Amanda Cadabra and The Hidden Depths by Holly Bell (good book recommendations TXT) 📗

‘But why, Amanda? Why on earth would Mrs Pagely harm Miss Gibbs?’

‘I really can’t imagine, but she is the most likely suspect available.’

Jonathan sat silent, with wide liquid brown eyes staring at the blue carpet. Amanda wisely waited. Suddenly he looked up at her.

‘We have to do something.’

‘Yes, we do,’ she agreed

‘What though?’

Now for it. She was banking heavily on his acceptance to some degree of the fringes of the paranormal. After all, he had told her about a dream. And he had felt that it was significant. Amanda took a breath and spoke gently,

‘I think the key is what you saw in your dream. What if it’s real? I mean, what if you were seeing a past, a place and person that really existed?’

‘I suppose it’s possible.’

‘Even if it’s only in a vision, imagine if the Oracle could help us? You said you felt she’s all-knowing and, if she is, she should be able to tell me something about what happened to Samantha.’

‘We do give ourselves messages in dreams,’ Jonathan acknowledged, trying to make some sense of it all.

‘Even if that’s all it is, we need to try and access that message. Yes, so, let’s assume, hypothetically, that it’s real on some level. You say the Oracle didn’t speak to you, but I believe she’ll talk to me. So, I would need to get an audience with her.’

‘I suppose so … but how?’

‘I would need your help, Jonathan.’

He nodded.

‘But I don’t know what I can do.’

‘She likes you, that is, she accepts you on some level. So you would be able to introduce me, wouldn’t you?’

‘Well yes, but … but how? I’ve only ever been down there in dreams.’

‘That’s right. So … I – I know how to do … hypnosis … We could sort of share a trance … and go …’

‘Down there?’ Jonathan looked nervously at the floor.

‘I know you said you never wanted to again, but I’d be with you, and the inspector would be there too as a … a bodyguard for us.’

‘Well, it does sound very strange, indeed, Amanda. I have undergone hypnosis, but in a medical context, you know … and even that was …’ Jonathan sat in thought. When he spoke again, his voice was resolute. ‘But I’m willing to give it a try. If it’s all we’ve got that could help Mrs Pagely, then I’ll do whatever I can. When would this be?’ Amanda suppressed a sigh of relief. Jonathan was on board.

‘Er … now.’

‘Now?’

‘Or Mrs Pagely is arrested today.’

He spoke breathlessly. ‘All right.’

‘Let’s go down into the stacks together. I’ve brought a costume. The Oracle doesn’t seem to mind what you wear, but I thought for the inspector and me it might help.’

‘Yes, that makes sense. I’ll get the key … and tell Mrs Pagely that we’re going down to the stacks and the inspector will be joining us, that we’re helping with the investigation.’

‘That sounds good,’ agreed Amanda. She let him take the lead to the counter and stood back while he spoke to the librarian, got the key and opened up the green door to the basement. She found Tempest beside her, as though he had waited until things got interesting to turn up. Jonathan beckoned to Amanda, and she followed him down into the weak artificial light illuminating the concrete steps. The three of them descended into the oldest part of the structure.

‘I’ll go and sit at the table while you change,’ suggested Jonathan.

Amanda stayed as nearby as possible, but found a place where she was screened from view and got into Granny’s assembled outfit. She plaited her long hair and pinned it around her head to form a coronet. Against this she placed her grandmother’s tiara. Jonathan regarded the ensemble as she emerged, carrying a small bag.

‘Yes, I suppose that might work for a number of historical periods,’ he remarked.

‘Thank you, Jonathan. At this moment, I appreciate any vote of confidence!’

He smiled at that, and she joined him at the table, and he asked,

‘When do we expect the insp—’

Footsteps were descending from above, and with perfect timing, Trelawney made his entrance. Having reached the table, he shook hands with Jonathan.

‘Thank you, Mr Sheppard, for your help with this venture. I realise it’s all highly esoteric and the most tenuous of leads, but, at this moment, it’s all we have.’

‘Of course, Inspector.’

Trelawney put a midnight-blue, constellation-studded hessian bag on the table. Amanda recognised it and looked at him questioningly as he removed his jacket, stripped off his tie and undid the first few buttons of his shirt.

‘Aunt Amelia?’ she asked, doing her best not to be distracted.

‘Most helpful,’ Trelawney replied, shrugging into the waistcoat he’d brought. Watched by Amanda and Jonathan, he reached into the tote and pulled out the purple cloak. He threw it around his shoulders and immediately he appeared even taller than his six-foot height. His presence, usually so carefully contained, seemed to radiate.

A barely audible sound escaped Amanda’s lips:

‘Wow.’

Trelawney slipped the rings he had been given onto his fingers. ‘Amelia reminded me that, throughout ages past, the influential have richly dressed up their, er … staff as a status symbol. And your servant ought to do you credit, Miss Cadabra.’

‘Oh he does, he does indeed, Inspector. If you’re sure you don’t mind being my …?’

‘It is a role I am content to play. Now …’

‘I’m ready,’ said Jonathan steadily.

Amanda looked at the inspector. She wished he wasn’t watching. Doing this in front of him was disquieting. Tempest softly nudged her ankle. Somehow it steeled her nerve.

I’m a witch, she said to herself, a witch with a job to do. That’s what I have to focus on.

‘Please, close your eyes, Jonathan,’ she requested. ‘And rest your head on your arms. That’s right.’

Once she was sure his lids were closed, Amanda took her mini-wand out of the pocket of Granny’s opera coat. She unsheathed it from its IKEA pencil hiding place and began with some conventional words:

‘You are relaxed.