Free The War on Witches by Paul Ruditis

space.”
    Henry’s smile tightened.
    Paige did not like the look. “What?”
    â€œWhat I’m about to tell you is ultimately a good thing,” Henry said.
    â€œIf it were a good thing, you wouldn’t have to prepare me for it in advance,” Paige replied. “If it were really a good thing, I’d know that without being told.”
    â€œTrue,” Henry agreed. “It’s a crappy thing. But it’s good that we can get it taken care of now.”
    â€œI need to sit down for this, don’t I?” Paige dropped into his guest chair without waiting for a reply. “Okay. Hit me. The contractor discovered our house was built on top of some kind of ancient burial ground.”
    Henry sat in the guest chair beside her. “That wouldn’t be a problem. I’d know just the sisters to call to do a little ghostbusting.”
    â€œHenry?”
    â€œIt’s asbestos,” he said. “In the attic. And the walls.”
    Paige could not believe her ears. They were raising their children in a house built with a potentially toxic material. Was it in the bedrooms? How many nights had their kids slept in a house where the air was a potential hazard? Henry was right that it was better to know that information. But it certainly wasn’t good news by any stretch of the imagination.
    â€œHow long?” Paige asked.
    â€œThe removal and repairs should take another week,” Henry replied. “But since our house is already taking so much longer than the initial estimate, the crew is contracted for another job so it might take a bit longer for them to be available to start the project.”
    â€œAnd we’ll have to stay with Piper and Leo while we wait,” Paige said.
    â€œWe could get a hotel room for a bit,” Henry suggested. “But with the cost of the repairs, I’m not sure we can swing it.”
    â€œOh, no,” Paige said. “Piper owes me at this point. In the meantime, we need to think about suing the home inspector we used when we bought the place. After this, the faulty wiring they found, and the rotted pipes, I have to wonder if the guy was really licensed to do the job.”
    â€œAlready looking into it,” Henry said. “And speaking of looking into things?”
    For a moment, Paige had forgotten the reason she’d come to see her husband at work. Massive home repairs could easily distract from normal life. Or abnormal life, as the case may be.
    â€œSomeone’s attacking witches,” Paige said. “Or, just one witch so far. That’s what I was hoping you could find out.”
    Paige gave him the details on the attack in Hartford, knowing it was a long shot that he’d be able to dig anything up for her. It was hard enough for the parole officer to use the city’s official channels to identify supernatural crimes in San Francisco. Going outside the city limits called for even more favors. Across the country might be a few connections too far.
    â€œI can try Inspector Clauson,” Henry said, naming one of his coworkers. “He’s got contacts on the East Coast. But it’s easier if I can offer him something in return.”
    â€œDinner at Halliwell’s,” Paige said as she got up. “Anything he wants on or off the menu. And full access to the wine cellar.”
    Henry stood as well, taking his wife into his arms. “Sounds like you’re ready to give him Halliwell’s right along with it.”
    â€œThat would free up some of my time,” Paige said.
    â€œYou know, we do have enough saved up for one night in a hotel,” Henry suggested.
    â€œI really don’t see us crammed into a hotel room with the kids all that relaxing,” Paige replied.
    Henry gave her a kiss. “Who said anything about the kids?”
    Paige smiled. “I like the way you think.” Maybe it was time that Piper spent a night at home watching six kids while Paige