Page 82 of Real Fake Hauntings

“Smart,” Alex said. He lifted his hands in a peace offering. “No admiration intended.”

“Too smart,” I grumbled, then louder, “We need to find the body before they find another person to transfer Bagley into.”

Everyone grimaced at my words.

“How are we going to do that?” Shane asked. “If they used a glamour potion, Rufus won’t be able to follow their scent.”

“They probably used a van anyway,” Alex said.

I walked through the trees and watched the houses on the other side of the street.

“We should ask people in those houses if they noticed any vans or big cars overnight or early this morning.”

“We can do that,” Ian said, coming to stand by my side. He motioned with his head, and the three strays jumped into action.

“On it, boss,” Shane said. They jogged back toward the house and the private gate.

“You should go back to the shop,” Ian said, rubbing my arm. “You’re going to catch a cold.”

Only then I realized that I hadn’t put on my jacket before leaving the shop. I shivered, suddenly chilled to the bone.

“Come,” Ian said. He took my hand and brought me into the house, where he gave me one of his jackets and allowed me to hold Fluffy for a few long minutes before sending me on my way.

But as I waved goodbye and took Bee-Bee into the street, I decided that I needed to make one stop first.

Whoever was helping Bagley would fight to the last, but if the earth mage was a simple hire, they’d be a lot more willing to give up names.

I didn’t have the best contacts in the dark web marketplace, but I knew one spot perfect for fishing. It was probably too early for Wyatt’s bar to be open, but I might as well pay it a visit and try later if it was closed.

Surprisingly, it was open. Several of the pubs were. I also noticed a police presence already on the streets, which was excellent news—it wouldn’t be easy for people to move a body around.

No bouncer guarded the door of the bar this time, so I strode right in. The atmosphere inside was as gloomy this early in the morning as when I’d visited at night. A few customers sat at the bar and at the tall tables, nursing beers, while the shadowed booths by the wall were mostly unoccupied. I wondered if Wyatt simply kept the place going twenty-four-seven.

“What?” the man himself snapped from behind the bar.

“Good morning to you,” I answered brightly.

“I think you’re in the wrong place, lady,” Wyatt said with a very unbecoming sneer.

I made a show of tapping my lips, then spoke loud and clear. “Are you sure? I was told this was the place to find earth mages.”

“We got nothing of that here.”

“But it’s urgent,” I pleaded. The background music was kept to a bare minimum and nobody had touched the ancient jukebox, giving my voice plenty of exposure. “I can pay well.”

“I don’t care. Now, order something or get out.”

I might have, if I hadn’t left my wallet along with my phone back home. “If you know of anyone who can find me an earth mage on short notice, you’ll let me know?”

“Are you listening?”

“Are you?” I countered cheekily. “Earth mage. Give me a call at the tea shop if you find one.”

Wyatt pointed to the door. “Out.”

I shook my head. “You’ll never attract new customers with that attitude.”

He reached for the bat hanging from the back shelf, and I chose to retreat before he practiced his swing on my butt.

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