Ghost in Trouble: A Mystery by Carolyn Hart

Author:Carolyn Hart
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Ghost, Ghost stories, Spirits, Mystery & Detective, Murder - Investigation, Oklahoma, Fiction, Murder, Mystery fiction, Women Sleuths, Humorous fiction, General
ISBN: 9780061915017
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 2010-10-12T01:01:28+00:00

CHAPTER TEN

I waited until the convertible was well out of sight from downtown before I swirled into the passenger seat. “I’ve been thinking.”

“What an accomplishment.” Kay’s tone didn’t invite me to share. She shot a searching glance at me. “I gather you and Chief Cobb have a history.”

I tried to look modest. “I’ve been honored to assist the department on previous visits.”

Slowly, her lips curved into a smile. “I’ll bet there are some stories behind that sweet modicum of words. Maybe someday the chief and I can let our hair down and trade ghost stories.”

I cleared my throat. “Just in case Wiggins is about, perhaps you might refrain from comments guaranteed to distress him.”

“Oh, boy. Wow. I sure wouldn’t want to distress the head spook—”

The rumble from the backseat sounded like a cross between a water buffalo’s bellow and the strangled gurgle of a suddenly unplugged drain.

Kay hunched over the wheel. “Just kidding. One sp—One helper is all I need.”

“Spook!” Wiggins’s deep voice quivered. “Bailey Ruth, this is the fruit of your transgressions. Constant appearances and open interaction with your recalcitrant subject have now”—and his anguish was obvious—“caused me to breach Precept Three.”

Kay glanced in the rearview mirror at the empty backseat. “Precept Three?”

“‘Work behind the scenes without making your presence known.’” Wiggins was chagrined. “My lapse clearly reflects that I have succumbed to the temptation against which I warn all emissaries. I have become too much of the world instead of pursuing my duties unseen, unnoticed, and unsung in the world. I succumbed to the worldly sin of anger.” His voice fell lower than I had ever heard him speak, a man in despair.

“Wiggins, your instinct trumped the rules.” My voice was fervent in admiration. “You have come to the rescue. Who would have thought you would be this clever! Of course, you are always on top of your job. But your appearance now, at this moment”—I gave Kay a sub rosa pinch—“has made all the difference. Look at Kay.” Was I adroit enough to pluck Wiggins from his abyss of contrition?

I pointed at Kay.

Kay appeared startled and a shade (sometimes I succumb to pun fun) apprehensive. Kay also looked youthful and very attractive as the wind whipped her dark hair. Her gaze continued to flicker toward the backseat.

“I’m looking.” Wiggins sounded resigned, but I thought I sensed the faintest hint of hope that I could restore his equilibrium.

Kay’s peek in the rearview mirror reconfirmed the emptiness of the backseat. Her shoulders tightened.

“Kay regrets her failure to fully cooperate.” I was counting on Kay’s obvious desire to see—uh—hear the last of Wiggins. “Since I appeared solely to prevent the reckless firing of her gun in the garden last night and thereby was glimpsed by a resident of the house, remaining invisible at all times was no longer possible for me and I put aside my personal wish to honor each and every Precept.”

The silence in the backseat seemed somewhat receptive.

So far, so good. “Your well-timed arrival emphasizes the importance the department places upon Kay’s safety.

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