The Ghost Who Stayed Home

by Anna J. McIntyre

  “I don’t care, it was wrong. And Brian doesn’t know about the other thing.”

  “You mean Evan lying about why he wanted to go to Heather Donovan’s?”

  “Hello, anyone home?” a voice called out from the hallway. It was Edward MacDonald, who had just walked in the front door.

  Sissy immediately stood up, but before she reached the hallway, her nephews were already racing down the stairs. Moments after hitting the first-floor landing, Evan and Eddy flew to their father. Edward dropped to his knees and wrapped his arms around his boys, drawing them to him. From the archway Sissy and Bruce silently watched, while Sissy dabbed tears from the corners of her eyes with a tissue.

  The boys were both talking at the same time, asking questions, yet not waiting for answers before asking another one. Sissy ushered the group into the living room and then left to fetch her brother a beer, which he gladly accepted.

  “I thought Carol Ann might be with you,” Sissy said as the commotion calmed down. Edward sat on the sofa, a beer in hand and a son on either side of him.

  “I dropped her off at her house before I came here.”

  “Did they hurt you, Dad?” Eddy blurted out.

  Ed smiled at his oldest son and ruffled his hair. “No, Eddy. They didn’t hurt any of us. We were pretty lucky.”

  “What about Chris?” Evan blurted.

  Turning abruptly to Evan, Ed cocked his head slightly and narrowed his eyes. “What about Chris?”

  “Umm…I mean…wasn’t he hurt?”

  “Evan, your father said they didn’t hurt any of them. Thank god,” Sissy said.

  “Well, actually”—Ed glanced from Evan to his sister and back to Evan—“Chris took a bad fall when we first landed in Arizona. He stayed back in Havasu in the hospital. Danielle’s with him.”

  “Is he going to be okay?” Bruce asked.

  “He’s still unconscious—he has been since he fell. But they ran a battery of tests yesterday, and so far, the results have been encouraging. Danielle’s working to get him back to Oregon.”

  “Dad, have you talked to Danielle much?” Evan asked.

  “What kind of question is that?” Sissy asked with a laugh. “Your father has been with Danielle and the rest of them all week. I’m sure they talked a lot.”

  “Actually, we didn’t. They held us in a large building. At first I thought it was a small warehouse, but I guess it was more of a storage building on private property. The kidnappers basically isolated us, so none of us did much talking. At least, not until we were rescued and they took us to the hospital.”

  “Dad?” Evan asked timidly.

  “Yes?”

  “After you were rescued, did you and Danielle ever get to talk in private?”

  Narrowing his eyes again, he studied his youngest son. “Private? Umm…no, not really.”

  “Oh, I know what this is about. Evan, your father and Danielle don’t know yet. I was hoping not to have to tell him until he had some time to rest.”

  Ed looked at his sister. “Tell me what?”

  “Your son—I know he was upset about you being missing—but he ran away, and he broke into Marlow House.”

  Widening his eyes in surprise, Ed looked down at Evan.

  “He was gone overnight,” Sissy told him. “I was worried sick.”

  Reaching out to Evan, Ed tucked one finger under his son’s chin and tilted it upward so that he could look him in the eyes.

  “I had to, Dad,” Evan whispered. “I knew you were alive.”

  Leaning briefly to the coffee table, Ed set his beer can down and then wrapped his arms around Evan, giving him a hug. In reply, Evan wrapped his arms around his dad and squeezed tightly.

  “I do think he needs to apologize to Danielle Boatman for breaking into her house,” Sissy added.

  “I’m sure Danielle will understand,” Ed said as he kissed the top of Evan’s head. “But we’ll discuss this with her, won’t we, Ev?”

  Pulling back from the embrace, Evan looked up into his dad’s face and grinned. “Sure, Dad.”

  Evan settled back on the sofa and Ed reached for his beer and picked it up again.

  “While we’re clearing the air, there was another incident involving Evan.”

  “Really?” Ed took a sip of the beer. He didn’t sound too concerned.

  “We were down at the pier getting ice cream,” Sissy began. “Evan asked to go to Heather Donovan’s house, alone. He said he was selling her magazines for some fundraiser at school.”

  Ed cocked his brow. “Fundraiser?”

  Sissy nodded. “There was no fundraiser. I spoke to his teacher the next day. I mentioned the fundraiser, and she didn’t know what I was talking about. Evan lied. I have no idea why he wanted to go over there. And he refuses to tell me. I called Heather Donovan and asked her why Evan had really gone to her house—that I knew there was no fundraiser, and do you know what she told me?”

  Ed shook his head. “I have no idea, what?”

  “She said, ‘Really? Evan told me he was selling magazines. If he isn’t, then I guess that saves me some money. I can’t afford them anyway.’ And that was that. As if it was the most natural thing in the world for a first grader to try to sell her imaginary magazines.”

  “Hmm, Heather Donovan?” Ed eyed Evan curiously and took another sip of the beer.

  “Edward,” Sissy snapped, “you don’t seem very upset.”

  “Well, Sissy, considering the week I’ve had—no. I’m not particularly upset with Evan.”

  LATER THAT NIGHT, while tucking Evan into bed, the chief sat on the side of the mattress and looked down at his son.

  “Okay, Ev, it’s just you and me now. So why don’t you tell me what you couldn’t tell your aunt.”

  Evan went on to tell his father about how he had run away and about the time he had spent with Walt, and how the two had plotted to get them home. He told his father about seeing Chris at the pier, and how he served as a go-between for Chris and Heather.

  “Are you telling me the police found the plane and then found us because of you?”

  “Not just me—Danielle, Heather, Chris, Walt—oh, and Percival.”

  “Who’s Percival?”

  “He’s a ghost Danielle met. He helped her figure out where you were being kept.”

  “Danielle never told me that.”

  “That’s why I asked if you’ve talked to her alone. I wasn’t sure you knew. I didn’t know all about it until last night.”

  “What happened last night?”

  “Walt visited me in a dream hop to tell me all that had happened. I mean, I knew they found you, but I didn’t know everything.”

  “So if you hadn’t lied to your aunt and gone to Heather’s and convinced her to go to Marlow House, then we might not have been found?” Ed asked.

  “I don’t know, Dad. I just know Heather was the one who called Officer Henderson and told him about the plane and then about you all being kept in Havasu.”

  “You know, Evan, I don’t think Heather would have done that if it wasn’t for you.”

  Evan shrugged.

  “You’re my hero, son. You saved our lives.” Once again Edward wrapped his arms around his youngest son and drew him in for a hug. He held him there for a moment, silently counting his blessings.

  “You know what, Dad?” Evan asked, still in his dad’s embrace.

  “What?”

  “We can’t tell anyone.”

  Edward smiled. Releasing hold of Evan, he kissed the boy’s head and murmured, “Yes, you are definitely my hero.”

  THIRTY-THREE

  “I really don’t know why you just don’t stay with me and Kelly,” Ian said as Lily prepared to unlock the front door of Marlow House. “You’re going to be here all alone.”

  “I told you. I just want to sleep in my own bed. Don’t take it personally, but I’m just so happy to be home. And frankly, I was scared to death my parents would come up here anyway, even after I asked them not to. Af
ter what we’ve been through, the last thing I wanted to deal with was my mother hovering. I just need some—space.”

  “I suppose I understand. Kelly and I promised the folks we’d take a trip out to see them soon. By the way, sorry about not getting you that steak I promised. Tomorrow night?”

  “Hey, that take-out burger tasted pretty good. At least it wasn’t a freaking granola bar. Anyway, I just wanted to get home tonight. We’ll take a rain check on that steak.”

  Just as Lily pushed open the front door, Sadie charged full speed in their direction, her tail wagging and body trembling. To Ian he saw a dog that was simply happy to see him because he had been gone over a week—what he failed to see was a dog who had been worried much of that time because she was aware of the danger her human was in.

  “Wow, some greeting!” Ian laughed with delight as he dropped to the floor and allowed Sadie to trample his body and swipe his face with wet kisses.

  “Someone’s happy to see you.” Lily closed the door. While Ian was distracted with Sadie’s enthusiastic greeting, she glanced around the entry hall, wondering where Walt—and maybe Chris—might be standing. She spied Max, who stood by the doorway to the living room. The cat let out a loud meow and then sauntered panther-like to greet her.

  Lily reached down and picked up the cat, who was already purring. “I’m glad someone’s happy to see me.” In the next moment Sadie shifted her attention from Ian to Lily. Lily found herself standing in the center of the entry hall, struggling to keep hold of Max while Sadie enthusiastically leapt up to give Lily equal time. Max nonchalantly batted the golden retriever’s nose each time it bounced by his face.

  A few minutes later Lily suspected Walt had given Sadie the command to simmer down, because the dog was no longer ricocheting around the room like someone had just spiked her kibble with uppers, but sat politely in front of Lily, her tail still wagging and her tongue hanging out the side of her mouth as if exhausted and trying to catch her breath.

  Ian lingered for another twenty minutes or so, and when he did leave, he took Sadie with him. Lily stood by the window next to the front door, holding the curtain to one side, and watched as Ian and Sadie made their way down the walkway to the street. When they were out of sight, she dropped the curtain and turned to face the seemingly empty entry hall. Even Max was no longer in sight, as he had wandered off to the kitchen to nibble on his food.

  “Walt? Chris? Are you guys in here?” Lily asked.

  Her purse, which she had set on the small hall table, lifted into the air and then dropped to the floor, scattering its contents on the wood floor.

  “Well, that was rude,” Lily said with a chuckle. “I know you hate when we set things on your grandmother’s table. But really, Walt?” She flashed the space where she imagined Walt stood a smile and then went to pick up her purse and scoop its contents back inside it. Instead of placing it back on the table, she hung it on the coat rack.

  “Is Chris here? From what Dani tells me, he’s like I was, and doesn’t have any energy left to harness.”

  Motion from the corner of her eye caught her attention. Turning to the doorway leading to the parlor, she spied a notepad floating in her direction. Just as she reached out for it, it started to fall, as if it had suddenly been released. Lily managed to grab it before it fell all the way to the floor. She looked at the pad. Writing was scribbled over the top sheet.

  Call Heather. We need to talk.

  Still clutching the notepad, Lily looked up and asked with a frown, “Heather? Seriously? I have to do that?”

  In response her purse began to swing back and forth on the coat rack.

  Lily let out a sigh. “I suppose I will take that as a yes.”

  LILY THOUGHT Heather looked like a Dr. Seuss character when she walked through the front door fifteen minutes later. It wasn’t just her blaringly bright colored pajamas in dramatic shades of hot pink, lime green, and purple, but the way she had fashioned her high-placed pigtails into makeshift buns. Spikes of black hair randomly stuck out of each bun. She’d thrown on an overcoat for her walk over, yet removed it the moment she walked inside, and hung it with Lily’s purse on the coat rack. She hadn’t bothered to put on regular shoes, but instead wore fuzzy slippers.

  What Lily hadn’t expected was Heather’s exuberant hug. One minute, Heather was marching into Marlow House in a no-nonsense manner, hanging up her coat, and the next she was suffocating Lily in a vibrant viselike bear hug while shaking the kidnap survivor from side to side, muttering, “I’m so glad you’re safe!”

  It was in that moment Lily felt like a total jerk. Heather might very well have saved all of their lives. At the very least, she had shortened their time in that gawd-awful wannabee warehouse. With a sigh, Lily returned the hug.

  “ENOUGH ALREADY,” Walt said impatiently as he stood a few feet from the embracing neighbors. “We want to know what’s going on. And please tell Lily I’m glad she’s home.”

  Heather released Lily and said with a snort, “I guess Walt is getting impatient.” She turned to Walt. “Hello to you too. Is Chris here?”

  “Yes. He’s standing over there.” Walt pointed down the hall.

  Heather turned in that direction. “Hello, Chris, wherever you are.”

  “You can’t see Chris? Just Walt?” Lily asked.

  Heather shrugged. “I’ve seen flashes of him, even heard his voice a couple times. But nothing tangible where I can communicate with him. But Walt here,” Heather said as she pointed in Walt’s direction. “I can see and hear him as clearly as I see you. By the way, he wanted me to tell you he’s glad you’re home.”

  “And I’m glad to be here! Let’s go in the living room. We can talk there,” Lily suggested.

  When they were seated in the living room a few minutes later, Heather said, “If Joanne asks if Dani gave me a house key and told me I could borrow the Wi-Fi here, please tell her yes.”

  “Dani told me about that,” Lily said with a chuckle. “No problem.”

  “How did Danielle know?” Heather asked, glancing from Lily to Walt.

  “Lines of communication have been open—so to speak—via dream hops with Walt. But I understand theirs was cut short last night. Hospitals are not the best place to get an uninterrupted night’s rest, which is why I imagine Walt is impatient to hear what’s going on.”

  Chris then asked a question, which Walt conveyed to Heather, which Heather repeated to Lily. “Chris wants to know about his body…” Heather paused a moment and shivered. “That sounds so…so…creepy.”

  “From what I understand, they gave him a crap load of tests last night, and so far, they haven’t found anything significantly wrong with him. Fact is, they aren’t really sure why he hasn’t woken up,” Lily explained.

  “I can tell you why he hasn’t woken up yet,” Walt scoffed.

  Heather glanced at Walt. “Why is that?”

  Lily withheld her question and looked from Heather to where she imagined Walt sat.

  “Isn’t it obvious? He’s here,” Walt explained. “You can’t have one’s spirit just wander off from his body and expect him to suddenly wake up. Look at Lily.” At Walt’s suggestion, both Chris and Heather turned to Lily and stared. “If she’d stayed with her body instead of coming back here, maybe she would have woken up sooner.”

  Frowning at the way Heather was now staring at her, Lily asked, “What?”

  “Basically, Walt thinks one reason Chris is still in a coma is because he’s here—hundreds of miles from his body. He mentioned your out-of-body experience—”

  “How did you know about that? I don’t recall discussing it with you,” Lily asked.

  Heather smiled. “I’ve learned lots of things since you’ve been gone. But forget about all that…” Heather waved her hand dismissively and turned to where she believed Chris stood. “Maybe you should try going to Havasu.”

  “Chris is over there,” Walt interrupted, pointing to the opposite side of the room.

  Heath
er abruptly turned in Chris’s direction. “It would be nice if you’d stay put!”

  “I thought she just said I need to go to Arizona?” Chris asked lazily.

  Walt chuckled.

  “I think Dani wants to get Chris back to Oregon, to do just that—get his spirit back in his body. But maybe if Chris went there, it would speed things up,” Lily suggested.

  “No.” Walt shook his head. “Not unless Chris isn’t concerned about getting lost along the way. I suspect if he was never in Havasu when he was alive—and with his body—it’ll be difficult to find his way. He could end up wandering indefinitely until his body gives out.”

  “Walt, you actually sound as if you care about me.” Chris grinned.

  “What I care about is Danielle spending endless time at your bedside while your spirit rambles aimlessly around the countryside.”

  “Oh…” Heather shrugged and turned again to Lily. “I guess Chris going to Havasu isn’t a good idea. Something about him possibly getting lost and wandering around aimlessly. Walt seems to think the reason for your out-of-body experience was the fact your spirit wandered off when unconscious. He thinks it might not have lasted so long if you had stuck around your body.”

  “Actually, I’ve thought about that myself,” Lily told her. “My theory, the reason I wandered off is that my spirit—or soul—whatever you want to call it—stepped out of my body after the attack, and I was afraid, so I fled to what my subconscious considered a safe place. I ended up here.”

  “Why did Chris wander off?” Heather asked.

  “I suspect he was going for help in the only way he knew how,” Lily said.

  Chris looked at Walt and groaned. “Is she implying I felt compelled to come to you for help?”

  Walt smiled. “Looks like it.”

  Lily spent the next forty minutes telling Heather about their ordeal and filling in the blanks for Walt and Chris. After she was finished, the subject shifted to the kidnappers—and where they might be now.

  “Do the police have any idea who’s behind this?” Heather asked.

  Lily shook her head. “If they do, they haven’t said anything to us. Danielle does know the first name of one of the kidnappers. Percival told her. But she didn’t say anything to the police when they picked us up—it would be too hard to explain how she knew to Ian, Joe, Kelly, and Carol Ann. After all, we were together the entire time. But she’ll be telling the chief when they can talk privately.”