The Witch Hunt©

Free Online Short Love Story

Written by American Author Sky Taylor

Act 1

"Evidence! How dare you suggest we submit evidence, young man!" Vera Hogthorn tossed out to Attorney Lincoln Broderick’s thoughtful face before tacking on for good measure, "Who are you working for anyway? The Society or her? She‘s a witch I tell you - and if she‘s anything like her grandmother, why….I shudder to think."

Lincoln’s thoughtful expression revolved into a disapproving scowl as he drawled, "What you’re suggesting verges on idiocy." And said idiots were on a witch hunt. Literally. The twenty-first century at that.

"Mr. Broderick, the town of Morgandale is being presented with the opportunity to rid itself of witches and if you won’t assist, then simply put - we’ll hire another attorney," Vera threatened.

As Lincoln continued to observe her through the short distance he decided that her wrinkled face was as red as a Detroit beet and she looked like a concentrated nesting hen. His assumptions were instantly verified as she collected a dime-store paper fan embossed with a colorful peacock and began furiously waving it in front of her face, her lips parted as her pink tongue darted up and down inside her mouth creeping near the edge.

Vera was just one from the group of town cronies - ‘The Society’ who had ordered the impromptu meeting - a ridiculous meeting devised for one purpose; to seize Serra Moonstone’s manor because they had determined she was a witch.

Only one of the brood had remained quiet - Ms. Chello Gates who had sat just outside the circle of women, appearing to simply be enjoying the show.

His dark eyes seized Vera’s twitchy form once again as he drawled in a mocking tone, "Good luck with that." The nearest attorney’s office was a good one-hundred miles from the town of Morgandale.

As a span of silence finally captured the room, he decided to add, "And might I suggest that you change the name of the Morgandale Historical Society to the Morgandale Hysterical Society? These conjured illusions, delusions and conclusions-"

"You don’t believe us," Mona added to the conversation, folding her arms akimbo as her wrinkled face revealed an impending sulk.

"No - as if I haven‘t already made myself clear on the matter," Lincoln told her.

"You would young man if you had been around to witness Lilac Moonstone’s horrible spells. Her granddaughter is just like her. Why Lilac took Mona’s intended husband away from her with one of those spells amid the blink of an eye-"

"An eye of newt!" one of the other women corrected, jamming her arms together in front of her, obviously her opinion not open for discussion, much less rebuttal.

"And when I intervened and brought him back to his senses, she cast another spell on him," Mona went on to insist. "After she ran him out of town, I never saw my beloved again. Yes indeed, Lilac Moonstone ruined my life. She took everything that I ever loved away from me."

Lincoln twisted his full lips to one side, deciding that no man in his right mind would want to have anything to do with the foul Mona. And his gut told him that the reason the bum left town was because she had foiled his relationship with Lilac Moonstone whom Lincoln had found to be quite beautiful, even being well into her nineties before she had passed - only three short months ago.  

The funeral had been a private matter and to his understanding had only been attended by Lilac’s granddaughter - Serra Moonstone who had since relocated to Morgandale to assume ownership of Moonstone Manor.

"Young man, have you considered the amount of money that the manor would bring to the town? It’s the oldest house in the community and people would pay good money for a tour," Vera assured, a wild look attached to her face. Then, "That is, after the repairs have been made."  

"Ms. Hogthorn, the house legally belongs to Serra Moonstone. The Historical Society has no legal right to the manor -"

"That’s the reason you’re going to write her that letter," Vera snapped back, the circle of women delivering a satisfactory nod in the process. Then, "We’ll begin the takeover of the manor by requiring her to remove the thorns and vines surrounding the back of the property. After that, we’ll focus on the fencing - as well as the face of the manor which is in sad repair. Pressure. At some point she‘ll break and we‘re certain, relinquish the manor to the Society for a song. In the meanwhile, repairs will be completed at her expense rather than the town‘s - that is, until her personal funds become exhausted."

"Aren’t you concerned that she’ll cast a spell on you?" Lincoln challenged, everyone in the group gasping except Ms. Chello Gates whose tiny pink lips formed a slight smile.

Vera recovered quickly, reasoning, "That’s why we have you - to do the dirty work for us. She’ll come after you - not us."

"Even after you threatened her earlier this morning?" he toyed, enjoying the discomfort he was shoveling onto Vera.

"I-I didn’t threaten her," Vera argued. "And if you won’t move forward with this, then we’ll draw the sheriff into the picture."

Lincoln narrowed the dark eyes at the group as an image of Sheriff Banes  mirrored before him. A rough character that enjoyed his level of authority. Miss Serra Moonstone wouldn’t have a chance in Hades in retaining the manor - law or not.

He needed to buy a bit of time so he strongly suggested as an alternative to the threatening letter, "I’ll go speak with Ms. Moonstone about the thorns and brambles. If you can‘t agree to that, then you can start searching for another attorney. But I‘ll warn you here and now - what you‘re seeking to do cannot be accomplished legally. In fact, the suggestions that you have made could end up landing you all behind bars."

"Oh dear, oh dear!" Mona raced out, her face looking quite terrified at the thought of prison bars, a few of the other Society members gasping including Vera.

"Then yes - of course, go and speak with the young witch," Vera decided, having a change of view if only temporary.

And knowing Vera as he did, Lincoln knew that it was indeed a temporary mood as she added as an afterthought, "I still think it would be in the Society’s best interest if I met with Sheriff Banes."

"I wouldn’t advise that," Lincoln drawled, narrowing the dark eyes at her and it was more of a warning than a friendly snippet of legal advice.

Vera nodded. "I‘ll give it some thought."  

continue

 

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