Pet Psychic Mysteries Boxset Books 5-8 (Magic Market Mysteries Book 2) Erin Johnson (good books for 8th graders .txt) 📖

Peter glared at the family lawyer for a moment before turning back to Mrs. Harrington. “One more question—a witness mentioned they saw you and Chaz arguing before the wedding.”

The blond’s eyes narrowed.

Peter leaned forward. “What were you arguing about?”

Mrs. Harrington’s cheeks burned red as her husband shook his head and reopened his book. Getting no help from him, she turned back to Peter and shot him a smile that screamed, “I’ll shank you in your sleep.” She delicately cleared her throat. “Argument? I don’t recall…”

Chaz let his arm drop from his forehead and pushed himself up to sitting. “Just normal wedding nonsense.”

His mother nodded emphatically as their lawyer looked between them.

Chaz plastered on his smarmiest smile. “Probably seating charts and whatnot. Weddings are stressful. We were both just on edge is all.”

Mm-hmm. On edge enough to kill your bride? And I doubted the fight Joe Santos had described was over seating charts.

I glanced over to Mr. Harrington to gauge his reaction and noticed a black bat hanging upside down from the mantle. “Uh.” I pointed. “You have a pet bat?”

Mr. Harrington, frowning, looked up from his reading. “Hm?” He followed my gaze. “Ah, you mean Bartholomew.” He nodded. “He’s more of a mascot than a pet. Been in our family for generations.”

“Oh. Because of your crest?” I pointed to the shield above the mantle.

Mr. Harrington nodded.

“Great.” I stood, grinning. “I’d love to read his mind.”

12

Bartholomew the Bat

Bartholomew the bat winged ahead of me out of the library and into the hallway.

“What in goddess’s name?” Mrs. Harrington spluttered before the door swung shut behind me.

It was cool. I was sure Peter could explain about my abilities—hopefully.

The bat flapped over to a silver suit of armor and hung upside down from the helmet. I passed a row of oil paintings, all of scowling men who looked a lot like old-timey Mr. Harringtons. I paused to frown at one—severity must be a family trait.

I padded along the carpet runner and stopped in front of the armor, which stood beside a tiny marble-topped table with a guttering candelabra on top.

I let out a few squeaks. Bartholomew—can I call you Bart? I want to ask you a few questions about the girl who died last night, Letty?

The bat, which looked to me like a tiny winged puppy, blinked his big black eyes at me. Bart—I like it! Everyone around here’s so formal. He blinked. Well, except for Letty. She was a sweetie—always fed me grapes. His enormous ears swiveled my way.

I looked up and down the stone hallway to make sure we were still alone, then let out more squeaks. I understand she was pretty shy and reserved? I remembered her that way from our time together in the orphanage, too.

The bat craned his head so that he was looking at me nearly upright and squeaked back. Maybe among people, but she was downright chatty with me. Unfortunately, I couldn’t understand any of it.

I nodded—that was unfortunate. How’d she seem the evening of her wedding? Did you see her then?

His nose twitched. Yep. She locked everyone else out but didn’t mind when I flew in the window. She was upset. Frantic, really.

Now that was interesting. But could it just have been normal wedding jitters? Did you see her with a vial of potion or a syringe?

“Squeak!” Yep. She put the vial in the top vanity drawer and the syringe in the pocket of her wedding dress.

I grinned. So Letty had the syringe on her when she left the bridal suite. Which meant she either lost it or it was stolen between there and the altar! I smiled at the fuzzy little guy. Thanks, Bart.

I chewed on the inside of my cheek as I thought it over. Who did she have contact with on the way to the altar? I’d have to check with Peter and see if any witnesses had mentioned something.

I turned back to the bat. Anything else you can tell me?

Hmm. The bat used one hooked finger to scratch his cheek. Oh! She kept a journal!

My heart picked up its pace—now this was a good lead. I squeaked. Any idea where it is?

Follow me! The bat dropped from the helmet and flapped down the hallway, squeaking as it went. He led me back to the bridal suite where Letty’s body had been found and landed, spread eagle, on the back of one of the winged chairs. It’s inside the cushion.

I frowned. Inside it? I bent over and lifted the cushion. The back had a zipper, so I undid it and reached in. Hidden among the stuffing, my fingers closed around a leather notebook about half an inch thick. I pulled it out and grinned at Bart. Thanks, buddy!

I hope it helps. Letty didn’t deserve to die.

He climbed to the top of the chair, then took off out the open window. I turned around and ducked under the police tape that crisscrossed the doorway. I’d padded halfway back to the library when May, the maid, darted toward me.

“Gah!” I pressed a hand to my chest, then relaxed when I realized it was her. “Sorry—you startled me.”

I side-stepped to move past her, but she blocked my way, eyes wide. “Wait.”

I froze as she moved close, her voice a whisper.

“The day of the wedding, a man came to the door and asked to see Mr. Harrington. He met him outside and they had a tense conversation.” She shook her head, her tight curls bouncing. “I didn’t overhear all of it, but it was something about the man demanding more money for something.” Her throat bobbed.

It took me a moment to process all that. “Why are you telling me this? Couldn’t it get you in trouble with your employers?”

Her brows pinched together. “I liked Letty—I was rooting for her, you know? She was one of us.”

I frowned and opened my mouth to ask her how she knew I was from the Darkmoon also, but then