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it, along with two earthenware mugs, on the table. “I have to tell you, Misty, I don’t believe in such things as ghosts and haunted houses. I believe there is a reasonable explanation for everything.” I stared straight at her. “Including anything unusual that might be in the attic.”
    If Misty knew what I was referring to, she didn’t give any sign, not so much of an eye flicker. Instead, she nodded as if she knew what I was going to say all along.
    “I could sense you were a non-believer the moment I set eyes on you. But rest assured, a few weeks of living in this house will alter that perspective. When it does, I’ll be here for you.”
    “Leith also mentioned you were on retainer,” I said, determined not to be swayed or swindled. “He also mentioned the reward.”
    “Naturally I’d want to be compensated for my time, the same as you or anyone else would be,” Misty said, her black eyes flashing. “However, my offer isn’t contingent on money. It’s about finding the truth about your mother and ensuring that no danger befalls you, as it did your father. I warned him to be careful, but of course he wouldn’t listen. Obstinate as a bull. A typical Taurus.”
    As a Taurus myself, I didn’t appreciate the commentary, but I chose to ignore it. What I couldn’t ignore was the fact that she knew my father’s astrological sign. Just how close had they become before his death? Instead, I tried to imagine whether a faulty safety harness could have been anything besides an accident. But surely the official investigation would have revealed, if not hinted at, foul play, had it existed? I made a mental note to contact the site supervisor and see what I could find out.
    “There’s no reason to believe my father’s death was anything but accidental.”
    Misty fluttered her blue fingernails. “If it makes you rest easier believing that, Callie, then by all means, although I will say it’s narrow-minded thinking on your part. If you’re sincere about solving the mystery of your mother’s murder, then you must also accept that your father may have been coming into the truth. That knowledge may have killed him.”
    I poured the tea, as much to settle my nerves as to play hostess. What the hell had I got myself into? If Misty was right, I could be in danger. Maybe I needed to invest in an alarm system in addition to new locks.
    “It’s only prudent to consider all possibilities, Callie,” Misty said, interrupting my thoughts. “To take necessary precautions should the need arise. As I said before, I’m willing to help you, should you decide to accept my offer in the future.”
    “I’ll bear that in mind. I do have a question for you now that you’re here.”
    “Ask away.”
    “Do you still have a key to the house?”
    “A key? No, of course not. I returned the front and back door key when I moved out. Why?”
    “I’m having the locks replaced today and it made me wonder who might still have a key. I gather it’s been some time since the locks were changed.”
    “Really? I just assumed there were new locks when I moved in. It’s disturbing to think someone else could have had a key while I lived here. You’re wise to install new locks.”
    “May I ask you something else?”
    “Of course.”
    “Have you ever been in the attic?”
    “The attic?” Misty frowned, accentuating the already prominent lines in her forehead. “First you ask me if I have a key, which I do not, and now you want to know if I’ve been in the attic, which I have not. I’m beginning to feel as if you’re accusing me of something, and I have to say I don’t appreciate it.”
    Misty’s indignation seemed genuine, though I suspected that her line of work required considerable acting skills. Still, putting Misty on her guard was probably not the best way to approach this.
    “I didn’t mean to offend you. I just wondered if there were mice up there. One of the movers thought he heard noises. It was probably