The Hexed (Krewe of Hunters)

Or, she wondered, looking at the road, was Beth right? Had she simply not realized just how attractive the man was when they’d first met? In the dark, sitting next to him, she wished that they were on a date. Going to the movies...dinner. That exciting time early in a relationship when you met someone and made sometimes inane conversation, even exchanged bad jokes as you got to know each other, all the while wondering if you were going to end up together or out again at all—much less go home together.

 

She was appalled by the thought. She never went home with anyone on a first date. In fact, for her grand old age of nearly twenty-seven, she was woefully behind. But she’d always wanted something real and serious; she’d just never been the type to go out and party, and hook up just to hook up—whether for fun, companionship or even to satisfy the biological instinct for sex. Sadly, her two “great affairs” hadn’t ended well. She didn’t even want to think about her last—there were many ways to betray someone, and her last lover had betrayed her both emotionally and professionally. Before that? Well, there had been her three-year college fling that had sizzled...and then just fizzled.

 

She didn’t regret the way she felt about relationships, about them needing to mean something.

 

Except for tonight.

 

“You okay?” he asked.

 

“Yes, of course.” She turned back to him. “So, you want to find out about the local Wiccans? As you probably know, there are a number of covens in Salem. Some—most—are very traditional. Wiccans just like everyone else. They eat and drink the same things you do, they wear what they choose and they don’t tithe their income to some mystical spirit. You could have one as your neighbor and never know.”

 

He looked at her, smiling. “I swear, I am not against anyone believing whatever they see fit to believe. I just want to solve these crimes,” he finished softly.

 

“But you really think that Gayle makes those pentagrams using a...a pseudonym?”

 

“I do.”

 

“Why?”

 

“Body language.”

 

“You saw that much body language in a ten-second conversation?”

 

“When I asked, Gayle and Beth exchanged a glance. Beth was asking Gayle if she wanted to own up to being the artist. Gayle didn’t, so Beth kept quiet about it.”

 

“All that from one glance?”

 

“Yes. Aren’t writers observant?”

 

“Apparently not all,” she said.

 

They parked in the same garage as last time and made their way to the shop. Gayle and Theo were outside waiting for them.

 

“Beth is just closing up,” Gayle said. “She’ll be right here. Rocky, so glad you’re joining us.”

 

“I’m delighted to be invited,” he said.

 

“How long are you staying in town?” Theo asked him. “Long enough to look around and get to know the area?”

 

“I’m not really sure yet—and I already know the area. I grew up in Peabody. I might take a tour, though,” Rocky said. “Just to catch myself up.”

 

“If you do, I know just the one. Mine.”

 

Devin was surprised to see Brent Corbin coming toward them, grinning, his hand outstretched toward Rocky.

 

“Hey. Brent Corbin. I heard about you from Beth. You’re a friend of Devin’s. Great to meet you.”

 

“Pleasure. You do a tour?” Rocky asked him.

 

“The best in town. Right, Devin?” Brent asked.

 

“Wow, put me on the spot,” she teased. She turned to Rocky. “Brent and Beth and I went to school together.”

 

“They were incorrigible,” Gayle said. “They drove me crazy.”

 

“Yeah, but we were still her best students, sadly,” Devin said.

 

“Hey, we were good students,” Brent protested. “Gayle taught politics and history—and she was a fantastic teacher. She made it fun. And she was pretty dramatic, which made us pay attention.”

 

“Thank you,” Gayle said.

 

Theo lifted his hands. “I can’t comment. I wasn’t living here at the time.”

 

“Brent’s tour company is excellent,” Devin said to Rocky, bringing the conversation back to the present.

 

Rocky laughed. “Then I’ll be happy to take it.”

 

“Speaking of which, why aren’t you giving it? I thought Friday night was your favorite,” Devin said.

 

Brent grinned at her, then looked assessingly at Rocky. “I came to meet your mystery man. Why have employees if not to cover for me when I want time off?”

 

“Hey! We’re going to miss the movie,” Gayle protested. “Chitchat after.”

 

“Right, right, just...Devin, you’re okay, right?” Brent asked her soberly.

 

“Yes, thank you, why wouldn’t I be?” she asked.

 

“Maybe because they found that poor woman right by your house?”

 

“Thanks for reminding me,” Devin murmured.

 

“Don’t make her nervous. She’s okay, and she has Rocky to see her home,” Beth said cheerfully.

 

“You all need to be careful,” Brent said.

 

“I’m not worried,” Gayle said. “I’m sure one of you fine gentlemen will escort me home. And the same for Beth,” she added sternly.

 

“Of course,” Brent said.

 

“You know it,” Theo agreed.

 

It was an easy walk to the theater from Beth’s store. Rocky bought the tickets quickly, before anyone could protest. “Newcomer’s treat,” he said. “I’ve heard in some places it’s the law.”

 

“That leaves me with the refreshments—way more expensive,” Theo said.

 

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