"This lady is Becky, she was killed 5 years ago and the first one, but a mark was found on her ankle. We think Smythe used a warbler as his calling card. Next was Terri, found strangled with a warbler on her stomach." Jeff was showing pictures and explaining with a straight face. If he had looked up, he'd have seen Rachel's face paling and Nick's jaw clench. But Jeff kept showing pictures of people Smythe had killed. When it came to the lone boy, Rachel gasped.
"What? Seb killed him?" She whimpered.
"You knew him?" Jeff asked.
"I dated him before I met Seb. He is.. err was bisexual." Rachel spoke softly. Nick saw his sister's face and moved closer, enveloping her in his arms. "It's OK, Star."
Jeff looked at Rachel, who was near tears. "Did he have a name? We haven't found anything."
Rachel looked at him, "Thad Hardwood."
Jeff looked at the picture, then looked at Rachel. "Thad?"
He excused himself and went outside. Nick was surprised at the loud cursing he heard. Rachel burst into tears. He looked at Puck, "I'm guessing he knew the guy."
Puck nodded, "One of his ex-boyfriends."
Rachel's crying got louder, "Oh crap! Jeff's the ex?"
Nick swore under his breath., "Can you watch my sister?"
Puck nodded. Nick stood up, kissed Rachel's forehead and went outside to where Jeff stood. "Jeff. Calm down. I know you're upset, but that won't help any of the victims."
Jeff looked at Nick, his eyes sunken. "Thad was my ex-fiancee. We broke up 2 years ago. I didn't recognize him in the photo because that's not the Thad I remember."
Nick walked next to Jeff and wrapped his arms around the blonde, "Listen to me, Just do what you know Thad would want you to do."
Jeff smiled, accepting the embrace, "Thanks."
Nick nodded, mentally glad he had killed that Smythe bastard.
Inside, Rachel hasn't stopped crying. Puck tries to comfort her. She looked at him, "When Thad and I dated, he told me about his ex-boyfriend that he called Dancer. From what Thad told me, he was an amazing man. I didn't know it was Jeff. I'm sorry."
Puck looked at her, "Don't worry, It was a mutual breakup, but it did hit Jeff hard. I'm just glad we know who the mystery guy is now. I feel bad for my cuz, that was his best friend and ex-fiancee. I guess Thad didn't want it known he broke off an engagement."
Rachel looked at Puck, "That sounds like Thad. He didn't like talking about past loves. When he and I broke up, we said we'd love each other til eternity even though we're over as a couple. I'm guessing it was the same for Jeff."
Puck nodded. Rachel sniffled. The door creaked open, Jeff and Nick came in. Rachel looked up and ran to Jeff. She hugged him, and said, "We'll love him to eternity."
Jeff looked at her and nodded, "He was the best man I knew."
Rachel smiled at Jeff. Nick and Puck looked at each other, a nod passing between the two men
Once everyone's emotions were under control, Jeff looked at Nick and Rachel. "Any help the two of you can give us in locating this ex of yours, Rachel, would be appreciated."
The twins nodded, giving him small smiles.
Jeff and Puck went to the Camaro Jeff saw a thin layer of pink crystals on the driver's seat next to the door. He opened the door and took a sample as evidence. Puck looked over the car, and saw nothing else that was off. "Got all the evidence, cuz?"
Jeff nodded. Puck called Jeff's boss, who agreed to pick up the car that day. Puck looked at his cousin, "How you doing?"
"Awful, Truth be told." Jeff looked at him."OK, We've canvassed the town, right?"
He got a nod from Puck. "Let's see what the town says about the Sylvesters."
"General thought? They're witches."
"Witches?"
"Yeah, you know, magic, hocus pocus, black cats, flying brooms, all that stuff?"
"I know what witches are, smart ass." Jeff chuckled.
"One lady did say there is a curse on that family. If you fall for one of them and they fall for you, you're doomed to die." Puck peered at Jeff.
"So if we fall for Nick or Rachel, we could end up 6 feet under?"
"Explains the fact they don't keep their spouses more than 10 years, if ya ask me."
Jeff raised an eyebrow. Puck handed him a paper, with the family tree on it. He did notice the frequent deaths in the family.
"Interesting. So either this family can't keep anyone alive, or they're a pack of murderers."
Puck snickered, "Not sure about the murderer part, but basically yeah."