A Walk on the Haunted Side (Haunted Tour Guide Mystery Book 2)

by Rose Pressey

  Layers of copper highlighted Tammy’s amber-colored hair. She styled it in wispy bangs. Tammy always looked as if she’d just stepped off a runway. She wore black pants and an emerald silk blouse that made her hair color pop. Large silver earrings dangled from her earlobes with a matching necklace around her neck.

  Jane Austen sat on the desk licking her paws. That sounded strange, right? She was the lovely black cat that had adopted the library as her home last winter. So Jane was here, but where was the resident ghost? Usually Annie was waiting for me when I walked through the door.

  “Good morning?” Tammy studied my face.

  “What? Do I have something on my face?” I brushed my hand across my cheek. Maybe I had remnants from my morning cream-cheese bagel.

  Tammy pointed at me. “With those dark circles under your eyes and wrinkled skirt, you look like you didn’t sleep much.”

  “I look that good, huh?” I struck my best model pose.

  Her smile spread across her heart-shaped face. “You know what I mean.”

  I moved around behind the reference desk. “I suppose I do. I guess I didn’t sleep much last night.”

  Oops. After the words slipped out I regretted it. Now Tammy would want to know more. I hoped she didn’t press for details about my visit to the old house. It would freak her out if I told her I thought something had followed me.

  A smile slid across her face and she wiggled her eyebrows. “Did you see Brannon? Why didn’t you tell me?”

  The phone rang and I dove to answer it. “Got to get that.” Maybe Tammy would forget about what I’d said while I was on the phone.

  By the time I hung up she was helping a patron. We’d been swamped at work lately. The library had recently lost the only other assistant we’d had, so Tammy and I needed help. So far no one had applied for the job. Was it because they thought the place was haunted? More than likely it was because they’d heard what a pain Mrs. Agnew, the head of the library board, was to work for.

  Now it was just Tammy and me in the big building. Mrs. Agnew didn’t seem to want us to find help. Until she finally gave in and placed a real ad looking for an assistant, I figured we’d be on our own for a while.

  Tammy had been putting in more hours and I felt bad that she had to work so much. With her fashion sense and style, was it any wonder that one of her other jobs was at Sue’s Savvy Beauty Salon? She worked there afternoons and at the tavern in the evenings. Sometimes Tammy said she was saving for a house and other times she just said she wanted to be a millionaire.

  Tonight was a big event at the library. A New York Times-bestselling mystery author was making a stop in Devil’s Moon and doing a book signing here. Tammy and I were both excited because we were fans of his books.

  I glanced at the clock on the wall. The author was scheduled to arrive at five p.m. At least that left me the rest of the day to prepare. I’d already set up the table where the author would have his discussion and book signing. I just needed to make sure everyone had plenty of places to stand while waiting in line.

  Tammy stacked books on the counter. “You still haven’t told me. What did you do last night?”

  So much for her forgetting. I typed on the keyboard and didn’t look over at her. I knew ignoring her wouldn’t work, but I tried it anyway.

  I didn’t take my eye off the screen. “I just went out for a walk.”

  “That was a vague answer.” She tapped her red-polished fingernails against the counter. “I think there is more to it than that.”

  I continued to enter information into the computer. “Just the usual stuff.”

  I felt her eyes on me. My time of evading her was running out. I wouldn’t be able to put her off much longer. I might as well come clean.

  Tammy leaned in closer to me. “Tell about last night.”

  My cell phone dinged and I picked up the phone. “Got to take this call.”

  I knew who the text was from. Generally I only got text messages from my mother, or Tammy, or my new ghost friend. Annie had learned to text. I still had no idea how she did that. It was something I probably would never know.

  It was about time she showed up this morning. Where had she been?

  I read the text. Did you go to that house? Bad things happened there.

  Annie was just being nervous. Of course I’d heard the stories about the house, but I hadn’t let them stop me. She knew that I’d gone on the investigation with Brannon, but how did she know I’d gone back by myself?

  “Everything is fine, Annie,” I said, turning around to look at her.

  Annie wasn’t there. Where was she hiding? I glanced up toward the stacks. Sometimes she liked to sit up there or just hover by the ceiling. She wasn’t here either.

  “What did Annie say?” Tammy asked.

  I sighed. “I guess I should tell you what I was up to last night.”

  Tammy placed her hands on her hips. “I knew you were doing something you shouldn’t have.”

  “You know that old house out on Potter Road?” I asked.

  Her eyes widened. “I know the place. The one you went to with Brannon, right? It’s haunted and a witch used to live there. She placed a hex on anyone who came near.”

  “Yes, that’s the one.” I rubbed the cat’s head. “You don’t believe that silly story, do you?”

  Tammy leaned against the desk. “It’s not just a story. My aunt’s friend’s sister’s boyfriend went there, and the next day he was in the hospital with two broken legs.”

  “I thought he fell down the stairs at the bar?” I asked.

  “Yeah, but it was after he had been at that house.” She punctuated her sentence with a point of her finger. “So you went with Brannon for another investigation?”

  “Not exactly.” I picked at a scrap piece of paper.

  She quirked a brow. “What do you mean?”

  “I went alone,” I blurted out.

  Tammy coughed as if she couldn’t believe what she’d just heard. She should know me well enough by now. “What? Why would you do something like that? Are you crazy? Haven’t you heard the rumors about that place?”

  “They’re just rumors, remember?”

  “Are they?” She folded her arms in front of her waist.

  My phone dinged again and I pulled it out of my pocket.

  They are more than rumors, the text from Annie read.

  So what if rumor had it that a witch lived in the home and she’d practiced black magic? I didn’t believe in black magic. It was all campfire stories.

  “You’re not going back there again, are you?” Tammy asked.

  I shrugged and grabbed a couple books.

  She glared at me. “Tell me you aren’t going back.”

  “I don’t think I’m going back,” I said as I walked away.

  Tammy followed close on my footsteps. “That’s not the answer I was looking for.”

  The more she talked about it, the more I thought maybe I needed to look into the haunting more. Something had obviously followed me. Now I really was interested in the place. For that reason I couldn’t say for sure that I wouldn’t go back.

  “It’s no big deal.” I stuffed a book on the shelf.

  “You’re going to give me an ulcer.” Tammy clutched her waist.

  I patted her shoulder. “I promise I won’t do anything crazy.”

  Chapter 3

  The day had passed quickly and before I knew it the time for the author event had arrived.

  “They should be here any minute,” I said to Tammy as I looked at the time.

  As if on cue a woman stormed through the library door. She wore a navy-blue sweater that was buttoned incorrectly. Her mousy brown hair was pulled back into a sloppy ponytail. If she was here to check out a book, then she was really in a rush.

  “May I help you?” I asked.

  She whipped around and looked at me. “Oh, good. I’m glad someone is here.”

  I exchanged a look with Tammy, and then asked the woman, “Who are
you?”

  She stared at me as if she was stunned that I didn’t know who she was. “My name is Cady Catherine. I’m the assistant for Hank Key.”

  “Great. We’re really excited to have you here this evening.” I rushed around the counter.

  “I have to get things ready for Hank. He’ll be inside any minute. Do you have bottled water?” She talked so quickly that I felt as if I’d been sucked into a tornado.

  “I’ll get the water,” Tammy said, leaving me standing alone with Cady.

  “I think I have everything set up for the signing. All the books are at his table.” I gestured across the room.

  “Oh, yeah, great. You did a good job.” She didn’t sound convinced of that.

  The sound of the main door opening caught our attention. A dark-haired man with a beard marched in at a brisk pace. I recognized him as Hank Key from the photo on the back of the book jacket. He scanned the room, spotted the table that had his poster displayed behind it, then proceeded across the room toward it. I wasn’t even sure if he had noticed us standing at the reference desk. I supposed he had done a lot of signings so this was all routine for him.

  His hair was a little unruly and his white shirt and jeans a little wrinkled. Hank was probably tired from travel and hadn’t gotten a chance to rest when he arrived in town.

  Cady released a deep breath. “He’s so demanding.”

  He hadn’t even asked for anything. If anyone seemed demanding, it would be her.

  Hank sat at the table and pulled out a pen from his shirt pocket. He pushed up his sleeves and leaned back in the chair. It felt strange just watching him without him even noticing. After his routine, he finally looked around. That was when he spotted us.

  He jumped up from his seat and hurried over to us. “I’m sorry. I didn’t even see you standing over there.” He stuck out his hand toward me. “I’m Hank Key.”

  “Yes, I love your books,” I said, shaking his hand. “Welcome to Devil’s Moon and Bilson Library.”

  “It’s great to be here. Devil’s Moon seems like a nice place,” he said.

  Cady snorted. “Except for one thing.”

  What did she mean? Hank didn’t respond to her comment and I wasn’t sure I should ask.

  Instead I changed the subject. “People should be arriving any minute. Please let me know if you need anything.”

  “Thanks. I’ll be sure to do that.” Hank smiled and returned to the table.

  Tammy had reappeared with the bottles of water. “How’s it going?” she whispered.

  “Okay, I guess. Cady mentioned there was something she didn’t like about Devil’s Moon. I wonder what she meant?” I asked.

  Tammy glanced at Cady, who had joined Hank over by the table. “She probably prefers bigger cities.”

  “Maybe, or maybe not,” I said under my breath.

  As Cady buzzed around the room like a hummingbird, my cell phone dinged.

  What is all the chaos around here? It’s making me nervous.

  Since there were a lot of people around me, I couldn’t respond to Annie right now. I peeked around but still couldn’t find her hiding spot. Maybe that was why she hadn’t appeared all day. Apparently this event had made her shy all of a sudden.

  Why is that woman running around like crazy? Annie asked.

  I had no answer for that. But just like Annie, Cady was making me nervous.

  How had I lost control of the situation so quickly?

  Suddenly the door opened and the library was flooded with people. They entered the library and Tammy instructed them on where to form a line in front of the table for Hank to sign their books. So far it was a good turnout, which made me happy. I loved to see readers come to the library. Tammy was doing a great job of guiding people when they stepped through the door. I moved over to the table and stood beside Cady, who was beside Hank.

  “I hope this goes smoothly,” she said, blowing the bangs out of her eyes.

  How could it not with me in charge? Right? Okay, it could quickly turn chaotic. At least I had Tammy’s help.

  One woman in particular caught my attention. She had pushed her way toward the front of the line. I couldn’t believe she was being so rude. If she wasn’t careful a fight would break out soon.

  I slipped away from the table and moved closer to the woman in line. Why, I wasn’t sure. What could I do to get the woman to be nicer? I doubted just the sight of me would make a difference. Maybe asking her to leave if she didn’t tone down her behavior would be enough. I walked up beside her and she glanced over at me.

  “You’d better think again if you think you’re cutting the line.” Her eyes narrowed and her lips turned up into a snarl.

  I’d rather take on a grizzly bear than fight her.

  When I saw her evil snarl, I backed up. “I’m just the librarian.”

  She snorted and turned back around to stare at Hank again. I felt a presence behind me. Cady had walked up.

  “Her name is Sandra. She’s Hank’s biggest fan and she follows him everywhere. You’ve read that book Misery by Stephen King? I’m pretty sure that she’s going to do that to Hank soon.” Cady shook her head.

  “Wow, that’s a little scary, don’t you think? Have you told the police?” I asked.

  Cady tossed her hands up. “She hasn’t really done anything wrong… yet. I hope it stays that way. What can the police do?”

  I kept my eye on Sandra as I moved around the line again and back over beside Hank. I’d keep a watch on Sandra the Super Fan though. Sandra tapped her foot against the floor and sighed. Hank couldn’t sign the books any faster, so she would just have to wait.

  The people in front and behind her had already noticed her behavior and were growing increasingly irritated with her. I didn’t blame them one bit. There was always one rotten apple to spoil the fun. If she didn’t stop soon they might throw her out for me. Tammy was watching her too.

  As I watched over the action, someone else entered the library. A blonde woman wearing a tight red dress sashayed through the library door. Her focus was strictly on Hank. It was as if she didn’t even notice anyone else was there. That had been happening a lot today. I wasn't sure if she was ignoring us or if she really didn't know we were standing there. Either way, it didn’t matter. If she needed help, I suppose she would find Tammy or me. It looked as if she was on a mission though and that she already knew exactly where she was going. But what did she want with Hank? Clearly she could see the line for the book signing. Hank hadn’t looked up.

  I wondered if I should mind my own business or if I should stop her and point her in the direction of the back of the line. Should I alert Hank that this woman was headed his way? I could pretend to ask him a question about the book signing. Then if he needed help to get away from her, he could let me know. Though I wasn’t sure what I would do to help him escape. Call the police? I hoped it didn’t come to that.

  Where was Cady? Wasn’t it part of her job to help Hank? She had just been beside him a second ago. Tammy was busy talking with a patron. Now it was up to me.

  Just then Hank looked up and locked eyes with the woman. The expression on his face when he saw her looked as if he’d just seen the Grim Reaper.

  “What are you doing here?” Hank’s voice echoed across the library.

  Silence filled the library.

  “I told you not to come here,” Hank added.

  I hurried across the room so that I could break this up before it got out of hand. Obviously, he knew the woman.

  “I came to tell you to pay the money you owe me.” She folded her arms in front of her chest and tapped her foot against the floor. She stood in front of his table as if she was daring him to come and get her.

  Hank scoffed. “We settled that in court.” Hank glanced around. I wasn’t sure if he was looking for an escape or Cady. Maybe both. Since this signing was my responsibility, I needed to step in and try to mediate the situation. Just until after the signing.

  “Is everything oka
y?” I asked.

  Neither Hank nor the woman acknowledged me.

  “We didn’t settle it. That’s why you still owe me the money.” She pointed at him.

  He waved his hands. “You’ll have to talk with my lawyer.”

  “I don’t want to talk with your lawyer,” she said in a shrill voice.

  Hank smirked. “Well, that is too bad.”

  Hank picked up a couple books and attempted to ignore her. I moved closer to the woman, hoping that she wouldn’t try to punch me.

  “Is everything okay?” I leaned closer to her.

  Finally she acknowledged me. She whipped around and glared at me. “You can tell my ex-husband to pay me what he owes me.”

  I winced. “I don’t think I can do that.” That wasn’t in my job description.

  “Melissa, you will have to leave or I will have to call the police,” Hank said.

  “The police! You have some nerve.” Melissa pounded her fist against the table.

  “Ma’am, he’s right. I will get in trouble if this event doesn’t go smoothly. I’m sure you understand,” I said in the sweetest voice I could muster.

  She narrowed her eyes and then looked back at Hank.

  “Oh, what is going on?” Cady yelled from across the room.

  This had turned into a circus. All that was missing was a few clowns. Apparently I was the ringmaster. Cady stomped over to us. I knew this wasn’t going to end well. The situation grew tenser by the second.

  Melissa placed her hands on her hips. “And what do you think you’re going to do about it?” She glared at Cady.

  Cady rolled up the sleeves of her sweater. “I’ll tell you what I’ll do about it. I will kick you out of here on your butt.”

  “Oh, no. I don’t think that will be necessary.” I stepped between Cady and Melissa. It looked like fists would start flying at any second. “Melissa was just leaving.”

  “You can go now,” Cady snapped.

  I looked at Melissa. “I’m sure Hank will be happy to talk with you when you all are out of the library.”