by Rose Pressey
“What was that all about?” Tammy asked.
“It’s about the guy at the tour last night. She blames me for his disappearance.”
“Disappearance? What happened on the tour last night?” Jessie asked.
“It’s a long story, but one of the tour-goers went missing. I think he just walked away, but we don’t know for sure. She said she was going to sue me.”
Tammy laughed. “She can’t do that.”
“Well, that’s what I told her, but nevertheless, she’s still mad.”
“I’m sorry to hear everything that’s going on,” Jessie said. “After what happened at the library yesterday and then the tour.”
“Things will work out,” I said.
***
It was later in the day and my goodness I’d had a lot of work. It had kept me distracted. But of course, I got a lot of looks and questions from patrons asking what happened and if the police had made an arrest yet. Even talk of the missing person was all over town. Apparently now there were posters hung up with his pictures implying that I’d been the last person he’d been seen with. I had to do something about that. I planned on going back to the woods as soon as possible and searching for him on my own. I hadn’t gotten a chance to talk to Brannon about the case anymore, but I was sure I would talk to him once work was finished.
A man was here to install the cameras and I still wasn’t sure how I felt about that. On one hand I wanted to keep an eye on things and on the other I was afraid of what I might find. Plus, I was like Tammy—I wasn’t sure I liked people watching in. Though the cameras wouldn’t be in my office or other areas like that, just in the main areas.
I was putting books back on the shelf when my phone rang. I pulled it from my pocket and saw that the Davis Mallory, demonologist, was returning my call.
“Is everything all right?” Davis asked.
I proceeded to tell him about the three ghosts that had been following me and then the books flying off the shelves. Other than that, I thought things were okay. Maybe I was just overreacting because of the things that had happened in the past.
“I don’t think you’re overreacting,” he said.
“I suppose there’s no need for you to come now. Things seem fine,” I said.
“Well, if you’re sure. It’s no problem for me to come by.”
“We’ll be closing soon. If anything happens tomorrow I can let you know. We have cameras now and soon people will be able to check in and perhaps spot a ghost on their own.”
He hesitated. “I’m just not so sure that the cameras are a good idea. I just worry that it might stir up more activity. But I suppose it’ll be fine.”
“I hope so, since they’re already installed now. I guess we can always take them out if something bad happens.”
“Sure, that’s possible. However, let me know if the ghosts show up at your home again. Call anytime. Day or night. I can come by your house.” The tone in his voice had me worried.
“Do you think it’s that serious?” I asked.
“Well, after you described their faces, it’s better safe than sorry, right?” he said.
Now he really had me freaking out.
“Yeah, I’ll call you if anything happens,” I said.
I failed to tell him about the ghosts chasing Jenny too. They’d seemed angrier when they’d gone after her. Where with me they just seemed determined. It was hard to explain clearly therefore I omitted it altogether.
After ending the call with him I got back to work. Staying busy would help me keep my mind off all the bad things going on in town. Now that it was the end of the day it was time for me to head to the graveyard to start the tour. I sure hoped that nothing bad happened like last night. I’d never had a person disappear the tour in the graveyard, so I wasn’t anticipating any issues. I hoped that last night was just a fluke.
After saying goodbye to Annie and Jane Austen, Tammy and I headed down the sidewalk. We discussed the cameras at the library and other book-related issues. There was no talk of the ghosts, the missing man or the murdered woman. I was fine with that because I needed the break. We had to go to the tavern so that I could collect the flashlights. Would the male ghost be at the bar again?
“I hope tonight is better for you,” she said. “How many people will be on the tour?”
“I think there will be four tonight according to ticket sales,” I said, holding up four fingers.
“Well, good luck,” Tammy said.
“Thanks, I’ll probably need it.”
“Just think positive and nothing can go wrong.”
“Right, nothing can go wrong,” I said with a smile.
“And you’re sure that you’re going to the graveyard next door and not the woods?” Tammy raised an eyebrow.
I held my hand up. “I promise.”
“All right then, I trust you, but if I find out you’re not being truthful…”
“I know, I know, you’ll not talk to me for a week.”
I headed out the tavern door and down the alleyway toward the graveyard. At least there was no heavy feeling in the air and it didn’t seem as if I was being watched. I actually had an upbeat feeling that the tour would be okay. The positive thinking was obviously paying off.
The owl waited for me in the treetop. He hooted a greeting.
“Hello, Mr. Owl.” I waved.
Yes, it was probably silly, but I liked to greet him. Maybe he knew I expected to hear from him. and that was why he always hooted. Maybe he was just making noise because a human arrived. I flipped on my flashlight and shone the light around the graveyard just to make sure that the ghosts weren’t waiting for me. No sign of Mrs. Clatterbuck. Maybe it was my lucky night.
“What do you think you’re doing?” a female voice asked from over my shoulder.
I jumped and spun around, flashing my light on Mrs. Clatterbuck. Ugh. I’d spoken too soon. Why was I not surprised that she made an appearance tonight? Just when I’d thought things might be okay.
“Mrs. Clatterbuck, I’m here for the tour just like every other night. How many times do we have to go over this?”
“As many times as it takes until you realize that you’re not wanted here.” She glared at me.
She was in a cranky mood tonight. Which was saying something, because she was always in a cranky mood. Thank goodness my conversation was cut short when the chatter of people sounded from the alleyway. I knew the tour group must be walking down the alleyway.
“Oh, great, they’re here,” she said. “Maybe I’ll just get rid of them.”
“You wouldn’t dare,” I said, shining the light on her again.
Just then the group appeared from the alleyway. They stopped in their tracks. Apparently they saw Mrs. Clatterbuck. Then she vanished.
“Oh, my gosh,” the blonde woman said. “The tour hasn’t even started and we’re seeing ghosts.”
The three women all stood there as if they didn’t want to come any closer. After a few seconds I decided I would have to go over to them. They weren’t budging.
“You all saw the ghost?” I asked when I approached.
“As plain as day until she vanished right before our eyes,” the petite woman said.
“Well, I did promise a haunted experience,” I said with a smile. “Are you all ready for the tour?”
“Do we have to start the tour in the graveyard?” the woman asked, rubbing her arms.
“No, we don’t have to,” I said.
“Maybe we could just start with someplace else,” one of the women said. “Someplace with lights.”
“No problem. We’ll go to through the locations in town. Welcome to Devil’s Moon Haunted Tour.” I handed out the flashlights. “I’ll be guiding you through the haunted streets of town tonight.”
The women held on to my every word as we started down the alleyway. I figured I would skip the tavern tonight since it had been so busy. Instead we’d start at the antique shop first. It was known to have a lot of activity there
. I’d seen many things during my trips inside the shop. I wasn’t sure the group could handle any more ghost sightings after what they’d seen at the graveyard.
We headed down the sidewalk. It was a clear night with stars and the full moon on display. A perfect night for the tour. Even though my group had been scared by Ms. Clatterbuck, things seemed okay. They asked questions about the history of town and seemed to relax a bit.
Soon we arrived in front of the antique shop. Mr. Byrd the owner was nice enough to allow me a key so that I could go in anytime. He usually didn’t want to hang around late at night when I started the tour after his closing time at five. He trusted me to let the group in and take them out without disturbing any of his items.
The space was crammed full of items. It was no surprise that it was haunted with all the items around. My theory was that some people liked to hang onto their items and after death they stuck around to make sure their things were okay. Maybe they had a lot of sentimental value for them. The group stepped into the space with me. I started telling everyone about some of the activity that had taken place.
“Don’t be surprised to see items move on their own,” I said.
Chapter 10
The rattle of the front door caught our attention. Jenny stood at the front of the store. Oh, no. This wouldn’t end well. I had to get to her before she came back to the group and made a scene.
“I’ll be right back,” I said as I rushed toward the door.
Jenny had already started to walk toward me. Catching movement behind me, sadly, I realized that the group had followed me. There would be no way to hide from them what Jenny was undoubtedly about to say. And I knew her words wouldn’t be nice.
“What do you want?” I asked.
I wouldn’t even pretend to be cordial anymore.
“How dare you talk to me that way,” Jenny snapped. “Just so you all know, she kidnapped my friend while he was on one of her tours.”
She focused on the group as she spoke. Her voice boomed across the store. There was no way they hadn’t heard. This certainly wouldn’t be good for business. I prided myself on my professionalism and customer service.
I glanced over my shoulder and smiled. “She’s delusional. Don’t worry, I didn’t kidnap anyone.”
Probably the more I talked the worse they thought of me.
“Oh, don’t believe her. If I were you all I would leave this store right now before somebody comes up missing,” Jenny said. “She probably digs up graves and stuffs people in there alive.”
“What? That’s ludicrous.” I faced the group again. “I would never dig up graves and bury you all alive.”
Ugh. That didn’t sound great.
“Yeah, but she isn’t denying that she won’t kidnap you all.”
“I’m going to have to ask you to leave before I call the police,” I said. “This is private property.”
“Oh, call the police? Your boyfriend? He’s probably covering for you. Does he help you snatch tour-goers? Furthermore, do you own the antique shop? I can come in here if I want,” she said.
“No, but the owner gave me authority to be in here. I have the key. I can call him right now. I’m pretty sure he won’t want you here.”
Before she had a chance to answer a cold air fell over the room. Goosebumps prickled on my skin.
Jenny frowned and looked around. “What did you do?”
“I didn’t cause that. This place is haunted and ghosts pick up on negative energy,” I said. “So take your negative energy out of here, please.”
The air grew heavier. Something to my right captured my attention. The three ghosts had shown up. People in the group gasped. Apparently they saw the ghosts too. Jenny backed up against the door. She was speechless. That was probably the only time she had ever been that way. Of course, I didn’t say a word either. The ghosts stared at us with angry expressions for what seemed like forever. Would the ghost attack Jenny? A teensy bit of me might be happy with that. Okay, I’d be nice and try to stop the ghost if that happened, but Jenny certainly gave me reason not to like her much.
Within a few seconds they were gone. The ghosts were unpredictable. I’d thought for sure based on the stare they’d fixated on Jenny that they would go after her.
“What are you trying to do, scare me?” Jenny asked in a trembling voice. “How did you do that?”
“They’re ghosts. I had nothing to do with it,” I said.
She turned around and dashed out of the antique store. At least I’d gotten rid of her. The ghosts might be mean, but I had to give a bit of thanks to them for chasing her off.
“Thanks for the tour, but we’ll be going now,” the woman said as she rushed by.
The whole group raced around me and headed out the door too. Please don’t let them leave a negative review that I bury tour-goers in the graveyard. Since the group had gone, I supposed it was time for me to get out of there too; with any luck, before the ghosts returned. I hurried out of the antique shop, locked the door behind me, and practically ran down the sidewalk back toward the tavern. I had the bag full of flashlights in one hand. Thankfully the group had left them on the antique shop floor.
I glanced over my shoulder to see if the ghosts were there. Whew. No sign of them so far. This was ridiculous. I had to find out who they were and what they wanted. That would be the only way to make them stop. I wouldn’t let them scare me anymore. I said that now, but if they popped up again who knew what reaction I’d have. Would I have enough nerve to confront them? I was brave, but I wasn’t sure if I was that brave.
The thought hit me that I’d left the graveyard gate open. Maybe it was no big deal, but I felt I needed to leave it closed. Mrs. Clatterbuck was looking for more reasons to be mad at me and this would give her yet another one. I hurried past the tavern wishing I could just go inside now. Sadly, I walked on by and down the alleyway. It would only take a second and then I could get back to the tavern.
A cold chill descended over the graveyard. I rubbed my arms. It wasn’t cold outside. I felt as if someone was standing right behind me. That was of course unnerving. I spun around to see who might have slipped up. Probably Mrs. Clatterbuck. No one was there. I focused my attention on the graveyard again.
At the edge of the graveyard another misty shadow appeared by a grave. Hovering above the ground, it twirled around as if dancing. Only one single misty apparition snaked around the tall grave marker. Seconds later it disappeared right before my eyes. I stood there motionless with my flashlight shining on the area for at least a minute. The mist never returned. The owl hooted, catching my attention.
I clutched my chest. “Oh, don’t do that, Mr. Owl.”
Perhaps it was time for me to get out of there. Yes, I would definitely call it a night. Securing the iron gate, I spun around to get out of there. Alas, before I could leave Mrs. Clatterbuck showed up. I groaned.
“Don’t you talk to me that way,” she warned with a wiggle of her finger.
“I haven’t said a word,” I said.
“You made that disparaging noise,” she said.
“All right, I did that. I admit it.” I held up my hand. “I was just leaving, Mrs. Clatterbuck.”
“I saw ghosts too. They’re looking for you.” She pointed at me. “I would appreciate it if you would keep them out of the graveyard. They don’t belong here.”
“You saw ghosts?” I asked. “Did they say anything to you?”
“No, they didn’t talk to me. That’s even worse. At least they could be cordial and say hello. Traipsing around here without as much as an ‘excuse me’ for entering.”
Mrs. Clatterbuck was sassier than usual tonight.
“Well, if I see them again I’ll make sure to tell them to stay away,” I said.
“Please do so.” She stared at me for a few seconds longer and then disappeared.
I was glad that confrontation was over… for now.
Thank goodness I reached the tavern. My legs were so tired that I just wante
d to collapse onto my bed, but then I remembered the ghosts might come back to my house. Though I couldn’t hang out in the tavern all night. Eventually I had to go home. I rushed through the door, frantically trying to find Tammy. I needed a Diet Coke pronto. The tavern had the best ice. Tammy popped up from behind the bar. I guessed she’d been getting something from the bottom shelf.
After I walked halfway across the room she made eye contact with me. Tammy knew right away that I was upset. This was too early for the tour to be over and she knew it. I rushed up to the bar and plopped down on the stool.
She hurried over to me. “What’s wrong? Don’t tell me someone else is missing.”
I shook my head. “Not that I know of, but that Jenny showed up at the antique shop and scared the tour-goers away. She told them that I kidnapped Jonathan. Plus, she told them that I buried people alive.”
Tammy grimaced. “Ouch. She said that? Then what happened?”
“Well, the three ghosts showed up too and that kind of sealed the deal to scare the group away, but I think they would’ve left even without the ghosts’ arrival.”
“This is crazy, Rip. The ghosts are following you around and this girl is stalking you now. You need to call Brannon right away.”
I pulled out my phone. “You’re right. I will call him right now.”
As I waited for Brannon to answer, I handed Tammy the tote bag full of flashlights.
“Can I have a Diet Coke? It’s one of those nights,” I said.
“Of course you can.” Tammy grabbed a glass and poured me a drink.
She placed the drink on top of the napkin in front of me. I slammed back the drink.
“Give me another one,” I said, slamming the glass down.
Her eyes widened. “Wow, you are feeling rough.”
“Brannon, I need you to come to the tavern right away.” I left the message on his voicemail.
“He didn’t answer, huh?” Tammy frowned.
“I hope he comes soon.”
Tammy set down the next glass of Diet Coke. “Your wish has been granted. Brannon comes quickly when you ask him.”
I swiveled around on the stool and saw that Brannon had arrived. I motioned for him to join us. He crossed the room.
