This Poison Heart

Karter arrives that afternoon, insisting that Briseis and her moms must leave Rhinebeck. He asks if Briseis has heard of the Living Elixir. She has but is shocked that Karter knows of it. He grows incensed when Thandie asks him to leave and urges Briseis to think of the danger that the Absyrtus Heart can put her in. He leaves just as Dr. Grant arrives and reports that Karter’s history is dubious; his truck is registered to a deceased man, and he never attended school in Rhinebeck. Dr. Grant claims that she “failed” Briseis and discloses her friendship with Selene, admitting that she knows the truth about how her friend died. She feels guilty for failing to solve Circe’s disappearance and Selene’s murder despite her ongoing efforts. After Dr. Grant leaves, Briseis returns to the altar room and replaces the dead herbs with fresh ones. She also lights the black candles, considering the show of respect to Hecate to be a wise investment. Mrs. Redmond arrives, battered and bruised. She ignores questions about what happened to her and instead insists that there was a bank error and that the Greenes need to leave the house within 24 hours, as substantial back taxes are owed.