Page 29 of Ghostmaker

“We do,” Jude agreed. “Let me get the kids settled and I’ll fill you in on what we learned.”

Everly walked into the kitchen and took the empty seat beside West.

“I’ll bring your pizza to you, little miss.” Ronan grabbed a plate and put a slice of pepperoni on it.

“I’m good here, Dad.” Everly smiled up at Ronan.

“Fine, but you’re eating salad.” Ronan set the pizza in front of his daughter and scooped salad into a bowl.

“Fitz, are you all caught up with what’s been happening with Jonas Crawford and with Alice Strickland’s murder?” Jude asked, taking his seat at the table.

“Yeah, Ten caught me up before we left the office tonight. Sounds like this Crawford is a bad seed.”

“You don’t know the half of it,” Cope shook his head. “Did Ten tell you about the death spell?”

Everly perked up. Her gaze was glued to Cope.

Fitz nodded. “Only that Crawford used the Jedi mind trick to try to get it from you.”

“Yeah, something like that,” Cope agreed. “We haven’t heard from any of Crawford’s customers today and no one has reported being in danger. So we can set him to the side for the moment.”

“We went to visit Peggy McHugh today,” Jude began.

“You’re kidding me.” West looked as though he was upset at just hearing her name. “I’m sure most of what she told you was bullshit.” He looked down at Everly. “Sorry, kid.”

“No worries. My Daddy says that word all the time.” Everly bit into a slice of pepperoni pizza.

“I didn’t get the feeling she was lying to us.” Cope locked eyes with Jude and shivered in the warm room. “I did get the feeling that I might need medical attention when I left the house.”

“Pigsty?” West asked.

“And then some,” Cope agreed. “I don’t think I’ve ever been in such a filthy pit in my entire life.”

“What did Pigpen Peggy have to say?” West didn’t look particularly interested in hearing about Peggy.

“She told us that she cheated with your father and was in the process of stealing Alice’s boyfriend, Chet, when Alice was killed.”

West barked a rough laugh. “Well, what do you know, the old bat told the truth. My father left when I was a kid. I didn’t find out about Peggy sleeping with my father until I was in college. I never understood why my mother stayed friends with her. As a matter of fact, Mom was out with Peggy the night before the murder. It was girls’ night. They had dinner at a swanky restaurant and then went to a bar for drinks.”

“That’s not all,” Everly said. “They made one other stop before the bar.”

West stared at Everly curiously. “How do you know that?”

“Alice told me. She wants Uncle Cope to show you a picture. The same one you showed Peggy.”

Cope pulled out his phone, tapped several times, and handed it to West. Everly peered over his shoulder. “Do you know who this man is?”

“Oh, Christ,” West muttered. “Yeah, that’s my mother’s psychic. His name was Victor something-or-other. Shmooze. Booze. Cruise.”

“Hughes?” Everly asked.

“Yeah, that’s it.” West smiled. “No offense kid, but your father taught you well. You’re gonna be a great con woman one day.”

“You still don’t believe in my gifts, huh?” Everly didn’t look at all bothered by his skepticism.

West shook his head. “Sorry, but I don’t.”

“That’s okay. You will soon.” Everly forked up a bite of salad.