The Ghost in the Wizard’S Mirror

By Linda C. Land

At the old Ross Building, something is going bump in the night. Neighborhood kids are scared to go near it, and no one in their right mind would live there. The townspeople whisper about ghosts, but no one knows what really happened in the Ross Buildingno one but the spirits themselves.

Ten-year-old detectives Taylor and Amber know all about the place, and they also know its haunted. One night, the ghostly vision of a girl beckons them both inside, and these two sleuths cant help but wonder: Who is the ghost girl? What happened to her? And why does she seem to want their help?

Someone is keeping Taylor and Amber from the truth, and they are determined to find out who but they find themselves facing serious danger as they do so. Will the kids end up ghosts, too, just like the spirit girl who first took them to the old Ross Building? Or with a little snooping aroundand the help of two well-informed senior citizenswill Taylor and Amber solve a century-old mystery?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Trafford Publishing
• Release date: Dec 17, 2010
• ISBN: 9781426949128

Linda C. Land

When Linda C. Land is not writing or traveling with her husband, she visits local schools and libraries, encouraging children to embrace their dreams and imaginations.

Book preview

© Copyright 2011 Linda C. Land.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the written prior permission of the author.

Printed in the United States of America.

isbn: 978-1-4269-4910-4 (sc)

isbn: 978-1-4269-4911-1 (hc)

isbn: 978-1-4269-4912-8 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2010941119

Trafford rev.12/11/2010

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North America & international

toll-free: 1 888 232 4444 (USA & Canada)

phone: [phone] fax: [phone]

Dedication

This book is for my grandchildren, Taylor and Amber. Their inspiration and ideas helped make this story their own.

Contents

Chapter 1 The Perfect Gift 1898

Chapter 2 Patricia’s Tragedy

Chapter 3 Patrick’s Evil Plan

Chapter 4 The Haunted Warehouse 100 Years Later

Chapter 5 The Investigation Begins

Chapter 6 Is The Ghost Patricia?

Chapter 7 The Hidden Room

Chapter 8 For Taylor’s Eyes Only

Chapter 9 The Wizard’s Mirror

Chapter 10 The Greatest Clue Of All

Chapter 11 Call The Police

Chapter 12 The Final Investigation

Chapter 13 The Park

Chapter 14 Saying Good-Bye

Chapter 15 Cutting The Ribbon

Chapter 16 The Wizard’s Mirror Returns

Preface

This story was inspired and conceived with the help of my two grandchildren, Taylor and Amber. Amber’s dream is to become a criminal investigator. Both girls have a deep love for mysteries. Amber’s own words were, Grandma, make it heart-stopping! These two girls are not only cousins, but they are very good friends. Amber owns a German Shepherd named Lila, and Taylor owns a Boxer named Brutus. They both love their dogs and wanted them to be part of the story. That is how The Ghost in the Wizard’s Mirror came to be.

Acknowledgments

I want to give a big thank you to my daughter, Michelle, for her numerous hours of editing, reviewing, and revising. She is my sounding board for ideas, and is pretty much my co-writer. I would also like to give a big thank you to my proofreading team; Kathy, Brenda, Julie, and my oldest granddaughter Tosha.

Chapter One

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The Perfect Gift

1898

We will name her Patricia, after my dear grandmother, he said, smiling down at his wife. Pride filled his eyes. Rachael’s warm brown eyes looked down into the sleeping face of her new baby girl. Cooper, I think she looks just like you. She has your chin and your striking blue eyes. Rachael looked up at her husband lovingly. Her life was perfect. She loved the name, Patricia. She loved her husband, and she loved her new baby girl.

Cooper couldn’t have been happier. He told his wife that he wanted to buy little Patricia a gift, something she would love and enjoy forever. They were financially well off, so he could afford to get her anything. He kissed his wife and baby good-bye, and left them in the good care of the house staff. The city was filled with interesting shops. Cooper knew he would be able to find her the best gift money could buy.

He looked at every shop, from clothing to jewelry, but nothing stood out. He wanted her to have something she would enjoy for her whole life. Disappointed, he walked down the streets lined with shops, lost in his thoughts. A lady stepping out of a shop accidentally bumped into him, and they both said their polite apologies.

Is everyone okay? asked the owner of the store. That was probably my fault. Sorry. I was walking this nice lady to the door, jabbering about some new items I’m expecting next week. He walked forward and reached his hand out to Cooper. Hello, my name is Alfred, Alfred Jacks. I’m the owner and proprietor of this antique shop. He stepped back and gave a grand wave of his arm toward the name hanging proudly over his shop door. It read, Alfred Jack’s Beautiful Junk. Alfred wore a broad smile across his face. He tilted his head slightly. What is one person’s junk is another’s treasure.

The woman glanced over her shoulder at the owner and smiled. Alfred, you are much too modest. Your shop is filled with life long treasures, and you really need to change the name of your lovely shop to reflect what is truly inside these doors.

Cooper was impressed with the friendly and modest manner of this man, and was now curious about the shop. Cooper said, Well, I am looking for a very special gift for my new baby girl, and I’m not having any luck. Would you have anything in your shop that is different, or unique? I want to find something uncommon that my daughter will love and treasure forever.

The woman eagerly responded before the owner had a chance. Sir, you have found the right place, I’m sure. With that the woman said good day to both men and walked away.

Alfred opened the door to the store and Cooper stepped inside. It just so happens that I received a shipment in from London this week, and there is one item I think might be just perfect for you. Alfred led the way through his crowded shop until he came to the item he was looking for. Here it is, he said, pointing his finger out in front of him.

Cooper followed the direction of the man’s finger and laid eyes on the most incredible mirror he had ever seen. The color of the wood was not the usual dark mahogany, but more gold in color. The mirror was oval in shape, and had unique carvings around the edges of the wood. It was not too large, but not too small. Cooper stood there looking at the mirror, imagining his little girl growing up and always having this lovely mirror to reflect her beauty and his love. It was perfect. While Cooper was thinking of little Patricia growing up with this charming mirror, Alfred was chatting about the story behind the mirror. Cooper only heard half of what he said.

You see, there are those who believe that this mirror once belonged to a wizard. I can’t remember now what his name was, but it is said that he was a very powerful wizard, and that this mirror has powers of its own, Alfred said proudly.

Cooper did not need any stories about the mirror to convince him it was exactly what he wanted to buy his baby girl. This gift would last forever, and could even be handed down to future generations. Cooper was a very sentimental man. He took the mirror home, so proud that he had found this gift for their daughter. He knew Rachael would agree.

Chapter Two

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Patricia’s Tragedy

Many happy years passed by. Cooper delighted in showering both Patricia and her mother with gifts, though no gift was ever as special as the mirror. Patricia loved hearing her father tell the story of the day he found the mirror. Their lives were perfect.

Then without warning, tragedy stuck and changed their perfect lives forever. When Patricia was only eight years old, she lost her father. He died suddenly and unexpectedly.

Patricia was lost in deep sadness. Her father’s passing was so unfair. Why him, why? They had such a happy life, a wonderful home, and had always enjoyed being together. How could this have happened? No one could explain. The family doctor said he was certain that Cooper’s heart had failed. He told them no one could have prevented it. These things just happen sometimes, he said.

Her mother was the only person who understood. They spent the next few days together sharing memories and tears. Her father’s cousin, Patrick, had stepped in and was taking care of all the funeral arrangements and contacting family and friends.

Rachael held Patricia tightly to her and cradled her in her arms. Holding her close she told her how happy her father had been the day she was born. He wanted to buy you the perfect gift; one you would enjoy forever. Her mother spoke the words softly in her ear. He hurried off to the city as fast as he could, determined to not come back without something very special, just for you.

Patricia had heard this story a hundred times, but she never tired of it. She snuggled even closer to her mother and listened to her soothing voice.

When he came home with your mirror he was so proud. He knew he had found a lasting treasure you would enjoy and always love. And he was right, wasn’t he? Rachael pulled Patricia back and smiled down into her daughter’s eyes. A tiny smile tugged at the corners of Patricia’s mouth, but tears filled her eyes. Rachael couldn’t help but think about how much Patricia had grown to look like her father.

Yes, he found me the perfect gift, and no one can ever take it away. I will have it forever. Then she looked up into her mother’s eyes and asked, Mother, will I ever be happy again?

The question stabbed at her mother’s heart. I don’t know Petty Pat, but I do know that he would not want either of us to be unhappy. We have to try very hard to put the sadness aside and to live the happy life he wanted for both of us.

Another smile attempted to show itself at the mention of her nickname, Petty Pat. Her father gave her the nickname when she was very little. He loved hearing the sound of her bare feet smacking down on the hardwood floors as she ran through the house. When she started school he stopped using the nickname, but every now and then he let it slip out. She didn’t mind, she loved it.

Mother, I want to be called Pat from now on. Father loved to tease me and call me Petty Pat. The name Pat is as close to Petty Pat as it gets. It would make me happy. Will you start calling me Pat…please?

Of course I will, it sounds very beautiful. Now Miss Pat, let’s see if we can get through this together, and try to find our smiles again. Her mother gave her a big hug and held her close for a long time.

The day of her father’s funeral was mostly a blur for Patricia. Her mother was surrounded by grieving friends, relatives, and neighbors. Her father’s cousin, Patrick, never left her mom’s side.

There were so many people in the house; it seemed to be overflowing with tearful faces. Many of them Patricia recognized and many she did not. All day long visitors would search her out to give her a hug and their heartfelt comfort. Patricia was very grateful that she had her best friend Amy with her. Amy stayed right beside her all day, and did what she could to comfort her. Amy held Patricia’s hand and had extra handkerchiefs available for them both. Each time Amy looked into her friend’s sad face it broke her heart. She so badly wanted to find the right words, something that could take away all of Patricia’s pain.

It was a very long day, and one that everyone was grateful to put behind them. So many people had come to their home. Cooper had been an outstanding member of their small town, and of the big city nearby. All who knew him loved him, but Patricia doubted that anyone loved him as much as her mother or herself.

Patricia was exhausted, but she didn’t want Amy to leave. It had been so comforting to have her best friend by her side all day. She gave her a shaky hug good-bye, and turned to walk into the now empty house. For a moment she stood in the large hall of their home. In the distance she could hear soft muffled voices coming from the dining room. She realized that a few family members must have remained behind to give support to her mother.

Patricia didn’t want any more hugs, and she couldn’t bear to see her mother crying, so she slipped away up the long lonely staircase to her room. Her house felt strange and lonely. She wondered if it would ever feel warm and cozy again. She walked quietly into her room and sat down in front of her mirror. She stared into it, thinking about her father and how much she missed him.

For the next couple of weeks Patricia passed through each day in a fog. She didn’t remember eating, or bathing, or getting up every morning, but knew that she had. The only thing she did remember very clearly was that Patrick had been there every day since the funeral. When she asked her mother why he was still there her mother explained that Patrick had rented a house very close by. He had told Rachael that he wanted to be available for them, and he would take care of anything they might need or want.

The only thing Patricia wanted was her father, and she knew Patrick couldn’t fix that.

One day, she came downstairs in search of her mother. The house was very still. She