Green Witch, Dead Witch

Dead Witch

(Det. Annie Avants #4)

by

RENEE BENZAIM

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title Page

Table of Contents

Introduction

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Chapter 33

Chapter 34

Chapter 35

Chapter 36

Chapter 37

Chapter 38

Chapter 39

Chapter 40

Chapter 41

Chapter 42

Chapter 43

Chapter 44

Chapter 45

Chapter 46

Chapter 47

Chapter 48

Chapter 49

Chapter 50

Chapter 51

Chapter 52

Chapter 53

Chapter 54

Chapter 55

Chapter 56

Chapter 57

Chapter 58

Chapter 59

Chapter 60

Chapter 61

Epilogue

Sample from FLY ON THE WALL

Renee's Story

Thank YOU!

Author's Note

Cast of Characters

Copyright

INTRODUCTION

Yes, there really are green witches. But they aren't made of chocolate and won't melt when you throw water on them. In fact, there are many green witches around the world . . . and white witches, gray witches, good witches, evil witches, garden witches, kitchen witches, cottage witches, and many more. Each person who makes the decision to follow the path of witch, creates his or her own journey.

A green witch is a nature-based witch. Green witches believe that all things are connected and have their own energy. When they perform magic, they use the gifts of nature - herbs, crystals, rocks, plants, flowers, etc. They respect and follow the phases of the moon. They respect the four elements - air, water, fire, and earth. Some add a fifth element - spirit - the universal life spirit that lives in all things.

They have a code - An Ye Harm None - Do What Ye Will. What does this mean? Some translate it to mean: if it is not going to hurt anyone, it is OK to do. (See Appendix A).

The witches in this story are green witches. I haven't made up a witch persona and I'm not making up a mythical world that my witches inhabit. They live in Kern County just like anyone else. They live among us. They are our friends and neighbors.

PROLOGUE

Bakersfield, California

Sunday 11 p.m.

September 22, 2013

The dark gray SUV pulled up just before the intersection of California Avenue and Elm Street. The streets of Bakersfield were quiet on this cool Sunday evening.

The moon was just two days past full, and the silvery light shone down on the long blond hair of the young woman as she stepped out of the passenger door of the SUV.

She turned back when she heard the 'whoosh' of the window as it rolled down.

Are you sure you want to walk the rest of the way? the driver said.

The blond-haired woman chuckled. I'm fine, but thanks for the offer. It's only a few blocks and I like to walk around my quiet neighborhood this time of night.

Okay. I'll catch up with you later in the week, her friend said, as she pulled the SUV away from the curb and continued east on California Avenue.

Alina Lupei watched the vehicle for a moment. Then, she turned and headed for her home.

As she walked down Elm Street, she thought, I'm tired. I'm ready to get a good night's sleep. I did enjoy today, though. It was nice to touch base with some of my old friends again.

She wrapped her ankle-length black wool cloak around her slender body and tucked her long blond hair beneath the hood. The weather wasn't cold, but it soon would be. Her cloak was lined with sage green satin and kept her warm even though she only wore a simple cotton garment underneath.

Tall, mature trees lined the streets in this old neighborhood and made many sections of her route dark. The street lights were quaint and old-fashioned and didn't give off much light.

As she crossed Park Street and approached Sunshine Avenue, the hair on the back of her neck bristled. She slowed down and listened, but only silence greeted her. Something close at hand had put her senses on high alert.

What did I hear? she wondered.

When she reached the street lamp at the corner, she paused again and looked around. The feeble light bathed her upturned face in its glow, and caused the few strands of hair that had escaped her hood to shimmer. It also illuminated the apprehension on her face. She didn't see anyone, but she couldn't ignore the sense of danger that assaulted her senses. An involuntary shiver ran down her spine. I need to get inside and bolt my door, she thought. I don't like this one bit.

She ran past the adobe wall that surrounded her corner property. She unlocked the wrought-iron gate on her right that was inset just off the sidewalk. A short brick path led to a second, locked gate, in the fence that surrounded her patio.

She clicked the latch of the small gate and hurried to the taller gate. Her right hand shook as she fumbled to insert the key into the lock. There was a single palm tree next to the gate which gave a break in the tree cover, and the moon beamed down on her face as she looked back over her shoulder. She still didn't see anyone, but she felt a presence.

She unlocked the gate and hurried inside, then turned back to the gate so she could lock it behind her. She breathed a sigh of relief as she whirled around to climb the shallow brick steps that led to her kitchen door.

Then she saw her stalker. Her eyes opened wide in terror. You?

She had no time to scream before the killer plunged the dagger deep into her heart.

As her body slumped forward, her left hand grasped for the person who held her, and she scratched the face of her murderer.

* * *

Her attacker caught her before she fell to the ground, wrapped her in her long cloak, and left the dagger intact for the moment. Her keys dangled in her now-lifeless right hand. The murderer took them from her, pushed the unlocked gate open, and entered the side yard on the east side of the house.

The killer stooped low and gathered Alina in his arms and carried her through the side yard and around to the front of the house. Several large trees cast the area into shadow and the adobe wall stood between the murderer and both roads.

The killer waited in the shadows for several minutes to make sure there was no one about, then carried Alina across the street to the SUV. The cargo area had been lined with plastic and that's where Alina was gently laid.

The murderer knew, without a doubt, that some physical evidence had been left behind, but it couldn't be helped. When the investigators identified the victim and came to her home, they would find a little blood, but no traceable fingerprints or footprints. If no one had noticed the SUV parked across the street, the police would have few clues to process.

CHAPTER 1

Elk Hills Road

Monday 8:00 a.m.

September 23, 2013

Deputy Raoul Hermosillo, of the Kern County Sheriff's Office, pulled his unit up behind an old red pick-up truck where an elderly man stood. Deputy Hermosillo's partner, Deputy Darla Baker, rode with him. The old man was dressed casually in worn-out denim overalls, a plaid flannel shirt, and generic hunting boots.

The man had called 911 to report that he had spotted a body lying in the brush along the east side of Elk Hills Road, just before the turn off to the landfill.

The two deputies sat in their unit for a minute so Deputy Baker could radio in the license plate of the reporting party's vehicle. No surprise, it came back to an older model red pick-up truck.

The deputies exited their unit and walked in the direction of the nervous man. I'm Deputy Hermosillo and this is Deputy Baker, Deputy Hermosillo said.

The deputy glanced across the road and saw what appeared to be the body of a young woman lying on her back just a few yards in from the side of the road and partially concealed by brush.

The man looked upset and Deputy Hermosillo was concerned for his health. He appeared to be in his late sixties to early seventies. Are you okay, Sir, he asked.

Yeah, yeah. I'm okay. This just ain't how I planned to start my day.

I can understand that, Deputy Hermosillo said. If you'll stay here, please, Deputy Baker will take your statement.

Sure thing, the man said, his voice shook as he wiped his forehead with a much-used red print handkerchief he pulled from the pocket of his overalls. I've seen enough to give me bad dreams for a long time to come.

As Deputy Hermosillo walked to the body, Deputy Baker pulled out her notebook. Your name, sir, and could you show me some ID?

Yep, just hold on a minute and I'll it from my glove box.

He handed Deputy Baker his driver's license and registration. After she looked them over, she noted his name in her notebook and on the log. Brady Metcalf. Okay, Mr. Metcalf, take your time and tell me what happened as well as you can remember.

If you look back up the road a bit, he said, as he pointed north along Elk Hills Drive, you'll see a dead garter snake lying half-on, half-off the road. I dry snake skins with salt and make hat bands. He reached inside the cab of his truck and pulled out an old straw hat with a snakeskin headband. Deputy Baker looked at it, nodded, and he put the hat back in his truck.

I swerved a little so I wouldn't run over the snake and ruin part of his skin. When I swerved, it gave me a different angle, and I spotted what looked like a body in the bushes. I skidded to a stop and stepped up on my running board to get a better look. Sure 'nuff, it was a nude body just lying there. I didn't step away from my running board, not even to collect the snakeskin. I just grabbed my cell phone and dialed 911.

What were you doing out here this time of the day? Deputy Baker said.

I was headed for the dump. I have a load of hedge trimmings and other garbage in the back of my truck.

She looked in the back of the truck to verify what he said.

And at no time did you stray from the side of your truck?

That's right. I weren't goin' nowhere near a dead body.

Okay, Mr. Metcalf. Here's my card. If you think of anything else, please give us a call. In the next day or two, could you come to the office and sign a type-written statement? It'll be ready for you at the front desk.

No problem. I'd like to throw that snake into the back of my truck and take it home, if it's okay.

Sorry, sir. You'd better leave it for forensics to collect. I'll tell them you want it and they can give it to you after they're through with their work.

Oh, okay, he said. He got back in his truck, pulled out slowly, and headed for the dump. They didn't see him return when he'd finished.

I guess he'd seen enough for one day, Deputy Baker said to Deputy Hermosillo later. He probably went down to 119 and went home that way.

I don't blame him, Deputy Hermosillo said. He was pretty upset.

* * *

Deputy Hermosillo approached the body carefully. He wanted to make sure he didn't contaminate the crime scene. He squatted next to the body and checked for any vital signs. He wasn't surprised when he found none. He made note of the date, time, and his present location as he recorded the Determination of Death. The Deputy Coroner would need this Discovery History for his official records.

He stood up and radioed dispatch.

Control 1, West 6.

West 6?

Affirmative 901H, 187. Cancel the med unit and dispatch a Deputy Coroner, Technical Investigations, and the detectives from the Robbery/Homicide Unit.

10-4 West 6.

Deputy Hermosillo looked down at the body. Well, I wonder what you were up to that got you into this predicament? he said softly.

She was nude and her eyes were partly open. She died with a look of surprise on her face. Her long blond hair was fanned out around her head; her right arm was flung to the side, and her left arm was by her left side. She was lying flat on her back, but her body didn't look arranged.

Her legs were slightly splayed, but there was no sign of blood or trauma on her inner thighs to indicate sexual assault.

A pretty girl. Such a shame, he thought.

Without moving from his current position, he scanned the area carefully to see if there were any kinds of evidence he should note for the Deputy Coroner. Nothing stood out, not even footprints or drag marks.

He took some notes about the ambient conditions and then backed off to wait for the Deputy Coroner.

Within minutes, Deputies Malcolm Jones and Danny Kamaguchi arrived. They marked off a path to the side of the crime scene with yellow crime scene tape. This path was for the use of anyone who needed access to the crime scene. The use of the path would prevent any trace evidence from being compromised. Deputy Baker assembled her clipboard and paperwork and started the documentation of everyone who arrived at the scene, including the reporting party and the first responders.

CHAPTER 2

Kern County Sheriff's Office

Robbery/Homicide Unit

Monday 8:30 a.m.

September 23, 2013

Sgt. Collins was one tough lady. She entered police work twenty-five years earlier when women had to work harder than men to prove they could handle the job - and weren't taking a job away from a man who had a family to support. They had to prove they were one of the guys.

She started on the streets of St. Louis, Missouri and ended at the Kern County Sheriff's Office in Bakersfield, California seven years ago. The last four years she had been the Sergeant of the Robbery/Homicide Unit, with six deputies under her command.

The deputies in the Robbery/Homicide Unit were divided into three two-person teams. Annie Avants and Tom Weston were one team, and had been partners since January of 2010.

Sometimes Sgt. Collins loved her work, but sometimes she hated it. This was one of those times. She leaned back in her chair and steepled her fingers under her chin. I'm fortunate to have six good detectives working under me, she said. Especially when the tough cases come in.

Just five minutes before, she had received a call from dispatch:

Sgt. Collins, she said as she grabbed her phone.

Sgt, this is dispatch. We have an alleged 901H in the vicinity of 13351 Elk Hills Road, south of Valley West Road. The deputy first responders are requesting a detective team to meet with them at the scene.

What can you tell me?

The victim is a white female adult approximately 25 - 30 years of age, nude, with what appears to be a stab wound to the chest. At this time, no weapon has been found at the scene and there is minimal blood. Deputy Coroner Schillings and the Technical Investigations team are responding.

I'll send two detectives ASAP, she said, as she hung up the phone.

A dead body was not a good way to start Monday morning.

She sat back in her chair and considered the dilemma that faced her. This time of year, her unit was busy, and the only detective team available was Annie and Tom. Unfortunately, she had just approved a one week vacation for Annie, who was going to Hawaii with Deputy District Attorney Jesse Greyeyes. They needed this break to sort out their on-again, off-again romance. Annie could refuse the assignment if she wanted to. For Sgt. Collins, this was a major problem.

She picked up her phone and rang Annie's desk. I need you. Will you and Det. Weston come into my office? It's important.

* * *

Detective Annie Avants sat at her desk as she reviewed several home invasion/robbery reports.

One of the overhead fluorescent lights emitted an intermittent buzz. This annoyance distracted Annie from her work and she could feel a headache coming on.

I wish someone would fix that bulb, she thought. She glared at the offending bulb just as it buzzed again, as if to mock her.

Detective Avants wasn't in the best of moods on this sunny Monday morning. Since she never knew what the day might bring, she dressed for functionality, not show. Her 'standard' uniform consisted of comfortable slacks, sensible shoes, and a jacket to cover her Glock 9mm. Her 5'6" frame was a slim 130 pounds and she kept herself physically fit. The uninspiring clothes she wore this day depressed her even further. I should come to work wearing a mini-skirt and a low-cut top exposing my cleavage. That would perk things up around here. They'd probably transfer me to Vice to work as an undercover hooker.

These moods weren't frequent, but happened when she felt like she was losing control of her life or about to make a decision she would live to regret.

Her partner's desk faced hers. She looked up as Tom Weston plopped down in his chair.

Uh oh, he said, as he pulled a cup of her favorite take-out coffee from a sack and handed it to her. Where is our sweet, charming Southern Belle today? Did you leave her at home?

She shot him a warning look that said she wasn't in the mood for his teasing, but her face relaxed a little as he pulled a pumpkin scone out of the bag and offered it to Annie.

She gave him a weak smile as she glanced up at the light fixture when it buzzed again.

Thanks for the coffee and the scone, Tom. I'd be a lot happier if maintenance would replace that light bulb. It's driving me nuts.

She took a sip of her coffee, closed her eyes, leaned back in her chair, and sighed.

After another blissful sip, she opened her eyes and saw Tom staring at her.

What? she said.

Can I be blunt?

Annie choked on her coffee and said, When aren't you?

Wait one minute, Tom said as he picked up the phone and called maintenance to come replace the light bulb.

See how easy that was, Annie? When you have a problem, just fix it.

He took a sip of his coffee as he regarded Annie, who waited expectantly for whatever 'truth' he was about to lay on her.

Okay, he said. You've been a grump ever since you agreed to go to Hawaii with Jesse. I'm not the only one who's noticed. Even Jesse cornered me outside the District Attorney's office and asked if I thought maybe the trip was a mistake because of how you've been acting.

Annie didn't say anything. She just watched as two maintenance men arrived with their ladders and replaced the buzzing bulb.

You've been discussing me behind my back? Annie said. I don't like that. My feelings and moods are my business. If Jesse has a problem with me, he should talk to me, not you.

Well, sweetums, you've been so unapproachable that he's afraid if he says anything, you'll light into him like a tigress. So, he kept his mouth shut. But he's concerned.

Annie sat quietly and thought about what Tom had said. She knew it was true, but she wasn't ready to admit it - not yet, anyway.

I wish Sunnie would do something about that over-cooked pot of coffee sludge in the break room. That might help make my life bearable.

Sunnie is our Administrative Support, not the housekeeper. Did you ever consider going into the break room, turning off the coffee machine, and dumping the sludge down the drain? Maybe even making a fresh pot of coffee?

Annie thumped down her coffee cup and stomped off to the break room. Tom and the other four detectives could hear her doing exactly as Tom had suggested.

When she came out of the break room, everyone clapped.

A sheepish grin lit up Annie's face.

Sorry, guys. I know I've been a grouch lately.

When she sat back down at her desk, Tom looked her in the eye and said, "You need to have a heart-to-heart talk with Jesse about this