Free Mission to Murder by Lynn Cahoon

not harm.”
    “That’s not what I’ve heard.” I shook my head. “I’m not ready to believe this stuff, sorry.” I glanced back at Toby, who now had a line at the counter. “And I need to get back to work.”
    She tightened her grip on my hand. “Go see the place you’ve been watching. The woman will contact you there.”
    Great, now I was part of an old spy movie? Go along with it, I told myself, and she’ll leave. I started to speak, but Esmeralda waved my words away. “Just promise me you’ll try.”
    As I stood, she watched, her face focused on mine, pleading for me to listen. “Weirder things have happened. I’ll go to the place after work.”
    “You’ll learn to trust me one of these days, Jill.” She picked up her latte and the newest edition of People and started reading. Apparently I was dismissed. I grabbed my coffee cup, took a sip, and thought about my morning. Only in South Cove would the local psychic track you down at your job to bring the news of the other world.
    I washed my hands when I went back behind the counter. Toby glanced at me. “Something I should know about?”
    “You handle the strange and unusual now?” I smiled and shook my head. “Everything’s fine. She’s delivering a message from the other side.”
    “Craig Morgan’s not harassing you from the dead now, is he?” Toby kept a straight face but his lip twitched.
    I threw a clean towel over my shoulder. “Would you believe me if I said yes?”
    Toby’s eyes widened. “Seriously? I was kidding.”
    I started the espresso machine. “That’s funny, so was I.”
    The lady standing at the counter snickered. “She got you.”
    Toby raised his eyebrows and focused back on the customer. “This time. I’ll get her back. Just not when she’s expecting it. What can I get you, sweetheart?”
    For an hour, the business kept steady, and before I knew it, the line disappeared. I glanced toward the couch. Esmeralda was gone, as well, having left during the rush. I still felt her presence, pushing on me to follow through with my promise. Aunt Jackie slipped in next to me. “I need to talk to you.”
    “You and everyone else today.” I nodded at Toby. “You okay here for a while? I’ve got to step out and visit our new neighbor.”
    He glanced at the clock. “You’re done in fifteen minutes anyway. Take off early, isn’t that the perk of being the owner?”
    “Yeah, I hear rumors like that.” Nodding to Jackie, I added, “Though maybe I’m just the person who thinks she’s the boss.”
    “If you want to say something, spit it out.” Jackie put her hands on her hips.
    I put my arm around my aunt and pulled her to the door. “I’m kidding with you.” Kind of. Aunt Jackie was a bulldozer when it came to getting what she wanted. No matter what the cost.
    “Well, be that as it may, I need another check signed for the travel costs for our mystery author.” Jackie shrugged off my arm and held the door open for me. “So before you leave, come into the office.”
    “Seriously, you need to tell me what’s going on. I can’t be signing blank checks all the time.” I narrowed my eyes at my aunt, trying to gauge her determination.
    She didn’t even blink.
    “At least, could you tell me how much the check’s going to be? I might have to add funds to the account.” I tried to bargain with her.
    “You think I’m an idiot? We have plenty in the operating fund and by the time you do the monthly bookkeeping, the secret will be out.” She put her hand on my arm to still me. “Wait, where are we going?”
    “I told you, to visit with Josh Thomas.”
    Jackie stopped walked. When I looked back to see what was going on, she shook her head. “No way am I walking into his store. The man looks at me like I’m a daily special down at Lille’s diner.”
    “Whatever.” I pulled her arm. “You’re imagining it.”
    “The man wants me. I’m not so old I don’t see it when a man lusts for my body.” She shook off my