13

Tonya drove Helen’s dark green Honda Civic east along Lakeshore Drive to the strip of parkland across the southern end of the city. Past campus, the lake narrowed at the eastern end of town, allowing Tonya to see the far shore. Elizabeth Carke, witch’s advocate, lived in a big waterfront house beside the park.

Leaving her car in the long driveway between houses, Tonya knocked at the side door, turning to appreciate the lake view while she waited. No answer. The last time she’d spoken to Carke had been at her trial. For Helen’s sake, Tonya hoped the advocate would do better this time.

Tonya knocked louder. Twice.

Eventually, Carke answered the door, her blonde hair tucked under a paint-stained cap.

“Do you have a minute?”

“A quick one.” Carke led Tonya inside, stooping to grab an empty liquor box on her way to the kitchen. She set it on the table. “What do you need?”

“Ashton Security arrested Helen.”

“I warned her this would happen if she testified you were innocent.”

“They’re charging her with murder.”

“Mayor Thornton will give both sides a fair hearing.” Carke took a stack of dishes from the cupboard, wrapped one in newspaper, and set it into the box.

“There shouldn’t be a hearing. Waldock was already dead when Helen forced him to materialize.”

“She used death magic in a public hospital.”

“How do you plan to defend her?”

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

“Folks are afraid of Helen, and the Mods are out for blood.”

“She’s not a murderer.”

“Doesn’t matter.” Carke bundled another dish in newspaper.

“If we prove she didn’t kill Waldock, they’d have to let her go, right?”

Carke put the dish in the box. “Public magic use is a misdemeanor, but Helen has enemies.” She picked up a stack of pink plastic dishes and shoved them into the box.

It was clear the advocate was fleeing the fight. “Helen told me Betty could vouch for her. Who’s Betty?”

“An extreme recluse. Lives on Grand Island. As teens, Helen says she had an affair with Waldock. They used to disappear for weeks. Poof, gone.” She mimed exploding fingers.

“Magically?”

“The last time they went missing, Waldock wouldn’t talk about it. He went back to hanging out with Len as if nothing happened.”

“So?”

“Betty never left the island.”

“They killed her?”

“No, she became a squatter.” Carke opened a cabinet and grabbed dishes willy-nilly, layering them into a box with newsprint. “When Helen met him, they’d just broken up.”

“Why would Betty stay on the island?”

Carke bit her knuckle, glancing sidelong at Tonya. “I don’t know.”

“Her testimony would have forced them to drop the charges.”

“She won’t talk to me.” Carke edged away, but Tonya moved with her.

“Convince Mayor Thornton. He can sway City Council and get Helen released.”

“Um, I think you should watch this.” Carke pulled a phone out of her pocket and opened the Old Family phone app.