Page 103 of A Spell of Midlife Mayhem

Chapter 32

THE NEXT MORNING, RAVEN announced that he’d received a text offering ‘a rare witch’s spell book for sale from a private collection’. The seller had asked for an exorbitant price, as expected.

‘That’s got to be it,’ I said. ‘Meet with the seller, and we’ll catch them red-handed with the stolen book. I’ll call Inspector Pentecost too.’

Raven shook his head. ‘She told you to leave the investigation to her, right? Imagine if this person is a genuine seller with a witch’s spell book of their own, and not the murderer and thief you’re after.’

That wouldn’t have a positive outcome. ‘Okay, we’ll do it on our own.’

‘All right. I’ll arrange a meeting for eight tonight in Richmond somewhere.’ He tapped out the message.

We waited on the edge of our seats for a reply. It came within a minute. ‘Agreed.’

I grinned. ‘We’ve tempted them into our trap. All we have to do is make sure we catch them. Maybe we can record the meeting on our phones.’

‘I’d already thought of that,’ he said. ‘Then we’ll have some evidence for Inspector Pentecost.’

***

THE DAY INCHED ALONG. I was on edge the entire time, studying my colleagues discreetly to see if one of them was acting differently. Maybe excited by the prospect of making a lot of money by selling a valuable spell book, for instance? But if one of them was my target, they were as cool as a penguin in the winter. No one acted suspiciously at all.

Except me, it seemed. In the middle of the afternoon, when I stepped into the countess’s bedchamber on a routine patrol for visitors, she stared at me out of the mirror.

Startled by her unexpected appearance, I took a pace back, and she stepped out of the mirror to stand in front of me. ‘Pray tell, Heather, what mischievousness is afoot? Thou art as jittery as a hare on a hunting day.’

‘Hi, Charlotte.’ I lowered my voice. ‘I’m going to find the stolen book and solve the murder at the same time. Tonight.’

‘Ooh, is it so?’ She looked keen. ‘I’m coming with thee.’

I guessed she would say that. Probably all the other ghosts would come along too. They could be helpful. But would Raven be aware of them? Would he freak out if he was?

There was only one way to be sure. And I hoped he wouldn’t mind the spectral company.

‘Thanks, Charlotte. I’ll pick you up at about seven thirty.’

‘Splendid. We shalt apprehend the scoundrel. Art thou quite sure about not lopping off their head?’

‘That’s out of the question.’

She sighed. An icy breeze wafted over my face, and I shuddered.

‘My most humble apology,’ she said.

‘It’s perfectly fine. I understand you’re disappointed.’

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