Stranger Danger (Lucy McGuffin, Psychic Amateur Detective 4)

Of all the … I can practically feel the steam coming out of my ears. “I missed the last meeting because I found a dead body in the park. Remember?”

“So you say. Really, Lucy, if you don’t want to do it, just say the word and I’ll call Heidi.”

Unbelievable. I wish I could tell Betty Jean where she could stuff my muffins, but instead I force a smile. “Fresh-baked muffins at six. Me and my apron will be there.”

“I’m glad that’s settled.” She snaps her fingers at Brittany. “Let’s go.”

“Bye, Lucy!” Brittany yells on her way out. “Don’t forget, text me a picture of your outfit!”

I turn to Sarah. “Did you know about this big shindig at The Harbor House tonight?”

Sarah nods. “The customers have been talking about it. Apparently, it’s easier to get Hamilton tickets on Broadway than it is to this reading tonight.”

I bite my tongue. I wish I could tell Sarah how this big event is nothing but a ruse. I can’t put this off any longer. Will has got to set this whole thing straight. I pull off my apron. “I know I ducked out earlier, but I really have to talk to someone, and it can’t wait.”

“Will?” she asks with a knowing smile. “We’re about to close anyway. I’ll do final cleanup.”

I hug her. “Thanks. I owe you one.”

“Are you really going to text Brittany a picture of your outfit for her approval?” Sarah asks.

“If I don’t, I’ll never hear the end of it.” It occurs to me that maybe I can have a little fun with this. Brittany wants sexy? I’ll give her sexy. “I think I have just the outfit.”

Chapter Three

The Whispering Bay Public Library is located next to the police station and the municipal building adjacent to the crystal-clear blue waters of the Gulf of Mexico. It’s early December, and

the weather in north Florida is heavenly. Blue skies, low humidity, sixty-eight degrees. Only I can’t appreciate how beautiful it is because all I can think about is what a big mess Will has gotten himself and the rest of the town into.

Since Paco is staying in the car, I leave the windows rolled down. “No barking, understand? Unless you see a squirrel. Then you have my full permission to go crazy.” Paco pants like he agrees. I suffer from sciurophobia, so anything to take the little demons down a peg or two is fine in my book.

I go to the front desk and ask Faith, one of the librarians, if Will is in his office.

“He went home early. Lucky dog. He got a ticket to tonight’s big event at The Harbor House to see J. W. Quicksilver. Ironic, huh? Will doesn’t like any of his books, and I’d give anything to hear the man talk. And to see him.” She leans across the counter and lowers her voice. “I wonder if he’s as sexy in real life as his books.”

Ironic is the word of the day, all right. I wonder how Faith would react if I told her that she sees J.W. Quicksilver every day at work.

It hits me then just how much Will’s life is going to change after everyone discovers who he really is. Is he going to keep his job at the library? Sure, as a city employee he has good benefits, but that hardly outweighs the advantages of being able to write full-time. I imagine he’ll probably quit his job. What if he leaves town? Will’s parents are divorced. His mom lives in Miami, and his dad is up in Chicago. He could decide to move closer to one of them. Or he could move to New York and live in a loft overlooking Central Park while he drinks lattes and writes all day. He could do anything he wants. There’s nothing keeping him here in boring old Whispering Bay.

I try to imagine what my life would be like if Will moved away. No more Friday nights sitting on the couch eating Tiny’s pizza and watching America’s Most Vicious Criminals while arguing over who did it or if the police are going after the wrong suspect. No more laughing over the table at my parents’ house during Sunday night dinners. No more listening to him rant about how all everyone wants now is the instant gratification of watching the movie over reading the book.

A world without Will feels … empty.

I say goodbye to Faith and head back outside to my car, where Paco has been waiting patiently. We drive to Will’s, but before I can knock, he opens the door. “I saw you pull up.” He looks down at Paco. “Hey, boy.”

Normally, Paco is all over Will, begging for every little scrap of attention he can get, but not today. He trots right by Will like he’s never seen him before.

Will looks hurt. “What’s up with the pooch?”

“Oh, I don’t know. He’s pretty good at reading people. Maybe he doesn’t trust you anymore.”

“Lucy—”

“I hear you’re going to see J.W. Quicksilver at The Harbor House tonight. Funny. I didn’t think you liked his books.” I sit down on the couch, calmly cross my arms over my chest, waiting.

“Let me explain,” he begins.

“By all means.”