"No, she can't and more so, she doesn't believe in the paranormal. Don't even go there with her."
The deputy nodded and swallowed. "Glad I didn't mention anything to her then."
"Mention what exactly?" I had a feeling that we were talking about more than my deceased husband hanging out in the bakery.
"I had a feeling, felt some weird energy when I was processing the crime scene at London Manor. I think something sinister is going on, but I'm not exactly sure what."
"Nick thinks the same. He was just going over there to see if there's any other ghost hiding around." Speaking of which, I wondered where he had trailed off to. "I think we need to have meeting here," I said, bringing my attention back the group.
"I agree," said Ellen.
The four of us went into the kitchen to talk, well, five of us if you counted Nick, who was waiting for us. I went about putting on a fresh pot of coffee and gave Deputy Stevens the go ahead to update Amelia on the case, including the discovery of Emily's body.
It was then Nick's turn to talk. "I was just at the house, and there's still another ghost knocking around, maybe two, but they keep eluding me."
I told Ellen and Amelia what Nick had said. Deputy Stevens heard Nick loud and clear.
"How is that possible? Where exactly are they going?" Amelia asked.
Nick answered the question, and I relayed the answer. "The older of a ghost you are, meaning how long you've been kicking it here on earth, the more powerful you are. It's as simple as that. Plus, ghosts can pretty much zap off to wherever they want to go. It makes it pretty hard to catch someone."
"Have you ever come across anything like this in any other case?" I asked Deputy Stevens.
"Maybe once, I think. It was more like I had the feeling that a slip and fall was really more of a push and shove. Of course, without any ghost left hanging around, I wasn't able to prove it."
"We need to get back to London Manor," I said.
"You're free to return, from a legal standpoint that is. That was the other reason for my visit," Deputy Stevens said.
Ellen went to retrieve her bag of cleaning supplies from the counter. "What does Nick make of these?" she asked me.
Nick cocked his head as Ellen revealed the contents of her bag.
"What is it?" he asked.
"He doesn't know what it is," I said to her before explaining to Nick. "The manager at the New Age store told Ellen that we need to clean the energy at London Manor. If we lighten the energy, the dark energy—meaning any nasty spooks—won't be able to stand it and they have to leave."
Nick got closer and sniffed the herbs, sneezing as a result. Other than that, it didn't have any effect on him. I said as much to the group.
"But it wouldn't, right? Because Nick's not a bad ghost," Amelia said.
"She has a point," Deputy Stevens said.
"Okay, so we go to London Manor, cleanse the energy, and hope to send the bad spook packing?" I asked tentatively.
"You have a better plan?" Deputy Stevens asked.
"No, that I don't." I replied.
7
The sun was rapidly setting as we piled into our cars and drove together up M-22 to the hilltop estate. Ellen and Nick rode with me while Amelia and Deputy Stevens rode in his car. We hashed out the details a little more before leaving. The game plan was we were each going to carry a crystal in our pocket for protection and light a smudge stick to clear the air. Ellen told us the goal was to fill the space with light and love. "So if you can talk about the things that you love and that make you happy, it will help," she had said.
Personally, I felt like we were bringing knives to a gunfight, but at this point I was willing to try just about anything.
We congregated in London Manor's entryway. "Let's stay in groups. Deputy Stevens—"
The deputy interrupted me. "Call me Preston."
"Okay. Amelia, you stay with Preston and Ellen stays with me. That way there's one medium with each group. You two," I said pointing to Preston and Amelia, "start upstairs in your bedroom Amelia, and work your way down. We'll start in the basement and work our way up. Nick?" I looked around for my favorite ghost. He came back in the entryway. "You be our lookout. If you spot anything nasty coming our way, give us a heads-up. Everyone good with the plan?"
I would have much preferred to send the nasty spook out of this realm, but seeing that was beyond anything we were capable of, getting him out of London Manor was the next best thing. I had to admit, the Manor felt cold and dark, and it had nothing to do with the approaching winter storm. I shivered and then reminded myself what we were attempting to do—fill the manor with light and love.
Before we broke up into our teams, we walked around the house, turning on every light and lighting a few candles along the way. The house was still a total mess from the party, so we would just have to clean and smudge our way to a happy home. Ellen and I each picked up a handful of plates, walked to the kitchen, and got ready to light our smudge sticks. I found a couple of flashlights under the kitchen sink and passed them out.
I could hear Amelia and Preston head upstairs. As they walked, they started talking about everything they loved and enjoyed in life. Amelia talked about how much joy her son brought her, and Preston kept saying how much he loved fishing and being on the water.
With our sticks lit, Ellen and I opened the basement stairs and looked down into the darkness.
"This was your idea," I reminded Ellen, trying to keep the fear out of my voice.
"Don't remind me, dear. Maybe we should have left the basement to Preston and Amelia." Ellen replied.
A shiver ran down my spine. I was thinking we should have tackled it all together, or not at all. "Nick, are you here?" I asked.
"Right here, babe," Nick said in my ear.
"Stay close, please." Together, we walked down the stairs. Ellen and I kept our backs to the wall to prevent ourselves from being pushed from behind. The unfinished basement with its cylinder brick walls and uneven floors was hard to navigate in the dark. I used my flashlight to illuminate the ceiling and find the single lightbulb fixtures, pulling the strings that hung from the ceiling to turn them on. The space was stacked with boxes and boxes of London family heirlooms, things that I had yet to go through, along with furniture. Antiques, no doubt.
"Maybe this isn't so bad," Ellen said as she started to move her smudge stick through the air. "What do you love best, Claire?" I knew Ellen was trying to stick to the script.
What did I love best? "I love my family and friends, the bakery, Milo—"
POP!
Ellen and I turned to look at one another. One of the single lightbulbs had just broke.
POP!
POP!
POP!
One by one, the lightbulbs went out until we were plummeted into the darkness.
"We're not alone guys," Nick said.
Thankfully, I still had my flashlight in my hand. I clicked it back on, casting the beam around the room, but all I saw were stacks of boxes and dusty old furniture. From upstairs, I heard Amelia scream. I looked to Ellen, unsure if we should run or hold our ground. A stack of boxes fell in front of the stairs. Then the room filled with the most menacing laugh I had ever heard. It was a woman's laughter—high-pitched and full of vengeful hate.
Then she materialized.
It was Emily. Only she looked completely crazed. Her ghost reflected the evil spirit that was inside. Up where her heart should have been was a black pulsing orb. Suddenly, objects started flying through the air toward us. Old lamps, glass picture frames, clothes—everything hurled toward us with such a force we had to take cover. Ellen and I threw ourselves to the ground, covering our heads with our hands. The laughter continued. Nick surrounded us. His presence was cold yet comforting. It was like I was in a bubble, or underwater. He was protecting us.
But the onslaught continued, and I could feel Nick's energy flickering. He wasn't as strong as Emily, and I could only guess it was because his heart was
pure and hers was full of hate.
I heard Amelia scream once more and I knew we had to end this madness, but I didn't know how. Having Nick surround us was chilling me to my bones. I felt frozen.
Then, as Nick's last bit of energy drained and he was forced to let go, an even stronger presence made itself known. Where Emily's energy was full of malice, this energy was bright and hot. A light, full of warmth and love. I felt the ice in my body thaw and my heart begin to beat with such joy. It was such a hundred-and-eighty-degree shift, my emotions couldn't even process it.
I looked up in wonder, but it was like looking into the sun. Emily couldn't stand it. She withered and screamed as if she were in agony. Within seconds, she exploded, sending wisps of smoke into the air that were quickly captured by the light.
Ellen and I huddled together on the floor, holding hands, and looked up to see who had saved us. It was my grandfather.
"I don't understand," I said as we are gathered in the kitchen. That statement could have covered so much territory.
My grandfather, Chip Jones, stuck with the immediate explanation. "I saw Emily murder Derek. From what I understand, they had a long history of violence on both parts. She stabbed him in the back and threw him in the closet while you guys were all out watching the fireworks. She took off running out the back door, and all I did was give her a little shove. I wasn't about to let her get away with that. Although, I hadn't planned on her tumbling all the way down the basement steps and breaking her neck. Not that she didn't deserve it."
I was in shock. I think we all were.
"Tell you what, I've been tracking that girl's ghost since the moment she died. She turned into one ugly spook really quick. It's a good thing we got her when we did."
"You can say that again," Amelia replied.
“What happened upstairs, dear? We heard you scream,” Ellen said.
Amelia shuddered. “She made Jacob’s toys come to life and attack us. I’m never going to be able to play dinosaurs with him again.”
I didn’t blame Amelia one bit.
"But what are you doing here?" I asked my grandfather, trying to understand how he came to rescue us.
"I heard a rumor that you could talk to ghosts now. Had to see it for myself, sweetheart."
"I can, but I had no idea you were still here and not, you know, in heaven,” I replied. "You've never visited me before."
"Family's always close by, never doubt that," my grandfather said. “You ever get in trouble again, you just give Grandpa Chip a call and I’ll come running. You can bet on that.”
With that, my grandfather gave a nod and winked off into the great unknown.
“I don’t know about you guys, but I could use a drink,” Preston said.
“Anyone up for some champagne?” I offered. A drink sounded pretty good right about then.
“Count me in, dear,” Ellen added.
“I could use something to eat,” Amelia replied.
“That sounds good too,” Preston said.
In no time, the champagne was poured, leftovers brought out, and laughter filled London Manor once more.
Also by Stephanie Damore
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I'm a mystery author with a soft spot for romance and humor, too. I love all things girlie with a dollop of danger, have a strong affinity for the color pink (especially in diamonds and champagne), and, not to brag, but chocolate and I are in a pretty serious relationship.
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