Ghostly Rules

by K. E. O'Connor

  “I’m okay with leaving,” said Helen. “I’ll have a quick shower, while you call the agency and get us out of here.”

  I nodded as Helen left the room before picking up my phone and calling Josie at the agency.

  “Prestige Recruitment Agency,” said a voice I didn’t recognize.

  “Is Josie there?” I asked. “It’s Lorna Shadow, one of her clients. I need to talk to her about my recent work placement. It’s not working out the way I’d hoped.”

  “Josie’s on holiday for the next two weeks,” said the woman on the other end of the phone. “I can get her to call you when she returns.”

  “Two whole weeks!” I looked around the bedroom and let out a shaky breath. I didn’t think I could survive two more minutes here. “Is there anyone else who can help?”

  “Josie likes to handle all her clients herself,” said the woman, her tone hesitant. “I’m Cassandra. I work with Josie.”

  “Please help me, Cassandra.” There was no way I could wait until Josie got back from her fun in the sun. “I’m sure Josie won’t mind.”

  “Let me pull up your information and see if I can assist,” said Cassandra. “We don’t like people to be unhappy. Where have you been positioned?”

  “With the Cornells,” I said. “I’m not sure the work they want us to do is suitable.” Even though I hadn’t done any actual work for them, the threats from Carson, the tense house atmosphere, and the revelation about a pile of stolen gold was enough to put me off.

  I heard the sound of shuffling and fingers tapping on a keyboard. “Oh, the Cornells are new clients at the agency. But they’ve paid in advance and well above our usual rates to get someone good. Are you sure you can’t manage the work there?”

  “I can manage the paperwork just fine,” I said. “But the family is... strange.” What else could I say? Wanted criminals, sleazy villains with an attitude, light fingered when it came to other people’s cars?

  “We would lose any commission if you leave so soon,” said Cassandra.

  “You can take a cut from future jobs I do with you.” I didn’t mind paying so long as we got out of here.

  “I see from your work record that you were employed by the Marquis of Hedgeshire,” said Cassandra. “Isn’t he the chap who keeps pigs in his house?”

  I tipped my head back against the wall. “That was a strange hobby of his. But the pigs weren’t free roaming. They kept to their own part of the house. It was very hygienic.” In fact, I got to like the pigs; they used to make cute snorting noises at you when they wanted a head rub. And I hadn’t been able to eat bacon since befriending them.

  “If you can handle the Marquis’s eccentricities, you can deal with the oddities of this new family,” said Cassandra. “What is it that’s making you uncomfortable? I can speak to your new employer, make sure to iron out any concerns so you can stay.”

  “No! You don’t need to speak to them.” I didn’t want word getting back to anyone in the family that we were concerned. They might consider we were being disloyal and get the thumb screws out.

  “Try it for a week and see how you get on,” said Cassandra. “I’m sure, once you’ve settled in, you’ll love it. But any problems, Josie is back in two weeks, and she’ll be more than happy to help.”

  I said a grudging goodbye. The agency wasn’t going to be any help when it came to this job. And I could tell from Cassandra’s tone that they valued the fat commission the Cornells had paid over our safety.

  Helen came back into the bedroom, her hair wrapped in a large towel and her fluffy pink dressing gown on. “Any joy with the agency? Are we getting out of here?”

  “Not yet,” I said. “Josie is on holiday, and the woman I spoke to simply told me to suck it up and get on with it.”

  Helen let out a sigh as she sat on the bed. “What do we do? Sylvia was insistent we assist with finding out who killed Lonnie.”

  “It’s nothing we wouldn’t have done ourselves if Lonnie had come to us and asked for help,” I said. “And the fact he’s still around suggests his death might not have been due to natural causes, if you can call being electrocuted in a bath natural.”

  “But we’ll be investigating a family of criminals,” said Helen. “I’m all for helping a ghost in need, but that’s reckless.”

  “Sylvia’s got our backs,” I said, resigning myself to having to serve time with the Cornells. “And she can keep control of Carson and the other goons loitering around the estate.”

  “Carson gives me the chills,” said Helen. “He’s got those cold, emotionless eyes you see on serial killers.”

  “Can’t say I’ve met a serial killer,” I said. “You’re right, though; we need to keep out of Carson’s way.”

  “Happy to oblige with that,” said Helen.

  I jumped as the phone in my hand rang, but then relaxed when I saw the caller was Zach.

  “Good morning, beautiful,” said Zach. “How’s your new job going?”

  “It’s been uneventful so far.” I didn’t want to tell him too much. I knew how alarmed Zach got every time I became embroiled in another ghost mystery. And this one had an added twist to it. “How’s the house?”

  “It’s almost there,” said Zach. “The heating is in, and the windows got finished yesterday. Everything is watertight and warm. I’m running the system through now. We’ll soon be able to spend the night here.”

  “That’s great,” I said, my thoughts still on what to do about the Cornells.

  “It is,” said Zach, after a short pause. “But I’m not sensing much enthusiasm. Is anything wrong?”

  “Not with our new house,” I said. “And I’m excited it’s almost ready to move into. It will be nice to have a permanent base for everybody.”

  “It will,” said Zach. “You must come take a look. You and Helen will be impressed with how much progress Gunner and I have made.”

  I bit my lip. Gunner and his insider police knowledge would come in handy right about now. “Is Gunner back at work?”

  “Yes. He’s used all his leave helping me,” said Zach. “But he’s still coming by on weekends and whenever he’s got a day off because of his shift patterns. Do you want to talk to him?”

  “I need a favor from him,” I said. “Can you ask him to do a background check on the family we’re working for?” Gunner could find out more about the Cornells and their dubious past. And he’d be able to advise us if we needed to get out of the house before being enslaved into a life of crime.

  “I’m sure he can,” said Zach. “Why do you need a background check on them?”

  “There’s something not right,” I said, not willing to reveal the hardcore criminal nature of the Cornells. Zach would freak out, and we weren’t at that stage yet, although I wasn’t far off. “Gunner will have inside knowledge about their past.”

  “By past, you mean checking to see if they have a criminal history,” said Zach. “Exactly who are you working for?”

  “They’re called the Cornells,” I said. “And we turned up on the day of Lonnie Cornell’s funeral. He was electrocuted in the bath.”

  “By accident?”

  “Possibly not,” I said.

  “Is his ghost bothering you?”

  “Not so much bothering,” I said, “but Lonnie is around. And the family is on the strange side. Lots of burly bouncer types and men in wraparound sunglasses.”

  “I don’t like the sound of this,” said Zach. “The two of you should leave. This family could be dangerous.”

  “They’ve not done anything bad to us.”

  “They stole my car,” muttered Helen, who was listening to the conversation as she toweled her hair dry.

  I shook my head at her and pressed a finger to my lips. Our concerns could be for nothing. Sylvia could be right and the family had turned over a new leaf and weren’t involved in anything criminal. But the fact Lonnie was implicated in an enormous gold heist and was dead suggested otherwise.

  “You want me to co
me over?” asked Zach.

  “No, you need to stay on top of things at our house.”

  “Not if you’re in danger,” said Zach. “I can leave here and get you both out.”

  “There’s no need,” I said. “We can look after ourselves. And the money from this job is needed to furnish the house.”

  “If we survive long enough to pick out our new sofas and beds,” whispered Helen.

  I glared at her. She was not being helpful.

  “So long as you’re both okay. Any other names you want me to pass onto Gunner?” asked Zach. “I’ve got Lonnie Cornell here.”

  “Look into Carson Rosso as well,” I said. “He’s not family, but he works for them, and he likes to throw his weight about.”

  “Let me know if he’s being a problem,” said Zach, his tone dark. “I don’t care how tough he thinks he is, no one intimidates you and gets away with it.”

  I felt myself melt as Zach came over all protective. “He doesn’t scare me. The scariest person in the family is the old lady. She rules things, but I’m not worried about her; she’s taken a shine to me and Helen, so we’ll be alright so long as we keep on her good side.”

  “What’s her name?” asked Zach.

  “Sylvia. Are you going to get a background check on her as well?”

  “Why not?” asked Zach. “She could be the head of this gang of thugs, and you might be sharing a house with a ruthless killer.”

  I laughed. “A gust of wind would blow Sylvia over. She’s tiny.”

  “Doesn’t mean she isn’t lethal,” said Zach. “I’ll see what Gunner can get on her as well. But we don’t have to wait for any information he can find. I don’t want you in harm’s way.”

  “We’ll be fine,” I said. “I’ve got Helen and Flipper with me. And Sylvia likes us. Any trouble, we’ll go straight to her and hide behind her wheelchair.”

  “I still think I should come and get you out of there,” said Zach.

  I had to admit I was tempted by the offer. I’d only been awake for a few minutes, and the house’s strange atmosphere was already getting under my skin.

  Flipper jumped up and stared across the room, a low grumble coming out of him. Lonnie appeared at the foot of the bed and shook his head at me.

  I ignored Lonnie for a second. “Helen, what do you think? Should we cut our losses now before things get worse?”

  Lonnie clasped his hands together in a begging position and dropped to his knees.

  “I’m not the one getting strange feelings about this place,” said Helen. “Although I must admit, the grumpy bouncer types don’t make it a comfortable place to work. If you want to go, then we go.”

  Lonnie floated towards me, still on his knees and his hands clasped in front of him.

  I closed my eyes, trying to resist feeling guilty under his pitiful stare. I wanted out of this house but was torn between helping Lonnie and giving myself an easy life.

  “Lorna,” said Zach. “Are you still there? What do you want to do?”

  I took a deep breath and opened my eyes, seeing Lonnie still on his knees. “We’ll stay for now. I’ll get in touch if we need you to come in and rescue us.”

  “Make sure you do,” said Zach. “Don’t go playing the hero. I’m not building this house so I can live in it on my own. I want you here, safe with me and Jessie.”

  “I know that,” I said. “But if anything happens to me, you’ll still have Gunner, Helen, and the dogs to keep you company.”

  “Don’t even joke about it,” grumbled Zach.

  We said our goodbyes, and I shut off the phone.

  “Sounds like we’re staying,” said Helen.

  I looked at Lonnie and gestured for him to get off his knees. “For now. But I’m not going to be intimidated by a house full of thugs. We’ll do our jobs and keep our heads down.”

  “What about Lonnie?” asked Helen. “He’s not going to leave you alone until you figure out what happened to him.”

  I let out a sigh as I looked at the ghost. “We’ll just have to find out what happened to him quickly. And make sure we’re discreet about it.”

  Chapter 7

  Despite feeling uncertain about working for the Cornells, the day had been surprisingly normal. Elita had set me up in a smart study with all the latest technology and given me a long list of tasks relating to Lonnie’s funeral to deal with. Most of it was writing thank you notes or responding to emails about Lonnie’s death. There were also handwritten letters to type up and send out, and Elita wanted research done on if it was legal to put a person’s ashes inside a firework and explode it in public. That would be a sight to see if she did that to Lonnie’s remains.

  Lonnie had kept me company on and off for most of the day, drifting around the study as if he had nothing better to do. And maybe he didn’t. I had no clue if there was much of a party to be had in the afterlife.

  I was finishing up my first day of work and was already feeling better about the decision to stay when Carson strode into the study. My relaxed mood faded as I saw the cold expression on his face.

  “I was looking for Elita,” he said by way of introduction.

  “Haven’t seen her all day,” I said. “She had some personal matters to attend to.”

  “She’s not in the house?” Carson looked around as if he expected to find Elita hiding behind one of the sofas.

  “Not that I’m aware of.” I continued to file away some paperwork.

  He took a step closer and rested his hands on the desk, his knuckles cracking as he did so. “Where is she?”

  I turned away from the filing cabinet. “She must have gone out.”

  “I’ve looked everywhere.”

  I refused to be bullied by Carson. “Like I said, maybe she’s not in the house.”

  “Elita shouldn’t be going out on social visits. It’s too soon after Lonnie’s death.”

  “I imagine she can do what she wants, since she isn’t married to Lonnie.”

  I saw Carson’s knuckles go white as he pressed his hands into the desk. “Do you have access to her personal diary?”

  I bit my tongue and shook my head. Elita had given me the password to her electronic diary that morning and asked me to update some social engagements. But there was no way I was going to let Carson get that information out of me. He had no right to pry into her personal business.

  Carson stood up straight and adjusted his red tie. “Tell Elita to come find me when she returns. There are family matters I need to discuss with her.” He didn’t wait for my response, simply strode out of the study.

  I looked over at Lonnie, who had watched Carson with interest as he spoke to me. “I’m guessing you didn’t employ him because of his social graces.”

  Lonnie smirked and then shrugged.

  “I imagine his skills lie elsewhere.” I hadn’t failed to notice the bulge in Carson’s jacket. Guns were not a common sight in this country, but I was certain I’d caught a glimpse of some sort of holster.

  Lonnie did a few boxing moves around the room.

  “Maybe it’s time Carson wasn’t here anymore,” I said to Lonnie. “Since your mom believes you’ve gone straight, do you need him around? He could cause trouble and make people think you’re still living the high life thanks to crime.”

  Lonnie frowned and flexed his biceps at me.

  “Michael looks like the protective type, not Carson. Carson is the mean and evil sort. Exactly who you don’t want hanging around your family.”

  The study door banged open and Chelsea walked in, her black patent heels clicking on the wooden flooring as she strode to the desk. “What have you been doing for that old hag, Elita?”

  I blinked a couple of times at Chelsea. Carson wasn’t the only one who needed to learn some manners. “Mainly matters to do with Lonnie’s funeral.”

  Her red painted lips pinched together. “I should be in charge of that. I’m his wife. Elita’s the cast-off.”

  “I don’t think Elita meant any har
m by asking me to handle the paperwork,” I said. “I can talk you through what I’ve done if that would help. It’s hard losing a husband; maybe Elita thought she was trying to help you.”

  “She’d never help me.” Chelsea flicked through a pile of letters on the desk. “And Lonnie left her to be with me.”

  “I can show you the thank you notes, make sure you think the wording is appropriate. You’ll know what Lonnie liked better than anyone else.”

  “All that stuff is pointless,” said Chelsea. “I’m not interested in that. But what about Lonnie’s private papers? What’s Elita got you doing with those?”

  “Nothing yet,” I said, glancing over at the filing cabinet. I’d seen several large files with Lonnie’s name on them. “Is there anything, in particular, you’re interested in?”

  “I know everything there is to know about my Lonnie’s business,” said Chelsea, pushing her enhanced chest outwards. “He didn’t hide anything from me.”

  Lonnie flapped his hands in the air and then shook his head. Looked like that wasn’t true.

  “If there’s anything you need me to get out of the filing cabinet, just ask,” I said. “Be happy to help.”

  “I don’t suppose you’ve noticed anything about his gold?” Chelsea traced a nail backwards and forwards across the desk, keeping her gaze lowered.

  Lonnie shot to Chelsea’s side and glared at her.

  She shivered and took a step away from the desk.

  “His gold?” I decided now wasn’t the time to reveal what Sylvia had disclosed about Lonnie’s gold heist. “Did he leave you some gold jewelry in his will?”

  “He gave me all the jewelry I ever wanted,” said Chelsea. “Lonnie was a generous man.”

  “What kind of gold are we talking about?”

  “It’s nothing.” Chelsea’s gaze met mine. “Lonnie might have stashed something away, and I’d like to know where it is. Let me know if you see anything about his hidden gold stash. The family is being secretive about it, and I want my fair share. It’s only right, what with me being his wife.”

  Lonnie shook his head and folded his arms across his chest, his angry glare still fixed on Chelsea.