Beyond Midnight: Hyacinth Dickinson, #2

By Ellen Dean

Beyond Midnight, from best-selling author Ellen Dean, is the second book in the Hyacinth Dickinson Series. Two years on from a tragic helicopter crash charismatic Dr. Hyacinth Dickinson, world renowned gynaecologist/obstetrician and Mistress of the Amethyst Coven, is out for revenge.

Those who betrayed her must pay, including the beautiful Sofia Roberto-Sabatini, who is in line to be a Mafia Don.

Sofia has a rare blue diamond, knowledge that is supposed to be secret. But, secrets have a way of leaking. Hyacinth is determined to possess that diamond by fair means or foul. If magic needs to be used, then so be it.

But things don't always go according to plan. Hyacinth has enemies who want the diamond as badly as she does, and so the chase begins. The two women end up running for their lives. 
Will they survive? Will love conquer all?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Colbere Publishing
• Release date: Nov 1, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393219569

Book preview

Prologue

Doctor Hyacinth Dickinson, divorced forty-three year old mother of three, loves beautiful things; particularly diamonds and women. Until three years ago she'd lived a charmed double life. Professionally she enjoyed the recognition of being a highly respected consultant obstetrician/gynaecologist who loved her work.

Personally, well that was a different kettle of fish. Hyacinth was born with the gift of telepathic powers. She is a Seer; or as it's called these days a Remote Viewer.

A thrill seeker, she used her extraordinary gift to protect her coven, the Amethyst Group, running a successful diamond smuggling operation that made them all very rich. Her contacts spread throughout the world, like a spiders web with her at the hub. Life had been sweet, even though she had loved and lost Beth McConnell who she had believed to be the woman of her dreams. Hyacinth was tough, she handled that. What she could not handle, would not tolerate, was betrayal.

Don Roberto, head of The Syndicate, a renowned Sicilian Mafia clan, had taken exception to her successful diamond trading, and forced her into a corner. He'd sent his niece Sofia Roberto-Sabatini to deliver a personal ultimatum. Stop the diamond runs or face the consequences. To save her skin, the women in her coven and her loyal network of contacts, she had ceased the diamond runs. She told no one why. You don't mess with those guys.

But, sometimes even your closest friend will betray you. Lady Penny Corday had committed that ultimate sin. To exact her revenge Hyacinth ensured Penny went to prison for a murder she didn't commit: she was to be released early due to lack of evidence.

Hyacinth was waiting, she wasn't finished with Penny yet. No one double-crossed Hyacinth and got away with it. No one.

Chapter One

In the warm kitchen of The Old Manse, her Scottish Highland home, Doctor Hyacinth Dickinson, wearing her purple housecoat, prepared to scry. She reached up to lift the special crystal bowl out of the cupboard and glanced out of the window across the valley beyond the woodlands to the Cairngorm Mountains and a clear blue sky. It's a long time since you've done this, she told herself, just concentrate and it will work.

She splashed fresh spring water into the bowl. The atmosphere stilled as she cupped the bowl in her hands and gazed at the water. Her Mediterranean Blue eyes reflected back, then widened in horror as the water became alive showing blizzard images of a helicopter swirling out of control before crashing against the storm swept mountainside. She screamed. The bowl slipped from her fingers shattering on the tiled floor. Two sleeping Rottweilers leapt from their beds, hackles raised, barking, ready to protect her.

Dorothy, her long time friend and mentor, dashed through the doorway. 'What's happened?' Seeing the shards of crystal on the floor Dorothy shooed both dogs to the safety of the boot room.

White faced, rooted to the spot, Hyacinth spoke. 'I was scrying. I saw the helicopter crash and,' she gulped for air, 'Steph's body lying in the snow: limp, broken.' She started to cry. 'It was my fault, Dorothy. I killed her.'

Dorothy crossed the kitchen, wrapped H in her arms. 'It wasn't your fault. This is no good, dear. This recrimination has got to stop. Steph chose to go with you. You didn't force her.'

'I didn't give her much choice.' H shuddered, ran her hands through her long blonde hair.

'You gave her every choice,' Dorothy hugged her tighter. 'It's two years since the crash. I'm worried about you, you seem to be getting worse, not better.' Dorothy took hold of Hyacinth's shoulders. 'You won't like this but I'm going to say it anyway,' she hesitated, 'I think you need counselling.'

'Counselling!' Horrified Hyacinth pulled back, but Dorothy's words brought her to the present. 'Get me some of your medicine,' she pointed to a solid oak bureau in the corner of the kitchen, 'it's all I need. There's some in the top drawer.'

'You should have been taking it before now,' Dorothy scolded as she pulled open the drawer and reached inside. Instead of finding a glass bottle her fingers settled on a plastic pot. Picking it up she shook the pot at Hyacinth. Pills rattled inside. 'What are these?'

'Anti-depressant,’ H answered. There was no point in lying. Dorothy knew her inside out. This powerful white witch had taught her the old ways; been the mother she'd always longed for. Hyacinth would never disrespect her.

'Where did you get these?' Dorothy was stunned. 'You've not left the house since you arrived here.'

'Don't ask.' Hyacinth frowned.

'Stolen?'

'Borrowed.'

'Do you want the police sniffing around again?' Dorothy's face darkened. 'What's happened to my beautiful strong Hyacinth...the girl I took under my wing and was both mother and father to? The girl who can read minds, control events; the most powerful witch I know?'

'I have no answers, Dorothy,' Hyacinth dropped onto a kitchen chair. Dorothy sat opposite her. H reached across the table to hold both of her precious friends hands. 'I'm lost. I don't know which way to turn, what to do. But I know I would not be who I am if it were not for you.'

Dorothy gripped the younger woman's hands. 'I've loved you since the first moment I saw you when you came to boarding school. Oh how you hated it. You were out of control, but I could see the real you. You are the daughter I never had.'

'I love you too.'

'Listen to me. You are the most beautiful and beguiling woman on the planet; both men and women want you. Some even want to be you. You are rich beyond dreams and you can be, do, and have anything you want. That aside, most people would die to have your talent.' Hyacinth straightened her posture, looked at Dorothy. 'You are a clever witch with a devoted coven you are neglecting. With them, you ran one of the most successful diamond smuggling operations in the world. Damn it girl, you were so successful the mafia stepped in and forced you to close it down. You did the right thing. You did nothing wrong.'

'Apart from kidnapping Beth.'

'Well, nobody's perfect,' Dorothy smirked, nodded her head. 'You knew the type of relationship you wanted with her would never work. I know Beth isn't the reason for how you feel, and I know the pair of you have a secret connection no one can break,' H nodded. 'You have suffered betrayal from the only other person you trusted and that, my dearest girl, is the bitterest pill to swallow. Penny Corday has a lot to answer for, she caused such grief!' Dorothy frowned. 'Her stupidity could have got you all killed. She should have trusted you.'

'But she didn't.' H sighed and watched Dorothy get up, go to the Aga and make tea. How many years had this woman been her guardian angel; her family? More than she cared to remember. Dorothy had aged beautifully although her once brown hair was now silver and she carried a few extra pounds, yet it suited her. One of the strongest people H had ever met, mentally and physically, she'd taught H every bit of white magic she knew and discovered H's unique ability of remote viewing. H almost laughed out loud recalling the first time she probed Dotty's mind. It was pathetically clumsy: poor Dotty had suffered migraine for days, but now she could glide through any mind like a butterfly not leaving a trace or the slightest awareness of her probing.

She loved Dorothy who gave her wise advice she sometimes didn't take. It felt good to be talking today, to bring the situation out in the open.

'You have a conscience about Steph's accident.' Dorothy sat, passed her a steaming mug of tea. 'Shows you're human.'

H frowned. 'I hate myself.'

'Time to move on. If you don't then her ladyship has won.'

'You've got a point.'

'No one has ever beaten you; except one time at boarding school.'

'My God, I'd forgotten,' H laughed as the memory of dunking the school bully's head down the toilet came back to her, 'but I got my revenge. And a new special friend.'

'Yes, revenge is exactly what you got.' Dorothy agreed. 'Do you remember what I said to you afterwards?'

H thought for a moment. 'Yes. Your exact words were: revenge is sweet. I've lived by those words, except for the past two years.'

'Exactly. It's time for you to refocus. Revenge IS sweet.'

They sat in companionable silence until Dorothy got up to brew fresh tea.

H felt brighter, lighter. It showed in her demeanour. 'Penny is due out of prison soon,' she said.

'Spend some time deciding what her fate should be after she's released,' Dorothy smiled as she took hold of Hyacinth's hand, 'it will make you feel better.'

'You know me so well,' H said. 'The treacherous bitch has been on my mind for some days now.'

'Glad to hear it,' Dorothy nodded her head. 'Betrayal carries a high price. Make a plan.'

'Believe me I have a plan.'

'Good.' Dorothy set down the mug, spread her hands. 'I think you should consider returning to work. Your expertise is needed: mothers and babies are out there waiting for you,' she tapped her fingers on the table to emphasize her words, 'and get rid of those tablets,' Dorothy looked squarely at Hyacinth.

'You're right. Always so wise. Thank God I don't need to worry about the Carlisle Mother and Baby Clinic. It's in good hands with Daphne.' H sipped her tea. 'I don't need to be there. She keeps me up to date, runs the clinic as if it's her own.' She sat back in the chair. 'I might take a holiday first.'

Dorothy smiled her approval, 'That's a good idea.'

H allowed her mind to become fully active for the first time in months. 'The trouble started in Carlisle. We were finished for the day when an unexpected visitor called; a woman. We thought she was representing a charity so I asked Daphne to show her in. It was Sofia bringing me Don Roberto's message. I remember her smell. It drifted in with her when she walked into my office and it's never left me.'

'Expensive perfume?'

'A fragrance I hadn't come across before—or since, and she had that natural elegance of someone who knows how to dress. Short dark hair, deep brown eyes. A stunner with style.' H dropped a kiss on Dorothy's head. 'Thank you. You always show me the right path. I've lots to think about now, and plans to make. I'll throw those tablets in the bin—tomorrow.'

'Make sure you do. Do not get addicted to anti-depressants. I have all the natural medication you need.'

'Yes, mother.' Hyacinth got up, hugged Dorothy, swept up the shattered crystal, poured malt whisky into tumblers. Her thoughts buzzing.

She returned to sit opposite Dorothy looking so vibrant, so alive, she glowed. Pushing one of the tumblers towards her old friend, the smile playing on her lips told Dorothy she was back. 'To us, Dotty.' Crystal clinked against crystal. 'Revenge will be sweet: beautiful, bloody revenge.' Hyacinth's blue eyes flashed. 'I've not been myself but it is time—I have scores to settle.' The women clinked glasses again, then spoke as one. 'To the future.'

Chapter Two

Heat shimmered from the tarmac as the black Porsche careered down the steep Madonie Mountain road. Way below the Mediterranean glistened under a bright blue sky. Don Roberto, kingpin of one of Italy's distinguished Mafia clans, gripped the wheel fighting to keep control of the car. Beads of sweat erupted on his forehead running into his eyes obscuring his vision.

The dreaded voice was in his mind again, hounding, pounding, generating such excruciating pain he felt his head was about to explode. A physically strong man he fought to manoeuvre the car round the hairpin bend, cursing as it slid sideways across the treacherous road. His thoughts raced as fast as the car. Almost home. Come on, come on, concentrate keep it steady, keep it smooth. Just another couple of kilometres then I'm off this damned mountain. You won't get away with this Hyacinth.

The pain intensified, blinding him. He knew these parts well enough to start pumping the brakes. He was fast approaching the dangerous unguarded bend. His vision cleared, briefly. 'What the hell...?' Instinctively he swung the car to avoid a collision.

Tyres screeched. He lost control. The Porsche launched from the road like a rocket, hanging in the air just long enough for the Don to know he was a goner.

In the cool interior of her Sicilian villa Sofia Roberto-Sabatini studied a precious family asset, an exquisite rare blue diamond. Today, she didn't experience her usual rush of joy when handling this treasure. She felt uneasy, unable to settle. She replaced the diamond in its container, put the container inside a metal box, locked the box, slipped the key into her hip pocket then put the box in her secret safe.

She walked across the room to gaze out of a window at the sea and across to the Aeolian Islands. Her private telephone rang. It was bad news.

Opening the door to her uncle's hospital suite, she stopped, registered the familiar faces, and then looked at her uncle. He lay corpse like. Oh God—this looks bad! The bandage wrapped round his head seeped blood, yet there was not one mark on his tanned face.

With a nod to the assembled men she sat on the edge of his bed, took his cold hands in hers. He twitched. 'Can you hear me?' Nothing. 'Uncle, it's me, Sofia.'

The Don's eyes opened. She relaxed a little. He did not acknowledge her, but looked past her. A beautiful smile lit his face, he looked like a young man again. 'I'm ready,' he said.

She turned to see who he was looking at: no one was there. Her attention went back to her uncle, The Don.

'Ah Sofia,' for a brief second he gripped her hand, 'your Aunt Rosa has come for me.'

Sofia's aunt passed away several years earlier and she knew her much loved uncle was about to leave her. She held his grip, bent low to his ear, 'Uncle, if you are ready, go to Aunt Rosa knowing the family business will be safe with me.' She paused, hoping for a reaction.

Roberto raised both hands to grab her shoulders pulling her close to him. 'No one else must hear this,' he gasped.

She waved the men away. They left without question. Tears threatened as she watched Don Roberto's body shudder. 'Sofia,' his voice rasped, 'beware. It's all up to you now.'

'I'm listening.'

'Hyacinth Dickinson is after the blue diamond. Clever woman. She can read your thoughts...control your mind,' he swallowed. 'You are the Don now. You are strong, capable, you have my blessing. Mario...' The death rattle sounded in his throat.

She whispered in his ear. 'I will not fail you, Uncle,' she promised. 'Now go; be with Aunt Rosa. I love you.' Tears washed over her cheeks as she leaned back and watched her uncle's lids close for the last time. The natural colour drained from his face to be replaced by a deathly white pallor. His lips turned blue, he was gone. Saying her goodbyes, her mind and emotions raced.

She hot heeled it out of the hospital. Acknowledging only Mario, holding up her hand to stop him coming towards her. The other men must not see her tears. She needed space. Time and space before she stepped into Don Roberto's shoes. Outside she broke down and wept.

She sought refuge in a nearby church. The peaceful atmosphere helped to settle her. She lit a candle, sat in a darkened corner and tried to clear her head. The Syndicate was in her control now; her responsibility. As of today she was The Don, one of only a few female Dons in the world. She pondered over her uncle's final words. What the hell made him think Hyacinth Dickinson could read his thoughts, and was after the blue diamond? Why did he say such bizarre things? Could his words have been caused by the pain relief he had been given? Morphine affects the mind. Yet she knew he'd been about to remind her she had an out, if she wanted, and Mario could front the family. They had discussed it many times in preparation for something like this. She pushed his words to the back of her mind; right now she had a funeral to arrange.

Chapter Three

Beth McConnell, in full makeup, long brunette hair hanging loose, waddled around Gateshead Metro Centre choosing baby clothes; thirty-three years old and six months pregnant, looking gorgeous in her coral top worn over dark slacks. Carrying several designer bags, she swayed on her feet, exhausted. Time she headed for her favourite coffee house where she could sit in comfort until her partner, Lou Scott, came to collect her. She sighed. Her feet ached