Rocks & Gravel (Peri Jean Mace Ghost Thrillers Book 3) Read Online Free PDF Page B

men and their horses scared me. As a boy, I saw a mob come take a man away who they decided had abused a white woman. This had the same feeling.
    After I made sure my wife understood to keep the children and herself out of sight, I sneaked through the woods, going as quiet as I could, and found the men crowded in front of Priscilla Herrera’s, just where I expected.
    One man said to her, “You made Reginald Mace lose his mind and fall ill with your sorcery.”
    She said, “I did no such thing. Reggie and I were friends. I helped him, and he helped me.”
    Another man said, “The bible says to never suffer a witch to live.”
    She said, “You didn’t care about that when you and your wife wanted a child.”
    He slapped her, and she fell down.
    It was then I heard footsteps sneaking up behind me. I spun around, ready to fight for my life, only to find the children of Priscilla, a boy named Samuel and a girl named Samantha. Twins, but the ones who don’t look the same. Tears streaked those two little faces. I knew right away their momma sent them away to keep them from harm. I sent the two to hide with my wife and children. I didn’t know what I’d do with them, but helping others is the way of a Christian.
    The men dragged Priscilla from the house, kicking and screaming. They tied her to a horse and left with her. I went back home, saddled my mare, and rode the short distance to town. They had her over to the jail. A crowd had gathered.”
    I motioned Hooty to pause the video and spoke to Eddie.
    “This is the witch you told me cursed the treasure?” My vague memories of the conversation didn’t render much detail. At the time, I’d been solving my cousin Rae’s murder and didn’t pay close attention.
    He nodded.
    “The old newspaper article you showed me only mentioned Priscilla Herrera having a son.”
    “I showed you all the information I had at the time.” He shrugged and spread out his hands. “The article also mentioned the boy was deaf, but Hezekiah’s account says nothing of it. Lots of information gets lost or mixed up.”
    “As long as we are clearing up facts, Reginald Mace was Peri Jean’s great-great grandfather?” Rainey asked.
    “More like four greats.” Eddie counted on his fingers. “Peri Jean ought to make the effort to know all this herself.” He shot me a stinky glare.
    Hooty started the video again.
    They already had her on the gallows with a noose around her neck.
    Old Bertram Holze said to her, “There is one way to save yourself. Tell us where Reginald Mace’s fortune is hid. That way, we’ll know you mean only good to this community.”
    Well, Priscilla snorted at him and said, “You done made up your mind what to do with me, no matter what I tell you. But I’ll tell you something you did not expect. None of you, save one who has the blood, will have the treasure. Trespassers will come to a bad end.”
    “What kinda bad end?” That was from old Theo Franklin who never had any sense to begin with.
    “Those who don’t die will wish they had.”
    Bert Holze threw the trap door, and Priscilla hanged right there. It was a bad sight, one I’ll remember all my days. I came home to more confusion. My wife said the children ran off as soon as her back was turned. I pray for their safety but feel powerless to do more. My wife and children need me.
    Those men came back and tore apart Priscilla’s house. Don’t know if they found nothing useful, but one of them rode away from the house on his horse like the hounds of hell chased after him. Old Doc came the next morning to ask after my family. Said he was checking in as he does about once a month, but I saw the fear in his eyes. I told him the events I witnessed. Old Doc allowed the man I saw fleeing on his horse didn’t survive the night. He died foaming at the mouth and snapping at his family like an animal. Another of the men developed whelps all over his body and was in a bad way. Maybe what Priscilla said about trespassers