Page 12 of Eldritch

“Well, ladies.” Annapolis leaned against the van door. “That’s one heck of a mansion. Don’t think I’ve ever been in a house that big before. The good news is that I didn’t find anyone in there.”

Sybil took in the deputy’s appearance again. The woman had an uncanny resemblance to the portrait of the young blond woman Sybil had seen inside the foyer of the mansion.

Nah. That’s not likely.

But there it was. In the eyes in particular.

“Looks like everything is okay,” the deputy said and smiled broadly, using it as punctuation. As if to say, well ladies, there you have it. Ain’t no one lurking in there ready to slit your throat.

“That’s a relief,” Pauline said.

“Thank you for coming all the way out here to help us,” Letisha said.

“You’re welcome. If you hear or see anything else...well, just call again,” The Deputy said and straightened to her full height.

“I don’t think we’ll be seeing anything else,” Pauline said with an indulgent look at everyone else. “These ladies saw a big ole house and got a little spooked.”

The deputy looked at Pauline. Her expression spelled pure amusement. “Well, you don’t know around here. I wouldn’t be quick to condemn them yet.”

Pauline’s mouth opened.

Maria asked, “What do you mean?”

The deputy leaned against the side of the van and crossed her arms. She looked around. “Have you ever seen any place that looks this weird in your life? The trees? Who the hell would want to live out here? I grew up in this county, and I’ve always hated this part of it.”

Letisha said, “Yeah, we saw the trees. I looked them up online and it said no one understands why they grow so huge and ugly.”

The deputy leaned closer, and the breeze rustled through the trees, moving them until it sounded as if they whispered. The woman’s eyes grew wider. Bigger. As if she wanted to impart an important secret or vital information. “I’ve heard rumors that it’s because this place is poisoned.”

Silence hovered for a moment until Maria asked, “What do you mean poisoned? The soil?”

The deputy smiled and straightened. “Maybe. The soil. The air. I’m only guessing.”

Letisha’s eyebrows raised. “That’s comforting.”

Sybil cleared her throat. “Well…uh…thanks again.”

The deputy looked at each of them as if she might say more on the subject. But then she said, “You’re welcome. Have a great day.”

She walked away.

Letisha held up one hand. “Wait.”

The deputy stopped and turned around. “Yep?”

For once, Letisha didn’t look confident. “Was there...uh music playing? We heard some music.”

The deputy sniffed. “No. Where did you hear it?”

“On the second floor. Uh, we forgot to mention that earlier,” Letisha said. “I mean, it sort of sounded like music.”

The deputy cocked her head to one said. “No. I didn’t hear anything. I’d say it’s safe to go in now, ladies.”

The deputy turned away and headed toward her cruiser.

Sybil left the van door open. “Well, that’s that. Let’s get cracking.”

Chapter Three

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