to be partners,â Brad explained, after Jeremy introduced himself. âHeâs a private investigator now, and heâs here to see what he can find out.â
Daniel smiled at Jeremy. âGlad to hear it.â
âSo what about you?â Jeremy asked. âDid you notice anyone suspicious, maybe someone paying more attention to Mary than he should have been?â
The man looked thoughtful for a long moment, then shook his head slowly. âI wish I could. Thing is, you canât imagine how crazy this town gets for Halloween. The crowds are huge. I only remember Brad andâ¦and Mary because we got talking.â
âWell, thanks,â Jeremy told him. âIf you happen to remember anything, thoughâ¦â He handed Daniel his card. âJust give me a call on my cell.â
âWill do. And if you have time, come back and take a real look at the museum. Weâve got a section on the pagan practices that are the basis for todayâs wiccansâ practice and another exhibit on what the Puritans thought witches were back thenâ¦.â
âThanks,â Jeremy told him, and turned to leave.
But Brad stayed put and said to Daniel, âIt was that fortune-teller, the one you sent us to.â
Daniel looked confused. âWhat was? What are youââ
âYou recommended that guy?â Jeremy interrupted, wondering why Brad hadnât thought to mention that earlier. âHow well do you know him? Is he a friend of yours? Do you know where we could find him?â
âNo, sorry. I just went to him for a reading and was impressed, so I recommended him. I wish I could help you, butâ¦â
Â
When they left, Brad actually seemed determined, rather than disheartened. âThat guy is out there somewhere. And when we find him, weâll find Mary. I know it.â
Jeremy was silent.
âWeâll find her alive. I know I must sound crazy, but I know sheâs alive.â
âWeâre working from that belief, Brad,â Jeremy assured him. âWhere to next?â
âThat shop right there,â he said, pointing. âThe owners are named Adam and Eve Llewellyn, if you can believe it. Mary liked them a lot. I even liked them, even though I thought theyâd be pretty loopy. Theyâre witches,â he said with a dry laugh.
âI met them last night,â Jeremy said. âBut Iâd like to see their place, and I wouldnât mind talking to them again, either.â
Â
Ginny opened the door at the MacElroy house, let out a little cry of joy when she saw Rowenna and gave her a big hug.
Ginny was the perfect great-aunt. Sixty-year-old widower Dr. Nick MacElroy was a pediatrician. His kids were grown, but Ginny remained with him, looking after the grandchildren when they came. Rowenna had gone to school with his two sons, who had also gone into medicine but practiced in Boston. They came out often enough with their wives and kids, and Ginny was always thrilled to see them.
Rowenna had loved Ginny when sheâd been growing up. Ginny always had hot cocoa and oatmeal cookies for whoever stopped in. She had the look of Mrs. Claus, with a bun of snow-white hair, spectacles that slipped down her nose all the time, cheery, bright blue eyes, and she barely stood five feet.
âThanks so much for looking after the place.â
âItâs my pleasure, dear,â Ginny said. âNow, what will you have? Coffee, tea or cocoa? And I have blueberry scones, pumpkin muffins orâif youâre ready for lunchâacorn squash and sliced turkey breast.â
Rowenna laughed. âIt isnât Thanksgiving yet, Ginny.â
âI have ham, too, if youâd prefer.â
âOh, Ginny, thank you so much. But I have to go into town to meet a friend for lunch.â
âA friend?â Ginnyâs eyes brightened. âWould that be a male friend?â
âYes, Ginny, that would be a male friend. His
Patricia Highsmith
Toria Lyons
Gil Brewer
Mairead Tuohy Duffy
Antara Mann
Cleo Peitsche
Hilary Norman
Rain Oxford
Raye Morgan
Christopher Smith