The Deed in the Attic

by K. D. McCrite

  “We won’t see or hear any spirits—” Annie began.

  “But if we do,” Peggy interrupted, raising her voice a bit, “we can have them taken care of.”

  “And if we don’t,” Alice said, “we can swear the place isn’t haunted. It’s a win-win situation. Right?”

  Annie sighed. “Right. But we aren’t going to see any ghosts.”

  Alice crimped her lips. “Sometimes, Annie, you can be such a buzzkill.”

  Annie’s mouth flew open.

  “What in the world is a ‘buzzkill’?” Stella asked, looking up.

  “Vanessa uses that term more than I like.” Kate said. “It means a ‘party pooper’.”

  “I am not a party pooper,” Annie declared. “Or a buzzkill, or a fuddy-duddy, or any other crazy epithet you wish to hang on me. I’m just realistic.”

  “Ha!” Alice said, but she was grinning. “OK, then. How many of you would like to go to Fairview on a ghost-chasing expedition?” She raised her right hand.

  Peggy’s hand shot into the air, and Alice continued to hold up her own.

  “Annie?” she said, one eyebrow up. “We are doing this for you.”

  Annie sighed and slowly raised her hand. “All right. Fine. We’ll seek out ghosts.”

  Kate, Stella and Mary Beth kept their hands busy knitting, crocheting, or in Mary Beth’s case, straightening a display on the counter.

  “Then it’s the three of us,” Alice said.

  “Yes. But we have to go at night!” Peggy made the absurd pronouncement in a perfectly reasonable tone of voice.

  “At night?” Stella and Mary Beth echoed. Annie gaped at her wordlessly.

  “Have you lost your mind?” Mary Beth said. “That place has no lights. There aren’t even any streetlights that far out of town.”

  “That’s what flashlights are for,” Peggy told her.

  “Haven’t you seen those ghost-hunting guys on television?” Alice added. “They only go hunting at night, and on every single one of those shows, they turn out all the lights before they look for the ghosts.”

  “Oh, good grief!” Stella barked. “I’ve never heard such a ridiculous plan in my life. Annie, tell me you have better sense than these two.”

  Annie looked at her friends, their bright eyes and eager smiles. They were itching for adventure, and she had to admit an adventure was just what she needed, foolish as this one seemed to be. She gave Stella a grin.

  “If the pros do it that way, then far be it from me to look for ghosts in the broad light of day.”

  Stella and Mary Beth exchanged glances.

  “Did you ever?” Stella said.

  Mary Beth shook her head. “Not in all my days.” She looked at the trio and said, “You’d better carry a big stick and some mace.”

  That sent Annie into such a fit of giggles that Peggy and Alice joined in.

  “Oh, goodness, Mary Beth,” she managed to gasp. “I can see it now. I will spray the ghost with mace, and while it’s screaming in pain, Peggy and Alice can whack it on the head with sticks.”

  “Just one question, though,” Alice said, wheezing. “What’ll we do with it once we’ve got it subdued?”

  9

  Since Peggy had to work that Tuesday after the Hook and Needle Club meeting, the women agreed to set the ghost quest for Thursday night. For Annie, the whole venture seemed more silly than adventurous.

  “Mom, you have always been so down to earth and responsible,” LeeAnn said when Annie called her Tuesday night. “Sometimes you need a little silly in your life. It will help to keep you young.”

  “Young? Maybe so, but it seems to me more like a trek into a second childhood,” Annie said dryly. “I mean, really. Ghosts? And in the dark of night? Peggy said it’s easier to see shadows and movement in the dark. Now, I don’t understand that logic at all. Plus, she said it being dark and all will help us focus. I think that tactic will help us be so focused on seeing something that we probably will, whether anything is there or not!”

  LeeAnn laughed.

  “Now, Mom,” she chided, “keep an open mind. That’s what you have always told me, isn’t it? And anyway, like you said, if you can disprove rumors that the place is haunted, then you’re more apt to sell it.”

  Annie sighed. “As if anyone wants it, anyway. Honey, it needs so much work, and I’m just not sure I want to tackle it.”

  “Then sell it, as is. Let the new owners worry about fixing it up.”

  “Believe me, LeeAnn, I’ve considered that. But, I just don’t know … .”

  “Well, think about it some more, will you? You never know when someone is looking for a bargain.”

  “That’s true. Especially these days. Although, I have to say I sincerely doubt Fairview will turn out to be a bargain for anyone.”

  LeeAnn gave a soft, quick laugh. “Let’s hope you’re wrong, Mom. Have you had any word about the folks who gave it to Gram?”

  “I talked with Mike Malone at the hardware store, and he is going to go through some of his records for me. He’s a pretty good historian, so we’ll see what he finds.”

  “That’s great, Mom,” LeeAnn said. “Be sure to let me know what you learn, OK? And whatever you do, relax and have some fun.”

  That night, with LeeAnn’s suggestions and support blanketing her worries, Annie was able to snuggle down in her bed and sleep well for the first time in several nights.

  ****

  “You’re not wearing that, are you?” Alice asked when Annie opened the front door to her Thursday evening.

  Annie glanced down at her faded jeans and a star-spangled, red, white, and blue hoody sweatshirt with the words “Lone Star State” stenciled across the back.

  “This seems appropriate for the occasion,” Annie said with a puzzled smile. “What should I wear, Donna Karan or Calvin Klein?”

  Alice snorted, and stepped through the door.

  “Ha, ha. You’re too funny. Actually, what you should wear is something dark so you’ll blend into the shadows.”

  “Oh, for heaven’s sake!” Annie sputtered. “‘Blend into the shadows,’ indeed. Why? So the ghosts won’t see me?”

  Alice grimaced. “Will you be serious?”

  “Well, it’s a little hard to be serious when there is a dress code for ghost chasing.”

  Alice huffed. Her glance dropped to Annie’s feet.

  “Annie Dawson, you are not wearing those sneakers out to Fairview.”

  Annie drew herself up, started to protest, but Alice spoke over her.

  “Have you already forgotten how muddy that yard was when we were there the other day? Just because we haven’t had rain in the last twenty-four hours doesn’t mean there is dry ground out there. You need to wear something sturdy.”

  “Oh. Well, that’s the first thing you’ve said tonight that makes sense. And don’t stick your tongue out at me. That’s very unattractive. I’ll change my shoes, but I thought we had a good chance of snow tonight.”

  “I heard that too,” Alice said. “And it is quite windy outside. The ground is cold, but it isn’t frozen.”

  “Well, as I said before, I’ll put on different shoes, but I am not changing clothes,” Annie declared. Before her friend had an opportunity to suggest they fashion and wear hats made of aluminum foil, she added, “I have a pair of brogans in the closet that has seen a good deal of mud in my garden in Texas. They should be more than sturdy enough for Fairview. If you want some hot chocolate, I have some on the stove. Help yourself. I’ll be right back.”

  A few minutes later, Annie clomped back downstairs in her heavy, ankle-high work boots. Alice was sitting cross-legged on the living room floor, a mug of hot chocolate in one hand and stroking Boots from head to tail with the other. The cat arched her back and Annie could hear her purring all the way across the room.

  “Boots loves that attention,” Annie said. “In fact, she can be a regular little pig about it sometimes.”

  Alice looked up and smiled. “She’s a
sweet kitty. Listen to her purr! And I’d swear that she’s smiling.”

  They looked at the relaxed gray cat who lay, basking and contented, beneath Alice’s stroking fingers.

  “By the way,” Alice said, “I like how you arranged those baskets in the corner. Very chic.”

  “Coming from a Divine Décor representative, that’s high praise.”

  “Did you find them in the attic?”

  Annie nodded. “Where else? They were tucked back in a corner, and I thought they would make a great place to keep the rest of my yarn and thread.”

  “Good thinking,” Alice agreed. She glanced around. “But I thought you were using the cedar chest. What did you do with it?”

  “Oh, I am using it, for sure, but it didn’t hold half of that yarn. The chest is in the library. That lovely old wood needed to be in a place where there are books and a comfy leather chair. Plus, I love to sit in the window seat and crochet. The view from there is just so lovely.”

  “Yes,” Alice sighed. “It is. You are lucky to have so many gorgeous views here at Grey Gables.”

  “Yes, I am. But you have good views from your house.”

  “I do! But not from every window the way you do. The builder of this old house was a wise architect.”

  The doorbell rang.

  “That will be Peggy. Excuse me, Alice, while I let her in.” She went to open the door.

  “Greetings, earthlings,” Peggy said, grinning, wiggling her eyebrows. She was dressed in ratty jeans, denim coat and ancient scuffed boots. “Are you ready for our adventure?”

  She stepped inside, the black strap of a bulging backpack over one shoulder.

  “What in the world do you have there?” Annie asked. She and Alice eyed the black-and-white pack as Peggy tugged it off.

  “I think Wally said he used this thing in high school,” she told them.

  She unbuckled the straps, opened it, pulled out the contents and spread them on the living-room floor for their perusal: assorted flashlights, two packs of batteries, two small tape recorders, a package of mini-cassettes, a cell phone, a digital camera, candles, matches, air freshener, a bag of chips, an assortment of candy bars, and a VHS cassette.

  All three women stood and stared at the motley heap on the floor in front of them, and Annie finally raised her eyes, mystified.

  “What’s all that for?”

  Peggy gaped at her. “Are you kidding? This is our equipment.”

  “Equipment for what?”

  “Annie! Where is your mind? This is our ghost-hunting equipment, of course! And if you have a digital camera, go get it. I only have this one.”

  “You need Almond Joys to look for ghosts?” Annie said. “You expect to run into one with a sweet tooth?”

  “Will you be serious? I brought the candy bars for us, in case we get hungry in the middle of the night—”

  “Middle of the night!” Annie squawked. “And air freshener? Honestly, Peggy, why did you—”

  Peggy glowered. “If we’re going to do this, we have to do it right.”

  “But I do not want to spend the night in that old house. It’s dirty and cold—”

  Standing next to her, Alice gave Annie a surreptitious little nudge. Annie glanced at her friend, then shot a sharp look at Peggy. Both women stared back, Alice with patience and curiosity, Peggy with her hands on her hips and defiance in her eyes.

  Annie knew Peggy worked long, hard hours at the diner to help keep her household going. Her husband, Wally, worked hard too, building, repairing, doing whatever anyone needed him to do, but the economy was not kind to blue-collar workers these days, and the Carson family struggled. Wally and Peggy devoted themselves to raising their little girl, and it was obvious that they were excellent parents, but Annie knew from experience that child-rearing was never easy, even in the best of circumstances when money and resources were plentiful. How much more difficult it must be to work hard day after day and still come up short repeatedly! It must be so discouraging.

  At that moment Annie finally realized how much this little adventure meant to the younger woman. It was a break for Peggy, a virtual escape, from the routine and duty, just for an evening.

  She scolded herself for not realizing it earlier.

  “Maybe I should throw together some sandwiches to go with those candy bars?” Annie said by way of making amends.

  The tension drained from Peggy’s face.

  “Well, maybe a Thermos of coffee?” she suggested with a smile.

  “Sure! I’ll go make some fresh right now.”

  She started to walk away but paused when Alice said, “Peggy, why do you have that videotape?”

  “That’s our training video, of course. You have a VCR don’t you, Annie?”

  “I didn’t think anyone watched video tapes these days,” Alice said. “Do they even make VCRs anymore?”

  Peggy shrugged. “A VCR is all we have right now. It might be old, but it still works really well.” She picked up the tape and waved it around. “This is a recording of one of those paranormal investigation shows I was telling you about earlier. We will watch the experts before we leave so we’ll know what to do tonight.”

  Annie coughed discreetly and tried not to grimace. She had never liked anything that smacked of magic and superstition.

  “I have a VCR, and it still works. If you want to turn on the TV and get the tape ready, Peggy, I’ll go make that coffee and then join you.”

  “This seems to be turning into a regular party,” Alice said. “I should have baked cookies and brought chips and dip.”

  “Maybe,” said Annie with a bright smile she did not feel, “if we finish up, uh, earlier than expected, we can come back here for those sandwiches.”

  Peggy said, with emphasis, “Breakfast sandwiches.”

  “All right. Breakfast sandwiches, then.”

  In her head, Annie added, How did they ever talk me into this crazy adventure?

  When she came back into the room after making coffee, Peggy and Alice had settled on the floor cross-legged, in front of the television, like two little girls on Saturday morning. The TV screen presented a static image of a serious-looking man, and his shorter, younger sidekick. They appeared frozen in the middle of a conversation.

  “Coffee’s going,” she told the pair, “and a Thermos is at the ready.”

  “Okay, Annie. Come here and watch this with us.” Peggy patted a patch of floor next to her. “It has just started, so I paused the tape for you, but be sure to pay attention.”

  She pointed the remote control at the stack of media machines below Annie’s flatscreen television, pushed the pause button, and the two men jumped to life.

  “… so she believes an entity lives in the music room?” the older man was asking the younger.

  “That seems to be where most of the activity takes place in the house,” the other man replied. “They say they’ve been hearing noises all over the house, including a voice that calls a name. Plus, they have heard strange knocking sounds in the bedroom at odd hours during the day.”

  Annie’s doorbell rang right then, and all three women jumped an inch, at least. They looked at each other, and Alice said, “Are you expecting company, Annie?”

  “Just you two, but in Stony Point, friends often drop in without calling from time to time. I better see who is on the other side of my door.”

  When she opened the front door, Annie saw Kate Stevens, dark-hair pulled back, eyes wide, face a white oval in the soft glow of the porch light.

  “Well, Kate! What a surprise! Come on in.”

  Kate stepped across the threshold, hands buried deep in the pocket of her heavy wool peacoat.

  “Kate!” Alice hollered from her spot on the floor.

  “Hiya, Kate,” Peggy said, rewinding the tape. “You coming with us?”

  Annie recalled the uneasiness Kate displayed at the mere mention of Fairview’s haunted reputation. Of course she’s not coming with us, she thought.

  �
�Yes,” Kate said, her voice shaking slightly. She cleared her throat and stated firmly, “Yes. I am.”

  10

  Annie’s mouth dropped open. “You’re going?” she said finally to Kate.

  “Yes,” the woman said firmly. “I want some adventure in my life.”

  By this time Peggy and Alice stood on either side of Annie, facing Kate. Annie was sure their expressions of astonishment mirrored her own. Peggy, though, was also grinning like a monkey.

  “Come inside, Kate.” Annie stepped aside as her friend came into the house.

  She closed the door against the invasion of cold wind. All four women stood in a cluster a few feet from the front door.

  “What changed your mind?” Annie asked.

  The woman drew up her shoulders, took a deep breath and let it out.

  “I’ve been through some hard times lately, you know,” Kate said. She looked at each friend in turn. “And I hate to admit it, but I have allowed circumstances to get me down these last few months. Keeping life at home as close to normal as possible, and tending to Vanessa, making sure she’s all right, has been … well, it’s been more than a little difficult, as you know. I am so tired of being on edge, and feeling uncertain and let down.”

  She looked away, her cheeks pink as if she was embarrassed to admit feeling all too human. When her gaze returned to the three women, her face registered hard-won determination.

  “I decided I want some adventure in my life,” she announced. “Even if it scares the living daylights out of me.”

  There was just the briefest silence, and then Annie slipped her arm around Kate’s straight, but shaking shoulder and drew her further into the room.

  “We are happy and proud to have you come along on this … little adventure.”

  “I even came prepared,” Kate said, pulling her hands from her pockets. In her left hand she held a flashlight, and in the right she held a small recorder and a digital camera. “Just like the guys on that TV show.”

  ****

  Later, after the four women watched and discussed the program Peggy had recorded, they gathered their supplies, including the coffee, disposable cups and candy bars.