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

there been many similar incidents during that time?”
    “Not a single break-in all the time I’ve been here. But then there’s nothing of any real value in here. Lots of items have a ‘cultural’ value, but they’re not the sort of thing to attract the criminal element.”
    “Did you hear or see anything unusual the night the wand went missing?”
    “Nothing at all. It was just like any other night—just me and the shadows.” He hesitated. “There is one thing I probably ought to mention, though.”
    “What’s that?”
    “It’s a bit of a confession, actually. If I tell you, will you promise not to tell Coral?”
    “Of course.”
    “The truth is, I fell asleep. It’s the first time I’ve ever done it in the thirty years I’ve worked here. It must have been around four a.m. I didn’t wake up until nine-thirty; I should have finished at seven o’clock. That’s when I discovered the wand was missing. You won’t tell Coral I fell asleep, will you?”
    “No, I promise. Your secret is safe with me.”
     
    ***
     
    On my way home, I dropped into the newsagent across the road from my flat, to pick up a bottle of ginger beer. Jasper James was behind the counter, wearing a purple fedora with the letters JJ on the front.
    “Hello, Jill,” he said. “Did you decide to subscribe to P.I. Monthly?”
    “I’m not going to bother, thanks. I did read it, but there wasn’t really anything new in it. It was all recycled stuff that I already know. I’ll just take the ginger beer, please.”
    “I might have a magazine that you would be interested in.”
    “I doubt it. I’m not really a big reader. I don’t have the time.”
    “I think you’ll want to see this one.” He came from behind the counter, walked down the display of magazines, picked one out, and held it up for me to see.
    “Custard Cream Quarterly? Wow! Yes, I’m definitely interested in that.”
    “I thought you would be. Would you like me to put one aside for you once a quarter?”
    “Yes, please. How much is it?”
    “Eight pounds fifty.”
    “How much?” I gasped.
    “It’s rather a niche magazine.”
    “I suppose so. Still, worth every penny.”
    When I left, I spotted Mr Ivers walking across the road. He was obviously on his way to the newsagent, too.
    “Hi there, Mr Ivers.”
    “Hello.” He was stony-faced. His eyes looked glazed.
    “Are you okay, Mr Ivers?”
    “Yes, thank you.”
    “Are you sure?”
    “Yes, thank you.”
    “Have you seen any good movies this week?”
    “No.”
    “Right. Have you seen Tess recently?”
    “Yes. Goodbye.” With that, he carried on walking.
    Something wasn’t right. In fact, something was very wrong indeed. He looked like he’d been drugged.
    This had to be Alicia’s doing.
     
    Back in my flat, I couldn’t settle. I was concerned about Mr Ivers. He’d looked like a zombie, and I was worried that Alicia may have done to him what she’d once done to me. I needed help, and the only person I could turn to was Grandma. My magazine would just have to wait.
    I drove back into town, and made my way to Ever A Wool Moment. Grandma was in the back office.
    “Ah, Jill. I’m glad you called in. I wanted to let you know that The Candle intend to run an article on the Compass competition. You, me and the other team members will need to get together for a team photograph.”
    “Okay, Grandma. But look—the reason I came to see you is that I’m rather worried about one of my neighbours, Mr Ivers.”
    “Is he bothering you? Would you like me to turn him into a cockroach?”
    “No.”
    “A slug?”
    “No, no, nothing like that. I think he might have been poisoned, and I think Alicia did it. She’s been posing as Tess again. He met her through the Love Spell dating agency. I’ve got a feeling she’s done to him what she did to me before the Elite competition. He’s really not himself, and he doesn’t look at all well.”
    “Why are you telling me all this?”
    “I want you to help