Page 125 of Executing Malice

I gasp in feigned outrage. “These are good, God-fearing people. They would never.” I drop the pretense and frown. “Of course, with pitchforks and torches. You know they marched out there ready to drag Hetty out. But the women were already standing outside, calm and ready. When the lynching committee arrived, they were warned not to pass the circle of salt. First person who does, the devil would take their soul.”

“Oh, shit.”

I nod. “In the town’s mind, this solidified the existence of evil in their midst. They thought they could trust the women when in fact they were the ones responsible for their misfortune.”

“They turned fast.”

“Sure did. They demanded that the witches release their children and leave. So, here’s where the records get hazy. The version at the historical society says the women lifted their curse, packed their bags and left willingly. But I did some digging.”

Dante grins. “Of course you did.”

“There are a lot of people with a lot of opinions who passed down information they are more than happy to share over a cup of tea. So, I accidently-on-purpose bumped into a few andasked some questions. Now, here’s my thoughts based on the pieces I put together.”

I pause to glance around us. I hadn’t been paying attention to our destination, but we seem to be halfway through Clover Lake Park.

Seeing no point turning back now, I continue us along.

“I think they burned them. I think they waited the women out until the next rainfall when the salt circle melted, went in and dragged them out.” I stop as the hot tang of anger simmers in my gut. “One of the people I talked to mentioned the Ashwood Barn being where thematter was settled.But there’s a legend amongst the kids that the witches were taken to Hemlock Island and burned. I’ve been to Ashwood. Unless they built the barn over top, I didn’t see any evidence. Granted, this happened two hundred years ago so there might not be any. Anyway, that’s why we don’t call it Halloween. The devil already came to Jefferson once. We don’t want him to get summoned again.”

“Christ,” Dante sighs. “What happened to the town children? Did they get better?”

“It was chicken pox. Remember the merchant husband?” at his nod, I continue. “He contracted it while traveling, brought it home. Hetty’s baby was the first to get it, but babies died all the time back then. No one put two and two together. So, when the sickness spread, they blamed the supernatural and coincidence.”

“And that’s your favorite story?”

I roll my eyes. “No! Legend has it that on Halloween, if you go out towards Ashwood, you can hear voices telling you to come closer. There are people who swear they’ve seen a group of women in the woods just waiting.”

“For what?”

I shrug. “I think revenge.”

“It’s been two hundred years. Everyone responsible is dead.”

“But!” I stop on the path to face him. “Ghost time works differently from living time. Plus, ghosts can be confused when they first die. Or they’re gathering their energy.”

The hint of a grin crinkles around his eyes and the corner of his mouth. “I see you’ve given this some thought.”

Nodding vehemently, I take his hand and tug him along. “I actually have a theory. You see, I did some digging and you will never guess who started the whole thing.”

Dante shrugs. “Who?”

I bite my lip to stifle the urge to blurt it out too soon.

“Joyce Dymond ... Dolores Winslow’s great something grandmother.”

His eyes widen. “Seriously?”

I nod again. “It was her ancestors. I’m still working on it, but I bet I can find all the people responsible.”

“Obviously, the mayor,” he pipes in. “He would have known.”

“Definitely. The Ferguson family have been in charge of Jefferson since the beginning. Nothing happens here without them knowing.”

“So, what’s the plan once you uncover the mystery?”

I shoot him my best devious smirk. “I’m going to write out all their names, their current family’s names and addresses in a book and leave it in the woods.”

Dante cocks his head in my direction. “You little shit-disturber.”