Witch Is Why The Laughter Stopped (A Witch P.I. Mystery Book 14) (2 page)

“What did I just say? I said you’d mock.”

“I’m not mocking; I’m just laughing. There’s no such thing as a time machine.”

“Don’t be so certain. Look, you’re a witch, right?”

“Yeah?”

“And you routinely travel backwards and forwards to another land where supernatural creatures live?”

“Yeah.”

“So, it’s okay to believe in all of that stuff, but a bit of time travel? That’s too weird?”

“It’s not weird; it’s impossible.”

“We’ll see, won’t we?”

“Okay, if it amuses you. You carry on playing with your Meccano.”

“This is not Meccano. I’ll have you know, I am a serious engineer.”

“Of course you are.”

“I take it that you don’t believe in time travel?”

“Of course I don’t. It’s nonsense.”

“So you’d be willing to have a little wager?”

“Of course I would.” This was easy money. “How much do you want to bet?”

“A hundred pounds?”

“Make it two hundred.” I shouldn’t take advantage of the poor fool, but it would do him good if I taught him a lesson.

“Two hundred pounds it is,” he agreed.

Easy money. Snigger. “Whatever it is you’re building, you can’t have this clutter all over the office floor. You’ll have to work in that corner. And get a screen so you don’t freak out my clients.”

“What clients?” He laughed.

Chapter 2

The previous day, I’d had a phone call from a Maisy Topp. She’d asked if she could come to see me. I’d tried to find out what it was all about, but she’d been reluctant to discuss it over the phone. Never one to turn a prospective client away, I’d agreed that she could come in today.

Maisy was in her fifties, and sported a cute red hat which sat precariously on top of her greying hair.

“Maisy, come in, do take a seat. Can I get you a drink? Tea? Coffee?”

“No, I’m fine thanks. I’m not fond of hot drinks.”

“What about a glass of water?”

“No, thank you.”

“Did you find my office okay?”

“Yes. I saw your sign.”

Thankfully, I’d managed to sort out the signage problem. I’d stood Sid Song in front of the building, and asked him what he thought he was playing at. He’d been confused until I’d pointed out that the sign had appeared to read:

Jill Gooder

Private Investigator

I-Sweat

Only then had he realised why I was so annoyed. After a little ‘friendly’ persuasion he’d admitted it was his fault, and had provided me with a replacement sign, in a different font and colour, free of charge. The two signs were now far enough apart to avoid any embarrassment or confusion.

“How can I help you today, Maisy?”

“My dog, Toto, has gone missing.”

I hadn’t been expecting that. I got quite a few missing person cases, but I’d never been approached about a missing dog before.

“I see. This dog of yours. Is it a show dog? Has he won prizes?”

“No, nothing like that. He’s just a regular poodle.”

“Have you been in touch with the local dog pound to see if he’s been handed in?”

“Yes. I’ve contacted all the usual places. But no one’s seen him.”

“Was he wearing a name tag?”

“Of course. He wears his collar all the time. It’s quite distinctive. It has diamonds on it.”

“Real diamonds?”

“Yes.”

“How many?”

“Four.”

“It must be worth quite a bit?”

“I suppose so. I’ve never really thought about it. Nothing is too good for Toto.”

While it was entirely possible that someone might want to steal a poodle, they were much more likely to have been after the diamond studded collar. My immediate concern was that whoever had taken the dog, may have already discarded poor old Toto. Of course, I wasn’t about to say that to Maisy. She already looked rather fragile.

“Where and how did this happen?”

“I’d gone to pick up my magazine from the newsagent. I was parked in the car park across the road from the shop. I’m only ever in there for a few minutes, so I often leave Toto in the back of the car. Of course, I always keep the window down a little so he doesn’t get overheated, and I always park in the shade.”

“And when you got back to the car?”

“Toto had gone. I looked everywhere. I walked up and down the street, and asked everyone I came across. But no one had seen him.”

“You didn’t happen to notice if there were any CCTV cameras in the car park or on the street, did you?”

“There aren’t. It’s one of the first things I thought about. None at all, I’m afraid.”

“Have you been to the police about this?”

“Yes, but they more or less told me they were too busy to do anything about a missing dog.”

“Did you mention the diamond-studded collar?”

“Yes, but that didn’t seem to make a lot of difference.”

“Do you have a photograph of Toto?”

“Lots of them.” She opened her handbag, and took out four or five photos which she put on the desk in front of me. “That’s him. He’s a handsome boy, isn’t he?”

Seen one dog, seen them all. “Yes. Very handsome.”

“Do you think you’ll be able to help?”

“I don’t know—I have to be honest with you, Maisy. I’ve never had a missing dog case before.”

“I just need some hope to cling onto. Money is no object.”

Music to my ears. “Of course. Why don’t I give it a shot for a few days, and see what I can come up with?”

“That would be great.” She checked her watch. “Sorry, I have to go. I’m on the town council, and I have a meeting in fifteen minutes. You’ve got my phone number, haven’t you?”

“Yes, you gave it to me yesterday when you called.”

“Good. Please let me know straight away if you find anything. I’m desperate to get Toto back.”

“Sure. I’ll do my best.”

Mrs V came through to my office. I could tell by her face that she had good news.

“Did you see Grandma?”

“Yes, and Kathy. The three of us had a good chat. Surprisingly, your grandmother seemed quite open to the idea. She said Kathy would have to liaise with me, so I know which day I need to cover for her. I explained that I still work here some days, but your grandmother said not to worry about that because obviously her shop was more important.”

“She did, did she? That’s nice to know.”

“Is it all right, Jill? For me to do this?”

“Yes, it’ll be fine. By the way, how are the preparations going for the dinner and dance with Armi?”

“Okay. I haven’t danced in a while so I’m a bit rusty, but Armi and I have been meeting up in the evenings at the local social club to get some practice. I’m hopeful, by the day of the dance, we’ll be on top form.”

Just then, someone walked into the outer office.

“Are you expecting anyone, Jill?”

“No. I’ve no more appointments.”

“I’ll go and see who it is.” Mrs V went to check.

“It’s a young woman. She says she’s a neighbour of yours. Her name’s Jen.”

“Oh? Please show her in.”

When Jen came through, she looked worried.

“Hi, Jen. I wasn’t expecting to see you.”

“It was a spur-of-the-moment decision. I hadn’t planned on doing this, and I’m still not sure I should be here.”

“Would you like a cup of tea?”

“That would be nice.”

“Mrs V, could you make some tea for us, please?”

“Milk and sugar?” she asked Jen.

“Milk no sugar, please.”

“I’ll have my usual sugar quotient please, Mrs V.”

She scowled at me.

“So, what exactly is it that brings you here today, Jen?”

“Do you remember the other night when I came over to your place? When I said I couldn’t shake the feeling there was something that Blake wasn’t telling me? Almost as though there’s a part of his life that I know nothing about?”

“Yeah?” I didn’t like the way this was heading.

“I’ve had the same nagging worry now for some time, and it isn’t going away. If we’re ever going to have children, I need to get rid of this silly suspicion.”

“When you say suspicion, what is it exactly you think he might have done?”

“That’s just it. I don’t know. I feel like there’s something he’s holding back from me. I sometimes wonder if there’s someone else.”

“Surely not. I’ve seen you and Blake together. You make a lovely couple; he obviously dotes on you.”

“I know, and I feel terrible even suggesting it, but the feeling isn’t going to go away unless I can be absolutely sure. That’s why I’m here today. You won’t tell him, will you?”

“No, of course not. But what exactly is it you want me to do?”

“Find out if there is something going on that I should know about. I need someone to put my mind at rest. Will you do it, Jill?”

“It would put me in a very awkward position. Blake’s a friend too.”

“I know. But I’d rather you did it than some stranger.”

“Are you absolutely sure about this?”

“Positive.”

“Okay then.”

Jen and I talked for another fifteen minutes while we drank our tea. During that time, I was trying to work out what on earth I was going to do about this situation. I already knew what Blake was keeping from her because I was doing exactly the same thing with Jack. But I could hardly tell her that her husband was a wizard. Should I tell Blake? He was a friend too, and a fellow sup. Maybe, if I made him aware of Jen’s concerns, he could do something to alleviate them.

Oh dear. What a mess.

***

I needed a break, so I magicked myself over to Cuppy C. To my surprise, working behind the counter, was Laura, one of the two witches who were now living in the rooms upstairs.

“Laura? What are you doing behind there?”

“I work here now. Amber and Pearl knew that I was looking for a job back in Candlefield because I’d had enough of working in the human world. They offered me a position here. It’s not as many hours as I was working in Washbridge, and the money’s not as good, but I’m just happy to be back among sups. Is there something I can get you?”

“I’d like one of your blueberry muffins, please. And a caramel latte.”

As she passed me the muffin, my hand grazed hers. It was icy cold again—just as it had been when I shook hands with her the first time we’d met. It was warm in Cuppy C, so why on earth was she so cold?

She was about to put the items through the till.

“You know I get staff discount, don’t you?”

“Yes, Amber and Pearl told me.”

Just then, the twins came through from the cake shop.

“I hope you didn’t give her that for free,” Amber said.

Laura shook her head. “I’ve only given her the staff discount.”

“Good.” Amber grinned.

The twins followed me to the window table.

“Business must be good if you’ve set on another member of staff?”

“One of our other assistants left. Laura had mentioned she was looking for a job back in Candlefield, so we thought why not? She’s doing very well. She’s picked things up really quickly.”

“Quicker than me, you mean?”

“Jill. Everybody’s quicker than you.”

“Thanks. You know how to make a girl feel good.”

“I’m sure you’re a really good private investigator, but you’re rubbish behind that counter.”

“You’re right, I know.”

“Hey, Jill.” Pearl was obviously bursting to tell me something. “Do you want to hear our big plans?”

“What is it this time? Have you decided to invest in a snake oil factory?”

“Nothing like that. We’ve decided it’s time that we expanded the Cuppy C empire.”

“You mean open another shop in Candlefield?”

“Not in Candlefield,” Amber said. “We’re going to open a shop in—”

“Washbridge!” Pearl jumped in.

“Washbridge?” Oh no! “Whereabouts?”

“You know that shop across the road from Ever A Wool Moment?”

“You mean where Miles Best had his wool shop?”

“That’s the one.”

“Directly across the road from Grandma’s knitting shop and tea room?”

“Yep,” Pearl said.

“Are you two absolutely insane?”

The twins had gone off to sulk because I didn’t share their enthusiasm for the expansion plans. Not long after, Hilary from Love Spell walked into the shop.

“Hi, Jill. Long time, no see.”

“I’m glad I bumped into you. Could I have a word?”

“Sure, let me just get a drink. Can I get you anything? A top-up or another muffin?”

“No, I’m fine, thanks.”

See? I do have willpower.

“What can I do for you, Jill?” Hilary joined me at the table.

“I have a bit of a dilemma, and I really don’t know what to do about it. I’d value your advice.”

“What’s that?”

“I recently moved into a new house in Smallwash.”

“Oh, yes, I know it. It’s just over the toll bridge, isn’t it?”

“Yeah, that’s it. Anyway, there’s a young couple living directly across the road from me. He’s a wizard; she’s a human.”

“So pretty much the reverse of you and Jack, then.”

“That’s right.”

“What’s the problem?”

“The young woman, Jen, came to see me, earlier today. She’s concerned because she feels her husband, Blake, is keeping something from her. She feels like there’s a part of his life that she doesn’t know anything about.”

“Yeah, well, she’s right, isn’t she?”

“Of course she’s right. It’s the same with me and Jack, but fortunately Jack hasn’t cottoned on yet. At least, I hope he hasn’t. Jen actually thinks that Blake might be having an affair.”

“That’s not good.”

“She’s asked if I’d investigate to see what I can find out.”

“Did you say you would?”