Allegra Fairweather_ Paranormal Investigator - Janni Nell [46]
As I approached I heard Stuart say, “He was a good mate.”
“Brilliant at darts,” said Malcolm. “He could hit a bull’s-eye even after six pints.”
Well you couldn’t ask for more than that, could you?
“But he was never the same,” continued Malcolm, “after Lady Justina came to Maitland House.”
“Women,” muttered Stuart. “Can’t live with ’em. Can’t live without ’em.”
“I live without ’em,” said Malcolm.
I’ll swear I saw an expression of relief on every female face in the room.
Malcolm drained his glass. “My round.” He turned toward the bar. I was right behind him and he bumped into me, spilling some of my drink. “Sorry. Let me buy you another.”
Glad of an excuse to join them, I asked for a lite beer.
When Malcolm had moved toward the bar, Stuart lowered his voice and said, “The banshee was wailing for one of us.”
“Well I guess it would be wailing for someone local. Mrs. Ferguson thinks it’s for her.”
Vigorously Stuart shook his head. “No I mean one of us. One of The Three M’s. McEwen was taken. MacDuff or me will be next.”
“What makes you say that?”
“Gut feeling.” He patted his belly.
I sensed there was more to it than a gut feeling. Probably he had seen something and didn’t want to tell anyone in case they thought he was crazy.
I leaned toward him. “You can tell me, Stuart. I’m a paranormal investigator. I’ve seen all sorts of strange things.”
He glanced around as though hoping no one would overhear what he said. Then he lowered his voice.
“We saw something. It was just before McEwen died. A woman, bonnie as any lassie I’ve seen and naked as the day she was born. At first we thought it was Lady Justina—she’s known to dance naked in the wood. McEwen wanted to run right up to her but we held him back. Just as well ’cause it wasn’t her.
“Who was it?”
Stuart shrugged. “Never seen the woman before.”
“Where exactly did you see her? The same place Lady Justina was seen dancing?” I asked reaching for my notebook.
Before Stuart could answer, Malcolm returned with our drinks. After that there was nothing I could do to pry more information from him. I guess The Three M’s had had a pact not to speak about what they had seen.
I sipped my beer and let their conversation wash over me. Who was the woman they had seen? And why was she running around naked? Could she and Justina be members of a coven? It was quite common for witches to dance naked at certain times. Maybe I was closer to solving this mystery than I’d thought.
I felt a gentle touch on my arm. Looking down, I saw Mrs. Ferguson.
“I’m off home,” she said.
“Do you want me to walk with you?” I offered.
She shook her head. “I’m just saying my goodbyes.” Standing on tiptoe she kissed my cheek. “It was nice to meet ye, Allegra. At my age ye dinnae experience many new things and I’ve never met a paranormal investigator before.”
“There aren’t many of us around,” I said.
She smiled. “Look after that nice laddie of yours. Casper’s a keeper.”
“Casper isn’t my laddie.”
Mrs. Ferguson’s smile grew wider. “Whatever.” The expression sounded odd coming from her lips. It made me smile.
She said, “Ye have a pretty smile. Ye should use it more often.”
“I’ll try to remember that, Mrs. Ferguson. Are you sure you wouldn’t like me to walk you home?”
“I’d rather be alone tonight.” She added, sounding disappointed, “Your smile has gone. Please dinnae be unhappy for me. I’m looking forward to seeing Edwin again.”
“You really believe you’re going to pass over tonight?”
She nodded. And her eyes sparkled with joy.
But she was wrong.
Someone else died that night.
Chapter Eleven
I was dreaming of a calorie-free box of chocolates when I felt someone shaking me awake. Nooooo. Refusing to open my eyes, I savored the sweet, chewy delight of a choc-coated nougat.
“Allegra. Wake up,” said Douglas.
“Go away,” I mumbled as I bit into a peppermint cream.
“Allegra.” He shook harder. “Another body’s been found.”
The chocolate dream vanished. I opened my eyes.
“Who?”
Douglas said, “It’s Malcolm Melville. He was found by the rose, just like