Downright Dead Page 10

  “I know this woman couldn’t have possibly rigged Burl possessing my body.” Sylvia patted her chest. “And he did.”

  “I didn’t rig anything. He probably said all that just to make it look like we staged the haunting.” The lies rolled from her tongue, but what else could she say? She couldn’t let him debunk her ghost.

  Tru grinned. “The sooner we have the séance, the sooner we’ll know.”

  Angel had been staring at Tru the entire time as if in a trance. “Your aura.”

  Tru pinched his brows together. “What about my aura?”

  “Nothing. It’s just not what I expected to see.”

  “Oh, I get it. You want me to pay you to find out how to fix my aura so I can be all happy and sappy, right? No thanks.”

  “It’s not that.” Angel placed her hand over her heart and shook her head. “I don’t want to be right and maybe I’m not. I’ve never seen this before.”

  “I’m not buying.” Tru walked over to Holly and took her hand. “You don’t have a ghost of a chance.”

  She tried to pull her hand back, but he held tight and kissed it.

  Tru slipped something small into her palm. “See you in thirty or else.”

  Holly unfurled her fingers and stared at the hairpin.

  Or else. Crapola. He knows. He knows I wrote the message in the mirror, punked his armoire, and left his top windows open to let a ghostly chill into his room. How can I fake a ghost for someone like that? He is so going to debunk the haunting at Holly Grove. He truly doesn’t believe there is a remote possibility that ghosts exist. Lordy, I don’t wish Burl to come back, but I need a ghost.

  “Okay, everyone.” Liz clapped her hands. “Change of plans. We’re going to have the séance tonight due to popular demand. Meet back here in thirty minutes.”

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  “What did Tru put in your hand?” Angel asked as she climbed the stairs with Holly.

  “Nothing.” Holly balled her hand into a fist. “Let me get you settled in your room. We need to talk.” Finally.

  “He’s a tortured soul.”

  “He’s torturing me right now.” Holly glanced back at Angel. “Is that what you saw in his . . . what did you call it?”

  “Aura.” Angel steadied herself on the rail.

  “Are you okay?” Holly reached out to help Angel.

  She nodded and stepped onto the second-floor landing. “It’s best he didn’t want to know. I’m not sure I could have told him.”

  “Why?” Holly asked as she led the way to the Jackson suite. “Was it something bad?”

  “I’ve never seen an aura like that.” She looked upward as though she were re-creating the image in her mind. “So thin and broken and yet he’s not ill, is he?”

  “Not that I know of.” Holly pulled a key out of her pocket.

  Angel pressed her fist to her heart. “Unless his death won’t be from an illness.”

  The key clattered to the hardwood floor. “Death?”

  “It’s good he doesn’t know.” Angel picked up the key and handed it to Holly.

  Holly swallowed hard. “When? How?

  “It could be soon.” She stared into the distance as though searching for an answer. “It could be months, but he won’t see his next birthday.” She glanced at Holly. “How? I couldn’t see.”

  “But are you sure?”

  A faint line marked Angel’s forehead. “I’m certain he’ll die, eventually. We all do.”

  Well that’s as creepy as it gets. “How’s my aura?”

  “Do you really want to know?”

  “On second thought, I’ll pass.” Holly stopped in front of the Jackson suite and slid the key in the lock, then swung the cypress door open. She stood aside for Angel to walk into the suite first, but she wasn’t there.

  Angel stood in the exact middle of the hall with her palms in the air and her eyes closed. “The spirit I mentioned last time is getting stronger.”

  “What?” Holly spun around looking for him. “Burl?”

  “He’s not here. Your dearly departed has moved on to peace.”

  It’s a good thing Angel said that now rather than at the séance. “How do you know that?”

  She offered a slight smile. “We had a connection.”

  Lordy, does every woman think she had a connection with him?

  “If he were here, I’d sense his presence,” Angel said.

  “That’s what I wanted to talk to you about, privately.” She waved Angel toward the Jackson suite, but Angel missed the motion because her eyes were closed. “Psst.”

  Angel’s eyes fluttered open.

  Holly waved her in again.

  “Oh, I’m sorry.” She glided into the room, which was weird. How can a woman never bounce at all when she walks? “I got carried away.”

  Holly closed the door. “I didn’t tell anyone my ghost moved on,” she drew quotation marks in the air, “to peace.” Except Nelda and Jake, but Angel didn’t need to know that. “When Sylvia called to do the follow-up show, I definitely couldn’t tell her unless I wanted that story on TV, and I didn’t. Holly Grove B&B was dying on the vine until it became haunted and then famous thanks to YouTube, Inquiring Minds, and you.” Holly paced. “Face it, my B&B in the middle of nowhere would have never been this successful without Burl’s haunting. He made Holly Grove so famous, I’ve got a debunker downstairs. He wants to ruin Holly Grove just because my real ghost moved on.”

  “And you want me to save you by pretending to connect with Burl?”

  Holly cringed. “And yourself. This debunker will ruin your reputation, too. At least, say Burl is unavailable right now. I told Sylvia he’s not speaking to me because we’re fighting, which would have been true if he hadn’t passed on, only it would be me not speaking to him.”

  “I know mediums are known as scam artists, but I’m not one. If I exploit this gift for ill, the spirits will not be happy with me. I know too many spirits and not all are benevolent.”

  “But you realize he’s trying to debunk your ability too, right?”

  “All I can do is speak the truth for the spirits. And they will protect me.”

  I’m so screwed. Unless I have a spirit to protect me. “What about that presence you mentioned earlier? Could you summon that one?”

  Angel sighed. “I don’t know. It’s very weak. A forgotten soul, but I felt it as soon as I walked into Holly Grove.”

  “Is this a good ghost or a bad ghost?”

  “I don’t know, why?”

  “If you can conjure up the right kind of ghost, I have a vacancy right now.” Holly gave a pleading grin.

  “I don’t have time for games right now, Holly. I must think.” And with that Angel swept into her room and closed the door behind her.

  * * *

  “You’re gonna ruin those candles,” Nelda said as Holly used a baster to add a few drops of water to the twelve votive candles she’d placed on the dining room table in front of each chair.

  “Insurance.” And Holly needed all she could get. “Just make sure no one comes through those doors.”

  Nelda saluted Holly and stood like a sentry in front of the closed ten-foot-tall pocket doors to the entrance hall.

  Holly climbed a wobbly wooden ladder to close off the heating vents. From the top of the ladder she surveyed the room. What else could she do?

  “Five minutes until I gotta let ’em in,” Nelda said.

  The rumble of thunder in the distance promised added ambience. For once, luck had sided with Holly.

  She rocked with the sway of the ladder as she backed down it. If she fell, maybe they’d cancel the show. She chuckled to herself. Nope. She could hear Sam now with one of his quotes. The show must go on. She folded the ladder and held it in the middle. “This is really a two-man job.”

  “You’ve been needing a man for lots of things lately, but you never believe me when I tell you that you need a man.”

  “Remind me to get a lightweight ladder.”
>
  “Or a heavyweight man, all muscle like your Jake.” Nelda’s bright smile glowed as a sliver of moonlight from a gap in the heavy curtains drifted across her face in the dimly lit room.

  My Jake. “Really, Nelda?” Holly asked as she hauled the ladder out through the side door to the kitchen.”

  “Just helpin’ ya think.” Nelda rocked back on her heels.

  Holly ignored that and carried the ladder outside, and propped it against the house where it’d been forever, which was probably why it was wobbly. By the time she got back to the dining room, Nelda had opened the door but wouldn’t let anyone come in. For once, she was doing exactly what Holly had told her to do and without any grumbling.

  “As soon as everyone gets down here we’ll take our seats,” Holly said. And pray somehow it all works out and I get to keep my ghost that’s gone.

  “This low-pressure front has my bunion killing me,” Miss Alice said as she walked right by Holly and Nelda. “I’m taking early senior citizen seating.”

  “Speak for yourself.” Sam flashed a yellowed old-school press pass. “I’m just going to stand in the back with my camera.”

  “Wait.” Holly took the camera from around his neck. “Remember, no flash photos during the séance.”

  He pulled a pocket pad and pen from under his jacket. “Then I’ll take notes.”

  She snatched that too. “You’re supposed to write a local color story about the experience. You can’t experience the séance while you’re taking notes.”

  Sam tapped the wiry gray hair at his temples. “Steel trap, darlin’.”

  Miss Alice took her place in the middle chair on the window side of the dining room and Sam sat beside her.

  Tru stood against the sideboard and cleaned his glasses with a black handkerchief. He wore a sports coat, T-shirt, jeans, and a felt fedora, all black, which made his pale skin stand out. Then again, black was a good color for him compared to his usual dingy du jour.

  The thunder came in rolls that seemed to match the churning in Holly’s stomach. Everything she cared about could be gone after tonight. She’d be satisfied with a draw. This was so unfair. She’d had a ghost. It wasn’t her fault that he’d moved on. She sighed. Actually, it was, in a way. A good way.

  Bob and Liz came in red cheeked from the chilly wind. Bob carried canvas bags with the Inquiring Minds logo stamped on their sides. They both were in the same clothes they’d had on at dinner but wore suspiciously happy smiles.

  “Where have y’all been?” Holly asked.

  “Getting some extra equipment out of the van,” Liz said, still grinning.

  Bob set up behind the camera, but there wasn’t a second camera for Liz like there was last time. Hmm. Was that intentional? Could they do as many cool effects with just one camera? Holly walked over to Liz. “Where’s the second camera?”

  “Damaged.” Bob finally spoke.

  “Flying is rough on our equipment. Don’t worry. We’ll get it all.” Liz patted Bob’s arm. “He’s the best in the biz.”

  “Liz!” Sylvia’s voice came from the top of the stairs.

  Liz rolled her eyes. “She’s helpless.”

  “Liz!” Sylvia called again as her buff-colored heels clicked with every step down the staircase. She wore an off-the-shoulder black cocktail dress with translucent sequins. Overdressed much?

  “I’m coming.” Liz shook her head and met Sylvia at the foot of the stairs.

  Sylvia pointed to her back. “I need help with my lapel mic and my zipper. Watch out for the sequins.”

  Thomas jogged down the stairs. He wore a navy cable-knit sweater over a white oxford cloth shirt and wool dress slacks. It seemed everyone had dressed for their fifteen minutes of fame except Bob, and Liz. Of course, they weren’t going to be on camera.

  “I’m ’bout ready to go,” Nelda said. She had Rhett in her arms. “You gonna have to hold him. That storm comin’ has him jumpin’ at his own shadow.”

  When Holly took him she could feel his little body shake. Poor Rhett. “I don’t know what I’m going to do with you.”

  “It’s the static electricity,” Miss Alice said. She dug in her purse and pulled out a tissue. “Give him to me.”

  Holly put Rhett on Miss Alice’s lap. A floral scent drifted up from the tissue. Holly recognized that scent from the laundry room. Either Miss Alice’s eyesight or her mind was going bad. “Miss Alice, I think you mistook fabric softener sheets for tissues.”

  “Most certainly not. I can well tell the difference, and I haven’t lost my mind yet.” Miss Alice rubbed the scented sheet across Rhett’s back. “If you rub a dog’s fur with a fabric softener sheet, it will cut the static and calm their nerves.”

  “Worth a try.” Nelda shook her head. “I ought not ask, but why do you keep fabric softener in your purse? You don’t even have a dog.”

  “It’s versatile and I like to be prepared,” Miss Alice said. “I can dust my dash with it. It makes my purse smell good. And if my dress creeps up over my knees because of static electricity, I can rub it over my dress to eliminate the problem.”

  What doesn’t that woman have in that wonder purse?

  “Humph,” Nelda said. “I’m gonna get me a sheet on the way out tonight.”

  “Aren’t you going to join us for the séance?” Miss Alice asked.

  “Y ’all call the dead all you want. I’m lettin’ them lie where they’re buried,” Nelda said, then poked Holly with her elbow. “She can’t pay me enough to stay up in here for that. Soon as I get my kitchen clean, I’m a gone pecan.”

  “Where is the medium?” Sylvia asked from the doorway.

  “The last time I saw her she was putting her suitcase in a car,” Tru said from his perch against the sideboard.

  Sylvia jerked to attention. “What?”

  Liz jumped to her feet as though she’d been caught off guard. “I’ll see if she’s in her room.”

  Something had jingled when it fell off her lap and hit the floor. Sam leaned over and picked up whatever it was.

  Could Angel have been thinking about bailing out without telling anyone? If she did, the séance was off. Holly held her lips tight to keep her smile from showing. Inside she was doing fist pumps. That would be the best luck ever! If it happened.

  Holly slipped out the door and through the kitchen to see if Angel’s car was still parked with the others.

  “Where you racin’ to?” Nelda said, up to her elbows in suds as Holly flew though the kitchen to the back porch.

  The wind caught the screen door and it flapped against the house. Please be gone. Please be gone.

  Holly rounded the corner of the house and counted the cars. Sam’s truck, Miss Alice’s old Fleetwood, the van for Liz and Bob, Sylvia’s red rental, Nelda’s Toyota, and her Tahoe. Six. That’s it. She’s gone! Holly fist pumped. A reprieve.

  Holly turned around to go back in and tell everyone the séance was canceled when headlights flashed against the house.

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  Holly could only hope Angel was gone for good. No medium, no séance, no debunked ghost.

  But then, the headlights of the car blinded Holly, shining right in her face. She tented a hand over her eyes to ease the glare from the light.

  A car door slammed.

  Footsteps crunched over gravel.

  Misty rain blew across Holly’s face.

  “Angel?” Holly called.

  If it was Angel, wouldn’t she answer? An unease inched up her spine.

  “Hello?” Holly’s voice kicked up an octave.

  More footsteps and then a dark figure holding an umbrella backlit by the car lights came into focus.

  Holly took a few backward steps. “Who’s there?”

  The figure kept advancing at a steady pace.

  Holly backed around the corner of the house and ran for the back porch, to the light. She yanked the screen door open, then latched it behind her. The contrast of the yellow light on the porch made everything a foot past the
screen pitch black. Her heart beat so fast it became one big continuous thud as she backed toward the door, keeping her eyes on the screen door. Why don’t they answer?

  The scuff of footsteps came from beyond the light.

  She wrapped her hand around the doorknob behind her. All she had to do was open the door and she’d be safe. From what? Mercy. Why don’t they answer? “Can I help you?”

  “You already have,” Angel’s voice came from the shadows before she pulled on the latched screen door. At the edge of the yellow light, Angel’s pale face was all Holly could see. Her long black dress faded into the dark.

  “You scared the bejesus out of me.” Holly blew out a sigh then crossed the porch to unlatch the screen door.

  When Angel stepped onto the porch, a faint static beat came with her. Heavy metal? She swiped her finger across her cell phone then wrapped the black earbuds around her phone.

  That explains why she didn’t answer me. “Where were you?”

  “Cemetery.” Angel stuffed her phone in her black purse.

  “At night?” Holly shivered.

  “Why not? They’re just as dead, night or day.”

  “Seriously, why did you go to a cemetery?”

  “I didn’t plan on it.” She sighed. “I planned on driving straight to New Orleans tonight.”

  “Why didn’t you? If this thing goes bad for me, it’ll be just as bad for your reputation.”

  “Sylvia told me you’re worried Burl wouldn’t show up. She offered me twice my fee to fake the haunting.”

  Holly widened her eyes. “The spirits didn’t like that, did they?”

  “She offered much more. When I refused, she fired me. She said she’d hire an actress if she had to, but there would be a Ghost in the Grove. Then she told me if I left immediately without speaking to anyone, she’d pay my regular fee and I could make any excuse I wanted to later.”

  “You could have had your fee and just gone home.” Holly threw her hands in the air. “Why didn’t you? They would have canceled. There are only a few days left on that option I signed.”

  “At the end of your driveway, a green orb flashed in front of me. That’s sometimes how a spirit manifests itself.” Angel looked into the distance as she often did. “That’s not unusual.”