Chapter 19

Brad walked up the two stone steps leading to the front doors. Etched stained glass made up the top half of the double doors. An old-fashioned bell pull hung from the outside wall to the left. Brad reached forthe cord and pulled on it. In the distance, Justin heard a deep hollow ring.

“Ridiculously dramatic,” Brad said, smirking.

“Don’t tell me the door will be opened by a butler?”

Brad laughed. “No, not quite that bad.”

The sound of footsteps approached from inside. Justin waited, wondering if Brad’s mother or stepfather would let them inside. He hadn’t seen the witch…er…Doctor Callahan since he’d left California.

The doors flung open and standing in the entryway was a strange bald man with a thin brown mustache. He was dressed in casual brown slacks and a tan polo shirt.

“Ah Brad, come in.” The man eyed Justin. “You must be the mystery writer.”

“Yes, sir.”

The man stepped aside to allow them to pass into the house. “I’m Bill Shelton, Brad’s stepfather.”