Charlotte stared at the letter with Lynn, who was concerned as well. After examining the envelope, Charlotte slowly opened it and pulled out the smaller piece of paper within. Lynn covered her mouth in shock as she read over her shoulder.

Dear Charlotte Blackwood,

It's a pleasure to meet your acquaintance today, even though you didn't know you were meeting me. To be fair, we didn't actually meet per say, but I would like to change that.

To get straight to the point, I saw you and that officer earlier today at the ravine beneath the bridge. I have some information that I think that you would benefit from. And don't worry, I'm not the Witch Killer, or whatever they call him these days. 

To prove this, you are more than welcome to show this letter to the Bureau of Security and bring as many officers as you like. I have nothing to hide, and have everything to gain.

Meet me tomorrow on Maple Road next to the new bakery. Elizabeth will know the one. There's a small alley next to it, so don't bring in all the troops. Bring whoever you want, especially Evelynn, and I will tell you what I know. What your parents weren't able to tell you before they died.

From a Friend

Charlotte passed the note around the table as Lynn sat back in her chair. They waited to speak until everyone had read the letter. Even Jack took a peek.

"Are you going to go meet this friend?" Victoria asked once Charlotte had the letter again.

"Of course I am," Charlotte answered, looking to Lynn. She stared back, not willing to give an answer.

"What do you mean? I don't think that's a good idea," Elizabeth added, shocked.

"I am going to meet this man and see what he has to say. I'll call on O'Conner and Barker, and we'll see what this friend has to say," Charlotte answered firmly. Lynn nodded.

"I'll go too. If this person has information about our parents, I want to know. Even if it's a load of rubbish, I want to know," Lynn sighed. She bit at her nails nervously as her husband rubbed her back.

"I'll go with you," Tyler offered. Lynn smiled and thanked him.

"I think Elizabeth and I would like to go as well," Victoria informed reluctantly. Charlotte thanked them both as Elizabeth nodded. "Although I want to go on record and say that this is the most ridiculous thing you have ever suggested we do."

"I know, and I know it could be dangerous, but a lead is a lead. Especially if we get the Bureau in on this, we might be able to open and close this case as easily as it started," Charlotte replied, crossing her arms. Everyone looked at her before she sighed. "This is probably the stupidest thing I'll ever do."

"I can't argue with that," Victoria laughed. "At least it wasn't signed by the Witch Slayer."

"We don't know that this friend isn't the murderer," Jack reminded.

"I know, but it's a lot less menacing than if it was signed as such," Victoria clarified, pouring herself another glass of wine. "This has been a very strange day."

"You can say that again," Elizabeth chuckled. Charlotte smiled as she glanced over the red ink covering the parchment. She had always made a point to lay low because of her parents, and she disliked that this friend knew so much about her and her family.

"Did you want to come, too, Jack? It seems that we're all in," Tyler offered. Jack glanced around the table before shrugging. 

"I guess if you're going, then I will as well. Wouldn't make a lot of sense for me to be at the practice alone," Jack replied. Elizabeth beamed before composing herself again. Charlotte resisted a smile, not wanting to out Elizabeth.

"Perfect, I'll send a letter in the morning to O'Conner and Barker. That way we at least have some authority present," Charlotte offered, pocketing the letter. Lynn nodded.

"So are we just going to meet up tomorrow and hope for the best?" Victoria wondered.

"I guess so. I don't really have another plan," Charlotte shrugged. Luckily it was the weekend, and Charlotte rarely opened the shoppe on the weekends. It gave her a chance to relax and focus on different aspects of her life. Of course, she would occasionally open it for special cases if someone desperately needed something.

"Fantastic," Victoria cheered heartily. "What do we have to lose?"

"Exactly," Charlotte smiled, knowing full well what she could lose. There was a spot of silence before Charlotte looked over at Lynn. "What's for dessert?"

"Oh, I made a sweet bread pudding with some cream sauce," Lynn exclaimed before rushing into the kitchen. Tyler watched his wife fondly as she walked through the door.

"I love her desserts," Charlotte smiled as Tyler agreed.

"Why don't you guys have dinner parties more often?" Victoria asked, sipping her wine.

"Because you have a tendency to eat and drink me out of house and home," Tyler answered playfully, gesturing towards the wine. Victoria followed his gaze before shrugging.

"Fair point, but I enjoy these," Victoria mentioned. "Charlotte, why don't you do these dinner parties? I think we could switch off or something."

"Maybe when we're not trying to deal with a killer, I'll have another dinner party. They take a lot of work and planning," Charlotte bargained. Victoria shrugged, taking anther sip. "By the way, are you still willing to stay at my place for a while?"

"Oh, right. Yes, if that's okay. I think I'd be safer somewhere closer to everyone," Victoria answered. 

"I agree with that, and we could talk more about hosting a dinner party then. It's easier when there are more parties involved with it," Charlotte answered as Victoria smiled.

"Sounds great to me!" Victoria shouted before taking yet another sip. Charlotte grimaced, wondering if she should have been watching her apprentice closer when it came to the wine.

"I swear, I have to restock the wine every time she comes over," Tyler whispered as Victoria yelled at Elizabeth about something. Charlotte laughed.

"Yeah, that sounds about right," she murmured back. "I can help pay if you need me to. She does have a tendency to over do it sometimes."

"No, no, it's fine. I got wiser and had Lynn buy cheaper wine for her to drink all of. That way I'm not breaking the bank," Tyler informed as Charlotte shook her head, amused.

"That's terrible."

"But it worked. She's happy, and I didn't spend a ton of money on it," Tyler insisted. Charlotte sighed and laughed.

"I guess that's true," Charlotte admitted as Lynn came back in with a large dish containing the bread pudding. Charlotte drew attention to the beauty of the dessert as Lynn placed it on the table.

"There's more than enough to go around, so eat up," Lynn encouraged before sitting between Charlotte and Tyler once again. Victoria didn't need to be told twice as she scooping up a helping onto her plate. Charlotte sighed inwardly before taking a modest serving herself.