Miss Delia’s brow furrows. “Claude a boo hag? Is that why he’s been working against me, wedging himself between me and Taneea? If it’s true, there’s something bigger brewing, and an angle I can’t make out. What does he want?”
“I don’t know for sure. Except the hag said it didn’t matter that the Beaumont Curse had been broken. It had marked Cooper’s body and intended to get it. It said it was its destiny.” I swallow hard, remembering its vile stench and menacing words.
Claude and Sheriff Walker exit the house and step out onto the porch, accompanied by another deputy who’s carrying a box. I glance around for Taneea but she’s nowhere in sight. Which is a good thing because I don’t think I could be trusted not to plant my fists in her twisted, conniving face.
Claude thrusts his finger at us. “Get those children away from the prisoner!”
The deputy with the box charges down the steps, then over the flagstone path that winds through the garden.
Perking up, Miss Delia leans toward me through the open window. Her rheumy eyes radiate intensity. “Listen close. You’re safe during the day, but you’ve got to be ready near midnight when the boo hag hunts without its skin. I had you take the mortar out of here for a reason. It’s hasn’t been a full three days, but it might have had enough time to rest, especially since that last spell didn’t quite get off the ground. You know what to do. Use the Psychic Vision to learn where the hag hides its skin at night and then salt it through and through. And if you get the chance, lure that evil monster into the sunlight and fry it alive, once and for all.”
I nod, taking in her instructions. It’s a lot to pull off, but at least Miss Delia hasn’t given up yet.
Deputy Goodwin pushes through the gate. “I’m going to have to ask you kids to move on. We’ve got to get her to the station for processing.”
Miss Delia calls out the window, “Don’t forget the broom! Remember, they love to count.”
I smile and give her a thumbs-up. As we step away, I peer into the box in his hands. It’s filled with vials of prepared potions, oils, and other mixtures. I breathe a sigh of relief. There’s nothing in there I can’t replace by using the recipes in Miss Delia’s spell book.
My throat tightens as I watch them disappear down the road. Miss Delia’s gone and it’s all Claude’s fault.
I sniff at the wet stuff threatening to drip out my nose. Claude may think he’s won, but this isn’t over. Miss Delia has given me a plan, and I mean to see it through.
The sheriff and Claude approach the gate.
“Why hello, Emma. Delightful afternoon, isn’t?” Claude gazes down at me through round blue lenses. His bracing-white teeth almost seem to cast a light of their own. I don’t bother to greet him, but he doesn’t seem to notice. Or care. “You remember Miss Guthrie, and her little friends, don’t you, Sheriff?”
Sheriff Walker tips his ten-gallon hat. “Of course. Beau Beaumont’s boy, right?”
“Indeed, the sole heir to the Beaumont estate,” Claude adds, his lips parting in a serpentlike grin.
Cooper’s brow quirks as he eyes Claude warily, then turns toward the sheriff. “Yes, sir. I always wanted a brother or sister, but I guess it wasn’t meant to be.”
“On the bright side, there’s no one to fight over your inheritance with,” Claude says.
A tingle shivers up my scalp. Is that what this is all about? Possessing Cooper’s body to inherit the Beaumont fortune? Except Beau’s still alive so it’s not like there’s any rush. Though Beau hasn’t looked good lately and has been talking a lot about death.
“Why did you arrest Miss Delia?” Cooper asks.
The sheriff opens his mouth, but Claude cuts in. “We’ve got a strong suspicion Miss Whittaker was the mastermind behind this summer’s break-in at The King Center.”
Jack laughs. “You’re kidding, right?”
“I only wish I was, son,” Claude says. Only he doesn’t appear the least bit sad. In fact, he looks positively gleeful.
“You need more than suspicion to arrest someone,” I blurt as all respect for authority goes out the window. Because Claude will never, ever be an authority figure to me. And it’s not just because he cackled at the moon like a lunatic or that he’s obviously got a vendetta against Miss Delia or that my gut tells me he’s involved in Missy’s death and trying to frame Beau and might even be a boo hag. As bad as all that is, I’ll never forgive him for what he’s taught Taneea about hoodoo. The gambling charms were bad enough, but the allurement spell crossed all bounds.
Claude sneers. “A confidential informant is helping us build a case.”
The screened door slams. Taneea stands on the porch glaring at us, her hands planted firmly on her hips. She’s wearing yet another corset top, this one black with hot-pink polka dots, black capris, and black pumps. Her fugly bag is hiked over her shoulder and the locket is prominently displayed around her neck.
“I wonder who that informant might be?” I stare her down as my fists clench.
He shrugs. “They’re confidential for a reason.”
Right. So they can spin their lies in private. “And has your informant helped you find any stolen artifacts? A master plan written out on the back of an envelope? How about blueprints with the layout of the museum?”
Claude chuckles and turns to Sheriff Walker. “The children must watch a lot of television crime shows.”
The sheriff laughs. “I’m surprised she didn’t ask if we discovered any DNA.”
“Did you?” Jack asks, only half-sarcastically.
Sheriff Walker’s smile falls. “No, but we didn’t need any of those things, because she hasn’t been charged with those crimes. Yet.”
Cooper, Jack, and I exchange looks.
“Then why did they take her away in handcuffs?” Cooper asks.
“Our informant gave us a tip that Miss Delia’s a conjurer who dispenses medicines in the form of potions, oils, and gris-gris bags. It’s illegal to practice medicine in South Carolina without a license. She’s looking at up to a thousand dollars and two years of jail time for each offense.”
“That’s ridiculous,” Jack says.
“No, it’s the law. If y’all really care about her, I suggest you find her a good lawyer. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got to get back down to the station.” Sheriff Walker brushes past us to get to his car. Within seconds, he’s gone.
Taneea approaches the gate. Claude’s smile stretches wider than normal. “Ah, Taneea. Our work here is done. I trust you’ll be returning with me to the museum? We’ve got to update the board on our activities.”
Ignoring him, she keeps her eyes trained on Cooper. “I’ve been calling you all morning.” The words snap like the lash of a whip.
“I know,” he says.
“Why haven’t you picked up? And why aren’t you wearing your new clothes? Or your necklace?”
“Because they’re heinous.” Jack snickers.
“I’ll handle this, bro.” Cooper steps to the gate, meeting her face-to-face. “It’s over.” His voice is as deep as a well. Though his face looks perfectly calm, his body radiates anger.
She laughs. “That’s not how this works. I’ll tell you when it’s over.”
“That’s where you’re wrong. We found your doll. I’m done being your robot.”
Taneea’s jaw drops and her lids stretch wide. “What—”
Claude interjects, clasping Taneea’s shoulder. “It’s time to go. You two can work out this squabble later.”
Jerking out from under Claude’s grasp, she plasters a big fake smile across her face. “Doll? I don’t know what you’re talking about. You’re my Cooper Scooper, not my robot.” A nervous giggle escapes her lips as she reaches to brush a golden curl off his forehead.