Ghost for Sale

by Sandra Cox

  “One room is always cold.” She rubbed her arms again. “There’re never noises or sightings, but it’s almost always cool no matter what time of the year. Now in the room next to it, our customers say, they can hear a young woman crying.”

  Liam began to glow like a neon light. He paced back and forth as if he couldn’t stand still. He clenched his teeth against a visible tic in his jaw.

  Goose bumps roughened my skin. “That must put customers off.”

  “You’d think so, but by and large folks are a bloodthirsty lot. They want to see or hear a real ghost.”

  “So it’s just two rooms in the hotel?”

  “Three actually.” She took another sip of her coffee.

  I wanted to rip it out of her hands and yell “tell me,” but I remained calm, widened my eyes, and asked with the proper amount of interest, “Three?”

  “Yes, we’ve got a very bad-tempered ghost. He limits himself to the lobby. I come in of a morning, and things have been moved around or broken. Nothing serious, an antique vase, flowers dumped on the floor, the candy dish knocked over, that sort of thing like he’s petulant or spoiled.” She sighed and shook her head.

  “Interesting.” I chewed on my bottom lip, trying to make sense of it. Surely, that wasn’t William. And I knew it wasn’t Liam. Maybe the malignant spirit?

  “So, it’s possible we have three ghosts.” She leaned forward. “I think the star-crossed lovers are upstairs.”

  Well, that was one theory.

  “I have no idea who the third ghost is.” She glanced at my empty lap and frowned. “Didn’t you bring a notebook or a recorder, dear?”

  Oops. “If you let me, I’d like to come back. Today I just want to get overall impressions. Could we see the rooms?”

  “We?” She gave me a confused look.

  “You and I.” I beat back the color that tried to rise up my neck. Way to go, Caitlin.

  She unfolded herself from the chair. I half expected to hear her bones creak. I reached out to help her, but she batted at my hand. “That’s a lovely top, dear. Where did you get it? I wouldn’t mind one myself.”

  I swallowed the laugh that burbled in my throat. I really liked this woman. Her body might be aging, but her mind was as sharp as her bright, inquisitive eyes. She wore black slacks that bagged on her flat bottom and a bright yellow, long-sleeved blouse with a green ruby-throated hummingbird embroidered on the pocket.

  “If you follow me, we’ll just go upstairs and I’ll show you the rooms.”

  We took the stairs instead of the elevator. “It keeps me in shape,” the little woman explained as she pulled herself along the railing.

  When we reached the second floor, we were both out of breath. Since Liam had floated along, he wasn’t even breathing heavily.

  “It’s rooms two-ten and two-twelve on the right.” A pretty, burgundy runner cushioned our steps as we walked. Old-fashioned yellow-flowered paper covered the walls. Lit crystal sconces mounted beside each door brightened the dark hallway.

  We stopped in front of 210. She slid her card through the lock, waited for the light to turn green, and then opened the door. “That’s strange. The room isn’t cold.”

  A thought struck me and I motioned to Liam. He nodded and stepped up behind her.

  “There it is,” she said triumphantly. “There’s the chill. It’s odd that it wasn’t cold a moment ago, though.”

  “Have you been up here in the last few days, ma’am?” The room had an oriental burgundy and turquoise carpet. Pristine white bedspreads covered the twin beds. A floral picture with a burgundy background hung on the wall and turquoise drapes covered the window.

  “It’s Aileen, dear. Aileen Blanchard. And no, now that you mention it, I haven’t been up here in over a week. I’m surprised the maid didn’t point out the temperature change. Prissy is a superstitious little thing. She would have talked about it if she’d been in here. Probably thought since there were no customers in this room she didn’t have to fool with cleaning.” She walked over and ran her finger across the desk and tisked. “Look at that dust.” She shook her head. “Good help is so hard to find.”

  This had to be Liam’s room. I tried for a commiserating look and suggested, “Let’s go to the next room.”

  As she walked through the door, I whispered to Liam, “This is where you’ve spent your past hundred plus years.”

  “It appears so.” He took a last look around the room.

  “Did you say something, dear?” Aileen inquired from the hall.

  The woman might be old enough to be my great, great granny, but there was nothing wrong with her hearing. “I just said this room has atmosphere,” I improvised.

  “Wait till you’re in the next one.”

  Curious, I quickened my pace, then stepped inside.

  Chapter 8

  It dragged at my spirit. Sadness bled from the room, as if desolation had permeated the walls and flooring. Liam looked lost and miserable. My eyes filled.

  “Anna,” he called softly. “You’ve got to give this up and move on.” He shook his head. “No, I haven’t seen William.”

  “She’s here?” I asked, startled.

  “Yes.”

  “I don’t know, dear. I’ve never seen her,” Aileen responded simultaneously. “You can feel it, though, can’t you?” She looked around the room, done in a similar style to the one we’d just been in.

  “Oh, yes.” I wondered if finding Anna would affect the link that bound Liam and I together. His twin certainly had the stronger claim. I decided to put it to the test. “Ms. Blanchard, would you mind showing me where in the lobby you get the most activity from your malevolent visitor?”

  “Certainly.” She stepped back into the hall.

  I shook my head, signaling for Liam to stay with his sister before I hurried out, all but running in my haste to get out of that room. Ms. Blanchard pulled the door shut behind her. Good thing Liam could walk through doors and walls.

  “Quite interesting, isn’t it?”

  “Very.” My hand stayed on the smooth, worn rail as we trotted down the stairs. I didn’t want to chance a spirit pushing me the rest of the way down.

  “This seems to be where the spirit spends most of his time.” Aileen walked right up to the front door and waved her hand. “When the books are knocked off, or the candy dish broken and candy thrown around, this is usually where it ends up.”

  “I wonder if he’s trying to keep someone in or out. Or maybe both.”

  “I never thought of that. Aren’t you the smart little thing?” She gave me an admiring glance.

  I chewed a grin. The “smart little thing” was at least eight inches taller than Aileen.

  “You know this used to be a general store.”

  “Really?” I came to attention like a pointer.

  “Yes. There’re pictures of the former owners at the Preservation Library.”

  “Pictures! I’d love to see them. Could you point me in that direction?” I wanted to hop up and down, and had to curl my toes and hold my stomach in to keep myself in place. Pictures of Liam, perhaps? Of his sister and his parents? “Can you tell me how to get there?”

  “Of course, go up two blocks, then take a right.”

  “Thank you.” I nearly hugged her but settled for shaking her hand before I hurried to the door.

  “It won’t do you any good to go today.”

  “It won’t?” That stopped me in my tracks.

  “Ethel, the librarian, is on vacation. She won’t be back till tomorrow.”

  I slumped like a balloon with the air let out of it. “Well, thanks for letting me know. I’ll plan on going there on my return trip. If it’s okay, I’ll stop by and see you as well. I’ll even bring my notebook.” I swallowed my disappointment. I really wanted to see those pictures.

  “I’ll look forward to it, dear. Have a safe trip back.”

  “Thanks, I will.” I left the hotel,
walked to my car, and slid in. “Where are you, Liam?” With a twist of the ignition, the engine roared to life. “Come on, Liam.” Why did I have to try that stupid test?

  Even though Anna had more claim to him, it didn’t change the fact that I desperately wanted him with me. Being without him didn’t feel right. How had I grown this dependent on him so quickly?

  My chest constricted. I couldn’t breathe. After a moment, I finally managed to push air out of my lungs and I eased into traffic. When I reached the stoplight, I was still alone. Tears welled up and spilled over. “You are such a sap.”

  “Here now, what’s wrong?” Liam looked at me with the alarmed concern men through the ages have shown when confronted with female tears.

  “You’re here.” I reached to hug him. Thank goodness the seatbelt pulled me back or else he’d probably have fried my circuits.

  “Tell me what’s troubling you, Caitlin.” He leaned forward, his forehead wrinkled in a frown, his eyes bright with worry.

  “Nothing. Nothing now.” My heart sang.

  “Did you think I was leaving you?” he asked softly.

  “Yes and how crazy is that?”

  “I’d rather tear my heart out than leave you,” he said in a voice so low I barely heard it.

  Somehow knowing the idea bothered him as much as it did me steadied me. I took a deep breath. “We’ve got to get you to the other side. You don’t want to be a ghost the rest of your existence.”

  Silence stretched between us. Finally, he replied, “Here, I know you’re right.” He pointed at his head. “Here, I’m not so sure.” He pointed at his heart.

  My stomach fluttered. I cleared my throat. “So did you come voluntarily or were you pulled?”

  “I would have found you, but it wasn’t necessary, we’re still bound.”

  The odometer showed half a mile from the store. “The distance we can be apart is less than a mile.” I remembered the beach and amended, “Most of the time. Were you able to talk to Anna?”

  “Yes and no.” He sighed. “All she did was cry and call for William. She barely realized I was there. She’s caught in the moment she died and knew she couldn’t reach him.”

  “How horrible.” I couldn’t begin to imagine how hard this must be on Liam to see his twin in so much pain. “Do you want to go to your friend’s house now?”

  “Oh yes. If you park close enough, you can sit in the car and I’ll have a bit of a look around.”

  “Works for me.” I put on my blinker and headed for the historic district. Five minutes later, I pulled to the curb in front of the pretty little house and cut the motor.

  Across the street, a head peeped from behind the drapes.

  “Better make it snappy.” I reached in the glove compartment, pulled out a dilapidated map of Florida, and pretended to study it.

  Liam leaned over my shoulder. “I believe you’re holding it upside down.”

  “Will you go?”

  “Gone.” He vaporized in midair.

  The drapes twitched again. “Nosy old biddy, what’s she think I’m doing, casing the neighborhood?” A face enfolded in fat and brown corkscrew curls disappeared behind the drapes.

  Forget about her.

  A light breeze blew through the window, carrying a faint sweet fragrance. My heart caught as I took in the riot of pink and red roses. I hadn’t had a chance to study them earlier. They were an older variety that grew in a bush-like tangle, not hybridized like tea roses. Surely, they weren’t the same ones William had planted.

  A tricycle lay turned over on the sidewalk. Would Anna and William have had a brood of children if they’d lived? Would Liam have fallen in love with some local beauty and had children too? He would have made a good father and husband, strong but kind.

  The slam of a car door interrupted my musings. I looked in the rearview mirror. Crap.

  A police car sat behind me. A man in a blue uniform approached on the sidewalk. The old biddy must have called the police. She certainly hadn’t wasted any time.

  “May I help you, ma’am?”

  “Hello, officer.” I gave him my best smile.

  He didn’t appear to be much older than me, with cropped blond hair and blue eyes. He had red apple cheeks and an innocence about him that I imagined a few years on the force would wipe away.

  He cleared his throat, waiting for my response.

  Dad had always told me not to lie. He’d also said if I did to sprinkle the falsehood with as much truth as possible.

  “I’m writing a book. Isn’t everyone?” I gave a self-deprecating laugh. “I just finished talking to Ms. Blanchard over at the Gant Hotel, and I was on my way home when those gorgeous roses caught my eye. I pulled over on impulse to get a good view of them.”

  “We received a call about a stranger who’s been parked along the street about fifteen minutes.”

  “Goodness has it been that long? No wonder the old bit…er, older person called it in. I’d better be moving along.”

  He grinned and looked younger yet. “Not much happens in Ruby Falls. You were a break in the monotony.”

  “I live to serve.”

  “Listen, I’ll be off duty in fifteen minutes. Can I buy you a coffee or a latte?” He leaned against the top of the car.

  I was being hit on by a cop. And if I had one more cup of coffee I’d implode.

  “Thanks, but I’d better head home.” I turned on the ignition.

  “Will you be coming through town again?” He hadn’t taken the hint but continued to lean against the car.

  “Probably.”

  “Call the police station and ask for Officer Atwell. I’ll show you around Ruby Falls. As small as the town is, it’ll be a quick tour. But I might be able to help you with any questions you have.” Finally, he stepped back.

  “Thank you. I appreciate that.” I put the car in reverse and just managed not to back into his patrol car. As I pulled out, I wiggled my fingers at him. He wiggled his back.

  The nosy neighbor had her snout pressed against the window, a look of outrage on her features. I longed to stick my tongue out at her but remembered I’d crossed the shadowy threshold into adulthood. So instead, I waved. The drapes snapped together.

  “Who are you waving at?”

  “Will you stop doing that?” The breath that had caught in my throat went out with a whoosh.

  “What?” He shifted toward me, perplexed.

  “Appearing out of thin air.”

  “I’ll get right on that.” Sarcasm tinged his melodious voice. He pushed back into the seat and looked around. “What did the policeman want?”

  “Oh, the nosy neighbor next door called me in.”

  “I think you’ve made another conquest. He looked smitten.” He crossed his arms and frowned.

  “Forget about the cop and the nosy neighbor. What did you find out?”

  He heaved a sigh. “William is in the house.”

  “Really? Were you able to talk to him?” I braked as the light turned red, and Liam tumbled into the dashboard.

  “Put your…never mind.” There was no point in telling a ghost to fasten his seat belt.

  He righted himself. “Aye, I talked to William. He made a bit more sense than Anna but not much. He kept repeating he couldn’t reach her.” Liam stared out the window, his expression pensive.

  “This must be awful for you.” I longed to touch him, to offer some form of comfort and couldn’t. Instead, I took a firmer grip on the steering wheel to make sure I didn’t do anything stupid.

  “Harder for Anna and…W, I’d say.”

  “Did he say why he can’t reach her?” I slowed. We’d left the small neighborhood and were back in the business district. Traffic in Ruby Falls was picking up along with the number of jaywalkers.

  “He doesn’t know. He just said he couldn’t find her, couldn’t reach her.”

  “Ha. It is the malevolent spirit keeping them apart.” I forced
myself not to bounce up and down on the seat in my excitement. “That’s why the spirit hangs out at the hotel door, to keep William out. Speaking of the malevolent spirit, did you see anything when we were at the hotel?” A small boutique on my left had a shoe sale sign in the window. I straightened my shoulders and forced myself to keep driving. Sometimes sacrifices had to be made for the good of the cause.

  “No. I’ve never picked up on it, except when you mentioned reuniting you know who with you know who. I guess that makes me an unobservant ghost.” He grimaced.

  “Odd. We’ve got a malicious spirit that tosses the hotel lobby but doesn’t bother you until you’ve both been freed. Of course, he didn’t need to. Anna wasn’t in any danger of finding W, because she was stuck in the moment of her death. Well, not her death precisely, but directly after when she knew she wouldn’t be with W. And by guarding the door he’s managed to keep W out,” I told Liam, proud of myself for not using William’s name out loud. “Why did Anna go back home?”

  “She’s waiting for William to find her.” Liam sighed and settled back into the seat, though one hand remained on the dashboard as if prepared to brace himself.

  The situation was unbearably sad. My heart hurt for all three of them. “I wonder how we can get them together.”

  “I wish I knew.” Liam scratched his chin. It had a dark look to it, as if he had a heavy beard. I could have sworn the gesture produced a raspy sound like a hand rubbing whiskers. “Whoever it is, he’s managed to throw a barrier up between them.”

  “So why do I upset him? Why hasn’t he appeared before? Though he’s apparently thrown temper tantrums in the past from what Aileen described.”

  “You’re the unknown element. A human. He probably has no idea what you’re capable of.”

  “Makes sense.”

  My mind humming, I tapped my fingers against the steering wheel. “So tell me again what W said about trying to see Anna.”