Allegra Fairweather_ Paranormal Investigator - Janni Nell [57]
“Och, it was all very silly. I liked to go fishing back then. The spell was supposed to increase my catch. It didn’t work.”
She sounded absolutely plausible and yet I was certain she was lying. I sipped my coffee, wondering what to ask next.
We were interrupted by a noise from another part of the house. It sounded like a toilet flushing.
“What was that?” I asked.
She wasn’t happy to admit it but she had no choice. “I have a houseguest.”
“Can I meet her? Him?”
“I’m afraid not. He isn’t well.” Suddenly she brightened as though she’d had a brilliant idea. “Actually you’re probably taking a bit of a risk being in the house. He’s quite ill and I’m sure you wouldn’t want to catch anything.”
Well, no, but I wanted to meet her houseguest no matter how sick he was. Unfortunately I sensed that wasn’t going to happen. Sometimes you have to accept that certain people aren’t going to help your investigation—not willingly anyway. Scarlett Gordon was one of those people.
Getting to my feet, I thanked her for her time.
She said, “Sorry I couldn’t be more help.”
Actually Scarlett, you’re delighted you couldn’t help, and maybe a little bit relieved.
As I left her cottage, I glanced at the front windows hoping to catch a glimpse of the mysterious houseguest, but the windows were all heavily curtained.
On the way back to Furness, I stopped at the Beag Glen pub for lunch and a soda. There were a few people inside but none of them were interested in talking to a paranormal investigator.
When I left the pub I noticed a shop that sold kilts. Remembering my promise—or was it a threat?—to buy one for Casper, I went in.
There were dozens of different tartans on display, all representing different clans. Casper didn’t belong to a clan so I simply chose a color combination I liked and hoped he’d like it too.
I chose some accessories—a tartan is nothing without accessories. Long socks and garters with little red ribbons (sorry, stockings with garter flashes), a sporran (leather, not fur), a black belt with a silver buckle, a white shirt (big and blousy—so sexy) and black brogues. I decided against a bonnet. Casper had little enough hair since Anne MacDuff had attacked it with her scissors. I didn’t want to cover his remaining crest of gold.
As I was leaving the shop with my purchases I, quite literally, bumped into Jenny Clark.
“Allegra? What’re you doing in Beag Glen?” Without waiting for an answer, she continued, “How’s the paranormal investigation going?”
“Okay,” I said noncommittally. There was no point advertising the fact that I was stumped. I was still trying to look noncommittal when I noticed that Jenny was nervously chewing a fingernail.
“What’s up?” I asked.
“I want to apologize,” she said. “I’m really sorry I took you to Leith’s Cairn. I didn’t know he was going to attack you. He’s never attacked a woman before.” She really knew how to rub it in. “I’m sorry about Casper too. I’m glad he wasn’t badly hurt.” Jenny looked uncomfortable. “This is very strange, but sometimes I feel—” She covered her mouth as though to stop words that shouldn’t be spoken.
Very gently I said, “Do you feel compelled to bring Leith a heart?”
She bit her lip. Tears pricked her eyes. “It’s very wrong of me isn’t it? I try to fight it but sometimes it’s as though I’m not me. Does that sound crazy?”
It sounded perfectly logical to me. Especially if the shade of Vanora was hanging around.
“Can I give you a lift home?” I offered. “I’d like to talk some more about Leith and Vanora.”
“Do you think you can help?” she asked.
Not unless I can find someone willing to give up their heart.
But I didn’t say that. I said, “I’ll do what I can.”
When we reached her cottage, I went inside with her. While I lit the fire, she made coffee. We were sitting comfortably beside the fire, when she said, “I get these compulsions to take people to the cairn. Like when I took you and Casper.”
“We asked to go,” I reminded her.
But she wasn’t going to let herself