Book Eight: Chapter 122

Beth picked up a pair of bells she had found dismantled and tossed behind a bush at the entrance. “I’m more concerned that you conned Grace into being your little helper. Does she even know what she’s doing?”

“Well...not in so many words. I explained to her that we were working on some projects for Tinker Radley, who can no longer attend to the maintenance of this house.”

“Explain the salt in the windowsills.”

“Salt is a natural repellent for insects.” Death gestured toward the window. “In fact, with the air cooling down, it’s entirely possible that all sorts of them wish to come inside our house. Gracelynn Radley agreed to help me with pest control.”

“The bells?”

“Ambience, and a project she could work on. She is a child whose mother-figure is currently unwell.”

“Anything else?”

Death shrugged. “I may have added extra iron to the house in a few places. Used too many nails to secure a piece of siding. I’m still new at construction and mistak