Read Online The Witch is Dead by Shirley Damsgaard - Free Book Online

lifted her chin. “And if I may be forthright, though I love my mama to death, being out in the country day in and day out is driving me a mite stir crazy.” She smiled broadly as she rubbed her pendant. “That’s why I rushed right in and applied for this job. It would suit me to a T. I could still spend time with Mama but get out once in a while, too.”

    “I see. As Claire told you, we only need help two or three afternoons a week.”

    “Like I said, Ms. Jen—er, Ophelia, this would be perfect for my situation.” Gert removed an envelope from her purse and handed it to me. “Here’s my job résumé. I’m afraid my most recent employer is no longer in business. I would have to call friends in New Orleans to obtain his current phonenumber. I’d be happy to do so, but I was in a bit of a hurry to meet with you today.”

    I had a strong feeling Gert knew how to conduct an interview better than I did.Jeez, Jensen, you should be writing stuff down. At least look like you know what you’re doing!

    Placing the envelope to one side, I picked up a pen.

    “Ahh…do you enjoy reading, Gert?”

    Her face beamed “’Course I do. I adore mysteries—Rebeccais my favorite.”

    I made a note. “What about the current best-sellers?”

    “Oh yes,” she exclaimed, and rattled off a list of titles and authors, some of whom I’d never even heard of.

    “Romance? Do you read any romance?”

    A faint tinge of pink bloomed on her fair cheeks. “Yes, but Mama thinks they’re unseemly.”

    “Ah, don’t worry about it,” I said with a flip of my hand. “We have several closet-romance readers as patrons. The steamier, the better. If you know what’s popular, you’ll be able to help them find the newest releases.”

    “I also love true crime,” she said in a hushed voice, as if Mama might be able to hear her confession from her little house clear out in the country.

    “Ann Rule?”

    “Oh my,” she said, clasping a hand to her chest. “The way she gets into the mind of those killers, it’s amazing.” She scooted forward to the edge of her chair. “You can learn from reading Ann Rule, too. Her books show how the authorities go about catching those bad people.”

    Gert seemed sweet and kind of naive. She also seemed to be under Mama’s controlling thumb. I could see where working at the library would be a release for her.

    I tapped my pen on my desk. “How would you rate your people skills?”

    “I don’t like to brag, but I have a knack for handling difficult people.”

    Hmm, like Mama?But I didn’t voice my question.

    “I’m also proficient at the computer and I type eighty-five words a minute.”

    Thoughts of the never-ending project of entering our entire inventory into the computer sprang to mind. I’d been working on that sucker for over a year and had about given up on ever finishing. A fast typist would be an asset.

    I asked her a few more inconsequential questions, but as far as I was concerned she had the job.

    Finally, I put my pen down. “Do you have any questions for me, Gert?”

    “No,” she replied as she stood to leave. “I do thank you for taking the time to speak with me, and I’ll look forward to hearing from you.”

    She extended her hand, and I gave it a firm shake. “Claire and the board do the actual hiring, but I’ll pass along my recommendation. Their next meeting is tomorrow evening.” I glanced down at the envelope. “Is a number where you can be reached included on your résumé?”

    “It surely is.” A look of concern crossed her face. “Please, if Mama answers the phone, don’t be alarmed. She can be a little gruff at times.”

    “I understand,” I replied, walking around the corner of my desk. “Thanks for coming in, Gert.”

    “My pleasure.” Her gaze fell to my desk, and before I could stop her, she picked up the moonstone. “What a lovely crystal,” she said, turning it over in her palm.

    Terrific. Crystals are programmed to each