Beach Blanket Homicide (Lucy McGuffin, Psychic Amateur Detective 1)

On his days off Will goes entirely off grid. No Internet, no newspapers, minimal cell phone contact. He says it helps keep him sane, but it would drive me bananas because I happen to like being around people. I wonder how Brittany would handle that if she and Will ever got together.

Before I can inquire why his desk is so messy, he asks, “Are you sure you can’t get Sebastian to tell you anything more about that night?”

“He’s stubborn as a goat. He refuses to help himself in anyway. But that’s okay because I plan to solve this thing on my own.”

“How are you going to do that?”

I smile, which makes Will frown uneasily. “Lucy, what are you up to?”

“I haven’t told you the best part yet.”

“There’s a best part here?”

“Phoebe Van Cleave also lied to me about knowing that Abby had a dog. Add that to the fact that I’m pretty sure she’s who Abby wanted the exorcism performed on, it makes her look mighty suspicious. Right now, she and Derrick are my two prime suspects.”

“Suspects? I think you’ve been inhaling too many muffin batter fumes.”

I snort because that’s actually pretty funny.

“Okay,” he concedes, “Let’s say Abby’s death wasn’t accidental. What motive did the brother have for killing her? Or Phoebe Van Cleave for that matter?”

&nb

sp; “Derrick has the oldest motive known to man. I think he must be Abby’s heir because he was worried about her will, so it’s money. As for Phoebe, there was a rumor going around that Abby was challenging her for her position as head of the Sunshine Ghost Society. I’m not sure what role Paco has in all this, but he’s involved too.”

“The dog?”

I nod. “I think Abby dognapped him and Phoebe definitely knows something about it, but like I said, she’s lying.”

“And you’re sure about that?”

Will knows about my gift, but like Sebastian, he doesn’t know the extent of my talent. “Positive.”

Will is quiet for a few minutes while he’s trying to absorb everything I’ve just told him. Or maybe he’s already figuring out how we can solve this thing together. He’s so smart, and two heads are definitely—

“Luce, have you thought that maybe finding Abby’s body has made you a little more sensitive to this whole situation?”

“What do you mean?”

“Think about it. You found her body, and she was a customer. Someone you saw probably two or three times a week. She might not have been a favorite of yours, but you liked her because you like everyone. Finding her dead like that must have been a huge shock. Maybe you have some form of PTSD here.”

“Are you serious?”

“I’m just saying that it’s perfectly normal for you to still be freaked out about everything. I think Sebastian is right. I think you ought to let the cops handle this.”

“You think I’m freaked out? Sorry, but you must be confusing me with Brittany.” The minute I say it I wish I could take it back because it sounds mean and jealousy. “I’m sorry. That was petty.”

He sighs. “I told you before, she’s not that person from high school.”

Even though Sebastian has already told me all about their date, I still want to hear it from Will. “So, did you ask her out?”

He looks at me warily. “I actually wanted to talk to you about that.”

“Oh, like you want my permission? I thought we already went through this.”

“I know we talked about it some the other day, but if you really dislike her, I’ll break the date. You’re my best friend, but more than that, you’re the best judge of character I know. Be honest. What do you really think of her?”

Oh boy. Will has no idea. He’s just handed me the perfect opportunity to shoot Brittany down forever.