Whack The Mole (Lucy McGuffin, Psychic Amateur Detective 2)
He yawns and goes back to sleep.
The library doesn’t close for a couple of hours, so I still have time to swing by before book club starts at seven.
Since Will is the head librarian and I’m his best friend, everyone at the library knows me. Sally Reynolds, one of newer media specialists, waves to me from the reference desk. She’s from somewhere down in south Florida, and since moving to town a couple of weeks ago, she’s come in at least three times to get one of my muffins, which means Sally has excellent taste.
“Hey, Lucy! Will is in his office.”
I stop by her desk to admire her new hair color. Sally switches hair color the way I change T-shirts. Today, her chin-length hair is bright pink. A look she can totally rock because she has that kind of face. She’s wearing a black sweatshirt with the words WINTER IS COMING. Besides a love of muffins, we have a couple of other things in common. We both like wearing shirts with quirky sayings, and we’re both huge Game of Thrones fans.
“Nice,” she says pointing to my YOU AIN’T SEEN MUFFIN YET T-shirt.
“Thanks. Say, have you ever heard of an author named J.W. Quicksilver?”
“I’m a librarian, Lucy. Of course I’ve heard of him.”
“Funny, because when I mentioned him to Will last week, he seemed clueless.”
Sally rolls her eyes. “Will’s a great guy, but he’s a bit of a book snob.”
Tell me about it. Will’s preference for the classics over popular fiction is well known. I’m surprised that he stoops low enough to watch America’s Most Vicious Criminals.
“You wouldn’t happen to have a copy of his latest book, Assassin’s Honor? I’m supposed to read it for Betty Jean’s book club.”
“Betty Jean Collins?” Sally pl
ayfully shivers. “I might be new to town, but that’s a name that makes me want to hide behind my desk. She comes in every morning demanding to know if we’ve gotten any new books.” She tsks. “Total book hog.”
“That’s her. Do you have a copy of the book?”
“Sorry, it’s a new release, so we’re all out. We have a waiting list if you want to put your name on it.”
“Book club is tonight. But that’s okay, I have it on my Kindle.”
Sally plugs her ears with her fingers. “La-la-la-la…. Can’t hear you!”
I laugh. “Sorry.”
“I hate to think that one day there might not be any print books left in the world.” She sighs. “So have you started reading Assassin’s Honor? What do you think of it?”
“Honestly? It’s pretty addicting.”
She smiles impishly. “Have you gotten to chapter fourteen yet?”
My cheeks go hot. Betty Jean “warned” me about this chapter already. “I kind of skipped ahead to it.”
“Whew!” Sally fans herself with her hand. “That J.W. Quicksilver sure can write a sex scene. It makes you wonder what he’s like in real life.”
Will pokes his head out his office door. “Lucy. I thought I heard your voice. C’mon in.”
Sally and I both startle like we’ve been caught with our hands in the muffin jar. We say goodbye then I head into Will’s office where I make myself at home.
Will’s office is basically a glorified cubicle with four walls, but it’s private and cozy. The walls are covered with pictures of family and friends, including one of Will and my brother, Sebastian, when they graduated high school. There’s also one of me in an apron standing behind the counter on the day that Sarah and I officially became owners of The Bistro. I’m grinning like a fool. Probably because it was one of the happiest days of my life.
“How’s your head?” he asks.
“Better.”
“Good. I’m glad you came by. Saves me a phone call. I have to cancel tomorrow night.”