The Book Of Ill Deeds: A Paranormal Cozy Mystery (Witches Of Castle Falls 1)

by Phaedra Weldon

  He pursed his lips, and they were nice lips, before he put the car in drive and we headed into town. It was a nice day if not a bit chilly. The leaves were changing, the green inching toward orange and red. Castle Falls was nestled between two lines of mountains, marvels of limestone and granite. A few miles outside of the city was the path to the actual Castle Falls the town was named after. I hadn’t been since I was a kid, but I had nice memories of my parents loving them. It wasn’t a big fall, not much more than water falling over unique granite shapes that looked like a castle. There was a park, hiking trails and a gift store.

  I could see the northern mountain range in the distance as Dr. Flanagan drove the short distance to the Park n’Pay. We didn’t talk during the trip and I was okay with that. He seemed to enjoy the silence as well.

  It was close to two when we arrived and no one asked why we were there. Park n’Pay was basically a place to store cars and take the bus. Given it was a small town and most of the buses moved between Castle Falls and the closest town, Westminster, the in-town bus route was a pretty short one. It ran every hour from six a.m. to eleven p.m. Dr. Flanagan stopped the car on the right side of a long line of parking spots. A glance told me the lot was half full. “Let’s see,” he said as he got out, the key and a note in his hand. “It’s aisle three, slot six.”

  “I see it!” I said as I headed there as fast as my sneakers could carry me.

  “Whoa,” Dr. Flanagan laughed.

  He came up behind me when I stopped at the driver’s door and held out my hand. “Key?”

  “I think I should be the one to open the car. After all, Danvers trusted it to me.”

  “Dr. Flanagan, I am a very responsible person. Don’t let my grandmother’s weirdness make you think any different.”

  “David,” he said as he handed me the key. “Call me David.”

  “Ginger,” I almost stammered. “But you knew that.” I felt heat come up from neck and flush over my cheeks before I turned and unlocked the door. David had very intense eyes.

  I hit the button to unlock the entire car and David moved around to the passenger’s side and slipped in. Together we went over the glove compartment, the seats, under the seats, under the mats, between the cushions in the back seat. He popped the trunk, and we looked in there. Once we were done, we had to admit the car was clean.

  Strangely clean.

  “There’s something weird here,” I said as I slipped back into the driver’s seat. David slipped into the passenger’s seat. “The car’s clean.”

  “Nothing weird about that.”

  “It is if it belonged to a woman in Savannah, Georgia. I’m a woman, and I’ve never kept a car this immaculate. Whoever drove this car and parked it near Mama D’s house scrubbed it down good.”

  “As if they wanted no one to trace it back to them?”

  “Yeah,” I chewed on my bottom lip. “I guess Danvers is right. There isn’t anything linking this car to the wi—Mr. Manchester.” Something nagged at me, though. It was that little sensation I always got when I knew something was wrong. Something was…off. I got the same feeling when I was trying to find something in the house, like my keys. I was getting it now. And it was pointing me in a very odd place.

  I reached over and flipped down the passenger’s sun visor.

  “I already looked there.”

  “Yeah,” I said and then on a whim, opened the mirror on the back by pulling down the little door. Something fluttered out and David caught it in mid-flight. Good reflexes.

  He flipped it over and smiled before he held it out to me. “Hardin Manchester.”

  It was a piece of cardstock, the size of a business card. It had a handwritten number on it, Harden Manchester’s signature, and his name in print, and at the top were the words CASTLE FALLS LIBRARY.

  I was pretty sure my smile covered my face. “Care to take a little ride to the library?”

  “I believe that is a marvelous idea,” David said.

  He locked the car and drove us the two miles to the library. It was a beautiful building of stone and plaster. It also had some of the best landscaping in the town, including a large, beautiful oak out in front. David parked the car and as we walked up to the door—

  “And where do you think you’re going, you Blackstone Witch?”

  FIVE

  David instinctively stepped between Ginger and the direction of the voice. He also noted the use of the word Witch. Again. Miss Rosepurse had used it at the Sheriff’s office regarding the Blackstones.

  But this wasn’t Miss Rosepurse. The woman rapidly approaching the couple, her brows knitted together in a scowl and her hands balled into fists (one clutching a black leather purse) was not someone he recognized.

  “Ugh…” Ginger said from behind him. “It’s Mildred Thumper.”

  Oh. He hadn’t had the pleasure of meeting Miss Thumper, but he had definitely heard the name. And, he’d been warned by several people in town to avoid her radar or direct line of sight. Though no one ever told him why.

  He felt he was about to learn the reason.

  Mildred stopped in front of him and glared. “Out of my way. I want a word with that Blackstone woman.”

  “I’m afraid that’s not going to happen,” David said in what he hoped was a pleasant voice. He stuck out his hand. “Dr. David Flanagan.”

  The woman looked down at his hand as if it were an odd protrusion from the center of his chest. Then her gaze tracked up to meet his and her expression softened. A lot. “Mildred Thumper. So you’re the new doctor everyone’s been talking about.” She finally put her hand in his. Her skin was cold and icy. He knew she wasn’t one of his kind, but wow, he was warmer than her.

  Mildred pulled her hand from his and narrowed her eyes at him. “You one of the un-naturals in this town?”

  “Un-naturals?” He smiled again. “Miss Thumper—”

  “That’s Mrs.”

  “Mrs. Thumper,” David put his hands on his hips. The wind whipped up around them and he felt a chill, but he wasn’t sure it was the temperature. He knew this woman was hopelessly human, but also sensed something…wrong. The feeling was fleeting and was gone just as quickly as it appeared. “Is there something I can help you with?”

  “No. But there might be something I can help you with. That woman is dangerous. Her grandmother killed a man in her own shop!” Mildred poked a finger in the air, aiming it at Ginger. “Old Mama D was arrested.”

  “Yes, and she was released, Mrs. Thumper,” Ginger spoke up, but she didn’t move from behind David. They were still in the doorway of the library. “No evidence. And the person she was arguing with wasn’t the same guy who died.”

  Mildred opened her mouth to speak, then closed it. She looked a bit ruffled. David decided this was the perfect moment to swoop in. “Ginger’s right, Mrs. Thumper.” He smiled. “Is there anything else we can do for you?”

  The library door opened at that moment and a tall, willowy woman stepped outside. She wore a well-cut navy blue suit dress and blue matching pumps. Her blonde hair moved about her shoulders in the wind. She scooped it with her hand to the side of her face. She looked to be in her mid-twenties. “Hello? Is there a problem?” Her voice was melodic and held a bit of something David couldn’t put his finger on. Something…ethereal.

  “This is none of your concern, Miss Walker,” Mildred said.

  “I’m afraid if it’s on library property, it is.” She looked at David and smiled and then at Ginger. “Ginger Blackstone?”

  Ginger leaned her head to her right shoulder then held out her arms. “Oh, my stars! Cassandra?”

  The two women hugged and David stood to the side. When Cassandra stepped back, she put her hands her hips. “Oh wow. I never expected to see you back in Castle Falls, Ginger. I mean, Melody yeah because she’ll never leave Mama D. But wow…you haven’t aged.”

  “And you’ve changed!” Ginger turned to David and put her hand on his shoulder. “I went to school with Cassandra. Ba
ck then she was a brunette with braces and I was a kid with wild red hair and freckles. I think we’ve both changed.” Ginger cleared her throat. “Cassandra, this is Dr. David Flanagan. David, Cassandra Walker.”

  David offered her his hand, but the moment their skin touched he felt a jolt of something unpleasant. He managed to not flinch and finish the handshake but immediately pulled his hand away from hers. “Nice to meet you.”

  If Cassandra felt anything, she didn’t show it and her gaze lingered on him a bit too long. “It’s nice to meet you. I heard we had a new doc in town. No one said he was young and handsome.” She looked at Ginger. “Leave it to you to snag the best looking guy in town—and you’ve only been back, what? A day?”

  Mildred cleared her throat and tapped her foot.

  Cassandra turned her attention to Mrs. Thumper. “I’m sure whatever business you have with either Dr. Flanagan or Miss Blackstone can be addressed at a more appropriate time, Mildred. And not in front of the library.”

  “I’ll conduct my business where I see fit!” Mildred crossed her arms over her chest.

  “Well, that’s all fine and good,” Cassandra crossed her own arms over her chest to match Mildred’s. “But if you don’t leave, I’ll call Sheriff Danvers about that overdue bill you’ve accumulated in late fees to the library. I believe the total has now reached about five hundred or more? And you still haven’t returned those two bodice thumpers you borrowed two weeks ago.”

  David bit his lower lip. Mildred’s face turned a deep red, and he was pretty sure if it were colder outside, he’d see steam coming out of her ears. She opened her mouth, closed it, pivoted on her heel and then stomped off in the direction she’d come.

  Ginger laughed. “Oh, my stars. Does she really have five hundred dollars in late fees?”

  Cassandra shrugged. “Who knows? I do know she owes money, and she refuses to pay it, except in ten-dollar increments a month. She knows I have the right to refuse to loan her books, so as long as I’ve got that, I’ve got leverage. So,” She lowered her arms and gestured to the door. “Want to come in where it’s a tad warmer? Any particular book you’re looking for?”

  “Actually,” Ginger reached inside her purse and pulled out the card. “We need to know about this person.”

  Cassandra took the card, and her left brow arched. Her red lips pursed, and she nodded. “Oh yes. I spoke with him personally. Let’s go inside to talk.”

  “Sure,” Ginger smiled.

  Cassandra opened the door and let Ginger walk in before her. David reached around behind Cassandra and took the door. “After you,” he said.

  “You’re such a gentleman,” she winked and proceeded him in.

  He couldn’t put his finger on it as he stepped inside the public building, but he felt very awkward around Cassandra Walker. Was it possible she was just as unconventional as he?

  The interior of the Castle Falls Library looked like every other library he’d ever been in. Sturdy, noise muffling carpet covered the floor in a nondescript brown. To the right were desks with lamps set in equal intervals, and to the left an area with a fireplace, couches, and chairs. Newspapers littered a few end tables and a low coffee table in front of the fire. Hanging on the stone mantel was the portrait of a woman with piercing eyes. She kind of resembled Cassandra.

  The library was two-story, open, with lots of glass. He looked up at the stacks on the second floor and those on the first. For a small town library, it was well stocked. Better than some of the larger libraries he’d visited in big cities.

  The front desk was a semi-circle with a male and female, both in their mid-twenties or younger, seated behind it. The male smiled as they approached and waved. Cassandra leaned in over the desk to whisper. “Tad, we’ll be in my office so hold my calls, okay?”

  “Sure thing Miss Walker.”

  David’s gaze lingered on the boy. The kid was obviously love-struck with Cassandra Walker. And who wouldn’t be? She was beautiful.

  But not as beautiful as Ginger, as far as David’s tastes ran.

  “That’s Tad Bishop,” Cassandra said as they walked away. “Ever since I came back he’s been so nice to me. He even cleans my house twice a month.”

  I bet he does. David made sure to keep his expression…expressionless.

  “Is he local?” Ginger asked. “I don’t remember any Bishops in town.”

  “I think he’s related to the Bishops who lived in that old converted school—”

  “Oh right,” Ginger said as they followed Cassandra to the left, past the Parenting stacks to a door that required her to fish a card on a lanyard out of her shirt. “Wayland Bishop. Wanted to turn it into a bed and breakfast…or was it a motel?”

  “Bed and breakfast,” Cassandra said as she swiped the card and then led them to the office at the farthest end of a long hallway. “Tad told me his dad went bankrupt when they recalled his loan. Next month Castle Lake Bed & Breakfast started construction on the old Castle Founders Lodge and it became a success.”

  “That sucks for Tad’s family. What happened to the old school? Is it still there?”

  “Yeah,” Cassandra said. “But his parents passed away a few years ago and Tad inherited it. He’s trying to sell it. The problem is, the place is set too far back from the town.”

  “So’s the Castle Lake Bed & Breakfast,” David said as he glanced to his right into a break-room then turned left into Cassandra’s office. It was large and had a window behind her desk. But it wasn’t anything spectacular. It was functional and a bit barren.

  “Yeah but it’s got the history of the Founders Lodge and a lake. Please, have a seat,” she gestured for them to sit down and then took her seat behind the desk. She held up the card and then set it on the desktop. “This guy was a real weirdo.”

  “How so?” Ginger asked as she sat forward in her chair.

  “He came in….” She looked to the side as if searching for a mental calendar. “A week ago, I think. Wanted to know if we had some book I’d never heard of. I told him I didn’t know and that we’d have to look. But even if we had it, he’d have to have a library card in order to check it out.”

  Ginger pointed to the card. “But that’s dated four days ago. Did he not fill it out that day?”

  “Nope,” Cassandra sat forward. “He refused to fill one out so he left. Then he came back. He’d changed his mind. Asked to fill one out. When he did, he had access to our database. When he didn’t find what he was looking for, he got angry, called me a liar and left.”

  “Oh no,” Ginger said.

  “What book was he looking for?” David asked.

  “Uhm…” Cassandra tapped a key on her keyboard and her screen illuminated her face, reflected in her eyes. She tapped a few keys and then snapped her finger. “Here it is. The Tome of Castamundos.” She looked at the two of them. “I’d never heard of it.”

  Ginger chewed on her lip. “I’m not familiar with that book either.”

  “Yeah,” Cassandra looked at the screen. “It was published by Year Wheel Publishing in 1966. There’s only one book in circulation.” She looked at Ginger. “I looked for it for him. It’s just not here. And the odds of it being here are ridiculous to are you kidding me? One copy?”

  David found that strange that someone would think something so rare would be here. In Castle Falls, South Carolina of all places. “Maybe it’s in a private collection?”

  “That’s what I suggested,” Cassandra sat back. “But he insisted it wasn’t. Said it was stolen a year ago from a private owner and it’s precious. Either way, we didn’t have it.”

  “And he thought you were lying.” Ginger pointed to the screen.

  Cassandra turned it to face the two of them. “Yes, he did. Said he knew it was here and that I’d hidden it from him. Honestly—what would I do with a book like that? It sounds like a fiction series I read once.”

  “I think I know the one,” David said. “Miss Walker—”

  “Cassandra.”


  “Cassandra—” he shifted in his chair as Ginger studied the screen. “Where were you this past Saturday night to Sunday morning?”

  “Me? I was at home. Why?”

  “Mr. Manchester was the man killed in Mama D’s shop on Sunday morning.”

  Her eyes widened as she sat back. “That’s who died? Wow. I mean, we all read in the paper that Mama Donahue had argued with someone and then they turned up dead, but I never knew it was him.”

  “It wasn’t him,” Ginger said, then shook her head. “I mean, Mama D didn’t argue with Mr. Manchester. It was a different man. On a different day.”

  “Who?” Cassandra frowned.

  David looked at Ginger and noted her hesitation. Apparently, she was having some second thoughts herself. “We can’t say,” he piped up. “The Sheriff isn’t releasing names yet.”

  “Yeah but there wasn’t a name in the paper either. How did you two know who the victim was? Do they know what killed him?”

  Ginger answered, “I know because I had to get my granny out of jail, and Danvers asked me about him. David knows because he did the autopsy.”

  “Observed,” David said. “I’m not the coroner.”

  Cassandra leaned forward. “Ooh. What did you find?”

  “Not much.” He said and put his hands on his knees. “It’s getting late, Ginger. I should get you back home.”

  “Aw, do you have to go?” Cassandra stood as they did. “I haven’t seen Ginger in years.”

  “We’ll catch up,” Ginger said as they filed out of Cassandra’s office.

  David led the way to the door and stood aside so Cassandra could use her card to let them out.

  On their way to the door, she said, “You know, there was another gentleman here the same day. He and Mr. Manchester got into it, right outside. Where you two were standing with Mrs. Thumper.”

  “Manchester fought with someone?” Ginger said. “About what?”

  “I have no idea. But the man came in after Manchester left. Just a sec,” she went to the desk, and they followed. “Tad, do you remember the man Mr. Manchester argued with outside the door on Saturday?”