For Rosie and Eve
Front cover by www.coverkicks.com
To receive 3 short stories, and to hear about my free books, sign up to my newsletter at www.gillianlarkin.co.uk
The Death Planner
Chapter 1
“Grace, remember what I said. Don’t go for any old rubbish. Only bid when I tell you to. Okay?” Frankie ordered.
Grace Abrahams gave a small grunt in reply. She hoped that her brother, Frankie, caught that as her reply because she wasn’t able to use words to communicate with him at the moment. She pulled her coat closer. Hanging out at a storage unit auction at 7 a.m. on a Saturday morning wasn’t her idea of fun.
She jumped as Frankie’s voice shot out again through her earpiece. “And when you do bid don’t get all excited and girly about it. Try to be professional.”
Grace tutted to herself and hoped that Frankie heard that too. She’d been to many storage locker auctions, she knew how to act like a professional bidder.
“Hey there, Grace. Are you on your own today?” A big bear of a man approached her side, a friendly smile on his face.
Grace returned his smile. It was always good to see Big Bob. “Hi.” She tapped her left ear. “I’ve got Frankie’s voice in my ear.” She tapped the rose brooch pinned to her coat. She lowered her voice. “I’ve got a small camera in here so that Frankie can see what’s inside each locker. He’s going to tell me when I should bid and how much I should bid for.”
Big Bob let out a boom of laugh making several nearby bidders jump. “What’s going on with him? Why has he got you doing his work for him?”
Grace shot a look over her shoulder. “He’s parked in the work’s van round the corner. He doesn’t want anyone to know that he’s bidding on a locker.”
“Is this all to do with those paintings he found a few weeks ago? I heard about that. Weren’t they painted by some famous artist? How much did he get for them?”
Grace winced as Frankie screamed in her ear, “Don’t tell him! It’s confidential!”
Big Bob was a good friend to both of them and Grace had no intention of hiding anything from him. He’d also been a good friend to her father and they’d often toured the antiques circuit together years ago. Still keeping her voice low, Grace said, “He got £100,000 for them.” She ignored the cursing that erupted from Frankie.
Big Bob let out a low whistle. “I must say that your Frankie is lucky when it comes to these storage units. He’s had some valuable finds.”
Grace nodded. “That’s why he didn’t want to be here in person today. He thought the other bidders would bid on anything that he made a bid on, and that would make the price higher.”
“That makes sense, I suppose. If you don’t mind doing it.”
Grace gave him a wry smile. “It beats lying in my cosy bed in my warm bedroom.” She didn’t expand on the real reason as to why she didn’t mind being here on a cold morning. And she didn’t tell Big Bob about why Frankie had really made a bid for those famous paintings a few weeks ago.
Ever since the car accident that had claimed her parents’ lives, Grace had been able to see ghosts. She met most of them at storage locker auctions. They were attached to certain items inside the lockers. Some of them had needed help to get messages to loved ones and friends, but some had been murdered and they needed Grace’s help to track down their murderer.
A few weeks ago, Grace had seen the ghost of the artist inside a locker, the one who had painted the aforementioned pictures. Grace recognised him immediately because she had seen a self-portrait that he’d done on an episode of Antiques Roadshow the previous evening. The ghost had been sitting next to an easel. He’d given Grace a cheery wave and then pointed to a set of three paintings that were propped against the wall. Grace had told Frankie to bid on the locker. He said the paintings looked like a child had done them whilst half asleep.
Grace insisted that he bid on them even when the other bidders lost interest. Frankie did so reluctantly and won the locker. He moaned about them the moment he put them in the van. He complained all the way to the shop. He grumbled as Grace insisted that he have them valued.
He stopped complaining the second that the paintings were officially valued at a nearby gallery. He gave Grace a big grin and said, “I knew there was something special about those paintings. I’ve got a sixth sense about these things.”
Grace had kept her thoughts to herself. Frankie didn’t know she could see ghosts, and she was never go to tell him that she could. Frankie had taken it upon himself to look after her since the car accident, even though she was capable of taking care of herself. He was brusque and thoughtless most of the time, but sometimes he surprised her.
Big Bob cut into her thoughts. “What’s he done with all that money?”
Grace felt a warm rush of affection for her older brother, it was a rare feeling. “He gave me half of it, and he’s put the rest in a savings account. He’s going to use it for the business. We’re doing well in the shop and Frankie’s thinking of opening another shop.”
Big Bob patted her on the shoulder. “I’m so pleased for you both. You deserve some good luck in your lives.” He looked towards the row of storage lockers. “I think we’re ready to start.”
Grace realised that Frankie was talking in her ear. She’d been so lost in her thoughts that she hadn’t paid any attention to him. She mumbled, “What did you say?”
There was an exasperated sigh followed by, “I said, if you’ve finally stopped gossiping about me, then can you please move closer to the locker. Grace, pay attention and stop nattering to Big Bob.”
Grace gave Big Bob a smile and repeated what Frankie had said. He shook his head and laughed. “The success has gone to his head. Look, the first locker has been opened. Let’s have a closer look.”
Grace moved closer to the opened locker. She felt butterflies in her stomach which had nothing to do with the contents of the locker. She had a feeling that she was going to meet a ghost today who needed her help. She just had to wait for the right locker to be opened.
Chapter 2
The first two lockers were nothing special. One of them contained broken garden equipment and damaged Christmas ornaments. Grace had to tell Frankie at one point to stop swearing in her ear as he surveyed the contents through the hidden camera.
Big Bob won a locker that contained old furniture. “I can restore that old set of drawers. Is there anything inside that locker that you’d like for your shop?”
Grace pulled a face as Frankie voiced his thoughts about what Big Bob could do with the furniture. She said, “No, thank you. We’ve got enough bric-a-brac on our shelves.” She put her hand over the hidden microphone pinned on her collar. “I’m not entirely sure why Frankie wants more stuff. We’ve got plenty in the shop. I think he’s hoping to find more paintings.” She removed her hand and headed towards the next locker that had been opened.
Her heart missed a beat as she looked inside the locker. It contained a few office chairs, two desks and some boxes that held paperwork. There were some rolled up banners at the back of the unit. One had slightly unrolled and Grace saw the word ‘Congratulations!’
There was also a ghost in the locker. The ghost of a young woman dressed in a business suit. She was wearing an old-fashioned headset with a microphone piece that was positioned near her mouth. There was a lead attached to the headset that dangled down the woman’s back. The woman held a clipboard close to her chest as she paced back and forth across the storage floor.
Grace’s eyes prickled as she picked up the words that the woman was saying. “Hello! Hello! Is there anyone there? Come in. Hell
o!” Ghost tears ran down the woman’s face. She caught Grace looking at her and cried out, “They can’t hear me! There’s no one there! Where have they all gone?”
Grace gave a small shake of her head and took a step closer. Frankie said in her ear, “Move on, Grace, this one’s full of rubbish. Don’t waste your time.”
Big Bob came closer to Grace and said, “It’s amazing what some people store in these lockers. This lot should have been taken to the dump rather than being stored in here.”
The ghost woman inside the locker heard Big Bob. She stopped pacing and opened her hand out towards the desks. “This is my office! What’s he talking about?” Her eyes widened as she looked around her. “Why is my office in here?” She tapped the part of the headset that covered her ear. “Hello! Come in! Where is everyone?”
The bidding began on the locker. There was a half-hearted call of £10. Someone else offered £15. Grace waited until the auctioneer was ready to close the sale then she called out, “£20!” She ignored the sniggers behind her.
Grace held her breath as the auctioneer asked for more bids. She took out her earpiece as she couldn’t listen to Frankie’s cursing that was now spewing out in reaction to her bid.
“Sold for twenty pounds! Congratulations young lady, it’s all yours!”
Big Bob gave Grace a quizzical look. “Are you sure these items will be suitable for your shop?”
Grace gave a nod towards the locker. “These are not for the shop as such, they’re for me. I like the look of those desks. We could do with a proper office area in the shop. And we always need more boxes.” She pulled out a padlock from her pocket and walked towards the locker. The ghost inside stared at her. Grace whispered to her, “Hello, I’m Grace. I think I can help you but I have to pull the door back down for now. I’ll come back soon.”
The ghost gave her a small nod and pointed to her headset. “I can’t hear anyone. Where have they all gone?”
Grace gave a tiny shrug and told the ghost that she’d be back soon. She secured the unit and followed Big Bob who was heading towards the next unit. She hated to leave the ghost but she had to look at the next lockers for Frankie’s sake. She gingerly replaced the earpiece and was treated to silence.
Someone tapped her on the shoulder. Grace took a step back as an angry-looking tramp glared at her. She relaxed as she recognised his eyes. “Frankie! What on earth are you wearing?”
“A disguise. I had this as a backup in case you messed up.” He pulled his false beard into a better position. “Which you have. Why did you buy that locker?” He held up his hand. “No, don’t bother me with your excuses. You’re too emotional for this business. I’ll go on to the next lockers, you stay here with that useless locker you’ve just bought.”
Grace’s nose wrinkled. “You stink! Where did you get that disgusting coat from?”
“A charity shop. I’ve let it soak up the smell from the rubbish bin outside the shop for a few days.” He suddenly grinned. “The smell should put the other bidders off. This is a great idea of mine to disguise myself, I should have thought of it before.” He rubbed his hands together gleefully. “Let battle commence!” He began to walk away. He paused and then added a limp to his walk for some reason.
Grace didn’t mind being left alone. It gave her the chance to talk to the ghost. She turned back to her locker and opened the door. The ghost was now sitting on the floor with her head in her hands. Her shoulders shook as she sobbed into her hands.
Grace crouched at her side and gently said, “Hello, it’s me again. Can you tell me your name?”
The ghost looked up. She sniffed and tried to smile. “I’m Jenny, Jenny Lorrimer. What am I doing in here? Why is my office equipment in here?”
Grace pressed her lips together. She hated this part. Some of the ghosts who she met knew they were ghosts, but some didn’t. It was always hard to tell them.
Grace began, “I have a special gift. I can see people who’ve passed away.”
Jenny’s face creased in confusion. “Passed away? You mean dead?” She looked down at her legs and then at her arms. She moved her hand towards Grace. It passed through Grace as if moving through water. Jenny’s eyebrows arched. “Are you saying that I’m dead?”
Grace nodded. “I’m sorry. Didn’t you suspect at all?”
Jenny shook her head. Her face creased up again. “How long have I been in this metal box?” She winced and rubbed her throat. “What’s wrong with my throat? It really hurts.”
Grace bit down on her tongue. A vivid red mark had suddenly appeared on Jenny’s neck.
Jenny suddenly leapt to her feet and looked behind her. She screamed and held her hands out towards something that Grace couldn’t see. “No! Stop! You’re hurting me!”
Grace jumped up and automatically put her hands out towards Jenny. They went straight through her. Jenny screamed again and her hands flew to her throat. She collapsed to the floor, her face twisted with pain. Jenny turned fear-filled eyes towards Grace. “Help me! Please!” She disappeared, leaving behind the echo of her screams.
Chapter 3
Grace called out for Jenny but she never reappeared. Grace had no option but to lock the unit back up and then to go and find Frankie.
She found him near an open locker. Frankie was just reaching up to pull the locker door down when Grace approached him.
Frankie hissed from the corner of his mouth, “Go away! You don’t know me!”
The stench of Frankie’s coat caught in the back of Grace’s throat and she was more than happy to walk away. She made her way towards Big Bob who was standing a few feet away, an amused smile on his face.
Big Bob nodded towards Frankie and said, “Does he really think he’s fooling people with that get-up?”
“Yes, he does. Did he fool anyone? He must have if he’s got a locker,” Grace pointed out.
Big Bob chuckled. “He fooled a few people. I think it was the smell from the coat that put people off. Are you happy with the locker that you bought?” He gave her a gentle smile.
Grace hesitated in her reply as she looked into the kind eyes of Big Bob. He’d become a father figure for her and Frankie. She’d love to tell him that she could see ghosts. But would he believe her? Or would she ruin their friendship by saying such a thing? Grace couldn’t take the chance. She smiled and told Big Bob that she was more than happy with the locker.
Frankie shuffled past them both. Grace tried not to breath in his aroma. He looked at the floor and mumbled, “I’m going to get the van and load my locker up.” He let out a little laugh. “I fooled them all. Suckers.”
Grace said, “What about my locker? Can I load it into the van too?”
Frankie frowned and looked towards her. “You haven’t thought this through, Grace. We’re not supposed to know each other. It’ll give the game away if I start putting your locker contents into my van.”
Grace folded her arms. “I don’t think you’ve thought this through, Frankie Abrahams. The name of our shop is splashed across the van in big letters. People will see that as soon as you drive the van round here.”
“Ah.” Frankie gave a slow nod. “That’s a good point. I’ll go and change out of my disguise and then come round with the van. I’ll tell people that I did a deal with that tramp who just bought this locker.” He laughed again. “I’m such a genius.” He shuffled away, limping on his other leg this time.
Big Bob shook his head in despair. “I don’t know how you put up with him, Grace. I hope he gets rid of that foul coat before you get in the van or else you won’t be able to breathe.” He gave her another kind look. “Are you okay today? Your face keeps wrinkling up as if you’re lost in thought. Is there something you want to tell me?”
Grace shook her head and shook away the temptation to confide in this kind man. “No, I’m fine. Honestly. I’d better go back to my locker and get ready for Frankie and the van. You have a good day.”
“You too. If you need to speak to me at any time, just
give me a ring.” He gave her another smile and ambled away.
Grace walked back to her locker and started to think about the ghost inside. Whenever she’d helped ghosts before they had been attached to something in the locker. The ghost, Jenny, had said that the contents of the locker had belonged to her so it shouldn’t be too hard to find the one item that she was attached to. Grace had to make sure that every item from the locker was loaded into the van and then taken back to their shop. Hopefully, Jenny would reappear later.
Frankie soon arrived with the van. Grace was pleased to see that his disguise had gone, although there was a slight whiff of the old coat surrounding him. Grace wasn’t pleased when Frankie complained about the locker she’d bought. He gave her many reasons as to why it wasn’t a good locker. There was only one reason as to why it was a good locker, and that was because there was a ghost inside who needed her help. But she could hardly tell Frankie that so she pressed her lips tightly together and ignored his complaints as they loaded the contents into the van.
She helped Frankie with his locker and then they headed towards their shop. It was located in a good position on the high street. It had been an antiques shop when their parents owned it, but now it was a more like an Aladdin’s cave type of shop. They sold all sorts of things depending on what they found in the storage lockers. Grace smiled as they pulled into the parking space at the rear of the shop. There was something, or someone, inside who was more valuable than any antique.
It was heading towards 9 o’clock by the time they started to unload the items from the van.
Frankie said, “We’d better hurry up, the customers will be banging on the doors soon. They know I’ve got new stock coming into the shop today.”
“How do they know that?” Grace said from inside the van.
Frankie gave her an incredulous look. “From my blog of course! I made a post last night. I thought you followed my blog.”
The Death Planner (Storage Ghost Murders Book 6) Page 1
