Page 23 of Air Of Mystery (Witches On The Hill #4)

I was the first to arrive at the mansion Wednesday afternoon. After parking in the hotel lot on the western side of the house, I sent Charlie a quick text to let him know I had arrived. Then I snagged my video camera case, laptop, and suitcase and went straight to the front desk.

“Skye Golden, checking in,” I said to the front desk clerk.

“Hello, Ms. Golden.” She smiled. “Is the rest of your team with you?”

“Not yet,” I said. “I expect them soon.”

A few minutes later I was rolling my suitcase toward an elevator and heading up to the third floor.

After staying in the hotel for Cordelia and Tim’s wedding, I was familiar with the layout and found my room quickly.

Once I stowed my suitcase, I checked my hair and face in the mirror and considered my outfit.

In an attempt to make myself look more approachable, I had worn flats and a casual black dress.

The dress was light with a long flowing skirt and mushrooms and ferns that were outlined in ivory all over the fabric.

Personally, I felt it was a good choice of an outfit for conducting interviews.

With a nod at my reflection, I fluffed up my hair, freshened my lip gloss, and dabbed a bit of powder on my nose.

“That’s got it,” I said to my reflection, and grabbing my recording equipment, I headed back down to the main lobby.

I had an appointment to meet Camilla and Archer in the smaller event room in about forty-five minutes for their interviews. Once they arrived, I wanted to be set up and ready to roll.

When I returned to the lobby, one of the hotel staff was waiting for me.

He offered to carry my equipment bag—I politely refused—and then he escorted me to the empty room.

I had been hoping to see Charlie, but he was probably busy with something somewhere on the property.

Walking across the ground floor, I appreciated all over again just how big the building actually was.

I’d be seeing him later that night. We had plans to have dinner at his place, once I finished the preliminary interviews and we got the shots of the museum room.

Charlie had invited George and Larry to join us for dinner. I was semi nervous about the men in my life all hanging out together, but I reminded myself that Charlie was making a real effort. And him getting to know my team could only help.

The clerk escorted me as far as the door and offered to bring me something to drink.

I requested a ginger ale for myself, and a couple bottles of water for Archer and Camilla.

I quickly arranged a chair in front of the pretty fireplace and another for myself across from it.

Then I set up the video camera and adjusted the angle for the first interview with Camilla.

Out of my peripheral I saw someone walk back in holding a drink tray, and I turned with a smile to thank him.

My smile faded when I discovered the bearer of the tray was Estella Midnight-Marquette.

“Thank you,” I said politely, even though she was scowling at me.

Estella walked over and placed two water bottles on a nearby table. “I was hoping to get the chance to speak to you alone.”

I bit back a sigh. I had expected Estella would find a way to make her presence known while we were here. I’d even warned George and Larry ahead of time about her and her dislike of paranormal investigations and me in particular.

“You’re going to be very careful when you interview my nephew,” she said, her face hard as stone.

“This isn’t the first time I’ve interviewed a child for my channel,” I reminded her. “In fact, I interviewed Caroline Tremaine, Eloise and Grayson Walls about their encounter with the Reaper and finding the treasure a couple of years ago.”

“They were older,” Estella pointed out.

“Estella.” I spoke calmly despite my annoyance. “Gabriella and Philippe have requested that I not show Archer’s face during the interview, and I am going to honor that.”

“Yeah, well I’m still going to be watching you,” she said, crossing her arms over her chest.

Before I could say anything in reply, Larry walked in carrying some more equipment. He had such blatant ‘nice guy’ vibes and was so friendly that it typically had a calming effect on people during an investigation.

“Hey Skye!” He was all good cheer as he walked over to me in his cargo pants and vintage horror film T-shirt.

“This place is awesome! Can’t believe I’ve never been here before.

I gotta bring the wife. She’d love it.” He dumped his cases.

“Hi,” he said, sticking out his hand to Estella.

“I’m Larry. I’m the tech part of the team and a mundane.

I keep Skye and George, our psychic, grounded and on track. ”

“It’s a dirty job,” I quipped.

“But someone’s gotta do it,” Larry joked.

Estella didn’t smile but she did shake his hand. “ Hola , Larry. I’m Estella Marquette, and I didn’t ask if you were a practitioner.”

“Nice to meet ya, Estella.” Larry smiled. “And you didn’t have to. I can spot a Witch from fifty yards out.”

Estella cocked her head to one side. “Is that right?”

“Yup,” Larry said affably. “Hey, can I get a cola? I’m dying of thirst.” He waited a beat. “That’s a silly ghost hunter pun.”

Estella chuckled at that.

“Where is George?” I asked.

Larry began to unlock his cases. “He was talking to some couple out in the lobby. Dude sounded French, the woman was a pretty blonde with wavy hair.”

“That would be our hosts for the next two days,” I explained. “Philippe and Gabriella Marquette.”

“The Marquettes.” Larry nodded. “We’re interviewing their boy off camera, right?”

“That’s right,” I said, looking significantly at Estella.

A moment later George walked into the room.

He was accompanied by Gabriella and Philippe, and he sailed in looking fabulous as always.

Today George had opted for a casual blazer, dark slacks and an open-collared shirt.

I saw with no surprise that he’d added a thin flowing scarf with a celestial pattern around his neck.

He immediately walked over to Estella, introduced himself, and went straight into charm mode. While he schmoozed Estella, I shook hands with Philippe and then was hugged by Gabriella.

“So glad you’re here!” Gabriella said. “This is very exciting!”

The young man who had escorted me in was back and carrying a glass of cola, two ginger ales, and another bottle of water on a tray.

“Thank you,” George said to him. “Water’s for me. The first ginger ale is for Skye—I had a feeling you asked for one earlier but didn’t get it.”

As George took the glass from the tray and passed it to me, I saw Estella flush a bit.

“The cola,” George continued easily, “would be for Larry.”

Larry scooped up his soda from the server and took a long drink. “Thanks, George.”

Estella rolled her eyes at George. “Big deal, so you know your cohort’s drink preferences.”

George immediately responded. “Don’t like psychics much, do you, young lady?”

“Seen plenty of phonies with fake crystal balls in my day.” She sneered. “Surprised you’re not wearing a turban.”

That comment had Gabriella inhaling sharply in surprise and me walking straight over to George and Estella to step in.

Nobody trash-talked my team.

“I left my turban at home,” George said easily. Picking up the second ginger ale, he then passed it to Estella. “Well, nevertheless, this is for you, dear.”

Estella frowned. “I don’t like ginger ale.”

George smiled. “Maybe not, but you’ve been drinking it lately anyway, to try and settle your stomach.”

Estella’s eyes went wide.

“The nausea will let up in a few more weeks,” George said softly. “Congratulations by the way.”

I was now close enough that I saw her go pale.

“That’s impossible,” she whispered, setting the glass down. “Only my husband knows...”

George smiled. “Don’t worry, I have plenty of practice keeping secrets.”

Estella jerked back from him, spun on her heel and stomped out of the room. She brushed past Charlie on her way out.

“What’s with her?” Charlie asked. “Where’s Estella going in such a huff?”

“Holy shit,” I muttered to George. “Did you have to do that? Now she’s really going to hate me.”

“No, I didn’t have to.” George smoothed his silver hair back. “Consider this one on the house.”

I waved at Charlie, and out of the corner of my mouth I said, “Jeez, George.”

“At least this way she’ll stay clear and won’t interrupt your interviews,” he pointed out.

I shook my head. “You know it wasn’t too long ago that you busted my chops for scaring a mundane...”

George arched one silver eyebrow. It was a look he was particularly proud of. “Well dear, she’s not a mundane. And as a Witch she should know better than to pick a fight with a psychic.”

I could only shake my head at the mischievous smile George was giving me. By the goddess, I thought, we are off to a roaring start with this investigation.

“Who picked a fight?” Charlie asked as he walked over. Clearly he’d caught the tail end of our exchange.

“Hey,” I said to Charlie, going up on my toes for a kiss.

He lingered over the kiss for a moment, turning a casual greeting into something more. When Charlie lifted his mouth from mine, he was smiling at me. “You look great.”

“It’s my interview outfit,” I explained, reaching up to wipe my lip gloss from his mouth.

“She thinks a dress makes her seem more approachable,” George said.

I glared at him. “Stay out of my head, George.”

“You know I’m right,” the psychic said, tossing one end of his scarf over his shoulder.

Charlie grinned. “Nice to see you again, George.”

“And you.” George shook Charlie’s hand. “I’ve been hearing good things about the veteran’s group you’ve been working with.”

Charlie smiled. “Thank you.”

“My brother is a veteran,” George explained. “He struggled to adapt to civilian life after he...” George cleared his throat. “Well...I have nothing but respect for the work you are doing. It makes a difference.”