Page 29 of Coven of Corpses

He started to leave the clearing, then stopped short. A flash of yellow had caught his eye. Stepping closer, he crouched and picked the object up. It was crime scene tape, all wadded up into a large, sticky ball.

“Looks like we’ve found the spot,” Demmy said from over his shoulder.

“Yeah, but someone else didn’t want it messing up the place,” Ollie said. “Maybe it messed up the esoteric Wiccan theme he was going for.”

Cody stood. “Okay, we’re definitely getting the hell out of here now.” He dropped the ball of tape, and it rolled across the leaf litter, picking up pine needles and leaves until it came to a rest against the trunk of a tree.

They followed the red shop towels back toward the road, Cody untying and handing them back to Demmy. When they stepped out of the trees, Cody shook his head at the sight of Ollie’s bright blue Ford parked behind his truck.

“What’s the head shake for?” Ollie asked.

“You might as well put up a sign telling everyone we’re looking for a crime scene,” Cody said as he stepped over the swale. Dried leaves and brown pine needles blanketed the stagnant water. Reaching back, he helped Demmy cross, then begrudgingly extended a hand to Ollie. He glared and jumped across without accepting help.

“So?” Ollie challenged, hands on hips.

“So, you’ve obviously never spent any time inside a Parson’s Hollow jail cell,” Cody said. “It’s not fun.”

“You’re even crankier than usual with your family in town,” Ollie said then looked at Demmy. “I’ll send you these pictures. Let me know if you come up with anything.”

“Thanks, I will,” Demmy said.

They watched Ollie get into his EcoSport and pull out onto the road, coming dangerously close to hitting Cody’s back bumper.

“Sassy little elf,” Cody muttered. “He did that on purpose.”

“No idea why,” Demmy said with a grin.

“Come on, I’ll drop you back at your truck.”

They got in the cab, and Cody had a thought as he pulled out on the road. “You said Amelia let you know about a body in the woods?”

“Yeah, last night.”

“Want to give her a call and put it on speakerphone?”

“Oh, sure. Hold on.” A moment later, Demmy held the phone between them, and they listened to the line ringing.

“Hi, Demetrius,” Amelia said. “Everything all right?”

“Yep, all good. I’m here with Cody, and we had a couple of questions about the police cars someone saw last night.”

“Also, I’m on my way to work, in case my family members ask,” Cody said.

“With Demetrius in the truck?” Amelia asked, and Cody could hear the humor in her voice.

“You’re too quick for me, Amelia,” Cody said.

“Otis was the one who talked with Isaac, hold on.” They heard her call for Otis, and a moment later his deep voice came on the line.

“Hey fellas,” Otis said. Demmy repeated their question, and he grunted. “I didn’t hear it from Isaac at first. I heard it from Douglas. He said there were a couple of sheriff’s cars out this way. Just east of the wiggle.”

Demetrius exchanged a puzzled look with Cody. “That’s the second time we’ve heard that phrase today. What is it?”

“The wiggle,” Otis said, as if that was explanation enough. “You boys haven’t heard it called that?”

“Is this something I’m going to wish I hadn’t learned today?” Cody said. He glanced at the clock on his dash. “I’m heading to work after this. Please don’t add any more layers of trauma on top.”

“Oh, hemlock trees,” Amelia said in the background. “You’re so dramatic.”