Murderous Matrimony(51)

This led to everyone else agreeing by spitting. It was a common way to let people know what you were thinking at the Village. Not exactly hygienic, but it happened.

“We all know that.” I laughed nervously. “Madame Lucinda says a sorcerer is coming who can take Wanda away. Anyone know a sorcerer?”

One of the new King’s Tarts, a pretty girl who always wore red, stuck her hand up. “My boyfriend is a sorcerer of the First Kingdom. Maybe he could take care of it.”

Chase was at my side, probably more for moral support than because he was afraid someone would hurt me. But I was glad he was there anyway.

“That’s what I was talking about,” he whispered. “I’m fairly sure there are no real sorcerers.”

“I don’t know anymore,” I admitted. “Probably not her boyfriend, but maybe someone else.”

It seemed everyone knew a sorcerer. I collected their names and emails before the crowd dispersed. Peter Greenwalt invited everyone over to his pub for a free drink.

I wanted to go home and forget this night. Chase agreed, and we hurried back to the Dungeon.

Wanda was sitting in the middle of our bed when we got back. She was sobbing, and holding her head in her hands. Literally. I guess it was a new trick.

“What’s wrong?” Chase asked. “Wanda?”

“I’m afraid so.”

He frowned, and went to change out of his dinner finery in the bathroom.

“For someone who doesn’t want to be sent away, you have a strange way of showing it.” I removed my veil and headpiece. “What do you want, Wanda?”

“What everyone wants,” she snapped back. “Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”

“You’re dead. We can’t change that, but quit messing around with the people who can see you—and the animals—and you could stay.”

A voice from the bathroom added, “And stay out of our apartment.”

“Chase is right. You know you shouldn’t be here.”

Wanda sobbed harder. “In other words, give up everything I enjoy about death, and I can stay. Well, where’s the fun in that? Maybe it would be better to be sent away.”

“If that’s the way you feel.” I sat on the bed, and took off my boots.

“Of course, you’ll have to find a sorcerer—a real sorcerer—first.” She stopped crying, put her head where it belonged, and rubbed her hands together.

“Not just any sorcerer,” I reminded her. “The one who gave you the bracelet.”

She was in the air the next moment. “I didn’t realize that. He would never do such a thing. He loved me. I guess all of you are quite screwed.”

Wanda vanished. I hoped it was for the remainder of the night.

“Is she gone?” Chase glanced around as he came out of the bathroom.

“Right now.”

He laughed as he came toward me. “Quick then, lady. Out of those clothes.”

*

It was a long, wonderful night without Wanda. The sun came out the next morning and got rid of all the creepy fog. It looked like it was going to be a nice day. For the first time in a long while, I was looking forward to it.

Chase and I parted company after coffee and cinnamon rolls. He was off to find out what had caused a water line break that was keeping the Good Luck Fountain closed for the day.

I was wearing my lucky pink blouse and matching long skirt with a tied black vest that made my waist look really small. My first stop was going to be the museum. I hoped it would be a busy day for us.

Brother Carl stopped me before I could leave the Monastery Bakery. “Lady Jessie, with the ruckus outside last night, did you notice Madman Bob in the crowd?”

“No. I didn’t notice him. But there were a lot of people out there. He could’ve been there, and I didn’t see him. Why?”

He took two cast iron pans from behind the serving counter. “I found these outside on my morning constitutional. I’ve never seen Bob leave his pans behind. I hope nothing is wrong.”

I wasn’t sure what to say. Madman Bob may have dropped his pans and run away after all the craziness last night.

“You should probably tell Chase if you think something has happened to Bob. I’ll keep a lookout for him. He’s probably around somewhere. You know how those madmen are.”

Brother Carl held up one more piece of evidence. “Would he leave this behind?”

It was Bob’s change cup. It was filled with change and dollar bills. There was a bright red stain on one side. It flared out at me from the burnished metal.

“I’ll call Chase,” I told him. “It’s probably nothing, but let’s check it out anyway.”

I hung around and waited until Chase arrived. Lucky he wasn’t really busy and it didn’t take long for him to get there.