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I gently led May over to one of the benches and motioned for the sheriff to follow us. “Have a seat, please.”
The sheriff looked at me. “How do you do, ma’am? I’m Sheriff Daisy Parker. You’re new in town, correct? Bree’s friend?”
“Bree Loomis? Yes, she’s my best friend. We’ve known each other since high school,” I said. “And yes, I’m Elphyra MacPherson. I moved here from Port Townsend about five months ago.”
“Good to meet you.” She held out a hand and I shook it. “I’m sorry we have to meet under these circumstances, but life is what it is.” The sheriff turned to May. “Again, I’m so sorry to be the bearer of bad news.”
“What happened? Who killed her?”
“That we don’t know, in terms of who the murderer is. As to what happened…” She pulled out a tablet, looking uncertainly at May. “This is pretty graphic…”
“You know I’m made of stern stock,” May said. She straightened. “I can take it. You caught me by surprise.”
Still looking hesitant, the sheriff raised her tablet. If she had pictures on it, she didn’t show either of us. “Olivia’s daughter reported her missing yesterday. Since Olivia has several major health concerns, we sent out a search party. A neighbor reported that Olivia had told her she was going to go berry picking. Salmonberries and wild raspberries are in season. She wasn’t home when her daughter Lani arrived for dinner.”
“Lani’s a good girl. She loves her mother.” May’s voice was strained.
“Yes, well, she has a key to her mother’s house, so she was able to get in. She found no sign of her mother, but Olivia’s purse was there, as was her car, though her wallet and phone were missing. Lani was afraid that Olivia might have had a low blood sugar seizure, so she called her mother, but there was no answer. She let herself in and waited, calling every ten minutes. A half hour later, she called us.”
“That’s not like Olivia. She answers her phone religiously,” May said.
“That’s what Lani told us. We sent out a search and rescue team to the berry patches near Olivia’s home—there are two major picking spots. The search dogs picked up on her scent and followed the track deeper into the woods, where they found…what’s left of her.” The sheriff winced. “She was… It’s not going to be an open casket.”
I paled, queasy. May surprised me, remaining stalwart and steady.
“Could she have been attacked by an animal?” I asked.
“We thought so at first, but the coroner says no. She was literally torn to pieces. Somebody went ape-shit crazy on her.” The sheriff shook her head. “We’ll know more when the full autopsy is finished. Meanwhile, May, I was wondering if you know whether Olivia had any enemies?”
May frowned, thinking. “Everybody loved Olivia. I mean,everybody. I don’t think the woman ever rubbed anybody the wrong way. Although she won every pie baking contest at the fair, no one ever begrudged her the accolades. Even me. Winning the preserve category’s enough for me.”
“What about her daughter?” the sheriff asked. “We have to check out relatives first.”
“No, absolutely not. Lani loves her mother. There’s scant to inherit. Olivia has never had much money. Just her house, and Lani’s house is nicer than that. I know that the girl had some problems when she was younger—she ended up in rehab,” May said. “But she’s been clean and sober for years.”
As I listened to them, an odd feeling crept over me—a dark shadow that lurked just out of sight. I wasn’t sure if it was a premonition, or my own reaction to the violence.
“Elphyra?”
Startled, I realized that the sheriff was talking to me. “I’m sorry, I was thinking.”
“I was wondering if you have any scrying abilities? May helps us out at times, but we could use a fully trained psychic or witch in town again. It’s been awhile.” She was staring at me, her eyes a striking hazel color.
I blinked. “Actually, yes. I’m adept in divination and scrying. Why?”
“The last seer who lived in town was helpful to the department when we needed her. I thought…” She paused, then smiled.
I realized that she was asking me, without asking, if I’d volunteer to help out. While I could say no, I knew I’d been recruited. Given I was new in town and wanted to make a good impression, I decided to roll with it. Crossing the police was never a good thing.
“Sure. If I can help, just ask.” I cleared my throat. “For what it’s worth, I felt an odd shadow appear when you were talking about the murder. I warn you, I have PTSD, so I’m not sure if it was anxiety over the thought of Olivia’s death, or if it’s something else.” I wanted to lay all my cards on the table. I had no intention of leading the sheriff on a wild goose chase.
Daisy Parker simply nodded. “We all carry baggage. I’ll take that into account. Can you describe the feeling?”
I shrugged. “I’m not sure—as I said, it felt like a dark shadow. Anger, I think. Or maybe…I don’t know. Resentment, maybe? Or…hunger?” I closed my eyes but the energy had retreated.
After a moment, the sheriff stood. “I’ve taken up enough of your time. Thank you. And May, I am truly sorry.”
“Daisy, Olivia never made an enemy. At least, not as long as I’ve known her,” May said. “Whoever did this couldn’t have been a personal enemy.”
