Looking for Mr. Good Witch (19 page)

I am not afraid,

I am not afraid.

Moon guide me,

Sun aid me.

I am not afraid.

Before I could make a less emotional decision, Joe's heart monitor began making an odd sound. The number of heartbeats had slowed, alerting the medical professionals to the fact that he was failing.

It seemed as though my hand was being forced into using my magic to help him. I couldn't stand there and let him die. I had to act.

Before the nurses and doctors could respond to the new emergency, I placed one hand on his chest and held the amulet in the other hand. I closed my eyes and recalled a rejuvenation spell. It was all I could think of with no spell book to guide me. I repeated the old words again and again as my hand grew warm against him. The amulet felt as though it were on fire.

“Get the crash cart,” someone yelled from behind me. “I'm sorry, Mrs. Renard. You'll have to leave the room now.”

A bevy of nurses buzzed in behind the lead doctor. I finished my spell with a cleansing breath and gave thanks for Joe's life.

“Someone get her out of here!” the doctor yelled again. “Get that crash cart. Wake up, people! One of Wilmington's finest is dying.”

Joe's eyes fluttered open. He stared at me for a long moment, and then finally smiled. “Molly?”

A nurse reset the heart monitor. “I think the machine was just going crazy, Doctor.”

Another nurse helped Joe sit up as she saw him struggling to move.

“What's going on?” Joe asked. “Where am I? Where's Suzanne?”

It hit me that I needed to pay Suzanne a visit before she started crashing too. I had ignored her at the accident scene. I wouldn't do it again.

The doctor and nurses hovered, taking Joe's vitals and asking him questions. I waved to him and then went to find Suzanne. My heart was still pounding. It had been terrifying taking his life in my hands.

Suzanne was still slumbering peacefully when I went into her room. There was no one there with her. Savannah was a long way off. Maybe there wasn't time for family to come here, or maybe she didn't have anyone. I wasn't sure.

I did exactly the same thing for Suzanne that I'd done for Joe. A moment later, her eyes opened and fixed on me. “Molly? Where are we? Where's Joe?”

“We're at the hospital. Joe's here too. What do you remember about the witness's escape?”

Her brows knit together. She looked confused. “I'm not sure. I heard him laughing in the backseat. A minute later, something stung me—at least, that's what it felt like. The pain was terrible. I guess I blacked out. Then I woke up and you're here.”

“It's going to be fine now, Suzanne. You and Joe are okay, although you might be off the street for a few days. Take care. I'm going back to see Joe. Is there anyone I can call for you?”

She smiled sadly. “Nope. Joe is as close to family as I
get. I hope that doesn't bother you. I don't mean it in a bad way. Joe and I aren't like that anymore.”

“I know. Rest now. You'll be fine.”

I left Suzanne's room and put my back against the cool wall to take a deep breath. I was so grateful that I could help them—and that nothing bad had happened when I'd done it. I fingered my amulet with a smile. Maybe Olivia and Elsie thought that using this ancient magic was bad, but it had served me well.

Joe's room was right down the hall. I straightened up and went to see him.

Only his main doctor was left in the room. He was explaining what he believed had happened to Joe and Suzanne.

“It sounds ridiculous, but we found that both of you were affected by puffer fish poison.”

“That doesn't sound so much ridiculous as impossible,” Joe said.

I went to stand next to the bed, and I took his hand.

The doctor shrugged. “Maybe so, but that's what our tox screens showed in both of you.”

“We were driving down the road when we were attacked,” Joe told him, “not in the water.”

“Well, whatever. It looks as though you're going to be fine. I'd like you to stay until at least tomorrow—maybe another night.”

“Thanks, but no thanks. We're in the middle of a homicide investigation. It looks as though the one witness we had is involved in the two local deaths. He may even be the killer.”

“It's two
A.M.
” The doctor looked at his watch. “Get some sleep, and we'll see how it goes later today.”

“Sure.” Joe shook his hand. “Thanks, doctor.”

When we were alone, I sat beside the bed again. “How do you feel?”

“Starving. I hope you have a big T-bone and a baked potato in your purse.”

“I have a few Tic Tacs.” I smiled at him. “I'm sorry. I ate
your yummy green Jell-O for dinner with your terrible potatoes and soggy roast beef.”

“No wonder I'm hungry.” He grinned. “I guess they'll have to bring two trays so I don't starve to death.”

I kissed him and smoothed back the silver streaks in his black hair. “That was too close. What do you remember?”

“I felt something—like a bee sting—and nothing after that. Was that some kind of
club
thing?”

“Yes. I think your witness is actually your suspect. The
club
noticed that the man's face was shifting.” I couldn't think of any other way to explain it without going into a lengthy explanation of glamour.

“Shifting?” He glanced around the room and whispered, “You mean like a hologram?”

“Something like that. Hiding in plain sight, I guess.”

“And now he's gone.”

“I have good club information that your suspect is really a woman. Her club is very strong. You were lucky she didn't kill you.”

“But why use puffer fish poison? Where would she even get something like that?”

“She's one with the sea. She probably brought it with her. I can't explain everything to you right now, but she's very dangerous and powerful. Maybe you should take some vacation time. You and Suzanne have both earned it.”

“Suzanne!” He sat up. “Is she okay?”

“Yes. Lie down. Get some rest. I'll see if I can find something for you to eat.”

He pulled me back. “You're not doing anything with this woman's
club
from the sea, are you?”

“No. Don't worry. I'll be right back.”

I went to the cafeteria and found some crackers, a candy bar and a Coke in a vending machine. I took it back to Joe, but he was asleep again. It was nice to see that it was a natural sleep.

Thinking that Suzanne might be hungry too, I took my
haul to her room. She was awake and hungry. The doctor had told her the same thing that he'd told Joe.

“I'm not sure I've ever heard of a killer using puffer fish poison as a weapon.” She munched down the crackers between gulps of Coke. “Things keep getting weirder. I wonder if that's what the killer used on all the victims. I doubt the medical examiners would have thought to check for that poison. But how did he inject it? I searched him. He didn't have a needle on him.”

“I don't know. I'm glad you and Joe are okay. I think maybe you should take some time—both of you.”

“Seriously?” She frowned at me. “In the middle of a homicide investigation? I don't want to trail this killer up to Virginia Beach. We need to stop him now.”

I knew she'd feel the same way as Joe. I doubted that I could convince either of them to take a break. I couldn't even use magic references with her. I'm sure she thought I was just overly concerned.

“It will be okay, Molly.” She ripped open the candy bar. “We know to keep a better eye on this guy now. I'll take care of Joe.”

With their recent history, I doubted it, but I smiled and kept it to myself.

“Joe is a wonderful person. He always has been,” she said. “I'm glad he found someone like you.”

“Thanks. I'm glad he did too.”

“We just had too many issues when we were married. It was kid stuff, looking back on it. I didn't want to stay in Wilmington. He did. I was looking for adventure. Joe was never the adventurous kind. He liked being at home, watching football on Sunday. That wasn't for me, although you'd never know it now. Where did I go? Savannah. What an adventure!”

“You've been there awhile,” I reminded her. “I guess that's what you were looking for.”

She grinned, but there was something in her eyes that made me realize she was serious. “I think I've been looking for Joe ever since we split up. I just didn't realize it until we met again. I was stupid to leave him. I wish he had a brother.”

I laughed at the last part—Joe was an only child. But knowing she meant what she said about wanting to be with him again made me aware again of their previous relationship.

After she'd finished eating, I told her that I should go so she could get some rest.

“Thanks for being here with me, Molly. I know this has been awkward for you. Me too. I appreciate you not holding it against me.”

I was exhausted. I took a taxi home and fell into bed. Isabelle promised to keep watch while I slept. I barely heard what she said before I was asleep. I dreamed about the ocean and Manannan MacLir being chased by a hideous-looking woman who I assumed must have been the sea witch.

There was something to these dreams—to the interplay of the Bone Man's wife and the sea witch killing young men. I felt as though the dots were starting to connect for me.

It was nine
A.M.
when I awoke to an overcast day. I couldn't remember when I'd ever slept so late. As I became more aware, I realized that I wasn't alone. Elsie was sitting on the bed beside me. Dorothy was in the chair. Olivia was hovering over me.

“Thank goodness,” Elsie said. “I thought you were going to sleep all day.”

Dorothy moved over and sat on the bed too. “How's Joe? What time did you get back?”

I sat against on my pillow, realizing that I was still wearing the clothes I'd come home in last night. I really had been tired. “Joe and Suzanne are both fine. I got back around three. I need a shower, a few minutes alone and a strong cup of coffee.”

“Green tea and breakfast would be better,” Elsie said. “I'll make you some eggs. You have to keep up your strength.”

“Have we considered that Suzanne could be the sea witch?” Olivia asked. “She's been everywhere the killings have taken place. She wants Joe. I think she could be evil.”

“I don't think she's evil.” I threw back the sheet and blanket. “I think she's lonely and looking back on the mistakes she's made in her life. Not too much different than any other woman her age.”

“Did the doctors know what was wrong with them?” Dorothy asked.

“They were both injected with puffer fish poison, although Suzanne swears she checked their witness carefully before they left the safe house.”

“But a magical, dead creature of the sea could have access to that kind of thing,” Olivia said. “It's a wonder they both aren't dead.”

“I suppose that's true.” I got up and stretched. “I'll see you two in the kitchen.”

When I had showered and dressed, I felt much better. I called the hospital. Joe was being released later that afternoon. Suzanne too, so I could pick them both up. I'd have to go to Dorothy's house to get my car. The world seemed a better place again.

Elsie had scrambled all the eggs in the refrigerator. She and Dorothy helped me eat them at the table in the garden. All around us life was coming back to the world. Birds nested in the trees and added their voices to the morning. Azaleas were splendidly in bloom along with daffodils and tulips. There was even some wisteria perfuming the garden for us.

“So we got the memorial guest book from Belinda last night.” Dorothy produced the small book out of her bag. “Mom and I went through it last night and I created a spreadsheet from the names.”

“She's very efficient.” Olivia beamed at her daughter.
“Who'd have thought she'd be good at something like that? I never was. She must get it from her father's side.”

“Is all that necessary?” Elsie righted her peach-colored hat. “We could just separate the names magically like this.”

She muttered a spell and the printed spreadsheet Dorothy had created caught fire and burned in her hands. Dorothy jumped up with a yelp and dropped the paper to the ground.

“Sorry.” Elsie sipped her tea and looked the other way.

“I guess we're back to looking through the book and writing the names of the witches we don't know on a piece of paper.” Dorothy smiled, but she was obviously a little annoyed.

We pulled our chairs together and studied the book. Olivia looked over our shoulders.

“We know the sea witch isn't Phoebe or Kay,” Elsie said. “We've known them for years. Oh look—Larry signed the guest book too. Doesn't he have lovely penmanship?”

She giggled, and we moved on.