The Elder Witches Read online

  Chapter 3

  I got a cup of coffee from the pot James had ready for me and sat at the table by the window. I could see Maeve practicing Tai Chi on the patio; she was as graceful as a ballerina, which was funny because everything else about here reminded me more of a soldier, or maybe a construction worker I thought and chuckled to myself.

  She stopped, catching my eye, sending a chill up my spine.

  I waved and watched her for a minute. Her appearance and personality was different in almost every to her sister. They had both treated me with more respect than most people though. Usually, I’m just the help, there to dig up whatever dirt they’re trying to find out or solve whatever crime (cheating husband, missing wedding ring, insurance fraud…). But here they acted more like I was a visiting friend or relative, telling me to quit worrying so much, relax more. It’s not what you expected from people paying you to do a job.

  Despite all that, I couldn’t help but think of it as the witch house now. I gave everything a new look through more skeptical eyes. Real or not, there must be a reason that Reynolds thought what he did.

  I looked around the kitchen. Jars of herbs sat on the counter and on shelves taking up most of the space on an entire counter. Each jar had a neatly handwritten label. There must have been hundreds of them.

  I walked outside to where Maeve was still practicing to see what she lined up for me today, although it was usually Miss Keane, Gwendolyn, or her mother Mrs. Brookshire that found something for me to fill my day with.

  I stood back and waited for her to finish with the Tai Chi sequence before speaking. My mind went back to Reynolds telling his tale last night. I gave Reynolds my word that I would relay his message, but that wasn’t a very smart move if I wanted to keep my job.

  I hadn’t noticed Maeve had stopped, she must have quit in mid sequence, which was odd for her, nothing seems to break her concentration. She stood there watching me as I, as I was lost in thought.

  “I was thinking of doing some shopping today. Do you think you could join me?” she said.

  I nodded ascent. “Yes ma’am, of course.”

  “Anything else on your mind?” she asked.

  “No, no I’m going to walk the property,” I said; and look for anything that looks like a giant cauldron I didn’t say.

  She watching me as I walked away. A cold chill ran up my spine again and I hoped that I wasn’t getting sick.

  I walked the flagstone pathways around the property, looking at the gardens and age old trees. An hour later, I was no more sure about anything than I had been. I didn’t find a boiling cauldron or see any pixies roaming the gardens. No elves, trolls or ogres presented themselves. What I did find was a giant ball of doubt forming in my gut.

  Later, I found myself with an armful of panties, suddenly wishing I knew a lot less about Maeve, as she called for me from the dressing room, “hand me the purple lingerie.”

  A group of teenage girls giggled as they passed. No doubt enjoying my discomfort and reddening face.

  Handing Maeve the silk and lace lingerie over the door I asked, “Maybe I should wait outside for you, ma’am.”

  She opened the door and all thoughts of leaving left my mind. Maeve stood wearing nothing but a skimpy lingerie and a big smile.

  “What do you think?” she asked, taking a step in her stocking feet out of the changing room.

  “Yes…” I said. Dear God, did I really just say that, a small voice in my head thought.

  “Yes?” she said. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”

  “Your boyfriend will like it, I’m sure,” I said, finally finding my brain to mouth function.

  “I don’t have any suitors currently,” she said.

  A woman grabbed her husband by the arm pulling him along when he took in the sight of Maeve showing off.

  Poking her head back out with a little too much showing for modesty, she said, “you look tired today, were you up late?” Her smile remained but her eyes watched me closely.

  Why was everybody so concerned with my sleep?

  On the ride back to the mansion I tried to get some back story about her and Gwendolyn but all she provided was that they were your typical spoiled rich girls. I found the statement odd since most rich people don’t see themselves as spoiled or rich. But she threw it out there like a flag for the world to see.

  When we got back I took more strolls around the property than normal, just to observe, looking for anything out of the ordinary. Gwendolyn worked in the gardens for part of the day, picking herbs, tying them into bundles to dry and doing other tasks I wouldn’t have expected from spoiled rich girls.

  She brought in a basket filled with various herbs, the knees of her jeans soiled from kneeling in the dirt, her sweater having been replaced by a tight fitting t-shirt. She reached up to grab a vase on the top shelf of the hutch, standing on her tip toes on a stool, her shirt lifted to reveal smooth pale white skin and a taut muscled stomach. She got a hold of the vase at the same time that her foot slipped off of the stool. I reached over to help break her fall, and she fell into my arms, my hand getting a little too much of a hand hold. She smiled up at me.

  “What’s going on it here?” a voice said from the doorway. “You’ve taken this protection thing to a whole new level Gordon,” Maeve said.

  Gwendolyn laughed softly, “His intentions were pure, I assure you.”

  I don’t know if it was the camaraderie, or if I just had a giant lapse in judgment but I all of the sudden had the irresistible urge to tell them everything about Reynolds.

  “I have to tell you both something. Last night a man came to see me claiming to be a vampire— he said you were witches— not that I believed him— but also that you were in danger,” I blurted out in a single breath.

  Neither looked the least bit surprised.

  “A vampire?” Maeve asked.

  “I’m sure they guy was off his nut but I don’t want to withhold this kind of information. He came to my apartment early this morning, and he knew of you Ms. Keane.”

  Gwendolyn rested her hand on mine, which put me at ease. “Tell us everything.”

  So, I told them all about Reynolds and the government agency.