To Catch a Spirit

by Carrie Pulkinen

  A soft knock on the door brought her back to coherence. She glanced at the clock. Had it really been an hour?

  “Co—” She cleared her throat. “Come in.”

  Tina cracked the door and peeked inside. “Oh, I’m sorry. Did I interrupt your meditation?”

  “It’s okay. I’ve been at it for over an hour. If I haven’t solved my issues by now, it’s probably not going to happen today.” Allison put the pillow on her treatment table and sat on the edge. Tina plopped onto the chair.

  “Speaking of your issues…Lucia told me about your little fainting spell.” She leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees. “Are you okay, Allie?”

  “She called you, huh?”

  “She was worried about you. So am I. That’s why I’m taking you out for lunch and a mani/pedi. We’re going to have some girl time, and you can tell me all about it.”

  Allison smiled and pushed off the table. “While I appreciate the offer, I’m fine. Besides, I have a client coming in this afternoon.”

  “What time?”

  “Three.”

  “Well, then. That’s gives us four hours to have some fun. Let’s go.” She picked up her purse, and before Allison could object, Tina took her by the arm and led her out the door. Lucia nodded at Tina, her smile poorly masking the worry in her eyes.

  “I’ll have her back by three,” Tina called over her shoulder as they exited the antique shop.

  A gust of chilly wind sent shivers down her neck, and Allison flipped up the collar of her jacket. Ponytails were good for windy days, but they didn’t help with the cold. Just a few more readings, and she’d have enough money to get the haircut she so desperately needed.

  “I feel like Chinese. That okay with you?” Tina asked.

  “Sounds great.” The quiet walk outdoors calmed her nerves, her tension relaxing with every step.

  They found a table at 888, a small restaurant with red vinyl chairs and matching red paper lanterns hanging from the ceiling. It usually drew a big lunch crowd, but it was still early enough that they didn’t have to wait for their seats.

  “What happened in there? Lucia said you screamed, and then you blacked out. Was it like—”

  “No.” She didn’t want her to finish the thought. “It was nothing like last time. It was just an object. I don’t know what happened. It just got to me.”

  The waiter arrived to take their order. Allison asked for chicken and broccoli with steamed rice. Tina ordered sweet and sour pork.

  “Fried food will kill you.” Allison grinned at her friend.

  “Maybe so, but at least I’ll go out knowing I ate what I wanted and enjoyed every bite.”

  If only life were so simple.

  Tina put her elbows on the table and rested her chin on her hands. “So, you want to tell me why you ran out on me last night without saying goodbye?”

  Allison cringed and smoothed the napkin in her lap. “Oh, that. How much did you see?”

  “I saw Logan Mitchell chasing after you as you ducked around the corner. Then I saw him watch you burst into tears and run out of the house. What the hell happened, Allie? And why were you avoiding Logan Mitchell?” She said his name like he was royalty to be revered.

  “Well, crap.” She folded her hands on the table. “I didn’t think anyone saw.”

  “Well, we did. So fess up.”

  “All right, I’ll tell you. But you have to promise not to overreact.”

  Tina raised an eyebrow. “Okay. I promise.”

  “I saw a ghost at the party last night.”

  “What?” Tina leaned back in her chair. “I thought you were blocking out spirits.”

  “I was. I am. I’m still trying to. But this one was strong, Tina. I thought she was alive. She was crying on the staircase, and I walked over to ask her if she needed some help. I went to put my hand on her shoulder, and she disappeared.”

  “Are you okay? Is that why you were crying? Because she was?”

  “Yeah. I should’ve known what she was when I hit that wall of emotions. I don’t know what happened. She was so sad, distraught. But I cleared her out of me. I went home and meditated, and I thought I got rid of all her energy. I was okay until that table at Lucia’s.”

  “You think the ghost last night made you more susceptible to the energy in the table?”

  “It must have. I can’t think of any other reason.”

  “Hmm…” Tina tapped her finger against her chin. “Maybe it’s time to ease back into it. You were always so good at spirit work. Maybe it affected you like that because you’ve been out of it for so long. What’s it been? Nine? Ten months? You could start off helping some happy ghosts cross over.”

  “No. And it’s been almost a year.” Allison looked at her hands in her lap. “I don’t work with spirits.” The thought had crossed her mind before. Her friends at D.A.P.S. would be thrilled to have her back on their team.

  She’d worked with the Detroit Area Paranormal Society for years, helping to excise any unwelcome—unliving—residents from their clients’ property. While the rest of the team gathered scientific evidence of the hauntings, Allison had used her psychic abilities to communicate with the lingering spirits and help them cross over.

  Until last Halloween at the abandoned psychiatric hospital. She shivered as the memories of the overwhelming depression that followed that incident crept into her mind.

  “Absolutely not.”

  Tina shrugged. “All right. Just a suggestion. Are you okay, though? Really, Allie?”

  “I’m fine.”

  “You’ll let me know if you need anything.”

  “I promise.”

  “So then…” Tina’s concerned looked turned into one of curiosity. “Why were you running away from Logan?”

  “I wasn’t running away from him. I was just walking in the opposite direction.”

  “So you knew he wanted to talk to you?”

  Allison smoothed her hair and crossed her arms. “We made eye contact. Briefly. You know he’s not my type.”

  “Well, I’d sure like to land him.” Tina smiled and shoved a piece of pork in her mouth.

  “Land him? You’d be another floozy who spends one night with him and never hears from him again. I’ve heard about his reputation.”

  “Yeah, but it’d be one incredible night…I wonder why he’s like that, though. I guess when you have that much money you can be however you want to be.”

  Allison pushed some chicken around on her plate. “He’s lonely. And scared.”

  “Lonely? How could a guy like that be lonely?” Her eyes widened with realization. “Wait a minute…You read him, didn’t you? You sneaky little slut!” She leaned forward and grinned. “What’d you see?”

  “You know I’m not like that. I don’t go around reading people without their permission. I just couldn’t help it with him. He was practically screaming it at me. I shut it out as fast as I could.”

  Tina giggled. “Uh-huh. So he’s lonely. I wonder why?”

  “The poor guy’s surrounded by people who want his money. It’s got to be hard to know the difference between a true friend and someone who’s just using you.”

  “Am I hearing this right? Does Allison Gray have a soft spot for the pretentious asshole?”

  “Absolutely not!” Maybe a little. “He got himself into that situation. Why should I feel sorry for him?”

  “Because you feel sorry for everyone.”

  “True.”

  * * *

  Logan sat across the table from Trent at a deli in downtown Detroit, pushing black beans around on his plate. “It was weird, man. I could’ve sworn there was somebody in my room.”

  “I don’t know what to tell you. Maybe the place is haunted.”

  Logan chuckled. “Yeah, right. Like that could happen.”

  Trent shoved a fry in his mouth then picked up his half-pound burger. “You never know. What about that chick that stayed with you last night? You going to see her again?”<
br />
  “Ha. Not likely. But she did tell me about her brilliant brother who’s starting up a new company…just in case I was looking for another investment.” He rolled his eyes and toyed with his fork.

  “I’m sorry, man.” Trent slapped him on the shoulder. “But you know, maybe you’re going about it the wrong way. The kind of women that show up at those parties alone…They’re not the type to settle down with.”

  Logan raised an eyebrow. “I know better than anybody.”

  “I guess you do. Why don’t you try the library? Or a coffee shop? Maybe the vibes you pick up there will be different. I’m sure nice girls exist somewhere, and with your little talent, you should be able to find them.”

  “I’m not looking to settle down. You know that.” He took a bite of his beans, chewing and swallowing before anything else touched his fork. He’d finish them all before he moved on to the sandwich.

  Order. It was something he could control.

  “Ah. The dad issues again. Just because your dad beat the shit out of your mom, it doesn’t mean you’re going to do it to your wife. Hell, Logan. I know you won’t. You don’t have it in you.”

  “And if I never have a wife, I’ll never have to worry about it.” Not that he’d ever lift a hand to a woman. That wasn’t the problem. It was that damn vision.

  Trent exhaled sharply and shook his head. “You’ve got some serious issues, man.”

  “Tell me about it.” If Trent only knew the half of it.

  As they finished their meals, a deep pull of doubt emanated from Trent. It probably should’ve irritated Logan, but it was refreshing to be in the company of someone who actually cared about him as a person and not just about his money. And to be honest, he was worried about himself. Hell, he was scared shitless. That vision last night felt too real.

  “You got everything in order for the benefit tomorrow night?” Trent asked. “Sounds like it’s going to be a good time for all.”

  “Pretty much. Just have a couple of loose ends to tie up. I need to call John and make sure he’s still coming.”

  “I still can’t believe you got him to play at this thing. Well, yeah I can. It’s going to be one awesome party.”

  “And it’s going to raise a lot of money for the children’s hospital. Don’t forget the most important part.” Logan nodded toward the door, and Trent followed his lead. They left the deli, climbed into Logan’s jet-black Mercedes, and headed back to the office.

  He turned off Washington Boulevard and onto West Jefferson Avenue. “You remember that girl last night? The blonde?”

  “The one in the turtleneck?”

  “Yeah. You ever seen her before?”

  A knowing smile slid across Trent’s face. “Maybe. Now that I think about it, I may have seen her with that smokin’ hot real estate agent who sold you the house.”

  Logan rubbed his hand across the scruff on his face. Between the distraction of the alleged intruder and his sister’s phone call, he’d forgotten to shave. He fought the urge to swing by his house for his razor. “I know the agent, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen her friend before. Do you know her name?”

  “No, man. Sorry. You interested?”

  He shook his head. “No. No, I’m not.”

  “Well that’s good. Because she didn’t look very interested in you, either.”

  And that was exactly why she intrigued him. If she didn’t care about his money, maybe she could care about him. He pushed that thought out as quickly as it came in. Like that could ever happen.

  “Maybe she’s a lesbian,” Trent said. “Maybe she’s…you know…with that real estate agent.”

  That brought a smile to both their faces. Logan glanced at his friend. “No, I don’t think so. Besides, I’ve seen the agent around men, and she’s definitely not a lesbian.”

  “Maybe she plays for both teams. Wonder if I could talk them into a little ménage à trois.” Trent made a crude gesture with his hands as he spoke.

  Logan laughed. “Keep dreaming, man.”

  * * *

  With freshly polished nails and a full stomach, Allison strolled into Lucia’s at 2:45. Just enough time to prepare for her session.

  “Good afternoon, Lucia.” She kissed her on the cheek and headed for her office.

  “You look like you’re feeling better.”

  “I am. I think some girl-time was just what I needed. Thank you.”

  “Anytime, dear.”

  Allison went into her office and took some deep, cleansing breaths to put up her walls and prepare herself for her client. She lit some candles, plugged her phone into the speakers, and turned on some soft, soothing music. She dimmed the lights, arranged the pillows just right on her treatment table, a massage bed with a pretty quilt thrown over it, and rolled her neck to stretch her muscles.

  “Hi, Allison. Are you ready for me?” Stacey’s flat, brown hair fell into her face, covering one of her dull gray eyes, and as soon as she stepped into the room, her suffocating depression weighed heavy in the air.

  Allison put up her walls to block out the emotion and smiled. “Of course, Stacey. Come on in and lie down. How have you been since our last session?”

  “Better, I think. A little bit.” She rubbed her arm and looked at the floor.

  “Did you go see a therapist, like I suggested?”

  “Not yet, but I made an appointment.”

  “That’s good. And you know there’s always the option of medication, if the healings and the therapy don’t help.” Allison practiced Reiki, an ancient art of healing through energy manipulation. Some called her a faith healer. But she wasn’t a doctor, and she knew that. No matter what the problem, she always recommended her patients get medical attention, and use her methods to help speed along the healing process.

  “I don’t want to take pills.” Stacey’s gaze remained on the floor. “I’ll try the therapy first. Though I wish you could counsel me. I trust you.”

  “I’ve got to finish school and get my therapist license before I can do that. But for right now, I’ll help you as best I can. Okay?”

  Stacey slid onto the table and lay on her back.

  “Close your eyes and try to relax. I’m going to work on unblocking some of the energy that’s built up inside you.”

  Allison started with her head, placing her hands just above Stacey’s crown, never touching. She opened herself up, allowing the energy to flow through her and into Stacey. The blocks were bad, as they were with most depression clients, but those were the ones she preferred to work with. She knew first-hand how it felt to be caught in that web of despair, and she wanted more than anything to help others break free.

  She moved down to Stacey’s heart, her hands hovering above her body. “Do you feel the healing energy, Stacey? It’s working its magic right now.”

  Stacey made a soft moaning sound in her throat. Allison’s clients often slipped into a meditative state during healing. She moved down Stacey’s body, pausing to send in extra energy wherever she felt a block. Then she gave her one more push, visualizing Stacey filling up with loving, white light.

  Allison sat on the chair and curled her legs beneath her. “Whenever you’re ready, you can open your eyes.”

  Stacey lay silent, but that was normal. The healing process was relaxing for both the receiver and the giver, and Allison closed her eyes to bask in the energy.

  “Thank you.” Stacey slowly sat up on the table and forced a slight smile. “I feel better already.”

  Allison patted her hand. “You still have some major blocks, but it’s getting better. The counseling will help too. Is there anything else I can do for you today?”

  Stacey took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. “I was wondering. You know my grandma passed away two weeks ago?”

  “Yes. I’m so sorry for your loss.”

  “Thank you. But I was wondering…if she’s still around…if maybe you could contact her for me?”

  As soon as Stacey made her intent clear, the pre
sence of her grandmother’s spirit buzzed in the room. She was still around, but Allison wasn’t about to find out why. She slammed an iron door between herself and the spirit before the ghost could make contact. But the dead woman was insistent. She pushed harder, bowing the protective wall Allison worked so hard to perfect.

  She felt the pressure. Felt the spirit seeping through the cracks, threatening her sanity once again.

  Why was this happening?

  “I’m sorry. I don’t work with spirits.”

  “Okay. I understand.” Stacey held her eyes wide, as if trying not to blink, to control the tears filling her eyes.

  Allison’s chest tightened. She could contact her grandmother. But at what cost?

  “You know, if she is still around, it’s not her soul. Her soul has moved on, and all that’s left is energy. It may be intelligent. It can still have her characteristics and memories, but it’s just energy. Your grandmother is with God now.”

  “Thank you, Allison.”

  “I’ll see you next week? Same time?”

  “I’ll be here.” Stacey slid off the table and shuffled to the door.

  Allison expected to feel relief when her client left the building. The spirit should’ve followed her granddaughter. But after Stacey left, the overbearing presence lingered. It coiled around her, squeezing like a python encircling its prey. It pleaded with her to listen.

  Frantic energy pulsed through the room. Allison dropped to her knees, pressing the heels of her hands to her temples. She would not let this happen again. She squeezed her eyes shut.

  “Please, leave me alone.”

  CHAPTER FOUR

  Logan pulled his Mercedes into the garage and cut the engine. With his hands on the steering wheel, he took a deep breath and smiled. He had everything lined up for the sold-out benefit tomorrow night, and at five hundred bucks a ticket, the children’s hospital was going to get a hefty donation. Plus, all the high-rollers were sure to pull out their fat checkbooks to hand out even more cash. Logan was footing the bill for the venue, the entertainment, and the food and drinks. Hell, he’d be pulling out his fat checkbook to make an extra donation too.

  He shuffled to his living room and flipped on the eighty-inch television hanging on the wall above the fireplace. Grayhaven still didn’t feel like home, but he’d get used to it. The house was six times bigger than the penthouse he'd rented downtown. What the hell was he thinking buying such a monstrous place? It wasn’t like he’d ever have a family to fill it up.