Vanished by Jordan Gray Read Free Book Online Page B

asked, “When was the last time you saw Willie?”
    â€œNot long after the row,” Daisy answered. “Just happened to be adjusting my lace curtains at the exact moment he was leaving.”
    Michael said, “Thank you,” even as he and Molly urged Dylan down the stairs.
    â€œYou can’t comb your hair in Blackpool without someone noticing,” Molly said.
    Michael nodded. “Even so, Fotherby got here very quickly.”
    â€œHe’s just doing his duty. Isn’t he?”
    â€œDoes his duty involve dancing attendance on Willie Myners?” Dylan asked.
    Michael had barely said, “No,” when Molly pointed toward a garish poster at the bottom of the stairs.
    â€œOther Syde Tours of haunted Blackpool,” she read. “Fortunes told and seances conducted by Mademoiselle Fate.”
    â€œMademoiselle Fate?” Michael repeated. “Where do they get these names?”
    â€œMargaret Coffey gives the McKennas a break on therent for that room over the grocery store,” Molly went on, “and in return Holly reads her fortune.”
    â€œHow do you know that?”
    â€œShe was talking about it with Betsy Sewell when I ran into the grocery store to buy a bottle of balsamic vinegar and some buffalo mozzarella. Items Margaret didn’t have, by the way, and seemed to think were some sort of big-city affectation. Betsy made some comment about crossing Holly’s palm with gold, but then, Betsy’s into occult history, New Age items, that stuff.”
    Michael knew. Betsy Sewell’s Curio Shop was a cuckoo’s nest, if ever there was one. But Molly found her amusing.
    â€œCrossing Holly’s palm with silver and paper,” said Dylan, “never mind that the film version of gypsies are always saying gold.”
    â€œThe McKennas don’t half go on about gypsies,” Michael added. “Gypsy curses…that’s part of their spiel.”
    â€œHolly dresses the part,” said Molly. “She was wearing a necklace of fake coins earlier today. I wonder if they knew about Willie’s coins? Was he arguing with Liam this afternoon? Liam’s got a loud voice, but I can’t imagine why he’d tell Willie he had no choice.”
    Dylan tried to peer in the McKennas’ front window, but the curtains were shut tight. “To hell with Willie’s coins. It’s Naomi who matters. I’ll start asking about. Someone has to have seen her this afternoon. Or Willie. If I ever get my hands on him again…” His words trailed away.
    â€œIf she doesn’t turn up soon,” Michael cautioned, “you’ll be obliged to file a formal missing persons report with Paddington.”
    â€œLet us know what else we can do to help,” added Molly.
    â€œYeah, thanks.” Dylan was already making trackstoward Dockside Avenue. As he hurried past the narrow aperture of Bell Street, a slender shape stirred in the shadows, then slipped away. But not before Michael caught a quick reflection from a pair of glasses, and an even quicker sparkle of police insignia. Luann Krebs.
    He looked at Molly. Molly looked at him. With a mutual shrug, they closed ranks, linked their arms around one another, and turned for home.
    Â 
    A S SOON AS THEY STEPPED back into the house, Molly said, “It’s been a long day. I’m going to treat myself to a bubble bath.”
    â€œI’m going to my office,” Michael replied. “Do a bit of research on those coins.”
    â€œIris would be proud.” Molly blew him a kiss and went on her way to the spacious master bath, one of the first renovations she’d insisted on Michael and Irwin making after moving to the decaying Victorian pile that was Thorne-Shower Mansion.
    Michael’s long legs took the steps to the third floor two at a time. In his office, he switched on the largest of his computers, and while it booted up, he gazed around the room at his