Exclusive

by Fern Michaels

  Chester looked at her and howled.

  Chris debated whether or not he should show up for Toots’s big séance. He didn’t believe in the supernatural, whatever they were calling it these days, but he knew Abby would be there, and it wouldn’t hurt to at least pretend to suspend his disbelief for one night.

  So it looked like he was going to Malibu after all. He checked his watch. Toots said they would start the séance promptly at nine o’clock. It was already half past eight. He’d been on the beach and smelled like salt, wind, and sand. Ten minutes later he was showered, shaved, teeth brushed, and he’d even taken the time to comb his hair. Jeans, a navy polo shirt, and deck shoes. Pretty spiffy, he thought. He’d like to see someone get spiffed up as fast as he could, then he remembered Abby said she could get ready for the inauguration in thirty minutes or less. A no-frills girl, she’d said. He didn’t care if it took her a week to decide what to wear; Chris was smitten and knew it and loved it. For the first time in forever, he was ass-kicking happy. He still had to take his floozy female clients out on the town, and he wanted to talk to Abby about that. He never knew when his face and that of the latest starlet would be splashed across the pages of movie magazines. He wanted to tell her that those were business dates, they weren’t even dates. He knew she didn’t like seeing women wrapped around him. Maybe it was time to switch gears, do something different. Something to think on, that was for sure. He had no great love for entertainment law. He’d wanted to be a farmer when he was a kid. Maybe he’d move, buy a bit of land, and try working it himself. That he had the option was enough to make him smile.

  Yep, Chris old buddy, life is lookin’ good.

  Chapter 26

  Sophie added two extra chairs around the old wooden table just in case Abby and Chris showed up for the séance. She was pretty confident Abby would, but she wasn’t sure about Chris. He’d acted like they were crazy when she’d told him what they were doing and who had made their ghostly presences known.

  Sophie didn’t want to change too many things for fear it would scare their ghosts away. Was that weird or what? Scaring the ghosts away. It was usually the other way around. But not in this house. She’d kept the purple silk sheet as her tablecloth, and she still used the same glass. She’d purchased more candles, but other than that and adding the two chairs, Sophie was prepared to talk to dead people. If they would talk to her. She hoped like hell that something would show itself and, even better, that something would show on her new camera equipment. Then Abby could use the photos for The Informer. She wasn’t sure if the grainy images she’d seen were of good enough quality to reproduce, let alone to enlarge and put on the front page.

  “So are we all ready and set to go?” Toots asked as she entered the dark dining room. She hadn’t touched a thing in the room since remodeling the rest of the house and didn’t think she would. They were having too much fun.

  “Yep, all that’s missing are the ghosts. Toots, you imagine Abby and Chris think we’re a bunch of crazy old women with too much time and money on their hands?”

  Toots considered Sophie’s question. “I don’t think they do. Chris is very, very skeptical about the whole ghost thing. Abby likes this as much as we do. With her new column at the paper, I think we’ll be having more séances than ever. This ghost thing has really been a hit with the readers. I would bet anything before all is said and done that The Enquirer and The Globe follow in our footsteps. I know Abby is excited when ‘her boss’ sends her e-mails telling her how well the paper is doing. I think Abby likes being the editor in chief. I haven’t heard her complaining about not being out on the streets chasing stars. I think this is her niche. What about it, Sophie, what do you think?”

  “You don’t want to know. I have crazy thoughts about everything these days. Nothing that would scare anyone. Seriously, I think this new twist with the ghosts is going to be an even bigger hit. There are so many new television programs now, I can’t keep up with them. This happened at just the right time for Abby. She walks around with a glow on her face lately, have you noticed?”

  “Yes, of course I’ve noticed, I’m her mother, for God’s sake.”

  “Well I am her godmother!” Sophie shot back.

  “That glow you’re talking about isn’t from writing stories about ghostly encounters. I think she and Chris are in love with one another.”

  Sophie shot a big, toothy grin. “I think so, too, and I think it’s fantastic! What about you, Toots? Are you okay with Abby and Chris if something were to come of their attraction, whatever you want to call it? I know you loved Chris’s father, and I also know that you are a wonderful mom to Abby, and Chris thinks you’re the cream of the crop, too. I’ve heard him refer to you as his mom when he’s talking on the phone. I guess what I want to know is if you’re okay if Abby decided to marry your stepson?”

  “That’s always been one of the things I admire about you, Soph. You’re so damn honest, cut straight through the flesh and dive right to the bone. To answer your question, yes. I would like nothing more than to see them become a couple. Garland, Chris’s father, and I talked about it on more than one occasion before he died. He would’ve liked seeing them together, too. Chris is as handsome as his father, don’t you think?” Toots asked. She sometimes got all teary-eyed when she talked about the husbands she’d actually loved. Garland had been second-best, right behind Abby’s father, John Simpson.

  “I agree. Both are fine-looking specimens. Sure as hell looked better than that old warthead Walter. Toots, can I ask you a question?”

  “You will anyway, so why would you ask if you can ask a question?”

  “You’re an old whining bitch, Toots, but I love you anyway. Today.”

  “Ask the question, Sophie,” Toots insisted.

  “Did you ever suspect Walter was using me as a punching bag before you came to New York and saw it first-hand?”

  Toots drew a deep breath. “Let’s go out on the deck and have a cigarette before we get started.”

  “I’m game,” Sophie said before charging out to the deck.

  They smoked so much Toots had installed a small freezer where she kept at least twenty cartons of cigarettes on hand at all times. They sat in their favorite chairs, getting comfy before lighting up. After they’d sucked in a few good doses of the deadly toxins, Toots spoke up. “I had my suspicions, but I’d never seen him hit you. I always thought you would leave him if he got too rough. What about that doctor you worked for? Did you two have something going on?”

  Sophie took a puff off her cig, blew the smoke out the corner of her mouth. “No, but I wish I had. He was good to me. He knew what an asshole Walter was, but, like you, he figured that if I was getting the daylights beat out of me, I would leave. I took my marriage vows seriously. It was the Catholic thing beaten into me by my parents. So I stuck it out till death did us part! The old son of a bitch. I hope Satan is torching his ass every day. Let’s stop talking about Walter. It will ruin my night. Toss me another cigarette.”

  “It’s almost nine o’clock; we’d better get Ida and Mavis and get started,” Toots said.

  “All right. I guess I can live without another cigarette for a few hours.”

  Sophie and Toots went inside, where they found Ida and Mavis in the kitchen. Ida was making coffee, and Mavis was slicing a tray of raw vegetables and, of course, fruit.

  “You two about ready to get this séance started?” Sophie asked. “I am going to check one more time to make sure I didn’t forget anything.” She flew out of the kitchen like a witch on her broom.

  A loud knock on the front door, then, “Mom, you guys didn’t start without me, did you?”

  “Abby, come on back, we’re in the kitchen. We were waiting for you and Chris.”

  “He didn’t come with me,” Abby said.

  Toots looked around. “He isn’t with you? I thought for sure the two of you would ride together.”

  “No, I haven’t mentioned this to him. I think he’s a little on t
he unbelievers’ side.”

  “This isn’t for everyone,” Toots said to Abby, though she could clearly see the disappointment in her daughter’s face.

  “That’s cool. I don’t care. So what are we waiting for? I’ve been hoping I would make contact with a major star from way back when. I would love to have something mind-blowing to put on the front page of The Informer.”

  “Never say never,” her mother said.

  “Ida and Mavis, whenever you are ready, just meet us in the séance room,” Toots said

  “The séance room?”

  “That’s what Sophie and I are calling it now. That is what we do in there.”

  A loud knock on the front door startled both Abby and her mother. Abby hurried to the front door. “Chris! Hi. Mom and I didn’t think you’d make it,” Abby said.

  Toots heard the joy in Abby’s voice at the sight of Chris.

  “I debated, but I couldn’t convince myself to pass up an opportunity to spend an evening with my two favorite ladies in the world. So if I have to hang out with a ghost or two, I’m willing to do that.”

  “Well, then what are we waiting for?” Toots said.

  Abby, Chris, and Toots entered the old dining room, where Sophie was lighting candles. Ida and Mavis were placing them around the room so they wouldn’t be in total darkness. Once that was complete, Sophie asked everyone to take their usual places around the table.

  “Chris, Abby, you can sit here.” Sophie pointed to two chairs side by side and to her right. “Because neither of you have attended a séance before, I’d like to take a minute to explain a few things, but you both must promise not to laugh.”

  “Cross my heart,” Abby said.

  Chris gave the Boy Scout sign. “I swear on the Boy Scout handbook.”

  “That’s good enough. Everybody get seated while I explain the procedure.”

  Abby and Chris found their seats. Ida and Mavis took their usual chairs. Toots was the last to be seated.

  Sophie took her seat center stage, or rather, center table. “First, I want to explain exactly what a séance is. A séance is the coming together of a number of people for the purpose of seeking to communicate with those who are no longer of this world. People who attend séances should as far as possible be of opposite temperaments. I think we can agree we meet that criterion. Of course, we must all have an open mind so that a phenomenon can occur. Successful séances require never fewer than three people and no more than twelve. Is everyone following me? In my studies the past few days, I’ve learned that it’s best to go through what the proper conditions are for a successful séance. If I bore you, just bear with me.

  “Subdued lighting is best, hence the candles. Abby, Chris, if either of you plans to attend another séance, we always use the same seats. We should all lay our hands on the table with our palms down. They say that wood when charged becomes a conductor, so it’s not really necessary to hold hands. I like to think the spirits see us united with the same goal, so I think it’s good to hold one another’s hands.”

  “Hey, I like that idea, too,” Chris said, then reached for Abby’s hand.

  They all laughed.

  “They say it’s best not to have any fruits or flowers in the room unless the flowers are fresh. I personally don’t think this matters one way or the other.”

  “Chris, Abby, do either one of you have any questions so far?” Sophie asked.

  “Nothing yet,” Abby said. Chris nodded.

  “I usually open the séance with a prayer of sorts, then we ask if there is anyone who would like to make contact with us. That’s about it, so you kids still game?” Sophie asked, grinning. “If you think you won’t be frightened, you may want to rethink that. Right, girls?”

  “Absolutely,” Toots said.

  “Well, I hope we can make contact with someone. I’m more excited than afraid. So I’m ready when you all are,” Abby said, then looked at Chris. “You’re okay with this?”

  “I wouldn’t be here if I wasn’t, so I say let’s get this show on the road.”

  “One more thing. I take this seriously, try not to crack too many smart-ass comments.”

  “Well, I think that’s almost a miracle,” Ida said.

  “Kiss my ass,” Sophie said. “Now let’s get started. Let’s all join hands.”

  They all joined hands, forming a circle around the table. “Everyone relax. Think of a person you would like to make contact with. It doesn’t have to be anyone you knew personally.”

  Sophie allowed the room to capture the silence and tranquillity, the wishes and desires, of the others. Well, maybe not Chris’s and Abby’s desires.

  “Everyone take a deep breath and relax, open your minds and hearts to the possibilities of another dimension, another plane where lost souls are trapped. If there is a spirit in this room that would like to make its presence known, we are here to help you. Let’s all place the tips of our fingers against the water glass in the center of the table. This is our means of communicating with the spirits.”

  They all unlocked their hands and each touched the glass with the tips of their fingers.

  “If there is someone in this room that would like to communicate with us, move the glass to my right for yes and to my left for no.”

  Their eyes were glued to the glass. When nothing happened, Sophie repeated her words. “No one in the room means any harm. We want to help you, to understand you. If you understand this message, move the glass to the right for yes and to the left for no.”

  Again, they waited. After several seconds had passed, the water glass moved ever so slowly to the right. Sophie heard several intakes of breath. “You understand us. Are you a male or female? Move the glass to my right if you are female, to my left if you are a male.”

  Sophie cast a glance at Chris and Abby. They were mesmerized.

  The glass slowly moved to the left. “You are male.”

  “Is there someone in the room that you have a message for? To the right if your answer is yes, and to the left if your answer is no.” The glass slowly moved to the right.

  Everyone took a deep breath when they saw the answer.

  “Can you move the glass in front of the person you wish to give a message to?”

  They waited for a few minutes and nothing. Sophie was about to ask another question when the glass glided over to rest in front of Toots.

  “Oh,” Toots whispered.

  Sophie continued with her questions. “Were you married to this woman? If so, roll the glass side to side. If you were not married to her, do not move the glass.”

  All eyes were focused on the glass. When several minutes passed, and there was no movement, Toots’s relief was palpable.

  “You were not married to this woman.” Sophie liked to confirm the message for those in the room and for those not in the room.

  “Do you have a message for anyone in this room? Move the glass to the right if your answer is yes and to the left if your answer is no.”

  The glass rolled so fast to the right but stopped as quickly as it started.

  “You are angry with someone?”

  Again the glass rolled to the right.

  “Is the person you are angry with in this room with us now as a living, breathing human being?”

  The glass rolled to the left.

  Sophie was so into this, she didn’t have the least bit of fear. She couldn’t speak for the others, but they didn’t look as though they were ready to jump up and leave.

  “Can you materialize so we can identify you?”

  The glass rolled to the right.

  They all let out loud gasps.

  “Shhh, it’s nothing to be frightened of. Let’s put our hands palm down on the table.”

  “Show yourself.”

  The dining room suddenly became icy cold, the candles flickered. A cloud of fog appeared. It drifted close to the table. A man’s face began to form. Pale features, the fog whirled around like a small tornado, then stopped as fast as it star
ted. The cloud hovered above the table, where all eyes were directed on the face of none other than Bing Crosby.

  Sophie was so excited, she almost allowed herself to lose control.

  “You are Bing Crosby.”

  The face actually smiled.

  No one said a word. This was a true phenomenon. A paranormal masterpiece.

  “Do you have a message for anyone in the room?” Sophie said.

  The cloud floated over to Toots, stopping. Sophie was at a loss. What did Bing Crosby want to tell Toots? The chill in the room was so sharp, it was hurting Sophie’s skin. She wasn’t sure what to do but knew if she didn’t gain control, she would lose the spirit.

  “Sophie, I think I might know the connection,” Toots whispered.

  “What?”

  The cloud continued to hover above Toots.

  “Aaron Spelling’s house. The land it was built on was the former home of Bing. Spelling demolished the Crosby estate to build his mansion.”

  Suddenly the cloud began to whirl around the room. The flames on the candles blew out, then they crashed to the floor. Sophie’s hands were shaking so badly, she had to sit on them. As fast as it started, it stopped.

  No one moved or said a word. They had all just witnessed an event which, had they not seen it with their own eyes, none of them would have believed possible.

  Sophie was about to tell them to relax and vacate the room when another mistlike cloud began its foggy manifestation. The room became even colder if that were possible.

  The mist floated around the room as though it had a mind of its own. Sophie didn’t speak, as she didn’t want to risk losing it.