Ghost Who Came for Christmas

by McIntyre, Anna J

  “She’s not bad to look at.”

  “Is that all?”

  Chris frowned. “Why are you asking?”

  “I just thought, well, you two obviously have a lot in common.”

  “Are you suggesting I have some personal interest in her?”

  Anna shrugged. “Maybe. I saw how you were watching her.”

  “What do you mean watching her?” Chris scoffed.

  “Just differently than you watch other women—like Lily, Patricia…or me.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  Danielle was sitting on her bed with the laptop when she heard a knock on her door. She had become accustomed to keeping her bedroom door locked, not just when she was downstairs but also in the evenings when she went to bed. Before she had time to move her laptop to one side and get out of bed, Walt appeared and announced it was Lily at the door.

  Settling back in her bed, Danielle looked up at Walt. “Would you mind letting her in?”

  In the next moment, Danielle’s bedroom door slowly opened. Lily stood at the doorway for a moment and looked around before stepping inside and shutting the door behind her.

  Lily approached the bed. “I assume Walt’s in here?”

  “No, why would you think that?” Danielle asked innocently.

  Lily rolled her eyes. “Funny. Then that’s a neat trick with the door.”

  Danielle giggled. “Yeah, he’s over there, sitting on the couch.”

  “Evening Lily,” Walt greeted, not expecting a reply since Lily could neither see nor hear him.

  “That was a great dinner. You outdid yourself.” Lily sat on the edge of the bed and looked over at the computer screen. “Whatcha doing?”

  “Figured I would do a little online sleuthing. I’m a little curious about a few of our guests.”

  Lily chuckled. “They all seem nice enough. What are you getting all Nancy Drew about?”

  “We haven’t had much time to talk since the guests started arriving. Did you know Richard is a member of Earthbound Spirits?”

  “Seriously? He doesn’t seem the type, although he dresses pretty nice, kind of like those guys who came to talk to me. Is he one of the higher up muckie mucks?”

  Danielle shook her head. “I don’t think so. Adam remembered him, and according to Adam, Richard comes from money. Dressed like that back then. He was sort of on the same level as Isabella. But of course, that’s been over a year ago, so, I suppose he could be.”

  “What’s he doing here?”

  “Adam suspects he’s here to convert me—because of my money. I guess that group doesn’t celebrate Christmas.”

  “Interesting…I heard Richard singing along with the Christmas carols; he complimented the tree. And this afternoon he even decorated a couple cookies.”

  Danielle shrugged. “I suppose even nonbelievers—or those who don’t celebrate Christmas—could still do those things. Christmas carols aren’t necessarily religious, and I have a few Jewish friends who put up trees. And decorating cookies isn’t exclusively a Christmas thing.”

  “True…I don’t think I told you, but a while back I looked online to see what I could find on Earthbound Spirits, and I came across something I thought was funny.”

  “What’s that?”

  “I can’t remember her name—she was a medium—explaining what a ghost is…” Lily glanced over to the sofa. “No offense intended, Walt.”

  “None taken,” Walt countered.

  “According to this medium, a ghost is an earthbound spirit.”

  “That makes sense to me,” Danielle said. “But that’s not how the group uses the term.”

  “You’re right. I found Earthbound Spirits—Morris’ organization—online and they say we are all spirits trapped in a physical body. I believe he calls it our earthly vessel, or something like that. In fact, he denies the existence of ghosts or any spirits like Walt.”

  “What exactly does that make me?” Walt asked.

  “A figment of my imagination,” Danielle told him. Walt countered with a scowl.

  Lily continued. “According to Morris, spirits exist on three separate planes. They are either here on earth—trapped in a physical body.”

  “I have a body!” Walt protested.

  “I think she means a body other people can see or touch,” Danielle explained.

  “Danielle’s correct, Walt. I assume Walt is arguing he has a body?”

  “Yep.” Danielle grinned.

  Lily continued. “The second plane is where one goes after death—I believe he refers to it as the Terminal. In the Terminal you board for your ultimate destination—which I suppose some would see as heaven. Although, Morris doesn’t call it heaven. It’s more tangible than that. But that place, that’s the third plane—it’s where spirits end up after they’ve learned all their lessons. Yet basically, according to Morris, all one has to do is embrace the belief system of Earthbound Spirits, and when you die, you get a ticket straight to paradise and don’t have to return here.”

  “That’s pretty much what I’ve read too,” Danielle said.

  “I suppose I’m proof the organization is flawed.” Walt chuckled.

  “And corrupt. We already know they tried to pass off Isabela’s old will as the current one. Not to mention, blackmailing Darlene.” Danielle turned her attention back to the computer and began searching for information on Richard.

  “Richard seems really sweet to me. I hate to think he’s tied up with that cult.” Lily sighed.

  Walt stood up and walked to the bed. “I think the one you need to run a check on is that Chris person.”

  “With a name like Chris Johnson, I seriously doubt I’ll find anything.” When Lily flashed Danielle a frown over her statement, Danielle explained, “Walt thinks I should run a check on Chris. I don’t think he likes him.”

  Lily glanced to what appeared to be an empty sofa. “Sorry Walt. I really like Chris. And it’s not just because he’s eye candy; he has a great sense of humor and has been really friendly. Haven’t you noticed how he goes out of his way to get everyone involved? He initiated the walk this afternoon, and at dinner he kept the conversation going. If you think about it, putting all these strangers together for the holidays can be pretty awkward.”

  Danielle looked up from the computer. “You have a point Lily. I rather assumed the guests would simply do their own thing, and the only time they would really see each other would be during the meals. But they seem content to hang out together.”

  “I know. It’s like they’re spending the holiday together—not just spending it at the same place,” Lily said.

  Walt frowned. “I don’t see what the difference is.”

  “Here…I found something!” Danielle interrupted, her attention riveted on the computer.

  “What?” Lily leaned closer to the laptop, trying to sneak a peek.

  “Oh my goodness, I think I found an article on his parents’ death. How sad.”

  “How did they die?” Lily asked.

  “Some sort of boating accident, off Dana Pointe.”

  “Isn’t that where Chris is from?”

  “I don’t know if he’s from there exactly.” Danielle clicked on the mouse, moving from one webpage to another. “But that’s where the boat he was staying on was moored.”

  “Are you sure the article is about Richard’s parents?” Walt asked.

  “Yeah, Walt. There’s a picture of Richard with them on the webpage. Identifies him as their son.” Danielle finished reading the article and resumed her search. “Here are some other pictures of Richard and his parents…at what looks like fund raisers. Wow, his folks really were loaded.”

  “Richer than you?” Lily teased.

  “Oh yeah…makes me look like a pauper. Wonder why he would get involved with a group like Earthbound Spirits.”

  “Well, we know why they would get involved with him. Same reason they sucked in Isabela,” Lily said with disgust.

  “Hey…what do you know…” Danielle
said.

  “What?” Lily scooted up on the bed, next to Danielle so she could get a better look at the computer screen.

  “It seems Richard is having a birthday in a couple days. Christmas Eve to be exact.”

  “How do you know that?” Walt asked.

  “It’s an article—written five years ago—photo of Richard and his parents, Christmas tree in the background. According to the article he’s celebrating his 30th birthday.”

  “That makes him five years older than you.” Walt said.

  “I guess it does. Although, I think he’s a young looking thirty-five.”

  “You guess it does what?” Lily asked.

  “Walt just pointed out Richard is five years older than me.”

  “I wonder why he never mentioned his birthday was on Christmas Eve.” Lily frowned. “Although he did say Christmas wasn’t a big deal in his family. Maybe his parents focused more on his birthday than Christmas.”

  “Maybe.” Danielle sighed. “But there sure are a lot of pictures online of Richard and his parents. Looks like the three were involved with a ton of charity events together. In all the photos he’s sandwiched between his parents.”

  “No mention of a girlfriend…a boyfriend maybe?” Lily asked.

  Danielle shook her head. “Not really. Just from the articles, seems like they were a close family. Must have been hard on him when his parents died.”

  “When we were in the kitchen earlier, he said something like—well, he compared his situation to yours. Like he could relate to you.”

  “If Adam is right, and Richard’s main reason for being here is to convert me, perhaps that’s why Earthbound Spirits sent him. Because they felt he and I shared a similar personal tragedy.”

  “You really think they sent him?” Lily asked.

  “He did tell me Morris recommended Marlow House. It sure sounds like it to me.”

  “Has he approached you yet? Said anything about the organization?”

  Danielle shook her head. “No, not really. Although, I was gone most of the afternoon, and when I got back I was preoccupied with getting dinner together. He’s been friendly, but not like someone trying to pitch their religion.”

  “I still think you should look into Chris Johnson. There’s something about that man I don’t like. And there’s something going on between him and Anna,” Walt insisted.

  Danielle smiled. “Anna is an attractive young woman, Walt. Surely you haven’t been dead for so long that you can’t guess what that something might be.”

  “What are you talking about?” Lily asked.

  Danielle chuckled. “Walt seems to think there’s something nefarious going on between Anna and Chris.”

  “I don’t know about that, but I still think it was a little odd, her just showing up on our doorstep. And the way she’s trying to get all chummy with Patricia and Jessica. Something about her sort of bugs me. And Ian feels the same way,” Lily told them.

  “Patricia is another one I’m curious about. She claims she won a trip here. I’d think an organization would let me know they intended to gift a trip here when they made the reservations. That’s just odd,” Danielle said.

  “Maybe you should be looking up that group. What was it called?” Lily asked.

  “Benevolent Charities, and I already did. I couldn’t find anything.”

  “Dani, I forgot to tell you, I think Patricia and Jessica might actually be homeless.”

  “What do you mean homeless?” Danielle frowned.

  “When we were decorating cookies, Jessica blurted out that they didn’t have a home anymore. According to her, they moved out right before they left for Oregon, and stored all their stuff in their car. And earlier, I overheard Jessica telling her mother she was hungry, and Jessica said something about having to be careful with how they spent their money.”

  “I know they both had breakfast.” Danielle frowned.

  “This was at lunchtime.”

  “I hope you told her she was welcome to make Jessica a sandwich.”

  “Yes. I ended up making Jessica a grilled cheese sandwich.”

  “Maybe there is no Benevolent Charities. Maybe one of their friends simply wanted to give her and Jessica a Christmas holiday and did it in a guise of a prize,” Danielle suggested.

  “That’s possible.” Lily shrugged.

  “Well, let me make one more search on Richard. Although, so far I’m not really learning anything new.”

  Lily got off the bed and was just about to announce she was going to head off to her room when Danielle blurted out, “Well, this is just damn creepy!”

  Lily stood by the bed. “What?”

  “I just did a search on Richard, plugging in his full name, date of birth and his parent’s names. I just found his grave.”

  Lily frowned. “Excuse me?”

  “Yes. His grave. According to this website. Richard Winston Jr., only son of Richard and Rachel Winston died when he was six years old.”

  “Are you saying his parents had another son, who died and they gave Richard his dead brother’s name?”

  Danielle shook her head. “No, because this child—the dead one—had the same birthday as the Richard here—same month, day, and year.”

  “Maybe it was a twin brother?” Lily suggested. “Perhaps that site got the names mixed up. And, some people actually give their kids the same name, look at George Foreman.”

  “No.” Danielle continued to shake her head. “According to the obituary attached to this website, he was their only child. There was no mention of a twin.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  When breakfast ended on Monday morning, Danielle’s guests began filing out of the dining room. Instead of joining the others, Chris lingered and helped Danielle clear the table.

  Holding a stack of dirty dishes, Danielle paused a moment and smiled over at Chris, who was busily rounding up the silverware. “You don’t need to help me. You’re a guest.”

  Chris chuckled. “I’m more than happy to help. That was a great breakfast, by the way.”

  “Thanks, I’m glad you enjoyed it.” Danielle grinned and began adding more dirty dishes to her pile.

  “So, what made you decide to open a bed and breakfast?” Chris asked.

  “I figured it was time for a change. I’ve always loved to cook—bake—and I like meeting new people. When my aunt left me this house, I thought it would make a perfect bed and breakfast.”

  “Did your aunt live here?” Chris commandeered the heavy stack of dishes Danielle carried, setting the dirty silverware atop the pile. Danielle snatched up as many water glasses as she could carry and led the way into the kitchen.

  “No, no one had lived here for almost ninety years. Walt Marlow and his wife were the last ones to live at Marlow House.”

  Once in the kitchen Joanne took the dirty dishes from Chris and Danielle. They returned to the dining room to clear the rest of the table.

  “I remember reading about that in the brochure, but I wondered if maybe it was the edited version of the house’s history.”

  “Nope.” Danielle shrugged. “What you read in the brochure is pretty much everything.” In the dining room, they gathered up the last of the dishes and glassware.

  “I thought maybe there might be a ghost or two you didn’t mention.” Chris grinned.

  Danielle stopped what she was doing and looked over at Chris, a frown on her face. “Ghosts?”

  “This is a big old house. I bet it was pretty spooky when you first moved in. Especially since it was vacant for so long. I imagine some people might…start imagining things. Especially since Walt Marlow was killed in the attic. That sort of thing creeps some people out.”

  Danielle shrugged. “I never found the house particularly scary. It’s just a house.”

  “I think he’s trying to frighten you,” Walt said when he appeared a moment later. “Maybe I should show him what it feels like to experience fear.”

  Danielle flashed a warning glare in Walt�
��s direction.

  “Of course,” Chris said nonchalantly, “after having a look at Marlow’s portrait, I don’t see him as much of a threat—even if he decided to stick around and haunt this place.”

  “Please Danielle, can’t I just give him a little scare?” Walt pleaded.

  “No, don’t think so.” Danielle murmured.

  “You don’t think so what?” Chris asked with a mischievous grin.

  “I don’t think Walt Marlow would be much of a threat, had he stuck around.” Danielle looked up and into Chris’ eyes. “Because I think he was probably a very nice and caring man, and would never do anything to make me feel uncomfortable.”

  Chris let out a sigh and glanced over at Walt. “Yeah, you’re probably right.”

  Later that morning Richard found Danielle in the parlor.

  “So this is where you’re hiding out?” Richard said when he entered the room.

  Danielle looked up from where she sat on the sofa, a book in hand. “I decided to sneak off and finish my book.”

  “Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to intrude.” Richard took a step toward the door.

  “No, that’s okay! So, tell me, what do you have planned for today?” Danielle motioned to the empty chair across from her.

  “Chris has invited us all out to lunch,” Richard told her as he sat down.

  “That’s nice.” Danielle smiled. “Glad to see everyone seems to get along so well.”

  “I don’t think I’ll be going…unless…will you be joining us? I’m sure he intends to ask you.”

  Danielle closed her book. “No, I think I’ll stay here. Lily’s off in Portland, and I don’t really like to leave the house alone when we have guests.”

  “Isn’t Joanne still here?”

  “She left. She’ll be back an hour or so before dinner,” Danielle explained.

  “I can stay here, keep you company,” Richard offered. “If you don’t mind.”

  “Richard, you seem like a really nice person. I’m just curious, why did you decide to spend Christmas here? You mentioned you belonged to Earthbound Spirits, but I know they don’t celebrate Christmas.”