by Sam Short
“Oh, thank you,” said Judith, taking the bag from the man’s outstretched hand.
“That was quite the display you two put on,” he said. “I couldn’t help noticing what happened here. I think everybody in the allotments noticed what happened here.”
“It was nothing,” said Millie. “It’s over now. Thank you for the potatoes.”
The man smiled, his eyes briefly flashing vampire black. “You used magic, young witch,” he said. “I saw. Other people saw, too — non-paranormal people. You took a silly risk.”
“You’re a vampire?” said Millie.
The man bowed at the waist and gave a wide grin. “Indeed, I am. My name is Benjamin, but you may call me Ben. I know a little about what is going on in town — Henry has warned us all to be on the lookout for a demon, and has informed us that a man has been killed. Tom Temples, he said his name was. I didn’t know of him, but no man deserves to have his life taken from him so cruelly. I hope the demon is caught soon.”
“That’s why we’re here,” said Millie. “We weren’t sure if Tom had been murdered by the demon, or by a human. I think it’s safe to say that after hearing the conversation we just listened to, and recorded, the demon is off the hook — for murder, at least. The men who just escaped are as evil as any demon.”
“I’d be shocked to learn that any of the three men who were in that shed are capable of murder,” said Ben. “But sometimes it transpires that people are not who we thought they were. Now, you two clear up that gold and get going. I’ll lock Eric’s shed and let Sergeant Spencer know if those three show their faces here again.”
Chapter 11
Millie pressed the pause button on the screen of her phone, and the voice recording stopped.
“Okay,” said Sergeant Spencer, nodding. “I’d class that as evidence. I’m leaving right away. I’m sure they’ll all be in custody before teatime.” He looked at Millie and Judith in turn. “Make sure you don’t let those alien hunters near that skeleton, tell them that I’m still scouring the sand for forensic clues. I’ve sent off the campervan registration number, and I’m still waiting for it to go through the system. I’ve asked for the owner’s identity and any criminal records he might have. It’s taking longer than usual, but it shouldn’t be too long.”
Millie glanced through the patio window. The campervan remained where Mister Anon had parked it, and the two occupants were visible through the side window, seated at a table in the rear playing what looked like a board game.
“Are you still looking for evidence?” said Judith, applying some of the oily potion which Millie had made to the stings on her skin, her face relaxing as the magic began to work.
“No,” said Sergeant Spencer. “There’s nothing there to find. Soft sand doesn’t hold footprints well, and I’ve found nothing else of interest. I’ve tested the shovel for fingerprints. There were two sets of prints on the handle, one was Tom’s, and I can’t find a match for the other person’s prints in the system — they don’t have a criminal record. I’m sure I’ll find a match when I catch up with those metal detectorists, though.”
“They killed him for gold,” said Millie. “How awful.”
Reuben gazed at the pile of gold on the kitchen table. “You think they killed Tom just to steal the gold he’d found?” he said. “Humans are so greedy.”
“Some of them are,” said Millie. “Not all. But yes, that’s what I think. I can’t think of any other reason why they’d have killed Tom, and the conversation I recorded at the shed seems to back up that theory.”
“Money, love and jealousy,” said Sergeant Spencer. “The three main motives for murder.” He took a deep breath. “Okay. It’s time I left. I doubt those detectorists will get very far, but I want them in custody sooner, rather than later.”
“Be careful, Dad,” said Judith. “There’s three of them, and they’re obviously willing to use violence.”
“I’ll be fine,” said Sergeant Spencer, placing his hat on his head. He smiled at his daughter. “I promise.”
Judith applied more of the potion to the back of her hand, the bee sting beginning to vanish almost immediately, and passed the little bottle to Millie. “I’ll come with you, Dad,” she said. “I don’t want you to be on your own. I’d never forgive myself if something happened to you, and at least I can use magic if things do turn violent.” She looked at Millie. “You’ll be okay here on your own for a few hours, won’t you? I’ll be back in time for turkey and roast potatoes. Don’t you worry about that. Or you could go with my dad, and I’ll stay here? Somebody has to stay here, though — we don’t want those alien hunters disturbing that skeleton.”
Applying a small amount of the potion to her chin, the soothing scent of jasmine in her nostrils, Millie smiled. “I’ll stay,” she said. “Anyway, I won’t be alone. I have Reuben.”
Reuben flew to Millie’s shoulder. “And I’ve got something I want to talk to you about,” he said. “It’s important.”
Sergeant Spencer frowned. “I’m not sure it’s a good idea. I think Judith should stay with you.”
“Why?” said Millie. “The men from ASSHAT don’t seem dangerous. I’ll be fine. It will give me time to begin preparing the meal for tonight.”
“And to listen to what I’ve got to tell you,” said Reuben.
“And that,” said Millie. “Don’t worry.”
“I’m more concerned about that other demon coming back, than I am about ASSHAT,” said Sergeant Spencer.
Millie smiled. “I appreciate the concern, Dave, but I’m more than capable of looking after myself.”
Sergeant Spencer’s cheeks turned a rosy red, the cleft in his chin almost vanishing as he gave a wide grin. “Thank you, Millie,” he said. “That meant a lot.” He glanced at the door to the left of the fireplace. “If the worst did happen, and a manic demon broke into your cottage, then you’ve always got your cavern. Judith told me that when you lock it with magic from inside, nobody will be able to get in.”
“The door becomes invisible if I lock it from inside,” said Millie. “Like it was when I first arrived in Spellbinder Bay. Nobody will be able to see it, let alone get in.” She pushed the cork stopper back into the potion bottle, and placed it on the table next to the gold coins. “You two get going. You’ve got a murderer to catch. I’ll take this gold down to my cavern, where it’ll be safe, and then keep a eye on the alien hunters while I prepare dinner. Reuben and I will be fine. Don’t worry.”
Millie piled the gold coins in an empty wooden box, and placed it on one of the numerous shelves hewn into the rock wall of the cavern. The green glow from the cauldron — a waist high ring of stones containing magic captured from moonlight, cast a calming light over the cave walls, and Millie sighed as she stared into the swirling depths. “It’s strange to think that my mother’s energy is in there,” she said. “She feels so close, yet she couldn’t be further away from me.”
Reuben flew from Millie’s shoulder and landed on the rim of the cauldron, the green light reflected in his coal black eyes. He stared up at his witch. “Millie,” he said. “You know I’ve been spending a lot of time down here recently?”
“Yes,” said Millie, her eye catching movement below the surface of the liquid as a glowing white light flickered briefly, before darting away into the hidden depths.
“Well, I’ve been looking for something down here. Something in one of the books. A spell, to be exact,” said Reuben. “A spell that I remember noticing when Esmeralda was creating potions down here one day. A spell which I think will help you.” He averted his gaze. “A spell which I hope will help you.”
Millie looked into the little birds eyes. “What spell, Reuben?” she said.
The cockatiel’s little chest expanded as he took a deep breath. “It’s… well, it’s… it’s a spell that… it’s a spell that can…”
A loud hammering at the cottage’s front door, accompanied by shouting, drew Millie’s attention. She glanced up the steps at the op
en cavern doorway which led to her living room. “Now what?” she said. “That sounds urgent!”
“The demon!” squawked Reuben, thrusting himself airborne and flying in erratic patterns around the cavern. “It’s the demon! Trying to break the door down so it can devour me!”
“Calm down,” said Millie. “That’s not a demon. I know that voice, it’s Mister Anon. I’ll go and see what he wants, you can tell me all about that spell later.”
Mister Anon’s shouting grew louder, and the hammering on the door more urgent as Millie climbed the steps and approached the front door. “I’m coming!” she shouted. “Have some patience!”
The door opened to reveal the angry face of Mister Anon and the bewildered face of a man Millie had never seen before. Mister Anon removed his sunglasses and fixed Millie with an accusatory stare. “It’s a good job one of us is watching the sand dunes, isn’t it?” he said. “I just caught this man sniffing around!”
The tall man standing next to Mister Anon ripped his wrist from his captives hand, and took a step backwards. “How dare you!” he said. “You assaulted me!”
“I did not!” said Mister Anon. “I forcefully guided you away from an area of beach which is off limits to the general public. Didn’t you see the police tape and the signs, or did you just choose to ignore them?” He looked at Millie. “Where is Sergeant Spencer? I saw him drive away almost an hour ago, and look what happened when he left — this man thought it was okay to trespass. He was digging around in the sand. He was taking photographs, too!”
“I wasn’t digging!” said the man. “Or trespassing. I was checking that no damage was being done to the Sea-stock flowers. That’s what I was taking photos of. They’re a protected species, and when my department received an anonymous phone call, telling us that dinosaur hunters had been digging around in the area, we had to come and make sure the plants were safe. They only grow in a few sites in England, and this is one of them!”
“A likely story!” said Mister Anon. “Who are you? Are you trying to get your hands on my skeleton? Those bones are mine!”
“Forget about the bones for a moment,” said Millie. “The area is off limits because it’s the scene of a crime. The scene of a murder.”
The man’s eyes widened. “I had no idea there had been a murder! Our department was informed that fossil hunters were digging around in the dunes, but I haven’t heard any reports about a murder. I certainly wouldn’t have gone traipsing through a crime scene, had I known!”
“Okay,” said Millie. “I can understand you not knowing about the murder. It hasn’t been widely reported. Would you mind identifying yourself, though? You happen to be on my land.”
The man nodded, and reached into the pocket of his green jacket, withdrawing an identification card. “I’m Robin Price. I’m from DEFRA — the Department for Environment, food and Rural Affairs, and I didn’t mean to trespass or sneak around.” He pointed at the small white van parked near Millie’s car. “I drove right up here, and nobody asked me any questions! It’s not very well guarded for a murder scene, is it? I can’t see one police officer, and I’d really like to speak with one about my mishandling at the hands of…” He looked Mister Anon up and down. “This… awful man in black.”
“You’re in luck,” said Millie, pointing along the track as the sound of an engine drifted towards them on the wind. “Here comes the sergeant in charge.”
“Wonderful timing,” said Robin, slipping his identification back into his pocket as Mister Anon hurried away to intercept Sergeant Spencer’s car.
“Yes,” said Millie, with a puzzled frown. “He’s back a lot sooner than I expected him to be.”
“I’m not going to get that man in trouble,” said Robin, watching as Mister Anon spoke to Sergeant Spencer through the car’s open window. “He comes across as a little unhinged. I think he requires help, not criminal charges filed against him.”
Millie nodded. “ I agree,” she said, looking out over the dunes. “So, are the flowers okay? I didn’t know there were rare plants here. Not until yesterday, actually. A man I met told me. Perhaps it was him who phoned you?”
“Even if it was, and even if I knew — I couldn’t tell you,” said Robin. “Everything’s confidential these days. But I will tell you that are numerous members of several environmental organisations in this area, so you’d be surprised just how many people around here care for their surroundings.”
“That’s good to know,” said Millie. “I’ve always tried not to stand on the flowers when I run through the dunes, but I’ll take even more care not to damage them from now on.”
“Don’t worry too much. They’re fine,” said Robin. “The person who called the department yesterday exaggerated the extent of the problem. I didn’t take the phone call, but the notes I was given say he was adamant that we came out immediately and stopped the fossil hunters from digging any more than they already had. He said the flowers were in imminent danger of being destroyed. We didn’t have time to come out yesterday, but it seems it would have been a wasted journey anyway. The plants are fine, and as long as the police and fossil hunters are careful, there shouldn’t be a problem. The storm damaged a few plants, but it’s a healthy population.”
Millie smiled as the crunch of gravel beneath boots indicated Sergeant Spencer’s presence. The policeman gave her a quick nod, pointed at the campervan and spoke to Mister Anon, who shuffled alongside him. “I need to speak to the gentleman from DEFRA without your input. If he is, as you allege, about to make a false claim of assault against you, then I need to speak to him alone. I’ll speak to you again later.”
Mister Anon removed his sunglasses and glared at Robin. “Don’t listen to anything he tells you, Sergeant Spencer. I hardly touched him.”
Robin Price smiled at Mister Anon. “Don’t worry, I’m not reporting you for assault. I’ll put it down to over enthusiasm on your behalf.”
“There we are!” said Sergeant Spencer. “Problem solved. Nice and simple! Nobody needs to get in trouble.”
Mister Anon muttered something under his breath, and gave Robin a final glance laced with suspicion. He replaced his sunglasses, straightened his cap and made his way back to the campervan, his shoulders rolling as he walked. He paused as he opened the side door, and turned around to face the cottage. “I trust you’ll hurry up and finish your forensic search of the sand dunes, Sergeant. I want access to that skeleton ASAP!” he shouted.
“Just get inside, would you?” yelled Sergeant Spencer. “I’ll speak to you in due course.”
When the van door had slammed shut behind the alien hunter, Sergeant Spencer smiled at Robin. “I just spoke to DEFRA on the telephone, after the gentleman who dragged you away from the sand dunes told me he thought you were using fake identification. Everything seems to be in order, but I would ask that you stay away from the dunes until my investigation is over,” he said. “I will need to take a full statement from you, I’m afraid. It’s standard procedure when somebody enters a crime scene without authorisation.”
“In case I’m the murderer and I’ve returned to the scene of my heinous crime to spread my DNA everywhere, to put you off my scent?” smiled Robin.
Sergeant Spencer nodded. “That sort of thing,” he said. “It’s to protect you, too.” He pointed towards his police car. “Would you mind taking a seat in my car for a moment, please? I’d like to have a quick word with this young lady.”
“Of course,” said Robin. He smiled at Millie. “It was nice meeting you. I’m not so sure about the man in black, though.”
“You’re back sooner than I expected,” said Millie, as Robin headed for the car. “Where’s Judith? Did you catch the detectorists already?”
“You could say that,” said Sergeant Spencer. “Judith is in the hospital and —”
“The hospital?” said Millie, her stomach churning. “Oh no! What’s happened?”
Sergeant Spencer placed a hand on Millie’s arm. “Calm down,” he urged. “It’
s not like that. Judith is fine. Honestly. It’s not her who’s been injured. It’s one of those idiot metal detectorists — who, by the way, did not kill Tom.”
“Really?” said Millie. “Are you sure?”
“Yes. With total certainty,” said Sergeant Spencer. “That’s why I rushed back here. I’ve spoken to Henry, and with a lack of other suspects, we’re both in agreement that the demon probably killed Tom. Henry is still searching for it, but he says it’s hiding well.”
“And you think it might come back here. To the sand dunes. That’s why you rushed back,” said Millie.
Sergeant Spencer nodded. “Henry says that until the bones in the dunes are dust, the other demon may keep returning. I know you can look after yourself, Millie, but those two alien hunting clowns could be in danger.”
“I could look after them, too,” said Millie.
“Without magic?” said Sergeant Spencer. “You’re tough, Millie, but what if the demon has possessed the body of a strong male? Without magic, I doubt you’d be able to fight him off, and to the alien hunters he’d appear to be a psychopathic human with anger issues — not a demon. Magic would need to be a last resort in their company.”
“And you could use the magic you keep in that pouch on your belt,” smiled Millie. “Without raising suspicion.”
Sergeant Spencer patted the black nylon pouch on his hip. “Exactly,” he said, with a wink. “A Taser would look a lot less dramatic than red sparks pouring from your fingertips! The demon has no supernatural powers while it’s in a human body. A Taser should drop it like it would any other person.”
“I understand,” said Millie, smiling at the sergeant. “But I’ll be happy when this is all over. I’ve got alien hunters camping in a rust-bucket next to my cottage, a murder scene and a decomposing demon in the sand dunes over there, a man from DEFRA sitting in a police car outside my home, and the worry that another demon might suddenly appear. Life is good.”
