Silenced in Salem: A Nina Brown Paranormal Cozy Mystery by Green Cat

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 I’m finally dressed and coiffed, I help Holly change into her sexy bordello outfit. The blood red dress flatters Holly’s voluptuous figure, and we both agree it’s okay to leave her straight black hair falling to her shoulders. After all, she’s a saucy brothel girl, not an aristocratic lady.

“Shall we go?” I tap my foot, eager for the night to unfold.

“In a minute. Jasper’s still deciding.”

“About what?”

Holly sighs. “His outfit. He can’t decide if he wants to wear his Beetlejuice costume or dress as a doggy ghost.”

“Ghost?” I take a closer look. “With the gold wings, he looks more like a doggy angel.”

“That’s because only good dogs go to heaven. Isn’t that right, Jasp?”

We watch as Jasper circles the two costumes Holly has arranged on the floor for his inspection.

“Jasp, choose one,” I tell him. “I like the angel ghost.”

Jasper places his paw on its gold wings. Looking up at us, he yips his selection.

“Good boy, Jasp.” Holly makes quick work of pulling the lightweight fabric of the costume over Jasper’s back, fastening it loosely beneath his tummy. “You’ll be the belle of the ball.”

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.

“Good evening, Mr. Pinkley.” Smiling, I play the role of the polite guest. “Your costume is fantastic. You look just like your ancestor.”

Mr. Pinkley’s dyed his graying hair jet black for the occasion to better match Hawkins’ portrait.

“Costume? This is the real thing. I found it hanging in Captain Hawkins’ closet when I first took possession of the Salem Heritage House. Didn’t even need to have it dry cleaned.”

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. “I’m 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 magazine’s request for an early look, I assumed it was from Ruth Ross herself. Then I telephoned her. She assured me you’re the best journalist on staff.”

Ruth said that? Well, of course Ruth would build me up to a lucrative prospective client. I know only too well how quick she’ll be to lash out at me for failing to get the contract.

“That was kind of her. But when will the renovations be complete? I understand there’s some hesitation from the Salem Preservation Committee to approve them.”

Mr. Pinkley makes a dismissive gesture with his hand. “A minor hold-up. The stroke of midnight will mark my official acquisition of the Salem Heritage House, according to the dictates of Captain Hawkins’ last will and testament.



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