Read Online Witch Is When Stuff Got Serious (A Witch P.I. Mystery Book 11) by Adele Abbott - Free Book Online

will end up with the lot.”
    After we’d finished, Larry walked me back through reception. As he did, a giant of a man appeared out of the adjacent office.
    “Jill, can I introduce you to my partner, Stephen Short.”
     
    ***
     
    I was on my way to Candlefield Museum. I’d never been to that part of Candlefield before; it was more than a little off the beaten track.
    Coral Fish was about the same age as Aunt Lucy. But that’s where the resemblance ended. Whereas Aunt Lucy was very colourful and a teeny bit eccentric, Coral was dressed all in grey, and came across as being very strait-laced.
    She led me into her office. “Thank you for agreeing to help, Jill.”
    “My pleasure.”
    “Has your Aunt Lucy told you about the wand?”
    “Yes, she gave me some background. I have to confess I hadn’t even heard of it until then. In fact, I didn’t know this museum existed until she told me about it.”
    “We are a bit out of the way here, but there’s a reason for that. It’s built on the site of Magna Mondale’s house.”
    “Who knows the wand is missing?”
    “Myself, Bert Hee, the night security man, Elizabeth Myles, the art restorer, and Sandra Bell, head of P.R. and marketing. Bert discovered it was missing quite early in the morning. I was holding a meeting in my office at the time with Julie and Sandra. Bert came bursting in, and blurted out what had happened. I trust them all to be discreet, so I don’t think news of this will leak from within these walls.”
    “I’m going to need your permission to talk to those three members of staff.”
    “Yes, of course. I’m sure they’ll be only too pleased to help.”
    “And, I’ll need permission to explore all areas of the museum.”
    “No problem. Except for the sealed room, of course.”
    “Sealed room?”
    “As I mentioned earlier, this museum was built on the site of Magna Mondale’s house. Over her lifetime, she developed many new and powerful spells, but she feared they might be used for evil, so she sealed them away to prevent that from happening. The original house was demolished to make way for this museum, which over the years has been extended. But the sealed room in the basement remains untouched from when it formed part of Magna’s house.”
    “Has anyone ever been in that room?”
    “Several people have tried, but no one has been able to overcome the spell which Magna herself cast to seal it.”
    “Can I see it?”
    “You can see the door to the room. You’ll find it in the basement.”
    “Do you have any theories as to why the wand has been taken?”
    “Nothing concrete. I suppose it’s possible someone may have done it for financial gain.”
    “Does it have a monetary value?”
    “Not on the open market. Anyone trying to sell it would be reported immediately. But on the black market, who knows? There are collectors who might jump at the chance of owning it.”
    “Do you know of any?”
    “Not by name, but I know they exist.”
    “Okay, thanks. If it’s alright with you, I’ll take a look around now.”
     
    I hadn’t gone far when I bumped into Bert Hee; an elderly wizard with greying hair who stooped a little when he walked.
    “Hello, young lady. I understand you’re here to find our wand.”
    “I’m going to do my best, Mr Hee.”
    “Call me Bert—everyone does.”
    “Okay, Bert. I’m Jill.”
    “I know all about you. You’re Mirabel’s granddaughter, aren’t you?”
    “That’s right. Do you know her?”
    “Oh yes. When she was young, she was quite the wild child.”
    “Really? Tell me more.”
    “Not likely.” He grinned. “Your grandmother would hunt me down, and do unspeakable things to me.”
    He was probably right. Pity, I would have loved to have heard more about Grandma and her misspent youth.
    “Can I ask you a few questions, Bert?”
    “Of course, dear. I’ll be only too pleased to help if I can.”
    “How long have you been doing this job?”
    “Almost thirty years now.”
    “Have