Witchnapped in Westerham (Paranormal Investigation Bureau Book 1)

by Dionne Lister

  Snezana, you better watch out, because it’s game on, witch.

  Chapter 11

  Ishut my laptop. I hadn’t woken till ten. Angelica had left a note saying she’d gone into work, so I was on my own for the day. After breakfast, I’d edited wedding photos for a few hours, but now my stomach was demanding food, and my brain wanted coffee. Bummer—there was only instant. I held back a scream. I wanted the real stuff, like with frothy milk and chocolate sprinkled on the top. Could I call for someone to grab me one? No, no I couldn’t, because I didn’t have anyone’s number, and I hadn’t sorted out the bloody roaming on my phone. I didn’t even have the Wi-Fi password for Angelica’s house. I could have sorted the roaming via my iPad, but that’d been confiscated as evidence. Gah.

  Would the alarm go off if I just opened the front door? They wouldn’t shoot me for standing inside the door, would they? Call me stupid, but there was only one way to find out. I undid the deadbolt and opened the door, staying behind it before sticking my head around, but still inside the doorframe, to look out the front. I couldn’t hear an alarm, although, it may have been sounding at PIB headquarters. Okay, no one had appeared. I pulled up my big-girl pants and stood just inside the threshold. Hmm, not shot yet. That was a good sign.

  “Hello!” I called out. “Anyone there? PIB peeps, are you there?” No one told me I couldn’t say the initials. No normal person would know what I meant, so it should be fine. Still nothing. I needed proper coffee, dammit!

  Stuff it. I sang, “You put your left foot in, you put your left foot out…” And then I did, right out the front door. The alarm sounded in an ear-exploding screech. I quickly pulled my foot in, and the caterwauling stopped. William and Beren appeared, guns pointed at my chest. My eyes widened. “What the ever-loving f—”

  “Jesus, Lily! What are you doing?” Beren lowered his gun.

  My heart was beating so hard that my pulse throbbed in my ears. They’d never really shoot me, would they? Best not to think too hard on that. “Thanks for coming.” I smiled. “Can you guys do me a biggie and duck to Costa and grab me a large skim-milk cappuccino with extra chocolate on top?”

  They looked at me like I’d lost my mind.

  “What?”

  Beren’s mouth dropped open before he burst out laughing. William holstered his gun and put his hands on his hips, his eyes more grey thunderclouds than blue. “We could have killed you. Are you shitting me right now?”

  “Angelica only has instant, and I neeeeed my coffee. I don’t have anyone’s number. I hate asking for favours, and I would’ve gone myself, but I’m bloody well locked up. And can I remind you that I haven’t done anything wrong? This is a witch-hunt… like literally.” I raised a brow, my left one. I was actually quite good at it.

  William approached the house. “Get inside. We’re not having this conversation out here.” That didn’t sound promising.

  I made my way to the living room. William and Beren followed me in. Beren’s blond, scruffy three-day growth, and his black uniform made him look rather hunky: his smile didn’t hurt either. These two were like night and day: angry and happy: fun and grumpy: nice and mean. It was grumpy who spoke. “Don’t ever do that again.” He stalked over and loomed. Yep, it was definitely looming, and he’d obviously had lots of practice. No doubt it was an intimidation tactic, so I folded my arms, deflecting his negativity. “We’re not your servants. We’re supposed to be doing a job, and getting coffee isn’t it. We could’ve killed you. Do you get that?”

  Have you ever heard anyone say the vein in someone’s neck was throbbing? Well, his was. Throb, throb, throb. Weird yet mesmerizing.

  “Why would you shoot me? You two know me. You know I haven’t done anything.”

  “It’s our orders, Lily. If we don’t follow orders, we could lose our jobs, unless we had a damn good excuse. I don’t want to shoot you, but—”

  “Well, that’s reassuring.”

  He rolled his eyes. “But, I will if I see you outside this house. Got it?”

  “How am I supposed to contact you then, well, not you, because you’re too cranky, but Beren or Angelica?”

  Beren snorted. William magicked a phone out of thin air and handed it to me. It was an iPhone 5. “That’s an old PIB issue we aren’t using. All our numbers are programmed in. If you need anything, you can call. The passcode’s 0000.”

  “That’s not very secure. Aren’t you guys supposed to be cutting edge?”

  “I changed it before I gave it to you.” Ooh, he was clever. Magicking a phone while simultaneously changing the passcode. That was actually cool.

  “Thank you. I appreciate it.” I turned to Beren, because William was hard work. “Thanks for not getting angry at me.”

  He grinned. “It’s hard to be angry with you. You make me laugh.”

  “Aw, shucks. So, I was wondering…”

  Beren laughed and shook his head. “Yes, Lily. I’ll grab you a coffee from Costa.”

  “Thank you. Thank you. Thank you! You’re the best.” I threw my hands around his neck and gave him a huge hug then headed for the stairs. “I’ll just grab you some money.” He started to object, but I was already halfway up the stairs. Woohoo, I was getting coffee!

  When I returned downstairs, Beren was gone. Sneaky man. I’d just give him the money when he returned. Someone else was still standing in the living room, though. William stared out the window, his arms folded, stretching his jacket over his well-formed shoulders. Did he ever just relax and enjoy the moment?

  I sat in one of the chairs next to the fire. I didn’t feel like arguing, and not engaging was the best way to do that. Whatever I said, he’d find a way to get angry about it. How had he been best friends with my brother? James was a kind, easygoing guy. Maybe that’s why—yin and yang. James was probably the only one who could put up with him. Oops. I checked my thoughts were shielded. Yep. Phew. Although I didn’t know if mind reading was one of his talents.

  He finally left his post at the window and sat in the other seat next to the fire. “What were you doing at the park?” His gaze wasn’t hostile anymore, thank God.

  “Looking for clues. But we didn’t get a chance to find anything before we were so rudely interrupted.”

  “What clues were you going to find after the PIB had combed over everything?”

  “Why don't you ask Angelica?” I didn’t know who to trust. I didn’t want my secret talent out there until I knew how it worked. If Snezana found out, she’d find a way to make sure I never ever got to use it.

  He watched the fire, the orange glow flickering over his features. “She wouldn’t tell me.”

  Wow, she really had my back. Did that mean she didn’t trust him either or was she just being careful? “I can’t tell you either. Sorry.”

  “Fair enough.” He stood and returned to the window.

  A few awkward minutes later, Beren returned. “I have coffee!” He strode into the living room with three takeout cups. My hero! I grabbed mine and pretended to grab for a second one too. “Hey, they’re not all for you.”

  “Just kidding.” I grinned, carefully removed the lid and licked the hell out of it. Yum, that was soooo good.

  Beren and William stared at me. Was this a slight against English sensibilities? “It’s yummy. Have you ever tried it?”

  “Only in private,” said Beren.

  “I don’t care what anyone thinks. Let them stare.” I licked once more for good measure and scrunched up my face at them. Even William managed a smile that time. Finally. “But seriously, sorry about this morning. Desperate times call for desperate measures. Thanks for saving my life and getting me a coffee. Quick question. How was it you were able to materialise outside and you didn’t need the reception room?”

  William answered. “We spelled an anchor point yesterday, before we left. They only last for a week or so.”

  “What’s to stop people spelling an anchor point in someone’s house when they’re visiting?”

  “
Most witches have their houses spell protected against specific things—like unauthorised anchor-point spells. I’ll be back in a sec.” William headed towards the kitchen.

  I sipped my coffee. “Mmm, this is good stuff. Thanks again. How do you put up with him? You’re so nice, and he’s so cranky.”

  Beren’s smile was fond. “He’s a good guy underneath it all. He’s in porcupine mode right now.”

  Huh? Oh, I got it. “Protecting himself by being prickly?”

  “You got it.”

  William came back. “Time to go, B. Bye, Lily. If you need us for something important, just call.”

  “Thanks. Will do. See you both later.” They locked the door behind them, and I returned to my spot by the fire. Now what? Sneaking out was going to be way, way harder than I thought. I could ask Angelica to help, but then I’d put her job in jeopardy. I couldn’t get help from anyone, and I could also expect to be killed or horribly injured if I got caught. But there had to be a way. Mum always used to say nothing was impossible, and now I believed it too.

  The first thing to figure out was what I could do with my magic. What talents did I have that I could use to escape and get to the park? I couldn’t see how me seeing unusual things through my camera could help, but I must have other talents, surely?

  Not knowing where to start, I soon grew frustrated. Gah, enough of this. I jumped up and went to the kitchen to throw my takeout cup away. I’d made it as far as the island bench when I saw it. My mouth made an O. Oh, boy, would you look at that. A big, beautiful, amazing coffee maker. Be still my beating heart. I ran over to it. Ooh, a note. I picked it off the top and read:

  Thought this would help, because no matter what you say, coffee is not worth dying for.

  William

  I wouldn’t go that far, but wow, Beren was right: the guy could be nice. That was actually quite sweet. And next to it was a packet of my favourite coffee grounds—Lavazza. When had he had the time to do this? Oh, that’s right, witchy skills. I was so going to make myself a cup later. “Thank you, William, wherever you are.” He probably couldn’t hear me, but you never knew.

  Invigorated, I ran upstairs to grab my camera. There was always the risk I’d get photos of something I didn’t want to see: like Angelica making out with someone, ew, but I needed to practice so I knew what I was doing once I got back to the park.

  Hmm, what if I focused on what or who I was looking for? That might help, and if it didn’t, I’d figure something else out. I thought of Millicent, since she wasn’t always here, and it wouldn’t be as much of a coincidence if she turned up in a photo. I pocketed the lens cap and flicked the camera on. I turned the lens to a wider angle to take in as much of the room as I could. I clicked off a few shots—it was a pretty room after all—but nothing happened. Then I stopped clicking and just looked through the viewfinder.

  “Show me Millicent,” I whispered, picturing her face in my mind. I delved for the deep vibration of power that underpinned everything. I imagined scooping some into my fingers. “Show me Millicent, please.” A tiny electrical shot zapped my fingers, and I clicked the shutter button. It was the back of Millicent from two mornings ago, sitting on one of the sofas watching my lesson with Angelica. I fist pumped the air. I did it! I freaking did it. I lowered the camera and did a little happy dance.

  The fact that we’d all appeared was interesting. Gave a new meaning to selfie. I giggled.

  So when I recalled a scene, it was the whole thing, not just one person. I put the camera back up to my face and tried again, but I moved to a different spot. Was it possible to replicate the same scene or was it a one-time-only deal? “Show me Millicent again, same as before.” I dipped my imaginary hand into the power and started shooting. The same scene appeared. I snapped three photos and walked around. It was like looking at one of those 3D images. It was also spooky watching the three of us there, yet I was alone. I shivered.

  Had James ever been here? “Show me James.” Nothing happened. I moved around and pointed the camera at the entry. “Show me James.” He appeared in the entry, Millicent in front of him, both facing the camera, grinning, probably saying hello to Angelica. It looked like it was in the last year or so, judging by Millicent’s hair length. My brother looked so happy. I blinked back tears. I knew I missed him, but seeing him like this made me realise how much.

  I lowered the camera, wiped my eyes with the back of my hand then looked at the picture on the camera screen. I zoomed into his handsome face. I knew he was my brother, but I wasn’t biased, really. He’d always had girls hanging around, hoping he’d ask them out. He was a respectful person too, didn’t trash talk girls. I used to hide and listen to him chatting with his friends. Okay, so I might have been perving on one specific friend, but whatever. What you saw was what you got with him. He didn’t bitch about his mates, and he respected women. And that was probably why Snezana got the better of him. He wouldn’t cheat on his wife, but he was too polite to tell Snezana to get lost. I vowed to be less polite in future.

  At least I was learning how to control this particular talent, although it was still iffy. I couldn’t see him in the living room, even though he’d likely been in there. I’d have to ask Angelica more about that later. She may even have some books I could read on magic. I wanted to learn everything.

  I practiced some more and managed to get one photo of a party that was held here in the last few years and another photo of Millicent from the other day. Looked like there was some randomness about what appeared—it wasn’t like a video where you could get a more complete idea of what was going on. But this would be enough to get clues to solve this case; I was sure of it.

  Afterwards, I relaxed with a cosy mystery I’d had waiting on my Kindle app, and around dinnertime, when my stomach started complaining, I grabbed the phone William had given me and called Angelica. She picked up on the second ring. “Hey, Ma’am, it’s me, Lily. Just wondering when you were coming home? And how’s Millicent?”

  “Hello, dear. Millicent’s not doing so well. She’s rather depressed and not eating. Everything else is about as you’d expect. We haven’t made much progress since last night.” Her frustrated breath was loud enough to make it across the phone line. “I see you have the PIB spare.”

  “The PIB spare?”

  “Yes, the phone.”

  “William was kind enough to get it for me. I may have annoyed him a bit this morning, but it’s all fine now.”

  She laughed. “Beren told me what happened, and for your information, I’m laughing at how you push William’s buttons, but you almost getting yourself shot is not funny. Don’t do anything so foolish again. Do you understand me?” Her angry-matron tone was back.

  “Yes, Ma’am. So, are you coming home soon? I’m kind of hungry, and it might be nice to eat dinner together and talk about things.”

  “I have a couple of bits and pieces to finish up here. I’ll be home in forty minutes.”

  “Can you send my love to Millicent?”

  “Yes, I can certainly do that. See you later, Lily.”

  “Bye.”

  I kept reading until she came home. She arrived in the reception room, and came out with Indian takeout. Yum! I loved Indian food. “Long commute?” I joked.

  “The worst.” We laughed. Witches had it good, except when someone was trying to frame or kidnap them.

  We set the food up in the kitchen-cum-family room. It was another gorgeous space with white-painted exposed roof beams in a triangle pattern. The kitchen was modern with traditional touches, like marble benchtops, stone flag floors, and a double Belfast sink. The stainless steel cooker was huge with six gas hobs and a double oven underneath. To complete the luxurious yet rustic feel, a white timber island sat in the middle with four chairs against the breakfast bar part. I didn’t cook much at home, but I wasn’t averse to learning how. I just didn’t have much opportunity to entertain. I could see some awesome get-togethers happening here. Maybe Angelica would let me have a welcome-home
James party here after we found him. I swallowed the rush of sadness that moistened my eyes.

  Once we were seated and both had food in our plates, I told her what I’d done with my day, other than annoy William. I took a deep breath then plunged right into sharing my secret. “So, my special talent. I’m ready to tell you.”

  She sat up straighter, if that were possible: she always looked alert, and I don’t think I’d ever seen her slouch. “Go on. I’m listening.”

  “I can see things through my camera. It started the night before I met you. One of the people at the wedding looked see through, like a ghost, but when I looked at him without my camera, he was as solid as anything. The day we were at Sydney airport, his daughter rang to tell me he’d just died.” I shut my eyes for a moment, tears burning behind my lids, then I took a deep breath and opened my eyes. “Then, when I came here, I saw a woman in the window of one of the shops I photographed, but she was dressed in turn-of-the-century clothes. When I put my camera down, she vanished. Then at PIB, in Millicent’s office, I had an idea to find out if I could really see the past, and I saw Millicent and James in her office.” Angelica nodded, her eyes bright. “It appears as if what I can see can be forced to some degree, too, but it doesn’t work every time, and I can’t choose what appears. Why is that?”

  Angelica nodded then pursed her lips as she considered my question. “It could be one of two things. You weren’t using specific spells to retrieve the information you wanted, and to be honest, you’d need a new spell for each new request, but if you had the time, you could do it. The other reason is that it can never be exact every time. What you’re picking up on is the faded imprint of something that happened. When we go about our business, we leave an energy imprint, little bits of it all over the place. Sometimes we leave more energy than others—usually when we’re particularly happy, angry, or scared, for instance. Times when we’re using more emotional energy. That energy fades over time too, so something you may have easily picked up ten years ago, may only be able to be picked up one time out of twenty now, whereas, if you’d tried to pick it up soon after it happened, you’d end up seeing it five out ten times. And this is exciting, by the way. No witch has been able to see the past since your mother. You really give me hope, Lily. Your gift can help so many people.” She clasped her hands under her chin and smiled.