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“No. It’s fine. We can talk in back.” She turned, walking deeper into the metaphysical shop.
Her jeans fit almost as well as her sweater. Shit. She obviously was no more interested in me now, than she was when we were in high school. I needed to get a grip.
Holiday decorations were hidden all around the store. Red holly berries with dark emerald leaves lined the crown molding, and the flickering candles by the cash register filled the space with the scent of fresh cut pine trees and cinnamon.
It probably wasn’t very strong to their human customers, but it was overpowering my heightened sense of smell.
Clearing my throat to keep from coughing, I followed her into a workroom near the rear of the store. “No Christmas shoppers today?”
“Not yet.” Winter almost smiled. “It’s been dead in here today.”
She took a stool at the worktable. I went to the other side and pulled out my phone so I could take notes. “So who do you need me to find?”
She didn’t answer. I lifted my head from my phone to find her crossing her arms.
“This was probably a mistake. I don’t see how you can help me.”
My brow popped up. “Do you have a problem with me?”
Her eyes widened. “Not at all. Why?”
Because I thought I was doing her a favor? What was I missing?
I chuckled, shaking my head. “I’m actually one of the best private eyes in the area, just ask Yelp.” Did I really just fucking say that? Why was I trying so hard to impress her? I raked my hand back through my hair. “You know what, I don’t have time for this.”
She hopped off her stool. Even standing, I was still taller than her from my perch on the other stool. She worried her lower lip. “I wasn’t trying to insult you. I just…” She hesitated. “I don’t know if you understand what I can do and it’s…it’s making me worry you’ll laugh in my face.”
Now I was really confused. “I know you’re a witch.”
She placed a hand on her hip. “What does that mean to you?”
I shrugged. “You can use magic, right? Spells and potions.”
She narrowed her eyes and suddenly my ass was ice cold. I shot up from the metal stool. “What the fuck?” I glared at the gunmetal gray seat like it chilled to forty below on its own. Behind me, Winter chuckled. My head snapped in her direction. “Did you do that?”
“Yes. I’m an ice elemental.” She pressed her lips together, obviously trying not to smile. “Sorry. I thought it would be easier to show you.”
I swiped the back of my jeans. “Why would you think I’d laugh in your face?” A smile crept up on me. “It’s actually sort of badass.”
Her smile faded. “That’s not my only gift.” She lifted her gaze to meet mine. “I can see the dead.”
“Like ghosts?” I immediately wished I could reel the words back in. Of course, she fucking meant ghosts. I was usually smooth with women, but finally meeting Winter after all these years had me off balance.
“Yeah.” She nodded slowly. “I met a frantic ghost this morning. She said someone murdered her, but she hid her baby. Now they’re back, I guess, looking for her daughter. She was a witch.”
I opened the notes app on my phone. “Do you have a name?”
“Ashley.” I waited for a last name, looking up when the silence dragged on. “That’s it?”
“Yeah.” She picked up a small plush witch with “Witch City” embroidered on her hat. “Sorry to waste your time. I’ve been poking around the internet for any mention of a murder with a hidden baby, but I haven’t found anything yet.”
I grew up devouring Sherlock Holmes and other long running mystery series. It fueled my desire to be a detective, and right now, this missing person had me intrigued. “You could see the ghost?”
“Yes. Why?”
“Did you notice what she was wearing. Maybe we could get an idea of the time when it happened.”
Her eyes widened. “That’s smart.”
