“Eagle Developers will fight this accusation of complicity in illegal business practices and we will win.”
Ken Kanning’s voice replied, “Scoopers, we promise you that we will not be outdone in rooting out corruption and crime in our city. Stay tuned next week for developments worthy of Perry Mason.”
Frank said to Kathryn, “We’ll send transport for Sister Eugenie.”
Nash stepped closer. “Ms. Beech, we’re ready to leave.”
Beech stalked downstairs between Nash and Frank.
Olive stage-whispered, “Isn’t that called a perp walk?”
Giulia stared at her.
“What?” Olive said. “I like to watch cop shows.”
Florence appeared at Giulia’s side. “Don’t cross that business owner. She’s the vindictive type. I’ll make sure to play nice with her, especially with you as my keeper.”
She sat on the hall floor, her dress ballooning around her. Steve’s little legs dodged and leaped everyone’s feet as he ran to her. Florence rubbed his ears. The dog flopped onto his back and presented his belly. The ghost obliged.
Ken Kanning’s voice intruded. “If I didn’t know better, I’d swear someone’s rubbing the Chihuahua’s belly. Scoopers, are you seeing this?”
Kathryn took charge. “Gentlemen, Sisters, Giulia, it’s been an eventful evening. May we offer you a glass of wine to toast our new adventure?”
“Not Giulia,” Bart said. “Wine and babies don’t mix.”
Kanning and his microphone teleported so close to Giulia she could smell his scented hair goo. “The intrepid Giulia Driscoll will soon have an able assistant in her ongoing fight for justice.” He parked the microphone on her stomach. “Let’s see if we can share the new Driscoll’s heartbeat with our faithful Scoopers.”
Giulia stepped back before she committed on-camera mayhem. “Mr. Kanning, you watched tonight as I gained the goodwill of an unpredictable and violent ghost. You realize I could call in a favor if I chose?”
Florence stood. “As long as it’s to annoy the loudmouth and not the cute one, I’m happy to oblige.”
A precise cloud of cigarette smoke covered Kanning’s head. From within, violent coughing distorted his silken voice. Pit Bull kept filming.
“I’m okay. I’m okay.” More hacks. “Giulia, tell your ghost—” Kanning could well be coughing up a lung from the sounds— “I apologize.”
“See?” Florence said. “The beginning of a beautiful friendship. The detective and her ghost.”
“You are not my ghost,” Giulia said.
“Are you sure?” Florence could also be coquettish.
Giulia’s phone rang. She stepped away to take the call.
“Giulia? It’s Jasper. Can you come by the shop tonight, no matter how late? Rowan did another reading and she says unless she’s a talentless hack she saw every ghost in the tri-state area headed your way and they all want to talk.”
“And we know she’s not a talentless hack.” Giulia sighed. “I’ll be there.”
She hung up. “Sister Kathryn, could I trouble you for a cup of coffee? It’s going to be a long night.”
About the Author
Baker of brownies and tormenter of characters, Alice Loweecey recently celebrated her thirtieth year outside the convent. She grew up watching Hammer horror films and Scooby-Doo mysteries, which explains a whole lot. When she’s not creating trouble for Giulia Driscoll, she can be found growing her own vegetables (in summer) and cooking with them (the rest of the year).
The Giulia Driscoll Mystery Series
by Alice Loweecey
Novels
NUN TOO SOON (#1)
SECOND TO NUN (#2)
NUN BUT THE BRAVE (#3)
THE CLOCK STRIKES NUN (#4)
NUN AFTER THE OTHER (#5)
Short Stories
CHANGING HABITS
(prequel to NUN TOO SOON)
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