The Imperfect Psychic: A Dubious Death (The Imperfect Psychic Cozy Mystery Series—Book 1) by Ashley King

Author:Ashley King [King, Ashley]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Unknown
Published: 2020-08-24T22:00:00+00:00

*

The day wore on, and a few moments before she was about to leave Charlotte heard a sharp, urgent knock on her door. Startled, she went to the door, flung it open, and saw Ron Stent standing there. Dressed in a heavy overcoat, he looked forbidding.

“Come in,” said Charlotte, opening the door wider as a brisk flush of cold air swept over her.

Ron did not meet her eyes, just entered briskly, as if the hut belonged to him.

“Please take a seat,” said Charlotte, as he almost pushed her to the side.

Ron continued standing, looking the place over. “I’m sorry,” he finally said, “but this shack has to close down immediately. It’s not up to par.”

“I beg your pardon?” Charlotte was horrified.

“It’s my job as head of the city council to monitor places like this,” he went on formally. “As you may or may not have heard, we are working hard on building up the town’s reputation. All shady places are being shut down.”

“Shady?” Charlotte was offended. “There’s nothing shady about my booth. What exactly do you base that comment on?”

“What do you base your work on?” Ron replied harshly. “I should be asking you that question. There’s no place in our town for tricksters, preying on people’s pain.”

Charlotte felt as if she’d been punched in the gut. She’d been called many things, but never a trickster. In fact, she prided herself on her integrity. Ron was going for the jugular, but she would stay calm and professional.

“On what basis are you proposing to close my business down?” They hadn’t liked each other right from the start. Maybe crushing a small, new business would make Ron feel good about himself, but Charlotte had no intention of allowing it.”

Ron snickered. “I am basing my decision to shut this place down on the fact that you are operating without a permit.”

“I’ll check with my lawyer about that,” Charlotte replied, unfazed. She wasn’t going to give him the benefit of seeing her upset.

“You are definitely not in compliance with town ordinances.” Ron’s voice grew gruffer, trying to intimidate her.

“I’ll look into that immediately.” Charlotte’s voice grew louder as well.

“Are you questioning my authority, young lady?” Ron dug in.

“Not at all,” Charlotte replied. “I’m simply questioning whether your decision is in keeping with the law.”

“You’ve got three days.” A small smile crept over his tight lips.

Charlotte immediately put a call in to Mel and asked him to come back to the hut instantly.

“There’s nothing Mel can do to help you.” Ron stared her down. “His place is reputable, yours is not.”

Charlotte wondered what it was about her and her work that was so threatening to Ron. Was there something he was hiding? Certainly seemed like it.

Mel appeared in a moment, looking distressed.

“Ron tells me I’m operating in here without a license,” Charlotte said the moment Mel walked in. “He wants me to leave and shut my business down.”

“ASAP,” Ron emphasized.

Mel’s jaw set tight. “The hut is part of my property. Charlotte is operating under my license.

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