“I mean those tunnels have sheltered more’n trolls. They’re part of a network that runs through this island. I know of two other orchards that connect to ours.”
Rose came off her chair and stood protectively in front of Abigail. “Tanner, Calliope, I think these two have had enough questions for one day. River and I can stay until tomorrow. Then I have a date with Calliope over the weekend.”
Her stern voice and withering look conveyed that she would not be argued with, about either point, yet I was surprised to hear my weekend was spoken for. I hadn’t started taking the herbal tinctures Belle had given me; even if I had, it was far too soon for results. Or maybe I didn’t need to have my period for this particular ritual.
“One more question, Rose,” I said, lifting my hand like I was back in grade school, “and then we can call it a day.” Clifford looked to his wife and they nodded in agreement. “You returned to the house after your walk Sunday evening.”
“That’s right. Went to bed around ten.”
“Did anything unusual happen on Monday?”
“The realtor that pesters us about selling stopped by, like she does most every Monday. Said she had a new client who was very interested in acquiring orchards. I stuck her card on the side of the refrigerator, underneath one of those big magnets from the hardware store.”
“Can you describe what she looked like?”
Cliff turned to Abi. “You have a better eye for that sort of thing.”
She nodded. “She always dressed in a skirt and jacket. Short, dark brown hair. Not what I would call a soft woman, all angles. And not very amiable, considering she wanted our business. She never once stayed for tea.”
“And after she left?”
Cliff and Abi exchanged confused glances. “Next thing I remember was waking up with Abi lying next to me. And an awful headache.”
Chapter 9
“What’s your take on all this?” Tanner asked when River returned from helping Rose escort the older couple into the house for a rest. “You’ve been with them for two days. Have they mentioned anything else?”
The two men and I headed to the newer section of the orchard with the intention of looping around to collect water samples from the three ponds before finishing with the section of trees that housed the tunnels. Tanner took over labelling the individual vials and bags as I handed them to him.
River placed marks on a map to indicate where the samples had been taken. “Neither of them mentioned the realtor before today,” he said, digging into a back pocket, “but the business card was stuck to the side of the fridge.”
He handed the card to Tanner, who passed it to me.
“I don’t recognize her name, but she works for my ex-husband’s family,” I said.
When I flipped the card, the familiar tingle of magic prickled along my skin and the printing on the front disappeared.
“Tanner, quick, write this down.” I recited the name and phone number and handed over the piece of paper. “Bag this too. It might be useless, but I want to keep it just in case.”
“Will you look at that.” Tanner examined the now blank business card and swore under his breath. “Clever.”
Clever—not a word I would use when describing Doug. But his mother? The mounting connections to the Flechette family were putting me on edge. I stuffed back my discomfort to mull over later. “River, want to check out the tunnels? Plenty of light.”
“I’m game.”
“I want to go down too,” I said. If staying front and center in this investigation meant I had to confront old fears, I was ready. Mostly. Maybe it would help knowing Tanner and River didn’t seem the types to toss taunts down the ladder and refuse to help me if I freaked out underground. After Cliff’s story, and this morning’s wild ride, I needed to see and experience the tunnels for myself.
“I wonder if Cliff has a map.”
“Bet he does.”
We looked at each other before mutually deciding to forego the map.
“Shall we each take a tree?” asked River.
Tanner shook his head and crossed his arms over his chest. “One of us should stay above ground. You two feel free to explore.”
“Fair enough. You might be a little on the long side anyways. Calli, do you know where you want to start?”
I smiled at River’s reference to Tanner’s height and closed my eyes. Sniffing at the sun-warmed air led me to the grass, beyond its roots, and into what lay below the field and rocks. I shifted my weight, opened my eyes, and pointed to the tree tugging at my pant legs. “That one, the second one in.”
River strode past. “I’ll take the farthest. See you in a bit.”
“If you were investigating this alone,” Tanner asked, once River was no longer within earshot, “what would you do?”
“Create a grid, take samples of plant matter and soil like we’ve been doing, and photographs too.”
“What else? What would you do, as a witch?”
I laughed. “I’d take off my boots and read the ground and the trees.”
“So do that.” He slipped his feet out of his flip flops and waited at the edge of the path for me to do the same.
“I think I want to keep my feet in my boots during my first foray underground.” I waggled my fingers in his direction. “These should be enough for now.”
Tanner smiled. “Okay, partner.”
Reassured, I detoured off the curving path to where I’d heard the humming the day before, the loud thump-thump in my chest a clear warning I was about to step out of my comfort zone. Way out. I had something to prove to Tanner and River—and myself. It was time to bring my magical talents to the forefront.
Clifford said the tunnels were places of refuge. I swept my flashlight’s beam over the interior of the tree trunk before directing it down the ladder.
Here goes nothing.
After a twist, a wiggle and a push, my feet met solid ground on
