“Okay,” Gino said, getting to his feet. “I know the girls said they have a big announcement, and I know it has something to do with Quinn and his son, but I’ll be damned if I’m waiting until after dinner tonight to get the news. So, T and Kelly, out with it.” He sat back down.
Kelly and T put their heads together and whispered. Finally, Kelly said. “Mom and Phil, I know you’re wondering why I’ve been dragging my feet about mentioning grad school, but here’s the thing.” She paused and looked at Peter, who nodded encouragement. “I’m don’t want to go to grad school.”
“But, Kelly,” Emma said, interrupting her. Phil put a hand on her arm.
“Hear her out, Emma,” he said gently, “then you can protest, or not.”
“Okay, Kel,” Emma said reluctantly to her daughter, “I’m all ears.”
“Anyway, I’m going to Australia with Quinn on his next expedition.” Kelly took a deep breath when she was finished.
“And I’m going with her,” T announced.
“What?” Gino asked, totally thrown off guard.
“Me, too,” added Peter, “and my partner, Roy.”
The parents shot questioning looks at Quinn. “I’m going to Australia for at least a year to study the aborigines,” he explained, “particularly one tribe deep in the bush known for their superstitions. The kids decided they wanted to come along and film it.”
“You’re an anthropologist now?” asked Phil. “I thought you were an archaeologist, a digger in the dirt.”
“I am,” Quinn answered with a grin, “but during my last stint in Australia I became interested in this tribe through a friend who is an anthropologist. This is really her project. I’m just tagging along to help and to learn things.”
“And we’re going to make a documentary about it,” Peter explained. “We’re forming a company, the four of us—Tanisha, Kelly, Roy, and myself.”
“I’m going to be writing a lot of it,” T announced, “and both Kelly and I can research ghosts and spirits and how they are integrated into the lives of the tribe, both then and now. We might even bring the paranormal into the piece in a more concrete way.”
Emma leaned back in her chair, quiet for a moment, then she asked Kelly, “This is how you’d like to use your medium talents?”
“Um, yes, Mom,” Kelly answered. “At least for this project. Is there something wrong with that?” Her voice held a slight edge of defensiveness.
Emma raised a hand to stop Kelly from saying anything more. “No, it’s not that. I think research and education is an excellent use of your skills, and of Tanisha’s. I’m just surprised. I thought you wanted to keep it all under wraps.”
Kelly looked to Quinn, who smiled at her. “When Kelly was working with me,” he said, “there were several incidents where her skills became quite useful, if not invaluable. When Peter came to visit, they became friends and kicked around the idea of doing a documentary about it as it related to ancient cultures for starters, and maybe later about people around the world who share such gifts.”
“My background is in journalism, like T’s,” Peter explained. “But it’s mostly been for TV, while hers has been in print. Roy is a gifted cameraman who has been on the crew of several award-winning documentaries. I think together we’ll make a great team.”
“We thought we’d start with Quinn’s next expedition,” added T, “and see how it goes. From there we could branch out and do other films, and not just about the paranormal.”
Emma and Phil exchanged glances, then Phil asked, “And how long will you be gone and when are you leaving?”
“We’ll be gone about a year,” Kelly said, “and we’ll leave in June, shortly after I graduate.”
“That’s only nine months from now, Kel,” Emma complained. “I’d hoped you’d spend at least part of the summer with us. And I know your father will want to spend time with you.”
Quinn cleared his throat. “We can push the departure until the first part of July, but not any further.”
“May I say something?” Gino asked after remaining silent for some time. “After all, my daughter is part of this motley crew, too.” Everyone turned to him. “Frankly, I think it’s a good idea. If they are going to do something like this, they should do it now, while they’re young.” He looked at Tanisha, his eyes moist with pride. “Honey, I hope you spend more time than the occasional rushed weekend with me before you go, but even if you can’t, I’ll understand. You don’t need my permission to go, of course, but for what it’s worth, I heartily give my blessing and support.” He paused. “But you know you’re going to miss Marta’s cooking.”
T got up and went to her father, giving his neck a warm squeeze from behind. “Thank you, Dad.”
“And speaking of support,” Gino continued after the embrace ended, “how much do you need to fund yourselves for the year? I’d like to provide some of it.”
“Oh, Dad,” Tanisha said, giving him a big squeeze again. “Thank you. We were actually going to ask you all to buy shares in our company to help fund it. We have a business plan and everything.”
“I have copies of the plan and the budget with me,” Peter said. “We were going to do a formal presentation tonight.”
“I’ve seen it,” said Quinn, “it’s very solid. I’ll be buying in.”
“Mom,” Kelly said to Emma, “I know you and Dad have an account for my grad school. I’d like to use that for my share, if I can.”
Emma and Phil conferred in whispers. When they were finished, Phil said to Emma, “So it’s plan B?”
“Plan B,” she confirmed.
“What are you talking about?” Kelly asked.
“As far as your grad school money goes, Kelly,” Emma told her, “I’m okay if you want to use it to invest in this venture, but you’ll have to get your father’s approval, too. It’s an account we started together for you. And Phil and I will look at your business plan and let you know before you leave this weekend about our buy-in share. We’re definitely in, we just want to review the numbers.” She shook a finger at Kelly. “But don’t be shy about asking for your father’s support, too. He’ll probably be thrilled that you’re going into the film industry, even if it’s not the area he would have chosen for you.”
“He won’t be happy about my paranormal activities,” Kelly said. “He’s not happy about yours and you’re no longer married.”
Emma laughed. “No he won’t,” she agreed, “and I’d love to be a fly on the wall when that goes down.”
The table erupted in laughter.
Gino stood up again and raised the beer bottle he’d been drinking from. “A toast to . . . ah . . . ,” he stammered, then looked at Peter. “Do you have a name for the company yet, son?”
“Not yet,” Peter answered.
“Well, then,” Gino continued, “a toast to Work In Progress. May it thrive and may none of our children catch any nasty diseases or parasites.” Everyone raised their glasses and bottles in a raucous toast.
Once everyone quieted down, Quinn leaned across the table to Emma and Phil. “So what’s plan B?”
Emma and Phil once again exchanged looks and smiles, then Phil said, “Emma and I have an announcement of our own. You see, we decided last night to get married in August, but with Kelly leaving the country, we’re on to plan B. We’re getting married before you all leave and everyone’s invited. That includes Quinn and Peter.”
“We can stop off in California on our way to Australia,” Quinn said. “Get you two finally hitched and then take off.”
“See,” Phil said with a grin. “Plan B.”
• CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR •
AFTER dinner later that night, Emma found Gino standing alone on the back deck enjoying his evening brandy and cigar. “A penny for your thoughts,” she said to him.
“Ha!” he shot back. “I’m not sure they’re w
orth that much, and even then my agent would take fifteen percent.”
Emma chuckled. “It’s been a wild few days. Are you okay?”
He shrugged and flicked some ash over the railing. “It depends on which topic you’re asking about. Am I okay with this thing with the kids? Yes. I think it’s a grand adventure, and one they shouldn’t miss. And I love that they want to start their own business. As for Vanessa, I’ll be okay with it. It’s not like I didn’t see the split coming, but I sure didn’t think she’d resort to murder.” He glanced over at Emma. “That, I will admit, shook me right down to my socks. I’ve had ex-wives wish me dead during fights, but I never thought one would actually try to do it herself.” He squeaked out a sad chuckle of disbelief.
They watched as one of the guards left the guesthouse, which the security company had set up as a base on the property. He made his way with a flashlight along the edge of the lake across the lit path to the dock and up the other side of the property.
“How long will they be here?” Emma asked.
“Not much longer, probably just until you all leave. It’s an election year,” he explained, “with that and ISIS and global warming, my near murder and the theft of my book are already old news, but I don’t want you all bothered for the rest of your stay.”
“Are you and Marta staying on even after everything that has happened?”
He nodded, his profile silhouetted against the dim deck lights. “Yes. I really do like this place and once the paparazzi tire of standing outside on the road, it will become the haven I wanted. Although,” he said, tossing his head toward the boarded-up French door, “I doubt I’ll be getting my security deposit back.” He turned to face Emma. “It will be a while before I go back to my home in Chicago, whether I stay here or not, so I might as well stay here.”
“You and Marta are welcome to spend time at my home in Julian. It doesn’t have a great view like this.” She swept a hand toward the lake. “But there’s plenty of room and it’s empty quite often, although once Phil and I marry we’ll make it our main residence.”
“That’s quite a long commute to LA for your show, isn’t it?” Gino asked.
“You’re not the only one with change on the horizon.” Emma took a deep breath. “My show is being canceled come spring. I got an e-mail about it just an hour ago. Although I knew it might happen.”
“But I thought the ratings were good,” he said, surprised.
“They were, at least for a cable show, but the station is being sold and the new owners don’t want to pick up a few of the shows, including mine. When I get back, we’ll film the remainder of the season and then it will close down.”
“I’m sorry to hear that,” Gino said with sincerity, “but I’m sure something just as interesting will come along. Maybe you should write books like your friend Milo Ravenscroft.”
“I’m looking forward to just having some time off. Shortly after the show ends Kelly will graduate, followed by our wedding, and then Kelly leaves. After that, maybe Phil and I can do some traveling.” She leaned against the railing and looked at him. “What about you? Are you going to do that book about the 1800s serial killer?”
He nodded and smiled. “Oh yeah. I know a hot topic when I see one. Although I’m probably going to be tied up off and on for months with all this stuff about Leroy and Vanessa. You know, depositions, trials, the divorce, and other stuff. Hard to write when your concentration is scattered.”
“What about Broken Asphalt?” she asked. “Have you heard anything from your agent?”
He laughed and sipped his drink. “Funny you should ask. While you were having your show canceled, Neil called me. He contacted the publisher for Broken Asphalt and filled him in on what had happened. Of course they agreed to yank the book from their catalogue and release schedule, but then they made Neil an offer. They want to publish it anyway, but with my name on it. With all the news and controversy, they’re sure it will outsell all of my other books.”
“But didn’t Leroy and Otis change stuff?”
“Yes, they did, and I’m not about to publish something that’s been tampered with, so I turned it down. I could finish my original manuscript and sell it, probably to my current publisher, but that book means more to me than a few more dollars.” He looked at Emma. “You know what I mean?”
She nodded and placed an understanding hand on his arm. “Yes, I do.”
He looked back at the lights stretching out onto the lake. “I’m told that every minute of every day someone in the world buys one of my books, so I’m pretty damn rich without it. I might spill my guts on the page, but I’m not selling my soul.”
One of the French doors opened and Phil stepped out with one of the afghans in his good hand. He handed it to Emma. “I thought you might need this if you two are going to gab all night.”
Laughter from the library drifted out to them. “What’s going on in there?” Gino asked.
“A rousing game of charades,” Phil answered with a grin. “Fran and Heddy are remarkably good at it and so is Marta. Quinn is claiming that Granny is helping them. He and Peter are losing big-time.”
Gino took another sip of his drink. “Then I’d better get in there and help the men out.”
“Emma,” came a ghostly voice as Gino left. Emma turned toward the patio table and saw Blaine. Behind him were several spirits, but none came clearly into view. Blaine stepped forward. “My family and I would like to thank you for finding Chester and Clarissa and returning them to us.”
Emma gave the Browns a wide, warm smile. “I’m very happy we were able to do that for you. Will your family remain at Misty Hollow now that the children have been found?”
He shrugged. “Some might, but most won’t. Now that the twins have crossed over, they will be happy to remain on the other side.”
“It was an honor to meet you and your family, Blaine, and Phil and I want to thank you for saving our lives. We owe a great debt to you.”
“That debt has been paid.” With a polite bow, he and the other Browns disappeared.
Once they were alone, Emma put the afghan over her shoulders and held up one side, inviting Phil to join her under its warmth. He snuggled close and wrapped his good arm around her waist. “It’s been one hell of a trip, darling,” he whispered into her ear. “I can’t wait to get back to Julian.”
“Me either,” said Granny, materializing on the deck a few feet from them. “I like action, but this has been exhausting.”
Sue Ann Jaffarian is the critically acclaimed author of the Ghost of Granny Apples Mysteries, the Odelia Grey Mysteries, the Madison Rose Vampire Mysteries, and the Holidays from Hell short story series. In addition to being a writer, Sue Ann is a full-time paralegal for a Los Angeles law firm and a sought-after motivational speaker. Visit her website at sueannjaffarian.com.
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The Ghosts of Misty Hollow Page 23
