Free Les Norton and the Case of the Talking Pie Crust by Robert G. Barrett Page A

since you’ve had a tarot reading?’ asked Rose, putting the remaining cards to one side.
    ‘I’ve never had one,’ answered Les.
    ‘Well. Different readers have different interpretations. But I’ll give you my interpretation. I’ve been told I’m fairly accurate. Okay. Let’s see what you’ve got here.’ Rose turned the cards over in the order Les had placed them on the table. She studied them for a few moments, and raised her eyebrows.
    ‘All right, are they?’ asked Les. ‘I’m not going to get run over by a bus, am I? Or hit by lightning?’
    Rose slowly shook her head. ‘No. Not at all. Actually this is a very interesting spread. I can’t remember ever seeing one like this.’
    ‘Oh?’ Les stared blankly at the coloured figures on the cards. Rose tapped a card in the middle.‘This is the Hierophant. You search for things. You’ve got an open mind. You take on quests. You can solve things.’
    ‘Yeah. Fair enough,’ said Les. ‘People tell me I would have made a good copper.’
    Rose tapped another card. ‘This is the Tower. It means change. Be prepared. You’re going to have to open many strange doors. So expect the unexpected.’
    Les looked at the card. It was a bit worn. But he could make out a tower being hit by lightning and two people jumping out of a window. ‘I can dig that,’ said Les.
    ‘This is the Seven of Swords,’ said Rose, tapping the next card ‘You have to walk different paths. And someone could be offering you help or advice. Listen to them.’
    ‘Okay,’ nodded Les.
    Rose tapped another card. ‘This is the Seven of Wands. You’ve got a lot of inner strength. You’re able to do your own thing. Mentally and physically.’
    ‘Fair enough,’ said Les.
    ‘This is the Six of Cups. You’ll meet an old friend. Or an aquaintance. And something old.’ Rose shook her head. ‘This card’s a little odd in comparison to the others.’
    ‘Whatever,’ shrugged Les.
    Rose tapped the last card for moment more than the others. ‘Eight of Pentacles. Again this shows your inner strength. But there’s also something from the past that leads to the future. I’m not sure in what way. But despite your uncanny intuition, you still need guidance.’
    Les let Rose stare at the cards for a few moments. ‘So what’s the story, Rose? I’m a tower of strength, I can get things done. But I need help.’
    ‘Kind of, Les. Yes,’ nodded Rose. ‘But it’s not just the cards. It’s the way they fall.’
    ‘Oh?’
    ‘Have you been in some sort of life-threatening situation lately? Have you escaped injury, but others haven’t?’
    ‘Funny you should say that, Rose,’ answered Les. ‘I got offered a lift home the other night and knocked it back. And there was a bad accident. Some people got killed, actually.’
    ‘Right,’ nodded Rose. ‘And have you been offered an assignment or a request lately to look for something. Like an old painting. Or a book?’
    ‘That’s uncanny, Rose. A friend of mine had an old Bible stolen. And he thinks I might be able to find it. He even offered me a small reward.’
    ‘You’ll find it, Les. And you will be rewarded.’ Rose thought for a moment. ‘Although your reward could come from another source.’
    ‘But I’ll finish in front?’
    ‘Oh yes. Well in front,’ said Rose. ‘There could also be a joker in the pack. Misleading you. So expect the unexpected.’
    ‘Okay,’ said Les.
    ‘And…I don’t know.’ Rose stared at the cards a little mystified. ‘You’re going to find something old.’
    ‘Old?’
    ‘Yes. Really old,’ emphasised Rose. ‘Ancient. And on a different path.’
    ‘Sounds a little kooky,’ said Les.
    ‘Nothing to be afraid of,’ said Rose. ‘But you will be astonished. You’ll also find something else that’s old. Not quite as old. Very different to the other.’
    ‘Sounds good to me,’ said Les.
    ‘Just be careful, Les. You’ll find your desire. And you’ll do quite well. But there could be