by K E O'Connor
Ghostly Fright
Lorna Shadow Cozy Ghost Mystery, Volume 11
K.E. O'Connor
Published by K.E. O'Connor, 2018.
This is a work of fiction. Similarities to real people, places, or events are entirely coincidental.
GHOSTLY FRIGHT
First edition. October 5, 2018.
Copyright © 2018 K.E. O'Connor.
Written by K.E. O'Connor.
Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright Page
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
If you enjoyed this book, you might enjoy other books written by K.E. O’Connor:
Chapter 1
Helen hit the bend too fast, her neat red car doing an outstanding job of staying on the road.
I slid her a glare as I gripped the handle on the car door and balanced my cell phone against my knee as we listened to Josie from Prestige Recruitment Agency on the loudspeaker.
“When I got this job from Fleur de Bloom, it had your names written all over it,” she said. “It’s short-term, so you won’t be away from home for long. It’s a perfect match for your skills. Lorna Shadow planner extraordinaire to handle the fancy party, and Helen Holiday to provide heavenly treats and help with a few costume alterations.”
“My needle might have to stay packed if everyone turns up for the party,” Helen said. “This will be the biggest catering job I’ve ever handled.”
“You’ll be great at it,” Josie enthused. “And you’ll have helpers at the party.”
I nodded as I flicked through the paperwork the agency had sent last night. It was unusual for us to take on a last-minute, short-term job like this, but with our situations changing and having a permanent base of our own with Zach and Gunner, Helen and I were open to trying something new. Short-term gigs also paid better because the clients were desperate and needed help fast.
“They do know how little time there is until Halloween?” I asked. “Getting everything organized in ten days is a huge task.”
“You’re not starting from scratch. I emailed you the party planner’s progress. The silly woman flaked at the last minute. But the hard work is done. Everything is booked, and the guests have been invited. It’s just loose ends to tie up, and that’s it. The two of you love a challenge,” Josie said. “You can do anything when you set your minds to it. And a Halloween party will be such fun.”
“It might not be fun if we have to race around getting everything done because the old party planner hasn’t been honest about what she’s done.” I was a little worried. Maybe there’d been a huge problem and the original party planner had ducked out to avoid getting in trouble, or the boss was a tyrant and had scared her away.
“You’ll both do splendid jobs. And Fleur de Bloom has added a generous bonus to the package because you’ll be working long hours.”
“Exactly how long will these hours be? I can’t function without my beauty sleep.” Helen’s blue eyes narrowed as she navigated another sharp bend.
“Don’t worry. Zara Patella is a lovely woman. I’ve spoken to her several times. I don’t get the impression she’s a slave driver, but she does expect top quality results.”
“It should be fine. We can organize a party,” I said.
“And you’ll have your own accommodations off-site from the house,” Josie said. “When you have spare time, you can relax. You don’t need to be on duty all the time. I promise you won’t regret taking this on.”
“We’re on our way, so we can’t back out now.” I reached behind me and ruffled Flipper’s gray fur. He was sound asleep on the backseat of the car, oblivious to the chaos we were about to enter.
“I knew you wouldn’t let me down,” Josie said. “They’re a bit out of the way in the countryside, so you’ll have time for lovely walks with Flipper. How is my favorite doggie?”
“Asleep, as usual. He’ll enjoy himself no matter where he is.” Flipper was nothing if not adaptable when it came to fitting into a new place. I took him on every job, and he loved exploring the new places we traveled to for work.
“I must dash,” Josie said. “Any questions, you pick up the phone. I imagine you won’t need any help, though.”
We said our goodbyes, and I stuffed my cell phone into my purse. I looked out the window at the gray clouds that scudded overhead. Autumn was almost a distant memory as we hurtled toward winter. This was my favorite time of year, when I got to wear my long boots and snuggly sweaters.
“Give me the details,” Helen said. “I couldn’t concentrate yesterday when it all came through, what with Gunner heading off on his big secret case and not telling me anything. It’s almost like he has a mistress; he was being so cagey.”
I laughed. Gunner Booth, Helen’s new husband, was high up in the police and often disappeared on top-secret missions. Helen always tried to winkle information out of him, and she was always unsuccessful, no matter how many brownies she bribed him with.
“Gunner wouldn’t dare have a mistress. He knows what you’d do to him if he did.”
“Quite right. I’m all the woman he needs.”
“And there is the small matter of him being head over heels in love with you.” Gunner and Helen were perfect for each other. Married life suited them, and they’d been blissfully happy since their wedding.
“Naturally. I am irresistible.” Helen grinned at me. “Come on. Tell me everything about Fleur de Bloom.”
“The Halloween party sounds extraordinary. We just need to pull everything together, double check the bookings, and confirm the guest numbers and any special requirements. Oh, and you have to cater to two hundred hungry mouths.”
“It’s so exciting. I have dozens of ideas for themed Halloween treats. I’m going to wow these party guests with so many spooky surprises, they’ll be talking about it for months. It’s a product launch party, isn’t it?”
“That’s right. Fleur de Bloom is launching a new range of hybrid flowers.” Fleur de Bloom was the country’s most exclusive developer of rare and exotic blooms. They were proud of developing their own produce and ensuring the survival and cultivation of plants on the verge of extinction.
Helen’s brow wrinkled. “Flowers and Halloween. I don’t see the connection. Shouldn’t they launch new blooms in spring or summer, when everyone is thinking about their gardens, not snuggling on the couch in front of the fire, sipping hot chocolate?”
“Apparently, these are special. They’ve created hybrid flowers that look like skulls, among other things.”
“Skulls! Who wants something creepy like that peeking out at them? Do they think that will be a bestseller?”
“Apparently so. Their botanists have also created flowers that give off a distinctive smell. I haven’t got any more information than that. I was focused on the party details and making sure we can pull this off in ten days. The Fleurs are something special when it comes to plant hybrids.”
“Didn’t Josie mention the name Zara?” Helen asked.
“Zara Patella is our new boss. She jointly owns the business. She’s the one who’s handling the party.”
“It’s a shame their party planner let them down at the last minute,” Helen said. “What a mean thing to do.”
“I hope it’s not because the busi
ness owners are awful to work for.”
Helen shrugged. “We’ve handled awful before. And because she bailed, it means we get the jobs and the bonus stress payment that goes along with it.”
I nodded as I skimmed through the information Josie had sent again. A half-planned Halloween extravaganza should be fixable. I was looking forward to it. I enjoyed Halloween. It gave me a chance to hang out with lots of ghosts who needed nothing more than their bags filled with candy. No murders to solve, no puzzles to figure out, just lots of sweet treats and fun fancy dress costumes.
“What about this neo-gothic house?” Helen asked. “It sounds creepy to me. It also sounds old. We both know what old means.”
“You’re right. It is an old place. I looked it up online last night. The original structure was built in the thirteen-hundreds and used as a place of worship. But we’ll be working in the fancy new offices in the grounds. They’ve been purpose built, so we don’t have to go near any creepy old house that has things going bump in the night.”
“That’s a relief,” Helen said. “I know I can’t see the ghosts, but they still give me the chills when they’re hovering round you, demanding you help them. You know I hate the cold. I’ve packed some cute sweaters just in case we have to hang out with the house ghosts.”
“With a bit of luck, the only ghosts we’ll see on this job are the ones people dress up as. Fake ghosts are not a problem.”
“And a few witches and werewolves, I’ve no doubt.” Helen flung the car around a corner as we headed deeper into the Hampshire countryside.
Hampshire was one of my favorite counties, with its lovely seaside resorts and national parks, but it was hellishly expensive if you wanted to buy property there. That was a part of the joy of this work. I got to experience the life of the wealthy and privileged without facing their outrageous tax bills every year.
As Helen zoomed along the country lanes, past more bare trees and empty fields, I looked at a picture of the neo-gothic house the family lived in. It had a spooky vibe. I was half-expecting a gothic Addams family to reside there. I’d do my best to stay away from the house. Helen was right; old places always meant ghosts. The more ghosts there were, the harder it was for me to concentrate, and I’d need my focus for this job.
“This is our final turn,” Helen said. “The house should be right in front of us.”
The sat nav directed us to the left, and we were soon pulling up outside the house. Formerly an ancient church, the enormous building had been transformed into a vast, three-story dwelling. The stained glass and gothic stone work created an imposing facade as I stared up at the building. I hadn’t mentioned it to Helen, but there was even an old graveyard tucked away somewhere. I would not be visiting that. As cliché as it sounded, ghosts did lurk around their final resting place from time to time.
As soon as Helen switched off the car engine, Flipper woke from his slumber and was eager to jump out and explore his new surroundings.
As I let him out, I continued to stare at the building. I only had to glimpse at a couple of windows to see we were being watched and not by anyone who was living. I shivered and turned away from the house.
“This is something else.” Helen pulled our bags from the trunk. “It’s like something out of a gothic novel. Look at that spire.”
I focused on the trimmed lawn instead. “It’s a perfect setting for the Halloween party.”
I turned as the front door opened. A slim, dark-haired woman wearing a black pantsuit stepped out. She smiled as she hurried toward us.
“I hope you’re my new party planners.” Her heart-shaped face held a hint of anxiety. “I wasn’t able to sleep last night worrying that you might think the job is too big for you.”
“That’s right. We’re the planners. I’m Lorna Shadow,” I said as I shook her hand. “And this is Helen Holiday.”
“Zara Patella.” She shook both our hands. “I’m so grateful the agency found somebody to step in at such short notice. When our old party planner walked out on me the other day, I thought I’d have to call the whole thing off. It would be such a shame. We’ve worked so hard to get this right, and for everything to fall apart at the last minute would be a tragedy.”
“We’ll do everything we can to make sure the party goes off without a hitch,” I said to Zara.
She surprised me by giving me a hug. “You’re my party planning angels. Let me give you a quick tour, and I can fill you in on what we’ve done. A lot of the outside decorations have already gone up, especially in the barns. It’s the admin I’m stuck on and, of course, the food.”
“I can help with that,” Helen said. “And if you need your Halloween outfit tailored, just ask.”
“My outfit!” Zara’s cheeks paled. “I hadn’t even thought about a costume. What shall I wear? I can’t go to my own Halloween party without an outfit.”
“We can sort something out.” As I studied Zara’s face, I could tell she was a little overwhelmed by everything on her plate. “How about we look around and then talk costumes?”
“Oh, yes! You’ll want to see your new home.” Zara smiled. “Leave your bags here for now. Your car will be safe, too. You have your own parking space, which I’ll show you.” She set off at a quick trot, and I hurried along with Helen, Flipper not far away as he explored the large, manicured grounds.
“I understand the flowers you’ve bred for the party launch are something special.”
“They’re such fun. They were my former business partner’s idea. She always had a knack for coming up with something unique, something to capture the public’s imagination.”
“They’re really designed to look like skulls?” Helen asked.
Zara chuckled. “Exactly that. They’re remarkable. And you have to try the zombie scented flowers.”
Helen wrinkled her nose and lifted her eyebrows as she looked at me. “They must be a niche product.”
“You’d think so. But we’ve got twenty-five thousand pre-orders. I almost fell off my seat when I saw the latest numbers come in. I can’t imagine anything more unpleasant than something that smells of zombies around your house. But it’s the trend, you see. The zombie movies, books about zombies, and zombie series on TV. Why not zombie flowers? I’m hoping no one gets me one as a gift, though. I’ve scent tested enough of them to never want to see another, or should I say sniff another, one again.”
As we walked along, Zara pointed out the greenhouses and barns. “We’re using some barns for spooky experiences at the party. A sort of walk-through of terror experience. I’m getting actors to do some interactive scaring. I want this to be a party to remember.”
“The main party will be held outside?” I asked.
“That’s right, in marquees.” Zara slowed outside a single-story building with pale blue paint on the window frames. “This is your accommodation. It’s set back from everything and recently renovated. The long-term plan is to let these out to nature lovers. I think we’ll draw a crowd of keen amateur botanists and garden lovers. But if these won’t do, there are rooms in the house.”
“No! This will be perfect.” I glanced over my shoulder at the house. Something about that place set my teeth on edge. It could be its age or the fact there were lots of bodies buried not far away, but I was keen not to spend any time inside.
Zara smiled. “Some people get uncomfortable about sleeping in a former church. That’s why we had these units built. They’re very comfortable and quiet. You won’t be disturbed.”
“Are the offices away from the main house, as well?” I asked.
“Yes, and I’m glad for it. The house is lovely to look at but too drafty for me. I only go in there to sleep and eat. That was one of the first things I decided when there was enough money, get some purpose-built, state-of-the-art offices. There’s no need to sit shivering in the cold. Come and see them.”
I followed Zara along a path to a dark green door. She opened it and flicked on the lights.
I stepped inside wit
h Helen. There were several desks, filing cabinets, computers, and bookshelves. Everything we needed.
Flipper bounded in and sniffed around.
“I expect this is where you’ll spend most of your time,” Zara said. “I do.”
“It looks perfect.” I watched as Flipper ran to the back of the office and whined.
Zara looked over, and concern filled her eyes. “Is your dog friendly with other animals?”
“Yes, he gets on with everyone.”
Zara let out a relieved sigh. “That’s good. I forgot that Miltonia was in here.”
“You have a pet?”
“No, well, she’s sort of mine. I’m looking after her for now.” Zara ducked down. “Miltonia, come here.”
“Who’s Miltonia?” Helen asked. “It’s an unusual name.”
“She’s a dog. She’s named after an orchid. Miltonia’s been a bit down. She spends all her time here. I can’t even get her to go for a walk. When she needs the toilet, she goes out but comes straight back in again and huddles in her bed.”
“Is she friendly?” I asked.
Zara tilted her head from side to side. “She’s not unfriendly.”
I walked over slowly, not wanting to spook Miltonia. Flipper stood next to a small dog bed, covered in a checked blanket. A small, quivering lump was underneath the blanket.
“Flipper, heel.” He walked over and sat by my feet.
I inched up the edge of the blanket. Two beady black eyes stared at me, a tuft of pale fur sticking up on top of her head. Other than a few tufts of fur on the dog’s legs and tail, she was bald. Her brown, blotchy skin quivered like a gone off jelly.
Helen peered over my shoulder. “Oh dear. What’s wrong with her?”
“Nothing,” I said.
“Where’s her fur?”
“She’s a Chinese Crested dog. They often come with little fur. At least, some do. You get powder puff Chinese Crested, and then this breed, which has very little fur. Their skin is similar to ours. You have to make sure they don’t get sunburned and keep their skin moisturized.”