A Taste of the Heights

A few days after Victoria's death, things were getting back to normal in Hyperion Heights. Weaver, Rogers and Hale were in the evidence room going over some files, "This is all my fault," said Rogers, "If I hadn't rescued Eloise, Victoria Belfrey might still be alive."

"No, these events were set in motion by forces beyond your control," said Weaver, "And that being said, I don't believe they're beyond repair."

"But how do we fix this?"

"Well, I think I may have a way. Have a look." said Hale, as she handed Rogers a file there was a picture of a woman lying dead on the floor, "That was Lucy's doctor. She was found in the hospital the same night Victoria died. The medical examiner said death was due to natural causes."

"You think otherwise?"

"Well, a lock of her hair was missing."

"Well, it says here she died at the same time as Victoria. If that's true, another cult member must be responsible."

"But the evil extends far beyond Eloise," said Weaver, "And if we can find the source, might just take us right back to her."


Regina was pushing in some of kegs on a hand truck from the back when Henry walked up, "Hey, You guys need help?" he asked.

"I think we got this handled," said Regina, as she came to a stop, "Thanks, Henry."

"Does he sleep here?" asked Zelena, as she took over for Regina, "He's in this pub more often than you are. Have you not got a home? Is that it?" as she took the kegs behind the bar, and Travis started to hook them up.

"Yeah, yeah. I got a place," said Henry, as Ingrid and Annabelle walked up, "And, actually, I should be heading out. Got somewhere to be, and I don't want to be late." He had a bit of an excited tone to his voice.

"Oh, where are you going?" asked Annabelle, "Sounds important."

"Yeah, yeah. It's, uh it's nothing big. Just a lead on a writing assignment. Tell you about it if it works out. I don't want to jinx it."

"Okay, well, good luck, then," said Regina.

"Thank you. Um, yeah, and before I go, there was a guy in earlier. Um, little strange. Said he was an investor and he could help you fix the lights," he handed Regina a business card.

"What's wrong with the lights?"

"Nothing, actually, until he walked in," said Henry, "They seem fine now. Anyway, just thought I'd tell you." Then, Henry left.

Just then Zelena's cellphone started to ring, "Oh, God," as she looked at her phone, "It's Chad. He keeps leaving messages. What am I supposed to tell him?"

"Don't pick up," said Regina, as she continued to look at the card Henry gave her.

"Yeah, right," said Zelena as she let the call go to voicemail

"Oh, no, that's- that's not what I meant," said Regina, as she walked up to the bar. I-I meant that, um, we have bigger problems than your fiancée right now. Look."

She handed Zelena the card, "'Baron Samdi.' Who's that?" she asked, "Sounds like a colonial dictator."

"No, try Dr. Facilier."

"The voodoo witch doctor with that ridiculous hat? You know him?"

"Our paths have crossed. What are the chances he'd show up just days after we discover there's a coven forming?"

"You think he's awake, too?" asked Ingrid, "I mean, it's not like the curse is broken. Otherwise, Henry would…"

"I know what it would mean for Henry," said Regina, "And we won't let that happen."

"But who knows what Victoria did before she died or who she woke," said Travis, "He could be up."

"And if he is we got to find out. And I think I know how."


Rogers, Weaver and Hale walked into a bakery. There was woman in the back working on gingerbread house. Rogers called out, "'Scuse me, ma'am. Are you, uh, Hilda, the proprietor of this bakery?"

"Mm-hmm," she said, "This is delicate work. I will be right with you."

"I'm Detective Rogers, he's Detective Weaver, she's Detective Hale. We're investigating the murder of Dr. Andrea Sage. She purchased something here the morning of her death. Was wondering if you remember seeing her?"

"I remember," said Hilda, as she turned to face the detectives. They could see that she was blind "But I didn't see her.

"I- I apologize. I didn't…"

"Dreadful what happened. Absolutely dreadful," as she walked to the counter.

"Bit off-season for gingerbread, isn't it?" asked Weaver.

"Never," said Hilda, "It's my number-one seller. Of course, Dr. Sage had her usual tea cake that morning. Wanted to let me know in person that my test results came back clean. She was a dear like that." Hale gave Rogers a nod, he nodded back and started to move to the back. Hilda continued, "I-I can't imagine anyone wanting to hurt her."

"And yet someone did," said Hale.

"Sorry, that's off limits," said Hilda, "Health inspector would have my letter if anyone got into the sugar." Rogers moved over to join his partners. And, Hilda said, "I wish I could be more help, but with my condition, you may have better luck talking to the butcher next door."

"Of course," said Hale, "Thanks for your help."

"Cookie for the road?" asked Hilda as she picked up a gingerbread man, with a piece of tissue paper, "They're fresh out of the oven."

The detectives looked at each other, and Rogers said, "Oh, no, thank you. Though, they look delicious. Have a good day." When the detectives were outside Rogers said, "Did you see that?"

"Oh, she may be blind, but I'm not," said Weaver, "She's obviously hiding something. Whatever it is, we'll find it."


Later that night, at Roni's, Zelena and Travis were behind the bar while Annabelle and Ingrid were doing some cleaning. Just then a man walked in, it was Samdi, "I'm looking for Roni. We spoke on the phone."

"Well, you found her," said Zelena, "The one and only. This is my brother, Nick. How can we help you?"

"Actually, I was hoping I could help you. I'm an investor. With a little extra capital, you could expand. Maybe even franchise. Dream however big you'd like."

Zelena laughed a little, "Well, I am a dreamer, but I just don't think our sister would go for it."

"Your sister?"

"Kelly," said Travis, "We own this place together."

"Perhaps I could chat with Kelly, if she's around," said Samdi

"Always seem to be," said Regina, as she stepped around a corner, "But I'm afraid I'm not interested."

"Are you sure? We could discuss it over a drink. Mm, don't need to. I've heard more than enough."

"Well, I'm sorry to hear that. If you ever change your mind, you have my number," Then Samdi walked out.


In the back alley of the bakery, Weaver was picking the lock on the back door while Weaver and Hale held flashlights. Once they were in, they were met with a very strong smell, "Ugh, do you smell that?" asked Rogers.

"That's gas," said Weaver. They found the door of one of the ovens open with the gas wide open. Weaver turned the gas off.

Hale turned and saw Hilda laying on the floor. She knelt next to her and checked her pulse, "She's still alive."

"Well, there's nothing and no one here except baking equipment," said Rogers.

"A lock of her hair is missing."

"The cult."

"Whoever killed our doctor tried to kill our baker, too," said Weaver, "And whatever they're up to, I suspect they're far from finished."


At Roni's Zelena, Ingrid and Annabelle were sitting at the bar, while Regina and Travis were behind the bar, "So, what do we do now?" asked Zelena.

Regina sighed as she poured Zelena a drink, "I don't know. But I think we can all agree Samdi had no idea we pulled a switch on him."

"So, Facilier's asleep," said Annabelle.

Just then Weaver and Hale walked in, "Well, that makes one of us," said Weaver, "Nice to see you again, Regina," as they walked to the bar, "I see you and Ingrid didn't return empty-handed."

"The Dark Ones in denim," said Zelena, "How quaint."

Annabelle went up to Hale and gave her a hug, "You look great," said Annabelle.

Hale smiled, "You too," she said. Travis joined his daughter and hugged his wife. Hale smiled. It was good to be with her family again. Hale then notice that Ingrid hadn't moved from where she was sitting at the bar, "It's good to see you, Ingrid."

"You too, Mother," said Ingrid, coldly.

Hale nodded and looked down a little. Travis looked at the two. Ingrid and Elsa had always been very close, and he was surprised at Ingrid's reaction, "Did something happen that you didn't tell us about?" he asked

"Aunt Regina and I went to them for help and they pretended like we were crazy."

Hale sighed, "We had an alliance with Belfrey that kept us from being honest with them."

"And now that she's dead and the coven's come to town, what?" asked Zelena, "you just circle back around to us for help?"

"That's not the only reason we came here," said Weaver, "We had thought that the coven killed Dr. Sage, but today there was another attack on a member of the coven. That's caused us to re-evaluate."

Hale opened an envelope and took out a picture, "Turns out, the doctor had a scar we missed." She handed it to Travis. It was of the doctor's wrist. He passed it to Annabelle, she passed it to Ingrid, she passed it to Zelena, and Zelena passed it to Regina.

"Looks like a tattoo removal," said Regina. Everyone looked at her, "Apparently, in my cursed persona, I made some poor decisions. I mean, who loves Def Leppard lyrics that much? Had to be done."

Zelena looked at the picture again, "I recognize this. Looks like…"

"Eight spokes on a wheel," finished Weaver, "The doctor wasn't killed by the coven. She was in the coven."

"Someone's killing witches," said Regina.

"Well, pour some sugar on me," said Zelena.

"I think another drink's required," said Weaver, "For all of us."