The Swan Lake Murders

Everyone, including Robbin’ Robin, dashed for the house as rain hammered down on them, Mary slammed the back door shut just as the sky split open.

Puzzlement radiated from them, thought Mary, as if not recognizing that the beings staring at back at them were human.

If it’s the next storm, perhaps it’s going the other way.” “Goddess, I hope so,” said Dorothy, grimacing at her tea.

For once he looked at her as if he saw her – an older woman unafraid of blustering men, too assured to play at looking younger.

After wriggling over multiple keys, Anna shut the computer as if locking away an explosive device.

His candle began to flicker rhythmically as if someone blew on it from a distance.

We have magic you do not dream of.” That was Janet, although Mary could not see the diminutive witch.

Attached to each arm, as well as the skirt, they looked like an attempt to grow wings.

Their branches shook as if trying to dislodge beetles crawling up their bony arms.

Closed curtains subdued the storm noises, as if the cloth and glass really were a protective shell for Holywell.

He smelled of rain, as if he had blown in on the wind, thought Mary.

Rain darkened with the approaching night, while the wind howled as if it was in pain.

Anna how could you?” Mary’s fists waved about as if underwater. “You’ve made an A.I. Dee? Are you insane? The damage that man has caused, his criminal nature, how could you? He murdered Agnes, his own mother, for god’s sake.

Irina wants to fly into the storm,” the gel hissed. “Told us she would. I sent for help. She made a weird sort of scream. Like an animal or a great bird.

Mary continued. “Irina flying, Mr. Dee, takes us to meeting you over Swan Lake at Greenwich. You were to act the sorcerer, the man magicking girls into swans. You are a sorcerer, you say. Did you turn Irina Prince into a swan? Did you make her believe she could fly?

Doesn’t matter how you feel,” said Janet. “It’s not about whether it’s fair. You’ll find the killer because you’re the only one on Holywell island who can.

I know more than you think about Billy Dee. The bastard claims descent from Dr John Dee of Queen Elizabeth’s Court.” “You mean Elizabeth 1st, not our late queen?” Caroline had to shout over the rising waves.

I see the fat woman is right. I saw how you looked at him – Billy Dee. He’s your lover. Compared to my harmless affairs that man’s a monster.” “I AM NOT FAT,” yelled Caroline. Something glittered in her eyes. Anna hissed, and Mary remembered that she carried a concealed knife.

I saw a man on Westminster bridge,” she yelled through chattering teeth. “He had a rope and untied the last knot, looking straight at us. You never undo the last knot of three. Weather magic,” she added, with a glance at the skeptical Mr. Jeffreys. He put his head in his hands. “A terrible thing,” continued Caroline, yelling at Mary. “At Holywell they are doing reverse spells – trying to drain the energy from that hurricane in the Atlantic.

You’re wrong, Mr. Jeffreys. This Swan Lake is not giving up human bonds but finding release from human chains. The prince and swan princess get to live out their love in nature. The palace is what they need to escape from.

Not your usual conman, Edward Kelley,” Anna remarked, putting Caroline’s phone on the bed. “Our Dee’s link to Renaissance Kelley is part of what I’ve been doing with John and Linda. While you slept, Mary, we discovered how in the 1500s Edward Kelley and John Dee toured Europe. Their magical performances kings and emperors produced a sensation.

Mary chimed in: “The Dee of Shakespeare’s time was famous, a sorcerer with political allies all over Europe. He did horoscopes to advise the Queen about her enemies.” “Thanks to the little runt sounding off to the press, I’m well aware of Dr John Dee,” snarled Robbin’ Robin. “Did you know our Billy Dee says he can conjure spirits from the Parliaments as far back as his namesake in the 1560s? That’s how the PM won the damn election. Dead politicians popped up at Dee’s command. They begged my colleagues to vote for my rival ‘to save the nation’.” Robbin’ Robin did the air quotes that so irritated Mary.

Ballet is harsh magic,” said Dee… “We work young bones until they sprout feathers. Flesh evaporates in sweat. Ballet consumes the body to free the soul,” Dee continued. “We all become swans. Some never turn back. The ballet Swan Lake is the wind under our feet, the air on which we ascend.