Aaron nodded. “I have to go. I’ll see you tomorrow.” He hung up. “What is it?”
“It looks like there was trouble in one of the fields last night. I could see it from the roof. I was going to check it out and figured you’d want to come with me.”
“Sure.” He reached for his cap. “What kind of trouble?”
“There was a fire up in the top field. It looks like arson, in which case we need to ring the police.”
Aaron froze as he put his cap on his head. “We’ll see what we find up there, first. You can drive the Jeep. It’ll be quicker than walking.”
Now what was he going to do? He was sure he was over-imagining things. Really what did he think happened? He didn’t see anything other than the bonfire last night. And how would it sound if he did call the authorities? “Hello, to whom would I speak about a possible demonic ritual being performed on my farm without my permission?” He’d be certified insane and locked up in a heartbeat. Plus which, if he told them what Meggie had said, it’d be hearsay and not count.
He was certain they wouldn’t find anything other than a circle of ash. If this continued he’d have to involve the police at some point, but he didn’t want them up here until after the church bonfire. Too much work had gone into the event to raise red flags over his paranoia.
What was it Tanis had said to him as a boy when he’d asked about his mother and what he thought he’d seen on the top field a few times?
You hate me because your mother is gone, and I am not her. I am sorry your mother died Aaron. And I know you want me to be the bad guy here, but I loved your mother very much. She was my stepsister, and her death hurt me, too.
Then she’d insisted he was delusional.
Maybe he still was. Maybe he hadn’t seen his mother die. Maybe that was a dream and what Tanis told him was reality. He didn’t know anymore.
He walked with Hal to the Jeep. Just as he opened the door, a car pulled into the farmyard. Two men dressed in suits, ties and overcoats got out. Aaron sighed. Cops.
“Can I help you?” he asked.
They both pulled out ID cards. The shorter, dark haired man nodded. “DS Holmes, this is DS Philips. Are you Aaron Field?”
“Yes, I am.” He recognized DS Holmes from church on Sunday. He’d been shaking hands on the door as he went in.
“We had a report of a possible murder here last night.”
Aaron kept his face straight. “Really? Here?”
Nate Holmes nodded. “We have to check it out, you understand.”
“Of course. But as far as I am aware…” he broke off. Lying to the cops was a whole other kettle of fish to simply not reporting a crime. “The only thing that happened here last night was a fire. We were just on our way to check out the damage.”
The look the two cops exchanged didn’t escape him. “Do you mind if we come, too?”
“Of course not. You want to follow in your car or ride in the Jeep with us?”
“We’ll come with.”
Great…now what do I do?
****
A large circle of ash lay just where Aaron knew it would. The same place it always was. There were no visible bones or knives, blood, or anything else incriminating. The police officers took samples of the ash, asked two dozen difficult questions before Hal drove them all back down to the farm yard.
Aaron watched the car drive away.
“Should we build the church fire on the existing ash circle, boss?”
Terror shot through him. The last place he wanted the church group was there, in the same place that ritual had taken place. “No, we’ll use the field I originally set aside. The top one is too far for everyone to walk to. Actually, send Clive up there with the tractor. I want the whole field ploughed.”
“Now? Won’t that interfere with the police investigation?”
He jerked his head. “They’ve got their samples. We’ll plough and then seed it. We’ll leave the ash circle alone, just in case the police need to come back at some point. We should have enough rape seed in the yellow barn. Perhaps that will keep whoever did this away.”
“It’s worth a try.”
“I would do it myself, but…” He waved his plastered arm and winced. “It’s time for more pain meds, I think.”
“Yeah.” Hal did up his jacket against the chill wind. “Then you can direct me pacing out and roping off the area for the fireworks. After lunch that is. You’re joining us in the barn today.”
Aaron smiled. “Thanks, I’d like that.”
“Any idea who called the police?”
“I have an idea.” One handed he pulled up his collar to ward off the chill in the air.
****
Meggie packed away the bricks, not sure where the toddlers got their energy from. They had bounced from sand to water to bricks to the craft and back again, before finally settling for story and song time. The mother and baby/toddler group was well attended by local and church families alike and she loved helping out there.
Janice, the church secretary, appeared on the balcony above the hall. “Meggie, have you got a minute to come and sign this paperwork for me?”
“Sure.” She stood and brushed the sand from her jeans as she headed to the stairs. The problem with sand was it carried so easily and got everywhere.
“All ready for the bonfire?” Janice asked as she entered the room.
Meggie picked up the pen, scrawling her name on the bottom of the papers. “Yeah, I think so. After I finish downstairs, I’m heading over to the farm to take the urns and stuff over. Everything is coming from the kitchen here, right?”
Janice nodded. “Yeah.”
“Tidy.” She gave the papers back.
“Thanks for that. Means I can get them sent off now, rather than having to wait until tomorrow.”
“OK.” Meggie headed back downstairs. Two men stood in the center of the room. One of them was using sign language to communicate with one of the ladies from the church who helped with the babies. From the smile on Adeline’s face, Meggie’d guess it was Adeline’s husband, Nate Holmes. He was an elder and she knew he was a cop.
Adeline pointed and he turned to look across the room at her. The police were here to see
her
? Had something happened to her parents and her brothers?
“Miss Knight?”
She forced a calming breath into her lungs, praying she’d have the strength to deal with whatever disaster had befallen her. “Yes?”
He held up his ID. “DS Holmes. We’re investigating a report of a murder, and your name came up in the course of our inquiries. Were you at Maranatha Farm yesterday?”
“I was.” Panic flooded her. A
murder?
Was Aaron all right? They thought she was involved in a murder? She fought to keep her voice steady. “The church is hiring the land for the weekend bonfire. I’ve been up there most days over the past couple of weeks helping with the preparation for it.”
“What time did you leave last night?”
“Just before the storm hit, so about seven or seven-thirty. I got home just after eight.”
“Did you see or hear anything while you were there?”
“No. I got there around three. Farmer Field and I made the guy and had something to eat. Then I left.”
“You didn’t see anything at all? Not even the fire?”
Her stomach plummeted into her shoes at the speed of light. “
Fire?
What fire? Is Aaron all right?”
“He’s fine. So, you didn’t see the fire at all?”
She shook her head, chewing on her bottom lip, worry and fear spiking. “No.”
“OK. Well, if you remember anything, here’s my card, give me a call.”
She took it. “I will.” She looked down at the card, her mind racing. A fire? Why hadn’t Aaron called her? How much damage had been done? Was he hurt? Was it the house or land somewhere? Maybe if she asked, DS Holmes would give her more information.
When she looked up the officers had gone and she was alone. She finished tidying up and loaded her car in double quick time. She had to get out to the farm and check on Aaron.
19
But you, O Lord, be not far off. O my Strength, come quickly to help me. Psalm 22:19
It really was amazing what you could accomplish one handed. Aaron paced and held the thick rope, while Hal knocked in the stakes and tied off the line to each one in turn.
The sound of plowing echoed over the hillside. He just hoped nothing would be raked up. The last thing he needed was the cops back again, this time really conducting a murder investigation. Should he have said something? He wasn’t sure. The problem was, he had no proof. Other than the half hidden memories of a scared nine-year-old. And without proof, they’d do nothing. The accusation would only serve to annoy Tanis even further.
Would his silence mean he was guilty of complicity? OK, he’d asked his lawyer, but Gareth’s specialty wasn’t criminal law. Or would his silence merely mean what it did? That he was scared. Scared of the consequences of speaking out. Would anyone believe him?
This was the first time he’d remembered his mother’s death. Or was that a false memory? Was there even a body in his mother’s grave? Had his father known how she really died? He must have done, unless—
He shook his head. Too many thoughts circled his mind, confusing him. What was real and what wasn’t? He shivered and glanced up.
A crow sat on the stake next to him that Hal had just installed. It stared unblinkingly at him, the yellow eyes boring into his soul. Was it the same crow from before?
Crow. Stormcrow. Drake.
He tilted his head. The bird did actually look like Drake. It had the same arrogant look, tilt of head and the feather on its head looked like the quiff Drake had over his forehead.
Oh, now you’re being stupid, Aaron
he scolded himself.
It’s a bird, nothing more. This is not some horror novel, where the crow turns into the villain and zaps you with electricity.
He turned his back on the crow, feeding the rope to Hal. “I figured beyond here for the fireworks. And if we edge the fire pit with bricks or stones, it should keep it from burning the grass.”
“Your stepmother told me of your plans.” Drake’s unexpected harsh voice from behind him, made Aaron jump. “We don’t approve. I don’t approve.”
Heart racing fit to burst, Aaron turned around. Where had Drake come from? He’d been nowhere in sight a minute ago. “With all due respect, it’s not up to you what I do on my land.”
“You only own a quarter of it. You would do well to remember that.”
Aaron scowled. “That’s up for debate. I’m contesting the codicil.”
“You can’t afford a lawyer.”
“And you’d know this how? My finances are my concern, no one else’s.”
“Your stepmother and I have no secrets.”
“Apparently. Well, as she hasn’t told you, I’ll do so. I retained a lawyer a week ago. And until the end of March, she knows the land is mine to do with as I please. And hosting the church bonfire here does please me.”
“You redecorated the house.”
What was with this guy?
“Again, until the end of March, it’s
my
land and
my
house. If Tanis doesn’t like it, then she can move out. And I’m not happy with you staying here or sharing her—”
The figure in front of him blurred, and for an instant Aaron thought he saw someone or
something
else. A chill wind passed through him, holding him rigid for a few seconds.
“You will not touch the house, it’s mine.” The voice resonated in his head, even though Drake’s mouth didn’t move. “Leave this fencing task to your men and join us. We have need of you. We need to cleanse the house of the impurity you put there.”
Aaron forced a deep breath into his lungs. His lips and voice worked without him asking them to. “Hal, can you finish here? There is something I need to attend to back at the farm house.”
“Sure, boss.”
Aaron nodded, his muscles freeing up enough for him to follow Drake across the field. He didn’t want to go, but his body moved of its own accord.
As they reached the farm yard, Meggie pulled up outside the barn in her car. “Just the man I wanted to see,” she called as she opened the driver’s door. “Can you give me a hand unloading?”
“No, you can’t,” Drake’s voice in his head told him. “You are needed inside the house.”
His legs kept moving without his consent. It was almost as if someone else were in control of his body
“Aaron?”
He forced himself to stop. “The Lord is my Shepherd. I will not want,” he whispered. “God, help me.”
“What?” Drake thundered in his head, making his ears ring.
“House of Aaron, trust in the Lord. He is their help and shield.” He twisted his head free of whatever was holding it and looked at Meggie. “Hey, how are you?”
She smiled, concern flashing in her eyes. “Worried about you, but I can see you’re OK. I’ve brought the urns and a few boxes of stuff for Saturday. Did the fireworks arrive OK this morning?”
“Yes, they’re in the barn.” He shook his head, clearing it completely. “I’ll give you a hand. But I only have the one hand to offer, this one’s not working.” He waved the sling at her ignoring the man beside him.
She rolled her eyes. “Oh, ha, ha, ha.”
“You’re needed inside,” Drake reminded him.
“I’m sure it can wait five minutes.” Aaron took hold of Meggie’s hand, needing her healing touch. Her warmth spread through him, dispelling the ice within him.
“Aaron, you’re freezing. What have you been doing?”
“I’ve been out here most of the day. We can’t all work in a nice warm office building.”
“Actually, I wasn’t in the office. I spent the morning playing with sand, water, cars and bricks.” She winked at him. “It was fun.”
“It sounds it. I’ve been building stuff, too. Only you don’t fall so far in your line of work.”
“Nope. It’s a little hard to fall off the floor, although it is possible.” Her smile broke the oppressive gloom surrounding him.
“Let’s get these boxes out of the car and into the barn.” He wanted to get her away from Drake as soon as possible.
She nodded, opening the boot of the car. “You should be able to manage the bags at any rate.” She took the urn and looked at him. “I had a weird visit this morning.”