Ghostly Play

by K E O'Connor

  “I take it you’re not into planes?”

  He shrugged. “Not really. Unless they’re part of a computer simulation.”

  “Maybe you can attend with Piers and Harriet?”

  Alex laughed. “Is there free champagne on offer?”

  I scanned the invitation. “I’m sure the organizers would look after you.”

  “Harriet doesn’t go anywhere unless there’s free champagne. Piers might be up for tagging along.”

  “He’s not into model aircraft?”

  “He’s into models of the female kind, but nothing to do with planes.” Alex glanced over. “Why do you want them there?”

  “I wanted to see if I could tempt you along if your friends came.” In truth, if I could get Alex to the air show with the others, I could use it as an opportunity to see how much Harriet and Piers knew about drones.

  I checked the contact information. “I’ll suggest someone else open the event.”

  “If you like,” said Alex.

  I whisked off a quick email to the organizer, suggesting local socialite Harriet Fawcett would be delighted to open the event on behalf of Alex.

  The reply was almost instant and full of enthusiasm. They would be thrilled to have Harriet attend in Alex’s place and happy she could be their special guest for the day. They sent through information about the event and what Harriet needed to do—simply say a thank you to everyone for coming along and cut the ribbon to mark the official start of the event.

  It sounded simple enough. I just had to convince Harriet to turn up on the day and reveal herself as being one of Greg’s killers.

  “I’ve suggested Harriet open the air show,” I said to Alex. “Do you think she’d like to be the center of attention?”

  Alex shrugged. “She’d love that. But I can’t see Harriet in a muddy field. It would ruin her high heels.”

  “I can get her a pair of welly boots. They do them in all different colors. Do you think she’d like ones with glitter?”

  “I don’t dare comment on anything Harriet wears,” said Alex. “I once said her dress was pretty, and she tore it up! I thought women liked compliments.”

  “Normally, we do.” Harriet’s temper tantrums were another tick in the suspect box. Maybe Greg had said the wrong thing to her, and she’d lost control.

  “I’ve never figured out how her mind works,” said Alex. “She might like to do it. She might also like glittery wellies. Equally, she might hate the idea and get stroppy.”

  “It will keep her occupied for the day, which means you can do whatever you like.”

  Alex paused his game and looked at me. “That’s not such a bad idea. What will she need to do on the day?”

  “Hob nob with the local mayor and other dignitaries,” I said. “Give a short opening speech and cut the official ribbon. Then she can enjoy herself. If there’s no champagne provided, I can bring a bottle for her.”

  Alex tugged on his bottom lip. “If she’s busy doing that, I can stay here without her complaining about the time I spend on my games.”

  “You might need to come along for a little while to make sure she’s happy,” I said. “It will be easy enough for you to slip away while Harriet is occupied. What do you reckon?”

  “Go for it,” said Alex. “Harriet’s been demanding lately. She keeps dropping hints about moving in.”

  “You don’t want that?”

  “I’m too young to have a serious girlfriend,” said Alex, “and far too young to be moving in with one.”

  “Have you told her that?”

  “Have you met Harriet?”

  Unfortunately, I had. “Maybe she’ll find someone else who is ready to get serious with her.” Someone like Piers, for example.

  “I sort of hope she does it soon,” said Alex. “I don’t mind having fun with her, but I never wanted it to get serious. Harriet isn’t great at taking a hint. She used to get in the way when Greg was around and slow down our progress with work. She intimidated the hell out of him. Greg used to hide in the kitchen when she was being particularly spiteful.”

  “She didn’t like Greg?”

  “I’m not sure Harriet likes anyone. She’s even mean to Lucy.” Alex looked over to where Lucy was fast asleep on her favorite pillow in the corner of the room. Flipper was lying next to her. Next to him was Priscilla, who had decided she liked the house a lot more than the outbuilding.

  “How can anybody not like Lucy?”

  “Exactly. I need a girlfriend who doesn’t mind me having a pet pig and lets me play on these games for hours. Someone who joined in would be even better.” Alex glanced at me. “Someone like you, just younger.”

  I tried not to be offended. “Maybe you could play a little less. I know you do it in the name of your research, but sometimes, real life can be just as entertaining.”

  Alex wrinkled his nose. “You can keep real life. I’m happy here.” His shoulders slumped, and he stared at the controller in his hand.

  Alex wasn’t happy. Maybe he had been when Greg was around and he had someone who understood him. But for all the material wealth around him, he was lonely, just like Greg. No matter the evidence against Alex, I couldn’t figure him for killing Greg and taking away the only person who understood him.

  “How about lunch?” I asked him.

  Flipper, Priscilla, and Lucy lifted their heads, and three tails wagged.

  “Will Helen be too unhappy if I order instant noodles again?”

  “She’ll make you whatever you like,” I said. “But she is a great cook. You should let her make you something from scratch.”

  “The pizza she made me was good,” said Alex. “I enjoyed that. And she did homemade garlic bread to go alongside it. That was great.”

  “She can make you Thai food,” I said. “She’s amazing at that.”

  “Maybe Helen can flavor the instant noodles so they taste like Thai food,” said Alex.

  “I’ll suggest that to her.” I sighed as I left the room, Flipper, Priscilla, and Lucy following me to the kitchen. It was a start, but Alex was into his instant noodles, and there was nothing I could do to change that.

  Helen sat at the kitchen table. She had several cookery books open and was scribbling notes on a notepad.

  “I’m here with the lunchtime order,” I said.

  Helen’s expression soured. “Let me guess, fish finger sandwiches with mayonnaise? Or does he want tomato sauce this time with a side order of ready salted chips?”

  “No, something far fancier than that.”

  Her expression brightened. “What does he want?”

  “Thai flavored instant noodles.”

  Helen pressed her lips together and then nodded. “That will take me all of five minutes to prepare. I bet he doesn’t want any vegetables either.”

  I sat at the table. “Vegetables were not mentioned. But you have four hungry mouths here willing to eat great food.”

  Helen looked at Flipper and the pigs. “They’re not eating my cooking. But I can make us a nice meal. I’ve got plenty of time on my hands. Instant noodles and grilling fish fingers don’t exactly occupy my time.”

  “What about Camilla and Eva?” I asked. “They must want something different.”

  “Eva lives off cereal she eats from the packet. Camilla’s not around all that much,” said Helen. “When she is, she only wants plain things. I don’t think she even notices what she’s eating.”

  “I always love your food,” I said. “And Flipper is always happy to eat any leftovers. It looks like Lucy and Priscilla will be too.”

  Flipper, Lucy, and Priscilla sat patiently by the kitchen table, watching Helen’s every move.

  “I’m not sure I can get references from a dog and two pigs,” said Helen. “I don’t think they’ll stand me in good stead for getting another job.”

  A thread of worry traced through me. “You don’t want to stay here?”

  Helen opened a packet of noodles and dumped them into a bowl before pou
ring hot water over them. “Not if this is all I get to do. I’m bored.”

  “And maybe missing Gunner?”

  She stirred the noodles with a wooden spoon, her back to me. “A little bit. I didn’t think I would. He can be so annoying and loud. But I sort of like that.”

  “He’ll be here at the weekend,” I said. “I have a plan for when Gunner and Zach arrive. We’re going to take them to an air show.”

  “There’s an air show?”

  “Yes. And I’ve arranged for Harriet to be the guest of honor. They’re having drone demonstrations all day. Visitors can try their hand at flying their own drone.”

  Helen pulled the noodles out of the water and mixed in lemongrass and fish sauce. “How are you going to get Harriet to fly a drone?”

  “She will have to try everything as the special guest. We just need to watch to see how good she is.”

  “What about Piers?”

  “I bet he’ll be there. Piers is never far behind Harriet. And I’ve persuaded Alex to put in an appearance. That will give Piers another reason to tag along and play at being best buddies with him.”

  Helen dumped the noodles on a plate. “I feel sorry for Alex. For all this money, he doesn’t have much of a life.”

  “I was thinking exactly the same,” I said. “Now Greg has gone, he’s all alone. He can’t have harmed him.”

  “I really hope it was Harriet and Piers,” said Helen. “Although, prison food would suit Alex. I imagine they serve a lot of fish fingers and instant noodles behind bars.” She hurried out of the kitchen with the noodles on a plate.

  I sent a quick text message to Zach, letting him know what we’d be getting up to at the weekend. It wasn’t the most romantic way to spend a weekend, hunting a killer at an air show, but he always said he wanted to keep me safe when I was helping a ghost. This would be the perfect opportunity for him to do that.

  I got back an instant reply. I’ll bring my aviator sunglasses and flying jacket.

  I had to smile. He would look good in aviator sunglasses. Zach looked good in just about anything. When he got here, and we’d finally figured out what happened to Greg, I’d spend time alone with him and figure out our own ghostly problem.

  Chapter 18

  I waved as I saw Zach’s Land Rover approach the house.

  It was the day of the air show. I couldn’t help but feel nervously excited. It wasn’t just that we’d hopefully uncover what had happened to Greg, but I’d missed Zach and was worried about him. I hated the thought that he was in our house with Amelia, and she was causing problems between us.

  Flipper ran up to the Land Rover as it stopped. A second later, Jessie shot out. They danced around each other, happy to be reunited.

  Lucy and Priscilla stood a few steps behind Flipper, watching the two dogs.

  Helen ran out of the front door of the house and flung herself at Gunner as he emerged from the Land Rover, almost knocking him off balance.

  He gave a startled laugh before wrapping his arms around her and spinning her in a circle.

  Zach got out and smiled at me. Our greeting was more cautious. We were tiptoeing around each other, both knowing there was a problem and not sure how to solve it.

  He kissed my cheek. “It’s good to see you.”

  “You too.” He smelled of his usual combination of spicy cologne and grass. I had missed that smell.

  “So, an air show,” said Zach. “I didn’t think this was your thing.”

  “It’s not,” I said. “I have an ulterior motive.”

  Helen led Gunner over, their hands clasped together.

  Gunner slowed and peered over my shoulder. “What are the pigs doing here?”

  “That’s Lucy and Priscilla,” I said. “They’re Flipper’s new friends. They’re nice pigs.”

  We all watched as Lucy and Priscilla trotted over to Flipper and Jessie. Jessie stared at them for a few seconds, confusion clear on her doggy face.

  After a few mutual sniffs and touching of noses, Jessie seemed to accept Lucy and Priscilla, and they all ran across the lawn together.

  “If only human relationships were that easy to figure out,” said Helen. “A few sniffs in the right place, and everything works out.”

  “What’s your ulterior motive for going to this air show?” asked Zach.

  “We’re going to catch a killer,” said Helen.

  “That sounds serious,” said Gunner.

  “You know the basics,” I said. “Our prime suspects will be at this air show. They’re having drone flying at the event. It’s a chance for us to see them in action.”

  “These possible killers are hardly going to re-enact their crime,” said Gunner.

  “No, but if we see they know how to fly a drone, it will be more evidence against them.”

  “Give me everything you have on these potential killers. I’ll make a few discreet calls before we go to the air show,” said Gunner. “We need to know who we’re dealing with.”

  “I don’t want you putting yourself at any risk.” Helen clutched Gunner’s hand.

  “Sweetheart, that’s sort of my job.” He winked at Helen.

  I gave him everything I knew about Harriet and Piers. Gunner ambled off, his mobile glued to his ear. Helen was close behind him, obviously listening in to his call.

  Suddenly, I felt awkward being alone with Zach. “So, how are things?”

  Zach’s forehead wrinkled. “The business is good. I’ve got two more jobs on the books this week.”

  “That is good.”

  He gently took hold of my hand. “Things are still going missing.”

  My heart sank. “Amelia is still around?”

  “I think so. She’s not causing much of a problem. I just wish she’d stop hiding my stuff.”

  “You still have no idea why she’s hanging around you?”

  “I thought maybe I still had some of her things,” said Zach. “You know, you keep things for sentimental reasons.”

  “You do if you care about someone,” I said. “Do you still care about Amelia?”

  “We were together for a while,” said Zach.

  My throat felt tight. “So, you do?”

  “Not in the way I care about you,” said Zach. “She is a part of my past, though. I can’t erase that, even if I want to.”

  “What do you have of Amelia’s?”

  “That’s just it, nothing. I went through all the final boxes of things I hadn’t unpacked. The only thing I’ve got left is the ring.”

  “Maybe that’s it,” I said. “Amelia wants you to do something with her wedding ring.”

  “I left it out thinking she might take it, but it hasn’t moved. If it was the ring, don’t you think she’d have taken it?”

  “Most likely,” I said. “I wish she’d show us what she wants, instead of hiding. Amelia must know I’m not happy with her being there.”

  “She was never shy,” said Zach, “a bit spiteful maybe. That could be the whole reason she’s doing this.”

  “You think she’s jealous of your happiness?”

  “I wish that wasn’t a distinct possibility,” said Zach. “We didn’t part as friends, not after she cheated on me.”

  “Maybe that’s it,” I said. “Amelia wants you to be friends. She could be feeling bad about how things ended between you and wants to say sorry.”

  “She can say sorry by leaving us alone,” said Zach. “She didn’t have to turn up and move things. That’s only causing us problems.”

  As much as I hated to admit it, he was right. I gave his hand a gentle squeeze. “We’ll figure this out. We’re not going to let a ghost come between us, are we?”

  “Not for a second.” He kissed my forehead.

  “I’ve got nothing on this Harriet or Piers.” Gunner strolled back, Helen by his side. “Piers has a few unpaid speeding tickets, but nothing serious. Harriet has no record.”

  “It doesn’t mean they’re innocent, though,” I said. “It simply means they haven
’t been caught.”

  “Excellent deduction, Watson,” said Gunner. “Let’s head over to this air show and see if we can find out if they committed the crime.”

  “Wait for just a second,” I said. “I need to make sure Alex is awake before we leave, or he’ll miss the whole thing.”

  Zach looked at his watch. “Your boss is still in bed? It’s almost noon.”

  “He’s a night owl,” I said. “He spends his evenings online, gaming with people in America.”

  “Is your boss a teenage boy?” asked Gunner.

  “Most of the time he acts like one.” I hurried back toward the house. “I won’t be a minute.” As I entered the lounge, I discovered Alex just waking up on the couch.

  He gave me a sleepy smile and ran a hand through his messy hair. “Is it time for breakfast?”

  “It’s time you got up and got yourself ready,” I said. “The air show starts in less than an hour.”

  “I don’t want to go,” grumbled Alex. “I’m sick.”

  “You’re fine,” I said. “Have some coffee and something to eat. You’ll enjoy it when you get there.”

  “You sound just like Greg,” said Alex. “He always used to say the same thing.”

  “Was he right?”

  “Sometimes, but it was always more fun when he was around.” Alex slumped back on the couch and covered his face with an arm.

  “You know, you will have other friends.” I sat on the edge of the couch. “I know you must miss Greg a lot, but maybe it’s time you found someone else to get involved in your business, someone who understands you and works well with you.”

  “Please don’t tell me you’re going to suggest Piers.”

  I laughed. “I don’t think you should go into business with Piers. In fact, I’m not sure he’s that good of an influence on you.”

  “Now you sound like my mom,” said Alex, as he pulled himself into a sitting position. “She can’t stand Piers. She’s not keen on Harriet either.”

  “Then your mom is a good judge of character,” I said. “What did she think about Greg?”

  Alex scratched a hand through his hair again. “Not that much, actually. She always said I could do better. She said he held me back. I never listened to her. She doesn’t know the first thing about gaming. Greg, on the other hand, was wired for computers. I used to joke with him that he had a circuit board for a brain.”