Page 53 of In Her Dreams
Thompson studied them for a moment, then nodded.“I do indeed.Would you like to see it?I grow everything right here in the building, in my basement garden.”
“That would be helpful,” Jenna said.
Thompson flipped a sign on the counter to “Back in 15 minutes” and led them through a door behind him.They descended a narrow staircase into a basement that should have been dim and musty but instead felt like stepping into another world.
Bright grow lights illuminated rows of carefully tended plants.The air was humid and rich with the scent of soil and vegetation.Thompson moved among the plants with obvious pride, pointing out different specimens.
“Lavender, chamomile, echinacea,” he said, guiding them through narrow aisles.“Mint, basil, lemon balm.Most of my stock is pretty standard.But over here...”
He led them to a section at the far end of the basement, where plants with distinctive star-shaped leaves grew in a neat row.The leaves were a deep green with purplish veins running through them.
“Ka’lutma,” Thompson said, gently touching one of the leaves.“Beautiful, isn’t it?”
“I haven’t seen that name or an image of these on any list of illegal substances,” Jake asked, peering closely at the plants.“But you’re sure it’s legal to grow and sell it?
Thompson chuckled.“I wouldn’t be giving a tour to law enforcement if it wasn’t, Deputy.Ka’lutma currently falls into a regulatory gray area.It hasn’t been specifically classified by the FDA or DEA.I suspect that won’t last much longer once awareness of its properties becomes more widespread.For now, though, I’m in the clear.”
“Tell us about it,” Jenna said.“What do you know about its origins and use?”
Thompson’s face lit up with enthusiasm.“It’s fascinating, really.Ka’lutma was sacred to the Zalticans, a pre-Columbian civilization in what’s now the country of Verasura.They used it primarily in their Chantico rites.”
“Rites?”
“Yes, ceremonial practices designed to help people confront and overcome their deepest fears.”Thompson adjusted his glasses.“The Zalticans believed that fear was a barrier to spiritual enlightenment.The Chantico rite was their way of breaking through that barrier.”
Jake exchanged a glance with Jenna.“How exactly did the rite work?”
“That’s where things get a bit murky,” Thompson admitted.“The Zalticans vanished centuries ago.Most of what we know comes from the few codexes that survived the conquest.But from what scholars have pieced together, participants would ingest ka’lutma under the guidance of a shaman, who would help them navigate the hallucinations and face whatever fears emerged.”
“And dreamcatchers?”Jenna asked.“Were those part of the ritual?”
Thompson looked surprised.“Yes, actually.The Zalticans had their own version of dreamcatchers, believed to trap negative energies.Each participant in the Chantico rite would receive one, specially made to address their particular fear.”
Jenna felt cold despite the humid warmth of the basement.Everything was falling into place with terrifying clarity.
“Mr.Thompson,” she said carefully, “who buys ka’lutma from you?Would you be willing to share that information?”
His expression turned guarded.“I’m afraid I can’t reveal my clientele, Sheriff.That would be a breach of trust.”
Jenna studied his face, noting the slight tension around his eyes.“Let me ask you something else, then.Is Dr.Olivia Summers one of your customers?”
The flicker in Thompson’s eyes—a momentary widening, a flash of recognition quickly suppressed—told Jenna everything she needed to know before he could even form an answer.
“I really couldn’t say,” he replied, but his voice lacked conviction.
“Mr.Thompson,” Jenna pressed, “three people have died after confronting their worst fears, each with a dreamcatcher nearby.If someone is using ka’lutma to conduct twisted versions of the Chantico rite, lives are at stake.”
Thompson’s gaze dropped to the plants before him, his shoulders sagging slightly.
“I don’t discuss my customers,” he said quietly.“But I will say that certain academics have shown professional interest in ka’lutma for research purposes.Its historical and cultural significance is considerable.”
“Research purposes,” Jake repeated flatly.
Jenna looked at her watch.“We’re due to meet with Dr.Summers soon.Perhaps she can elaborate on her research interests.”
Thompson nodded slowly.“I’m sure she’d be more informative than I could be on the historical aspects.”
“I’m sure she would,” Jenna agreed, holding his gaze until he looked away.“Thank you for your time, Mr.Thompson.We may have more questions later.”
