Page 113 of Castings & Curses

“What are you playing at?” Belinda demanded. “Get up this instant and do your job.”

Teetering on the edge of temptation to pester the child for answers, Priya latched onto the sharply spoken words like a lifesaver.

“I was assured you were the best witch for this.” The widow gripped Priya’s arm and tugged.

“I haven’t seen anyone else like me here,” Levi said. “Can you talk to my mommy? She’s right over there.” He pointed to the sidewall. “Crying. And daddy is too.”

Priya straightened. “Mrs. Hawthorne, I don’t think your husband is here. I need—”

“He is. You just haven’t given him enough time.”

Levi walked to the wall and passed through it.

“Do your spell thing again.”

“I’m sorry.” Priya hurried to the door, stopping only long enough to scoop up her coat and bag. She turned, nearly colliding with Belinda. She didn’t have time to argue with this woman. Even though the contract clearly stated payment was due whether the spirit was reached or not, she knew Mrs. Hawthorne would dig in like a mule. Priya rummaged through the bag, retrieved the check, then handed it to her former client. “I don’t normally do this, but I’m returning your money.”

“I don’t want my money back.”

“I have to go.” Priya hitched the bag onto her shoulder. “Again, I’m sorry.” She rushed to the door, opened it, and headed into the hall. The Serenity room and main entry were to her right. To the left, at the end of the hall, the funeral director and a hulking man in a navy suit spoke in quiet tones. A set of closed doors lay halfway down the hall. Since Levi went in that direction, she headed for them.

Butterflies swirled in the pit of her stomach. How would she explain herself? She didn’t want to traumatize Levi’s parents. Would they believe her? Would they listen to her at all?

As she laid her hand on the doorknob a man shouted, “Hey! You can’t go in there.”

Broad through the chest, belly, and hips, the man moved with surprising swiftness. Priya winced, recognizing the beefy face.

Detective Bauer.

She hoped he was here as a friend of the family and not in his official capacity.

Over the years, Priya helped the Kingston Police Department three times, twice with suspicious deaths and once with a murder. Bauer hadn’t been involved with any of the cases. That didn’t stop him from loudly and vehemently insisting she was a charlatan. He wore his hostility like a favorite cologne.

He chugged to a stop. “Well. Well. Ms. Carmichael. Why am I not surprised to see you here?”

“Detective. I need to speak with Levi’s parents.”

“No. Leave them in peace.” Bauer rocked forward, looming over her. “They don’t need your woo-woo act right now.”

Clenching her fist around the strap of her bag, she silently vowed to stay calm. “Levi wants to speak with his parents.”

“Does he?” His voice dripped with derision.

“Well, yes,” Belinda Hawthorne interjected. “She got the wrong ghost and he interrupted my session to contact my poor Zeke.”

Bauer’s icy gaze landed on Belinda. “And you are?”

She shrugged it off with a scalding glare. “Mrs. Ezekiel Hawthorne. Now, let her get on with her business. The sooner she relays the message” —she waved a ring-heavy hand— “the sooner we can get back to my husband.”

Levi popped his head out through the closed door. “Are you coming?”

“Yes, I am.” Priya took hold of the doorknob again.

Bauer slapped his hand against the door, blocking her. “And I said no. I won’t have you bothering these people and I won’t tolerate you messing with my investigation.”

Murdered. Levi had been murdered. Blanketed by sadness, Priya squeezed her eyes shut, fighting back tears.

Behind her, Levi asked, “Who is the grumpy man?”

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