SH03 - Whoops! Someone Is On Our Case Page 8

  “Is there anything I can do?”

  “Not with that particular story, but I would like you to look back a little further to see if you can uncover any more unsolved murders.”

  “Sure. How far back shall I go?”

  “Let’s say ten years.”

  ***

  In an attempt to take Andy’s mind off the day’s events, Charlie had said that they should go for a drink at The Howling after work. The problem was, at the time he’d suggested it, he’d totally forgotten about the photoshoot that was scheduled for that same evening.

  “I’m really sorry I have to cancel on you like this, Andy. I’m such a klutz.”

  “That’s okay. Maybe some other time. What’s it like being a model?”

  “I’m not really the person to ask. I’ve only been on a couple of shoots so far, so I’m still a newbie. The money comes in handy, though.”

  “How did you get into it?”

  “I was just sitting in a coffee bar, minding my own business when a woman approached me, and asked if I’d done any modelling. I thought she was taking the mickey at first, but it turned out she was on the level. The next thing I knew, I got a phone call from an agency, asking if I’d go over and see them. The rest is history.”

  “Have you ever thought of giving up your job at the gym, and doing the modelling full-time?”

  “I can’t see that happening. I don’t think there would ever be enough modelling work to make up for losing my salary at the gym. And besides, I’m not really sure I’d want to do it all the time.”

  “What’s the shoot tonight?”

  “Swimwear.”

  “Really? Won’t you get embarrassed?”

  “I’m terrified. The first shoot I did was for jeans; I only had to take my shirt off then, and that was bad enough.”

  “Still, you certainly have the body for it.”

  “Thanks.” He blushed. “Anyway, enough about me. How are you feeling after what happened earlier?”

  “I’m still a little upset. I knew it would be difficult working amongst humans, and I was worried I might give myself away by something I said. It never occurred to me for one moment that I might actually turn.”

  “I wouldn’t worry about it too much. The longer you’re here, and the more time you spend among humans, the less possibility there is of that happening again.”

  “I hope you’re right.” She put her hand on his arm. “I’m so grateful that you came to my rescue.”

  “No problem.” He glanced at his watch. “I’m sorry. I have to be going.”

  Charlie grabbed a sandwich on his way over to the studio where the photo shoot was to take place. To say that he was nervous would have been the understatement of the year.

  “Hi, I’m here for the swimwear shoot,” he said to the young woman on the reception desk.

  “Are you Charlie?”

  “That’s me.”

  “The changing room is just down that corridor, first door on your right; your outfit is in there. Someone will be down to collect you in a few minutes.”

  “Okay, thanks.”

  His ‘outfit’ comprised of the smallest and tightest pair of swimming trunks that he’d ever seen. Looking at his reflection in the full-length mirror, he’d never felt so embarrassed. If he felt like this now, how would he be when he was on the set with Jade and the photographer?

  He was about to find out because there was a knock at the door.

  “Charlie?” A woman called. “Are you ready?”

  “Err—yeah.” He was as ready as he was ever going to be, so he took a deep breath, and opened the door.

  The young woman standing there did a doubletake. “You look great.”

  His face was scarlet, and he could barely speak. “Thanks.”

  “Follow me. Jade’s already on the set.”

  When Charlie walked into the studio, the sight that greeted him took his breath away. He already knew that Jade was beautiful, but in that bikini, she was absolutely stunning. He suddenly realised that he was staring at her, and blushed even more.

  “Hi, Charlie.” She waved.

  “Hi.”

  The photographer came over, and shook his hand. “I’m Tony. I’ve heard a lot of good things about you, Charlie. Mostly from Jade. Why don’t you go and join her, then we’ll get started?”

  The first five minutes were purgatory; Charlie was ridiculously nervous; it felt as though his whole body was shaking. But as the shoot progressed, he began to relax, and in the end, he quite enjoyed the experience.

  After it was over, the photographer thanked him and Jade; he appeared to be very happy with the results.

  “Did you want to grab a coffee, Charlie?” Jade said, after they’d both changed.

  “Yeah. I’d love to.”

  They found a quiet coffee shop only a few doors down from the studio.

  “I enjoyed the shoot,” Jade said. “I don’t always. Some of the other male models are pigs. Their hands are everywhere.”

  “You shouldn’t stand for that. Let me know if anyone tries it on with you, and I’ll have a quiet word with them.”

  “That’s very sweet of you. Thanks.”

  All the way through the shoot, Charlie had been building himself up to something, but now he was getting cold feet.

  “Are you okay, Charlie? You’re very quiet.”

  “Yeah, I’m fine. It’s just that I was going to ask you—no, it’s silly.”

  “Go on.”

  “I’m sure that you’ve got better things to do, but I was wondering—. No, it doesn’t matter.”

  “What were you going to ask me?”

  “I just wondered if you’d like to go out for dinner with me some time, but you’re probably—”

  “I’d love to. When did you have in mind?”

  “Is tomorrow night too soon?”

  “Tomorrow would be perfect.”

  Chapter 11

  It was early afternoon, and time for Neil to put his cunning plan into action.

  “Debs, I have to leave now. You’re in charge.”

  “Where are you skiving off to this time?” She eyed him, suspiciously.

  “I’m not skiving off. I have a meeting with the accountant.”

  “Since when did you do the accounts? I thought the owners saw to all of that?”

  “They’ve asked me to take it under my wing. I’ll see you in the morning. Bye.”

  For Neil’s plan to work, he would have to implement it while all the other flatmates were out of the apartment. On his way home, he called in at the builders’ merchant to pick up the eight tins of paint that he would need. Once home, it took him four trips up and down the stairs, but he eventually managed to get all of the tins into the apartment. Fortunately, he’d managed to do it without bumping into any of the other residents of the apartment block.

  After he’d opened the tins, and moved all the furniture away from the walls, he cast the spell. Then he took a step back, and admired his handiwork. This was such easy money!

  The paintbrushes, powered by the spell, were painting the walls and ceiling of the apartment, and they were doing it ten times quicker than in the conventional way. At the rate they were going, the job would be finished within a few minutes, and then he would pocket the rest of the money for himself. Sometimes, he was so smart he scared himself.

  Just then, there was an almighty commotion in his bedroom, so he hurried over to see what was happening. Socky and Mad Maggie were going at it hammer and tongs.

  “Hey, you two!” Neil shouted. “What do you think you’re playing at?”

  “It’s this infernal woman,” Socky said. “She’s trying to move into my office.”

  “I’d heard that you were moving out, Tobias.” The woman wiped her runny nose on her sleeve. “It seems a pity to let such a beautiful room go to waste.”

  “You were misinformed, madam. Now, if you wouldn’t mind taking your leave?”

  “Nothing would give me greater pleasure.
” She turned to Neil. “Hello again, young man. How are you sleeping, these nights?”

  A shiver ran down Neil’s spine as he remembered the time he’d woken up to find Maggie hovering over his bed.

  “I’m sleeping very well, thank you.”

  “That woman is nothing but trouble,” Socky said, after she’d taken her leave.

  “Do you think we’ve seen the last of her?”

  “I hope so, but knowing Maggie, I very much doubt it.”

  Neil walked out of the bedroom, but then stopped dead in his tracks. The spell had continued in his absence, and much to his horror, the paintbrushes had painted over all of the cupboards in the kitchen.

  ***

  Neil wasn’t the only one of the flatmates to have finished early that afternoon. When Tilly dropped in at the bookshop an hour before closing time, Dorothy took the opportunity to leave with her. Molly wasn’t very pleased, but Dorothy didn’t much care. It served her right for dropping her in it with Donny.

  The two of them went back to Tilly’s apartment for coffee.

  “You’re looking much better, Tilly.” Dorothy took a bite of sponge cake.

  “I’m feeling a lot better. I still feel a little nervous in this apartment, but then I suppose it’ll take some time to get over that.”

  “I’m glad you called into the shop. Molly’s been doing my head in all day.”

  “Why? What’s she been up to?”

  “Trying to set me up with Donny again.”

  “You could do worse.”

  “Don’t you start. I take it you’ve heard about the supernatural ball, this weekend?”

  “Yeah, it should be a blast. I’m going with Gerard.”

  “Who’s Gerard?”

  “Haven’t I mentioned him to you? We met on Vamped. It’s that app I showed you. Do you remember?”

  “Oh, yeah. I can’t keep pace with your love life.”

  “Who will you be going with?”

  “Just Charlie and Neil. Oh, and Susan of course.”

  “Susan? Don’t get me wrong, I owe that woman my life, but I didn’t think you’d tell her about the supernatural ball.”

  “I didn’t intend to—she overheard me telling the other two. You haven’t heard the best of it yet.”

  “Go on.”

  “She’s decided that I should go as a fairy.”

  “Oh dear.” Tilly laughed. “What about the others?”

  “Susan said Neil would make a good vampire.”

  “What about Charlie?”

  “It’s okay for him. She said he’d be perfect as a werewolf.”

  “Well, she’s not wrong. Have you got used to having her around the apartment, yet?”

  “She’s okay, I suppose, but it makes life so difficult. At the moment, for example, she’s investigating a rumour that there’s a new drug network operating out of local shops.”

  “How does that affect you?”

  “Because she’s got her wires crossed. What Susan has actually stumbled upon is the blood distribution network. Do you remember that I mentioned we now have a fridge in the shop, stocked with human blood?”

  “Yeah. How’s that going?”

  “It was going great, but I’ve had to ask to have it removed because if Susan actually publishes that story, the you-know-what will well and truly hit the fan.”

  “Speaking of human blood, how are you managing since you indulged?”

  “I can honestly say that I wish I’d never tried it. I was okay before I knew just how good it tasted, but now it’s on my mind all the time. I have to admit I do sometimes sneak a drink from the fridge in the shop when Molly isn’t watching, but soon that won’t be an option.”

  “I feel partly to blame. I was the one who encouraged you to try it.”

  “It wouldn’t be so bad if we didn’t have a human living in the apartment with us. That makes it ten times worse. My main concern is that one day I won’t be able to resist the urge, and I’ll pin Susan to the floor and drain her of blood.”

  “I’m not sure she’d appreciate that.” Tilly laughed.

  “It’s not funny. It’s okay for you, living by yourself. How would you like to spend every evening in the same apartment as a human?”

  “Sorry. You’re right; it must be difficult. Have you ever thought of trying Stop B-Urge?”

  “What’s that?”

  “They’re tablets. You take one twice a day. Combined with the synthetic stuff, they should stop any craving you might have for human blood.”

  “Where would I get them?”

  “Any pharmacy that employs vampires should be able to supply you with them. I’ve never taken them myself, but I have a few friends who swear by them.”

  “I might give them a try. It can’t be any worse than things are at the moment. Anyway, I suppose I’d better be making tracks.”

  “Okay.” Tilly glanced out of the window. “Your favourite flatmate has just arrived home.”

  Dorothy looked, and saw Susan getting out of her car.

  “If I hurry, I can get into my bedroom before she makes it upstairs. I can’t deal with her just now.”

  Dorothy rushed down the stairs, and into the flat. And then stopped dead in her tracks.

  “What on earth has happened?” She stared in disbelief at the cupboards, which had all been painted blue.

  “Be quiet!” Neil had his head stuck in a book. “I’m trying to sort it out.”

  “Why have all the cupboards been painted?”

  “It was a mistake.”

  She walked over to the kitchen. “Did Ronnie do this? I thought you said he was a professional?” And then the penny dropped. “This was you, wasn’t it? Did you use magic?”

  “Yes, but it went wrong.”

  “No kidding.”

  “I’m sure there’s a spell that will put everything back to how it was before I started.”

  “Get on with it then, otherwise we’ll never get inside these cupboards again.”

  “It’ll only work if I manage to cast it before ten minutes have elapsed since they were painted.”

  “You’d better hurry up then. Why are you wasting time reading that book?”

  “I can’t remember the spell offhand. This is my spell book.”

  “Be quick. Susan is on her way upstairs.”

  “What? I wish you hadn’t told me that.” He flicked frantically through the pages. “What was that stupid spell called?”

  “You can’t even remember its name? This just gets better.”

  “This is it. This is the one: The ‘take it back’ spell.”

  “Hurry up. I can hear footsteps.”

  Neil memorised the spell, and then closed his eyes. He would only have one chance at this.

  “Hi, everyone.” Susan walked in.

  Neil opened his eyes, and much to his relief, the room was back to how it had been before he’d started painting. “Hi, Susan.”

  “Are you okay, Dorothy?” Susan asked. “Why are you staring at the cupboards?”

  “Err—no reason. I was just thinking of getting myself a snack, but there’s nothing I fancy.” She started for her bedroom, and as she walked by Neil, whispered, “You’re so dead.”

  ***

  Later that evening, Susan was in her bedroom; the other three flatmates were all in the lounge.

  “I’ve said I’m sorry a dozen times,” Neil said. “How many more times do you want me to say it?”

  “I still can’t believe you had the nerve to try it.” Dorothy wasn’t about to let him off the hook that easily. “How much did the paint cost?”

  “I don’t remember.”

  “How much, Neil?” Dorothy pressed him.

  “Two hundred pounds.”

  “And you were going to pocket the rest?”

  “What difference would it have made who did the job? Me or Robbie?”

  “Robbie would have done the work properly—by hand. We would have been paying him for his time. All you did was cast a spe
ll.”

  “And you made a pig’s ear of that,” Charlie chimed in.

  “Where’s the rest of our money?” Dorothy demanded. “You’d better not have spent it.”

  “I haven’t. It’s in my bedroom.”

  “Good. You’d better give Robbie a call, and get him to come over here to do the job properly.”

  “I could always try magic again. I’d give you two your money back, and just pocket Susan’s.”

  “Did someone mention my name?” Susan appeared from out of her bedroom.

  “I—err—” Neil stumbled over his words.

  Dorothy came to his rescue, “Neil said he’s going to call the decorator soon. In fact, there’s no time like the present, is there, Neil?”

  “Okay. I’ll ring him now.” Neil took out his phone, and made the call. “Robbie, it’s Neil. Yeah, fine, thanks. We’d like you to do that job for us. Yeah, as soon as you can. Oh, and there’s just one other thing: You don’t need to buy the paint; I’ve already got it.”

  “Hey, guys, you’ll never guess what.” Charlie couldn’t keep his news to himself for another minute.

  “You’ve agreed to do a photoshoot for a nude calendar.” Neil grinned.

  “Not likely. It was bad enough doing the swimwear shoot.”

  “You never mentioned a swimwear shoot,” Dorothy said.

  “I only did it earlier this evening.”

  “You’re blushing.” Neil nudged Charlie.

  “I’m not. Do you want to hear my news or not?”

  “Yes, we do.” Susan glared at Neil. “Let him tell us, Neil.”

  “Do you remember I mentioned Jade to you? She was on the jeans shoot with me.”

  “I remember her from the billboard,” Neil said. “She was hot.”

  “She was on the swimwear shoot today, too.”

  “I wouldn’t mind seeing her in a bikini.”

  “Shut up, Neil!” The three other housemates chorused.

  “Anyway,” Charlie continued. “I asked her if she’d like to go for dinner with me.”

  The other three flatmates shared the same surprised expression.

  “Are you sure you asked her?” Neil said. “You didn’t just dream it?”