Stranger Danger (Lucy McGuffin, Psychic Amateur Detective 4)

“Because Archie Clements offered me a deal. If I gave him the names of other aspiring authors who might be interested in their publishing venture, then I wouldn’t have to give them as much money to get in. I’m assuming he offered that little discount to everyone.”

Victor looks taken aback. “Lucy, you wrote a book too?”

“No, I just pretended. It was a trick.” At the perplexed look on his face, I wave my hand in the air. “It’s a long story. So, what’s it going to be? Are you going to help J.W. Quicksilver or not?”

He mulls this over a bit, then glances down at Paco, who’s looking up at him like he’s waiting for the answer as well. “What’s in it for me?” Victor asks finally.

This was not the answer I was expecting. Victor has always been so sweet. So …

Oh no. I don’t like the way he’s looking at Paco.

“What’s in it for you is the good feeling you’ll get when you help bring the real killer to justice.”

“Why don’t you get the names from the police?” Before I can answer, he says, “I’ll tell you why. Because they won’t give it to you, will they? No, they won’t. Travis Fontaine wants to solve this murder on his own.” He continues petting Paco. “I’m not saying that I have the names. And I’m not saying that I don’t. But let’s say that I did have the names. The people on that list aren’t going to be happy that I gave them up. Not if you’re going to go around snooping in their business and accusing them of murder.”

“How about we get right down to it? What do you want?

“You know what I want. It’s what I’ve always wanted. The chance to see Cornelius in action.”

Paco wags his tail.

“You see?” Victor says stubbornly. “He wants it too.”

Will catches my eye again. This time he points to his watch. I know. I know. We’re running out of time. Ack. I can’t beli

eve I’m going to do this.

“Okay, you win. I’ll let you and the Sunshine Ghost Society have Paco for one séance.”

Victor claps his hands in glee. “Oh, Lucy! Thank you!”

“But,” I add sternly, “it has to be under the conditions I lay down. I’ll want a veterinary professional to be present to monitor the whole thing. Paco can’t be hurt or compromised in any way.”

“Of course, of course. Whatever you say!” He gets up from the couch. “I’ll go find a pen and paper and make out that list. Wait till Phoebe and the rest of the society hear of this,” he chortles.

“I can’t believe I just sold out my own dog in exchange for this … list,” I say in disgust on the way back to my car.

Victor’s list only had four names, including himself. Which was kind of tricky if you ask me. We’ve just visited the last person on the list. All of whom turned out to be a huge bust. Including Phoebe Van Cleave, who’s writing a book about a female ghost detective who lives in a small Florida town. Will and I were forced to listen to the synopsis for her story before she’d answer any of our questions.

“Is everyone in this town writing a thinly veiled novel about themselves?” I ask.

“Looks like it.” Will leans back in the car seat and closes his eyes. “So, what do we do now?”

“There have to be more victims. I just don’t know how to find out who they are.”

He nods in resignation. Poor Will. He could lose everything he’s worked so hard for all these years. Any residual anger I had about his not telling me he was J.W. Quicksilver flew out the window a long time ago.

The air in the car reeks of gloom and doom. I wish I could make him laugh.

“We could always storm police headquarters, hold Rusty hostage, and demand Travis tell us the names of the other victims. And if he still refuses, we can sic Paco on him.”

Will smiles while still keeping his eyes closed. “Sounds like a plan.”

“Did you know that Travis is thinking about working for the FBI?” I blurt.

His eyes pop open. “Where did you hear that?”

“Agent Billings. She’s encouraging him to apply.”