The Wynne Witch
Page 20
Neil nodded. “Drea’s right. Just name it. We’ve got the money now to pay.”
Sully shook his head, although he guessed Dez wouldn’t be happy about it. “No. I agreed to take this job for you free of charge, and I’m happy to stick to what I said. Like I told you, I was doing stuff like this for free far longer than I was taking money for it.”
Neil frowned. “Nope. Not happening. We’re paying you. End of story.”
In the end, there was no arguing the matter, and Drea handed Sully and Dez a grocery bag containing their usual rate—plus a sizeable tip.
Neil had laid out the suitcase in the sitting room and was now counting it out. “We’ve got more here than we’ll ever use. I don’t believe it. I really don’t believe it.”
“Thanks for this,” Dez said, hefting the plastic bag. “But like Sully said, it’s really not necessary.”
“It’s more than necessary,” Neil said. “Stop arguing. First thing tomorrow, we’ll take the rest of this into our bank along with the will, get it counted property.” He glanced up, face horror-stricken. “You don’t think any of this is counterfeit, do you?”
Sully laughed. “I don’t think Mildred was the counterfeiting type.”
He glanced over at movement, in time to see her appear next to Neil. She laid a hand on his head, and as Sully stared at it, the skin became smoother and tighter until it was no longer the hand of an elderly woman, but that of a young woman. His gaze went to her face. Her face but not. That too had grown youthful. She wasn’t what he’d call classically beautiful, but she possessed a brightness and an energy attractive all on its own.
“Mildred’s saying goodbye,” Sully said.
Neil’s head snapped up. “You mean she’s not staying?”
Sully shook his head. “I think she knows you’ve got things well in hand and you’re going to take good care of the family home.”
Drea frowned. “I’ve grown to like having her around. Makes me feel safer, knowing she’s watching out for us.”
Sully offered a smile. “I think given Neil’s connection to the Witch of Rhibyn, you guys will never have to worry about being caught unprepared for trouble.”
Neil scanned the air around him. “Thanks again, Aunt Mildred. You go and have fun, wherever you’re off to. We’ll miss having you around. Stop in for a visit anytime.”
Her face broke into a beaming grin. She gave Neil one more pat on the head, then she disappeared.
“She’s gone, isn’t she?” Neil asked.
Sully nodded. “Yeah. She’s really happy though.”
“Good.” Neil stood and brushed his hands together. “You know what would make me really happy? Having you guys join us for the Halloween festival in Willow Valley.”
Dez didn’t quite manage to hold back the groan.
Afterword
Thanks so much for reading. I am continuing to work on the next Dez and Sully books, and would be pleased to keep you updated on future projects and release dates if you would like to join my mailing list. As an added bonus, a growing anthology of short stories, entitled Haunted: The Ghosts of Sullivan Gray, is available as a gift to subscribers. Visit my website at hpbayne.com to sign up or simply click here to join and pick up the current version of Haunted.
The books in The Braddock & Gray Case Files are intended as standalone books, so they can be read independently of each other and from the preceding The Sullivan Gray Series. Braddock & Gray follows the events of Sullivan Gray, so those who have read the previous series will find a few cookies scattered here and there. I will include links below to the books in The Sullivan Gray Series should you wish to check them out (if you haven’t already, of course).
The books in The Sullivan Gray Series can also be read as standalones to some extent, each containing a plot that wraps itself up by book’s end. But there is a deeper plot that threads throughout the seven novels, so for that reason, I always suggest they’re best read in the following order (click the titles to check them out on Amazon):
Black Candle
Harbinger
The Dule Tree
Crawl
Hollow Road
Second Son
Spirit Caller
As mentioned, the books in The Braddock & Gray Case Files can be read as standalone novels, but for those interested, here’s the publishing order:
The Edge Creek Light
The Haunting of Thornview Hall
The Wynne Witch
As always, I wanted to take a moment to thank my family and friends for their incredible support. I am so appreciative of all the people in my life who have been at my side throughout this journey.
A big, Dez-sized thanks also to my brilliant editor Hannah Sullivan and to my absolutely stellar team of advance readers, all of whom ensure each of the books is all it can be and more. I am incredibly grateful to you all.
And, of course, a huge thank you to everyone who’s picked up this and other Sully books. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for making my author dreams come true.
About the Author
Fascinated by ghost stories and crime fiction, H.P. has been writing both for well over two decades, drawing on more than fifteen years in a career in a criminal justice setting. Raised on a farm on the Canadian Prairies, H.P. enjoys reading, portrait drawing, travel and spending time with family and friends.
For more information, visit H.P.’s website at hpbayne.com.
Also by H.P. Bayne
Books in The Sullivan Gray Series (best read in the following order):
Black Candle
Harbinger
The Dule Tree
Crawl
Hollow Road
Second Son
Spirit Caller
Or pick up the box sets:
The Sullivan Gray Series Box Set 1
The Sullivan Gray Series Box Set 2
Books in The Braddock & Gray Case Files (can be read in order or as standalone novels):
The Edge Creek Light
The Haunting of Thornview Hall
The Wynne Witch