she needs to know who she’s dealing with. Don’t let her bully you around. Show her who’s boss.” Beth shook her fist.
Wow. I hadn’t expected that from this petite woman. What did she want me to do, break Ginger’s legs? Maybe Karyn was right after all.
“Thanks, Beth. I’ll certainly think about it.”
She shrugged. “If you want me to talk with her I will.”
“I’ll let you know,” I said.
Beth was scaring me a little.
“Okay, I have to go,” Karyn said. “Whatever you do, just be careful. And if you start experiencing anything else strange or if you see any more shadows let me know. I’m not sure if I can help, but just know that I’m here if you need to talk.”
“I appreciate it.”
She waved over her shoulder and I watched as she disappeared around the corner. Now I had even more to think about. Say something to Callahan’s ex, or just leave it alone? Mindy would have to be the deciding vote.
“I’m sorry if I was out of line, but I just don’t want anyone to bully someone around. I was treated that way by my husband’s ex and I finally decided I wouldn’t take it anymore. I took care of her though.”
I stared for a second. I was almost afraid to ask what she’d done, but I decided to go for it. “What did you do to her?” I asked.
Did I need to make a run for it?
“Well, that’s a story for another day. I’ll tell you sometime.”
Beth was a little odder than I had realized when I hired her, but it wasn’t as if I’d had a choice. Anyway, she’d been great with the customers and other than the big incident with the books, there had been no problems since she’d started working for me. For that, I was thankful.
“If it’s okay, I’ll go ahead and leave.” Beth tapped her fingers against the counter absentmindedly.
“Sure, sure. No problem. Thanks for everything.”
I hadn’t discussed with her how much I’d need her after the show was finished. But that was a conversation for another time.
“Thanks for hiring me. It really has been great to get out of the house.”
“You’re welcome. I’ll call you soon.” I waved as she made her way out the door.
Mindy walked through the door a few minutes later.
“I’m just getting ready to have a little talk with the ghosts.” I winked.
“Please, by all means, go right ahead. I’ll just mind my own business and look through this Lucky Magazine until you’re done.” She flipped open the cover.
The ghosts stood beside me. I contemplated what my next move would be. I knew what I needed to do. Or rather, what they needed to do.
“I need you guys to help me with something,” I whispered. “But we can’t let her know about it, okay?” I pointed toward Candy Cherry.
She pretended not to listen, but I was almost positive she had super hearing. She seemed to know everything that was going on at all times.
“We can’t trust her. Ever since she showed up, nothing but bad things have been going on—and I don’t think it’s a coincidence.”
“What can we help with?” Elvis asked.
How did I put this without them thinking I was crazy? I’d just have to come right out with it. “If you all could do a little snooping for me, then I might find the answers to some of these problems.”
Had I really just asked Elvis Presley to spy for me? This was crazy and kind of cool all at the same time.
“We’d do anything for you, sweetheart.” He winked and then looked at Mr. Fine. “Right?”
Mr. Fine hesitated for a second, then finally nodded his head. “Yeah, I suppose we could do that for you.”
I almost did a little dance right there but thought better of dancing again in front of Elvis. I’d already embarrassed myself in front of him enough.
“So what do we need to do?” Elvis asked.
“I need you to go to Karyn’s home and my new employee’s home. While you’re at it, stop by Jane Howe’s place too. She’s Cooper’s employee and staying at the Red Rose Inn. Look for suspicious behavior. One of them will have to leave a clue or maybe you’ll catch them right in the act of casting bad spells.”
“Just go watch their every move?” Mr. Fine asked.
“Yeah, I guess that’s what I’m asking for.”
“How will we know if they’re bad spells?” Elvis asked.
He had a point. How would they know? “If you listen to the words of the