Page 32 of Witch
“Has law enforcement been told to stand down on this one?” asked Jean.
“They know we’re searching for the other bodies,” nodded Miller. “Flip, Pork, and Ivan are in Pennsylvania today and then upstate New York tomorrow searching for a couple more women. Noah went with them, just in case we get spiritual help.”
“Well, if that doesn’t bring them out, I don’t know what will.”
Inside the clinic, a podium stood in the massive waiting area, the sheriff, FBI, Riley, Wilson, Doc, and Cruz standing behind him.
“Good afternoon and thank you for attending. As you all might be aware, we’ve had an issue recently with a man by the name of Marcus Hopkins accusing women of witchcraft.” There were soft chuckles and men shaking their heads. “I agree it’s funny, but it’s no joking matter when this man is kidnapping and torturing women.”
That sobered the crowd.
“Several days ago, he approached, threatened, and then kidnapped ProfessorLinda Xavier. She’s been missing but was found tied in an abandoned fishing shack in Barataria, hanging precariously above gators and snakes. There is no doubt what Mr. Hopkins’ intent was.
“Ms. Xavier is now safe, healthy, and working on recovery. I want to caution the public to not confront this man. We believe he is armed and dangerous, and we want him alive for questioning in the disappearance and possible murders of other women.”
“Sheriff? What’s his deal with accusing women of witchcraft? Didn’t he accuse Miss Irene?”
“He did. He actually disrupted their funerals. One of the most disgraceful things I’ve ever seen. Mr. Hopkins had an ancestor who was a witch-hunter in the 1800s. He was brutal, cruel, and, needless to say, killed hundreds of women, and men, unnecessarily. We believe Mr. Hopkins is on the same quest and hope to shut him down permanently.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
“No,” he whispered, staring at the screen. “No, this can’t be. She’s alive.”
He looked around the small room, sitting on the bed in his towel. He was on his fourth shower of the day but felt unbelievably dirty just for having been in the same proximity as the whores.
Standing, he opened the curtains just a small sliver and didn’t see any patrol cars but knew they might come. Quickly, he dressed, gathered his things, and left the room, tossing the bags in the back.
“Leavin’ so soon?” asked Beck.
“Yes.” He turned to stare at the man, tilting his head. “You called them. You called and told them where I was.”
“Told who?” smirked Beck. “Ain’t nobody here for you, boy. Move on, and don’t come back.”
“You’ll pay for this. You’ll see. Those witches will be burned as they should be, and everyone will be free of their power and control!”
“Boy, you’re down a few dozen screws and a crate of eggs,” said Beck. “Ain’t nobody a witch. Get help.”
Beck texted Miller when Hopkins was gone, advising on the direction he was headed. No surprise, it was south, toward the location he believed the family lived.
“Time to put some plans in motion,” said Miller. “Get the cousins to the General Store. Let them know he’s moving this way, and we want to advertise the cabin for rent. Martha? Martha, are you here?”
“You don’t have to yell, honey. I’m always here, and all you have to do is think about me, and I’ll show up,” she said, smiling at her relation.
“Thank you, Martha. Our man will most likely take the offer of the cabin at the General Store. We need you all to give him a night he won’t forget.”
“Where are we headed now?” asked Pork.
“The family mansion,” said Ivan. “It was left to the historical society, but they agreed to allow us to explore. Apparently, everything in the home is exactly as it was when his parents died. His personal items are still in his suite of rooms.”
“I’m sure that pissed him off,” said Flip. “Not getting the family home probably made him angry.”
“I guess his parents were tired of his behavior and wanted to forget the dark history of their ancestor. His dad was some sort of financial genius, and his mother worked for a major publishing company, editing books.”
“They sound like good people,” said Flip. Ivan nodded, then pointed to the house on the water.
“That’s it.”
“Holy shit,” muttered Pork. “That’s not just a mansion. It’s like a castle.”
