Page 12 of Dead Serious Case 5 Madame Vivienne

“I know,” I commiserate. “I feel guilty too.”

“You did more than anyone else,” Dusty mutters. “You took her in when all that shit was going down in the bookshop.”

“And then shoved her back out once it was all over because I wanted time alone with Danny.”

“That’s understandable. Just look at him.” A small smile tugs at her lips and I glance over at my fiancé.

He’s settled back in the chair, looking gorgeous in his dark suit with his blonde hair swept back from his face. Although he’s flicking through a Home & Garden magazine from 2008, I know he’s paying attention to what I’m saying to Dusty; after all, Danny doesn’t miss a thing.

“You know what I don’t get.” Dusty draws my attention back to her as she scowls.

“What?”

“I don’t get how someone was able to get into the bookshop and murder Viv without any of us knowing.” She taps her long spiked purple nails on the arm of the chair in agitation. “You saw the state of her. Killing her may only have taken seconds, but all those symbols marked on her body, the way she was posed on the floor of the bookshop? That all took time. The shop is filled with spirits, someone should have seen something, should have at least caught a glimpse of the killer, but nothing. Even Bruce and I were there–” She leans forward and rests her elbows on her knees, burying her face in her hands. “God, Tris,” she mumbles. “I was right there in the next room with Bruce while that bastard killed her.”

“Dusty,” I whisper, my heart hurting for her, “this isn’t your fault.”

“I’m supposed to be a spirit guide or whatever. Some fucking good I am if I can’t even stop someone from getting murdered right under my nose.”

“Dusty,” I say firmly. She lifts her face, her brown eyes filled with misery. “Give yourself a break. You’ve only been a spirit guide for a little over a year. You’re still getting used to being dead yourself, and technically you’re a spirit guide-in-training.” I give her a small smile. “Besides the clue is kind of in the title: spiritguide.You’re here to guide, to help, not to stop all wrongs from being committed. You’re not a superhero.”

“I happen to think I’d look fucking amazing in Wonder Woman’s armour and short skirt,” Dusty declares before sighing in resignation. “I just feel sick,” she admits. “Right to my stomach.”

“I know,” I murmur in solidarity. “I do too. But sitting around here feeling guilty isn’t going to help Viv.”

Sucking in a deep breath, I straighten in my seat and feel Danny shift beside me as he tosses the old magazine back on the table. It’s time for me to stop feeling sorry for myself. Yeah, my life may be weird as fuck, but I can either let it turn me into a whiny baby or I can get my shit together and figure out how to help Viv. I owe her that much.

“So, what are we doing then?” Danny asks. “Have we come to a decision?”

I love thewethat rolls so easily off his tongue. He doesn’t even know what’s going on in my head or what I’m intending to do, but he immediately has my back without question.

“I’m going to tell Mr Hadley I’ll be the temporary custodian of the bookshop until they can figure out what happened to Viv’s son.” I nod decisively as I stand, channelling my inner Mel Gibson from when William Wallace was giving a heartfelt and rousing speech to his army. “We’re going to figure out what happened to Viv. We’re not leaving it in the hands of Scotland Yard.” I glance at Danny. “No offence to Maddie, but with that twat face Byrnes on the case, coupled with the fact that they don’t have access to the same information and resources that we do, there’s a very good chance it will end up being shelved as unsolved.”

“I do happen to agree.” Danny stands. “Sam and I can handle the investigation into Viv’s murder. I know Maddie will give us access to the police files and with Sam’s skills, there’s not much we shouldn’t be able to dig up.”

I nod in agreement. “Perfect. I’ll go and tell Mr Hadley. Hopefully he can give us the keys to the shop and we can see if there’s anything there the police missed. But first…”

“First?” Dusty asks, rising from the chair.

“First we’re going to go home and get absolutely shitfaced on Viv’s favourite gin in honour of her.”

“A plan with no flaws.” Dusty grins. “I wonder if Bruce has any of that tequila his Tio Roberto sent him for his birthday from Tierra de los Muertos.”

“God help us,” I snort as I take Danny’s hand.

We head out of the parlour and down the corridor back towards Mr Hadley’s office. Once we’re standing outside the familiar door, I raise my hand and take a deep breath.

Danny squeezes my hand. “We’ve got this, Tris.”

I nod and knock loudly. Within moments the door opens and Mr Hadley appears on the other side.

“Ah, Mr Everett, Mr Hayes, still here? Not running screaming for the hills yet?”

“We’re made of sterner stuff than that,” Danny says.

“Indeed.” The corner of Mr Hadley’s mouth twitches as he looks at me.

“I’ll do it,” I state with slightly more confidence than I feel. “I’ll take care of the bookshop until other arrangements can be made.”