The following morning, Charlotte arrived at the shoppe earlier than normal. She hadn't slept well that night, worried about her second home. To her relief, the Potion Shoppe was intact and safe. She unlocked the door and went inside, but immediately locked the door behind her.

Trying to calm her nerves, she sat at her desk in the back room and took a deep breath. She put on her goggles and gloves before opening her potion recipe book. Charlotte needed to distract herself from the threats and warnings, and there was no better way then to delve into work.

She had no idea how much time had passed before she heard pounding at the door. After moving her goggles to her forehead, she peaked around the doorway to see Victoria trying to get in. Embarrassed, Charlotte threw off her gloves and ran to the door.

"First you leave before I wake up, then you lock me out of the shoppe. I'm starting to feel like a cheap date," Victoria teased after their usual greeting. "What's that about?"

"I guess I was a little paranoid from the letter last night. I wanted to get here early to make sure the shoppe was still standing," Charlotte chuckled, feeling a little silly about it.

"Are you really that concerned about it? I don't think you have anything to worry about, though. We're in the center of the city. We'll be fine." 

Charlotte grimaced, not having a good response. Victoria was correct, as they were near the heart of Strathmore. However, her shoppe was on Matlock Street, which ran through the city center. It made it easy for everyone to find it, which was typically a good thing. With a sigh, Victoria placed her hat and coat on the hooks and wrapped her apron around her waist.

"Are you sure that's all your worried about?" Victoria whispered. Charlotte shrugged.

"We haven't had a problem with non witches in decades, I just didn't think that we would be dealing with this again."

"While I agree, I don't think we're going to have to worry about it. I would worry more about those who are in the more rural towns or on the outskirts of Strathmore."

"I guess so," Charlotte exhaled, removing her goggles from her forehead.

"Should I accentuate the sign and start opening the store?" Victoria asked. The Madame hesitated, thinking about the warning. She sighed, and nodded.

"Yes, I think that would be good," Charlotte replied quietly. Victoria waited for her mentor to change her mind, but she didn't say anything else.

While Victoria channeled her magic through the glass, Elizabeth walked in. She looked exhausted, but cheerier than yesterday. 

"Good morning, Elizabeth!" Charlotte smiled as Elizabeth grabbed her apron as well. The woman looked up and grinned back.

"Good morning!" 

Charlotte was going to ask if she got home okay, but she was cut off by the door swinging open. She was surprised to see someone come in so early, but Charlotte smiled graciously toward the uniformed stranger. She recognized the insignia of the Bureau of Security on his lapel.

"Welcome to Madame Dragyn's. How can I be of assistance today?" Charlotte greeted politely. The stranger was a young man with yellowish blonde hair and striking blue eyes. He looked unaccustomed to being greeted in such a way.

"Ah, yes. Are you Madame Dragyn?" he asked. Charlotte smiled, glad that he had some confidence in him.

"I am. Is there something I can help you with?"

"Sorry, yes. I am an officer of the Bureau of Security, and we were hoping that you would be able to help on a case we have," he informed before shaking his head. "Excuse me, my name is Officer O'Conner. I probably should have led with that."

"Well, it's nice to meet you Officer O'Conner, but I have no idea why the Bureau would need my help in their work. I'm only a potion maker. Do you need more Tiomenon?" Charlotte guessed, confused by the request. Victoria glanced back at Elizabeth, who just shrugged.

"No, I'm afraid we'll need more from you than just that. My superior believes that you would have some insight on the matter," O'Conner insisted. As Charlotte said nothing, he cleared his throat. "There has been a case of double murder."

"Murder? I'm not involved in any murder," Charlotte informed sternly.

"We know, we do not believe you are a suspect," O'Conner agreed, taking another moment to collect his words. "However, this double murder has many similarities with, well, your parents' deaths."

"Excuse me? How can this possibility be related?"

"The manner of deaths between the four deceased victims are strikingly similar," O'Conner began to explain before glancing around. Charlotte folded her arms.

"You can trust them as much as you trust me," she informed, her patience growing thin.

"Understood. To put it plainly, the victims seemed to have bled to death then strung up in trees," O'Conner answered quickly. Elizabeth gagged before retreating into the back room. Charlotte didn't move, remembering the horrifying way that her parents had been killed.

"What about they're eyes?" Charlotte whispered. She looked at the ground as she clenched her fists. O'Conner took another silent moment.

"Completely gone with near surgical precision. The same as-"

"I know," Charlotte cut him off with a sneer. 

Her parents had been found the same way when she was fourteen. There were rumors of a silent serial killer, but there were no leads. There were never any witnesses. The culprit had to be extremely skilled in magic to escape the Council and the Bureau so easily. It was rumored that he had died, or had left Strathmore.

"What makes you think that I would know anymore than you would?" Charlotte asked after a deep breath. 

"You may have some insight, maybe if your parents had befriended a stranger or had seen something strange the night they died. We are also aware of your influence on the community," O'Conner explained. Charlotte raised an eyebrow. "Look, I can grab my supervisor if you need more convincing. I was just told to ask you about this."

"Do you need me to come with you now?" she sighed. Victoria gave a nod in her direction, saying that she could watch the shoppe. 

"I think that would be the best plan of action," the officer answered, bowing his head slightly.

"Alright, let me get ready then," Charlotte sighed, turning around promptly. Victoria followed her around the counter. The Madame carefully explained what needed to get done for the day.

"I know what to do, I've looked after the store before," Victoria informed. Charlotte smiled and nodded, grabbing her coat.

"I should be back before closing, but if not, I'll meet you at Lynn's," Charlotte sighed.

"You want us to go without you?"

"You know the way, and I'll just meet you there if I'm not back by closing. Lynn will understand," Charlotte replied before standing in front of the officer. "I'm ready when you are."