Silenced in Salem: A Nina Brown Paranormal Cozy Mystery by Green Cat
Author:Green, Cat
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: DEG Publishing Company
Published: 2022-06-20T00:00:00+00:00
CHAPTER 22
Once Iâm finally dressed and coiffed, I help Holly change into her sexy bordello outfit. The blood red dress flatters Hollyâs voluptuous figure, and we both agree itâs okay to leave her straight black hair falling to her shoulders. After all, sheâs a saucy brothel girl, not an aristocratic lady.
âShall we go?â I tap my foot, eager for the night to unfold.
âIn a minute. Jasperâs still deciding.â
âAbout what?â
Holly sighs. âHis outfit. He canât decide if he wants to wear his Beetlejuice costume or dress as a doggy ghost.â
âGhost?â I take a closer look. âWith the gold wings, he looks more like a doggy angel.â
âThatâs because only good dogs go to heaven. Isnât that right, Jasp?â
We watch as Jasper circles the two costumes Holly has arranged on the floor for his inspection.
âJasp, choose one,â I tell him. âI like the angel ghost.â
Jasper places his paw on its gold wings. Looking up at us, he yips his selection.
âGood boy, Jasp.â Holly makes quick work of pulling the lightweight fabric of the costume over Jasperâs back, fastening it loosely beneath his tummy. âYouâll be the belle of the ball.â
Jasper yips his approval as we leave the suite.
We find our group formally assembled in the living room. Moses, wearing the same eighteenth-century butler outfit as yesterday, offers guests Champagne from a silver tray.
Mr. Pinkley sits on the richly upholstered, gold-edged chair, dressed to resemble his ancestor, Captain Hawkins. His red velvet jacket and white silk shirt suit him.
âGood evening, Mr. Pinkley.â Smiling, I play the role of the polite guest. âYour costume is fantastic. You look just like your ancestor.â
Mr. Pinkleyâs dyed his graying hair jet black for the occasion to better match Hawkinsâ portrait.
âCostume? This is the real thing. I found it hanging in Captain Hawkinsâ closet when I first took possession of the Salem Heritage House. Didnât even need to have it dry cleaned.â
I nod, smiling again. Portly Mr. Pinkley has more than a dozen pounds on his dapper ancestor, causing the buttons of the rich, golden vest to strain against their velvet loops. His navy silk trousers have a small hole in the right knee.
He stands, extending a welcoming hand. âIâm sorry we got off on the wrong foot, Ms. Brown. But you need to understand how important the Salem Heritage House is to me. When Theo Grant told me of your magazineâs request for an early look, I assumed it was from Ruth Ross herself. Then I telephoned her. She assured me youâre the best journalist on staff.â
Ruth said that? Well, of course Ruth would build me up to a lucrative prospective client. I know only too well how quick sheâll be to lash out at me for failing to get the contract.
âThat was kind of her. But when will the renovations be complete? I understand thereâs some hesitation from the Salem Preservation Committee to approve them.â
Mr. Pinkley makes a dismissive gesture with his hand. âA minor hold-up. The stroke of midnight will mark my official acquisition of the Salem Heritage House, according to the dictates of Captain Hawkinsâ last will and testament.
Download
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.
All the Missing Girls by Megan Miranda(14739)
Gerald's Game by Stephen King(4376)
World without end by Ken Follett(3345)
The Martian by Andy Weir(3185)
Criss Cross (Alex Cross) by James Patterson(2835)
11/22/63 by Stephen King(2814)
11/22/63: A Novel by Stephen King(2738)
Victory over the Darkness by Neil T. Anderson(2731)
The Guardians by John Grisham;(2722)
Book of Life by Deborah Harkness(2720)
Slow Horses by Mick Herron(2610)
In the Woods by Tana French(2413)
The Boy from the Woods by Harlan Coben(2349)
Plain Protector by Alison Stone(2302)
Pet Sematary by Stephen King(2301)
City of Stairs by Robert Jackson Bennett(2226)
Master of the Game by Sidney Sheldon(2183)
Borders by unknow(2118)
Flowers in the Attic by V. C. Andrews(2103)
