Blessedly Bound

by Lucretia Stanhope

  Gwen followed the woman to his door, which was just to the right of the waiting area. When she walked in, she almost wanted to turn around and leave. His office was a mess, papers everywhere, smelled like smoke, and had overflowing ashtrays lying about on top of the papers. Was it even legal to smoke in offices anymore? Gwen wondered. It was too classical a representative of a burnt-out detective.

  “Miss Hensley, please have a seat,” he said, and offered his hand.

  Gwen shook his hand and sat down. She explained to him what she needed done.

  He furrowed his brows at her. “That's a lot of people to look into, ma'am.”

  “Yes, I realized that, but it is very important to me.”

  “You got no way to narrow it down more?”

  “That was why I wanted to hire you,” Gwen said, feeling like maybe she should just pick another place. “Look, I have lost my whole family and I need these answers. I need them quickly.”

  He gave her a sympathetic smile. “Of course, and I can get you those answers, quickly will cost more.”

  Gwen sighed. “If you impress me with how quickly, that is fine.”

  She got the impression from his office, demeanor, and receptionist, that he would use any means needed to get answers if the price was right. Maybe she was in the right place after all. Once they agreed on a price, she left him a retainer, all the pictures from her phone, and started home feeling better. The bonus she offered was on a sliding scale that meant he would get a much higher rate if he had something quality to tell her sooner rather than later.

  She looked at her phone every few minutes all the way home. Sebastian would still be sleeping, dead, whatever it was vampires were during the day, and she knew calling would be pointless, but she wanted to.

  Rather than going home, she decided to have another visit with Father George before time to go to the knitting group. She wanted to ask him a bit more about the orphanage. The church was locked, but Father George walked over from a small house to the right of the main building.

  “Oh, I'm so sorry to disturb you,” she said, wondering if he was making dinner or some other personal thing that she interrupted.

  “No, no, I am always here whenever you have need. What can I do for you?”

  “I was just wondering if we could talk more.”

  “You are troubled still?” he said, and gently took her hands.

  “I am still trying to understand what happened to my family. I went to the orphanage.”

  “Did they not have what you are looking for?”

  “No, they had a lot of information to sort out.”

  “What else can I answer for you?” he asked, as they walked inside the church and sat in his office.

  “Do you recall that night?”

  He frowned at her. “I do.”

  “Can you tell me what you know?”

  “It was a summer night. I know that William had come by to see Lenny. They were supposed to go to Mel's and Lenny wasn't here.” He shuffled some things around on his desk. “It had been an odd night; a lot of nuisance calls I recall because we were trying to get the shutter's closed for a storm that was due to roll in the next night and William's men kept getting called away.”

  “Wasn't he clean at this point? Lenny, I mean.”

  “As far as we knew.”

  “What happened?”

  “William was called to the old campgrounds just outside of the city proper. Someone had seen what they thought were kids and suspected maybe pot or necking type things. Since everyone was already on other calls he headed off to send the kids home.” He paused and looked at her with sad eyes. “I never saw him again.”

  “Where are the campgrounds? Are they still used?”

  He told her that they were derelict and gave her simple instructions to get there. They talked a little more and he gave her the standard invite to service when she left.

  There was still a little time before the yarn meeting so she went to Mel's to grab a bite beforehand.

  “You ever leave here?” she asked Curtis, as she slid down across from him for a change.

  “Evening, Miss Gwen,” he said, and then sipped his coffee.

  Mel came over and took her order with her usual cheer, and eyes that lingered on Curtis.

  Gwen enjoyed his quiet demeanor while she ate.

  “You off to do crafts with the gals tonight?” he asked.

  “Yes, I am. Is there anything new with Mike? I'm not even sure I should go now that I think about it.” She looked down at her food and shuffled the last few bites around on her plate.

  She didn't want to make Trisha uncomfortable or sad, and she was the newcomer.

  “Nothing new yet. He was denied bail.”

  “Wow, that is new. Why?”

  “Why? It was a violent crime, Gwen.”

  Her mind went back to the image of Lizzy burning. “Yes. I, I guess I pushed that part out of my mind.”

  “As well you should.”

  They had a little more of an awkward conversation before Gwen left to go to the yarn shop. She was almost relieved to find that Trisha wasn't there. It wasn't that she thought Mike had done it, she was almost convinced he hadn't, but she was afraid Trisha would be upset with her somehow.

  When they all sat down, Kathy started sewing on the last squares that had been brought and they talked about the next project. They were going to be making baby blankets and chemo caps for the local hospital.

  “Did you get Sebastian to agree to coming to the festival this year?” Kathy asked.

  Gwen shuffled the patterns nervously. “I didn't pin him down yet,” she said. Her mind raced back to that night, he said yes, said he would go anywhere with her.

  Pat and Pam giggled and rambled about him knitting again while Gwen started a practice swatch for one of the patterns. They all avoided mentioning Mike or Trisha. Instead, Gwen listened as they talked about what they were hoping to find at the bazaar and auction. Linda apparently was most looking forward to seeing what new things were going to be fried to eat this year.

  Gwen took enough supplies to make a few hats and a few of the patterns, she also grabbed some delicate undyed yarns so she could work on a new magic something. She wasn't sure what she wanted to make yet but she was getting the urge to weave some magic.

  As soon as she walked in the house, Lewis greeted her, asking about the detective. She told him about the meeting and about what she learned from Father George.

  When he stepped in her space she could smell Sebastian.

  “Was he here?”

  Lewis gave her a puzzled look. “No, why?”

  “You were with him. I smell him. I can feel him.”

  “Really? I'm surprised your senses are so sharp.”

  She narrowed her eyes. “Why? I am supposed to be some super witch. I can feel his magic. What have you been doing?”

  “We were just practicing a few things for me to teach you,” he lied. It came out smooth and sure.

  She didn't question the truth.

  They actually reworked the charm, made it stronger. Hopefully keeping him from being summoned away.

  “You really still trust him?”

  “Yes. Gwen, I knew what he was all along, remember?”

  “I'm going to the campsite tomorrow, during the day. I want to walk around and see if I pinpoint where it happened. You need to come with me.” She cut her eyes at him.

  “Why?”

  “Why what? I want to pinpoint it because I want to try and see what happened. I need you because it is far in the past. I need your magic aid. You are mine remember? If you can work magic with monsters, you can work magic with me.”

  “Easy. You are not mad at me, my witch. I will go with you, of course.”

  Her face softened and she frowned. “I'm sorry. I'm edgy. I still don't know how I feel.”

  “I think you do,” he said, the words threatened to choke him.

  He knew how she felt. She wasn't mad at him. She wasn't mad at Se
bastian. She wasn't mad at all. She was brokenhearted.

  Chapter Eighteen

  L ewis smiled at seeing how Gwen dressed to go to the campgrounds. She had her hair down and the black was a sharp contrast to the bright pink and white knit hat she wore. There was a hopeful look in her eyes and even though she may see something disturbing, the air felt light and happy. He hadn't seen her look that close to happy and carefree in a long while. He also noticed she was only wearing jeans and a sweater before she pulled on her coat, and he frowned.

  “It's a cold day,” he said.

  She gave him a fake sigh and then smiled. “I have on long-johns too. I also put on boots and socks, even though they may need to come off.”

  “Suit yourself. It is cold.”

  “So, you keep me warm.”

  He started to say that he wasn't Sebastian and didn't have the same gifts, but he didn't want to mention him and ruin her good mood, so he just smiled and they walked out. He could feel the air start to get thick with her nervous tension as they drove.

  “Why the shift? Are you okay?” he asked.

  “Yes, I guess the closer we get, the more the excitement seems to be changing to fear.”

  “Why?”

  “What if I see him die?”

  “Isn't that what you want to see?”

  “Well yes, but I want to see who killed him. I don't want to watch or feel him die. That happened with Lizzy. I found out nothing other than that she suffered. I don't want to feel him suffer.”

  “We can go home. You can let Curtis solve the murders.”

  “Lewis, damn it. I told you he's not right about Mike. I really believe the two murders are connected. Lizzy and William both deserve justice.”

  He slid closer to her and put a hand on her leg. “I'm here. I'm here to do whatever you think best and help however I can.”

  She kept her eyes on the road. “You still think I'm wrong. You have no faith in my feelings. How can you in one breath say I am some natural force, and in another say I can't even tell a killer from librarian.”

  “Where is this coming from, Gwen? You aren't mad at me.”

  She let out a heavy breath. “No. I'm afraid of what I will see. I guess I am also afraid you and Curtis are right and the only reason they died is because people are awful.”

  “Don't let what happened with Sebastian taint your view of your instincts, my witch.”

  “Ouch, is it that obvious?” She glanced from the road to him.

  “To me. I love you. I know you.”

  Gwen looked back to the road and spotted what looked like a man-made clearing in the woods, she pulled the truck off and into it. She guessed by the clearing, the still standing bathroom, and the broken-down sign that had no legible words left, that they were at the right place. She turned off the engine and looked at Lewis again. This time her look held determination and trepidation, both equal in her expression, and he felt the same radiating from her thoughts.

  “I love you too. Thank you,” she said, squeezed his hand, and then opened her door.

  Since she was going to be using her magic to pinpoint the crime scene, he shifted to give her extra power to draw from. She allowed her mind to drift until her thoughts cleared, which took a fair bit longer than usual since they seemed to float to Sebastian when she wasn't thinking of anything else.

  Once his face stopped appearing, she started walking in slow methodical steps, making sure she covered every inch of ground. Her eyes focused on the dirt and the tips of her shoes so that she wouldn't be distracted by anything else. The snow had mostly melted, leaving a damp earthy smell that was mingled with the smell of the icy air.

  On her second set of laps she noticed a spot that felt a little different. It was very subtle and that was probably why she missed it the first time. She assumed the faintness of the impression left was because the feelings she was looking for were very old, and their imprint on the area had dulled.

  She paused, standing at the spot, concentrating harder. There was fear, anger, betrayal, and pain. “I think I found it,” she said, opening her eyes.

  Lewis flew over and stood in the mud at her feet.

  Gwen sat on the ground, ignoring the dampness that quickly soaked through both layers of her clothes. She smiled at Lewis, took in a breath, and closed her eyes. The damp, cold soil was harder than she imagined as she dug her fingers in. It was littered with roots, debris, and sticks, giving her a bit of a challenge as she tried to bury her hands.

  Lewis felt her calling on the earth to give in to her and used a little of his own magic to shield that from emanating out of the area.

  Once her hands were buried and her mind blank, she felt herself slowly drifting back. Every time she did this it was different, but she never actually felt herself travel back before. There was a moment she had a bit of nausea that felt to her like motion sickness.

  The movement stopped and she knew she was at the time and place she needed to be. Her eyes slowly opened and tried to focus on the dark woods in front of her. She took a few steps and found herself looking out at the clearing. She could see herself sitting on the ground as a ghostly shadow. The air was warm and on the breeze carried the scent of leaves and earth.

  Her eyes focused on movement to the right where she saw a much younger Lenny, pacing nervously by a fire. She didn't move closer, just stood watching. Lenny looked to her, his eyes pleading, his mouth started to open, but then his head jerked sharply to the road.

  Had he seen her, she wondered?

  A patrol car pulled up and Gwen tried to control the urge to run and warn William. She knew she needed to stay still and watch or she would risk pulling herself back to the present.

  The door opened and she was mesmerized as William got out. The memory was so real she could hear the squeak of his leather gun belt as he stood up and moved. The smell of his cologne filled the air as he walked closer. He was tall, and looked to have muscles under his uniform. She couldn't make out his eye color, but she could see he was smiling with his thin lips, and his short black hair was neatly trimmed. There was a shadow on his cheeks, indicating he hadn't shaved in a day or so. He was handsome. Again, she fought the urge to run and warn him or hold him.

  “Lenny, what are you doing out here?” William asked, his voice deep and filled with authority, yet also friendly.

  “I'm sorry Will,” the young Lenny said. He looked back to her and down to the ground, appearing like a scared kid, not a killer.

  “Naw, don't be sorry. It's been a busy night. I'm glad for the distraction. You know you scared old lady Francis by being out here. She figured crazed teenagers were about to start rampaging. How about we go and get something good to eat?”

  “I'm really sorry,” Lenny said, taking a step back.

  “You okay?” William asked, his head cocked as he studied Lenny.

  Lenny shook his head and Gwen felt herself stepping out from the woods. She heard the leaves under her feet crunch. William spun his head and locked eyes with her.

  Had he seen her? Was this like before, like when she interacted with the memory of Lizzy?

  She heard the squeak of leather again, this time it was coming from her and then there was a snapping of a button. Her arm raised, and she was now looking at William down the barrel of a gun.

  Dear god, I am the killer.

  She struggled to stay in the past as her mind processed what that meant. She wanted to close her eyes. Did she dare stay to see if William said a name? She realized that she wasn't going to be able to see who it was. Could she watch him die, watch through the eyes of his killer?

  “What are you doing here?” William said.

  Gwen could tell from the tone and the way his features wrinkled, he wasn't happy to see whoever she was watching through. He looked more aggravated than afraid and he didn't reach for his own gun.

  “That's it? All you have to say to me is what are you doing here?”

  “I thought we agreed you were leaving town. Go home and p
ack. Don't make it harder than it has to be.”

  She felt her finger starting to pull the trigger, and even though she knew it would not change things, she did fight it.

  Lenny shifted his weight from one foot to the other in the background.

  There was hesitation. She felt a rush of emotion. Whoever it was, wanted William to change their mind. “You are a cold man.”

  “No, I am a fair man. You leave here, leave me and Lizzy alone and I won't…”

  “You would rather help that junkie than me? We are family.”

  The look in William's eyes grew hard. “You are dead to me.”

  Gwen felt her finger squeeze tighter and the trigger moved.

  She heard the sound of the gun fire. It was so loud her head hurt and her ears started to ring.

  William fell to the ground, his blue shirt already saturated in blood. Whoever shot him was a good aim. It was a chest shot. William said something inaudible and closed his eyes.

  She felt herself stepping forward, her eyes focused on Lenny who was now shaking and crying.

  “Pull it together shithead. You get your story right and I will see to it you don't face too much jail time.”

  Lenny nodded and she felt herself kneel beside William. “Don't you worry. I'll take care of your family.”

  As she watched his chest stop moving, she felt the emotions of the person she was watching through. There was mostly emptiness, but there was also a little relief, as if a chore had been done. She was shocked that there were no deeper feelings. No shame, regret, or fear. She felt her own emotions starting to boil up, sadness, despair, and then she started to cry.

  Seconds later she sat in the present, cold, wet, and crying. She could feel Lewis put some distance between them and realized why, when she heard footsteps approaching.

  She looked up to see Curtis walking over, his patrol car parked just beside her truck.

  “Miss Gwen, everything alright here?” he asked.

  “Sheriff, I was just, I was…” she wiped her tears and started to stand, taking the hand he offered for help.