Read Ghost Walking (A Maggie York Paranormal Mystery Book 1) for Free Online

all this hocus-pocus, she cautiously started after him. Over the next fifteen minutes, she almost turned back several times—this was ridiculous, not to mention creepy—but the figure moved on, and she followed. He finally entered an apartment building on Chartres Street.
    She stopped to check the names on the apartment buzzers. A handwritten label under 314 read B Hurst.
     

CHAPTER FOUR
     
     
    After talking with Dixie, Detective Brandt was eager to check out Hurst’s apartment, but he wanted to do it by the book. He called in for a warrant, and while he was waiting, he followed up on the matchbook lead by stopping at Daddy Mo’s lounge. It was closed, but he saw movement inside and pounded on the door until a man finally answered.
    “Sorry, we don’t open till nine. You’ll have to come back.”
    Brandt held up his badge. “Just a few questions about one of your customers.” He showed him Hurst’s mug shot. “Know this guy?”
    The man’s eyes widened. “Popular guy now that he’s dead. Come on in. I’m Sam, the owner. I was just doing some bookwork in the back office. Can I get you anything? The coffee’s on.”
    “Coffee would be great.” Brandt followed him to the bar and leaned against the counter while Sam poured two cups. The sound system played soft jazz in the background. “Coltrane, isn’t it?”
    “Yep, so smooth. He’ll always be a favorite. It gets too noisy at night to appreciate, so I put him on when I’m here by myself. Now, how can I help the PD?”
    “Tell me what you can about Bobby Hurst. What was he like? Who were his friends…and enemies?”
    “Don’t know about his enemies. I guess he had some since I heard he was shot. But he got along fine around here. I’d heard rumors now and then. Drugs, fights. But the only real conversation we had was about Saints football. We’re both big fans. Mostly he hung with his girl JoJo. They came in at least twice a week. A time or two I saw him with a black dude, lots of arm tattoos.”
    “Catch a name?”
    “Mick, I think. Can I ask what brought you to my club?”
    Brandt took a cautious sip of the steaming coffee. Hot, all right. “Advertising. Found your matchbook at JoJo’s place.”
    Sam flashed a grin. “Good to know I’m not wasting those dollars.”
    A crime scene wasn’t the best place to advertise, but maybe Sam adhered to the belief that any publicity was a good thing. “What did you mean when you said he was a popular guy now he was dead?”
    “Just that you’re not the only one who’s asked about him.” Sam polished the counter while they talked, even though it already gleamed. “Maybe I shouldn’t have talked to her, but she was such a babe.”
    Brandt was instantly alert. “Who was she?”
    “Hot-looking redhead with big blue eyes. Came in about eight-thirty last night.” Sam repeated his conversation with her. “Showed me that same photo.” Sam squinted. “Sure hope she didn’t kill him.”
    Had to be York. She was here with a mug shot before the bodies were found. Interesting. But not unexpected.
    Brandt shook his head in response to Sam’s concern. “Hurst was dead before last night.”
    “Oh, that’s good.” Sam blew out his cheeks in obvious relief. “I liked her, except for those eyes. Cop eyes, like yours. She work with you?”
    “Nope.” Brandt didn’t elaborate. “You know how to reach this Mick guy?”
    “No clue. Like I said, I only saw him once or twice.” He grinned and picked up the empty coffee cups. “He wasn’t as memorable as the redhead.”
    “No doubt.” Brandt laid a five-dollar bill on the counter. “Thanks for the coffee and conversation.”
    Sam waved him off. “It’s on the house.”
    Brandt shrugged and walked toward the door. “That’s the tip.”
     
     
     
    He drove to city hall, picked up the warrant, and headed for Hurst’s apartment. If York was tracking Hurst last night, she must have been at the crime scene with Coridan. So why had she returned