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asked.
    I knew that was coming. “No, I am a private investigator, but I have the support of the police.”
    It wasn’t exactly the truth, but I knew if push came to shove, Buck would back me.
    There was a long pause before Boris responded. “If you will drive forward, someone will meet you at the door.”
    The massive gate swung open and I pulled forward. Suddenly I was a bit apprehensive about having that gate shut behind me. I’d heard rumors about the Petrovas. Sure, they were witches, but there were some who believed they were part of a blood cult and could actually be vampires.
    But that was ridiculous! If they were vampires, how could old man Petrova have been killed?
    I followed the tree-lined driveway until I came to Draven Court. Although I’d heard it was a sight, I wasn’t prepared for just how magnificent the estate really was. With its keep and spires, the mansion resembled an Old World castle.
    Apparently, the Petrovas were determined to keep with the old ways, even if they had to have a castle moved all the way from Europe.
    Pulling into the little parking lot at the side of the house, I killed the engine.
    Taking a deep breath to calm my nerves, I lifted my chin.
    So what if they were massively rich and kind of mysterious. They were still just witches. With a new dose of determination, I got out of the car. By the time I lifted the gargoyle knocker I was more than ready to bust someone - anyone, even the butler.
    As soon as the door swung open and I came face to face with the Boris Karloff impersonator, some of my nervousness returned. The Petrova’s butler was tall, thin, and wore his gray hair combed flat against his scalp.
    “Hello.” I forced a smile. “I’m Mercedes Costello.”
    The butler’s brows shot up, but that was the only sign he gave that he might recognize my name.
    Giving me a slight incline of his head, he said, “If you will follow me, Miss Costello.”
    When I stepped through the door it was like stepping back in time. Draven Court’s massive medieval hall was impressive.
    I wasn’t given a lot of time to take in all the armor and paintings before the butler motioned for me to follow him. He led me down a hall to a set of white doors with golden handles. Although the doors were beautiful, the strange and elaborate carvings in the molding around it seemed a little strange. I didn’t recognize the symbols as anything associated with witchcraft so I assumed it must have something to do with their blood cult.
    The room behind the door was even more luxurious than what I’d seen in the house so far. Decorated in shades of pink and gold, the sitting room resembled something out of Versailles Palace. The elegant antique Victorian style furniture was upholstered in white velvet and trimmed with gold.
    Although the room was beautiful my attention was drawn to the woman lying on the chaise lounge, near a large white-stone fireplace.
    “Madam Petrova, may I present Miss Costello … the private investigator working with the police,” the butler added.
    “Hello,” I nodded. “It’s nice to meet you.”
    Actually, I was surprised that Madam Petrova looked much the same as I’d imagined she would. She reminded me of the mother of the world’s spookiest TV family. If her hair were straighter and if she were wearing less fashionable clothes, they’d look exactly alike.
    I’d seen Mrs. Petrova once before, though it had been from a distance. It was during the town square ribbon cutting. All three of the founding families had gathered at the square for the cutting ceremony.
    Today, Glory Petrova was dressed in a white silk robe with matching slippers. Her red lips spread into a tentative smile, though that smile didn’t reach her dark eyes.
    “Mercedes, I’m surprised they would send you to take care of this task.”
    There it was - that snootiness the Petrovas were so famous for.
    “It’s my job.” I shrugged. “We are only concerned with putting to rest any unanswered