Haunt the Haunt, Walk the Walk (Haunted Tour Guide Mystery Book 3) Page 2

  We finished the tour back at the graveyard, and I collected the flashlights. “Thank you all for coming on the tour tonight. I hope you had a great time.”

  As the group walked away, I placed the flashlights in the bag and carried them back to the tavern. The owner was nice enough to let me store them there. I sold my tickets for the tour from the tavern too. Tammy had already taken off for the evening, so I’d have to catch up with her tomorrow. She had a date tonight, so it was just me on the walk home.

  The air was even cooler now, so I pulled my sweater up closer around my neck, wishing that I had worn a scarf. Even though I was used to walking around this town in the dark, it was still a little spooky. Luckily, my place wasn’t too far from the tavern. I lived on the third floor of a Victorian home that had been converted into three apartments.

  I’d almost made it home when I spotted something on the sidewalk directly in front of the little gate that opened on to the pathway to my front door. I moved closer and saw that it was a book. Who would leave a book on the sidewalk? Maybe it had fallen out of their bag. I reached down and picked the hardback up. I was surprised to see that it was a book of haunted houses. How ironic that I would find the book, and that it was in front of my house. That was a coincidence, right?

  Chapter 2

  When I examined the book closer, I realized that it had been checked out from Bilson Library. Had someone decided to return the book to me at my home? That was kind of creepy. I supposed there were plenty of library patrons who knew where I lived, but to bring the book to my home wasn’t a good idea. Not to mention they hadn’t even gotten the book to me, but left it on the sidewalk in front of the gate. No, this had to be a coincidence. Otherwise, it would just be too odd.

  In the morning I would find out who had checked the book out. They would probably be happy to know that I had found it. No doubt they’d be searching everywhere for the lost library book.

  The few remaining leaves on the tree rustled and I spun around. A raven flew from the tree, cawing as he took flight. I was still a little jumpy and standing out in the dark all alone wasn’t helping matters. What I needed right now was a warm cup of cocoa.

  I shoved the book under my arm and headed for the front door. When I reached the porch steps, I glanced back one last time. Thank goodness I didn’t see any ghosts.

  Once inside, I placed the book on the table by the door and headed for the kitchen. At least my apartment was warm and cozy, although not always free from ghosts. I had brought a couple home with me in the past. Luckily, I had been able to get them to go away.

  I’d had a little help with that too. Officer Brannon Landon was not only with the Devil’s Moon Police Department, he was also a paranormal investigator in his spare time. He liked to invent new gadgets that would help him with the search for ghosts. He’d also been on the scene when we’d had a couple recent murders in town. Fortunately that was all behind us now.

  My phone rang and I placed the cup of cocoa on the table.

  “Is this Ms. Van Raden?” the man asked when I answered.

  It was unusual for me to get a call from a stranger at this time. My social life was lacking at the moment and my phone wasn’t exactly ringing off the hook. I was okay with that though. Life was good since I’d come back to Devil’s Moon.

  “This is Mr. Byrd from the antique shop. I’m sorry to bother you.” Now that he spoke I recognized his voice.

  Oh, no. I hoped that one of the tour-goers hadn’t done something wrong while in his store. I would hate for him to revoke the privilege of making his shop one of the stops on my tour.

  “Is everything okay, Mr. Byrd?” I asked.

  “Yes, everything is fine. I just thought I’d let you know that I found a library book in front of my shop tonight. I was just about to close up when I saw it right in front of the door on the sidewalk. It was starting to rain, so I grabbed it. When I looked inside, I found out that it belonged to Bilson Library.”

  This wasn’t what I had expected to hear. Two books on the sidewalk? Was someone really that careless?

  “I can keep the book for you here if you’d like,” Mr. Byrd said.

  “How long will you be there?”

  “Tonight? I was just ready to leave, but I can wait if you’d like to come over and get the book.”

  Normally I would have just picked it up tomorrow, but after finding one in front of my house tonight, I figured this was something I needed to see right away.

  “I’ll be right over.”

  As I headed out the door, I stuffed the phone inside my bag and then looped the strap over my shoulder. I wasn’t looking forward to the walk all alone, but I really wanted to see this book. I had a feeling that it wasn’t just a coincidence, not when two books had been found. I wondered which book this one was. Was someone losing books out of their bag as they walked through town? No, my instinct told me this wasn’t an accident.

  Traffic had slowed down considerably. No one else was walking down the sidewalk but me. A fine mist of rain was falling now and the wind had picked up even more. I couldn’t help but feel as if someone was following me as I walked down the sidewalk. I told myself it was just the spooky setting though. So far no ghosts had made an appearance.

  When I finally reached the antiques shop, Mr. Byrd was standing by the door waiting for me. He opened the door and motioned for me to enter. “Come in out of the rain.”

  Oddly enough, he never seemed too upset about the paranormal activity in his building. He said most of the time he just ignored it. An old clock ticked somewhere across the room. The musty smell that accompanied lots of old items stuffed into one space hit me.

  “Thank you for waiting for me,” I said.

  Mr. Byrd probably thought I was a little crazy for coming over to get the book tonight. I wasn’t going to tell him the reason why I wanted it so soon. I’d get the book and hurry home so as not to keep him at the shop any longer. Mr. Byrd walked over to the counter and picked up the hardback. My stomach did a little dance while I waited to see the title.

  He handed me the book. “Here you are, young lady.”

  I peered down at the cover. Just as I’d suspected… another book about haunted locations.

  “I thought it was ironic that the book is about hauntings,” he said, pointing to the title.

  I tried to act casual, so I smiled. “Yes, that is ironic. Well, thank you again. I’ll get out of your hair now.”

  Maybe that had been a bad choice of words considering Mr. Byrd’s bald head.

  I headed for the door with the book gripped tightly in my hand. “I don’t suppose you saw who left it?”

  He walked with me toward the door. “Sorry, dear, I didn’t see anyone drop it.”

  I smiled. “Thanks anyway, Mr. Byrd. I’ll see you soon.”

  He waved as I headed down the sidewalk. Now my mind was working a million miles a minute. Who was leaving the library books? I supposed I could understand why one had been left in front of my house, but why in front of the antique shop? That didn’t make any sense.

  The rain was coming down harder now and I hurried my pace. I hoped that I would be able to sleep tonight for thinking about who had checked out the books. I thought about going straight to the library, but it was too late for that. Finally I reached my apartment. My clothes and hair were wet, but I’d managed to keep the book dry by placing it under my sweater.

  ***

  The next day, I headed for Bilson Library. At least it was less scary in the daytime, although I’d had my share of ghosts following me in the daylight hours as well. I had the books in my bag and couldn’t wait to find out who had checked them out. Of course that wasn’t necessarily the person who had left them, but it was a start.

  The library was a short walk from my house and I had to pass some of the downtown shops along the way. The flower pots dotting the sidewalks were now empty, a precursor to the cold winter ahead. Old-fashioned wooden streetlights decorated the streets with inviting benches ne
arby. Historic buildings flanked both sides of the street.

  As I reached the path leading to the front doors, the library loomed over me with its stone façade, peaks and gables. The building had been built in 1851. What made the place look even more mysterious and spooky was the cemetery right out front. It had been there before the building went up. The graves dated back to the 1700s. Of course Bilson Library’s first librarian was buried there. Tammy said that there was an available spot in the graveyard, but I’d decided to pass on that creepy suggestion.

  Speaking of Tammy, she walked up just as I was going up the steps. Fashion came effortlessly for her. Today Tammy’s outfit consisted of a navy blue pencil skirt, navy and white silk blouse and to die for pair of beige heels. A gold necklace and bracelet finished her look. Tammy styled her amber-colored hair with layers of highlights. The coppery strands and bangs wisped against her heart-shaped face and sparkled under the sunlight.

  “How was your date last night?” I asked.

  She wiggled her eyebrows. “Surprisingly good. So far he isn’t a serial killer.”

  “That’s always a plus,” I said as I opened the large wooden door. “Not being hacked to death always makes for a lovely evening.”

  “What about you? How was the tour last night?” Tammy walked in behind me.

  I shrugged. “I guess it was pretty uneventful.”

  She quirked an eyebrow. “What do you mean, you guess?”

  Tammy always knew when something was on my mind. I didn’t hide my emotions well.

  “Well, it’s what happened after the tour that was intriguing.”

  “Do tell.” Tammy quirked an eyebrow. “Does this have to do with Officer Landon?”

  “No, nothing to do with him.”

  Tammy looked disappointed. “Okay, too bad, but continue.”

  “I found books.”

  “That doesn’t sound so intriguing,” Tammy said.

  “I’m getting to that part. One book was in front of my house, and the other one was in front of the antique shop. Mr. Byrd called me and told me that it was there, so I went and picked it up. Turns out that they were checked out from Bilson library.”

  “What kind of books?” Tammy asked.

  I placed my black and white polka dot tote bag on the counter and pulled the books out. “Books on haunted locations.”

  Tammy frowned at me. “So you think they left them there on purpose?”

  “It’s looking that way. I’m going to see who checked them out.” I placed the books on the counter.

  Our new employee walked in the door. Crystal McDaniels had only been working at the library for a couple of weeks, but so far she was doing a great job. Tammy and I loved having the help. She was a little eccentric, but then again so were we, so she fit right in.

  She tossed up her hand. “Hey, what’s going on, ladies?”

  A couple days ago she had colored her blonde hair blue. She stood out at the library. The board members had wanted to know why she had blue hair, which made me laugh. I’d told them it was because she liked blue. I thought she looked great.

  “I’m just about to look up a couple of interesting books I found.” I tapped the covers.

  “Oh, I’m intrigued.” She hurried over.

  I typed in the information and the screen pulled up. The name of the last person to check out the books was listed.

  “No way.” Crystal leaned closer.

  “What is it?” I asked.

  Crystal pointed at the computer screen. “Melissa Mathers is my roommate.”

  My eyes widened. “She is?”

  “Wow, that is weird,” Tammy said.

  “What’s so interesting about the books she checked out?” Crystal looked closer at the screen. “Books on haunted houses?”

  “It’s not so much the content of the books, it’s where I found them.” I picked up one of the books. “One was in front of my house and the other was in front of the antique shop… It’s as if Melissa left them there on purpose.”

  “That’s strange all right. Let me give her a call.” Crystal placed her book bag down and picked up the phone.

  Tammy and I watched intently as Crystal held the phone up to her ear.

  After a few seconds, she placed the phone down. “She didn’t answer, but I’ll try her again soon.”

  It wasn’t exactly the outcome I’d wanted, but I’d have to be patient and find out more later. In the meantime, we had a lot of work to do. I set the books aside to deal with the mystery later.

  I fed the library’s beautiful black cat, Jane Austen, and then poured water into her dish. She meowed and rubbed up against my legs. I reached down to scratch behind her ears, but she immediately started eating. Jane Austen had shown up long before I’d started working at the library. Now this was her home.

  My cell phone dinged and I knew immediately who it was. Glancing around, I saw Annie standing over by the mystery section. She waved and smiled. I pulled out my phone and looked at the message.

  Good morning.

  “Good morning, Annie.” I waved back.

  She was about the friendliest ghost I could ever imagined. Definitely different than the ones I encountered on the tour. I grabbed the books and my bag and headed for my office. Annie followed along beside me.

  ***

  It had been a long day of work and Crystal still hadn’t been able to get in touch with her friend Melissa. As busy as things had been, I had never gotten a chance to look closer at the books. I grabbed my stuff and headed for the front of the library. Tammy and Crystal were at the reference desk, finishing up a few things.

  “We can go by my place and you can talk to Melissa if you’d like,” Crystal said.

  I looked at Tammy and she shrugged. Tammy usually offered her opinion. I guessed she was staying out of this one. I didn’t want Melissa to think I was weird by tracking her down. But I also needed an explanation.

  I shrugged. “Sure, since she isn’t answering her phone.”

  Even though I had reservations about going, I decided to do it anyway. Crystal could ask Melissa and tell me tomorrow, but I really wanted to talk to her myself.

  Crystal shoved a few papers into her bag. “Can you go now?”

  “Yes, I’m ready,” I said with a wave of my hand.

  Crystal stepped around the corner. “Great. I’ll be right back.”

  While waiting for her, my cell phone dinged. Another message from Annie.

  Let me know what happens.

  I smiled. “I sure will, Annie.”

  After leaving food and water for Jane Austen, I patted her head and we all walked out of the library. Tammy was headed for work at the tavern, so Crystal and I made the walk over to her apartment. It was an old house similar to the one I lived in, but a couple of streets over from me. Her place was on the first floor. A couple rotted pumpkins flanked the front door. Once inside the hallways, Crystal motioned to the left and then shoved her key into the lock. She opened her apartment door and motioned for me to follow her in.

  “Melissa,” she called out. “Someone’s here to see you and it’s important.”

  That kind of made it sound like a confrontation, and I didn’t want that to be the case at all. They were only library books. It wasn’t like I was the police. I just wanted to ask her if she’d lost the books.

  There was no answer.

  Crystal tossed her bag onto the upholstered yellow and green floral chair by the door. “I’ll go knock on her door for you.”

  I stood in the living room looking at the knickknacks and the pictures that Crystal had sitting around the room. I didn’t see any photos of Melissa. In fact, I’d never seen Crystal’s roommate.

  Only a couple seconds passed before the loudest, most bloodcurdling scream I’d ever heard came from the back of Crystal’s apartment. I knew right away that it was Crystal, so I darted down the hallway. The bedroom door was open. Crystal was standing by the door. A woman’s body lay on the bed.

  Chapter 3


  I assumed that the woman was Crystal’s roommate Melissa. Her face was buried in the pillow. Blood covered the white sheets. I wasn’t sure what had happened, but I knew that she wasn’t alive. Even so, one of us needed to check to be sure. Since Crystal was in no shape, it was going to have to be me.

  The woman had long dark hair, but that was all that I could see. I inched closer to the bed. As I neared her body I knew there was no way she was alive. We had to call the police. I stepped back over to Crystal and touched her arm. She was trembling all over.

  “I’ll call the police.” My hand shook as I pulled my phone from my pocket.

  Crystal didn’t speak. She just kept staring at the lifeless body. I dialed Brannon’s number and thank goodness he answered right away. I wasn’t looking forward to telling him that I had found another dead body. Technically, I supposed Crystal had found the body, although I doubted that would matter much.

  Brannon remained professional and said he would be there right away. That helped me stay calm too. He asked that Crystal and I step out of the room. After hanging up, I pushed the phone back into my pocket and grabbed Crystal’s arm. I was going to have to drag her out of there. She remained motionless, staring at the body. Finally, after pulling on her arm, I got her out of the room. She stumbled backwards, still staring at her roommate. It was like she was in some sort of trance. I supposed I would have been the same way if I had found a friend like that.

  Crystal and I went back to the living room.

  “Are you okay? Talk to me.” I grabbed her arms.

  After a couple of seconds, she finally looked at me. “I don’t know what to say. What happened to her?”

  I shook my head. “You don’t have to say anything. Everything will be okay.”

  Even I didn’t believe what I’d just said, but I had to tell her that so she wouldn’t panic even more. Now I had to wonder who had done this to Melissa. Was the person still in the apartment? I didn’t want to freak Crystal out by mentioning the possibility, but I was worried about us being in there. Maybe that was what Brannon had meant when he’d told me to get out of the room. Even if the killer had left, he could return.