Tick-Tock: Parlor Tricks Mystery, #5

By A.L. Kessler

Rubber ducks, disappearing balls, and clocks.

 

Lacey's life has been calm lately, but when time literally stops and causes a feud between two clock shops, some blame Lacey's magic. On top of it all, there's a giant rubber duck in a nearby lake. It's no race against time, but old stories and legends are coming to life, and Lacey finds herself front and center once again.

• Language: English
• Publisher: NovaLynn Press LLC
• Release date: Apr 23, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223952855

Book preview

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Chapter one

C opperfield, Nooccar! No! I chased after the red bunny and reverse-colored raccoon as they raced across the store, knocking over display stacks of product as they went. I let out a frustrated growl as we rounded the front of the store and came face to face with a customer.

Copperfield jumped right into her arms, and Nooccar raced out the door. I let out a huff of air and took Copperfield from the woman. I’m so sorry. The animals kind of went crazy for a moment there. Welcome to Parlor Tricks. Is there anything I can help you find?

The woman shook her head. Oh no, I’m just here to look around, maybe buy a gift or two.

I’m Lacey. If you need any help, please let me know. I put Copperfield into his cage, and his fur flowed from red to gray. I put my face near the cage. If you and Nooccar can’t get along, then both of you are going to need to stay in cages for the day.

Copperfield narrowed his eyes at me, nabbed a piece of lettuce from his tray and went to hide in his log. Mmhmm, that’s what I thought.

I looked up to see the woman walking around the store. Once I was sure she was just looking, I cleaned up the stacks that the animals knocked down.

This is such a cute store, she said, standing next to the shelf by me.

I smiled. Thank you. It’s family owned and operated.

I love local stores. This one wasn’t here last time I was in town. She smiled at me. I’m originally from Colorado.

Well, welcome home then. I’ve been here for almost five years now. It’s been a great place to set up shop. I picked up the boxes of optical illusion tricks and started stacking them. What brings you home?

Just coming to see family for spring break. She picked up a few of the optical illusion picture books. I think I’ll take these and watch my nephews try to cross their eyes to see the images.

We both gave a small laugh as we walked up to the register. Copperfield turned lavender, and the lady let out a small gasp.

Yeah, I know. His favorite color is lavender. He’s in a mood today. I shrugged and rang up the books.

Oh, do you have the time? I left my phone in the car.

I went to check my watch and frowned as I realized the time was frozen on it. The little digital numbers were faded and stuck at half-past eleven. I glanced at the computer clock to see that it was actually a quarter past noon.

Just a little after noon. I guess I’ll need to go get a new watch battery.

People with all their smart watches nowadays, I’m surprised you don’t have one.

I shrugged. I’m kind of unlucky with things like that. I lay them down, lose them, they um… disappear. It’s better to have just a normal digital watch.

Is there any place that replaces the batteries in watches anymore?

I nodded. There’s a little watch shop in the Springs, not far. They handle both digital and analog clocks and watches. It’s a neat place with lots of grandfather clocks. From what I hear, the owner is a nice guy.

Oh, I love grandfather clocks! Maybe I’ll check in there. She paid for her items and then left the shop.

I looked at Copperfield, who was once again bright red. What is your issue today?

He chattered at me and ran in circles around the cage. I rolled my eyes and went back to cleaning up the mess that he and Nooccar had made.

I picked up a joke clock and put it back on the shelf. I hmmed for a moment as I studied it. The clock was supposed to just have a ticking second hand that kept moving, while the hour hand and minute hand stayed still. But the second hand was still.

Maybe the batteries were out.

I checked the next one.

Another stilled second hand.

I’d ordered them all together, so it was possible that both batteries were out.

Trace walked in with Nooccar in his hands. Trace’s hair was getting shaggier than he normally let it get, but it still looked good on him. Today he wore a more casual plain gray suit with no tie.

Do not let him go. I’m still cleaning up his and Copperfield’s mess. I pointed to the raccoon. I don’t know what has gotten into them both, but I am not happy with them.

Trace looked at his pet. You’re causing trouble?

The raccoon made a noise and jumped out of his arms, rushing through the store again.

Trace, I’m going to smack you. I just cleaned up.

Trace raced after the animal and caught him right before he hit a pile of ‘Beginner Magic Tricks’ boxes. The only time he acts like this is when there’s magic around. Maybe I should run him home before lunch.

I glanced at Copperfield. He’s normally black if there’s magic around. Right now he’s red.

So you haven’t been practicing anything?

I shook my head. On my honor, today has been dusting shelves. Had one customer, and that was it.

Wow, slow day.

Yeah, but we’re starting tourist season. Hopefully I’ll get more soon. I’ve got funds saved up for the slow time.

Good. I’m going to put Nooccar in his kennel, and then do you want to walk to lunch?

Yeah, that’d be great. I’ll finish up the last couple things while you put him up.

Trace swapped the squirming raccoon to his other arm and then left. Moses would be here soon to take over, and I didn’t want to leave him all the cleaning if I didn’t have to. I had boxes for him to put up in the back that I was just too short to do.

Copperfield jumped around in his cage, and I turned to find that he had turned bright purple. His favorite color for Moses and his dog Cairo.

Moses walked in and dropped the dog’s leash. Cairo wandered behind the counter and laid down with a huff. The big German Shepherd looked mean, but he was really just a lazy lump of fur.

I squatted down and scratched his head. You guys are just in time. Trace and I are going to go grab lunch. It’s been a really slow day today, so there’s not much to do. There are some stock boxes in the back that need to be put up top if you could get that done. If the inventory shipment gets here before I get back, receive it in the system, and then I’ll stock things after lunch.

Sounds like a plan. If you guys go to the pizza place, will you bring me back a slice?

I nodded. Sure thing.

Moses was doing his best to turn his life around. Not long ago, he’d been homeless, sleeping in his truck, and the dog was all he had. Because of a Christmas