The unusual mayor marhea.., p.1
The Unusual Mayor Marheart, page 1
Contents
Title Page
Also by Tammie Painter
What Readers Have to Say...
Sugar
The Unusual Mayor Marheart
A Note Before We Begin...
Prologue - A Squishy, Squidgy Meeting
1 - He is the Walrus
2 - Samples and Sweepers
3 - Working with Fred
4 - The Rosaria Herald
5 - The Surprise
6 - The Bunny and the Vacuum
7 - Agency Doldrums
8 - Not for the First Time
9 - Cracking the Case
10 - The Real Reason
11 - Vacation Plans
12 - That Color Suits You
13 - The Cotswolds
14 - Gary the Goldfish
15 - A Genie in the Workroom
16 - A Mayoral Case
17 - Missing Marbles
18 - One-Upping the Walrus
19 - Chocolate Attack
20 - The Advisor
21 - Chez Fiona
22 - Tremaine's Toy Shop
23 - Connecting Dots
24 - The Facts of LIfe
25 - Boiling Charms
26 - Invisibility Ointment
27 - A Squidgy Client
28 - The Burning Wand
29 - Bookman's Bookshop
30 - The Pawnshop
31 - No Escape
32 - Police Humor
33 - The Sorcerer's Skein
34 - Making Amends
35 - Brains!
36 - Calls and Emails
37 - Sparks and Sparklies
38 - Magic Suspension
39 - Alchemist's Almonds
40 - Where Journalism Means Integrity
41 - Christmas Sweaters
42 - Bitter Sacher Torte
43 - Contract Negotiations
44 - No Longer Welcome
45 - Customer Service
46 - Scone-Filled Wisdom
47 - Portal Problems
48 - Polite Groveling
49 - An Offer You Can't Refuse
50 - The Emergency
Unplanned Adventures: Behind the Story
Also by the Author
Free Stuff!!
About the Author
Your Opinions Please!
Back Copyright
The Unusual Mayor Marheart
Book Four of The Cassie Black Trilogy
by
Tammie Painter
Yes, Book FOUR, because trilogies (like sourdough starters) refuse to be tamed!
Also by Tammie Painter
The Undead Mr Tenpenny: Cassie Black #1
The Uncanny Raven Winston: Cassie Black #2
The Untangled Cassie Black: Cassie Black #3
The Unwanted Inheritance of the Bookman Brothers
Hoard It All Before (A Circus of Unusual Creatures Mystery)
Tipping the Scales (A Circus of Unusual Creatures Mystery)
Fangs A Million (A Circus of Unusual Creatures Mystery)
Beast or Famine (A Circus of Unusual Creatures Mystery)
The Great Escape: 15 Tales of Humor, Myth, and Magic
Domna: A Serialized Novel of Osteria (Six-Part Series)
The Trials of Hercules: Book One of the Osteria Chronicles
The Voyage of Heroes: Book Two of the Osteria Chronicles
The Maze of Minos: Book Three of the Osteria Chronicles
The Bonds of Osteria: Book Four of the Osteria Chronicles
The Battle of Ares: Book Five of the Osteria Chronicles
The Return of Odysseus: Book Six of the Osteria Chronicles
Discover more at TammiePainter.com
WHAT READERS HAVE TO SAY...
About The Undead Mr Tenpenny…
"…a clever, hilarious romp through a new magical universe…"
—Sarah Angleton, author of Gentleman of Misfortune
"Wow and wow again! I absolutely loved this book! You get such a feel for the characters and the story is so fast paced you don't want to put it down."
—Goodreads Reviewer
"Man oh man, did I love this book!"
—Jonathan Pongratz, author of Reaper
"…suffused with dark humor and witty dialogue, of the sort that Painter excels at…"
—Berthold Gambrel, author of Vespasian Moon’s Fabulous Autumn Carnival
"…a fun and entertaining read. Great wit too."
—Carrie Rubin, author of The Bone Curse
About The Uncanny Raven Winston…
"More, please!"
—Goodreads Reviewer
"…quirky with a capital Q, and I mean that in the best way! …I laughed out loud several times while reading this…"
—Bookbub Reviewer
"Magic, mayhem, mystery, it’s all here."
—Bookbub Reviewer
About The Untangled Cassie Black
"…a great ending to a truly delightful ride."
—Bookbub Reviewer
"…super captivating! If you love magical hijinks, punny witticisms, and crazy adventure, then this is the series for you!"
—Bookbub Reviewer
"A truly satisfying end to a charming, funny, action-filled trilogy."
—Goodreads Reviewer
"You can never have too much sugar."
—Jodi Taylor
Lies, Damned Lies, and History
THE UNUSUAL MAYOR MARHEART
A NOTE BEFORE WE BEGIN...
Just a little housekeeping before we jump into Cassie’s new adventure…
First, although this story begins just a couple of months (August, to be exact) after the third Cassie Black book (The Untangled Cassie Black), it was written about three years after that "final" book of the trilogy.
As such, there might be some minor inconsistencies between the "summing up" bit at the end of The Untangled Cassie Black and things at the beginning of The Unusual Mayor Marheart. These should be only a few, very minor inconsistencies, but I just wanted to mention them to (hopefully) avoid any angry emails.
Second, The Unusual Mayor Marheart is the start to a completely new Cassie Black trilogy (Trilogy 2.0).
Yes, it’s still set in MagicLand, Real Portland, and London. And yes, it features Cassie, Mr Tenpenny, Morelli, Alastair, and loads of other characters from the first trilogy, but this new trilogy is a separate story in itself, not a continuation from The Untangled Cassie Black.
What that means is, if you haven’t read Trilogy 1.0 yet, you should have no problem enjoying and understanding Trilogy 2.0. Although, reading the original trilogy first will give you far more insight into how the characters got to where they are now and how MagicLand works.
And if you have read Trilogy 1.0? Then thank you! I’m so glad you’re back, and I hope you enjoy seeing all those familiar faces and what they get up to in Trilogy 2.0.
Alright, let’s go see what trouble Cassie is falling into these days…
PROLOGUE - A SQUISHY, SQUIDGY MEETING
"Wordsworth would like to speak to you," Rafi told Olivia, his dark eyes glancing respectfully away from the involuntary shudder that danced across his boss’s shoulders.
"Why is he here? I thought he’d wriggled off to that Magical Book…" Olivia fluttered her slim hand "…whatever-it’s-called."
"The Magics’ International Library Consortium Conference. And he’s back. Just returned."
"I don’t need this now, Rafi. I really don’t." Olivia, who always carried herself with posture so perfect that Rafi often wondered if she slept with her shoulders back and head held high, slumped in her swivel chair. "Doesn’t he need to go sniff the library books for food stains or something?"
"Already has. That’s why he wants to see you." Rafi started to pour Olivia a cup of tea, then thought better of it. If you were going to deal with Wordsworth, you needed something stronger. He snapped his fingers over the mug, instantly changing the ruby-brown Earl Grey into a crystal clear gin and tonic.
When Rafi slid the drink across her desk, Olivia, director of Magical HeadQuarters, didn’t hesitate to take a sip. She then downed the entire cupful in three deep gulps.
"Send him in." Indicating her mug, she added, "But have another one of these ready for me when he leaves."
Rafi nodded then opened the massive oak door of Olivia’s office — a stone-walled, tapestry-lined space within the Tower of London — and told Wordsworth that Olivia could see him now.
Finding no Dutch courage in the gin, Olivia sought strength in the framed photo on her desk. It was of herself and Runa at the Harry Potter theme park in Los Angeles. It had been such a wonderful holiday that, even before they’d returned, they’d made plans to visit the one in Osaka.
Like someone unable to avoid gawking at a car wreck, Olivia’s gaze drifted to the reports on her desk. If they were correct, that Potter-themed trip to Japan was going to have to wait.
Still, there was Wordsworth to deal with, and the only way to get through a meeting with him was to cling to her happy, Runa-filled memories as tenaciously as a spider clings to its web in a hurricane. Olivia looked once more at the photo before she stood to greet her guest.
"Wordsworth, how was the conference?" Olivia asked with forced warmth before begrudgingly offering her guest a seat.
The lumpy, squishy, and squat creature stretched himself upward, causing two or three segments of his body to extend until he was at a height where he could slither onto one of the two designer chairs
"It was awful," the Tower’s head librarian stated.
"I’m sorry to hear that. Were the talks not to your—"
"The talks were perfect. Being in the company of other bookworms was perfect. What was not perfect was the state of my library upon my return."
This was news to Olivia. At Wordsworth’s request, she had closed down the library during his absence and had seen to the protective spells on the locks herself. She’d gotten no sense of the spells having been broken. Although, she had been spending a lot of time with Runa up until these latest reports had reached her. Since then, she’d been occupied with their possible implications.
Still, if there had been a breach, surely Chester, the Tower’s most dedicated security troll, would have noticed, or the surveillance gnomes, or even the cleaning pixies.
"The state of your library?" prodded Olivia.
"It’s very upset," the Bookworm said gravely.
The beads at the end of Olivia’s braids clicked against themselves as she shook her head in exasperation. The library might be full of magical books, some of which could be rather lively, but for Wordsworth to believe the library itself had feelings… well, maybe it was time for him to consider retirement.
"Upset?" she asked dubiously.
"You would be too if a book was missing from your collection."
"One missing book? But otherwise the library is okay?"
Wordsworth extended three of his upper segments as he leaned over Olivia’s desk, his muddy-green eyes fixed on hers. "A piece of the collection went missing while I was at the convention. I would hardly call that okay. Think how you would feel if you woke up tomorrow morning to find one of your limbs gone."
The segments contracted, jiggling like something from a gelatin commercial, and the Bookworm eased back. But only slightly.
"Now, Wordsworth, please don’t take this the wrong way. You have been the librarian here at the Tower for longer than most Magics have been alive, and you are very… dedicated to your work." An observation Olivia could hear Cassie Black calling the Understatement of the Century. "But can you be sure this book is missing? Perhaps it’s been checked out. Or misplaced."
"I do not misplace books. I have no record of the book being checked out in decades. It is indeed missing. And before you ask, yes, I am certain."
"How?" Olivia might run Magic HQ, but she honestly had no idea how the Bookworm went about his work. She doubted anyone did. Likely because they were too afraid to ask.
"Because I can sense the weight of the library is off. It is what we do," he said, emphasizing each word. "Perhaps you should attend the next Magics’ International Library Consortium Conference to enlighten yourself on these matters."
The very idea of being in a room— No, an entire building full of bookworms was enough for Olivia to believe there really was something worse than what was in the files on her desk.
"That’s a very generous offer, but perhaps we should stick to the issue at hand. This missing book, do you have any idea how it went astray?"
For the first time in Olivia’s memory, Wordsworth’s face slackened with guilt.
"My fault, I suppose. I should have known to keep the book with me at all times. Any item removed from the library should be treated with all the attention of a visiting dignitary."
"You took it to the conference?"
"It was a request. Given there’s only a few copies in existence, most librarians have never seen one. Rather than transport it home in my luggage— It is rather large, you see." Olivia nodded in understanding. "I sent it on ahead with the courier service the conference provided. When I got back, I assumed it had been re-shelved. Then I noticed the—" the Bookworm sucked in a shaky breath through his broad nostrils, then struggled to speak the final word "—absence."
"Is there anything I can do?"
"You must take on the responsibility of finding it." For a moment, Olivia had actually felt sorry for the Bookworm. But her compassion died a quick death at the return of his imperious, demanding tone. "Or, if need be, obtain a replacement. I cannot have the collection compromised."
Rafi stepped forward, for which Olivia was grateful. First, even if she had the time, she had no idea how to locate a missing book. Second, she was teetering on the edge of an overwhelming desire to scream at Wordsworth, and with the drop of banshee blood in her veins, that scream would be the last thing Wordsworth ever heard. A problem solved, but the pixies would complain to no end if they had to clean up a dead bookworm.
"If I may," Rafi said, full of the obsequious deference he was so good at feigning. "There is someone who could help you find your missing item. Or a replacement."
"Who?" the Bookworm asked peevishly as he peered at Rafi over his half-moon spectacles.
"Cassie Black."
Olivia brightened at this. Rafi was a genius. Cassie was a detective, or would be soon enough. And despite her anti-social attitude, she was keen to prove herself. For a brief moment Olivia wondered if it was fair to heap her own problems onto someone else’s shoulders, but she would do anything to get Wordsworth out of her office.
"Yes, Miss Black has—" Olivia began.
"The one who blew up a commercial kitchen, melted a girl, snuck out of the Tower through an illegal portal when you were trying to keep her safe, and who has yet to obtain her library card for the Magic collection?" Wordsworth added as if this were the worst fault in Cassie’s list of misdemeanors.
Olivia closed her eyes. She should have had two gin and tonics before letting this pest in. She inhaled through her nostrils and deep into her belly. Thankfully, Rafi spoke first.
"That was all just a little misunderstanding. She’s very good at what she does." Rafi then paused as if considering the accuracy of his words. "Well, she will be once she gets some practice in."
"She refused to follow the rules. I don’t think this is someone I can work with. There must be order. Respect is mandatory. Things need to be in their place, and that includes people."
The Bookworm slipped off the chair, and Olivia half-expected to see a trail of slime left behind. Rafi eyed her pleadingly over the Bookworm’s lumpy head.
"What can I do to convince you that Miss Black is the best person for this job?" Olivia called.
"Well," Wordsworth said, in a rather calculating manner to Olivia’s ears, "there is something."
Olivia agreed to the creature’s demand. Really, she’d have promised him the moon to be done with this meeting.
As soon as Wordsworth had crossed the threshold and the office door was closed once more, Rafi snapped his fingers. A fresh gin and tonic popped into Olivia’s hand.
"You’re sure she’s able to handle this?" Olivia asked after downing the drink.
"How hard could it be to find an enormous book?" Olivia gave him a look that spoke volumes about how impossible she thought it could be. Rafi responded by tapping the file on Olivia’s desk. "You’ve got other matters to deal with. Leave this to me."
Once Rafi had slipped out of the office, Olivia dragged her finger upward along the empty cup to fill it again. She put Wordsworth and Cassie from her mind. Rafi was right, there really were far more troubling issues to deal with than a missing book.
1 - HE IS THE WALRUS
Three weeks earlier…
How could I have been so stupid? It was a simple Ink Shifting Spell. A spell I’ve done... well, I probably shouldn’t incriminate myself by saying how often I’d done that particular bit of magic. Let’s just say, enough times that I knew I had a natural talent for being able to simply flick my fingers to alter the existing words on any page.
And stupidly, I’d just performed a few of those handy flicks during a test at the Academy. That would be Rosaria’s Magic Academy of Detective Science, one of seven law enforcement and detective training schools across the world’s magic communities.
