Waiting and Watching by Darcy Darvill Page B

Lily for his assumption that she was a novice. He then introduced everyone to Agnes Sayre. “Agnes,” he explained,” cautioned me about amateurs conducting this kind of ritual. “For instance,” Agnes added, “I see you intended to use a Ouija Board. They can be very dangerous as they are portals for spirits to enter our physical world and that can be positive or negative. Not all spirits are human. Some of them are demonic, and if you create an entry for a demonic spirit, it is often difficult to get rid of it. In most cases, it requires a priest to perform an exorcism and a Catholic priest needs approval from the Vatican before he can ever perform the exorcism. The priest must then prepare in advance by fasting and praying. Most lay people have no idea what is involved.”
    Agnes asked Lily for permission to conduct the séance. Lily looked annoyed, but acquiesced. Connie felt badly for her and conveyed her understanding with a sympathetic look. She knew how helpful Lily wanted to be, and that this was her opportunity to demonstrate her clairvoyant skills. Her opportunity to shine.
    â€œLily, may I hold the pocket watch?” Lily said nothing, but handed the watch over to Agnes as the older woman took a seat opposite her at the table. Connie moved over to make room.
    â€œWould you like to join us, Sgt. Reynolds?” Agnes offered.
    â€œAh no, I think I’ll have a seat over here.”
    â€œVery well.”
    After they left, Agnes explained to the group that Sgt. Reynolds had not given her any specifics about this particular case and that she prefers not to be given any information when she’s working. She then sat down at the table and carefully folded up the Ouija Board and put it in its box.
    â€œMy method of contacting spirits,” she explained, “is through a spirit guide. I will go into a trance and describe out loud to the group what I’m seeing and feeling.” She asked them to listen carefully and patiently at what she was saying as it may not make sense at first. “But,” she assured them, “it will be significant at some point in solving the case.”
    Agnes closed her eyes and turned the watch over and over in her hands. She said a short prayer and then recited something in Latin. Everyone sat quietly. The room got very cold and the blinds started moving even though the windows were closed. Everyone glanced around at each other, but no one said a word. Lily even, was stunned. After what seemed like forever, Agnes finally spoke.
    â€œThere is danger surrounding the daughter.” She kept turning the watch and then said, “There is evil and duplicity connected to this object.”
    After another few minutes, she continued. “Two people were shot. One of them knew the killer. I can’t see the shooter, but the gun that killed them belonged to one of the victims.” Agnes paused then said, “The killer is close.”
    Agnes opened her eyes and said, “That’s all I can ascertain right now; my spirit guide has retreated.” She cautioned them to be aware of false evidence and not to reach conclusions quickly or with hearsay. She once again warned them never to use the Ouija Board and even suggested they burn it. She thanked Lily for letting her conduct the séance and returned the watch to her. Agnes asked if any of them had any questions for her.
    Connie spoke up. “I just remembered something that happened when Martin attacked me. Scenes from that night keep flashing through my mind. I know I saw a vision of my mother. She didn’t say anything, but once I saw her manifest in front of me, I immediately felt almost safe. Could that vision be real or was I imagining it in my desperation?”
    Agnes smiled. “I believe that was your mother protecting you. I feel she is still looking after you and your brother.”
    â€œThank you for saying that,” Connie said.
    With that, Agnes said