Whack The Mole (Lucy McGuffin, Psychic Amateur Detective 2)

“Hey! Zeke only comes in the morning and—”

“Speaking of Zeke Grant. There he is! I’m simply going to have to insist that the Whispering Bay police department do something about these dead bodies. They’re ruining all my plans.” She takes off on her mission with a brisk pace.

And just like that, Brittany is back.

Just when it looks like things are wrapping up, Agent Billings take me off to the side. “We need to speak in private.”

She ushers Paco and me to an empty office room inside the restaurant. A minute later, Travis joins us. “I’ll let Fontaine explain the situation.”

“The guy in the stall was Eddie O’Leary,” he begins.

“Better known to his associates as The Hatchet,” she finishes.

The Hatchet? And here I thought El Tigre sounded scary. I really don’t want to know how this O’Leary character got his nickname, although I’ve seen the movie Scarface so I can imagine.

“You have my complete attention.”

“We going to be installing secret cameras both inside and outside The Bistro this afternoon. When your place opens back up tomorrow and El Tigre makes his move we’ll have him on film.”

“What if he’s scoping out the place and sees you putting in the cameras? Won’t he know to avoid coming back?”

She smiles smugly. “I told you, El Tigre thinks he’s invincible. He’ll probably welcome the extra challenge of the cameras. It’s never stopped him before, but this time it’s different. We’re counting on you to point out any customers that stand out. Anyone who isn’t a regular. He’s never worked a small town like this. He’s been able to avoid detection in places like New York or Miami or Moscow because of the crowds. But here in Whispering Bay? I feel confident that this time we’ll be able to nab him.”

“Are you going to be installing cameras here at The Harbor House? I mean, he’ll be back here too, won’t he? To leave his trademark clue?”

“If he continues with his pattern, which, he will, then yes, but there’s no time to place surveillance equipment in both establishments. Your café is much smaller. It will be easier to concentrate our efforts in one spot.”

“What about last night? Are you sure there wasn’t anyone in my parking lot? Maybe El Tigre already left his clue. Because I did hear something. My dog heard it too.”

“Positive. We’re professionals. If someone had been there, we would have found something.” She narrows her eyes at me. “I don’t know what’s going on here, but I’m not a fool. It’s no coincidence that you’re the one who’s found all the dead bodies. I’m too busy trying to keep Joey alive right now, but when this is all over, I’m going to want some answers. Got it, McGuffin?”

“Sure, I got it.”

“Good.” She nods to Travis. “I’m going to wrap it up out there. You can give McGuffin a ride home. Make sure she understands that we’re not playing around here. Rollins!” she screeches on her way out the door. “Have you printed everyone yet?”

Argh. This woman…

“So do you believe me now?” I ask Travis. “Are you going to admit that Paco is a ghost whisperer?”

“You’re right. He did lead you to those dead bodies. There’s no other explanation.”

Wait. What? That was way too easy.

“Are you hosing me?”

“Absolutely not.” He studies Paco. “You don’t know much about his origins, do you?”

“I know he belonged to Susan Van Dyke and that she used to have séances in her home and that he participated.” I wrinkle my nose in distaste. “And that his name used to be Cornelius.”

“But before then?”

According to Paco’s history, Susan found him wandering down the street, with no collar. “I don’t know anything about him before Susan.”

“Exactly. He could be a highly specialized police or military dog trained to search for cadavers.”

“But wouldn’t he have been chipped? If he’s that specially trained why wasn’t he wearing a collar? Or why hasn’t some agency come looking for him?”

“Maybe they have. As soon as I have time, I’m going to look into this.”