nodded.
Hanging up the phone, Tim stood and stretched his arms. “It’s just as I suspected. The phone that was used to text the mayor was disposable and untraceable.”
Damn! Our witness was dead and our best clue had just fizzled out.
“So now what?” Not that I really expecting either of them to have an answer.
“I’m going to head over to the coroner’s office and attend the autopsy. You and Tim should see what else you can dig up on the mayor. It’s possible that woman from the Dell isn’t the only extramarital affair he was having,” Ayden said before grabbing his briefcase and heading for the door.
“Later boss man.” I waved.
“Isn’t Tina Reston a receptionist in the mayor’s office?” Tim asked.
“I think so. Marsha retired last year. Why … you thinking of paying Tina a visit?”
Tim nodded. “I’ll stop by her house and ask if she knows of anyone the mayor might have been getting friendly with lately. Maybe I’ll have to talk with his wife too.”
Before Tim had even finished what he was saying, the mayor was standing in front of him and fixing a death glare on my partner.
“I don’t think the mayor is too happy with that idea,” I spoke up.
Tim looked directly at the mayor. “Well then maybe Mayor Christensen shouldn’t have been playing around in the first place … or he could just tell us what we need to know.”
“I don’t remember!” The ghost bellowed.
Tim winced a little.
So Tim could see and hear the mayor too.
“Well not that I’m defending the mayor or anything, but maybe we shouldn’t bring this information to her any sooner than we have to. I’m sure Ellen Christensen is going through enough right now,” I said, figuring I would do my good deed for the day. I didn’t give an iota about preserving the mayor’s reputation, but I didn’t see any need to hurt his wife unnecessarily either.
“I guess you’re right,” Tim sighed, actually seeming to be a little disappointed that he wasn’t going to be able to nark off the mayor. Angel or not, he had a bit of mischief in him.
Tim opened the door to leave and caught Dorothy as she was getting ready to knock. “I’m so glad I caught the two of you in. We are having a pumpkin walk at Founder’s Park tomorrow night and I thought you all might be able to help with carving some pumpkins?”
“Sure.’ Tim nodded. “I was just on my way out, but I’ll see what I can do.”
“Great!” Dorothy smiled. “There is a pile of pumpkins, just inside the door of the gift shop. Stop and pick a couple out. When you’re done, you can drop them at Founder’s Park.”
“Sounds good.” Tim waved and was gone.
Dorothy turned to me. “What about you Izzy? Do you think you’ll have some time to help out?”
“Sure. I love carving jack-o-lanterns.”
“Okay then. I’ll look for you to come by the park tomorrow. If you don’t have time, just go ahead and leave them outside the gift shop entrance.”
Nodding, I waved to her as she left.
When everyone was gone, I turned my attention to something else that had been bothering me. Muriel.
I wanted to know what that weird display the night before had been about.
“Muriel! Come out come out, wherever you are?”
Nothing. Not even any moaning or chain rattling. She was really falling behind on her haunting stuff. Something was going on with her, but I couldn’t put my finger on what.
“Muriel … what’s wrong with you lately?” I called again, but this time not as loud.
The room was quiet and as still as the grave.
Maybe the ghost was angry with me again. If she were upset, it sure wouldn’t be the first time, and I had my doubts it would be the last. Muriel could be temperamental.
Chapter Twelve
Locking up the office, I went around front and let myself in the main entrance. Just like Dorothy said, there was a pile of pumpkins to choose from. Stepping back, I studied the dozen or so pumpkins until I found one that was perfectly round,
C. J. Cherryh
Learning to Kill: Stories
John O'Riley
Brenda Sinclair
Christopher George
Stephen Lloyd Jones
Karl Iagnemma
Celya Bowers
Jill Gregory
Aria Cunningham