Page 17 of Petty Deadly Gorgeous

This cold case baffled me. Usually, after looking over the old case notes, evidence notes, statements, something would jump at us. Something that told us this was the place to begin the search. This time, there was nothing.

“Bupkis!” I slammed my hands on the steering wheel. “That’s what we got. Bupkis!”

Dammit! My twenty years as a cop should be a huge help right now.

With a shake of my head, I leaned forward and turned my radio back up. Maybe some music would help me get outside of my head and give me fresh eyes to see what we were overlooking in the cases.

I heard the crack of thunder and saw spikes of lightning touch down.

How appropriate. I’m heading into a rumored haunted town, and the weather plays along.

It felt like time slowed as I rolled past the welcome to Castle Hollow sign. Leaves blew in the wind, fat drops of rain splashed on my windshield. I could see each one individually, and it reminded me of what I thought crocodile tears were as a kid.

An ominous feeling started at the top of my head and casually strolled over my body, making me shake.

“What the hell?” I looked from side to side and then focused out the windshield and, with a blink of my eye, time moved as though it never slowed down.

As I drove closer to Caste Hollow, the signs on the side of the road noted the change from the highway to Main Street. The community center came into view, beside it the post office and then City Hall. On the other side of the street, I saw a barber, salon, grocery store and a restaurant.

Then a sign for the Serene Raven, which sat back in its grandeur, calling your attention. I veered around the water fountain in the middle of town and drove up the long drive to the Inn.

The building itself reminded me of something straight out of a Hitchcock film. Old. Gothic. Spooky. But inviting. My eyebrow quirked up as I felt the strange pull to the inn.

“Stop being a superstitious pansy, Dom.” I huffed a frustrated breath at myself and pulled into the parking area. “I wonder if Vincent Price will greet me at the door?”

Laughing at my stupidity, I shut off the car, grabbed my blazer, and climbed out. The grounds were impressive. Perfectly manicured lawn, sculpted trees, flowers in bloom. If I had time to take a vacation, this would be ideal.

I followed the path up to the sidewalk and then up the stairs to the door. A welcome sign hung to the left of the main door and I entered slowly, my eyes scanning and taking in all the décor. Inside felt as though I stepped through a portal back in time. Antique furniture filled the sitting room. To my right stood a coat tree with an umbrella holder.

“Haven’t seen one of those in years.” I mused aloud.

“That was one of Mistress Ramona’s favorite pieces.” A deep male voice resonated through me. Lifting my head, I looked around and soon saw a young man walking my way. “Welcome to the Serene Raven.”

“Thank you.” I nodded and stared at his unnaturally bright green eyes. “I am looking for Miss Anna Bishop.”

“Of course.” He smiled. “May I tell her who’s come calling?”

“Dominick Moody.”

“Don’t you mean officer?” He winked at me.

My head tilted as my eyes narrowed. “Detective.”

“Apologies, Detective.” He gave me a bow and turned on his heel.

Once he left my sight, I went back to surveying the room. It reminded me of my great-grandma’s living room. No television. One large picture window and several small ones with heavy drapes, plants placed strategically to get the best light and seating for everyone to be included.

Behind me stood an old oak counter that served as the front desk with a fancy internal mailbox system on the wall organized with keys. I took a few steps over and strolled down the hallway to a small shop that reminded me of how hippies smell.

Shelves lined the walls, conveniently at eye level height, with small drawers beneath them. My shoes clicked on the old wood floors as I wandered over and opened a drawer up to find neatly organized soaps that matched the display.

“Are you needing something to moisturize your skin? Or something to draw a special someone closer?” A smokey woman’s voice came from behind me.

“Actually, I was just sating my curiosity.” I closed the drawer and turned to see who joined me. Years of being a cop helped me keep my face neutral as I took in the beauty standing there.

Thick blond hair piled high on her head in a messy bun, exposing a long, elegant neck. Shapely legs hugged by leggings that left nothing to the imagination and a cropped tee shirt sporting the inn’s logo. As she shifted her weight from one leg to the other, the shirt moved, exposing the tiniest sliver of her pale skin.

“You know, curiosity killed the cat.” She flashed me a bright white smile.

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