Chapter 10

“So, what about those nines. The Tarot reader said that she thought the universe was sending me a message through them.”

Pat’s face looked suspiciously blank at this.

“You think that’s rubbish, don’t you?” I said.

She shrugged. “A person’s got to earn a living.”

“I think she was telling me to look out for the number nine.” The phrase sounded idiotic even as I said it. Pat, however, merely nodded thoughtfully.

“Wait here,” she said, and getting up went out of the room. I heard a door open, presumably a closet. Then some miscellaneous noises, including the sound of metal coins. Another minute there was a jingling sound, and Pat reappeared, holding a black velvet bag with a gold draw-string. Tossing it to me, she said, “A purse of gold for you, sir!”

I caught the bag and hefted it. Then, examining it, I saw it was like one of those Royal Crowne whisky bags we used to keep marbles in as kids. I spread out the fabric and saw the words “Royal Crowne” stitched in gold on the fabric.