Haunt the Haunt, Walk the Walk (Haunted Tour Guide Mystery Book 3)

by Pressey, Rose

  I tried to force a smile on my face and said, “Yes, I’ll see you then.”

  “See you then.” Crystal smiled.

  I felt bad for not telling them the truth.

  As I neared the alleyway, I spotted Cecilia just up ahead. She was talking to Jaden. Apparently he knew a lot of people in town. What were they talking about? I stepped to the side close to one of the buildings, I decided to hang back until they finished talking. Then I would go after her. She kept moving back from Jaden. Each time she did that he leaned in closer to talk to her. I got the feeling that she didn’t really want to be involved in the conversation. She should just tell him to get lost if she didn’t want to talk to him.

  Finally Jaden stopped talking and walked away. Cecilia turned and was headed in my direction. This was my chance to confront her. I quickly started walking in her direction so that I wouldn't lose her. She glanced my way, but she had no reaction. I was pretty sure she saw me though. I got the feeling she was trying to act as if she didn’t see me. After the strange encounter at the funeral home, I wasn’t sure what to think. She quickened her pace. If she thought I was going to let her walk by without saying anything she was completely wrong.

  “Cecilia, it’s me Ripley.” I waved.

  I stepped in front of her and she stopped.

  She glanced around to see who might be watching us. “Oh hi, Ripley, sorry I didn’t see you.”

  Of course I didn’t believe her, but I couldn’t prove otherwise.

  “I was just on my way to the bank.” She gestured.

  Maybe that was her way of telling me she was in hurry. I wouldn’t keep her long, just long enough to find out what I could about her conversation with Jaden.

  “I saw you talking with Jaden just now I didn’t realize that you knew him.”

  Her expression changed. She seemed reluctant to discuss this matter.

  It looked as if something was wrong. “It's okay. You can tell me.” She looked around again. “No one can hear us,” I said.

  She stared me in the eyes. Jaden has been harassing me. My heart sped up. That was what he'd done to Melissa.

  “What do you mean when you say ‘harassing you?’”

  “I’ve seen him around a lot. He showed up at the house.” She clutched her purse to her chest as if it would offer protection.

  “You mean he came to the funeral home?”

  She nodded. ‘And my private residence.”

  “What does he want?” I asked.

  “He says he wants to investigate the house.” She shrugged. “I suppose that’s not a bad thing, but something about him gives me the creeps.”

  I wouldn't tell her just yet that I thought he wanted to do more than just investigate. I figured he wanted to do a séance there.

  “What gives you the creeps about him?”

  I asked, although it was pretty clear Jaden was just creepy with the way he followed people around.

  Fear flashed in her eyes. “Just the way he looks at me, I guess.”“

  What did you tell him about investigating the house?” I asked.

  “I told him no, and now he keeps asking anyway. He claimed people were mad at him because I wouldn’t let them in the house. He’s been around the house a lot more too. I think he’s just trying to intimidate me into saying yes.”

  “Have you told the police about him?”

  “I mentioned it, but there’s really nothing they can do. Actually, he mentioned your name once, and said you investigate with your police officer boyfriend. That’s how I found out about you. I thought you seemed more trustworthy.” She glanced over her shoulder again and I knew that she wanted out of here. I felt like there was more that she wasn’t telling me. Why was she that anxious to get away? Why had Jaden mentioned my name? Now I was really getting scared.

  “It’s kind of odd that he would mention me,” I said.

  She sighed. “I suppose I can tell you now that he’s the reason why I took off.”

  “You left because of Jaden?”

  She nodded “Yes, I saw him there at the house, and I didn’t want to deal with him, so I just drove off. I should’ve said something. I shouldn’t have left you alone with him.”

  She was right. It wasn’t nice to drive off and leave me to deal with him. Luckily, I’d never seen him.

  “I never saw him, but I did hear a ghost.”

  “Really? What happened?” she asked.

  I pushed the hair out of my eyes. “You name it and it happened. Lights flicked, doors slammed, and footsteps came from upstairs.”

  “That’s more terrifying than I thought.”

  “Has anything else happened to you at the house?”

  “I haven’t been back there, actually,” she said. “But I suppose I will have to soon.”

  She didn’t sound so confident about that.

  “I do still want you to put the place on your tour.”

  “I’d like that,” I said.

  “I really need to go.” She put her purse on her shoulder and stepped around me.

  I called out to her, “Cecilia.”

  She turned around and looked at me. “Yes?”

  “Don’t let Jaden investigate your place.”

  She nodded. “I won’t.”

  She didn't ask why. I should have told her she didn’t want any part of his type of investigation. I headed down the sidewalk after she walked away. At first, I thought it was just my imagination from the conversation I just had, but when I looked to my left I spotted Jaden. He was standing in the window of the café. He was glaring at me. I wasn’t sure how long he’d been watching our conversation, but I knew that he wasn’t happy. I just needed to get out of there before he confronted me. He was one of the last people I wanted to talk to right now.

  Chapter 18

  The tour was going well so far. No strange appearances or spooky shadows.

  Halfway through, that all changed. I received another text.

  The spirits are watching.

  Who was playing games with me? Needless to say the text was more than a little unsettling. I wrapped up the tour and gathered the flashlights. I’d leave them by the gate for now since Crystal and Tammy were meeting me. I hoped they hurried so I didn’t have to be here alone.

  Voices carried across the air. I thought it was Tammy and Crystal, but it was too far away to be sure.

  While I waited for everyone to show up, I paced in front of the graveyard’s gate. Dead leaves crunched under my feet. At this point I would have even settled for a visit from Mrs. Clatterbuck. I had a severe case of the heebie-jeebies.

  Finally, when I looked up, Tammy and Crystal were coming toward me. I released a sigh of relief that I wouldn’t be alone here. I wasn’t sure how much help they would be though. They looked terrified.

  “I’m glad you all showed up,” I said.

  Tammy looked around to see if something might pop out any moment. “We told you that we’d be here. I always keep my word.”

  “Listen, I know you all are scared, but if we just remain calm everything will be fine.” I pulled my jacket a little tighter.

  Tammy quirked an eyebrow as if to say, Yeah, right.

  “What time is Krista supposed to be here?” Crystal’s eyes were wide as she scanned the graveyard.

  I checked the time on my phone. “She should have been here five minutes ago.”

  “How long do we wait before we give up on her?” Tammy asked.

  I wanted to get out of there just as much as they did, but I didn’t want to rush away just yet. Okay, maybe not as much as they did, but I was uncomfortable.

  “We should wait at least another five minutes,” I said.

  The owl up in the tree hooted and Tammy and Crystal jumped.

  “That thing scared me to death.” Tammy clutched her chest.

  “Don’t say death,” Crystal said with fear in her voice.

  Another a couple of minutes passed and I assumed that Krista wasn’t going to show up. Them my phone ra
ng and we all jumped. I picked up on the second ring. Krista’s number was on the screen, so I figured she was calling to cancel. Tammy and Crystal would be relieved, but I was slightly disappointed.

  “I’m running late. Is there any chance that you could meet me?” Krista asked.

  “Where did you have in mind?” I asked.

  “I’m not sure if you’re aware of the place, but it’s the house in Edgewood. There’s been a lot of activity there with the paranormal stuff.”

  I almost dropped the phone. This was getting too creepy. It wasn’t a coincidence that Krista wanted us to meet her there, but I had to know what was going on so I had to say yes.

  “Okay, we can meet you there, but it will be about an hour.”

  Crystal and Tammy were staring at me, trying to figure out what was being said over the phone.

  “That’s no problem. I’ll be there waiting for you,” Krista said.

  Something about her voice was creeping me out even more than before. I chalked it up to stress and my spooky surroundings.

  When I hung up the phone, Tammy said, “What did she say?”

  “She wants us to meet her.” I put the phone back into my pocket.

  Tammy quirked a sculpted eyebrow. “Where?”

  This was the hard part. I released a deep breath to stall for time. Too bad I had to tell Tammy and Crystal. Somehow I didn’t think they’d allow me to blindfold them while we drove to the spooky haunted house out in the country.

  “Well, she wants us to meet her at the haunted house in Edgewood.” I rushed my words.

  Tammy waved her hands through the air. “I didn’t sign up for this.”

  I placed my hands on my hips.

  Tammy sighed. “Okay, let’s go.”

  Crystal with her wide eyes and open mouth appeared a little more stunned about the news, but she reluctantly nodded that she would go.

  “I don’t know which is worse, the haunted graveyard or a haunted house,” Tammy said as we walked down the alleyway toward the street.

  Our footsteps echoed off the brick walls of the old buildings. A breeze carried a bitter chill across my face. It seemed to get colder by the minute. I was glad that I’d remembered my gloves.

  When we reached the sidewalk, Tammy asked, “So who’s going to drive?”

  “I can drive,” Crystal volunteered. “My car is right down the street.” She pointed to the red Toyota.

  We hurried the short distance and made it to Crystal’s car. I climbed into the backseat and Tammy sat upfront with Crystal.

  “Exactly how haunted is this place?” Tammy asked as we headed out of town.

  “I don’t think it has anything bad. I think it’s more residual.” I told her that to try to make her feel better, but in fact I had absolutely no idea.

  The drive out of town seemed to take longer than I’d remembered, but then again, I was dreading the séance, so that could be why. Finally we reached the driveway that led into the old house. The car’s headlights highlighted the rundown house.

  “This is where serial killers lure their victims,” Tammy said.

  “Don’t say such things,” Crystal said as she inched the car down the drive.

  A sliver of the moon cast a faint white glow over the house. Other than that, the pitch black of the night surrounded us. It was as if we’d found ourselves in a whole different world. It looked just as spooky as it had the other night when I’d come here with Brannon.

  “Great. It’s even creepier than I imagined,” Tammy said as we pulled up to the front.

  Somehow, despite our fear, we got out of the car and moved around to the front, peering up at the old house. The wind had picked up and the branches on the trees swayed in the wind as if they wanted to grab us up and carry us away to some alternate dimension.

  Krista’s car was already parked in front, so she must have already gone inside.

  “She’s awfully brave to be in there by herself,” Crystal whispered, as if the ghosts were already listening.

  Crystal had a good point. As much as I’d been around ghosts and spooky surroundings, I didn’t think I would stay in there by myself either. I moved toward the front door with Tammy and Crystal following along behind me. A large gust of wind rattled the branches beside us and they jumped. I was surprised they hadn’t turned around and run in the opposite direction.

  I paused in front of the door and looked at them. “Are you ready to go in?”

  Tammy swallowed hard. “I suppose it’s now or never.”

  I nodded and grabbed the doorknob. After inhaling a deep breath, I pushed on the door slightly and it opened. The creak of the hinges echoed through the foyer.

  “Krista, are you here?” I called out, but she didn’t answer.

  Tammy and I exchanged a look.

  “Is she hiding from you?” Crystal whispered.

  It was strange to think that Krista might hide from me. I wasn’t going to lie, this was making me very uncomfortable. If this was some kind of joke, I wouldn’t be happy. Especially since I had gotten Tammy and Crystal involved. They hadn’t wanted to be here in the first place.

  The three of us stepped into the room to the right. It was where I’d seen the pentagram before. Krista was still nowhere to be seen.

  “What is that, a pentagram? What’s going on in this place?” Tammy moved back a few steps.

  “It is a pentagram, but I think it was just some teenagers in here playing,” I said.

  I knew all too well that messing around with séances could bring up evil spirits. I’d seen that at another haunted house I’d been to.

  “Don’t you think that’s a sign that we should leave?” Tammy said.

  “Of course not. We haven’t talked to Krista yet. I’m sure she’s here somewhere. Her car’s here so she has to be too.”

  “Maybe she’s upstairs,” Crystal whispered.

  “Possibly,” I said. “She may have not heard me call out.”

  After all, it was a big house. Though our words and footsteps did echo off the walls.

  “Maybe you should go up there and look for her,” Tammy said. “Crystal and I can wait on the porch.”

  I waved my hands. “You’re not going to leave me here alone, especially after I go upstairs. You all have to come up there with me.”

  Tammy and Crystal looked at each other.

  Finally Tammy said, “You’re right. I can’t leave you alone.”

  “Thank you,” I said.

  After we moved back into the foyer, the sound of footsteps reverberated around the room. I motioned for Tammy and Crystal to stop walking. I was almost sure that the sound wasn’t coming from us.

  “That must be her,” Crystal whispered.

  Now we had to go up there and let Krista know we were here.

  “Krista, is that you up there?” I called out again.

  Still there was no response. Was my voice too low? Maybe the walls were too thick for her to hear sound downstairs? The footsteps continued, so possibly she hadn’t heard me because she had moved too far away from the stairs.

  “Okay, let’s go up.” I motioned for Tammy and Crystal to follow me.

  Tammy and Crystal were so close as we climbed the stairs that they were practically on my heels. We eased up the stairs, watching our step on the broken and uneven treads. I hoped that we didn’t stumble and fall.

  When we reached the landing at the top, I paused and peered down the hall for Krista. There was still no sign of her. She must have been in one of the rooms. Cobwebs and dust covered every inch of the narrow hallway.

  “Krista, it’s Ripley. I brought a couple friends with me,” I said.

  As I’d suspected, I didn’t get an answer. This got creepier by the minute. I didn’t like this one bit and I knew Tammy and Crystal felt the same. If I felt uncomfortable, then I knew Tammy and Crystal had to feel the same way.

  We moved further down the hallway and I reached the first door, which was closed. I tilted my head at the door, letting Tammy a
nd Crystal know I was about to open it.

  The thought crossed my mind that something might jump out at us. Why would Krista be in there with the door closed anyway? That seemed unlikely. This was just too strange. I was beginning to second-guess coming here. I should have insisted that Krista meet us at the cemetery. As spooky as it had been there, this was even worse. At least I knew the cemetery. Here, I was out of my element.

  I inhaled a deep breath and then pushed the door open. The room was empty. There was nothing in there, not even one piece of furniture. Just like in the hallway, dust covered the floors and the windows. I stepped into the room just a bit, but when I realized Krista wasn’t there I backed out again.

  Crystal and Tammy were waiting for me in the hallway. I moved down to the other doors. I opened a couple more, but those rooms were empty as well. There was one more room at the end of the hallway and the door to that room was open as well. The footsteps had come from upstairs, I knew I hadn’t imagined that, so something was up here. Why wasn’t Krista answering me? I was beginning to worry.

  Maybe we were hearing a ghost? Krista could have seen something and taken off, although she’d left her car. I’d rather run into a ghost than see a stranger in this place. What would she possibly be doing? The people who made the pentagram on the floor downstairs could be here. That sent a shiver down my spine. I wouldn’t even share that thought with Tammy and Crystal. The tension radiated from Crystal and Tammy as they followed me down the hallway.

  When I stepped into the room, Krista’s body lay by the window.

  Crystal screamed and Tammy screamed too. The way Krista’s head was positioned, I was positive she was no longer living. Nonetheless, I had to go see if she was okay. After running over to her, I reached down and placed my fingers to her neck to check for a pulse. There was nothing there.

  That was when I noticed she had been stabbed. I hadn’t seen the blood since it was on the other side of her body.

  “Is she dead?” Crystal asked with panic in her voice.

  I turned to face them and I knew they saw the look in my eyes. “She’s dead.”

  Without a word we ran out of the room, raced across the hallway, and clattered down the stairs. Since we’d just heard footsteps minutes earlier, I knew the killer must still be here. Finally we reached the bottom step, then crossed the foyer, and fled out the front door. I almost stumbled as I rushed down the porch steps, but managed to remain upright. I glanced back at the house. It looked darker than before, as if it was laughing at us.