The crowd murmured in displeasure. They were there to listen to singing and entertainment, not listen to the ramblings of a witch who was trying to kill them.
“What if I told you that you were all being poisoned?” she continued.
The audience nodded its collective head. This was not news to them.
“And what if I told you that it wasn’t me, but someone else right here in the crowd with you, one of your own?”
That really got their attention. As each person turned to face the people on either side of them, Liza could already feel the mistrust swelling. It didn’t take long for people to become paranoid of their neighbors.
“Ladies and gentleman, the very place that buries your trash is trying to kill you. And I’ll explain why…”
Chapter Twenty-Two
“What I hold here is a four-page report from Central Kentucky University’s biology lab,” Bryar said. As she spoke, she held the documents up over her head for everyone to see. “Bridle Bluevine and I took a sample of the water from the Breathitt River here in town, the same one that the city water line is tapped into.”
Mass confusion hit the crowd at once. The Breathitt River? But that’s not where their water came from…
Liza could hear the interest buzzing behind her; the energy was electrifying. She could almost feel the turning of heads, the straining of necks, and the piercing eyes focusing on the pages in Bryar’s hand.
Bryar, with the microphone off the stand and in her hand, began pacing back and forth across the stage. Liza took that moment to fully appreciate how beautiful, and how charismatic, her sister truly was. Her long blond hair fell past her shoulders in waves, her peaches and cream complexion practically glowed under the sweet spring sun, and her eyes had never been bluer (or more animated). Men and women alike were transfixed by every word she said; their eyes followed her movements like spectators at a tennis match.
“That’s right. Your water source was changed. You’re not getting your water from the Estill River anymore. You’re getting it from the Breathitt, the one that snakes right around the landfill. And the landfill? What it says in this report is that the water is tainted with lead. Lots of lead.” She paused then, for dramatic effect, before continuing. “The CDC says no amount of lead is considered safe but your water contains more than seven-hundred times the regulatory amount.”
That really set the crowd off. For a moment Bryar let them chatter amongst themselves, the swell of indignation building and building until other festival goers stopped what they were doing and made their way down to the tent, just to see what all the fuss was about.
Once she’d let them reach a respectable level of outrage, Bryar barged on. “That’s not all,” she declared. “Not only does your water contain lead, and we’re talking toxic waste levels of lead, but it also has the parasite cryptosporidium.”
Someone in the audience actually shrieked.
“Lead poisoning? Parasites? Pneumonia? What else is Kudzu Valley going to have to put up with before someone stands up and takes notice of us?”
Liza smiled inwardly at Bryar’s words; it was the first time she’d ever included herself as part of the community. Roots were important. It heartened Liza to know that Bryar might be starting to accept hers.
“Where’s this coming from?” The shout came from somewhere in the middle of the crowd.
Liza turned and looked for the person who had spoken out. She met Colt’s eyes and smiled, but then suppressed it when she saw Ridge, sitting next to him, practically shaking with nerves. His face and neck were so red that for a moment she was afraid he was on the verge of a heart attack. Then he took a gulp of water, wiped the sweat from his brow, and exhaled. When she saw his color start to come back she shrugged it off. He’d live.
“Where is it coming from?” Bryar asked. “That’s what Bridle and I have been wondering…”
The crowd nodded as one collective unit, all but leaning forward in unison to urge her to carry on.
“How many of you live on Possum Hollow? Or Trotting Road?” Bridle asked.
A show of hands shot up.
“Have you ever been driving home at night and noticed unusual activity on the road leading up to the landfill?” Bryar pressed. “Or heard things going on up there after hours?”
A few tentative hands slowly went up in the air, the owners casting furtive glances at their neighbors to see what their reactions might be.
“I hear them up there at night, all hours, doing digging,” one man in the second row called out.
“I see them driving them old trucks up there at night when I’m out with the dogs,” an elderly woman added. “They drive odd-like, with their headlights out.”
“Now wait just a minute,” Ridge stood and puffed out his chest. “This is slander, I say! You can’t be insinuating that the landfill has poisoned the water! Why, I drink and bathe in the same water that you all do. Why would I allow that to go on?”
A few people pursed their lips, as though to give him the benefit of the doubt. Most, however, had already tried and convicted the man. It was unusual how the superintendent of the landfill and his homemaker wife were able to afford several Caribbean cruises each year. And how they lived in the second nicest house in Morel County–a house that recently underwent renovations that included new hardwood floors, stainless steel appliances, and granite countertops (not just in the kitchen but in all five of the bathrooms as well).
Bryar faltered for a moment, however. She knew she was walking a thin line with her accusations and Ridge had every right to be indignant.
Just as she was about to start covering her tracks, however, Filly came running from around the side of the tent and hopped up on the stage, taking the stairs two at a time. She was sweating and her face was red from exertion but her smile stretched all the way across her face.
“Here you go,” she wheezed, handing a sheet of paper to her sister.
With half the town watching in anticipation, Bridle quickly scanned the document. When she looked up with wide, satisfied eyes, Liza could just about hear the audience hold its breath, waiting for her to speak.
“This here’s a contract,” she began, waving it around in the air much like Bryar had done with her pages a few minutes before. “It’s a contract between Ridge here and the PDC Agricultural Services, LLC. They’ve signed a contract to deposit ‘agricultural waste’ which, to my understanding, includes animal excrement and fertilizer runoff. Interesting to note that the delivery time is 11:30pm. Why is that, Ridge?”
“Well, because their s-s-schedule–” Ridge stuttered.
“And their designated dumpsite was not in the currently approved location, but on the back end–the end that runs down into the river,” Bridle said triumphantly.
“And, more importantly,” Filly interrupted, grabbing the microphone out of Bridle’s hands, “why aren’t these deliveries on the log? They don’t exist in the bookkeeping system at all!”
She handed the microphone back to her big sister who covered it with one hand and hissed, “We’ll talk about how you got this and know that later.”
“I swear to God I didn’t know there was anything wrong with those deliveries,” Ridge swore, panic turning his voice high-pitched. “They just said it was leftover fertilizer!”
“That ‘fertilizer’ contained a host of chemicals and wasn’t contained properly. It went right over the hill and into the river, literally filling our water supply with poop,” Bridle seethed. “Chlorine doesn’t kill those parasites and our water treatment plan hasn’t been updated. Nobody in town even knew that our water source had been changed, all to save a few dollars. But you knew that already because you’re also on that committee, aren’t you Ridge?”
He was still protesting and pleading his innocence as two uniformed officers lead him away.
“We promise that there will be a public forum about this issue within the next several days,” Bridle said. “We’re all concerned about this, and how much d
amage it might have caused or could continue to cause, so we’re working on getting someone from the EPA and state health department to come and run some tests, find out what all’s going on down here.”
The women stepped back then and let the crowd process what had just happened. Liza wondered, as Bryar stood before them, if any of them were having stabs of guilt at having to look at the woman they’d thought was responsible. Now that Bryar was front and center, for everyone to gaze upon, they had to confront the fact that they’d gone on a literal witch hunt.
When enough respectable time had passed, Bryar stepped back up to the microphone and gave a thumb’s up to her sound guy. “Okay you all, now I’ve heard that some of you are here for some entertainment. Is that right?”
A cheer went up, a happy sound that broke the tension.
“Then how about we spend the next two hours enjoying your local homegrown, talented guys and gals and forget about all this other nonsense? It will be right there waiting for us all when the talent show is over!” Bryar exclaimed.
The audience erupted in another cheer. One thing was for certain–no matter how dire a situation could be, there was always a piece of everyone who needed to stop and be reminded of the good things life had to offer.
Bryar was bound and determined to show them the good.
Chapter Twenty-Three
The following statement was released by the Morel County Health Department:
"The state has already completed surveys and sample testing and has found evidence of illegal dumping in the Morel County Landfill. The state will continue to monitor the dump site within the landfill. It has been confirmed that parasite cryptosporidium has been found in both the improperly handled waste, as well as in the Breathitt River which runs into the municipal water treatment plant. We are working diligently with all agencies in the county and state to find out how this happened, if the cryptosporidium is to blame for the bouts of recent illnesses, and the reason behind the elevated levels of lead in the water. We are also considering what steps to take next. We will provide more information as we continue to investigate this situation."
The Cabinet for Health and Family Services issued the following statement:
“The Kentucky Department for Public Health, in conjunction with the Energy and Environment Cabinet, is aware of what appears to be unlawful dumping of fertilizer material at a Morel County landfill. According to landfill records, it appears that the last illegal dumping took place in February. The water source for Morel County city water was changed in late March, without notice to the community. As soon as this information became available, DPH conducted a preliminary assessment to determine if there is an immediate threat to public health. DPH has performed testing and found evidence of high levels of lead and the parasite cryptosporidium in the Breathitt River. There is currently a boil-water advisory for all of Morel County and neighboring Bush County. Legal action against the firm that engaged in the illegal dumping and the landfill that accepted the contaminated material is under review.”
Of course Topix had a bit to say on it as well:
“Personally, I think they ought to shut ’em down and fine the hell out of them.”
“Do they really think they can poison our kids like this?”
“I’m not worried about this lead or fertilizer stuff. When I fertilize my garden with my horse and cow manure it’s the same thing.”
“They keep saying it’s not dangerous. Well how about they go drink that water themselves and show us how safe it really is?”
“An eye for an eye. Let’s throw the idiots into the dump site and see how they like it!”
“Peple don’t car about us cuz we live in east ky. That’s not write.”
“If that’s there, there’s no telling what’s all in there. I wouldn’t think in a million years that that would have been dumped here.”
“Just another person wanting to line their pockets and not worry abut the rest of us.”
“Lord, please send down your salvation and save us all from the poison that’s coursing through our bodies. Amen.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
Liza Jane and Bryar Rose huddled together in the cool night air and lazily pushed the porch swing back and forth with their feet. The moon was high and snowy white and the stars were a blanket of brilliance.
Liza couldn’t remember when she’d last felt so at ease. Everything had worked out. Well, everything had worked out in her favor anyway. Not so much for Ridge or Grim. Ridge might not get more than a slap on the wrist and a fine, but at least the blame was being pointed in the right direction now. And Grim was locked up, getting the medical help he needed for his anger and depression over his wife’s death. He wasn’t a bad guy–he’d just lost his mind a little. It happened.
“So are you ready to pack up and leave?” Liza asked, a little shyly. She hadn’t broached the topic with Bryar over the past few days.
“Sort of,” Bryar shrugged.
“You don’t look and sound like you are.”
“Oh, I don’t know. Kudzu Valley isn’t so bad. For a hick town anyway.” She smiled and Liza laughed. “Of course, beer and whiskey would make it even better.”
“I bet you’ll be glad to get back up to New York,” Liza said.
When Bryar didn’t immediately respond, Liza turned to her and focused her energy on what she was thinking. It was just so hard to read Bryar sometimes, especially when she turned off her thoughts and blocked her out.
“I know what you’re doing,” Bryar chuckled, “and it’s very invasive.”
“Sorry,” Liza replied sheepishly.
“So, um, I actually turned down the reality TV show,” Bryar said after awhile. In the distance a tree frog croaked his approval.
Liza was caught by surprise. “Seriously? Why?”
Bryar pushed off with her feet, making the swing swell higher into the air. “Lots of reasons,” she said at last. “Some personal, some professional. I want to continue to produce but right now I’m more interested in the A&R, that’s artist and repertoire, portion of the business. I enjoy finding new acts, discovering new talent. That’s what excites me, what gets my blood pumping.”
“You did a very good job with the talent show,” Liza said.
“Yeah, I did, didn’t I?” Bryar beamed. “Now, don’t get mad because he wanted to tell you himself, but Colt has actually said he’ll work with me on a demo. He’ll kill me for telling you first, so just act all surprised when he finally does spill the beans.”
Liza dug her feet into the wood, making the swing come to an abrupt stop. Both women pitched forward. “Are you for real?”
“Real as rain. Said he knew he wasn’t going to be a big star, but he wanted to see what he was capable of. I think he’s afraid that if he doesn’t then the ‘what might have beens’ will eat at him.”
“Boy, I can understand that,” Liza said with a sigh. “Still, that’s a big step. I hate to sound like I’m his mother, but I’m proud of him.”
“I am, too. Oh! And there’s a recording studio up in Lexington. I can rent it for the demo and Colt won’t even have to travel very far.”
“Are you sure you can produce country?”
Bryar shrugged. “I don’t know yet. But being back here kind of brought me around to my roots, you know? And I need to try. I guess I’m like Colt. If I don’t do it then I’ll never know.”
“Well, my boyfriend can be your guinea pig,” Liza promised her. “So when are you heading back to Manhattan?”
“I thought, if it’s okay with you, I’d hang out here until the demo was finished.” Now it was Bryar’s turn to be shy. “I can help you out with the business for, you know, when Mare can’t come in.”
Liza slung her arm around Bryar’s shoulders. “Sounds terrific.”
As a lightning bug drifted nearby, it lit up its backside with the iridescent glow that meant summer was truly on its way. With her free hand, Liza drew a circle in the air above her head. Within seconds, d
ozens of lightning bugs were hovering over them, a swirl of light and teeny little wings.
Bryar laughed with glee. “To the witches?”
“To the witches.”
THE END
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Rebecca’s Other Books
To see a complete list of Rebecca’s books, and for ordering information (including signed paperbacks) visit her website at:
www.rebeccaphoward.net
Taryn's Camera Series
Windwood Farm (Book 1)
Griffith Tavern (Book 2)
Dark Hollow Road (Book 3
Shaker Town (Book 4)
Jekyll Island (Book 5)
Black Raven Inn (Book 6)
Taryn’s Pictures: Photos from Taryn’s Camera
Taryn’s Camera: Beginnings
Kentucky Witches
A Broom with a View
Broommates
A Broom of One’s Own (Coming September ’16)
True Hauntings
Haunted Estill County
More Tales from Haunted Estill County
Haunted Estill County: The Children’s Edition
Haunted Madison County
A Summer of Fear
Broommates: Two Witches are Better Than One! (Kentucky Witches Book 2) Page 18
