Page 7 of Dead Serious Case 5 Madame Vivienne

“I’m not sure Dusty will,” I mutter, seeing her mouthing what I’m absolutely certain are very colourful expletives on the other side of the doorway. She waves her arms around and stamps her foot before making some rather elaborate and not entirely complimentary gestures toward Mr Hadley, who is standing beside me. He’s as cool as a cucumber, like a furious dead drag queen throwing a hissy fit outside his office is an everyday occurrence. “Why can’t I hear her?”

“The warding blocks out sound both ways,” Mr Hadley explains.

“How is it that a solicitors firm not only knows about spirits but has some kind of shield against them… and why?” Danny asks suspiciously.

“I can assure you, you’re perfectly safe. It’s simply policy, like I said. If you would like to take a seat, I will explain further.”

I wince as Dusty kicks the invisible barrier with a platform boot, sending ripples across its surface. Although I am absolutely certain that’s not a legitimate sign language she’s using, there really is no mistaking some of the hand signals. I wince and, seeing that she’s working herself up into a full-on furious tantrum, I turn to Mr Hadley.

“Would you excuse me for a moment? I just need a word with Dusty before she tries to take down your warding with nothing but acrylic nails and five-inch platform heels.”

“Of course.” He nods and I step back into the corridor and pull the door slightly to.

“What the fucking fuck is that?” She points one lethally pointed purple nail at the doorway accusingly. “As your spirit guide, how am I supposed to protect you if I can’t get past that!”

“I know, Dusty,” I say, trying to soothe her ragged temper, “but honestly, I’ll be fine. I’m in a solicitor’s office. What could I possibly be in danger from?”

She crosses her arms over her chest and pouts sulkily. “You say that like all solicitors and lawyers aren’t bottom-feeding scum of the earth that’ll stab you in the back while simultaneously charging you for the privilege.”

Mr Hadley’s dry tone comes from the other side of the door. “I heard that.”

I shove the door open and stare at him suspiciously. “I thought you said that if you’re in the office you couldn’t hear ghosts if they were on the other side?”

“I saidyoucan’t. But this is my office, I hear everything,” he replies.

“See! I told you.” Dusty stamps her foot again. “You can’t trust his lot. They never say what they mean and only deal in half-truths while twisting the facts to suit their own agenda.”

“Okay, I’m not even going to start unpacking that sentence.” I hold up my hands. “Dusty, I’ll be fine. Mr Hadley was Viv’s solicitor.” My voice softens. “This is for Viv.”

“Fine.” Dusty purses her lips and, raising her fingers in a V, she points to her narrowed eyes and then at Mr Hadley.I’m watching you,she mouths very succinctly in his direction before turning her attention back to me. “I’ll be waiting right here for you. But if you’re not back out here in one piece in thirty minutes, I’m going to whip open a can of paranormal activity that will makeThe Conjuringlook like a tea party.”

“Noted.” I smile affectionately before stepping back into the room.

Mr Hadley closes the door, shutting Dusty out. “Your companion seems very…”

“Oh, she is.” I nod before he can finish his sentence. “But there’s been a lot going on recently and she’s very protective of me.”

Danny sighs. “You know, sometimes I feel like I’m the only person in the universe who can’t see dead people.”

“That’s not necessarily a bad thing, Mr Hayes,” Mr Hadley says as he crosses the room and we follow. “But just to clarify, I myself cannot see the departed, not in the way Mr Everett can. Only within these walls, the magic of the warding allows me to see any potential supernatural threat.”

“I don’t even know where to start with that.” Danny frowns as Mr Hadley indicates the two cushioned chairs opposite his desk. “This is so weird.”

“The world you inhabit is bigger than you could possibly imagine, Mr Hayes.”

“Believe me, I’m beginning to get that,” he murmurs as we both take a seat.

Mr Hadley rounds his desk to sit behind it “Now then.” He shuffles some papers around and clears his throat. “The reason I invited you here today is not only to impart the particulars of Vivienne’s will. There are several things we need to discuss, but before I do, I need to explain what Hadley and Mason where created for and what it is we do.”

“You said you’re solicitors,” I reply.

“Yes we are.” He nods. “But that’s certainly not all we are, and not the reason for which we were founded.”

“Maybe you should start at the beginning,” Danny says, settling his hand on my knee. It’s only then I realise I’m jiggling it in agitation.

“The company of Hadley and Mason in its current incarnation was founded in 1758.” Mr Hadley settles further back into his seat. “However, it actually goes back much further than that, to 1603 and the succession of King James to the English throne.”

I smile as Danny leans forward with interest. He loves history and can’t resist picking apart mysteries. I love that about him, but it also gives me a little wistful pang of sadness. I wish Danny could have known Dad before his illness, they would have gotten along famously.