by Rose Pressey
Oh, my gosh. I was so nervous that this wouldn’t work. But then I watched as Abigail walked down the path with Tammy right after her. This was my chance. I had to go for it right now. My legs were shaking so bad. I hoped I didn’t fall on my way to the house. What in the world had made me think that this would be possible in the first place? Brannon would so not approve of this. But I supposed I wouldn’t tell him. Okay, so maybe I would have to tell him eventually, but I’d worry about that later.
I raced up the steps, glancing back to see if I was still in the clear. Tammy and Abigail had moved to the right and I couldn’t even see them now. I hoped that Tammy was okay. I still didn’t trust Abigail. I was in the house now. Tammy had used her foot to keep the door open and Abigail had left it that way when they walked away.
I had no idea where to look for the box. I started opening drawers and cabinet doors. Looking under the sofa and under the chairs. When I spotted the desk, I ran over and opened up a drawer. The box was right there. Jackpot.
At least it was described as Mr. Byrd had told me. I assumed Meredith didn’t have two boxes that looked just alike. I just hoped that the photos were still inside. I opened up the box and saw them. I was so excited that I almost yelled out.
I grabbed my camera from my pocket. I had to take photos. Laying out all the photos on the desk, I started snapping pictures. After I was finished with taking photos of the pictures, I snapped a few photos of the box.
A shuffling noise and then some footsteps caught my attention. I froze on the spot. Were they back? Looking behind me, I didn’t see Tammy or Abigail. Was someone else in the house? I’d never even thought about that. Of course, someone else had to be in here, right? Then again, I’d seen the ghost before and maybe that was what had made a noise this time. I peeked around the corner into the kitchen. Thank goodness no one was there.
I just needed to get out of here immediately. I went back over to the desk and shoved the photos back into the box. Then I placed the box back in the drawer exactly as I had found it. Before I had closed the door, a noise came again. I spun around thinking that someone was right behind me. No one was there. This was really spooking me. As if I wasn’t nervous enough already. Now I had to deal with a ghost scaring me while I was doing this.
I had to get out of there right away. I shut the drawer closed and then ran for the front door. What if I ran into Abigail as I was getting out? I’d probably collapse and faint on the spot. They were nowhere in sight, so I left the door just as it had been when Abigail ran out.
I dashed back across the yard toward the tree. Once there, I hid again, pressing my body against the trunk. I tried to catch my breath.
“What are you doing there?” a woman asked.
I looked to the right and saw someone standing at the fence across the way staring at me.
“Excuse me?” I said.
I did not want this woman to expose me and blow my cover.
“What are you doing? Are you breaking into that house?” she asked.
“Of course not,” I said. “We’re just playing a game of hide and seek.”
She frowned as if she thought I was absolutely crazy.
“You know, with my nephew,” I added.
“Do you even live around here?” she asked.
“Of course I live right over there.” I just pointed in a general area.
“I don’t think you should be playing around in other people’s yards. Now get out of here.”
What a pleasant woman. I peeked around the side of the tree and thank goodness saw Tammy and Abigail walking up the path again.
“Well, I’m glad nobody got into your car.”
“Yeah, thanks for telling me,” Abigail said with a bit of confusion in her voice.
“Not a problem,” Tammy said.
When Tammy glanced over toward the tree, I peeked out to let her know that I was out of the house and that we were free to go.
“Well, I’ll see you later,” Tammy said in a hurry.
She raced down the path and I watched as Abigail went back into the house and closed the door. The neighbor was still watching me, so I waved and then took off. I met Tammy on the sidewalk.
“Did you get everything?” she asked.
“I got pictures of the box and the photos inside. Just as I wanted.”
“See, I knew this would work. She fell for that trick hook, line, and sinker.”
“I’m glad. I had my suspicions at first.”
“I had to do some fast talking, but it worked out fine,” Tammy said. “Do you think you got everything you need?”
“I hope I can find out from the photos I took. So I guess we’ll find out,” I said.
Tammy and I rushed into her car.
“Let’s get out of here before we look. I don’t want Abigail to see us together,” I said.
We pulled away from the curb and I pulled out my phone. I started flipping through, looking at all the photos.
“It looks as if they were all séances. All pictures from the turn of the twentieth century,” I said. “Maybe this holds a clue.”
“What kind of clue?” Tammy asked.
“I don’t know. There’s something very familiar about this one especially.” I tapped on my phone’s screen. “Something in the background looks familiar, as if I’ve seen it before.”
“Well, you have been to a lot of spooky places. Do you think it’s somewhere you’ve been before?”
“It’s a possibility,” I said.
I scrolled to the next photo and something looked familiar about that too, but I couldn’t quite put my finger on it. Maybe it would come to me soon. At least I hoped so. “I just have to do some more research. But maybe this has nothing to do with the haunting or murder at all.”
“Don’t give up just yet,” Tammy said. “You’ve gone this far.”
“I’ll never give up that easily,” I said.
Chapter 18
“We should go to the library right now,” I said. “There’s no time like the present to get started on my research. I want to figure this out so that things can get back to normal.”
Tammy scoffed. “As if things are ever normal around here.”
“Well, back to normal for us. Meaning somewhat calm. Maybe I should call Davis too and have him take a look at these photos.”
“It definitely can’t hurt,” she said.
“I’ll wait and see what happens. I don’t want to bother him too much.”
Tammy pulled out onto the road and we headed for the library. It was closed today, but I wanted to go by as usual and feed the cat. Plus, I would look into these photos as well. I had no idea exactly what I would be looking for, but I would give it a shot.
I still wondered what it was that seemed so familiar about the photos. I hoped it came to me soon.
Tammy pulled up in front of the library and shut off the car. “I hope there are no ghosts in there.”
“I think they like to hang out a lot when we’re not around.” “Which is fine by me,” Tammy said.
“You really think they’re around a lot more when we’re not there? Annie doesn’t say anything about it.”
“Maybe she doesn’t even realize since she’s a ghost too. We don’t know what she does when we’re not there.”
“I guess it’s possible,” I said with a shrug.
Tammy and I got out of the car and headed up to the library. I walked on the side of the graveyard so that she wouldn’t have to. I knew she’d appreciate that. A cold air lingered around the area even though it was warm outside. I sensed something walking behind us. When I glanced back, I saw nothing.
“What’s back there?” Tammy asked breathlessly.
“Oh, nothing, everything is fine,” I said.
“You sense something? I think I do too.”
“It’s nothing,” I said, looping my arm through hers. “Don’t worry.”
“Gladly,” she said as she hurried up the steps.
She shifted from one foot
to the other as I shoved the key into the lock and opened the doors. Tammy rushed inside soon as I got them open. I wasn’t sure why she was in such a hurry to get inside, since the ghost could just go through the wall and go right in to get her. No telling how many ghosts were inside the library. But to my relief, all was quiet. It was very peaceful. Just like the library should be. Sunlight streamed through the front windows and made the space bright even though the lights were off.
Annie appeared from around the corner and floated over to the reference desk. I received an alert on my phone. I checked it.
I wasn’t expecting you so soon.
“We came to do a little research.”
I’m glad. I thought it would be nice to see you today.
“I feel the same way, Annie.”
Jane Austen leapt up onto the reference desk.
“I guess Jane wants her breakfast,” I said.
She meowed loudly. At least it seemed as if everyone was in a good mood and that no ghosts had come around to scare everyone. I filled Jane Austen’s dishes and then Tammy and I headed over to do a little research. Annie followed along. Tammy and I sat down at the table.
“You know Annie might recognize some of those photos since she was around during that time,” Tammy said. “It’s worth a shot to ask her.”
“Good point,” I said. “Annie, I have some photos I would like you to look at. Can you tell me if you recognize anyone or anything?”
I’ll certainly try.
I pulled out my phone and shoved it to Annie. She studied the photos for a long time. Tammy and I exchanged a look. Maybe she was just trying really hard to remember but it seemed as if nothing was clicking.
I’m not sure. I wish I could help. Something seems familiar but I’m just not sure.
“Something seems familiar to me too,” I said.
I looked at the photos again and that was when it clicked.
“Oh, my gosh,” I said.
“What is it?” Tammy said, clutching her chest as if I had just scared her.
“I recognize the places in these photos.”
“Where are they?” she asked.
“This one,” I said, tapping the phone’s screen. “Is in my house.”
“You’re kidding,” Tammy said.
I scrolled over to the other photos. “And this one is the house that Abigail lives in.”
Tammy looked as if she just seen a ghost. “You’re kidding. Are you sure?”
“I am absolutely positive. The houses are extremely similar. I remember seeing this woodwork when I was in Abigail’s place. I just know that that’s the house and I know my house for sure.”
“It’s kind of strange that you’ve seen the doppelgänger in both houses. And there are photos of both houses.”.
“And now I have a doppelgänger just like Meredith.”
“Is there some kind of connection, do you think?” Tammy asked.
“I think there has to be a connection,” I said. “What are the odds? But now we just have to figure out what that connection is.”
“That seems impossible,” Tammy said around the sigh.
“There is one thing that pops to mind,” I said.
“What’s that?” she asked with a raised eyebrow.
“Both of the doppelgängers are of a former owner of one house and the current owner of the other house.”
“Both owners of the houses,” Tammy said. “Yes, that makes sense. But why? Why would you see your own ghost?”
My face turned to a grim expression.
“What’s wrong?” Tammy asked.
“Well, I didn’t want to say anything.”
This isn’t good news, is it? Annie sent via text message.
“Possibly not good news,” I said.
“Okay, give it to me,” Tammy said.
“Well, so the story goes a doppelgänger shows up as a sign of your own death.”
Tammy’s eyes widened. “But you’re still here.”
“For now, maybe.”
“Don’t say such things,” Tammy said. “I don’t believe in that.”
“I just don’t know at this point why they’re there.”
“Well, maybe part of what you said is true, like they’re just there to warn you. The murdered woman obviously didn’t get the message in time.”
“That’s true,” I said. “I never thought about it that way.”
I agree with Tammy. I think they’re trying to warn you of something.
“Well, if they are, then I need to hurry up and figure this out.”
Jane Austen jumped up onto the table next to me. She rubbed her body up against my arm.
“See, Jane wants to help you figure it out too.”
I hugged her. “Thank you, Jane. You’re such a sweet friend.”
“We won’t stop until we figure this out,” Tammy said. “If the ghosts are coming around it has to be for a reason.”
Tammy pounded her hand on the table. Jane jumped off.
“Sorry, Jane,” Tammy said.
Were the ghosts really trying to warn me? Yes, that had to be it.
“I have to tell Brandon about this,” I said.
“Yes, you really should,” Tammy said.
I picked up my phone and dialed his number.
“Are you at the library?” he asked.
“How did you know?” I said.
“On the camera, of course. I can see you and Tammy right now.”
“Oh, I forgot,” I said. “Checking up on me?”
“Of course not,” he said. “I was checking on Annie and Jane.”
“I have to tell you something,” I said.
“This sounds serious. Should I sit down?”
“No, nothing that bad. No dead bodies or anything. Well, for now.”
“Don’t joke about that,” he said.
“I don’t have the best of luck. And I do have a doppelgänger following me around.”
“Get to the point,” Tammy said.
“Right. Okay, the reason why I called is because I have some photos that may lead me to the person who murdered the woman.”
“How’s that?” Brannon asked.
“I recognized the places in the photos. The photos were taken from my house and the Meredith’s house. They involve spiritualism from the turn of the twentieth century.”
“Where did you get the photos?” Brannon asked.
I’d been afraid he would ask that question.
“I got them from Mr. Byrd’s shop.”
That wasn’t entirely a lie. I would tell Brandon the truth later. But right now, I needed to focus on this thing without him being upset.
“I think we need to find the owner of the house.”
“The victim’s niece?” Brandon asked.
“Exactly,” I said.
“They’ve been trying to find her with no luck. I’ll see what I can do to track down her address.”
“Okay, call me as soon you find out.” I waved at the camera. Tammy waved too. “I’ll talk to you later.”
“Love you,” he said.
“Love you too.”
Such sweethearts. The message was from Annie.
“Thank you, Annie,” I said. “Brannon is going to look for the address, but in the meantime, I have to look too.”
“I knew you were going to say that,” Tammy said.
I got on the computer and typed in the search. Right away I found her address in Nashville.
“Bingo,” I said. “Found it.”
“We should go to Nashville?” Tammy asked.
“Exactly. It’s not that far. We have to talk to her.”
“Brannon might not like this.”
“He has to work. He can’t go. I’m just helping him out, that’s all.”
“If you say so,” Tammy said. “Okay, let’s go.”
Tammy and I headed for the door.
Just be safe. Annie waved after sending her text.
“We will,” I said, waving.
&nb
sp; That same strange feeling surrounded us. I just hoped that ghosts didn’t come along for the ride. We took off toward Nashville.
“I’m starving. How about burgers?” Tammy asked.
“I’m trying to watch my calories.”
“Calories don’t count when you’re going after ghosts and murderers.”
“Right,” I said.
We pulled into a local burger place and placed orders. After eating we headed back out to the car and on to Nashville. I sensed that strange feeling in the car again. When I glanced into the backseat, I saw them. When I gasped I knew I’d made a mistake in alerting Tammy to their presence. But they’d startled me, and I couldn’t help myself. I’d thought I’d be used to seeing ghosts pop up by now, but there they were right in the backseat.
Unfortunately, this made Tammy swerve the car and almost cause a wreck. Tires screeched as she drove onto the road’s shoulder. I guessed technically it wasn’t my fault. It was the ghosts’ fault. Finally Tammy brought the car to a stop.
“What was that about?” she asked.
When I glanced back I realized that the ghosts were gone.
“You had ghosts in your backseat.”
“Oh, my gosh. You’ve got to be kidding me,” Tammy said.
“They’re gone now,” I said.
“But what if they come back?” she said.
“I guess they won’t stay around for long.”
“You’re just so calm about this,” she said.
“Calm? I just screamed and almost caused us to have a fatal accident.”
“Oh, yeah, you’re right. Don’t do that again,” she said.
“We just need to get to Nashville. The ghosts are trying to get us a message, that’s all. Nothing to be afraid of.”
“Nothing to be afraid of,” Tammy repeated after me.
I knew by the tone of her voice that she wasn’t convinced.
“We’re coming now. We can handle this. Let’s get back on the road.”
“All right, I’m calm,” Tammy said, releasing a deep breath.
She glanced over her shoulder one more time to make sure the ghosts hadn’t returned.
“They’re not back there,” I said.
Chapter 19
Tammy pulled back onto the road now. She kept glancing in the rearview mirror for the ghosts to return. Thank goodness we arrived in town. The navigation was taking us to the address. It said we were only a couple miles away. I was anxious about the visit and curious about what we would find. Would this woman know anything about the photos? Or perhaps what Meredith had been doing with them?