by Natasja Rose
Tina was about to reply in the negative when she saw a flash of a hooded grey figure. Much like John the Highwayman, it seemed to be trying to lead them somewhere. That wasn't the only strange thing, either. "There's a surprising lack of gory deaths around here, and someone is trying to lead us somewhere. Normally I'd say to check it out, but we only have a few minutes before visiting hours are over, and I refuse to go in unprepared."
Valerie looked disappointed, but led the way to the car park. "Is there anything you can think of that would be useful?"
Tina was about to answer, but reconsidered. "You said you see how people interact with the Aether. Do you know anyone who can talk to ghosts without them making the first move? Or even anyone who can sense spiritual energy? We are going to need more than just us on this case."
Exiting the grounds of St Andrews, Valerie pulled out the piece of paper Doctor Davis had given them, then squinted and frowned as she answered Tina's question. "I know a few people, and can requisition others. I should probably ask for a paperwork minion and a researcher, too. Er… can you make sense of this?"
Tina almost cringed away from the messy scribble on the paper. And she had thought Lizzy in a rush had terrible handwriting… "Argh, doctor script. It's worse than trying to translate the comments a Professor leaves on an essay. Let's just aim for the Poplars, and hope that there haven't been too many tragic accidents on that site."
Chapter Six
They were almost at the car park when the ghost of a probably-Regency-Era man (if the clothing was anything to go by) ran in front of them, planting himself in their path and gesturing back to where the grey-cloaked figure had been trying to guide them.
Throwing out an arm to stop Valerie walking straight through him, Tina grimaced, “Yes, I saw, but if we don’t leave now and come back tomorrow, we’ll get thrown out and possibly blocked from coming back at all. Can you give me an idea of where to start, to make up for lost time?”
The long-dead ghost only pointed, his expression reminding the psychic very much of her grandmother’s ‘Disappointed-In-Your-Excuses’ Look that Tina and her siblings and cousins had received far more frequently than she was willing to admit.
Tina whipped out her iPhone to check the compass heading in reference to their current position, and nodded her thanks. The spirit touched Tina’s arm to get her attention, then made a sweeping gesture, followed by punching a fist into an open palm. Tina grinned, translating the gestures into an offer of spiritual back-up in taking down the malevolent one. “Gladly.”
Valerie spent the short drive to the Poplars calling her office headquarters and arguing with someone via bluetooth, but eventually won the promise of a back-up team and one of the higher-ups coming out with more information.
The fact that said information hadn’t been given to them in the first place, and that the higher-up appeared less than a minute after breakfast was delivered in their room the next morning, without so much as a text message of warning, didn’t really make Tina inclined to like him.
To top it all off, he sounded exactly like the stereotypical upper-class secret agent who always turns out to be in league with the villain, complete with posh accent and patronising stare. “I suppose you don’t have anything to report yet.”
Valerie’s jaw clenched at the tone, but Tina replied before she could frame a diplomatic response. “There’s something malicious at work and we have a few leads. So, what’s the information you forgot to give us the first time around?”
The agent visibly gritted his teeth. Tina had that effect on people sometimes. “At first, we had only planned for you to do an initial assessment, and there wasn’t a need for you to know. Events have occurred to change that, and you have been cleared for a higher level of detail.”
Valerie sent Tina a quelling look, even as she frowned at her superior, “I thought that Tina and I were only here for consulting and set-up. What has happened to change that?”
The senior agent scowled, handing over a plain brown document folder. “Plans change depending on circumstances. The information you will need is inside. Believe me, I don’t like it any more than you do.”
Valerie sighed, “That still doesn’t answer the question of why you’re sending me, a Junior Agent at best, into the situation, with a Civilian! No offence, Tina.”
Tina shrugged. “None taken. I’d be interested in knowing why, too, if only so I can point out more ways in which my being intimately involved is a terrible idea!”
The older agent grimaced, but regarded them sternly. “Because the ‘civilian’ has more experience dealing with ghosts, especially ghosts who have a relentless agenda, than anyone we have on staff, and perhaps seeing how the spirit died will help us identify a way to get rid of it.”
Valerie crossed her arms. “And me?”
The agent shrugged. “You’ve developed a rapport with her, and… well, some of the reports of the spirit’s victims suggest a maiden being seduced and killed may have been either the original catalyst, or the current victim ‘type’. The male agents we’ve sent in haven’t found anything, and the female one barely escaped with her life. You’re the only agent that I know of that will be able to see it, but won’t have the seduction problem.”
Valerie looked like the Senior Agent’s ability to get her fired was the only thing stopping her from punching him. “Fine, but I want back-up able to respond within five to ten minutes at all times, and a team who won’t argue about following my instructions because I’m not a white male. I’ll contact some of the people I need and send the full requisition list by lunchtime. Come on, Tina.”
She stalked out, with Tina hurrying after her.
It was a fifteen-minute drive to St Andrews from the Poplars, which translated to about a 45-minute walk at Valerie’s anger-driven speed, so Tina didn’t bother attempting to hail a taxi as she chased after the other woman. A taxi would get them there too early for visiting hours, anyway. “So, feel free to tell me to fuck off, but can you clarify why you won’t have a seduction problem? Or why you’re so angry about it being mentioned.”
Valerie had an excellent poker face. “That depends on your stance regarding alternative sexualities.”
Tina shrugged. “I’m pansexual, my best friend is demi, one of my cousins is so far in the closet that he’s practically in Narnia, and I’ve dealt with several clients who were in same-sex relationships.[Might have to explain these terms a bit better.] I like to think I’m fairly open-minded.”
Valerie’s hostile stance softened, and she offered an apologetic smile. “Sorry, I’ve had some … unpleasant experiences with people who aren’t so accepting. For as far as we’ve come, being interested in your own gender is still seen as either controversial, or an automatic invitation for a threesome.”
Tina perked up a bit at the suggestion that her blossoming crush might not be unwelcome, but tried to remain casual. “So, if I were to invite you for coffee at some point, what are my odds likely to be?”
Valerie tilted her head, considering both the question, and Tina herself. “Just to be clear, are you asking me out?”
Tina willed her heart to slow down and her hands to stop trembling. Taking the first step was harder than the gossip rags made it seem. “Yes, but if that makes things awkward for you I promise not to bring it up again. Do I have a chance?”
After what seemed like an eternity, Valerie nodded. “A good chance, yes, but let’s get through the mission set-up first.”
The grey-shrouded figure was there again, exactly where Tina had seen it the previous day, though this time the bottom of it’s robe rustling in a way that almost suggested an irately-tapping foot.
Nevertheless, it led them to what looked like a exposed-root tree, which actually turned out to conceal a tunnel.
Wishing for the umpteenth time that her life was a little less like some B-grade movie and eternally grateful that the bridesmaid dress was the only clothing she had that couldn’t take some dirt, Tina reluctantly follow
ed Valerie down into the dark.
It would have been a lot easier for people who weren’t as tall as either of them, because they were forced to walk in a deeply uncomfortable stoop, which didn’t improve either of their moods. Finally, the tunnel opened into a small-ish cavern, empty except for a stone pedestal with a rectangular object resting on top.
Tina had tripped over enough of Lizzy’s books to be able to make out what it was, though a closer look while attempting to find a title made her wish that she hadn’t. The relief at being able to stand up again was negated by the fact that the cavern looked - and smelled - like a place for ritual sacrifice.
Trying to confirm her suspicions about what the book was bound with, while not getting too close or brushing against the sticky, slimy walls, Tina glanced longingly at the exit. “I would like to take this moment to point out that this is setting off every red flag in every supernatural horror movie ever produced.”
Even in the dim torchlight, it was easy to see the incredulous look that Valerie sent back at her, “You’re relying on Hollywood for accuracy and realism? Seriously?”
Tina had been subjected to enough rants from Lizzy whenever they watched an adaption of something Historical to get the Agent’s point (The Clash of the Titans remake had resulted in being asked to leave the theatre), but still. “It’s bound in what appears to be human skin, the walls look like they are bleeding and I refuse to be the one to test either theory. Seriously, lets just leave, and come back when we have at least some potentially expendable back-up.”
Valerie huffed and led the way out. “You’re just scared because the pretty blonde always dies first in slasher movies.”
Feeling a fuzzy glow at the compliment didn’t stop Tina from sticking her tongue out at the agent’s back.
Chapter Seven
There was nothing new at St Andrews, which was unusual in itself, and re-enforced the bad feeling about the lack of deaths. When they got back to the hotel, at least, there was an email waiting, saying that their back-up would arrive the following morning, and a shortlist of names and profiles.
Tina took herself on a short walk to the ice-cream shop while Valerie went through the information to decide who she wanted on their team. As it turned out, the rest of Northampton was actually quite rich in ghosts, which made St Andrews even more suspicious.
Finishing her treat and buying a takeaway tub for Valerie, Tina really hoped that the other agents, whoever they were, could help them figure it out.
The agents arrived at 5:15 in the morning, rather earlier than Tina especially wanted to deal with as she staggered out of bed and to the door to let them in as Valerie lunged for a change of clothes and disappeared into the bathroom to avoid flashing any passers-by.
At least she was a fast dresser, because she was back out and making introductions within five minutes. “Tina, this is Rachel. She can’t see ghosts, but she can talk to the dead. Joshua, who can sense degrees of spiritual residue and energy. Also Christopher, Thomas and Kayla: legwork, expendables and occasional medic.”
The last three aimed simultaneous affronted looks at Valerie, while Tina eyed the two Talented with interest. “Spiritual energy and talking to ghosts, huh? I bet that’s an impressive trick at parties.”
Both of them rolled their eyes, Rachel, whose skin and eyes suggested Asian ancestry, acting as spokeswoman. “I can project the conversation, in a pinch, but it’s not as clear-cut as it sounds, trust me. Not half as useful or glamorous, either.”
Kayla, whose stunning blonde looks suggested that she probably had nearly as much trouble with stereotypes as Tina did, stopped glaring to look over in interest. “How so? It sounds pretty cool to me.”
Joshua, dark-haired and blue-eyed, gave a long-suffering sigh. “Just because I know when there has been spiritual activity doesn’t mean I can pin-point it on a map, and I have to be on the spot before I can tell if it’s a blessing, a curse, or just the site of a really big spectral punch-up. I can influence the activity, a little, if it’s big enough, but that’s very touch-and-go.”
Christopher, who looked like a darker-skinned (and thankfully less nude), human version of a Grecian statue, with a voice like melted chocolate, glanced curiously at Rachel, who frowned at him. “Unless I know the name of the person I’m calling, I wind up summoning every ghost in a two mile radius. The communication deteriorates the further I am from their burial site, too.”
Thomas, possibly the most ordinary-looking person Tina had ever met, despite his upper-class accent, shrugged. “There aren’t that many recorded sightings, and at least you have a clear search pattern.”
Tina stared at him. “With as much of a long and conflict-ridden history as this Island has, do you know how many ghosts are in a two mile radius who aren’t a recorded sighting? Trust me, it’s a lot, especially in cities or places close to a battle-site!”
Rachel threw up her hands. “Thank you! Besides, that’s radius, not grid pattern. There is an overlap, and then I have to deal with ghosts whinging about being summoned twice!”
Valerie cut in. “You can debate it later. There’s a bookshelf in the guest lounge, and a library nearby. Thomas, you take the lounge, Christopher, you’re with me at the library. Look for anything to do with ghosts, or mysterious crimes or murders in the area of St Andrews. We’ll meet back here in half an hour, then head to the Hospital.”
Both of the men in question climbed to their feet, fishing through bags for wallets and forms of ID as Valerie turned to the remaining four. “Kayla, you’ll be working with the Psychics. Tina, order room service for when we get back, and catch them up on our progress so far.”
Tina nodded, absently musing that Valerie was kind of hot when she was ordering people around.
Filling in Kayla and the other two psychics didn’t take long, and Kayla pulled out a laptop to start hacking into records to find the names of the victims so far.
Tina decided that getting to know her potential future co-workers might be a good idea, and tried to think of a good opening question. “Er, so, what’s your heritage, out of curiosity?”
Joshua grinned in a very instigating manner. “Isn’t that a bit of a racist question?”
Tina shrugged, not entirely sure if he was joking. “The only differentiation technique I learned was that rhyme about the eyes when the White Australia policy was gaining momentum, and I’m pretty sure that’s more racist and offensive than admitting that everything below Russia and east of the Indian sub-continent looks the same to me.”
Rachel scowled at both of them. “Hong Kong, which is why it was easier for my parents to move here after the British Nationality Act in the mid-eighties.”
Kayla blinked. “I’m not in legal. How does being from China make it easier to move to Britain?”
Tina tried to remember what Lizzy had said when she had been researching Immigration Laws, then diverted into the History aspect. “Hong Kong became a British Territory for one hundred years after the Opium Wars. The Act was one of a series that expanded British Citizenship to include the foreign territories and redefined what circumstances granted automatic citizenship.”
Rachel looked faintly surprised. “Now I’m going to sound racist, but how does an Aussie know that?”
Tina shrugged again. “Lizzy and I were housemates until she got married and moved here, and she’s a history nerd who likes to talk about her current projects over dinner. It came up when she was researching if she needed to get a new passport, or just change the address on her current one.”
Valerie, who had just re-entered with the other two men, matched Rachel’s thoughtful look. “Do you think she’d be interested in acting as an occasional consultant when we need lesser-known trivia? A phone call would be so much easier and faster than getting hold of the research department.”
Lizzy probably would, but Tina wasn’t about to answer for her. “You’d need to ask them, but we’re headed up there tomorrow, so you’ll have your chance then.”
Un
til they knew what was behind the murders and what it was capable of, they weren’t taking chances by plotting nearby.
The first stop was the cave that they had first visited yesterday. The creative swearing from the taller boys, and even Rachel, made the path into the cavern much more interesting, at least.
Things became even more interesting when they entered the cavern. Tina took a few steps inside and froze, caught in a death-vision that hadn’t been there the previous day
A man and a girl who could barely be in her teens, if that, dressed in the fashions of the late 19th century, appeared out of nowhere, a few feet above the ground.
Falling, the man caught his companion, but he had barely regained his feet before he began to … shrivel was the only word that seemed to fit, as he aged before Tina’s psychic eyes, becoming hunched and wrinkled and finally crumbling to dust.
Horrified and confused, Tina staggered, directly into another vision.
The girl from the first vision, her expression dreamy, as though she were caught in a very pleasant memory.
Suddenly, her expression changed, and a bronze knife stuck out of her torso, held by a shadowy figure that shimmered like a mirage, even to Tina’s eyes, which were used to seeing things that others could not.
The figure knelt over the dying body pressing a hand to the girl’s forehead, and she, like the man who had protected her, burst into dust.
Kayla steadied her. “Vision? You don’t look so good.”
Tina sucked in a deep breath, instantly regretting it as she went into a coughing fit. “Yes. Two murders, and the worst part is that they shouldn’t be here.”