by Bobbi Holmes
Ian looked at the paper. “No. Why?”
Adam leaned over the desk, unfolded the newspaper, and turned it around so that Ian could read the headline. “City Dumps Cursed Property.”
Ian glanced over the headline and picked up the newspaper. He let out a sigh and began to read. A few minutes later, he refolded the newspaper and tossed it on the desk. “That’s lovely. I imagine the city is relieved they didn’t write a similar article before it sold.”
“While most people won’t believe the place is cursed—or haunted as the article suggests, when it comes to spending their money, it will make a difference, and some will see it as an opportunity to make a lowball offer,” Adam said. “No way will they pay full price. They’ll want a deal. Which will mean your parents will lose money if they decide to sell now.”
Ian let out a sigh. “Damn. What now?”
“I don’t know. But I’m really sorry,” Adam said.
“Did Kelly’s parents arrive okay?” Tori Simmons asked her brother on Saturday afternoon.
“They got in last night,” Joe told her. He sat alone in his office, talking to Tori on his cellphone. “Chris is taking us all to Pearl Cove tonight.”
“Nice. Don’t you have to work?”
Joe glanced at the clock. “I get off in a couple of hours.”
“Try to pin down a date for the bridal shower. This is going to be last minute as it is, since we only have a two-week window if we want her mom to come,” Tori urged.
“I don’t think that will be a problem.”
“Why?”
“They’re moving to Frederickport. Technically, they already moved, since escrow closed on their house right before they got here,” Joe told her.
“Seriously? You didn’t tell me they were planning to move here.”
“I didn’t know,” Joe said.
“Kelly didn’t tell you?”
“She didn’t know. She just found out today.”
“Wow. You said they already sold their house?” Tori asked.
“Yes. They put everything in storage and are staying at Marlow House, but that’s only temporary. They’re looking for a rental.”
“That would probably be a good idea. See if they like the weather. I imagine it will be a big change for them.”
“Remember, her father is a contractor? He intends to build. They already bought property. You’ll never guess where.”
“Where?” Tori asked.
“They bought the Marymoor property,” Joe told her.
“You’re kidding? No!” Tori gasped.
“Oh, please, don’t start with all that cursed nonsense,” Joe said with a laugh.
“I wasn’t… it’s just that—”
“Oh, Tori, I have to go. The chief is calling.”
Tori sat in silence for a few minutes after her brother said goodbye and hung up. She considered what he had just told her. Still holding her cellphone, she looked at it. A moment later she tapped her photos app, opening it. Flipping through the pictures, she found one she had taken of a woman’s black-and-white photograph.
The woman had died years before Tori’s birth. She had died at Marymoor Sanatorium.
Twenty-Four
Lily was finally alone with her husband. June and John had gone back to Marlow House to rest and get ready for dinner. She had put Connor down for a nap, because they planned to take him to Pearl Cove with them, since all the babysitters she normally used would be joining them for dinner. She knew Marie was in the bedroom with Connor, monitoring her sleeping son and the mystery ghost. Marie would also go with them to Pearl Cove. She would keep Connor entertained during dinner. Everyone needed a nanny ghost, Lily thought. It was those other ghosts she found troubling.
Lily sat with Ian on the sofa, her bare feet propped up on the coffee table. “I have an idea. I know what we can do.”
“What do you have in mind?” Ian asked.
“I can’t believe your parents won’t see some of the stuff all of us have. We need to encourage him to go over there every day to look at their lot and plan their house. And one of these days, something is bound to happen,” Lily said. “It’s going to take your dad a while to get his house plans and go through the approval process. Certainly, something will happen before then, and they’ll decide not to build there.”
“I told you, even if that happens, it’s going to be difficult to unload that property. Adam was not encouraging. Especially if my parents do it in the next few months. I showed you that article.”
“I know. Your mother called me. She saw the article over at Dani’s and thought it was hilarious. She wants to frame it and hang it in her new house.” Lily rolled her eyes at the idea. “But I know how your parents can sell it and not lose a dime.”
Ian looked at Lily. “How?”
“We buy it.”
“I told you. There is no way my dad will let me bail him out of this. His pride would get in the way.”
“He doesn’t have to know you’re the one buying it. We’ll get Adam to bring the offer.”
“My name would be on the offer. My dad would see it,” Ian reminded her.
“Not if we set up some sort of shell company and buy it anonymously.”
Ian cocked a brow at Lily. “You’re being Lucy this time? Well, you do have the red hair for it.”
Lily frowned at Ian. “What is that supposed to mean?”
“Sounds like one of those goofy Lucy and Ethel schemes you and Danielle come up with sometimes.”
“Oh, hush, it is a good plan,” Lily said.
“It is an expensive plan,” Ian said.
“I thought you said you would buy the property from your parents.”
“Yeah, if it prevented them from building on it. But if they experience what we have, they will never build on it. And if we do what you suggest, my father would be horrible to live with.”
“What do you mean?” Lily asked.
“He’ll be bragging about what a shrewd businessman he was. Managed to get rid of property—the property I clearly did not feel he should buy. This is complicated enough.”
Lily let out a sigh. “Then there is no solution?”
“There is only one I can think of. We need to hire an exorcist.”
“Not a bad idea. I wonder if they have one in Frederickport.” Lily glanced at her watch.
Ian chuckled, yet silently told himself to ask Danielle to ask Eva if an exorcist could really get rid of unwanted spirits.
“I don’t know why my mom had to go shopping in Portland today. She knew Chris was taking us all to Pearl Cove. I hope they get back in time.”
Ian reached over and patted her denim-clad thigh. “I’m sure they will.” He was proven right twenty minutes later when the doorbell rang.
“Laura?” Lily said in surprise when she opened the front door and found her sister standing on her front porch with her parents.
“Surprise,” Laura greeted her with a cheeky grin.
Lily laughed, and the two women hugged while Sadie nosed the new arrivals, her tail wagging.
When the hug ended, Gene asked, “Are you going to let us inside now?”
“Sure, Dad.” Lily grinned. As she walked in the front door with her sister and parents, she paused a moment and said, “I need to call Pearl Cove and add another person to the party.”
“Don’t worry about that,” Tammy said, following Lily inside. “Danielle called Chris this morning.”
“I can’t believe we’re going to dinner with that hunky and rich Chris Glandon.” Laura practically drooled.
“Don’t call him that, remember,” Lily reminded her. Once inside the house with her family, she shut the door.
“What do you mean you aren’t going with us?” Chris asked Heather when he arrived at her house. He followed her to the living room.
“I appreciate you asking me, but I really don’t know those people.” Heather picked up Bella, who had been napping on her recliner. She sat down and dropped the cat on her la
p. Bella stood up and jumped to the floor.
“You know all of them,” Chris argued.
“Yeah, Kelly thinks I’m whacko. And I can’t even imagine what she’s told her parents about me.”
“Well, you are kind of whacko.”
Heather rolled her eyes.
“Come on. You’ll be my date,” Chris said.
Heather wrinkled her nose. “Yuck. Now I’m for sure not coming.”
Chris laughed. “Okay, not my date. But come as my sidekick.”
“I have to admit, I like sidekick better than date. And I do love the food at Pearl Cove. But seriously, Chris, I doubt anyone really wants me to come.”
“I know Walt and Danielle do. And so do Lily and Ian. Anyway, I have a feeling Danielle’s going to be calling for a meeting of the mediums.”
Heather frowned. “Why? Is this about the property Ian’s dad bought?”
“That and the boy ghost,” Chris said.
“What boy ghost?” Heather asked.
Chris went on to tell Heather what Danielle had told him on the phone earlier that day.
“Wow. Busy week for ghosts. And it isn’t even Halloween,” Heather said. “But we won’t be able to talk about anything with Lily’s and Ian’s families there. Not to mention Joe.”
“True. But we can figure out when would be a good time for all of us, and set it up on the QT.”
Heather sat on her recliner, her feet propped up on its footrest. Chris had left minutes earlier. Reaching up, she tugged the rubber bands from the ends of her two braids. She tossed them on the end table and combed her fingers through her ebony-hued hair. After removing any tangles, she reached to the side and picked up her cellphone from the end table. She dialed Brian.
“Hey, what are you doing?” Brian asked when he answered Heather’s call.
“Chris dropped by. He is really bugging me to come to dinner tonight. Says it’s because the mediums need to schedule a meeting to discuss ghosts.”
“I assume you’re talking about the Marymoor ghosts?” Brian asked.
“Yeah, that and some boy ghost hanging out with Connor.”
“What?”
Heather told Brian about the new ghost playing with Connor. She then said, “Chris says he wants me there tonight so we can arrange a meeting of the mediums. But there is no way we can discuss anything with Joe and the others there. I think Chris just wants me to protect him from Lily’s sister, Laura.”
“Laura’s here?” Brian asked. “I thought Joe said Lily’s sister and brother couldn’t make it.”
“It was some sort of surprise. Lily’s parents picked her up at the airport today. Anyway, she’s coming tonight, and the last time Laura was here, she was pretty flirty with Chris. I don’t think he wants to deal with her.”
“How will you being there help?”
“Chris said something about me going as his date. Gross.”
Brian laughed. “I don’t think most women would call Chris Glandon gross. Didn’t I once say I wondered if he had a thing for you?”
“Oh, shut up. Now you’re being gross. Chris is like a brother to me. Anyway, I think he gets some perverse pleasure making some people think I’m his girlfriend. He did that with his uncles.”
“Yeah, and that almost got you framed for murder. So, are you going?”
“I have an idea. I think you should come tonight. Have dinner with us,” Heather said.
“Sure, you want me to just barge in, invite myself?” he teased.
“No. But if you happen to be at the bar, enjoying their happy hour and appetizers, and I happen to see you and then invite you in front of everyone, what can Chris say? It will serve him right for trying to use me as a buffer for Laura.”
They all arrived at Pearl Cove before their host, Chris Johnson, aka Chris Glandon. Chris had made the arrangements ahead of time, reserving the one ocean view spot that wasn’t a booth. The restaurant staff had pushed together several tables to accommodate the larger group.
Ian sat on one end, across from his father and next to Lily. To Lily’s right was Connor, and next to him was his grandma Tammy, Gene, and then Walt and Danielle.
Next to John, across from Lily, sat June. Originally, Kelly sat next to her mother, with Joe next to her, and Laura next to Joe. But Kelly and Laura kept chatting away, like long-lost friends, each leaning across Joe to talk to the other one. After a few minutes, Joe offered to switch seats with Kelly.
Lily quietly watched the commotion as everyone took their seats. Chris and Heather hadn’t yet arrived, but Lily knew why Laura had waited to see where the others wanted to sit. Her sister obviously wanted to position herself close to one of the two empty chairs where Chris would be sitting. She loved her sister, but she also knew her sister’s tricks.
Lily marveled at how Laura and Kelly seemed like old friends. At her wedding, the two had hit it off despite Laura’s attempt at humor, comparing Joe to the fictional Joe Morelli of the popular Stephanie Plum series. She also remembered how the two had tried to hijack her wedding, wanting to move it outdoors. It made Lily wonder, did Kelly intend to have an outdoor wedding?
Everyone had finally taken a seat and passed around menus when the host and Heather arrived.
“He brought Heather?” Laura whispered to Kelly. The two women looked toward the couple walking in their direction. Heather wore a mid-calf-length skirt, heeled boots, with layered blouses in various shades of fuchsia. She wore her hair down around her shoulders, its slight curl from her recent braid. Chris looked as if he’d stepped off the pages of GQ instead of his beach-boy persona.
“They work together, and she’s always hanging around him,” Kelly whispered. “But I don’t think you have any competition there.”
“He is gorgeous,” Laura whispered.
Some of the men at the table stood up. They exchanged handshakes and hellos. Chris moved around the table, greeting everyone, while Heather extended a perfunctory greeting to all before excusing herself to use the ladies’ room.
Left alone, Chris eventually found himself by the two empty chairs, with Lily’s sister, Laura, grinning up at him.
“Oh, I guess I get to sit next to the host,” Laura cooed. Still sitting, she reached to the empty chair next to her and pulled it out for Chris. “It was so nice of you to host this dinner. I feel like a gate-crasher.” Laura giggled.
“I think she’s flirting with you, Chris,” Marie observed. Only the mediums at the table could hear. Chris tried to ignore Marie. He was about to suggest Heather might prefer that chair when she got back from the bathroom. But before he did, Heather showed up at the table, practically dragging Brian Henderson with her.
“Look who I found in the bar,” Heather said. “It’s Joe’s best man.”
“How did she know?” Kelly muttered under her breath.
Those at the table exchanged more greetings and handshakes.
Chris was still standing when Heather blurted, “I think he should join us, don’t you, Chris? After all, he is going to be Joe’s best man.” Heather nudged Chris to the chair Laura had pulled out, while claiming the empty one next to him, and saying Brian could sit at the end of the table, next to her. All they would need was another chair.
The server moving around the table, taking drink orders, quickly brought Brian a chair. Danielle leaned over to Brian and whispered, “That was pretty slick of Heather.”
Brian flashed Danielle a sheepish grin.
“And it is such a coincidence you happened to be in the bar. Do you come here often?” Danielle teased.
Brian’s grin broadened.
Danielle glanced across the table and noticed Laura was no longer chatting nonstop with Kelly, but now focused her attention on Chris.
Twenty-Five
Curiosity brought Eva to Ian and Lily’s house on Saturday night. She knew they weren’t home. Everyone had gone to Pearl Cove for the evening, even Marie. But she wondered if the boy ghost she had heard about would be there. Like the spirits at Marymo
or, he had been uncooperative, unwilling to give Marie information to help him move on.
When she arrived in the Bartley living room, Sadie greeted her with a friendly bark, her tail wagging.
“Hello, Sadie. Are you all alone tonight?” Eva asked.
“Who are you?” a childish voice asked in awe. “You’re beautiful.”
Eva turned from Sadie and faced a young boy. Smiling, she said, “I guess Sadie’s not alone. Hello, my name is Eva. Who might you be?”
“I’m Rupert,” he said without thought.
Eva smiled softly. “Rupert. Rupert is a wonderful name.” Eva took a seat on the sofa and waved to the place next to her. “Why don’t you join me, Rupert?”
Without hesitation, Rupert sat next to Eva, his eyes wide as he refused to look away from her. “You are so beautiful.”
The corners of Eva’s smile twitched. “You are so kind. I imagine you have a most beautiful mother, considering you are such a handsome young man.”
Rupert nodded. “Yes, my mother is beautiful too.” His smile faded into a frown.
“What is it, Rupert? Where is your mother? I imagine she must be worried about you.”
Rupert considered the question for a moment and then shook his head. “I don’t really want to talk about her right now. I think I’m going to wait for Connor in his room.”
The next moment, he vanished.
“Hmm… at least he told me his name.” Eva looked at Sadie and said, “I have to go now, Sadie. Look after Rupert.”
Eva saved her glitter and snowflakes for another time and arrived at Pearl Cove without fanfare. She located Danielle and the others quickly. When arriving at the table, she found Marie busily making faces at Connor, who kept giggling while his grandmothers discussed what a happy child he was, content to play alone, unaware Marie’s spirit kept the boy occupied.
Eva ignored the various discussions taking place at the table. She looked at Danielle and announced, “He told me his name.” All the mediums looked at Eva, silently waiting for her to tell them more.