SH03 - Whoops! Someone Is On Our Case Read online

  “It’s the nature of the customers that are now frequenting those shops. I watched both of them yesterday, and saw customers turn up in cars, and then leave clutching brown paper bags.”

  “That’s still not very much to go on.”

  “I know, but there was something not quite right about both shops. For instance, they have identical safes. Not small ones—they’re the size of a fridge.”

  “Why would either of those shops require a large safe?”

  “That’s precisely what I mean to discover. Somehow, I need to find out what’s inside those brown paper bags.”

  “Maybe I could help?”

  “How?”

  “I don’t know, but if I came with you, maybe one of us could distract a customer while the other takes a quick peek inside the bag.”

  “Are you serious?”

  “Why not?”

  “Okay, thanks. It might just work.”

  ***

  “I hope you like chocolate.” Andy passed a small box of chocolates to Charlie.

  “What are these for? It’s not my birthday.”

  “Just by way of a thank you for helping me yesterday. If it hadn’t been for you, I would probably have packed my bags and headed back to Candlefield last night.”

  “I’m glad you didn’t, but you didn’t need to buy me these.”

  “You’re looking particularly smart this morning. You’re not going for a job interview, are you?”

  “No. I’m going for dinner with Jade after work.”

  “That’s the woman who was in here yesterday, isn’t it? I thought you said you weren’t an item?”

  “We’re not, but we did a photoshoot together last night, and I surprised myself by asking her out. I was sure she’d say no.”

  “Why would she do that?”

  “Look at this.” He framed his face.

  “You’re crazy. You must have loads of women throwing themselves at you.”

  “If you believe that, you’re the crazy one.”

  “Are you going for an interview?” Draycott appeared in the doorway of the staff room.

  “No. I’m going for dinner after work.”

  “Hmm?” Draycott looked unconvinced. “I’ll be watching you, so don’t try to sneak out early.”

  “I won’t.”

  “And why are you two still in here? It’s time you were out on the floor.”

  “He loves me really,” Charlie said, once Draycott had disappeared.

  “He hides it well.”

  Chapter 13

  “Does Tuesday work for you?” Fable said, as soon as Neil walked into the shop.

  “What are you on about?” He was still only half awake.

  “The dinner. Is Tuesday night okay?”

  “I’ll have to check my diary.”

  “Don’t be a prat,” Debs said. “It’s not like you’ll be doing anything else.”

  “I’ll have you know that I have a hectic social life.”

  “Kim said she’d love to come,” Fable said.

  “Your hot friend? Why didn’t you say? Tuesday will be fine.”

  “Unbelievable.” Debs rolled her eyes. “I hope you’ve warned Kim about this one.”

  “Jealousy doesn’t become you, Debs. You had your chance with me, and you blew it.”

  “Kim is looking forward to it,” Fable said. “She hasn’t been out much since she and her boyfriend split up a couple of months ago.”

  “I’ll soon cheer her up. Just tell her that she’ll be in the company of a future TV star.”

  “Were you on the wine last night?” Debs laughed.

  “You’ll be laughing on the other side of your face when I have my own TV series, and I’m top of the bill in Vegas.”

  “I won’t have time to laugh. I’ll be too busy dodging the droppings from the flying pigs.”

  “Are you going to be on TV, Neil?” Fable asked.

  “There’s a very good chance.”

  “Don’t listen to him,” Debs scoffed. “He makes Walter Mitty look grounded in reality.”

  “For your information, I have an audition tomorrow night, and if it goes as well as I expect it to, then I could be the next big thing.”

  “An audition doing what?”

  “My magician’s act, of course.”

  “Fable, would you mind making some tea?” Debs said.

  “Sure.”

  As soon as Fable was out of earshot, Debs turned to Neil. “Are you insane? If you use real magic on TV, you’ll be back in Candlefield before your feet touch the ground.”

  “I’m not stupid. That’s why I’ve come up with an incredible illusion that doesn’t rely on my magical skills at all.”

  “Just as well because from what I’ve seen, those aren’t up to much. It’s still very risky.”

  “Don’t worry. I won’t forget you when I’m rich and famous. If you play your cards right, you can run my fan club.”

  ***

  Rita Mountpiece lived in a quaint little village called Top Chipping, which was equidistant between Washbridge and West Chipping. They’d taken Greg’s car, which was at least a million years old.

  “I wasn’t sure we were going to make it,” Susan said when she climbed out.

  “Bertha never lets me down.”

  “You gave your car a name?”

  “Of course. Doesn’t yours have one?”

  “No, but then I rarely keep one long enough to be on first name terms. How long have you had this thing?”

  “Since I was eighteen. It’s the only car I’ve ever owned.”

  “Wow! Haven’t you ever been tempted to trade-up? For a moped, maybe?”

  “Cheek.” He stroked the bonnet of the car. “Take no notice of her, Bertha, old girl.”

  “And there I was thinking that your obsession with the paranormal was the weirdest thing about you.”

  “Come on.” He led the way across the quiet road. “I should warn you, Rita makes some seriously tasty cakes.”

  Greg was right. After Rita Mountpiece had shown them into the living room of her thatched cottage, she proceeded to ply them with tea, biscuits, and some of the most delicious cakes that Susan had ever tasted.

  “Do have another cake, Susan,” Rita said.

  “I couldn’t possibly. I’ve already had two.”

  “A third won’t hurt.”

  “Honestly, I’m full. They’re delicious.”

  “I suppose you’d like me to tell Susan my story?” Rita said.

  “If you wouldn’t mind.”

  “Do you believe in the supernatural, Susan?”

  “Not really, but I’ve promised Greg that I’ll keep an open mind.”

  “Do you two just work together, or are you an item?”

  “No, nothing like that.” Susan spluttered. “It’s strictly a professional relationship.”

  “Oh? Pity. You two make a lovely couple.”

  Susan could feel her cheeks burning. “Why don’t you tell me what happened to your husband, Rita?”

  “Ted and I had been married for almost twenty-five years when he disappeared. It was a perfect marriage. We had a few arguments, but we always made up before we went to bed. That was our golden rule. That particular morning, he set off for work at the normal time. Ted was a postman, so he left the house at the crack of dawn. He kissed me, and said he’d see me later.” Rita hesitated just long enough to compose herself. “But he never came home.”

  “Did he arrive at work okay?”

  “Yes. It was while he was walking his usual delivery round that he went missing. Someone found his sack, half full of post, outside their front door. There was no sign of Ted.”

  “How long ago was that?”

  “It will be three years on the tenth of next month. I still expect him to walk through the door every evening, but he never does.”

  “Was your husband having any problems? Money, that kind of thing?”

  “None. We were both perfectly happy. We aren’t rich, but my p
arents left me some money. That allowed us to pay off the mortgage, and left enough that we didn’t have to worry about the bills.”

  “What about his health? Could he have been hiding anything from you?”

  “Ted was as fit as a fiddle. He’d been a postman all his working life, so he got plenty of exercise. He ate healthily too.” She glanced at the plate of cakes. “Except for my cakes, of course.”

  “Do you have any theories as to what might have happened to him?”

  “I thought Greg had already told you. I know exactly what happened to him. He was snatched away by the rogue retrievers, and taken to the paranormal world.”

  Susan’s heart sank.

  “I can tell from your expression that you don’t believe me, Susan, and I don’t blame you. I’d been married to Ted for twenty years before I discovered his secret. I’d had a bit of a health scare, and for a while, things didn’t look very promising for me. Ted said he didn’t want to lie to me any longer. I had no idea what he was talking about, but then he told me that he was a wizard.”

  “What did you do?”

  “I laughed at him. I thought it was his way of trying to cheer me up, or that the strain of my illness had taken its toll on him, but then he proved it to me.”

  “How?”

  “With magic. I was every bit as sceptical as you are now, but after I saw what he could do, I realised it was all true.”

  “What exactly did he show you?”

  “There were several spells. One of them was called the ‘doppelganger’ spell. He made himself look like my brother.”

  “How?”

  “It happened in an instant. One moment, he looked like Ted, and the next, he was Gordon. It scared me silly.”

  “What else?”

  “He made himself invisible, and even shrank himself. That was particularly weird; he was literally standing in the palm of my hand.”

  “Does he have family in this area?”

  “They all live in the paranormal world; in a place called Candlefield.”

  “Did you ever meet them?”

  “No. Humans can’t go to Candlefield, and his family were nervous about visiting the human world. Ted did visit them about once a month.”

  “Right. You mentioned that you were seriously ill?”

  “I was lucky. I pulled through, and I’ve been given the all clear now.”

  “That’s great, but could it have affected—err—I mean is it possible that it—”

  “It didn’t impair my mental capacity if that’s what you mean. I know what I saw.”

  “Sometimes the mind can play tricks.”

  “I don’t expect you to believe me, Susan. So far, Greg is the only person who doesn’t think I’m crazy. If I were in your place, I’d feel exactly the same, but I promise you this is real. Maybe one day, you’ll witness the magic for yourself, and then you’ll believe too.”

  “What did you make of that?” Greg asked when they got back to the car.

  “She’s a lovely woman, and her baking is to die for.”

  “I meant about her story?”

  “I find it strange that her husband could disappear halfway through his delivery round, and yet no one saw what happened.”

  “Anything else?”

  “I think the illness must have had more of an impact on her mind than she realises.”

  “Rita was right. You aren’t going to believe until you actually see it with your own eyes, are you?”

  “Probably not, but I’d still like to meet with the other woman on your list.”

  “It’s actually a man called John Lucas. I’m still trying to arrange a meeting with him.” Greg turned the key in the ignition. “Where to?”

  “Would you drop me back at The Bugle, please? That’s if you think Bertha will make it that far.”

  “Oh, ye of little faith.”

  Much to Susan’s surprise and relief, they made it back to Washbridge without incident.

  “Thanks for the lift.”

  “No problem. When do you want to check out those shops with the weird safes?”

  “The sooner the better. Will you have any time tomorrow?”

  “I think so. I’ll give you a call later to arrange something.”

  “Okay, thanks. Bye.”

  As Susan walked into her office building, she reflected on what Rita had said about her and Greg looking like a couple, and couldn’t help but smile.

  ***

  That morning had officially been the longest of Charlie’s life. It had felt like at least ten hours, and he still had the afternoon to get through before his dinner date with Jade.

  “Are you okay, Charlie?” Andy said. “You’ve been miles away all morning.”

  “Sorry. It’s my date with Jade tonight.”

  “Are you nervous?”

  “Terrified, but excited too. I really like her. I just hope I don’t make an idiot of myself and blow it.”

  “Just be yourself, and you’ll be fine.”

  Charlie’s phone beeped; it was a text message.

  “What?” He stared in disbelief at the screen.

  “What’s wrong, Charlie?”

  “I don’t know. It’s from Jade. She says she doesn’t want to see me tonight or ever again.” He looked up at Andy. “I don’t get it. What did I do?”

  “Is that all it says?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Why don’t you call her?”

  “I will.” He hit the ‘call’ button. “It’s ringing.” Moments later, he said, “She rejected the call.”

  “I’m so sorry, Charlie.” Andy put her hand on his shoulder.

  Another text message came through.

  “She says that I’m never to call her again. I don’t understand. I didn’t do anything.”

  Andy had no idea what to do; there was nothing she could say that would help.

  “I have to go and see her.” Charlie put his phone in his pocket. “Will you cover for me with Draycott?”

  “I’ll try, but he’s going to notice you’re missing.”

  “I don’t care.”

  Once outside, Charlie called the Real Man agency.

  “Charlotte. It’s Charlie. Can you give me Jade’s address?”

  “I’m sorry, Charlie. I can’t give out that kind of information. I’d be closed down.”

  “Please. It’s urgent.”

  “Sorry, Charlie.”

  He could feel the anger boiling up inside of him; he had to get it under control or there was a danger he would turn, and then it would be game over.

  After several minutes of deep breathing, he’d calmed down a little, and better still, he’d come up with a plan.

  “Charlie?” Neil was behind the counter in the fancy dress shop. “I didn’t think you needed a costume for the ball?”

  “I’m not here about the ball.” Charlie was struggling for breath, having just run all the way across town. “I need your help.”

  “Are you okay? You look shocking.”

  “Jade’s just dumped me.”

  “You haven’t even been on the date yet, have you? What happened?”

  “That’s what I want to know, but I’m going to need your help.”

  “You’d better come through to my office, and tell me what you want me to do.”

  Once in the office, Charlie outlined his plan.

  “I’m not sure it will work, Charlie.”

  “I have to try. Will you help me or not?”

  “Of course I will.”

  “Let’s go then.” Charlie led the way out of the office, and through the shop.

  “I’m going out for a while, Debs,” Neil shouted on his way out of the door.

  “Again?”

  When they reached the offices of Real Man, they ran through the plan one more time.

  “Got it?” Charlie asked.

  “Yeah. Let’s do this,” Neil said, and then made himself invisible.

  “Charlie?” Charlotte was obviously surprised to see h
im.

  “Sorry to turn up unannounced.”

  “That’s okay, but if it’s what you called about earlier, I can’t give you Jade’s address.”

  “I know that. I shouldn’t have asked, but can you at least tell me if she has any shoots booked for this weekend?”

  “Why do you want to know?”

  “We said we’d get dinner, but I can’t remember if she said she’d be working on Saturday or Sunday. If you could just check, I can make sure I book the right day.”

  “Okay.” Charlotte grabbed the mouse and began to check her records. “It doesn’t look like she has any bookings this weekend at all.”

  “Oh? I must have got my wires crossed. Well, thanks for checking.”

  Back on the street, Neil reversed the ‘invisible’ spell.

  “Did you get it?” Charlie said.

  “Yeah. Mission accomplished.” Neil took a pen and a scrap of paper out of his pocket, and scribbled down the address that he’d memorised from the computer screen.

  “That’s not far from here,” Charlie said. “It’s that apartment block near to the cinema.”

  “You’d better get going then. I’ll get back to the shop.”

  “Don’t leave yet. I’ll need you to come back to the gym with me afterwards.”

  “Why?”

  “Draycott is sure to sack me for skiving off this afternoon unless you can use your magic on him. Do you have a spell which might make him forget what I’ve done?”

  “I do. I have just the spell for that.”

  “Great, but I need to see Jade first.”

  “How do you know she’ll be home?”

  “I don’t, but I have to try. Come on.”

  Jade lived on the sixth floor of Wash Heights. There were two lifts, but both were out of order.

  “I’m done in.” Neil was gasping for breath by the time they arrived outside Jade’s apartment.

  “Will you wait back there, around the corner, Neil?”

  “Sure. Good luck.”

  Charlie hesitated; he was terrified.

  Neil peered around the corner. “What are you waiting for?”

  Charlie took a deep breath, and knocked.

  “What are you doing here?” Jade was clearly horrified to see him standing there.