Going, Going, Dead by Kirsten Weiss

Author:Kirsten Weiss [Kirsten Weiss]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: misterio press
Published: 2022-01-17T00:00:00+00:00

I didn’t sleep well, tossing and turning at every creak and scrape of branches against the walls. So I wasn’t exactly bright-eyed and bushy-tailed the next day at the museum. Fortunately, Wednesdays are rarely busy, so I don’t think any customers noticed my yawns.

The front door opened, bell jangling, and I straightened on my seat. GD took a break from gnawing on my shoe strings and looked up.

Aaliyah strolled into the museum. She wore a long, ivory coat and a matching turban and scarf, and she pulled off the look with aplomb. “Jason told me you discovered a body. Are you okay?”

I smiled faintly. Jason had called me as early was as reasonable after he’d heard from Laurel. “I’m fine. It was horrible, but I wasn’t alone.”

GD hopped onto the counter and preened.

Obligingly, Aaliyah stroked the cat’s ebony fur. “He said you were with your mother? How’s she doing?”

“I’m not sure,” I said, disquieted. “She’s pretty tough, though.” And it wasn’t her first corpse either.

She shook her head. “I’ve lived most of my life in New York City, and in spite of its reputation for high crime, I never saw a dead body. Is this normal for San Benedetto?”

I half laughed. “I’m not sure what normal is anymore.”

“Me neither. Jason’s... He’s changed since he’s been here.”

“Oh?”

“He’s been acting so oddly about the christening gown.”

“Oh?” I parroted.

“Has he said anything to you about it?”

This is what I’d dreaded—getting in the middle. I didn’t want to lie to her or drop the dime on Jason. “He knows how important it is to you,” I hedged. “I think he’s worried he may not be able to, um...”

“Find it? His house isn’t that big. We’ll find it.”

The bookcase slid open, and Herb sidled inside. “Maddie,” he hissed. “We need to talk.”

Aaliyah frowned.

“Herb, this is my friend Aaliyah. She’s an art restorer from New York. Herb is a paranormal collector.”

“An art restorer?” He hurried to the counter and smoothed his brown tie. “I’ve worked with many restorers in my line of work. It’s an intriguing profession. Are you here to restore something at the paranormal museum?”

“No,” she said. “I’m visiting my brother, Jason Slate.”

He recoiled, paling. “Your brother... I’ll just be...” He hurried into the Fortune Telling Room.

GD hopped lithely down from the counter and followed him around the corner.

“He’s got this thing about cops,” I explained. “Herb does, I mean. Not the cat.”

“Does Herb know you’re dating one?”

I scratched the back of my head. “I’m... actually not sure.”

“Anyway, I just wanted to tell you I’m going to San Francisco for a few days to visit a friend and get away from my crazy-making brother.” She patted my hand. “And I want you to know it’s him, not you.”

“Have fun. I hope I’ll see you when you get back?”

“Oh, you will.”

My insides curdled. Why did that sound ominous?

“And when I get back,” Aaliyah continued, “if Jason doesn’t have that christening gown...” She strolled out the door, the bell jangling behind her.

Definitely ominous. I swallowed and hurried into the Fortune Telling Room.

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