Silenced by a Spell (A Lacey Doyle Cozy Mystery—Book 7) by Fiona Grace

Author:Fiona Grace [Grace, Fiona]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: UNKNOWN
Published: 2021-01-19T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

“You’re scaring people away, Lacey,” Finbarr said from the store door.

It was propped open to let in the breeze, since the day had warmed up considerably. Lacey, meanwhile, had spent the best part of the morning sitting in the creepy rocking chair in the window, watching the world go by as she mulled over the murder of Alaric Moon. She could see how the sight of a woman in a rocking chair staring off into the distance might spook potential customers somewhat, but she suspected the real reason no one was coming inside today had less to do with her and a whole lot more to do with the cops who had swarmed her store.

“It’s not me,” she told Finnbar. “It’s that stupid stunt Superintendent Turner played this morning. Now everyone thinks I had something to do with Alaric’s murder.”

“Or,” came Gina’s voice from behind, as she carried over a rattling teapot and cups on a tray, “it’s the effect of the curse.” She placed the tray down and began pouring steaming tea into the cups. “Maybe the hex I read made the store invisible.”

“It could’ve put a block on the door,” Finnbar offered. “Like the ones that stop vampires from entering private residences.”

Gina nodded her enthusiastic agreement of his suggestion. “See.”

Lacey rolled her eyes. “If your hex had blocked the door, then how come about fifty police officers came streaming in through it this morning unimpeded?”

“I don’t know, do I?” Gina said. “It’s my first foray into the mystical.”

“Did you invite them in?” Finnbar asked Lacey.

Lacey thought back to Superintendent Turner’s search warrant. She’d distinctly told him he didn’t need it because she gave him permission to come inside.

“Actually, yes I did,” she admitted.

“Well, there you go,” Gina said. She handed her a cup and saucer. “That must be it.”

“I hope so,” Finnbar said. “I’d prefer an empty store to more skeleton attacks.”

Lacey shook herself. She was letting Gina and Finnbar get to her now. Her employees had been going on and on about the curse all morning, and it was starting to mess with what she knew to be the truth. She absolutely, resolutely, did not believe in any of that mystical, spiritual stuff. But Gina did, and she just wouldn’t let it go. She seemed determined to beat herself over the head with it. Which was ironic, considering the actual thing she ought to be feeling bad about was the bounced payment for the grimoire she’d failed to notice. Lacey had wanted to challenge her over it, but didn’t want to lay it on thick since she was already agonizing over the curse.

“You do know an empty store means no customers,” Lacey told them both. “And no customers means no profits. Which means no jobs.”

Gina gave Lacey her overbearing mother look. “You think we’re talking nonsense. But you can’t overlook the coincidences. The warning from the Ippledean pawnbroker. The black cat that crossed our path.”

“The cat?” Lacey exclaimed, making her teacup and saucer rattle in her hands.

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