Skeptic in Salem: An Episode of Death

by Fiona Grace

  Scottish Lord visits Salem Athenaeum

  Residents of Salem, Massachusetts, were treated to a rare visit from royalty when Laird Frank Bold of Aberdeenshire paid a visit to our very own Salem Athenaeum. The Scottish lord enjoyed an evening of readings featuring a native son of Scotland, Robert Louis Stevenson…

  The picture in the center of the page was definitely Frank Bold. That night he had posed for a group photograph wearing a formal kilt and fitted argyle jacket draped with a plaid mantle. He looked handsome and sported a benevolent smile. Mia had already questioned the other people in the picture including Winifred Brumley, one of the librarians at the Salem Athenaeum. No one knew a thing.

  Frank had mysteriously shown up that night, and just as mysteriously disappeared. Mia had been a kid when Frank had pulled these kinds of stunts. In her child’s mind they were just playing, but was there something more? Was there something to Frank’s disguises? And would she ever solve the mystery of why he had disappeared completely and never contacted her again?

  Mia felt a swell of emotion threaten to overwhelm her. Her eyes teared up and she wiped them away. She needed a distraction to clear her head.

  Time to get back to her research. What did she know about the Elmswood House? What happened there? Who was haunting the place and why?

  Mia began to search the Swampscott news archives. After a few tries, she found an article.

  Tragedy on Elmswood Road

  A Swampscott family was found dead after the children did not show up for school and the parents could not be reached. Swampscott PD Detective Charlie Waite investigated the house and discovered a car running in the garage. The autopsy found that carbon monoxide had poisoned Angie Browder and her two sons, Bobby and Todd, during the night. Donnie Browder, the father, survived and was taken into custody on suspicion of murder.

  Next, Mia checked the court records; Donnie Browder had pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity and was sent to Bridgewater State Hospital.

  As Mia dug deeper, she found that the haunted activity began soon after the tragedy. People reported seeing members of the Browder family in the upper windows of the house. Despite the rumors, Connie and Dean Carol bought the Elmswood House and, after moving in, reported haunted activity; footsteps, doors opening and shutting, ghosts. Eventually Dean died of a heart attack and Connie moved out.

  Mia started to piece the timeline together.

  So, the haunting had started with the Browder family tragedy and continued once the Carol family moved into the house.

  But one account made her skin crawl. Connie and Dean had reported seeing a particular ghost—a little girl.

  Mia scoured the Internet for stories of the ghost.

  The little girl was rumored to be a dark entity, the one who killed Dean Carol. That fact sent chills down Mia’s spine.

  Mia glanced at the clock. It was getting late and she needed to be up early. She finished her wine and climbed into bed with a copy of Hans Holzer’s book Ghost Hunter. Tandy jumped up to sleep at her feet and Rose delicately made her way across the sheets to snuggle in the crook of her arm.

  Holzer was the famous Austrian-American ghost hunter who had investigated the Amityville Horror House. There was an echo of that famous haunting in the Elmswood House. Mia usually relied on hard research, but there was something to be said for just absorbing the experience of someone in her profession. Though Hans Holzer often used mediums and other psychics to explore haunted houses, he was levelheaded and scientific in his approach.

  Mia knew how hard it was to thread the needle between those two points. But the longer Mia worked in the field, the more she had to keep an open mind. Still, a thread of fear gripped her heart. What had she seen at Elmswood? An apparition? Was there a vengeful ghost in that terrible house? And if so, who would it try and kill next? Just before she dozed off with the book open across her chest, she glanced out the window. The sky was crisp and clear with the stars shining down. The full moon was so bright, it seemed to fill up the sky.

  Slowly, she drifted into sleep.

  Mia found herself standing in a field of snow. A wave of fear overwhelmed her as she looked up to see the Elmswood House. The old mansion loomed against a gray sky, emanating a terrible energy, with its broken shutters and filmy windows. Then out of the corner of her eye, Mia saw a young girl in a dark hooded cloak. The girl waved to her and turned on her heel, feet silent in the snow as she disappeared around the corner. Mia felt a stab of fear, but followed the girl as she turned the corner and stood by a fence.

  As Mia approached, the girl pointed toward an open field. Across the snowy expanse was an American colonial house, snowbound and isolated. Icicles had formed along the eaves and two dormer windows protruded from the roof. The front door was slightly obscured by a gnarled old tree.

  That must be the way Swampscott looked in the nineteenth century, Mia thought.

  I must be dreaming! Mia realized.

  She looked at the girl. Her eyes were a deep slate gray and her dark hair fell along her shoulders. She seemed sad and lost.

  “What’s your name?” Mia said.

  “Lydia,” the girl said. “You need to leave before you get hurt.”

  “Leave? Where?” Mia said.

  But instead of answering, the girl slipped through the fence rails and ran across the field.

  “Wait,” Mia cried out. “Lydia? Come back!”

  Mia ran to the gate and pulled it open. Then she followed the girl out into the field, feet kicking up white powder. She tried to catch up, but suddenly she was back where she started, standing before the dilapidated Elmswood House. The heaviness of the house weighed down on her. Then her eyes were drawn to the second floor.

  What she saw made her blood freeze. A woman with hollow eyes stood at one of the upper windows. Beside her were two children with vacant expressions. Slowly, the woman traced a message on the glass.

  HELP US.

  Mia tried to scream but her throat was silent.

  CHAPTER NINE

  Mia snapped awake and rolled on her side, breathing hard, trying to shake off the dream. Rose and Tandy sensed her distress. Tandy climbed along the bed rail and licked her face with concern, while Rose purred and stared at her with mystical eyes.

  Mia checked the time. It was just before sunrise. She tried to fall asleep again but she was too shaken up. She cuddled with Tandy until she felt better and petted Rose’s bunny fur. Then she got up and decided to make coffee.

  As the sun rose, she started to shake off the ominous feeling the dream had stirred up. The Elmswood House had really gotten to her. As soon as she calmed down, she texted Sylvie.

  Ready for the meeting today?

  Almost immediately, Sylvie texted her back.

  As ready as I’ll ever be.

  Pick you up in an hour.

  Mia opened her computer and searched for “Lydia” and Elmswood, but there was nothing. Then she opened the article she’d read last night and stared at the image of the Browder family. A chill moved through her body.

  Angie, Bobby, and Todd looked exactly like the people in her dream.

  I guess I buried all this in my subconscious mind, she thought.

  Still the dream had shaken her down to her core. What about Donnie Browder? He was still alive. There must be a police interview, she realized.

  She searched YouTube. With such a notorious murderer, it didn’t take long to find the police interview. She pressed play.

  Donnie Browder was lying in a hospital bed being questioned by Detective Charlie Waite, a typical cop, heavyset with short-cropped hair. The detective had ruddy skin and a serious demeanor. There was something confident in his presence. After administering the Miranda warning, he began his questions.

  “So, Donnie,” Detective Waite began. “You left your car running in the garage. Did you mean to do that?”

  “Yes, sir. It seemed the right thing to do,” Donnie said.

  Almost immediately, his attention drifted away
.

  “Did you know the carbon monoxide would kill your family?” Waite said.

  Donnie Browder nodded.

  “Can you speak up for the camera now, Donnie?”

  “Yes sir, I knew. I wanted to save them.”

  “From what exactly?”

  “Lydia,” Donnie Browder said and there was terror in his eyes.

  Mia sat bolt upright, shocked. The name Lydia had just come out of Donnie Browder’s mouth.

  “What did Lydia tell you?” Waite said.

  “Save them,” Browder said as he pressed his hands against his temples. He shook his head over and over. “Lydia was there, in the snow.”

  The snow? Mia stopped the video nervously. What were the chances of that? She’d dreamed of the name, the family, and the snow?

  “Save them from what?” Detective Waite said.

  “Lydia is the devil,” Charlie said and started weeping.

  A horrible thought occurred to Mia and her heart thudded in her chest. Was she going crazy like Donnie Browder? Why was she dreaming about the same entity Donnie had just confessed to seeing? She tried to rationalize how Donnie Browder had seen Lydia in the snow too. An explanation eluded her. Suddenly her phone pinged. Madison was texting her.

  Honey? Sorry you got upset about Mark.

  You never did like surprises, dear, even when you were little.

  But don’t you think you should give him another chance?

  Mia stared at the text, stunned. That was practically an admission that Mark’s appearance was no coincidence! The Middletons were interfering with her life as usual. Mia frantically texted back.

  Give Mark another chance?

  He blew me off, Mom! Now he wants to come back?

  I don’t have time for this today!

  Love you but stop trying to help!

  Being mad was better than being scared, Mia realized. Maybe she should thank Madison for getting her mind off of the strange, unsettling dream. She had a busy day ahead of her. First there was the production meeting and in the evening, filming would start. After showering, she towel dried her hair and picked out an outfit that was professional, but practical; jeans, her best urban hiking shoes, and a fitted black dress shirt. Her damp hair fell in waves down her back.

  After feeding Tandy and Rose, she put on her watch and grabbed her messenger bag and jacket, piling them on the table by the front door, ready to leave. Tandy sensed a new adventure and pranced excitedly while Rose groomed her long tail. Another text came in. It was her mom again.

  Brynn should be there by now.

  Try to be reasonable.

  Mark did come a long way to see you.

  Mia stared at Madison’s text. What? Brynn is coming here now?

  She typed back frantically.

  Mom! I have to work today!

  At that exact moment Tandy ran over to the door wagging his tail with excitement. There was a knock. It wasn’t even 8 a.m. yet! Mia was amazed. Her family was incorrigible when it came to interfering.

  She opened the door to find Brynn standing in the hallway, dressed fashionably in designer jeans, heels, a silk blouse, pearls, and a knitted jacket. Her hair was swept up with long tendrils falling down. But even though Brynn looked perfectly coiffed, there was a hint of dark circles under her eyes.

  Exhibit A of why I spent hours cleaning up, Mia thought. You never knew when a Middleton was going to arrive at your door.

  Tandy danced in a circle greeting his favorite auntie.

  “Hi, pup-pup,” Brynn said, bending down and kissing Tandy’s nose.

  “Hey, Brynn,” Mia said. “Mom just said you were coming.”

  “Your apartment looks great, Mimi,” Brynn said and smiled. “Too bad Mom and Dad didn’t see it like this.”

  “Coffee?” Mia swept her arm in the direction of the kitchen.

  Thanks,” Brynn said as she stepped inside.

  They headed for the kitchen. Mia knew exactly how her sister liked her coffee, so she made it to her taste with milk and one sugar. Then she poured herself a cup. They both sat down at the kitchen table.

  “Did you get enough sleep?” Mia said. “You look a little tired.”

  “Now that you mention it, I didn’t sleep too well,” Brynn said, rubbing the back of her neck. “There were some strange sounds in my room last night.”

  “Like what?” Mia said.

  “You know, creaking boards, footsteps. It’s an old building.”

  “Well, I hope Jeffrey isn’t coming to stay with you,” Mia said, knowing full well Jeffrey was due to join her, thanks to Reynolds.

  “Why?” Brynn said suspiciously.

  “Because Katherine, the ghost that haunts Room Seventeen of the Salem Inn, doesn’t like men, remember?”

  Mia didn’t believe in Katherine the ghost but she couldn’t resist teasing her sister.

  “Mimi! Why are you always trying to scare me!” Brynn said, flustered. Mia could see that she had really encountered something strange last night. Maybe it was best to change the subject to something more down to earth.

  “Don’t you get sick of the Middleton madness?” Mia said.

  “Sorry, Mimi, you know how Mum gets. I just wanted to see you before you rushed off to your meeting. Honestly, I know you have a life.”

  “Please don’t tell me you’re here to pitch Mark to me,” Mia said.

  “I would never do that,” Brynn said. “Even though Mark does check quite a few boxes.”

  “What boxes?” Mia said, baffled. “The dumping his girlfriend when she gets to be too much trouble box? Or the show up when you’re getting a cable show box?”

  “Come on, Mimi, you have to admit you were acting pretty crazy when you two broke up.”

  “You mean because I quit my job?” Mia said.

  “Addendum,” Brynn said, touching a finger to the air. “You mean you quit your prestigious, high-paying job and left—for Salem.”

  “What’s wrong with Salem?” Mia said.

  “Oh, come on, Mimi. It’s just a little bit, shall we say, lurid.”

  “Lurid? Have you been playing Scrabble? You sound like Daniel.”

  “You know what I mean. Do you really want to raise kids in the middle of a Halloween store?”

  “Raise kids? What are you talking about? I have a job in Salem, that’s all.”

  “The clock is ticking, Mimi. I can’t help it if I think it’s a little crazy you threw away your life for this place.”

  Mia cringed at Brynn’s words. She was used to a sisterly dressing down now and then, but this was different. It was as if Brynn was touching on her secret fears. Was she throwing her life away? Maybe her old life had offered her safety and security, but at what cost? Mia steadied herself. Now that she had a job she loved and real friends whom she could count on, there was no going back. She’d chosen her path.

  “Listen, Brynn, tell me the truth. Did Mom and Daniel arrange for Mark to show up here?”

  Brynn looked at her shoes and turned her ankle as if to check for scuff marks. Then she spread her fingers and checked her French manicure. After that she took a deep breath and released it in a long sigh.

  “I think it was Mark’s idea, but yes, they encouraged it.”

  “Thanks for being honest with me,” Mia said, fighting the urge to say something mean that she would later regret.

  There was a knock on the door and Sylvie walked in.

  “Hey, Brynn,” she said. “Mia, are you ready?”

  “Ready,” Mia said and clipped on Tandy’s lead. “Listen, Brynn, Sylvie and I have to go to a production meeting.”

  “I’ll walk with you,” Brynn said.

  “Okay,” Mia said. “ I just have to make one stop on the way.”

  “Where?” Brynn said.

  “The Ascension Bookshop,” Mia said.

  “I love bookshops!” Brynn said.

  Mia and Sylvie exchanged knowing glances. The Ascension Bookshop was no ordinary shop. It belonged to long-time Salem res
idents and local power couple T.G. Prophet and his wife, Hazel, who just happened to be a white witch. If anyone could give Mia insight into the Elmswood House and Lydia, it was Hazel Prophet.

  CHAPTER TEN

  Salem was just waking up as Mia, Brynn, Sylvie, and Tandy stepped out onto the street. Being out in the fresh air felt great after Mia’s spooky dream. Tandy’s retractable lead gave him a little more freedom and he trotted ahead to sniff the wares of the various vendors. Each booth was filled with occult items and spooky treats. There were witch hats, wizard capes, crystal balls, magic wands, touristy keychains, T-shirts, and souvenir “witch city” cups, along with all kinds of delicious treats from candy apples and brownies to lollipops shaped like ghosts.

  Brynn and Sylvie walked just ahead. They were an odd pair with Brynn dressed like she just stepped out of Vogue Paris and Sylvie attired like a punk princess, in pink combat trousers and a cropped jacket covered with vintage pins.

  Mia’s wardrobe was quite toned down in comparison to them both.

  Tandy trotted up to Mia before going back to his doggie business.

  “Oh look, they’re having a sale on Dracula fangs,” Sylvie pointed out.

  “Lucky I remembered to bring mine,” Brynn said and giggled.

  “Down that road is the Witch City Side Show. There’s a guy who pounds nails into his head. Your dad might like that, I know mine would.”

  “Oh Sylvie, you’re incorrigible,” Brynn said. “My dad would lose his mind. But I’ll tell Jeffy about it. He might like that sort of thing.”

  “Jeffy?” Sylvie said.

  “My hubby, he’s a lawyer. Which is handy with Mia around,” Brynn said pointedly, referring to Mia tendency to get mixed up with the law.

  “I’ve never once called Jeffrey for help,” Mia said, little disgruntled.

  “So, your dad doesn’t like circus performers?” Sylvie teased.

  “He despises performers in general,” Brynn said.