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TO THE READER
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2021-09-23 22:28:04To The Reader,
This novel was inspired by my life's experience as a Policeman in two separate towns, Seaside Heights and Spring Lake Heights Police Departments, NJ. Likewise, growing up in a town that was steeped in witchcraft, I gained a great deal of knowledge into the occult which served me well in Police Work. I combined these experiences to create this story, which is partly based on true events.
William Kelly, a former Combat Marine, and a Corporal at the six-three precinct of the Heights Police has his world turned upside down when he answers a radio call of a multiple homicide at the East Coast Green Herbal Shop.
The "Heights," well known for its persecution and execution of witches for almost four centuries is the backdrop of the wickedness he is about to encounter.
A legacy in the Heights Police, his family has served in the precinct from its inception just after the Civil War. His bloodline's haunting history is soon revealed as he combats an evil that he doesn't believe in nor comprehend.
He finds that a witch's coven is secretly operating out of a storefront in town. This coven, lead by Casper Crowningshield, are perpetrating rival gangs to war so that they can take over the drug trade. Kelly's hard nose Marine Corps approach and a quest for justice, leads him into a world of death, retribution, vengeance, and great pain.
Warned by his fiancé and his best friend, Kelly ignores them and pushes on for the truth. Putting his job on the line, Kelly leaps in to solve a four-hundred-year-old mystery of a missing witch, a coven's witches bottle, and a story of wickedness that has plagued the town forever.
May God Bless You, The United States Marine Corps, and The Thin Blue Line Everywhere,
Billy
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The Witch's Bottle CHAPTER 1 - OYER AND TERMINER
And now Nineteen persons having beenhang'd, and oneprestto death, and Eight more condemned, in all Twenty and Eight, of which above a third part were Members of some of the Churches of N. England, and more than half of them of a good Conversation in general, and not oneclear'd; about Fifty havingconfestthemselves to be Witches, of which not one Executed; above an Hundred and Fifty in Prison, and Two Hundred more accused; the SpecialCommisionof Oyer and Terminer comes to a period. -RobertCalef1692 CHAPTER 1 Oyer and Terminer 18:40 Hours "Central to all units. R
Last Updated : 2021-09-23The Witch's Bottle CHAPTER 2 - THE GOODWIFE MURON MULDOON
In 1650, they ratified the town charter for “Heights of King James County.” This meant that the formed town must submit to the County Governor, Deputy Governor, and Magistrate. These men and three Puritan Reverends were known as the County Commission. Because they formed King James County under the 1629 Royal Charter of the King James Colony, the settlers of the heights had little to say who could live in their town. The Commission intended to allow a slow but steady influx of Irish, Scottish, and Dutch immigrants to help the fledgling village. However, the Commission was strict Puritans who escaped the Royal Anglican Government in England. They hand-picked twenty Calvinist families to oversee the Heights in leadership and religion. The choice of well-off Puritan families inspired a Puritanism World View. Birthdays and holidays were considered pagan rituals. The Bible was the only textbook found. The only
Last Updated : 2021-09-23The Witch's Bottle CHAPTER 3 - PROSPERITY AND ABUNDANCE
"Central from Six-three David, we're out on Central and Bridge moving vagrant." "Central copy, Six-three David... 16:40 hours, Twenty - November." Maxine and I got out of the RMP and walked towards the homeless guy, lying against the welcome sign. That sign had been there for as long as I could remember. It was ancient, worn, and weathered. It's once vibrant green had oxidized to a lifeless pale blue. It's once bronze letters were chipped, cracked, and rusted. Its post was tall, thick, and very plain capped with the cross of Saint James. It simply read: PROSPERITY AND ABUNDANCE WELCOME TO THE HEIGHTS ORIGINALLY
Last Updated : 2021-09-23The Witch's Bottle CHAPTER 4 - SAGACIOUS INQUISITORS
18:53 Hours "Central to Six-Three David, what's your status?" "Central, call the groundskeeper and ask if anyone's supposed to be in the church." "Six-three Corporal groundskeeper started the call." I started walking towards the east window. I saw the flicker again. I rationalized that it was just the streetlight reflecting off the glass. Yet, as I approached, I heard an indistinct murmur coming from inside the church. I reached for my collar mic and pressed the PTT, and whispered. "Six–three Corporal to central. I have trespassers in the building. I need a backing unit. Come in from the east side.” After my broadcast, I reached down to my left hip. My hand bent at my wrist as my fingers found the
Last Updated : 2021-09-23The Witch's Bottle CHAPTER 6 - PINS, URINE, AND CORK
21:45 Hours The headlights from the RMP reflected at us from Ray's front window. This would be the perfect place to unwind and help Max decompress. I put the car in park and called us out of service. Max had her head buried in her phone. I waited a few seconds before turning off the car. When she didn't acknowledge where we were, I spoke up. "Echo-six-kilo to battalion command. How copy?" "I'm sorry, sweetie. It's something that Kool-Aid said. I've heard it before, but I can't remember when." I smiled at her and chuckled. She used the nickname I gave to the girl with the purple streak. Brilliant! "Sagacious Inquisitors. I've heard it before, in college." I shook my head, unsure of what to say. I got out of the car and hoped she would follow. Whatever she was looking for had her engrossed in her phone. I tapped on the hood and went to the passenger door. As I opened it, she put her phone in her pocket a
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Wednesday, November 21 Keegan was back from the sin bin. That meant we could get some good old-fashioned American street violence. It had been a quiet watch. Wired and tired, I counted down the minutes to its end. Keegs was still unsettled about Tommy Parker's suicide, having mentioned it several times. He couldn't sit still. He fiddled with his pen, went through an entire pouch of chewing tobacco, and made me stop so he could smoke. I understood the cause of his anxiety. The past few days saw a multiple homicide shooting, a necromancy ceremony, and an old homeless guy with a witch's bottle. We Drove to Potter Church, hoping to kill the shift in peace. I backed into an opening in the trees, killed the lights, and opened my window. We were across the street from the groundskeeper's house. The lights were on, and a lone street lamp stood in the front yard. The home predated the War of 1812 and was a historical landmark.
Last Updated : 2021-09-23The Witch's Bottle CHAPTER 8 - TAKE MY HAND
Thursday, November 22 19:06 HOURS Winter had finally arrived. Keegs, Marcello, and a few others had volunteered to work security at an annual private gala. So, I got to ride with Maxine. The aftermath of the Rottweiler shooting found me in a quick round with IAB. Whenever you discharged your weapon, an investigation was forthcoming. They asked about the circumstance, what conflict resolution tactic we used, and questions about the girls. The ER report said Keegan shot the husband in the bicep. Not that anybody cared. Even IAB shrugged it off. I found it odd when they asked what started it. They flirted with my answer, careful not to show why they asked. I only knew what I heard when we entered the house. I told them about witchcraft, Sagacious Inquisitors, and threats against the Coven. Satisfied, at least in the now, they let me go. Max and I slowly cruised the strip, the coms silent as the radio played o
Last Updated : 2021-09-23The Witch's Bottle CHAPTER 9 - THE DEVIL'S SHARE
Tuesday, November27th 14:55 Hours Lieutenant Chaney's voice resounded over the loudspeaker as he announced roll call in the Bullpen. I closed my locker and headed to the squad room. They changed the uniform of the day for the winter. Many had broken out the jackets and watch caps that were standard issue. I, however, preferred the sweater with a turtleneck. The coat was too cumbersome, and I was not fond of it. I only used it when it actually turned cold or snowed hard. This was Max and me's first official briefing as husband and wife. When I left the locker room, I saw her chatting with Marcello. I walked behind her, put my arms around her collar, and kissed her cheek. She turned and smiled. Our faces must have looked priceless. I still felt the effects of this morning's lovemaking. I knew Max did as well. If I could, I'd take her back into the locker room. Keegs, of course, noticed, flung his head backward, and sighed
Last Updated : 2021-09-23
Latest chapter
The Witch's Bottle CHAPTER 4 - HIMIKO
CHAPTER 4Himiko18:30 HoursIt had already been a long, tedious shift. So far, the only excitement was with the vagrant and urine, Maxine's paranoia, and Keegs’ drunkenness. Since they were both settled, we were back to boredom, at least for now.The deep November chill had set in. The window defogger had become our only heat source because the RMP vents didn’t work.Though we hadn't reached Thanksgiving, the Christmas season was showing. So much of the town already bore the lights and cheer that it brought. Though Christmas was my favorite time of year, it was coming way too soon.Maxine was quiet. She mostly stared out of the window and bit her nails, a habit she had since before I knew her."Central to any unit near Potter Church."The radio broke Maxine from her trance."Not tonight, Kelly. Please
The Witch's Bottle PROLOGUE
PROLOGUE She came through the door, dropping her bag and rushing into my arms. As soon as we touched, she began to cry. Trembling, she held me tight. Her head pressed firmly against my shoulder. Shushing her quickly, with gentleness, I took her to the couch and held her, caressing her hair, cheek. "Bad day, huh?" I was off for the first time in two weeks, Maxine taking my spot-on watch. "I'm okay… I just don't understand." She began to weep again, wiping her tears. I knew I didn't have to say anything, prod her in any way. I just had to let her know I was here.
The Witch's Bottle CHAPTER 28 - I PUT A SPELL ON YOU
Sunday, February 2The phone rang, waking me from a dead sleep. I was having a nightmare,could hear voices through the handset.Blackhawk Actual, Blackhawk Actual, this is Lost Boy 6-1."Kelly... wake up. It's okay."I was in a fog,but I knew the voice. It was her voice.How could I be two places at once?Approximately two-and-a-half clicks from our objective... Break. Requesting permission to engage, how copy."Sweetie, you're home, in your bed, with me... Wake up... You're fine, you're safe."The recei
The Witch's Bottle CHAPTER 27 - LIKE A NEW DOG
"Six-three Sergeant, ESU is requesting your presence at 113 Fifth Avenue. A hostage situation, possible shots fired... The suspect is requesting your presence."I had sent The Marine to go get our RMP as it was still running with lights and sirens half a mile down the tracks. I waited for him with Maxine. She was bent over behind her RMP, vomiting again – the third time since the chase ended. I was starting to get worried. Marcello kept giving her water and a towel after every episode. He'd become her brother. I liked him. He would protect her.Still on her knees, with her head down, she finished throwing up and pointed at me. "I'm coming with you," she said as she wiped her mouth and stood up to stretch. I kissed her on the forehead and shook my head. I saw The Marine pull up in our RMP, get out and go to the passenger side. He s
The Witch's Bottle CHAPTER 26 - MY SPIRIT SLEEPS
Tuesday, January 28It was 10:00 in the morning and our entire watch had been called into the House. As we filed into the bullpen, we were met by Lieutenant Chaney, Stonewall, and a lieutenant from Emergency Services Unit ESU. He was in full tactical gear, and on the whiteboard behind him were an aerial photograph of East Coast Green and pictures of Casper, Lasses, and a few others. The time had come."Marije Arriens Crowningshield came in at 8:30 this morning and confessed everything in a full statement to MC Detective Stonewall." He turned to the board with his laser pointer in hand. "She gave up her husband Caleb, aka Casper," he put the red dot right in the middle of his forehead. "She also gave up Lasses Birgitta, aka Kool-Aid." The red dot sat in the middle of her throat. "Their Witches Coven
The Witch's Bottle CHAPTER 25 - STATUE PARK
Monday, January 27It was a very long weekend. To stay ahead of the investigation that would surely follow, I emailed all of the photos to Super Nerd at the Town Clerk's office before wiping them from our phones. I gave him explicit instructions to show nobody, tell no one, and keep it to himself until I gave the word. Being a historic site, and what we uncovered, they could definitely be used to our advantage. Especially since it didn't directly involve a crime committed in this century. I was pretty sure any statute of limitations had expired, or that's what I'd tell IAB.Though I was not bothered by what we found, it triggered days of weeping, mood swings, and depression in Max. She slept until well after noon on Saturday. I gave her lunch in bed, held her as she wept, and caressed her as she fell back to sl
The Witch's Bottle CHAPTER 24 - FAUGH A BALLAUGH
Saturday, January 25It was the beginning of our weekend as Maxine dimmed the lights as we pulled into the driveway of Potter Church. She was careful to avoid the sink holes that had been unearthed from the snow. Armed with the map of the Rubik's Cube, we meant to end the mystery once and for all. I felt as though the old man at the church wanted me to do this. He was prompting me, damn near daring me to do it. I had to get to the bottom of this and know what he knew.It was an endless winter that seemed to feed on the darkness in the town. It was bitter cold with a wind chill that was subzero. The tombstones were barely visible as the moon was covered by the storming clouds. It was the first time I'd seen the caretaker's house completely dark. Knowing he was dead, and how he died, made me anxious and a bit sca
The Witch's Bottle CHAPTER 23 - CHARMS
Thursday, January 23The Marine and I left the bullpen. He would now be riding with me twice a week. It made sense, being that we were both Marines, combat vets, and were definitely cut from the Keegan Cloth, as I was now calling it. I was going to let him do everything except the driving. He'd have to prove himself for that privilege. I waited for him to get situated in the passenger seat, call us in service, and then we were off to the Super Wawa across the street.It was an overcast day as the snow had not yet begun to melt. It turned black from the filth from the street. To me, it was a sign of how quickly something so pure and beautiful can become so dark and ugly.Maxine was riding with Marcello as they pulled in alongside us against the storefront. The
The Witch's Bottle CHAPTER 22 - RUBIK'S CUBE
Tuesday, January 21"Kelly, come here for a minute." Lieutenant Chaney had me follow him to his office as everyone else walked from roll call."Don't sit... This will be quick." He unlocked the filing cabinet behind the desk. It held all of the investigations of traffic fatalities. He handed me a file and told me I had five minutes to look at it while he went to go get some Joe.I opened it and was shocked by the pictures from yesterday's accident. I thought I had remembered how awful it was. But to see the pictures, the child, it was brutal. Then I noticed something as I looked through the file and information. Alex Werner, the husband, who wasn't in the car, lived at One Thirteen, Fifth Avenue. That was almost directly across the street from East Coast Green
