Witch Is When I Said Goodbye (A Witch P.I. Mystery Book 10) (20 page)

“Take him to the station!” She shouted to the police officers. Then almost as an afterthought, she turned back to me. “Thanks.”

“Sorry. I didn’t catch that.”

Chapter 25

The next day, I still couldn’t believe I’d actually got a ‘Thanks’ from Maxine Jewell. Wonders would never cease. I felt like celebrating. Mad had been pestering me to have a night out ever since she’d returned to Washbridge, so I called her, and said I was up for it if she was. Mad was always up for it—I should have known. We arranged to meet that night.

But first, there was something else I needed to do.

I’d had something on my mind ever since my brief meeting with my father. I needed to talk it through with someone otherwise I’d burst. And it had to be someone who could look at it dispassionately, so definitely not family.

I’d called Daze and asked her if she could spare me a few minutes. She said she could, but that she was working, and that I should meet her at a small, private airfield to the south of Washbridge. I readily agreed—I desperately needed to get this thing off my chest.

When I arrived there, it was deserted except for a couple of mechanics working on a small executive jet. They didn’t take any notice of me as I drove through the gates, parked, and then waited near the airstrip—just as Daze had instructed.

I was a few minutes early, and there was no sign of her yet. Then, I heard a noise; a small light aircraft was headed towards the airfield. I thought at first it was coming in to land, but then I saw someone leap out of the plane. I was mesmerised as I watched the skydiver plummet towards the ground. When the canopy finally opened, I could see that it wasn’t one person; it was a piggy-backed instructor and pupil.

Moments later, they made a perfect landing only a few yards away from where I was standing. The instructor was none other than Daze. The pupil uncoupled herself, thanked Daze, and then headed towards the main building.

“I take it this is your new job?” I was constantly amazed at Daze’s versatility.

“Yeah, but to be honest, it’s a bit boring.”

“Boring? Skydiving?”

“There’s lots of hanging around. It’s not as exciting as you might think. Have you ever tried it, Jill?”

“No, and I don’t intend to. Are you working on a case?”

“Yeah. We’re after a gang of wizards. We’ve had a tip-off they’ve been using this airstrip to bring in Whizzbang.”

“What’s that?”

“It’s a type of confectionery made in Candlefield, but for some reason it has an inebriating effect on humans. It’s almost the equivalent of four beers.”

“And they’re smuggling it in?”

“That’s right. So Blaze and I are working undercover.”

“Where is Blaze?”

“He’s working as a skydiving instructor too. He’ll be on the next trip.”

“But surely he’s too small.”

“You’d be surprised. He’s okay with some of the smaller ladies.”

“I’ll take your word for it.”

“Anyway, why did you want to see me, Jill?”

“You’re probably going to think I’m crazy but—” I hesitated.

“Go on.”

“I met with my birth father recently.”

“I’d heard he was back. I didn’t think you’d want to see him.”

“I didn’t, but then I bumped into him when we tried to get the jump on TDO at the Fleur Hotel.”

“What was he doing there?”

“That’s a good question. He said he’d followed me there to try to persuade me to talk to him.”

“You don’t sound convinced.”

“I don’t know what to think. That’s why I wanted to talk to you. I’ve had this crazy idea, and I need someone to tell me that I’m not insane.”

“Go on.”

“Do you think it’s possible that my father is TDO?”

“TDO? Your father?”

“I know it sounds crazy.”

“It does a little. What makes you think he might be?”

“Apart from him turning up at the Fleur? Nothing really. But when I sat down and talked to him, the thought just popped into my head. The story goes that he dabbled with black magic, and fell in with a bad crowd.”

“It’s a long leap from there to him being TDO.”

“I know. But I need to be sure. That’s why I was wondering.”

“Go on.”

“There’s no way I can follow him. He’s bound to spot me, but—”

“You thought I could.”

“It’s a lot to ask, I know.”

“I think you’re barking up the wrong tree, but I can start to keep tabs on him as soon as we’ve finished on this case, if you like?”

“Thanks, Daze. That would be great.”

***

Mad and I had arranged to meet inside Bar Ten. I’d been there a couple of times before, but not recently. They’d obviously spent a lot of money on the place since my last visit; it was looking quite splendid.

“Jill, sorry I’m late.” Mad was out of breath when she arrived. The contrast between Mad and Madeline was unbelievable. In the daytime Madeline, the librarian, was all prim and proper in her woollen suits, with her hair up in a bun. But Mad, the woman in front of me, was the polar opposite. Her hair was down, and had a mind of its own. She was wearing a skirt which was little more than a belt, and a very low cut top. She looked hot!

“What’s that you’re drinking?” She pointed to my glass.

“Orange.”

“We are
not
drinking orange juice tonight. I plan to get hammered. I want to forget all about Washbridge Public Library. I’ve had my fill of stamping books, filing books, and logging books on the computer. I need something to numb my brain, and help me to forget about it.”

I knew better than to argue with Mad, so we both hit the hard stuff. But, there was no way I could keep pace with her, and I wasn’t even going to try. That girl could put drinks away like there was no tomorrow. I had one to every three she had, and yet I felt way tipsier than she seemed to be.

After a couple of hours in Bar Ten, Mad grabbed my arm. “There’s a new club not far from the library called Hunk. Have you heard of it?”

“I can’t say I have.”

“It’s in the old Palace building. You remember the Palace? We used to go there when we were teenagers.”

“Yeah, of course I do. What a dump that was.”

“It’s been completely re-vamped; it opened a couple of weeks ago. Shall we give it a try?”

It wasn’t really a question because she was already dragging me out the door.

The building was barely recognisable. Kathy, me, Mad and one or two others used to go to the Palace regularly. I’d met one of my first boyfriends there—another loser. But the building had been transformed. It was all glass and black metal. ‘Hunk’ was a strange name for a club, but the place looked nice enough.

Wow! It had better be good for that entrance fee.

The décor was amazing, and the music was buzzing. But there was something strange about the place. I just couldn’t figure out what it was.

Then it came to me.

There were hardly any men in the club. The few that were there were either working security or behind the bar. What was going on?

We’d only been there for a few minutes when the lights dimmed, and a spotlight lit up the stage.

“Ladies,” a voice came over the speakers. “For your pleasure and delight, we are pleased to introduce:
All-Men
.”

Suddenly, from behind the curtain, five men rushed onto the stage.
Now
, I understood why the club was called Hunk, and why the audience was predominantly women. The men went straight into their routine: gyrating, dancing, and then ripping off their shirts to reveal six-packs. The women near the front of the stage screamed and lunged forward. The men obviously knew exactly what they were doing, and managed to stay just out of reach.

“Let’s get a bit closer,” Mad said.

“No, I’m okay here, thanks.”

“Come on, Jill.” She grabbed my arm, and pulled me closer to the stage. Just then, the man on the far right of the stage, who was wearing a cowboy hat, caught my eye. Why did he look familiar?

It was Jethro! Aunt Lucy’s ex-gardener. I knew he’d produced his own calendar, but I’d no idea he was now working in Washbridge in a male dance troupe. Just wait until I told the twins about this. They’d be green with envy.

Two hours later, and I was out on my feet.

“Come on, Jill. Let’s go on to another club,” Mad yelled over the music.

“I can’t, Mad. I’m sorry. I’m done for.”

“Come on. The night’s young.”

“No, you go ahead. I have to go home. I can’t take any more. I’m sorry.”

“Okay, then. Are you sure you don’t mind if I go off by myself?”

“Of course not. Go and enjoy yourself.”

***

Nobody told me it was raining!

When we’d arrived at the club, it had been fine, if a little chilly. Now, the heavens had opened. And did I have a coat? No. Or an umbrella? Of course not.

“Where are all the taxis?” I asked the bored-looking doorman. I’d expected there to be a line of them parked outside the club.

“They don’t turn up until just after two a.m. when it’s chucking out time. Hardly anyone leaves before then. Why are you going home so early? Had too much to drink?”

“No. I’m perfectly sober, thank you very much.” I hiccupped.

He grinned. “If you say so.”

I was. Well not entirely sober, but I knew my limit, and had switched back onto orange juice much to Mad’s disgust. I was just the right side of ‘merry’.

“Where will I get a taxi?”

“They’re all down on the high street at this time of night. Most of the late night bars turn out about now.”

By the time I made it to the high street, I would have looked like a drowned rat.

“Do you have a phone number I can call?”

“There’s two or three next to the payphone.” He pointed. “But you’re unlikely to get one any quicker. There are plenty of fares for them on the high street without having to come out of their way. Why don’t you go back inside until the show’s over? Those overpaid narcissists have another set to do yet.”

“I take it you’re not a fan of All-Men?”

“All-Men?” He laughed. “They should be prosecuted under the Trade Description Act. None of them would last five minutes in the ring with me.”

“You’re a boxer, then?”

It was a stupid question. He hadn’t got his broken nose and cauliflower ears from an origami class.

“I could have been a contender.”

Someone had been watching too many movies.

What to do? Suffer another hour in Hunk by myself? Mad had already shot off. Or get soaked to the skin?

“Jill!”

A car had pulled up in front of the club.

“Jill, come on! I’ll give you a lift.”

It was Drake.

“Looks like your luck’s in,” the boxer said, as I hurried to the car.

“Jump in!”

I dived into the passenger seat.

“Horrible weather.” Drake smiled.

“Where did you come from?” I was mighty pleased to see him, but couldn’t work out how he’d turned up out of the blue like that.

“I’ve been at a business function; it overran a little.”

“It must have done.”

“It’s lucky I spotted you as I was driving past.”

“What was the function? It must have been good to keep you out this late.”

“Trust me, it wasn’t. I’d been trying to get away for the last two hours.”

By the time Drake pulled up outside my block of flats, the rain had stopped.

“Thanks for the lift. You saved me from a soaking.”

“Do you want me to walk you in?”

“No, I’ll be fine from here. Thanks again.”

I waved him off and then made my way inside. What a spot of luck that he happened to be passing.

It was only when I got inside my flat that a thought occurred to me: How had Drake known where I lived?

What’s next for your favourite P.I. and witch superstar, Jill Gooder?

What craziness does Winky have in store?

Find out in the next book:

Witch Is When Stuff Got Serious

(Witch P.I. Mysteries #11)

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