The Death Planner (Storage Ghost Murders Book 6)

by Gillian Larkin

  Ghost Jenny took a few steps forward. “I’d just been given it as a present by my best friend. She knew I wanted to start my own business once I left university.”

  “What’s your friend’s name?” Grace asked.

  She never got an answer. Ghost Jenny moved even closer to her younger self.

  Young Jenny put the headset on and spoke, “Yes, Mrs Fortescue, the champagne has been served. Of course I can organise a helicopter, Mr Brownly-Smith. The fireworks have been set to go off to the tune of YMCA, Ms Jazzy-Shoes.”

  Ghost Jenny and young Jenny laughed at the same time and in the same manner. It was a lovely sound but it sent shivers down Grace’s spine. She didn’t know how she would react if she ever came across a younger version of herself, she hoped she’d never have to.

  A female voice called out from the open door, “Jenny! What are you doing?”

  Young Jenny giggled and turned towards the owner of the voice. “I’m practising! Thanks again for this headset, it’s fabulous. Let me practise on you.” She cleared her throat. “Would you like twenty doves released when your wedding guests arrive, Ms …”

  Before young Jenny could say the rest of her friend’s name the university room disappeared. It was replaced by the inside of a ballroom.

  Ghost Jenny moved back to Grace’s side and said, “What happened? Where did I go?”

  Grace frowned. “I think we saw all that we needed to. Do you recognise this place? It seems like there’s a wedding party going on.”

  Jenny looked around the room, taking in the ceiling and furnishings. “I’ve used this venue a few times. It’s the King James’ Hotel, it’s about five miles outside of Leeds. Is there a younger version of me somewhere?” She looked left and right.

  Grace did the same. “I think I’ve spotted you at the far side of the room, near the bar.” Grace paused as she noticed something else.

  Ghost Jenny was already walking towards the bar. Grace followed her. Jenny’s attention was caught by something near the door of the ballroom. Her head cocked to one side and she said, “Those two over there, it looks like … no, it can’t be. Why would they be talking to each other?”

  Grace looked towards the door. There was more than one couple in conversation. “Who? Where? Who are you talking about?” She suddenly gasped as the Jenny from the vision ran through her body. It didn’t hurt but it gave her a shock.

  Ghost Jenny looked towards the other Jenny. “There I am! Where am I going? Grace, we need to follow her.”

  Ghost Jenny chased after vision Jenny before Grace could voice her warning. Grace ran after both of them as they left the ballroom and headed down a hallway. They turned left into a cloakroom. Grace sped after them. “Jenny! Stop! I have to tell you something! It’s urgent!”

  Ghost Jenny didn’t stop. She followed vision Jenny into the cloakroom. Grace rushed through the closed doors as if they were made of fog. She called out again, “Jenny! Stop!”

  Ghost Jenny finally stopped at a rack of coats. “What is it? We can’t stop now. I want to find myself.” She frowned. “That sounds peculiar but you know what I mean.”

  Grace caught her breath. “I want to find the other Jenny too but I need to prepare you.”

  “Prepare me for what?”

  “The Jenny that we’ve just seen is wearing the same clothes as you.”

  “Yes, I know. I have a few business suits, they’re all very similar.”

  Grace shook her head. “You might not have noticed but you’ve got a bit of hair sticking up by your left ear.”

  Jenny’s hand flew up to her left ear. She laughed and said, “Oh, yes. I’d been to a new hairdresser the day before and she’d cut it too short. I couldn’t get it to sit right that morning.” Her laugh faded. She looked towards the rack of coats again.

  Grace said, “The version of yourself, that you followed in here, has the same bit of hair sticking up.” She paused to let this information sink in. “Which means that you died on this day that we’re in now. You look exactly like the Jenny in this vision.”

  Jenny’s legs gave way. Grace automatically reached out to her but her hands swept right through Jenny’s arms. Jenny collapsed to the floor. “I don’t understand. Why would someone kill me at a wedding?”

  Grace knelt at Jenny’s side. “That’s what we’re going to find out.”

  Both heads turned as the door to the cloakroom opened.

  Jenny let out a whimper. “It’s the killer! I can feel it! Grace, I’m scared!”

  Grace looked at the door as it slowly opened. She stood up, she needed to get a good look at whoever was coming in. She took a step towards the door as it opened more.

  The room suddenly tilted and Grace was thrown forward. Someone grabbed her arm and started shaking her.

  “Grace! Grace! Snap out of it!” Frankie shook her back and forth.

  Grace quickly took in where she was - back in the kitchen. She tried to push Frankie’s hand off her arm.

  Frankie was having none of it. “Grace, what the hell were you doing just then?”

  “What do you mean?” Grace asked quietly. What exactly had Frankie witnessed?

  Frankie released her arm and rubbed his forehead. “I came walking in here, calling your name out, and I find you standing here with a frozen look on your face! Have you had some sort of seizure? Shall I phone the doctor?”

  Grace took in his scared look and immediately felt a rush of guilt. She’d suffered a mental breakdown after the death of their parents and Frankie had been the one to care for her. He probably thought she was having another breakdown. She pasted a bright smile on her face and said, “I was daydreaming, that’s all.” She quickly scanned the room. There were no ghosts anywhere.

  Frankie pulled a chair out and collapsed into it. “Bloody hell, Grace. You scared me half to death. Can you do something different with your face when you’re daydreaming in future? And who were you talking to?”

  “I was talking to myself. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.”

  Frankie indicated towards the opposite chair. “Sit down, we need to talk.”

  Grace gingerly sat down. Was he going to insist on calling a doctor? How long had he been standing there and watching her?

  Chapter 7

  Grace waited for Frankie to speak. He gave her a small smile and then looked at his watch. His eyebrows rose and he looked back at Grace. His smile grew and his attention went back to his watch.

  “Frankie, is there something you wanted to say to me?”

  “I’m just admiring my new watch,” he said, a proud note in his voice. He held his arm up.

  Grace examined the watch which was now inches from her face. “It’s lovely. Was there something you wanted to talk about?”

  Frankie laid his arm on the table. “I can go diving when I wear this watch. If I want to. It’s got a two-year guarantee. And it’s got the date on it.”

  “That’s great. Was there anything else, or did you just want to talk about your watch?”

  Frankie tore his attention away from the watch. “Grace. I’ve met someone.”

  “Have you? Where?”

  “At the jewellers. I went in there for a watch and I came out with a date.” He shook his head in disbelief. “I’ve got a date with an angel, a beautiful angel.”

  Grace wasn’t sure what to say for a moment. Frankie was looking at his watch again as if the very angel he was talking about was smiling back at him from his wrist. “Where did you meet this angel?”

  “I told you, in the jewellers.”

  “Where in the jewellers? Was she a customer?”

  Frankie shook his head and finally tore his loving attention away from his new watch. “She served me. She works there. She’s called Beth.” He sighed and looked off into the distance. “Isn’t that a beautiful name? A name for an angel.”

  “Did you just ask her out? Just like that?”

  “No. She saw me looking at the watch and told me I had good taste. I told her
I wasn’t sure about buying it and, before I knew it, I was telling her all about my storage locker business. She was very impressed, I could tell. She let me try the watch on. She told me it looked good on me. I knew that but it was nice to hear Beth say it. Once I’d bought the watch I told her I felt like celebrating. Beth said I could take her out for a drink tonight to celebrate.”

  Grace leant back in her chair and folded her arms. She could have sworn she heard Pearl’s voice mutter ‘Hussy’ behind her. Grace chose a kinder expression. “She’s very confident. I wish I had that kind of confidence.”

  Frankie clasped his hands together and smiled. “She’s beautiful, out of my league. I would never have asked her out in a million years, and you know how attractive I am to women.”

  Grace knew for certain this time that Pearl muttered another word behind her, this was aimed at Frankie and it wasn’t a pleasant word. Grace wished she had even a quarter of the confidence that Frankie had. She said, “When are you going out on your date?”

  Frankie’s clasped hands tightened and his knuckles turned white. “Tonight. She’s going to meet me at a restaurant at seven.” He gulped. “What am I going to wear? Should I have a shower? What aftershave should I put on?” He gulped again and beads of sweat appeared on his brow. “How long have I got to get ready? What time is it?”

  Grace smiled. She’d never seen him looking so nervous before. She glanced towards his watch. “You’ve got plenty of time. Yes, of course you should have a shower. And a small amount of aftershave would be good, not the usual amount that you wear. You don’t want to knock her unconscious.”

  Frankie released his clasped hands and pulled at the collar of his shirt. “Grace, will you stay and help me decide what to wear? You haven’t got anywhere to go, have you? No, of course you haven’t. I think I should wear my light blue shirt, it brings out the blue in my eyes. It needs an iron. Can you do that whilst I have a shower? Ta. And can you give me a lift to the restaurant? It’ll save me having to ring a taxi.” He stood up and his hand flew to his tummy. “I think I need the toilet first.”

  Grace winced. “Too much information. Frankie, are you alright? You seem nervous, I’ve never seen you like this before.”

  Frankie rubbed his tummy. “I’ve got a feeling that Beth is the one.”

  Grace stood up. “What do you mean?”

  “The one I’m meant to be with. Forever. There’s something about her.”

  “But you’ve only just met.” Grace could feel her voice rising.

  Frankie shrugged. “What can I say? When you know, you just know. I’m sure it’ll happen to you one day.” A noise erupted from him. “Better go, the toilet is calling for me.” He ran past her and out of the kitchen door. Grace heard him thundering up the stairs that led to his living area. The rooms above the shop used to be storerooms for extra stock, but they had now been converted into Frankie’s living accommodation. And their stock was now stored in various storage lockers. The irony of it.

  Pearl appeared behind Grace. “Well! What a palaver! What do you think is going on there with your brother?”

  “I don’t know. I’m not sure I like it. Where did Jenny go? Did you see what happened in the vision?”

  Pearl nodded. “I saw everything that you did. That young lass was in a right state when you snapped out of the vision. She was crying and waving her arms around. I’ll look after her tonight. I’ve asked her to help me sort out those annoying ghosts that want your help. It’ll take her mind off her own problems.”

  “Do you think we should trying going into a vision again? I could come back when I’ve dropped Frankie off.”

  “No. Let her have a rest. You have a rest too. And leave that headset thingy here. You know if you take it home then Jenny will go home with you too.” Pearl looked towards something behind Grace. “The silly buggers are off again with their complaining. They’re a whiny bunch. I’d better get back to them. Take care.” She winked at Grace and then disappeared.

  Grace carefully put the headset back in the box along with the folders. She placed the box in the cleaning cupboard. She knew that Frankie never went anywhere near the cleaning cupboard. He probably didn’t know it was there.

  Something fluttered to the floor as she pushed the box towards the back of the cupboard. She picked it up. It was a business card. It had Jenny’s name on it. It also had a company website address on it. Hmm. Grace could do a bit of online investigating later.

  Frankie ran into the kitchen and flung a blue shirt at her. “Don’t forget the collar!” He just as abruptly left the room.

  Grace put the business card in her handbag. When had she turned into Cinderella?

  Chapter 8

  Grace drove a nervous-looking Frankie to the restaurant a short while later.

  He smoothed down his hair and said, “Do I look alright? Should I change my shirt?”

  Grace pulled up outside the restaurant and smiled at her brother. “For the fiftieth time, you look very handsome.” She looked towards the restaurant doors. “Shall I come in with you and meet this living angel?”

  Frankie released his seat belt. “No, you might scare her off. You’ll only stare at her and then start asking her questions.”

  Grace bristled. “I’d do nothing of the sort.”

  Frankie reached for the door handle. “Wish me luck!”

  “Good luck. Have a good time. You can tell me all about it later.”

  Frankie gave her a wink. “If things go well I won’t be telling you everything! Thanks for the lift! See ya!”

  Grace watched him for a moment as he walked towards the restaurant door. He pulled his shirt down and smoothed his hair again. What kind of woman had him so flustered? She was tempted to park nearby and then casually walk past the restaurant and peep in.

  No. She’d leave him alone. She had a life of her own to live. Even if that life meant dealing with a murdered ghost.

  Grace brought her attentions back to Jenny Lorrimer as she drove home. She tried to make sense of the vision. She made a mental note of what she needed to look for online.

  As soon as she arrived home she made herself a cup of tea and a toasted cheese sandwich. She sat on the sofa and opened her laptop. Before Jenny began her disappearing act, Grace had managed to get her full name and her date and place of birth. Jenny had not been able to remember when she died, not even the year.

  Grace started by typing in the name of Jenny’s company, she had the full website address on the company card that she’d picked up.

  Nothing. The page was no longer available. That made sense if Jenny was no longer around to run it.

  Grace typed in reviews for Jenny’s services. She found some that dated back to over five years ago. Grace smiled as she read how impressed people had been with Jenny’s services. It seemed that Jenny Lorrimer had been extremely organised and she’d even spoken to people weeks after the event to see if there was anything they would have liked Jenny to have done different. Grace couldn’t find one bad comment about Jenny.

  Grace zoomed in on some of the images that accompanied the reviews. There were some of Jenny standing at the side of the person who had posted the review. Grace’s heart twisted as she saw that Jenny was wearing her headset in nearly all of the photos.

  One photo made Grace pause. There was someone standing at the side of Jenny, someone who looked like a younger version of her. There were no names listed for the photo. Did Jenny have a sister? If so, how was their relationship with each other? Could this possible sister have something to do with Jenny’s death? Hmm, it was a starting point.

  Grace braced herself for the next part of her search. Her hand hovered over the keyboard.

  She swiftly stood up and decided she’d need another cup of tea before proceeding. And a slice of chocolate cake would go nicely with the tea.

  Once she’d prepared her tea and cut a generous slice of cake, Grace returned to her keyboard and typed in certain words.

  It didn’t take long for th
e information to come up.

  Jenny Lorrimer’s death.

  Jenny died on Saturday, 19 June 2010. Her body was discovered in the cloakroom of King James’ Hotel in Horsforth, Leeds. Jenny had organised a wedding reception that had taken place that day. It was thought she had disturbed a burglar who was going through the pockets of coats, and through bags, that had been left in the cloakroom. The cloakroom attendant had been on a break at the time and the hotel staff had not arranged for another member of staff to cover her absence. The attendant confirmed that she had left her position at 9 p.m. and had returned thirty minutes later to discover the body of Jenny Lorrimer.

  The online details confirmed that Jenny had been strangled by the lead from her headset. The police questioned all the wedding guests but it appears that no one saw anything, or anyone, suspicious.

  Grace looked through more information and found the most recent update, it was dated four years ago. The police confirmed that, despite making enquiries, no one had been arrested for the murder of Jenny Lorrimer.

  Grace sat back on the sofa and finished the rest of her cake.

  So, Jenny had been at a wedding reception when she was murdered. The vision confirmed that. Was it really a burglar who had killed her? Maybe it was one of the wedding guests who had been stealing items, and Jenny had caught them at it. Or was it someone who knew Jenny and had a grudge against her? Or was it someone who would gain something by getting her out of the way - perhaps a sister?

  It was a lot to think about. Grace scraped the last of the cake from the plate. She needed to have a good talk with Jenny about this last wedding. And, she’d need to talk to her about the possible sister. And what else? There was something else that was bothering her.

  Her phone beeped. There was a text from Frankie advising Grace that he was having a great time and that he was taking his angel to a nightclub.

  Grace sent him a reply and wished him a good evening. She tapped her phone against her chin. It was Saturday night. Shouldn’t she be out somewhere? She looked around her living room. Actually, she was fine being here, enjoying her own company. She stood up. And because she was enjoying her own company she decided to have another slice of cake. She didn’t need to worry about any disapproving looks or uncalled for remarks. There were certain advantages to living alone.