She clucked with sympathy as I told her how I’d seen the library door open and light on and then found Lavinia at the bottom of the stairs.

“And that’s not even the worst part,” I said.

“Oh?” Her brows crept up her forehead.

“Lavinia’s ghost claims she was pushed.”

“Ohhh.” Pepper’s eyes grew wide. She was the only one I’d told about my strange new ability and was fascinated with it. “What did she tell you?”

“Just that someone hit her on the head and then pushed her, and she won’t rest until I find whoever did it,” I said.

“And you’re going to find whoever did it?”

“I don’t have much of a choice, because I know that when she says she won’t rest, it really means that I won’t rest because she’ll keep pestering me.”

“So what’s your plan? Did she give you any clues?”

“Two clues. The person was wearing a cape and had a big ring.”

Pepper frowned. “A cape? Like a super hero?”

I laughed. “More like a super villain. I’m not sure if her account is reliable … she only saw a shadow of the killer and their hand, so I think it could have been just a loose coat they were wearing. I mean, who wears a cape?”

Pepper sipped her tea. “So what are you going to do?”

I sighed, leaning back on the couch. I was starting to feel more relaxed—maybe Pepper’s tea had worked its healing magic as intended this time.

“Well, I guess first I’ll have to ask the other shop owners if they saw anyone around the library early this morning,” I said. “Not too many people are here at that time.”

“I know Myrna comes in to the coffee shop early,” Pepper said. “Maybe she saw something?”

I glanced out the window toward the coffee shop. “I’ll pop down and ask her later. Lavinia said she was lighting a candle at church and that’s why she was here early. Maybe Pastor Foley saw someone.”

“What about the police?” Pepper started to stack the teacups back on the tray. “Surely they’ll investigate?”

“Yeah, that’s the problem,” I said. “It looks like Lavinia fell. I thought that’s what happened and I’m sure Augusta thought so, too. So, unless something comes to light, I don’t think there’ll be an investigation.”

“But, Lavinia told you—”

“Not Lavinia,” I said, cutting her off. “Lavinia’s ghost. And who’s going to believe I found out about the murder from her ghost? Nobody. In fact, it’s probably better if I don’t say anything to the police. I have a funny feeling that if I did, it would only point the finger of suspicion at me.”

***