Free 2 A Reason for Murder by Morgana Best Page A

cross."
    I steeled myself for what was coming. I could hazard a guess.
    "I'm worried about you with that Jamie guy."
    I sighed.
    "Misty, can't you be happy with being single? Don't latch onto the first guy that comes along just 'cause he's good looking, or because it's nice to date again."
    I sighed more loudly. "Melissa, I am happy being single. I didn't latch onto Jamie. I know you don't like him and I understand you're concerned for me, but I am not dating him, and I'm sure he's not the slightest bit interested in me. Besides, he's on the other side of the world and I'm sure I’ll never hear from him again. Ever."
    Melissa shook her head. "Look, I know you're a hopeless romantic looking for true love and all that, but why don't you concentrate on fixing yourself up first, and then the right man will come along?"
    The atmosphere became chilled, and it wasn't due to ghosts this time.
     

"A cat has absolute emotional honesty."
    (Ernest Hemingway)
    Chapter Eleven .
     
    David Crawley had asked me to meet him at a Maitland restaurant. I was annoyed on two counts. One, I felt it was ungentlemanly of him not to offer me a ride, even though it was a business dinner, and two, I would be unable to have a glass of wine and then drive back to my motel.
    I spent a few hours on the net, and then drove back to Morpeth before dinner to see if I could find Scotty at the River Royal. This time I was in luck. He was sitting by himself under a window, not even a beer in hand.
    Mindful that I was about to drive to Maitland, I ordered a lime soda. I was surprised to find that the bartender was Mr. Suspected Fake Ghost from the Gavin King tour. He scowled at me. I took my drink and sat opposite Scotty. He did not look up. I put my bag on the ground then looked through it for a pen and notepad. When I sat back up, Scotty was still looking out the window.
    "Scotty, I'd like to ask you questions about the treasure."
    Scotty looked at me blankly.
    I pressed on. "I'm a journalist and I'm writing a story about the ghosts of Morpeth. My editor thinks the readers would like to know about the treasure you mentioned on the tour and the connection to the ghost of Baxter Morgan."
    That got Scotty's interest. "You're a journalist?"
    "Yes. I already said that earlier." Perhaps he'd forgotten.
    "You will help me find the treasure?"
    I nodded. "I'll try. I haven't found out much." I sipped the drink. It tasted a little strange. I wondered if Mr. Suspected Fake Ghost Man had spat in it. "I did have a bit of luck with my research today, though. I found out that Baxter Morgan's old place is for sale, and it's owned by the descendants of his good friend Joe Crawley." I scratched my chin. "I wonder if Joe Crawley was the one who falsely accused Baxter Morgan which led to his hanging - after all, he had a reason to murder him, given that he inherited that wealthy property."
    Scotty gasped. His face turned a ghastly hue and he erupted from his seat. He reached the door in just a few strides. I followed him outside, but by the time I got there, he was gone.
    What was that all about?
    I pondered his strange behavior all the way to Maitland, which was only a twenty minute drive. The question of the treasure intrigued me. Scotty had been of no use in that regard; I figured the rest of my night would be more pleasant. I couldn't have been more wrong.
    We sat in uncomfortable silence in the Maitland restaurant. I glanced at David while he was studying the menu, and decided to break the ice. "If there's no treasure, why does Scotty the tour guide guy insist that there is? He seems convinced. Do you know him?"
    David slammed the menu down on the table, dislodging a fork. He caught it in mid air and set it back on the table. "I know that he's a bit of a nut case. Take everything he says with a grain of salt."
    I was taken aback by David's strong reaction, so tried to make my voice extra calm. "I researched what he said on his ghost tour and it seemed accurate."
    David looked