ll be looking for someone new.’
Shane snorted. ‘I think healers are required to have magic, last I checked.’
‘Not if they’re dealing with dead bodies. For that they’re required to have keen observation and an impeccable knowledge of anatomy. And maybe some of those wizarding skills you studied up on might come in handy, too. Anyway.’ Finn grasped Shane’s hand. ‘It’s always good to see you. We’ve got to head off now, but thanks for letting us know about this.’
≈
As we walked out into the street, I began to feel hungry. Strange, considering I’d just been looking at dead bodies. But then again, I had missed breakfast. I was also a little confused.
‘I’m a little confused, Finn. Why did the Dark Team dump his body in a human enclave? We might never have known about it if Shane wasn’t a friend of yours. Or did they know that, do you think?’
Finn shook his head. ‘I doubt it. Shane has about as little to do with the supernatural world as you did when you were unempowered.’
‘But he talked about having a late dinner in a bar on Eile Street. I know it’s an other enclave, but it’s still supernatural. And you said he studied wizardry.’
‘He only goes to Eile Street because he helps out at a kids’ home there. And yeah, he studied at Wentforth’s College when he was younger, but he doesn’t use those skills these days. And on the rare occas
ion he does mix with us lot, he never mentions what he does in the human world. And I sure don’t tell anyone, either. I doubt Shane’s made the Dark Team’s radar, to be honest.’
‘So then why did they leave Barry’s body in a human enclave? I keep thinking about the woodland in Heber’s photo. I don’t know why, but ... I just feel like it’s all connected, y’know?’
‘I know what you mean,’ said Finn. ‘All of the connections are there. We know Heber and Barry were connected. We know Heber likes to get his rocks of by killing wolves in the woods. He probably killed Nancy, alibi or not. And he probably killed Barry, too. I took a surreptitious photo of that glorious hunting scene while we were in Heber’s office. We could compare the flora we can see in the picture to what Shane found on Barry’s body.’
A thought occurred to me, kind of off the topic of Barry, but important. ‘Johnny Goode’s girlfriend!’ I gasped. ‘I don’t know why I haven’t thought of it until now.’
Finn’s eyes widened with excitement. ‘You’re right! She’s not only way too good looking for Johnny, but she’s also a vampire. A vampire who often visits him at Witchfield. She could have compelled him to kill my aunt. Which means ...’
‘A member of the Dark Team could have been under our noses all along. Let’s get to the bat cave. Y’know – the office in my bedroom, because Dizzy lives there, and he’s a bat ...’
Finn looked puzzled. ‘Yeah, but you said bat cave like it was funny. I don’t get it. Is this some human reference or something?’
I sighed. ‘Forget about it. Let’s just go.’
≈
You might recall that I’d already been keeping tabs on Johnny Goode, and had even paid him a visit or two at Witchfield since I arrested him. I’d always been convinced that someone else was supplying him with the potions he’d been selling in his shop. He’d proved cool under pressure, though, and had never given me so much as a clue. And I had been paying attention to his visitors, initially, in case one of them happened to be the real potion-maker. But then I found my dad, started working on Operation Long Leash, had about half a dozen riots a week to keep me busy ...
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