Read Online The Alchemical Detective (Riga Hayworth) by Kirsten Weiss - Free Book Online

black magic, you mean,” Lily said.  “He doesn’t think she was a practitioner?”
    Riga shrugged. 
    “But there’s no such thing as black magic,” Audrey said.  “Black magic implies evil magic, and good and evil don’t exist.  Good and evil are subjective, human constructs.”
    “Evil becomes much less subjective when you’re its victim,” Riga said dryly. 
    Audrey folded herself into a cross-legged position atop her chair, flipped the lighter open and shut.  “The point is, the Sheriff is wrong.”
    “When did you see Sarah last?” Riga asked.
    “I saw her about a week ago,” Lily said.  “I ran into her outside the hardware store.  She was getting new locks.”
    Audrey gave her a sharp look.
    “New locks?” Riga said.
    Lily looked away.  “I think she believed someone was harassing her.”
    “Someone’s been harassing all of us!” Aubrey snapped.  “At least, all but you, Lily.”
    “Is that how her window got broken?” Riga said.
    Lily nodded.  “Sarah thought so.”
    “What do you mean, she thought so?” Audrey said.  “Just because nothing’s happened to you, doesn’t mean nothing’s happening.” 
    Tara cleared her throat.  “We don’t know—”
    Audrey threw the lighter upon the table.  It bounced and skittered to the floor.  “Sarah’s dead!  Isn’t that proof enough?  Someone was harassing her and now she’s dead.  Any one of us could be next.”
    “But… It doesn’t make any sense,” Tara said helplessly.
    “Who do you think might be harassing you?” Riga said, looking to Audrey.
    “It’s that damned church.”
    “What church?” Riga asked.
    Tara sighed heavily, her breasts heaving.  “Church of the New Dawn.  Reverend Carver.  I guess you haven’t been here long enough to catch one of his Sunday demonstrations in front of Tea and Tarot.  It’s quite a show.  Fortunately, Sunday afternoons aren’t my best time, but it really—”  Tara took a deep breath and tried to smile.  “It makes it difficult to stay centered when people are picketing with signs about not whoring after mediums or allowing a sorceress to live.”
    Riga frowned.  It also made it difficult to stay profitable.  And while the phrases were biblical, they were threatening.  “What do the police have to say about this?”
    “The protestors don’t block the entry or the street and so far they haven’t actually done anything.”  Tara waved her hand dismissively. “The cops have bigger fish to fry.” 
    Audrey flicked open the lighter and a tall jet of flame shot out.  She snapped the top down, extinguishing it.  “I’ll bet they killed Sarah.  There’s some dark energy around that church.”
    “I just can’t believe it,” Lily said.  “They have a limited vision, and they’re scared and ignorant, but I can’t believe they’re killers.”
    “Someone killed Sarah,” Tara said.  “Decapitated.  My Goddess.  There’s always a reason, but sometimes it’s hard to see it.”
    “And sometimes, shit just happens,” Audrey said, her eyes flashing angrily.
     “But she must have done something, don’t you think?” Lily appealed to Riga.  “Made someone angry or… something.”
    “Something like what?” Riga asked.  “Did Sarah have any enemies?”
    “That’s blame the victim talk,” Audrey growled. 
    Tara spread her hands wide.  “So what do we do now?” 
    “I’d like to honor our sister,” Lily said tentatively.  “What about a Wiccan funeral ritual?  At least we can do that much for her.”
    “Her family may have other ideas,” Tara said.
    Audrey snorted with derision.
    “Then a memorial service.”  Lily pulled her hair into a ponytail and loosely knotted it.  “Would you like to join us, Riga?  I realize you didn’t know her well, but I think she would have liked you.”
    “Of course,” Riga said, rising to her feet.  “Let me know if there’s anything I can do to help with the preparation.”  Riga