Page 8 of The Little Shop of Curiosities, The Music Box Part 2

“We’re on board already, currently in the bar enjoying a cocktail while looking out at the glittery water and waiting to cast off,” Dad says happily. “How are things in London anyway? Have you spoken to your mother yet?”

My stomach jolts and something in it curdles. I’m about to do something that I have never done in my entire life.

Lie to my parents.

“No, I haven’t had a chance.” I force the words past my lips.

I close my eyes. I have so many mixed feelings that I can’t separate them right now, but the last thing I need is Dad and Pop cancelling their trip and turning up in London. Especially if there’s a maniac on the loose who’s using magic to kill. I want them safe, and being thousands of nautical miles away in the Caribbean should do it. I just hope they forgive me when they eventually find out.

Yes, I’ve lied, but they’ll be safe, and that’s the most important thing.

“Send me lots of pictures,” I tell Dad. “None of Pop in his Speedos and keep it PG,” I add hastily.

He laughs. “Of course we will, baby. We’ll bring you back something nice.”

I smile. I’m so lucky to have them. “I love you,” I say quietly after a few moments.

Dad goes silent, and I wonder if I’ve just blown it. “Harrison, are you okay?”

“I’m fine, just didn’t sleep very well last night.” It’s as close to the truth as I’m going to get.

“Ohhhh,” Dad says smugly. “The sexy PI keeping you awake til all hours?”

“It’s not like that and you know it,” I reply.

Except it was like that, right up until ghosts and spirit guides started appearing in my room.

“I do not know,” he says. “Do we still need to have that talk about safe sex?”

“Alright, that’s enough. Hand over the phone,” I hear Pop say. There’s a slight scuffling sound and then Pop’s soothing tone comes over the line. “Hey, Harry, don’t pay any attention to your dad, he’s just teasing. We’re happy for you. I have to admit I was very worried about you going to London. I’m glad that you’re doing so well and that you’ve met someone and made friends, but you do know that we’re here for you whenever you need us, right?”

“You’re going to be on the other side of the Atlantic in a gigantic boat. What are you going to do? Jump on your broomstick and nip over to London?”

Pop chuckled. “Do you really think your dad wouldn’t illegally commandeer a lifeboat and row back to England if you needed him?”

“I know, Pop,” I murmur. “I love you guys, but I have to go now, I’m right in the middle of something. Have a great trip and make sure you call me when you can. I want to hear all about it.”

“Will do. Looks like we’ll be heading out soon as well. Love you, Harry,” he says, and I hear Dad echoing the sentiment in the background, then the line goes dead.

Taking a deep breath, I hang up the phone and set it lightly on the counter. How an earth am I gonna get myself out of this mess?

3

The light rain trickles down the windowpanes in thin streams as I stand alone in my office, staring out at the grey clouds. Viv’s pack of cigarettes that I took from the crime scene sits on the desk behind me, and I’m desperate to slide one of them out of the packet and have a smoke.

The last few days have passed in a bit of a blur. I’ve been so caught up in the investigation I’ve barely seen Harrison. After Maddie and I found Viv’s body, the new detective, Byrnes, dragged me down to Scotland Yard and kept me in an interview room for hours, making it painfully obvious that he considers me a suspect. It’s not like I could tell him the truth about why Maddie and I were there in the first place. Even as I was answering Detective Byrnes’ questions, I could hear how unconvincing our story sounded, but really, what choice did we have? If there was a better way to explain our presence, I couldn’t think of it.

I wish Danny would hurry back. They’ve been snowed in at that Yorkshire hotel for days. Not that he’ll be much help; Byrnes has already been assigned Viv’s murder case, but one more person on the inside at Scotland Yard won’t hurt. If nothing else, it’ll at least give Maddie some backup.

Scratching my jaw thoughtfully, I continue to stare out into the gloomy street. It doesn’t help clear my cluttered thoughts though. I scrub a hand over my face in frustration. It feels like I’m missing something important about the murder. It’s right there at the edge of my mind, but every time I grasp for it, it dances out of reach.

With an annoyed exhale, I turn away from the window. Staring at the dreary weather is not going to help my mood.

I drop down into the chair, making it first creak alarmingly and then clunk. Fuck, maybe it’s time to replace it, or the next time I sit down, I may end up flat on my arse, sprawled out across the floor.

Shaking my head, I absently move some papers around my desk until my mind begins to drift again, and my restless fingers tap against the desktop. A sudden noise has me looking up just as my office door opens and Danny steps through. I glance behind him, expecting to see Tristan too, but no, he’s alone.

Danny looks exhausted. His blond hair is a mess, like he’s run his fingers through it too many times, and the dark shadows under his eyes highlight how pale his skin is.