Chapter 18
In the days that followed, Jasmine gave the earring to the police along with the pocket watch. The police were able to link Edmund Trefare, the jeweler’s son, to Melanie Zurner’s death. A two-hundred-year-old murder case was finally solved. And Mia, Hannah, and Jasmine were to thank.
“You know, I think the police department would really benefit from our detective services,” said Hannah. She and her two best friends biked back to the bog for one last visit before winter.
“Just as long as the cases don’t involve slimy dead things,” Mia said.
They parked their bikes and walked to the bog. Stillness lingered, but not the creepy kind they had felt weeks ago.
Tiny white flowers covered the velvety moss on the bog. Mia, Hannah, and Jasmine sat on a nearby log. Mourning doves cooed before the sun completely set. In the distance they saw her—Melanie Zurner. Her almost-invisible outline turned to them and waved good-bye. She faded into the bog’s mist.
“It’s crazy to think of where all this began,” said Hannah.
“The Atlas of Cursed Places,” said Jasmine.
“Actually, no. It all started with Mia and a little butterfly clip of Grammy’s.”
Mia was silent. She could feel tears coming. “I’m glad I didn’t see Grammy. She wouldn’t have been the same as I remembered.” Then she paused. “I do kind of wish I knew if she was okay.”
A gentle breeze touched their faces as a butterfly landed right on Mia’s shoulder. It stayed there looking at her, moving its delicate wings as if to say “Hello.” On the next gentle breeze it lifted and flew into the setting sun.