Witch Is When Stuff Got Serious (A Witch P.I. Mystery Book 11) (19 page)

Chapter 23

Grandma had done her usual disappearing act after we left the EGM. I didn’t want to hang around in case any of the other level six witches decided to have another go at me, so I magicked myself back to my flat in Washbridge.

I was still trying to work out what had happened. How had news of Magna’s book got out? There had only been me and Grandma in the basement at the time. And, what was so urgent that it warranted calling an EGM? Magna’s book was obviously a big deal, but why were they so keen for me to hand it over? Were they worried I might use it for evil? Didn’t they trust me? As a ‘latecomer’ to witch society, I’d always felt something of an outsider, but never more so than right then.

There was a knock on the door.

I didn’t want to see or talk to anyone. I just wanted to be left alone with my thoughts. It was probably Betty, in trouble with the police again, or Mr Ivers with his latest piece of movie news.

“Jill! Open up!”

It was Grandma.

“Where did you go, Grandma? I was looking for you.”

“Never mind that. Where’s Magna’s book?” Her eyes darted left and right, trying to spot it.

“It’s in my wardrobe.”

“We need to get it out of here, right now.”

“Why?”

“It’s too dangerous for you to hold on to it. I thought we’d have more time before anyone realised it was out of the room, but word got out somehow.”

“How though?”

“I don’t know, and there isn’t time to worry about that now. There are all kinds of rumours circulating around Candlefield. It’s almost certain that TDO will have heard by now.”

“What’s it got to do with him?”

“Jill. You can be awfully naive sometimes. TDO became what he is by absorbing power from the most powerful sups around him. He tried to do that with your mother, but she managed to escape in time. Her power passed to you, which is why he’s pursued you so relentlessly. The information in Magna’s book provides a whole new level of power. Of course he wants it, and he’ll do whatever he has to do, to get it.”

“Where can we hide the book so that he won’t find it?”

“Have you read it? Have you memorised it?”

“I’ve read it a number of times. I think I’ve digested it all.”

“Let’s hope so because there’s no more time. We have to get rid of it permanently. It’s the only way.”

“I could take it into the garden and burn it?”

“Fire won’t work. Nothing in nature will be able to touch the book.”

“What then?”

“You need to throw it into the Dark Well.”

“What’s that?”

“Do you know the Black Woods?”

“Yes. I went there once when I was searching for a young girl who had supposedly gone missing.”

“The Dark Well is on the north side of the Black Woods. Just follow the line of trees north; you can’t miss it.”

“What exactly is it?”

“It looks just like any other well, but essentially, it’s the opening to a black hole. Anything that ends up in the well, disappears forever. Once the book is in there, no one will be able to get to it.”

“Okay. Should we go now?”

“You’ll have to do this alone.”

“Why can’t you come with me?”

“I have urgent matters to attend to.”

“What could be more urgent than this?”

“For once in your life, will you stop asking questions? There isn’t time. You’re just going to have to trust me. If I could come with you, I would. You have to go right now. Get the book and go straight there. Don’t let anyone or anything delay you.”

“But, Grandma.”

“Just do it! Now!”

And with that, she was gone.

Had I really memorised everything in the book? I thought so, but what if I was wrong? It would be too late once the book was in the Dark Well. Still, better that than let TDO get his hands on it.

I grabbed it from the wardrobe, and magicked myself over to the Black Woods. From there, I followed the line of trees north. Just as Grandma had said, the Dark Well looked just like every other well I’d ever seen. It stood in a clearing between the edge of the wood and the hills beyond.

I’d only taken a few steps towards it when suddenly, someone stepped out from behind a tree, and blocked my way. It was Ma Chivers.

“What are you doing with that book, Gooder?”

“None of your business. Get out of my way!”

“If that book is what I think it is, then it’s very much my business.”

“I said get out of my way.”

“Do you really think I’m going to let you throw it in the Dark Well?” She took a step towards me.

What was I supposed to do now? I couldn’t let her get hold of the book. Goodness knows what she might do with it, or who she might give it to. I had to get past her. I had to get the book into the well.

I tried to sidestep her, but she was very quick for a big, ugly woman. If I was going to get past her, I’d have to use magic. But Ma Chivers was a level six witch. I’d seen her do battle with Grandma, and it had been neck and neck. How was I, a mere level three witch, supposed to overcome her?

I closed my eyes, took hold of the pendant around my neck, and tried to recall everything I’d learned from Magna’s book. I now knew how to put far more power into my spells, and how to mix them. But, although I understood the theory, I’d hardly had time to practise. And, I’d never had to use my new powers in anger.

None of that mattered now. I had no choice but to go for it.

I focused with every ounce of my strength, and mixed the ‘power’ spell with the ‘vortex’ spell. The result was a mini-tornado, the likes of which I’d never seen before. It hit Ma Chivers side-on, and sent her flying across the waste ground, leaving my path clear. While she was still trying to get back to her feet, I rushed over to the well, and threw the book into the void.

Ma Chivers soon recovered, and made her way over to the well.

“You’ll pay for this, Gooder! Just see if you don’t! Your end is nigh.”

***

It was the next morning when the enormity of what had happened hit me. I was the only person who knew what had been in Magna’s book. Talk about painting a target on my back.

My phone rang.

“Jack?”

“Hope I didn’t wake you.”

“No. I’ve been awake for ages. I couldn’t sleep.”

“Thinking about me?”

“Something like that.”

“Tell me you’re not doing anything tonight.”

“I’m not doing anything tonight.”

“Great! I’ve managed to snag a table for two at Romero’s.”

“Where?”

“You really are a philistine when it comes to food, aren’t you? It’s only the best Italian restaurant in all of Washbridge. Getting a table there is like winning the lottery.”

“So how did you manage it?”

“One of the guys at work had booked it for himself and his wife, but she’s just gone into labour four weeks early. So, what do you say? Is it a date?”

“You bet.”

“Okay. See you tonight.”

Jack’s timing couldn’t have been better. I needed something to take my mind off the goings-on in Candlefield.

“You look like the cat who got the cream,” Mrs V remarked when I arrived at the office.

“I’m going to Romero’s tonight.”

“Where?”

“You really should try to familiarise yourself with the better eateries in Washbridge. Romero’s is the premier Italian restaurant in the city.”

“With that nice detective, I assume?”

“Jack? Yes.”

“Good for you. I might suggest to Armi that we try it out some time.”

“How’s the online dating going, Winky?”

“I’ve narrowed it down to a shortlist.”

“How many are on there?”

“Fifteen.”

“That’s hardly a
short
list.”

“I don’t want to rush into anything. Once bitten.”

“Have you arranged any dates yet?”

“I’m working on it. Anyway, what’s up with you? You’re obscenely bright this morning.”

“Not that it’s any of your business, but Jack is taking me to Romero’s.”

“Very nice.” He nodded his approval. “Best Italian restaurant in Washbridge.”

“How would you know?”

“I make it my business to keep abreast of these things. If you ever need any advice, just ask.”

“Thanks. Good to know.”

I sensed a chill in the air, and thought perhaps the colonel and Priscilla were back. I was ready to cover my eyes—just in case they’d forgotten to get dressed again. But no, it turned out to be my mother; I hadn’t seen her for a while.

“Hi, Mum.”

“Jill. How are you keeping?”

“A lot better since I got rid of your husband and his piano,” I gave her a look.

“Sorry about that. I wasn’t thinking. He was driving me crazy. I was trying to watch my soaps and he was playing that stupid piano. I couldn’t hear myself think.”

“So you thought you’d send him to play in my office?”

“Yeah. Sorry about that.”

“Where is he playing now?”

“In the shed.”

“Surely, you haven’t banished him to the shed?”

“It was either that, or I didn’t get to watch my soaps. So, in the shed he went.”

“Poor old Alberto. He does play rather well, though.”

“Hmm? I’m guessing he didn’t tell you that he only knows two tunes?”

“No, he didn’t. I just thought he was a naturally gifted piano player.”

“He learned those two pieces by heart, and could play them blindfold, but give him anything else, and he hasn’t got a clue. He can’t actually read music.”

“I see.”

“Now you can understand why I wanted him out of the house. It’s one thing listening to someone play the piano, but when you’ve heard the same two tunes a thousand times, it gets a bit old.”

“I guess so. Maybe the shed
is
the best place for him. Anyway, to what do I owe the pleasure of your company?”

“I wanted to ask you a quick question.”

“Sure. Fire away.”

“I was just wondering. When will you and Jack be getting married?”

It was just as well I wasn’t drinking when she said that because I would have spit it out.

“What? Say that again.”

“You and that nice detective. I just wondered if you’ve set a date yet.”

“No, Mum. We haven’t set a date yet. We’ve only just started dating.”

“You seem to have been seeing each other for ages.”

“Professionally, yes. He works for the police, and I’m a private investigator, so our paths have crossed. But as far as being romantically involved, that’s a much more recent event. We certainly haven’t discussed marriage.”

“You don’t want to leave it too long, Jill. You’re not getting any younger.”

“Gee thanks, Mum. Thanks very much.”

“Just look at the twins. They’re younger than you, and they’ve both set a date.”

“Ah, now I understand. That’s what this is all about. You’ve heard about the double wedding.”

“Of course I’ve heard about it. I believe you’re going to be Maid of Honour.”

“Apparently.” I sighed.

“You could sound a little more enthusiastic.”

“I couldn’t, trust me. They want me to be their wedding planner too.”

“Anyone would think you didn’t like weddings, Jill.”

“And, anyone would be right.”

“I want to see you married. I want grandchildren.”

“Hold on right there. I think we’re getting a little ahead of ourselves. Firstly, Jack and I have only just started seeing each other. And, secondly, it may not last. We could very easily fall out next week; ours is a rather volatile relationship. So as for marriage and grandchildren, I wouldn’t hold your breath.”

“Sometimes, Jill, you disappoint me.”

Chapter 24

A candlelit dinner for two. How very romantic.

Romero’s restaurant was the perfect setting for our first date. Yes, I realise it wasn’t actually our first
ever
date, but it somehow felt like it was. It was our first date since Drake and I had gone our separate ways, and since I’d given up all silly notions of pursuing Luther.

The décor and lighting was pure class. The music was perfect. In fact, everything about the place was fantastic. I was happy to let Jack order for both of us. It was going to be a great evening—I could feel it in my bones.

“Who would have thought you and I would end up like this,” he said. “When I first came to Washbridge, I thought you were the biggest pain in the butt I’d ever met.”

“Why, thank you, Mr Maxwell. That’s the nicest thing you’ve ever said to me. But then, the feeling was mutual. If someone had told me that we’d go on a romantic date like this, I would have laughed in their face.”

“Does Kathy know?”

“About us? She’s sort of guessed. She keeps asking me questions. Like if I had breakfast at your place.”

“And what did you tell her?”

“To mind her own business.”

“You can’t drive home tonight. Not after all the wine you’ve drunk.”

“I haven’t had any yet.”

He filled my glass.

“You have now.”

Our eyes met, and we both leaned forward. Our lips were only centimetres apart.

“Hello you two!”

“What the?”

It was Miles Best and Mindy Lowe.

“Hi, Jill. Hi, Jack.” He grinned inanely. “Fancy seeing you two here.”

“Fancy,” I said, through gritted teeth.

“This is our favourite restaurant, isn’t it, Mindy?”

“We come here all the time,” she said. “Miles knows the owner.”

“Oh, by the way, Jack, thanks for the endorsement,” Miles said. “I’m going to have it added to our brochure.”

Endorsement? I glared at Jack. Had he had the audacity to endorse Best P.I. Services?

“I’ve had a great idea.” Miles grabbed two chairs from the next table. “Why don’t we join you?”

While the waiter took Miles’ and Mindy’s orders, I leaned over, and whispered to Jack, “You gave him an endorsement?”

“I wouldn’t call it an endorsement, exactly.”

“What would you call it, then?” I couldn’t hide my annoyance.

“So, Jack.” Miles interrupted. “How long have you and Jill been an item?”

“We’ve known each other for quite a while now.”

“You’ve got a good one there. She’s magic, aren’t you Jill?” He winked at me. “Not like some of the witches who might try to get their claws into you.”

Hold on. Magic? Witches? What did he think he was doing?

I glared at him, but he didn’t even notice.

“Have you met her cousins? The twins? What are their names, Jill?”

“Amber and Pearl.”

“I don’t think you’ve mentioned them.” Jack looked at me.

“They run a cake shop.” Miles was on a roll now. “You should get Jill to take you to see it. I hear their cupcakes are the second best in town.”

This idiot was practically telling Jack I was a witch.

“Miles.” I stood up and grabbed his arm. “Could I just have a quick word?”

I didn’t give him a chance to refuse; I practically dragged him out of his seat. When we were outside the cloakroom, I pinned him to the wall.

“What are you playing at?” I had hold of his tie.

“What’s the matter Jill? You look angry.”

“What was all that about magic and witches?”

“Surely you can take a joke, can’t you? That’s all it was, I was just having a laugh.”

“If you say another word about magic, witches or Candlefield, I will turn you into a cockroach, and then I’ll crush you. Got it?”

***

The next morning, I was in my office flicking rubber bands at the wall, and pretending it was Miles Best. He and Mindy had completely ruined what had promised to be a perfect evening of food, drink and love. By the time we’d left the restaurant, Jack and I were both in a foul mood, and felt it better to go back to our own homes.

Kathy phoned.

“What?”

“Wow! What’s up with you, grizzly pants?”

“I’m busy, Kathy. And, I’m not in the mood for your humour.”

“Come down to Ever—there’s something here that will cheer you up.”

“Like I said, I’m busy.”

“Honestly, Jill, you should come down now. You’ll thank me.”

“But I—”

She’d hung up. I hated it when she did that. Well, I wasn’t going to bite this time. My work was too important to drop everything and go running whenever she called.

“I’m going down to Ever, Mrs V. Do you need anything?”

What? Okay, I admit it. I’m weak-willed.

“Now you mention it, I could do with adding a colour to my Everlasting Wool subscription. I’ve got the four-colour option at the moment, but I’m working on a project which is going to need five. The next subscription level will allow me to have seven. It’s another three pounds a month, but it’s probably worth it. Would you ask Kathy if she’ll upgrade my subscription, and activate it immediately?”

“Of course. I’ll mention it to her.”

As I made my way down the road to Ever, I couldn’t help but grudgingly admire Grandma’s enterprise in introducing Everlasting Wool. She’d certainly spotted a gap in the market and filled it. Of course, her subscription model relied entirely on magic, which she shouldn’t even have been using in Washbridge, but that aside, she was onto a winner.

As I got closer to Ever, I noticed some kind of disturbance outside the shop opposite. There were dozens of people trying to get into Best Wool, and they all looked very angry.

“What’s going on across the road, Kathy?”

“That’s why I wanted you to come down. Apparently the Never-ending Wool has stopped working.” She chuckled. “I shouldn’t laugh. Those poor sales assistants will be having a torrid time. I’ve been in their shoes, and it isn’t fun.”

“Has it stopped working for just a few people like it did with Everlasting Wool?”

“From what I can make out, it’s stopped altogether.”

“How did that happen?”

“I’ve no idea, but your grandmother seems awfully pleased about it.”

“I’ll bet she is. Is she in today?”

“Yeah, she’s in the back.”

“I suppose I ought to go say hello to her.”

I left Kathy watching the carnage across the road.

“Well, well, if it isn’t Washbridge’s premier, private detective,” Grandma said.

“You could always try being nice for a change, Grandma. After all, I am your long-lost granddaughter.”

“This
is
me being nice. Now, what do you want?”

“Kathy called to tell me about Best Wool. They seem to be having a few problems.”

“Are they?” She feigned surprise. “How very unfortunate for them.”

“Are you behind this, Grandma?”

“How could you even suggest such a thing?”

“Easily. Have you cast a spell to stop Miles’ subscription wool from working?”

“I may have; I may not have. Who knows?”

“If you have, I have only one thing to say to you.”

“Yes?” Her wart was primed for action.

“Well done! Miles is due his comeuppance.”

She obviously hadn’t been expecting that response. “I didn’t realise you had anything against Miles Best.”

“The man is a parasite. He’s just opened up a rival P.I. business here in Washbridge.”

“I see. That young man certainly gets around, doesn’t he? A cake shop, a wool shop, and now a P.I. agency. He’s getting a bit too big for his boots.”

Not to mention single-handedly ruining my love life.

“What will you do about the Never-ending Wool, Grandma?”

“Do about it? I won’t do anything about it. My guess is that Best Wool will be out of business by this time tomorrow. Good riddance.”

Remind me never to cross Grandma when it comes to business.

***

Despite Grandma’s warnings, I knew I had to revisit The Central. The more I thought about it, the more it was clear to me that it was the epicentre of all that was evil in Candlefield. According to Grandma, it was where TDO had first come to prominence under his mentor, Braxmore. It also had some kind of connection to my father. According to Daze, he had simply disappeared outside that building on two separate occasions. I wouldn’t rest until I’d got inside, and taken a look around. If my father really was TDO, as I suspected, then maybe this was his HQ. If I could find evidence to prove my theory, I could deal with him appropriately.

I’d decided to visit the building at night when there’d be no one around. It was more than a little spooky, but I was determined to do it. I’d already walked all around the building in daylight, so I knew there were no open doors or windows, but there had to be a way inside because I didn’t believe my father had simply ‘disappeared’. I was sure he’d got inside the building. The question was how?

Now that I had the power of Magna’s magic, I was much better placed to find a way in. I used those new powers to cast an enhanced version of the ‘listen’ spell. The result was incredible. I could hear everything, and was able to focus on small areas of the building at a time. There was all manner of noises, most of which sounded like small creatures or insects. But then, I heard something which sounded like footsteps coming from the top floor of the building. The sound lasted for only a few seconds, and then fell silent.

How to get inside? On a hunch, I sent a pulse of sound towards the ground immediately in front of the building. The echo which came back was uniform for the area to the left of the door. I repeated the exercise for the right-hand side, and that’s when I noticed a discrepancy. The echo there was inconsistent with the rest of the area.

But there was no obvious reason why.

I was missing something, but what? The area in front of me was covered in weeds and bushes just like the rest of the ground. So why did I get a different echo? I had to think like Magna, so I took a moment to recall her writings. One section in particular came back to me. She’d entitled it ‘
Everything is not what it seems’
. In that section, she’d discussed the power of permanent illusions. These were spells which created a perpetual illusion which affected everyone rather than the more temporary illusions I’d used myself. What if what I was seeing wasn’t real? What if I was seeing an illusion? Only the most powerful witches or wizards could cast this kind of spell, and such spells could only be overcome by a witch or wizard who was even more powerful. It was a longshot, but nothing else made any sense.

I concentrated on the area of ground from where the inconsistent echo had emanated. The level of focus required was extremely draining, and I wouldn’t be able to maintain it for long. If I
was
looking at an illusion, I’d only be able to dispel it if I was stronger than the person who originally cast that spell. What if that person was TDO? Then, I’d have no chance.

My head was beginning to throb with the effort, but then suddenly the pressure eased. When I opened my eyes, I saw a trapdoor in front of me. I’d done it—I’d dispelled the illusion.

Inside, stone steps led to darkness below. The light from my phone helped, but only a little. The basement was huge and empty. More steps at the opposite side of the room took me back up into the main building.

I was standing in the centre of a large atrium. There was very little to see on the ground floor. Just like the basement, it was empty except for a few old chairs and the remains of what had once been a wooden desk. From where I was standing, I could see all the way up to the roof which had probably once been glass, but had long since been boarded over.

Just then, I heard a noise from somewhere high in the building.

“Hello? Hello? Is someone there?”

There was no reply, but then I heard more sounds. They appeared to come from the top floor. Grandma had told me that Braxmore had occupied that floor; it was where he’d mentored TDO.

The staircase was littered with rubble, and my footsteps echoed every step of the way. If someone was there, they would definitely know I was on my way up. I had to be prepared for anything.

“Hello? Is anyone there?”

I couldn’t hear anything now, so I started down the corridor. There were lots of small rooms on this level; their windows were now empty frames. When I reached the third side of the quadrangle, I came across a room with boarded-up windows. The door was locked, but was no match for my enhanced ‘power’ spell. It crashed to the floor, and sent dust flying everywhere. It was dark inside, so I used my phone again to provide light.

What I saw took my breath away. Two of the walls were covered in photographs; dozens of them—all of me. They’d all been taken in and around Candlefield. Someone had been following me, and judging by the images, they’d been very close by.