The Ghoul Next Door

chapter Thirty-Nine

The next morning I’d just reached Book Nook’s door when Jane Howe sashayed by me on the sidewalk with a smirk spread across her face. Her expression hit me the wrong way and I couldn’t handle it anymore.

“I know what you’re up to.” I gestured at her. “Did Brianna send you? I know you’re using black magic. Does Cooper know who you are?”

When I whirled around to confront her, my foot twisted and I tumbled to the pavement.

“Whoa. What are you talking about? I was just trying to help you up.”

I scrambled up from the sidewalk, trying to act tough even though I’d just landed on my butt. “The heck you were. You probably had something to do with me falling just now. And I think you had something to do with the damaged books in my store. I intend to find evidence, and when I do, I’m reporting you to the police.”

Her face reddened and her eyes narrowed. “I don’t know what the hell you are talking about, but how dare you blame me for something like that. Was it just because I came in right after it happened?”

I froze. “How did you know that it had just happened?”

She snorted. “Nice try. Did you honestly think you were smart enough to trap me into some kind of slip-up? I assumed it had just happened because you hadn’t picked the books up yet, but by the looks of your store, I wouldn’t be surprised if you just left trash on the ground.”

Now my face grew red. That was one thing I wouldn’t put up with: insulting my bookstore. I should punch her lights out right there on the sidewalk.

She folded her arms in front of her chest. “I was just trying to be friendly and help you up, but as I can see you aren’t interested in having friends. Have a nice life.” She huffed as she turned on her heel and stormed off down the sidewalk.

Maybe I shouldn’t have accused her of anything, but I still had my suspicions about the woman. If she was lying, I’d eventually catch her in it.

“I’m not an advocate of fighting, but that woman is just asking for trouble,” Elvis said.

“She seems nice if you ask me,” Candy Cherry said.

“Yeah, well, no one asked you,” I said.

When I walked into the store, I reached under the counter and pulled out the first aid kit.

“What happened? Beth asked. Are you okay?”

“I’m fine. Just a little clumsy,” I said as I stuck a bandage across my scrape.

If I didn’t figure things out soon, it would be more than my butt bruised, I’d have a bruised ego too.