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

She pats me on the knee. “Now, you didn’t invite me over here to talk about my love life. Did you?”

“Not exactly. Here’s the thing, Gloria.” I start off by explaining how the only way we’re going to get inside the rec center is with Brittany’s help.

“Actually, she could prove very useful besides just her willingness to provide the key. She was also present shortly after you found Abby’s body, correct?”

“Yes, along with Sarah and Will.”

“You should definitely invite them too. We really have no idea who Abby might have imprinted upon or who she might feel a kinship with.”

The idea that Abby’s ghost might be making herself at home inside Brittany makes me smile. “The more the merrier, huh?”

“In this case, yes.”

“Then you don’t mind if Aurelia and Anthony Fisk come as well? Anthony called me this morning. Even though Paco won’t be participating, they’d still like to come.”

“I have no objection to that. They’re a lovely couple.”

“The thing is… I really think that Abby’s brother should be there too. He was Abby’s closest relative, and like you said, you never know who her spirit might gravitate to.”

She frowns. “I don’t know why I didn’t think of that earlier. Yes, please invite him.”

I hate deceiving Gloria about my intentions, but it’s the only way that I can get Derrick to the séance. “I’m afraid that Derrick and I got off on the wrong foot. But if you were to ask him maybe?” I hand her a slip of paper with Derrick’s number.

“Of course. I’ll give him a call. Like I said, the whole group is looking forward to talking to Abby again.”

“Even Phoebe?” I ask, testing the waters. I wonder if Gloria suspects that Phoebe isn’t as innocent in all this as she’d like everyone to think.

“Poor Phoebe. She’s so insecure! Victor and I tried telling her over and over that Abby wasn’t a threat to her position in the society, but she had trouble believing it. I’m sure she’s not looking forward to whatever Abby has to tell her now.”

Yeah, I bet.

Gloria gets up to leave. “So I’ll see you tonight? Around midnight, outside the building?”

“I’ll be there. And…you won’t forget about calling Derrick?”

“Don’t worry, Lucy. I’ll make sure Derrick is there. Tonight, we’ll talk to Abby. And all will be revealed.”

Chapter Twenty-One

After Gloria leaves, I head over to the veterinary clinic to check on Paco.

“He’s doing much better,” Dr. Brooks reassures me. “He’s off the IV fluids, and we began introducing solid foods. Just a little chicken and rice.” She hands me a pamphlet. “Here’s a list of some dog food brands that I recommend. This breed is very susceptible to spinal cord problems, so you have to be careful to keep him at a healthy weight. Carrots are a wonderful treat. Most dogs really love them.”

I glance at the list, noting that blueberry muffins and granola bars are definitely not included. “Thanks. I’ll make sure to give this to Will.”

I visit with

Paco for about thirty minutes. He’s back to his usual happy self, but I don’t want to take him home before Dr. Brooks gives him the green light. “I’ll come get you first thing in the morning,” I say to him, stroking his back lightly. My throat tightens up. “And…we’ll spend another night together before you go to live with Will. Okay? No worries. We’ll see each other all the time. I promise.”

Paco’s tail stops wagging. He nudges me with his wet nose and once again I’m hit with the feeling that he knows exactly what I’m saying. I always knew I’d have to give him up eventually, and there’s no one better to take him than Will, but I’m still torn up about the whole thing.

I hug him tightly and try not to let him see how wet my eyes are.

Since I’m expecting a long night, once I’m back home, I attempt to take a nap, but I’m too wired, so I go down to the kitchen to prep for tomorrow morning’s breakfast. When I open the pantry, I realize that I’m almost out of flour. We’re low on other essentials as well. Armandi’s, our primary supplier, has never been so late with his deliveries. I call Sarah to ask if she knows anything about it, but she doesn’t.

“I’ll call him first thing tomorrow,” Sarah says. Per Gloria’s suggestion, I invite her to the séance, but she politely declines.

Will, who up to now has basically laughed at the idea, agrees to join us. “There’s no way I’m letting you and Brittany do this without me.”