Haunted Renovation Mystery 1 - Flip That Haunted House by Rose Pressey

terrifying thought
popped into my head: what if the killer really came after me? Say,
oh-I-don’t-know-like, while I was driving to town. I trembled at
the notion. No, I couldn’t live in fear.
    The historic section of town was full of old
buildings and cobblestone streets. Brick sidewalks and ornate black
lampposts with matching planters lined the length of Main Street.
Everything anyone needed was right there in town—from an old-time
barbershop to bookstore.
    My reason for making the trip was Home
Depot, but I’d caught a glimpse of a new boutique the other day and
couldn’t wait another minute to check it out. I parked my car right
in front, not a lot of shoppers out at that time of the morning.
The cute Sweet Suzie’s sign dangled above the door—a pink
background with a colorful rendering of a round-faced cartoon-style
Suzie. I pushed on the old door and stepped inside. A bell chimed
announcing my entrance. The aroma of cinnamon and other spices hit
me. A comfy feeling enveloped me.
    “Welcome to Sweet Suzie’s,” a sweet southern
voice said. A round-faced woman with short brown hair looked up
from her paperwork. “May I help you?”
    “Thank you, I’m just browsing. You have a
lovely shop.” I glanced around. Whimsical hand-painted signs with
colorful sayings dotted the walls. Knickknacks lined the many
shelves.
    “You’re Alabama Hargrove, aren’t you?” She
asked with a huge smile.
    “Yes, I’m Alabama.” I scrunched my brow.
    Apparently, I was already the talk of
town.
    “I’m Suzie Simmons. I heard about what
happened to you, and let me just say, it’s terrible. How are you
holding up? I can only imagine how you must feel.” She paused to
catch her breath. “It must have been terrible to discover Payne
Cooper like that.”
    “I’m doing all right.” I diverted my eyes,
looking around the store. I hoped she would take the hint. Too many
horrific visions popped into my head.
    “Well, I’m glad to hear that. Are you
looking for something specific?” I could the feeling she was
suspicious of my visit.
    “I’m not sure. Everything is so nice. I
suppose I’ll know it when I see it. Your store is so charming.”
    “Thank you. That is so sweet of you to
say.”
    I sniffed a candle. “This smells
divine.”
    “Don’t you just love those? I’m the only
store around these parts that carries them.” She shuffled papers,
then smiled.
    “Oh, I guess I need a bunch then.” I
chuckled.
    The bell on the door jingled announcing
another customer and we turned to see who’d entered.
    “Well, if it isn’t Carolyn. It’s about time
you stopped by,” Suzie said.
    I looked at the woman as she moved our way.
Her appearance was if she was going for the fortuneteller-chic
look. Her long auburn hair fell to her shoulders. She wore a long
white skirt that swayed with each swing of her hips and a brown
blouse that reached below her waist with wisps of fabric hanging
from each side.
    “I sense tragedy around you. Plus, there’s a
spirit here with you.” She waved her hands through the air.
    “Carolyn, this is Alabama Hargrove.” She
informed her with a wink.
    “Oh, you are too precious. And so pretty,
too.” Carolyn stared me up and down.
    “Alabama, this is Carolyn Flanagan. She’s
not real subtle.” Suzie chuckled. “If you didn’t take her hint,
she’s a psychic.”
    “A psychic medium,” Carolyn corrected. “I
see and hear spirits.”
    Another psychic in Rosewood? I was surprised
I had heard about her already. Lacey was the only psychic in the
area that I knew of. I needed to get out more. Maybe I stayed home
and moped over my lack of successful career too much.
    “Pleased to meet you.” She gripped my hand
in a tight squeeze.
    “So you see spirits?”
    “That’s right.” She grinned. “But don’t
think I’m crazy or anything.”
    “Oh, no, I didn’t. I don’t.”
    “There’s a spirit with you here right now,”
she said matter-of-factly.
    “I do?” I looked