CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
“How could we possibly know if Cressida poisoned her mother?” asked Cam. “It’s not like we can draw her blood.”
“Actually, we may be able to tell from other ways,” said Hezekiah. “Did you use safflower or madder root in anything that you cooked?”
“A tea. I had digestive issues and it often settled my stomach,” she said calmly.
“Did you have tea the morning of the storm?” asked Irene. Beryl nodded. “So, you had a cup of tea, the storm came in and destroyed your store of safflower and madder root, and a few days later you got sick and died.”
“I believe that’s right,” she nodded again.
“Did anyone else have access to your greenhouse?” asked Ruby.
“No. What’s this about? You can’t possibly think Cressida would have hurt her own mother.”
“Stranger things have happened Beryl. She wanted to marry the Hymel boy and you were stopping her. Any other daughter would have jumped at the chance to marry Hezekiah. He was a successful doctor, handsome, and planning to settle in the area. Yet she fought you on having anything to do with him,” said Ruby.
“I just can’t believe it,” she whispered. “I can’t. Is this why I’ve been here all this time? Stuck here?”
“Could be,” nodded Matthew. “Others have been stuck to their property, or ours, for stranger reasons. Did she show any signs of anger with you?”
“I don’t remember,” said Beryl. She looked older than her years, even in death. Matthew stared at the woman, then looked at Irene and Ruby.
“Grandpa? What are you thinking?” asked Luke.
“I’m thinking Beryl isn’t Cressida’s mother. You’re her grandmother, aren’t you?” Beryl started to protest but knew she wouldn’t win the day. She nodded.
“Her mama got with child when she was just sixteen. Of course, the boy that she was with didn’t want her or the baby.
So, she ran off and I was suddenly responsible for another daughter.
That’s how I raised her. Just as my daughter.
But I didn’t want her making the same mistake her mother did.
The Hymel boy just seemed wrong for her. ”
“We think they lived a very happy life,” said Hezekiah.
“That’s what you’ve said but how could she be happy if she killed me?” asked Beryl.
“I’m not sure but if we were able to bring you forth, we’ll try for her as well,” said Rachel. She turned to Parker who still had his book open in his big hands. “Where was Cressida buried?”
“I don’t know,” he said looking through the pages. “There’s nothing in here about where she settled or where she died.”
“Then we have much more research to do,” said Rachel. “Beryl, can we trust that you’ll stay close and wait for us?”
“Yes,” she nodded. “I want to make this right. It’s been heavy on my heart for a long time now.”
“I’m not sure you can make this right, Beryl,” said Irene. “You imprisoned Hezekiah in that mirror for more than two-hundred years. Nothin’ is gonna make that right but I’m sure he appreciates the thought. What we gotta help the children figure out, is what’s killin’ the folks now, here today.”
“Whatever I can do, I’ll do it,” she said with a remorseful expression.
She apologized over and over again to Hezekiah who only kept nodding. Deep down he was angry but nothing was going to give him his time back.
Now, it would be a waiting game to try and find out where Cressida and her husband were buried. And unfortunately, waiting wasn’t something they had time to do.