The Trouble With Witches: An Ophelia and Abby Mystery

Author:Shirley Damsgaard
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Mystery, Occult, Mystery & Detective - Women Sleuths, Minnesota, Iowa, Missing children, Mystery & Detective, Librarians, American Mystery & Suspense Fiction, Fiction - Mystery, Detective, Women librarians, Fiction, Suspense, Women Sleuths, Witches, Mystery fiction, General, Psychics, Occult & Supernatural, Contemporary Women
ISBN: 9780060793586
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 2006-08-10T05:37:49.572000+00:00

Chapter Eighteen

We ate a simple but delicious meal of vegetarian lasagna, fresh salad, and whole grain bread. Jason and Juliet carried most of the conversation, asking questions about my life in Summerset, my job at the library, what I liked to read, and so on. Jason told amusing stories, but he played to an audience of one—Juliet. Even when speaking directly to me, he would cast quick glances her way to gauge her reaction. But all during the conversation over dinner, the subject of psychics and the paranormal did not come up.

Winnie tried to join in with her high fluty voice when given the opportunity. Juliet acknowledged her remarks with tolerant looks, but Jason's face pinched with annoyance. And every time his expression changed, Winnie's level of exuberance drooped like a wilted flower.

Tink ignored everyone. With her head down and her eyes fixed firmly on the table in front of her, she moved her fork from her plate to her mouth with all the emotion of a robot. Several times during the meal I caught Juliet watching her with a worried look on her face.

What was wrong with this kid? I was not an expert on children, but I'd been around enough kids at the library to know Tink's behavior was anything but normal.

The meal finished, Winnie went to the kitchen and came back with a teapot and three cups.

Juliet moved around the table to Tink's chair. Stroking her bent head, she gazed down at her. "It's time for your studies now, dear. Say good-night to everyone and I'll be in later to check on you."

Tink rose without comment, mumbled a quick goodnight, and wandered off down the hall.

Juliet, her hands clasped tightly in front of her, watched Tink's retreating back. Sadness hovered around her like a fog.

Jason stood and crossed to stand behind his wife. He placed both hands on her shoulders and kissed the top of her head. She responded by leaning back against her husband.

It seemed Juliet drew strength from Jason's touch, and the air of sadness lifted. Turning to me, she smiled. "Why don't you and Jason enjoy your tea on the deck? I'll join you after we're finished cleaning up."

I stood quickly. "No, please, let me help."

She waved my request away with one hand. "No, you're our guest. It won't take Winnie and me long."

Winnie bustled toward me with cup in hand, so I had no choice but to do what Juliet requested. I followed Jason out onto the deck.

The moon I'd noticed when I arrived was high above the pine trees now, hanging in a sky littered with stars. We couldn't see the lake from where we sat—too many trees blocked the view—but I could hear the gentle lapping of the water on the rocks along the shore.

I looked over my shoulder toward the cabin I knew lay hidden in a clearing, past the pines that ringed the Finches' house. A chill crept up my spine.

"Did someone step on your grave?"

Startled, I whipped my head around to look at Jason sitting in one of the deck chairs.

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