Cut & Run (A Rachel Scott Adventure) - By Traci Hohenstein Page 0,16

wearing a long orange dress that complimented her dark skin, with hair trailing down her back in intricate braids.

“I’m looking for Madame Verdene,” Rachel said.

“Well, you found her.”

Rachel introduced herself and Red. “We’re with Florida Omni Search. A family disappeared near this area last week, and we’re working to find them.”

Madame Verdene narrowed her eyes and looked Rachel up and down, like a simple glance would reveal if she was telling the truth or not. “The O’Malleys?”

“Do you know them?” Rachel asked, surprised.

Madame Verdene walked to the front of the store and picked up a duster. She proceeded to dust around the cashier stand. After a few beats she answered the question.

“Erin O’Malley was a customer.” Madame Verdene put down the duster and lit a single black candle.

Rachel thought about her answer for a minute. “You said she was a customer. Not anymore?”

Red shifted uncomfortably beside her.

“That’s right.” Madame Verdene looked Rachel straight in the eye.

“What happened?” Rachel asked.

“She’s dead.”

CHAPTER 10

“How do you know she’s dead?” Rachel asked.

Two young teenage girls walked into the shop, smacking their gum and talking about buying voodoo dolls. Madame Verdene called out to another girl working at the back of the store. “Mabel, please come up here and watch the store while I help these customers.” Madame Verdene motioned for Rachel and Red to follow her as soon as Mabel took her position at the cashier stand.

They followed her to the back of the store through a heavily curtained door. The back room was surprisingly large and clearly multipurpose. There was a small office area with a paper-strewn wooden desk, a break area with a kitchenette, and a sitting area. The latter was what piqued Rachel’s interest. Tucked in the corner was a round table that seated six people. Madame Verdene walked over to the table and took a seat, and Red and Rachel followed suit. No lights were on except for a red crystal chandelier above the table, which cast sparkles around the dark room. An altar similar to the one Erin had in her art studio was to the left of the table. Rachel wondered if this was where Madame Verdene held séances or read fortunes.

“Erin had been a customer for a long time. She was a very sweet lady. Sweet, but she had a lot of negative energy around her. We were building up her psychic shield to reflect the bad energy.”

“Well, if she’s dead, apparently it didn’t work,” Red mumbled. Rachel kicked him under the table. She knew Red didn’t believe in psychic powers, witches, or anything of that sort.

Madame Verdene ignored the remark. “After Erin’s last visit, I knew it wasn’t working. She was doomed. I didn’t have the heart to tell her, so I asked her to be careful and to be aware of her surroundings. I think she knew something bad was going to happen.”

“What do you think happened to Erin?” Rachel asked. She knew Red was mentally rolling his eyes at the question.

“She got herself killed.”

“Who did it?” Rachel asked.

Madame Verdene closed her eyes for a moment before answering.

“A dark force had entered her life years ago. I don’t know a name if that’s what you’re asking, but I can tell you whereabouts to find her body.”

Rachel nodded for her to continue.

“She was dumped in a swampy area near an old fishing boat. In my vision, I saw a sign that had the words ‘fish camp.’ You should look that up.”

Rachel pulled her notebook out, while Red scrutinized Madame Verdene.

“What about her kids? They dead, too?” Red asked.

“Her kids are still alive.” Madame Verdene closed her eyes again. She started to make a weird humming noise. Rachel sneaked a glance at Red, who was shaking his head. She knew he was reaching his I’ve-had-enough-of-this-shit limit. She was going to have to get him out of here quickly.

“They are being held somewhere close by. Near a body of water. I’m sorry, but I can’t see them as strongly as I can Erin. I do have a feeling that you don’t have much time to find them.” Madame Verdene stood up from the table. “The husband was found, you know.”

“You see that in your vision, too?” Red asked in a snarky tone.

“No. I saw that on the news.”

Rachel stifled a laugh.

“Anyway, if you need anything else, just give me a call.” Madame Verdene handed Rachel a business card. Then she turned to Red. “You better keep watching your diet. That heart of yours is still healing.” She tapped