I shoved my sister ahead of me. Her confusion would be helpful in making sure no fingers got pointed at her. “Go Kitty, I’ll see you there.”
Just as we were about to get in the police car, I glanced over my shoulder and noticed Lizzy and Jane pushing their way through the crowd and staring at us in shock. I slid onto the pleather seats of the patrol car. That conversation would have to wait until later.
Chapter 17
Eventhepolicestationwas decorated for Halloween. A glowing skull planter sat in the corner and fake wanted posters of famous characters fromThe Nightmare Before Christmaswere posted to the walls. On my way in, I noticed a countertop full of little pumpkin-shaped cookies with frosting in the shape of sheriff’s badges.
A pencil lay on the table and my fingers ached from writing my statement. Duchess perched next to it, as if supervising me. She reached out and swatted at the pencil as it rolled, then chased it as it fell onto the floor. I stretched as I waited, trying not to think too hard about what I wasactually doing. The door to the small room opened, and I straightened as Marge entered.
She picked up my paper and nodded. Then she fixed me with a compassionate stare. “I’m sorry for all the espionage and what not. Obviously, I couldn’t give myself away when your entire family was under investigation, but I want you to know that I enjoyed our chats.”
“I understand.”
“Why don’t you go home and get some rest? You appear as though you could use it.”
I nodded and headed for the door. Duchess padded along behind me.
“Did you ever spot him there, in the cemetery? My Johnny?”
I froze, my hand on the handle. “What?”
“I can tell you’re a medium.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Who else goes into a graveyard by themselves and starts speaking to no one? It’s nothing to be ashamed of,” she added. “Mediums who use their powers to help the dead are some of the most respected members of the witchcommunity. We don’t condemn them like the fae do. I was just wondering if you ever saw him. My Johnny.”
I shook my head. “I’m sorry, no.”
Her expression shifted to one of simultaneous relief and sadness. “Well, it’s good to know that he moved on.”
“Moved on?”
“Spirits of the dead sometimes linger for a reason. Some call it unfinished business. Only mediums can help them in resolving it to move on. So my respects to you, Mary Bennet, for taking your responsibility seriously.”
“Thank you.”
The older woman nodded. “I’ll see you later.”
I headed down the steps of the police station. Frank was there, waiting. I was pretty sure my mom couldn’t tell the police about him. After all, if she confessed to knowing Frank was a werewolf, she’d basically be giving herself away.
“I’m sorry.” I said softly to him. “I’m so sorry for what she did to you.”
His fingers ran over my skin, causing a rush of gentle heat throughout my body. “And how are you doing, my Mary?”
“Sh-she deserves it. She deserves to be arrested for the lives she uprooted and the futures she stole. She…” I wiped angrily at my eyes under my glasses. “She deserves justice, and…”
His arms wrapped around me. “And she’s your mother.”
The gentle understanding in his words after everything was what broke me. Tears fell onto my cheeks and a sob burst out of me. Frank, without a word, removed my glasses and tucked them into my pocket. I buried my face in his chest and cried.
“So that’s it. Your mom poisoned Frank in order to take possession of him to attack me. All over a man.” Isabella sat next to me on the bench at the cemetery the next day, watching Duchess hunt a butterfly that rested on the edge of a tombstone.
When she phrased it that way, it sounded so petty. I swallowed thickly and nodded. “I’m sorry, Isabella.”
“It’s not your fault,” she said. “You’ve done nothing but help me… I mean, after you first rejected me and scampered off like a frightened little mouse.”
“Thanks for that.”
