Witch Is Why A Pin Dropped (A Witch P.I. Mystery Book 20)

by Adele Abbott

  “Who’s Bert?”

  “He’s the security man who’s in charge of the CCTV. He’s usually in that office.”

  “Okay, thanks.”

  I knew as soon as I saw Bert that I wasn’t going to get any joy out of him. He had ‘job’s worth’ written all over his smug face. I could have wasted thirty minutes using all my powers of persuasion, and my feminine wiles, but I couldn’t be bothered.

  I used the ‘sleep’ spell instead.

  With Bert snoozing in his chair, I viewed the CCTV coverage of that fateful day, starting from a point a couple of hours before Lee Sparks’ show went on air. Mike Spins was the first person to appear—he was probably on his way to his meeting with Lee Sparks. Fifteen minutes later, Sparks showed up. During the next hour, three other people came into the building, but they didn’t go any further than the reception area. Next to enter was Dale Royal, a few minutes ahead of the show he was about to produce. Shortly after that, Mike Spins left the building. Shortly after the time-stamp showed it was time for the drivetime show to begin, Dale Royal reappeared. He was headed out of the building—presumably on his way to Sounds, to get coffee for Sparks. Kylie Jay arrived next. Was that the face of a woman hellbent on murdering her boyfriend? She certainly didn’t look very happy. A few minutes later, Dale Royal returned—coffee in hand.

  I woke Bert, and cast the ‘forget’ spell on him before making my way out of the radio station. The CCTV had done no more than confirm what I already knew—it had revealed nothing unexpected.

  ***

  Bertie Myflowers lived in an apartment block, which was close to the market square in GT.

  “It’s true, then?” Myflowers was staring at me. “Constance Bowler told me that you were a sup, but I thought she was pulling my leg. I didn’t think it was possible for you lot to visit Ghost Town.”

  “Neither did I, but here I am. Constance tells me you’ve had some dealings with the ghost traffickers?”

  “That’s right. Come in.” He led the way into a lovely little sitting room. For a ghost, Bertie Myflowers certainly had an eye for interior design.

  “Lovely place you have here, Mr Myflowers.”

  “Call me Bertie, please. I can’t take the credit for any of this. It’s all the work of my sister, Gertie.”

  “Bertie and Gertie?”

  “I’m afraid so. My mother thought it was cute for us to have rhyming names.”

  “Could you talk me through your experience with the traffickers?”

  “Sure. I’ve wanted to go back to the human world ever since—err—well—ever since I left it. The problem is that all my relatives are over here.”

  “Including your sister?”

  “She electrocuted herself two years before I passed over.”

  “What about friends?”

  “Not really. I always kept myself to myself. Of course, if I’d realised that having friends would make the difference between being able to get back to the human world, or staying here, I’d have made more of an effort. When I saw an ad for Ghost Placements, I thought I’d found the answer to my prayers.”

  “If I understand correctly, they promise to find a human host for you?”

  “That’s right. It sounded perfect.”

  “What went wrong?”

  “As soon as I arrived at their offices, I got bad vibes.”

  “Why?”

  “I can’t explain it. There was just something that didn’t feel right.”

  “Were there any other customers there on the day you went?”

  “There were eight of us altogether. Everyone else seemed excited to get on with it, but something held me back. I asked a few questions, but never got a straight answer.”

  “What kind of questions?”

  “When I asked where the human hosts were located, they said they had lots on their books, but they wouldn’t know which one we’d be going to until they’d had time to find the optimum match.”

  “Anything else?”

  “I asked if we’d be able to come back to GT whenever we wanted.”

  “What did they say?”

  “They didn’t give me a proper answer; they just skirted around my question. That’s when I decided it wasn’t for me.”

  “Did you have any problem getting away?”

  “Not really. I just pretended I didn’t have the cash. After that, they weren’t interested in me. I still feel guilty because I went there with a work colleague, Andy Toeloop. I tried to persuade him to leave with me, but he was determined to go through with it.”

  “Have you seen anything of him since then?”

  “No one has.”

  Chapter 11

  This time I was determined to take a good look around the market in GT. It was extremely busy, and I had to squeeze my way through the crowds. It didn’t help that everywhere I went, people stopped and stared at me. A sup in GT was still a newsworthy event, unfortunately. The sooner that situation changed, the happier I’d be.

  “Jill! Over here!”

  I could hear my mother’s voice, but I couldn’t see her through the crowd.

  “Mum?”

  “Can you meet us over by the statues, Jill?”

  “Okay. Will do.”

  I’d noticed the statues on my way into the market. When I reached them, my mother and Alberto were both straining their necks to try to see me.

  “I’m here.”

  “Jill.” Mum gave me a hug. “It so great that you’re able to visit GT now, isn’t it Alberto?”

  “It certainly is.” He flashed a huge smile.

  “Are you two out shopping for anything in particular?”

  “Just a garden gnome,” my mother said.

  “Very funny. What are you really looking for?”

  “A garden gnome. Alberto collects them, don’t you?”

  His smile had disappeared. “Don’t you like garden gnomes, Jill?”

  “Gnomes? I love them. I’ve been telling Jack that we should get one for ages now.”

  “If you need any advice, I’ll be pleased to help.”

  “That’s very kind, thanks.” I figured it might be best to get off the subject of garden gnomes. “What’s with these statues?”

  “How do you mean?” My mother glanced up at them.

  “They’re a little unusual, aren’t they?”

  “In what way?”

  “Well, it’s not every day you see statues of vegetables with arms and legs. Don’t you think they’re a little creepy?”

  “We like them, don’t we, Alberto? We often sit here to have our lunch.”

  “Right.” Just me, then.

  “What brings you over here today?” said my mother, the creepy-statue enthusiast.

  “I’m working on a case with Constance Bowler.”

  “Don’t you think you already have enough on your plate, solving cases in Washbridge and Candlefield? You’ll wear yourself out.”

  “I’m fine, Mum. There’s nothing for you to worry about, honestly.”

  “Are you eating properly? You look as though you’ve lost weight.”

  “I’m eating just fine, or at least I would be if Jack didn’t keep throwing out the sausages.”

  “Sorry?”

  “Nothing. I’m fine, honestly.”

  “You must come to dinner with us this Sunday, mustn’t she, Alberto?”

  “Definitely.” His smile was back. “You can experience my special mashed potatoes. They’re awfully good, although I do say so myself.”

  “I’d love to, but—” I stopped myself just in time. If I told my mother that I was having Sunday lunch with my father and Blodwyn, she’d go ballistic. “I—err—I’d love to.”

  “Great. That’s settled then. We’ll see you on Sunday.”

  Oh bum! What had I just done?

  ***

  I’d agreed to meet Aunt Lucy later, to help her choose an outfit. I was worried because I had no idea what people would wear at a grim reaper dinner and dance. But I did kno
w someone who would. I made a call, and to my delight they agreed to help.

  I’d no sooner finished on that call than my phone rang. It was Kathy.

  “You and your brilliant ideas, Jill.”

  “Sorry? What did I do this time?”

  “You should go on strike, she says. That will show Grandma, she says.”

  “I stand by what I said. You can’t just let her walk all over you.”

  “That’s all well and good, but she’s sacked us both, and taken on temporary staff. Thanks to you, I no longer have a job.”

  “She can’t do that! It must be against the law.”

  “Do you think your grandmother cares about that?”

  “Don’t worry. I’ll get it sorted.”

  “And how do you intend to do that?”

  “I’ll go down to Ever, and talk to Grandma.”

  “When has she ever listened to a single word you say?”

  “It’ll be okay, Kathy. I promise.”

  “It had better be. Oh, and by the way, I had a strange phone call from a man, asking if I wanted bagpipe lessons. He said you gave him my number.”

  “What? He was probably drunk or crazy.”

  “So, you don’t know anything about it?”

  “Not a thing. I’d better get going. Bye.”

  This was all my own stupid fault. I should have kept my nose out of Kathy’s grievances with Grandma. What had I been thinking? Somehow, I had to make this right.

  ***

  Nothing could have prepared me for the scene which greeted me at Ever. The place was full to bursting; the queue at the counter snaked all around the shop. A number of disgruntled customers were complaining loudly.

  “What do you expect me to do about it?” the young woman behind the counter shrugged. She had spiked black and purple hair, a lip piercing, and a mouthful of gum.

  “I paid for multi-coloured wool, and it isn’t working!” the middle-aged woman at the counter was red in the face. “I expect you to sort it out.”

  Just then, there was a loud crash. I followed the noise into the tea room.

  “Look what you’ve done!” An irate middle-aged woman was wiping her legs.

  “Chill! It was an accident.” A young woman, covered in tattoos, bent down and began to pick up the pieces of the cups she’d dropped onto the floor. Tea and coffee had splashed everywhere.

  Where was Grandma? Did she have any idea what was going on? I tried her office, but it was empty, so I hurried up to the roof terrace. It was deserted except for one sun-lounger at the far side of the roof. Lying there, in her bathing costume and sunglasses, was the woman herself.

  “Grandma!”

  She didn’t react.

  “Grandma!” I yelled louder.

  Still no reaction, but now I could see why. She had earphones in.

  “Grandma!” I shook her arm.

  “Do you mind?” She jumped up, and took out the earphones.

  “Why are you hiding away up here?”

  “I’m not hiding; I’m relaxing. At least, I was trying to until you interrupted me. It’s the least I deserve after having to put up with all the aggravation caused by your militant sister and her buddy.”

  “Who are those two working in the shop?”

  “Those are the temporary replacements. And it’s no good begging me to give your sister her job back. She’s burned her boats.”

  “Have you actually been down into the shop since the temps started?”

  “No, why would I? I’ve already told you that I need to recharge my batteries after the upset caused by your wayward sibling.”

  “I think you might want to take a look down there.”

  “Why? What’s going on?”

  I started towards the stairs. “I wouldn’t want to spoil the surprise.”

  ***

  Aunt Lucy was waiting for me outside Wendy’s Fashions, as arranged.

  “Sorry I’m late,” I said. “I had to go to Ever.”

  “More problems?”

  “Yes, but not for me this time.”

  “I’m still not sure what I’m looking for, Jill. Have you had any bright ideas?”

  “As it happens, I’ve had a brilliant idea, but I’m not too sure how you’re going to feel about it.”

  “I’m willing to listen to any advice. I just don’t want to make a colossal fool of myself at this dinner and dance.”

  “I’m pleased to hear you say that because I’ve asked someone to join us.” I checked the time. “In fact, she should be here any moment now.”

  “Who?” Aunt Lucy had no sooner said the word than my ‘secret weapon’ arrived.

  “Thanks for coming, Monica,” I said.

  “My pleasure. I’m only too pleased to help.” She turned to Aunt Lucy. “That’s always provided that you’d like my input?”

  “I—err—?” Aunt Lucy looked and sounded stunned.

  “Monica has been to the grim reaper dance before,” I said. “She knows much better than I do what will be appropriate.”

  “That makes sense, I guess.” Aunt Lucy turned to Monica. “Thank you. I’d appreciate your help.”

  I sighed with relief. “I’m going to leave you two to it.”

  Aunt Lucy looked horrified. I knew she would have preferred me to stay, but she wasn’t about to say anything in front of Monica. So far, my plan was going well. Hopefully, they wouldn’t end up at each other’s throats.

  While in Candlefield, I decided to take a muffin break in Cuppy C. The tea-room was practically empty; the Alan and William fangirls had obviously moved on. It wasn’t quiet though because there was a loud banging noise coming from somewhere out back.

  “Hi, Jill. I thought you were meant to be shopping with Mum?” Pearl was by herself behind the counter.

  “I’ve arranged for someone much more knowledgeable to stand in for me.”

  “Who?”

  “Monica.”

  “Mum hates Monica.”

  “Hopefully, this will change that.”

  “Either that or they’ll end up murdering one another.” Pearl grinned. “And then both of them will murder you.”

  “In that case, you’d better serve a blueberry muffin to the condemned woman.”

  “What are you doing here?” Amber had come through from the cake shop.

  “She’s left Mum shopping with Monica,” Pearl said, as she handed me a muffin.

  “You’re so dead.” Amber grinned. “Haven’t you heard the way Mum talks about Monica? She hates her.”

  “You underestimate my skills of diplomacy. Before the day is out, they’ll be besties.” I took a bite of muffin. “What’s that terrible racket coming from out back?”

  “Before we tell you.” Pearl handed me a latte. “Would you agree that the art exhibition was a success?”

  “I suppose so.”

  “Why so begrudging?” Amber said. “You saw how many people attended.”

  “And, they were the right sort of people,” Pearl added.

  “The right sort? You two are such snobs. But, yes, I have to admit the art exhibition went better than I could ever have imagined. What does that have to do with the noise coming from out back?”

  “What you can hear is the next exciting phase in the evolution of Cuppy C.”

  “The evolution? Have you been practising that speech?”

  “Look, Jill,” Amber said. “We understand that you’re rather stuck in your ways when it comes to business.”

  “What do you mean by that?”

  “You just keep on with the same old, same old. When was the last time you tried to improve your business? Where are the new initiatives? The new innovations?”

  “I—err—I’m always innovating.”

  “Name one example.” Pearl pressed me.

  “Okay. I—err—I had some new business cards printed only last week. They’re embossed. Would you like to see one?”

  “Is that your idea of innovative?” It was Amber’s turn to put the boot i
n.

  “There are other examples too, but I’m not at liberty to discuss them. The very nature of my business means those things have to be kept confidential.”

  “You’re so full of it, Jill.” Pearl laughed.

  “You two still haven’t told me what’s going on out back.” The banging was getting louder.

  “We’re going to open a drive-thru,” Pearl said, proudly.

  “A what? Where? How?”

  “Where do you think?” Amber looked at me as though I was a simpleton. “Around the back of course. The noise you can hear is someone installing a serving hatch.”

  “Hold on a minute. How can you have a drive-thru around the back? There isn’t a road back there.”

  “Have you forgotten about the alleyway?” Pearl said.

  “It’s very narrow.”

  “It’s wide enough,” Amber insisted. “Don’t you think we would have checked?”

  “Sorry. Well, I guess it could work.”

  “Your enthusiasm is overwhelming as always. Drive-thrus are all the rage now. People are so busy that they often don’t have time to visit a tea room. This way, they can enjoy all that Cuppy C has to offer, to-go.”

  “It’s definitely an improvement on the delivery service idea,” I conceded. “Whatever did happen to those scooters?”

  Chapter 12

  “Aren’t you excited?” Jack asked.

  It was Saturday—the day of SupsCon, and despite my valiant efforts, I’d been unable to talk him out of it.

  “I can barely control my excitement.”

  “Me neither.”

  Sarcasm? It was totally lost on the man.

  “Do you think we should put on our costumes here at home?” He was examining his plastic fangs.

  “No, of course not. No one in their right mind would drive one hundred miles dressed as a vampire. Everyone will get changed there.”

  “I guess you’re right. What time is it? We don’t want to be late.”

  “Fat chance of that after you set the alarm an hour earlier than we needed to get up.” I yawned.

  “Mum called last night, to check that everything was okay for Monday. I told her that we were looking forward to seeing her.”