These Haunts Are Made For Walking (Haunted Tour Guide Mystery Book 1) Read Online Free Page B

eyes. I screeched, clutching my chest, but relaxed when I realized it was only a cat. The animal ran ahead and stopped at the end of the hall, where it plopped down on the floor. The fluffy feline stared at me with bright green eyes, then began aggressively grooming its front paws.
    “Oh, you scared me.” I laughed.
    The cat didn’t offer a meow in return. So, the alleged haunted library had a black cat too. Why was I not surprised? I’d have to ask Tammy why there was a cat in the library.
    As I reached out and grabbed the doorknob to my office, Tammy called out from behind me, “Sorry to bother you already, but someone is here to see you.” She gave me a sly smile as she approached.
    I gestured toward my chest. “Someone wants to see me?”
    “He asked for you by name.” She had the strangest smirk on her face.
    I narrowed my eyes. “By name? Why would someone ask for me so soon?”
    She stepped back and the police officer from the tavern last night walked up beside her, in full uniform. His gaze scanned the room, then he focused on me. His expression told me I was in trouble.

Chapter Four
     
    The officer stood in front of the office door, perfectly straight in his crisp, precise uniform, with a serious look on his face. I racked my brain for anything I might have done since arriving in Devil’s Moon that could have attracted the attention of law enforcement. Sure, he had asked about me last night, but I refused to believe this was a romantic visit. Had I done something wrong on the tour? Was it a crime to knock Mrs. Clatterbuck’s purse from her hands? And in my defense, I hadn’t seen the “No Trespassing” sign when I’d accidentally walked into the building next door to my apartment instead of my own. Anyone could have made the same mistake. I had permission to be in all the buildings on the tour.
    I gave him the once-over as he crossed over the threshold, but tried not to be obvious or show my nerves. Just as I envisioned myself being shoved into the back of a police car, he showed his bright smile. Maybe being on the wrong side of the law wouldn’t be so bad after all.
    “Ms. Van Raden?” he asked, closing the distance between us.
    His broad shoulders and muscles filled out the blue uniform well. A hint of dark hair peeked out from under the edge of his cap. Now that I was up close to him, I saw that his eyes were an indigo color that almost matched the uniform—well, they had specks of electric blue framed with a beautiful shade of indigo. Not that I’d noticed that much detail. Oh, and his piercing eyes were rimmed with long, thick lashes. Not that I’d noticed them either.
    “Yes, I’m Ms. Van Raden.” I nodded. 
    He stuck out his hand toward me. “I’m Brannon Landon with the Devil’s Moon Police Department.”
    I looked at the badge displayed on his chest. “Did I do something wrong, officer?”
    His rich, rumbling laugh filled the small room. “No, you didn’t do anything wrong.”
    I relaxed a little. “Well, in that case, would you like to have a seat?” I motioned toward one of the chairs across the room. Brannon strode across the room and took a seat in front of the desk, stretching his long legs out in front of him. 
    This was the first time I’d been in the office since accepting the job. It felt as if I was invading someone else’s space. The walls were painted a bland off-white and a large oak desk dominated the room. Disheveled stacks of papers covered every surface, including an ancient computer on the right side. I had my work cut out for me.
    The large leather chair let out a swoosh as I sat down. “So, what can I do for you, officer?” I was using my professional librarian voice.
    When he looked away for a brief second, I pinched my cheeks, thinking it might add a healthy glow to my face. I wasn’t sure if that trick ever worked and then reminded myself that I didn’t care either way. Men were at the bottom of my things-I-cared-about list. At least that was