by CC Dragon
A Boat, a Banshee, and a Breakdown
Deanna Oscar Paranormal Mystery Book 10
By CC Dragon
Table of Contents
Title Page
A Boat, a Banshee, and a Breakdown (Deanna Oscar Paranormal Mystery, #10)
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Epilogue
A Personal Note from Ivy...
About the Author
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A Boat, a Banshee, and a Breakdown
(Deanna Oscar Paranormal Mystery 10)
Copyright © Feb 2019
By CC Dragon
Cover art by Rebecca Poole
Edited by Mary Yakovets
Proofed by: Angela Campbell
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, is forbidden without the written permission of the publisher.
Blurb
Deanna Oscar Paranormal Mysteries Book 10
A gator hunting bayou family all hear the cry of a banshee while on their lucky boat—who will be the next to die?
Deanna Oscar and friends are back to solve the spooky and paranormal problems in the Big Easy. A banshee returns every five years and kills at least one (or as many as five) members of a particular family. The family asks Deanna to help them end the curse or stop the wrath of this vengeful spirit.
Newly married and juggling a lot of upheaval in her social circles, De is happy to help but the banshee isn't cooperating or communicating. Is it a vengeful dead woman or a demon playing tricks?
Tortured souls, obsessive priests, Death, and gator hunters plus a very loud banshee make up just another case in the Big Easy—if De can only avoid any dead bodies this time...
Chapter One
Walking into our Garden District mansion, my stress and tension levels dropped. This was where I belonged.
“Better?” Paul asked.
I nodded as he and Gunner brought the bags in. Gunner had picked us up from the airport. The impromptu honeymoon was fun but being away from home was harder on me.
“Did you get sick?” Gunner asked.
“No, it’s weird. Remember how I was off when we went to the casino to get Frankie?” I asked.
“Sure,” Gunner said.
“When I leave New Orleans, it seems like I feel weak or messed up. I liked New York and all that but I’m not strong like I am here. Wish I could explain it. Chicago was better but until I’m home, it’s like I’m missing...something.” I heard the banging and drilling from upstairs.
“Frankie and the crew working on the new bathroom?” Paul asked.
Gunner smiled. “Frankie is testing out a crew. They got that one house to rehab and are making plans for another. But he says this is a good way to see if the guys are reliable and good. Especially in a haunted location.”
“They’re not done?” I asked.
Matt popped his head out of the kitchen. “Just started a day ago. Trying to carefully demo a room with a cat and a dog around. I lock them in the library but they get out.”
I hugged Matt, my old friend on the police force. “Thanks. Ivy?” I asked. My best friend had left her husband at the altar and ran off the day of her wedding.
Matt shook his head. “Nothing. Greg hasn’t heard much either but he’s been sort of off on his own, too.”
“I’ll take these upstairs and see how good or bad it’s going,” Paul said.
“Thanks, but leave the one with the dirty laundry and I’ll get that started,” I said.
He dropped the bag by the kitchen then headed up the stairs.
“Tension?” Matt asked once Paul was gone.
“No, I mean I wasn’t my best self but I think that’s going to be any time I travel. Traveling is something we never really did before, unless you count the casino which ended up like work at a weird location. He’s great but I’m so plugged into things that it weirds me out.” I walked into the familiar kitchen and took a deep breath. “Home.”
Gunner nodded. “Case requests are piling up. One is pretty pressing.”
“Tomorrow. I promise. Any word from Brody?” I was hoping things had magically worked themselves out but of course not.
“No, he’s staying at Paul’s apartment. Working at the rehab but he’s been scarce. Can’t blame him,” Matt said.
“Guess not.” I grabbed the bag of laundry and carried it to the laundry room off the kitchen.
“The cleaning and errands guy is still coming around. He can do that tomorrow,” Gunner said.
I smiled. “I can start my own laundry. Then I’ll check on the progress upstairs. Greg has really been quiet?”
Gunner leaned on the dryer. “He feels guilty. He didn’t see what Eli was or Ivy was struggling with. Probably same as you.”
I bit my lip. “Ivy needed help and I wasn’t paying attention. Or I missed the signs. She’s one of my best friends, how could I just miss it?”
“Weddings make people crazy. Brody seems like a great guy. Why would we think he’s not Mr. Right for her?” Gunner asked.
“You or Matt find anything out on him? I know you probably ran his name through all the police stuff again,” I teased.
“Nothing dangerous or creepy. Some parking tickets and some debt, like most people in America. It’s their relationship, their business. I don’t think it’s anything huge. Of course, Ivy getting deep into whatever Eli was telling her—it’s possible it’s all in her head.” Gunner wagged a finger at me.
I added detergent to the washer full of clothes then closed the lid. The washer whirred to work. “I can see that. If I can’t help Brody, it’s best to leave him alone.”
“Ivy isn’t talking. We’ve all tried contacting her,” Gunner said.
I rubbed my forehead. “Greg has the best chance. They’re family.”
“Greg is deep in religious revitalization,” Gunner added.
Frowning, I headed to the kitchen and grabbed a bottle of water. “What does that mean?”
“It’s what he replied when I texted him that you and Paul were coming back tonight. I think it’s some sort of penance,” Gunner replied.
“Mary Lou will know.” I headed for the front door.
Paul was on the stairs. “Where are you going?”
“Mary Lou’s. I need to check on Greg,” I said.
Paul met me at the door and hugged me instead. “Sorry, but you need to sleep and get back to yourself. You can’t help people like this.”
“I’m fine.” I tried to wiggle free.
“Right. It can’t wait a day? Dinner and a good n
ight of sleep in your own bed?” he asked.
I dreaded going upstairs. Frankie remodeling the bedroom on the other side of mine so Paul would have his own bathroom and we’d have another walk-in closet was smart. The bathrooms in the old place were small and functional, not the lavish ones like in new homes. Even if remodeled, there was only so much that could be done. Adding one meant spurring off the current plumbing but it also meant a little privacy.
Marriage was good but a bit of mystery didn’t hurt in the bathroom area.
“Fine. What’s for dinner?” I asked.
“Pasta?” Matt suggested.
“Or order something in, whatever works for you guys. I’m going to call Greg.” I pulled out my phone.
Paul put his hand on mine. “Now? Maybe wait until tomorrow.”
“I’m okay,” I said.
Paul gently tugged my phone from my hand. “You’re on twenty-two percent. Let’s throw this on the charger. You can bug Frankie while we get dinner.”
“I missed something with Ivy. I need to check on Greg.” Ivy bailed on her own wedding, which is how Paul and I ended up with an impromptu wedding. As good as it felt being home, it was so weird not to have Ivy rushing down the stairs in a blingy outfit and hugging me. I missed her.
“Greg survived our honeymoon without you. I get that you feel responsible but your friends are adults. Ivy, Brody, and Greg, all of them. You can check on Greg tomorrow when you’re rested. You’re still pulsing from travel. You won’t be any help until you’re back to yourself,” Paul said.
He wasn’t wrong. I could feel my energy recharging, yet the guilt was getting to me.
“Pasta, fresh sourdough bread?” Matt taunted.
“I need that.” I nodded. “I’ll check on Frankie. Make a lot because I’m starving, please.”
Paul smiled.
“But tomorrow I’m back to work and I’ll find Greg. I don’t care if he’s hiding in some weird monastery that doesn’t let women in,” I said firmly.
Gunner nods. “I think that’s a good plan. Greg is okay, really.”
“Fine. And I’ll see Mary Lou tomorrow. Too many men around here,” I grumbled.
“Marriage won’t help that,” Matt teases. “Mary Lou would’ve been over here like a shot before—now with that charity house she’s got a lot more things going on. It’s good for her but you might need some more female friends.”
I ignored that and went upstairs. A few sweaty men walked by me, nodding.
“Workday over?” I poked my head in my bedroom. There were some drop cloths and a hole in the far wall but the work seemed done for the day. Frankie sat on my bed and was texting on his phone.
“You’re back.” Frankie dropped his phone on the bed and came over to hug me. “Regrets? You can get it annulled.”
“Sorry, can’t do that. Want the details?” I teased.
“No, only you would get married that way.” He turned and pointed to the hole in the wall. “We’ve broken through. Most of today was breaking up the other bedroom to get to the pipes.”
“I trust you.” I nodded.
Frankie arched an eyebrow. My little brother was here in New Orleans to get the hang of his own supernatural gifts and finally had taken control of his life. The spooky powers were weird but once you owned them and worked with them, life got easier. He’d met a woman who was into haunted real estate and that also helped, not being stuck with just his sister for guidance.
Taking in my room under construction, I knew it’d be a pain but the remodel was needed. I didn’t see the angels that were hanging around my house. They’d probably moved to another room.
“I do. Just don’t leave this half done for a house you want to flip or something. I’ll pay you guys to get it done promptly.” I smiled.
“You can pay for their labor and supplies. I’m getting my skills back up to snuff and sorting out a good crew. Some guys might bail. I’m keeping an eye on them. Matt being around will help,” Frankie said.
“How’s Darla?” I asked.
Frankie blushed slightly. “She’s good. The haunted houses are cool. She’s doing some non-haunted houses, too. It keeps her balanced. She can’t help looking into history and figuring out the haunted ones.”
“You’re helping with that?” I asked.
“That’s in her real estate business, not on the flipping side. But yeah.” Frankie went back to his phone.
“Matt’s making pasta for dinner. You want to invite Darla?” I asked.
Frankie shoved his phone in his jeans pocket. “Um, actually Darla and I were going to go out. Hit dinner somewhere near some houses she wants to look at. I need to get a better feel for the real estate market and neighborhoods around here. I’m going to grab a quick shower and go meet her. Sorry. Tomorrow, dinner maybe.”
“Have fun.” I nodded.
“You too. Greg has been sort of MIA. Ivy hasn’t called anyone back. I’m sure you have cases, too. Can’t be on vacation and in the honeymoon phase forever,” Frankie teased.
“Normal sounds good.” It really did. But marriage meant a new normal. Who thought up the concept of a honeymoon? Going on a trip together right after you made a huge change? The real fun would be learning to live together and sort out the little things.
My weird haunted inherited mansion wasn’t just mine now, even though I had others living there. Now it was our house. I didn’t mind sharing but I’d learned to trust my instincts, my gifts. With Paul, I couldn’t just decide things on my own—we had to agree.
Marriage, like ghost hunting, had to be handled one day at a time. But I was home. I could sleep in my bed and shower in my own space. I never really did like traveling so I’d feel much better in the morning.
I looked back at my bathroom. “You didn’t turn the water off in my bathroom, right, Frankie?” I called and started after him down the hall. “Frankie?”
The next morning I stepped out of the shower and felt a tension in the air that made me shiver. Drying off, I listened but the vent drowned out any voices. Once I had my clothes on, I opened the door and saw Frankie and Paul in a serious talk.
“What’s wrong?” I asked, ducking back into the bathroom to grab my brush.
“We’re just starting. You guys need to be out of here,” Frankie said.
Paul shook his head. “It’s our house.”
“Our?” Frankie said.
“Cool it. It’s not even seven. You can’t just show up in people’s bedrooms. We need to be able to sleep and shower.” Luckily, Paul had showered first and was ready to go.
“Fine, but then it takes longer to get it done. We’ll re-drape everything in here and get to work as soon as you’re done.” Frankie headed out into the hall.
Paul shot me a look.
I shrugged. “You want it done or not?”
“Some guy just poked his head in from the other side.” Paul pointed to the hole in the wall that now had a sheet tacked up over it.
“I understand. That sheet is a good privacy measure. It’s temporary, then we’ll have his and her bathrooms and closets. This place needs them. I have to dry my hair and I’m done.” I tossed the towel in the hamper.
Paul nodded and walked over. “I’m going to the rehab center and then work. Lots to catch up on.” He kissed me.
“I have to check on stuff, too. Have a good day, dear,” I teased.
“Dinner on the table at six,” he said with a smirk.
I laughed. “That’ll be the day.”
Twenty minutes later, I was in the kitchen and my brother was eating breakfast.
“Why are you messing with him?” I asked.
“He’s in the family now. Gotta give him crap,” Frankie chuckled. “I like him. Mom and Dad are okay with him, too.”
“Okay?” I asked. We’d swung by Chicago on the way back from NYC for him to meet the parents.
“He’s a doctor, so that’s something. But you’ve got him in your pocket,” Frankie said.
“What?”
I poured myself coffee before I smacked my little brother.
“They want grandkids,” Frankie said.
I shrugged. “You better get started.”
Frankie snort laughed. “I’m not married.”
“I’m too old for that crap. This place wouldn’t be safe for a baby, anyway. Haunted objects and evil spirits. Demons trying to invade.” I rolled my eyes.
“That would circle back to them wanting you to be normal,” he teased.
“Us. They want us to be normal. When I was with them, it was all about Frankie and why was he staying in New Orleans. What’s wrong? Why doesn’t he have a normal job?” I sipped my coffee.
“What did you say?” he asked.
“The truth. They’re not happy but you get used to it.” I stole half of Frankie’s bagel. “Get to work and keep the peeping Toms out of my bedroom before seven a.m. Got it?”
“Seven start time, fine. That goes for weekends, too,” Frankie said.
I nodded. “Fine. Do you know where Greg is staying?”
Frankie shook his head. “Nope. He hasn’t been crashing here. It’s been nice. No Ivy, Brody, or Greg. When everyone was here it felt like a frat house.”
“You’ve been crashing at Darla’s?” I asked.
“Sometimes, not all. She’s nice.”
“Business and pleasure,” I warned.
“You and the doc have a business together,” Frankie mocked.
I scoffed. “That’s a charity business. Not for profit.”
“Business is business and pleasure is pleasure. Adults can separate the two.” Frankie filled a thermos with more coffee. “To work I go.”
“Don’t screw it up,” I said.
“You do your job, I’ll do mine.” Frankie headed up the back stairs.
Matt was gone to work already but Gunner wasn’t around, either. It was a bit of a relief since he’d want to talk about the urgent cases right away. First, I needed to see Mary Lou and check on Greg.
I finished off the bagel and had another cup of coffee before I put on a little makeup and headed over Mary Lou’s. The neighboring mansion had been refitted as a sort of house for young women at risk.
I’d barely made it on the porch when a young woman I didn’t recognize opened the door.
