“Oh right. I forgot. And neither is Murphy. Geez, Cauldron Falls is a town of transplants now. Well, it wasn’t that way at one point. But I’m glad it is now. I digress. So, I think whatever took our poor Lily was poison enhanced with that water. From the Falls. You see, when you mix the water from the waterfall, which is what makes everything around here thrive…when you mix it with anything, it magnifies its properties. Herbs grow bigger and faster, and are more potent. For example, a drop of vampire blood that is deadly already, instead of the water diluting it like normal water should - it amplifies its power. Exponentially."
Honey and Roam exchanged horrified looks. "Are you saying that someone mixed a poison with the water from the Falls to make it kill Lily and the Shifters quicker?" Honey asked incredulously.
Miles nodded gravely. "That's what I'm saying. Yes. Someone has been experimenting with the water from the Falls. And it seems whatever they used it to kill. They only needed something with poisonous properties and a cup full of Cauldron Falls water. Then voila."
Honey and Roam were silent for a moment, trying to process the information. “Wait a minute, how do you know someone has been experimenting with these things?” Honey air-quoted the someone.
“That’s why I’m showing you my black book. It’s all in there. I’ve found small patches deep in the woods of odd things growing. Like exponentially large vegetables and patches that are so lush and rich with enormous berries. And they taste magnificent. I thought about cutting them and bringing them back to town for the Fall Festival, but I didn’t. I knew someone had to have been doing something out there to make those crops explode like that. The water is powerful and magical, but good. It does not mutate thing willy nilly. It enhances them in the best of ways. But these things, that I’ve seen, have been watered way, way too much, that’s all I could figure. And you know too much of a good thing.” Miles shrugged.
“Miles, why didn’t you bring this to the town council?” Honey asked.
“I reported it to Leahnora. She’s well aware there is something amiss in the woods next to the falls. They’re meant to take it up at the next meeting. That’s in three days. Another reason, I didn’t cut back the giant veg and berry patch. You know, for a moment, I thought we had some giants squatting in the woods. They like big veggies and berries. But I saw no signs of someone eating them. And Giants are messy. So, I knew it was something else entirely.” Miles held out his hand for the book. “I’ll need that back. I’m still tracking these growths.”
“Well, I’m not so sure. I can give you that back. It might be evidence.” Roam thumped the book on his palm.
“Roam. Give him the book. We don’t need that. We do appreciate the information.” Honey took the book from Roam and gave it back to Miles.
“Thank you.” Miles quickly dropped the journal into the desk drawer and locked it with an enchantment.
“We still don’t know what the poison was. I guess I’ll have to wait for the official report.” Roam huffed.
“What about trees?” Honey asked
“Trees?” Miles and Roam said at the same time.
“Yes, apple trees. Have you ever found any weird growths of apple trees? Like you saw other fruits and veggies.” Honey squeezed Roam’s arm, hoping he would connect the same dots she had. She was thinking back to the argument between Lily and some man. Grumble had said it was about the trees.
“Like apple trees from the orchard? Oh no. No way. The orchard is enchanted. How do you think Lily makes apples grow in the winter? It has magic from the old-world cast all around the parameter, that no one can break. Only Lily knew how to transport things out of the orchard. And her seeds are like magic seeds. They won’t grow anywhere else.” Miles paused and sighed. “I’m not sure what will happen to the apples now. I don’t know who will…” his voice trailed off.
“Oh, no. Miles. That’s tragic. I had no idea.” Honey felt an overwhelming sadness about Lily, the Shifters, and the orchard.
"Ya say no one can take anything out of the orchard or off that property but Lily?” Roam asked. “And how do ya know that?”
“First, Mr. Grumpy Panther. Lily was my BFF. That’s how I know this information. Not to mention, when something was amiss with the trees, she called me to check it out. So, to answer your real question, no, no one can take anything off that farm without permission. The way the enchantment works is Lily has to allow it. Anyone who had her blessing could take any fruit they wanted. Or trees or whatever. Nothing gets in and nothing gets out, except air or water, of course. I bet Cona has permission. I hope so.” A grim expression twisted at the edge of Miles’ mouth.
“What about people? Did someone need Lily’s invitation to be on her property?” Roam asked.
“Yes. That would be the same. But she gave that affirmation every morning. She was so kind.” Miles put his hand over his heart.
“Affirmation?” Roam asked.
Miles huffed, “how do you do this with him? Affirmation.” Miles stretched the word out. “Like, I am beautiful. I am smart. I am the best herbologist in the world. You say it to yourself in the mirror every morning. Well, Lily said, ‘I invite my friends of Cauldron Falls to visit the orchard.’ Every morning. Every day. She didn’t want people to know about the enchantment. So, she did a bunch of work arounds so no one would find out. And at the same, she could keep her orchard and those trees safe.”
“Thank you, Miles," Honey finally said, "this is a lot of information.”
Miles nodded, looking nervous. "Just be careful," he warned. "Whoever did this is dangerous. I don't want to see anyone else get hurt."
Honey and Roam left the greenhouse, deep in thought. They knew that they had just stumbled onto a major clue, but they also knew that they were getting closer to the killer. And that was a dangerous place to be.
The Archives
Thesmellofdustand old parchment greeted Clive as he stepped into the dim interior of Spellbinders, as always. He made his way past the front room, which was full of happy books, comfy chairs, and amusing trinkets. Pushed past the stacks in the adjacent room, which began the library section of the store, and opened the door to the archive room. He paused to take in the sight of endless shelves crammed with ancient leather-bound tomes and strange artifacts glinting mysteriously in shadowed corners. This place truly was a treasure trove of magical knowledge. He puffed out a breath of air. His heart was heavy and his head was empty. He’d come to Cauldron Falls, a lost man, with no job, and a failing short-term memory, that seemed to have snapped back into place, somewhat, with the light that was Lily McBride. While he still struggled with remembering the details of the day, the name of his neighbors, and the barista at Tab’s Café, Clive remembered everything about her.
He smiled wistfully as he recalled one of his first outings with Lily, before tragedy struck. They had strolled hand-in-hand through the streets of Cauldron Falls, chatting lightly in the crisp autumn air. When they happened upon a small, sad little shop, Lily's eyes had lit up.
"Oh, we simply must stop in. This is Gregg Abbott's wand shop - though business hasn't been too brisk for the poor dear," she remarked. “We could help him by browsing and possibly buying a new wand or two.”
Her enthusiasm and generosity made Clive smile with delight. He liked being beside her. Part of her world. “Perfect. I was just thinking about how I was in great need of a spare wand.” He’d followed her into the dim, cluttered interior. The shelves of the shop were sparsely stocked, and a thin layer of dust coated the display cases. Clive had felt sorry for the owner, who slumped behind the counter looking bored and aimless.
