by Deborah Camp
After entering the foyer, which was crowded with benches along the walls and two large hall trees laden with sweaters, hats, and umbrellas, Trudy and Levi journeyed toward the sound of voices in the parlor. The big room housed an upright piano, two sofas, four easy chairs, and a variety of small end tables. Beyond the parlor, a spacious dining room beckoned, its long table aglow with twelve candles and a large crystal ball nestled atop a cut-glass stand.
“What a lovely home you have, Sunshine,” Trudy said, allowing her to take her navy jacket and purse. “It’s so . . . tropical.”
Sunshine giggled. “Thanks. Most of it belonged to my parents. My mother loved the ocean. That was her name! I know it’s strange since we’re nowhere near one, but I wanted to remember the home I grew up in.” She giggled as she glanced around, obviously delighted with her abode. “It looked like a funeral home when I bought this place. All dark colors. Brown, gray, and black. I felt so sad for it.”
“You certainly lightened it up,” Trudy said, giving Levi a warning glance because she could feel him revving up to deliver a droll, if not snotty, remark. She could tell that he was becoming disgruntled. Because he could communicate with the deceased, spirits tended to bombard him when he opened himself up to them. She knew that he’d been dreading this get-together because nothing much would come from the séance, but he’d probably end up with a splitting headache. Well, he could suffer with her, she thought, her own head still aching a bit from the horrible visions of Kathryn Rubyott’s death.
She waved at Quintara, Rhema, Alan, and Perchance. “Are we the last to arrive?”
“Everyone is here now except for Chason, but he’s on his way,” Sunshine said. “Oh! Here he is now.” She scurried to open the front door for him.
Perchance joined Trudy and Levi. Her black boots climbed to her mid-thighs and the rest of her outfit was equally sultry – black jeans paired with a silver and gold swirled sweater. “We asked Joshua to join us, but you know how he is, Levi. A loner.”
“Oh, that’s too bad,” Trudy said, feeling a little frumpy in her navy slacks and double-breasted, white silk blouse. “I’d love to talk to him about his bone reading.”
Perchance’s bright blue gaze shifted from Trudy to Levi. “You know, I’ve always thought of you as a loner, too, even though you usually had a pretty girl or two buzzing around you.” She smiled at Trudy. “I’m glad he finally found someone special.”
“I never felt like a loner,” Levi said, then seemed to reconsider as he tightened his arm around Trudy’s waist. “But, I suppose, I was. Hey, when are you going to stop playing the field, Perchance?”
She threw back her head and let go of a throaty laugh. “Never, probably! You will recall that both Sunshine and I have been duped and robbed by lovers. Waylon Fisher, remember him? Sunny told me she saw trouble ahead for us. The bastard stole my money, my car, and some of my underwear! Sunny hooked up with Randolph Watkins and that conniving bastard took off with most of her good jewelry, several thousand dollars she’d hidden in a seashell, and her Harley. Kathryn Rubyott had warned her that he had sticky fingers.”
“Next time try listening to advice from your fellow psychics instead of your libido,” Levi said.
“Yeah, but my libido is a demanding, domineering bitch.” Her gaze latched onto someone else and her smile became that of a temptress. “He’s baa-aak,” she sing-songed. “Hi, Chason. Did you miss me, lover boy?”
Trudy glanced over her shoulder at the final member of their séance. Chason had changed into a pair of jeans and a camel-colored pullover sweater. He dropped a kiss on Perchance’s offered lips even as his eyes met Trudy’s. She looked away, momentarily unsettled by his steady stare.
“I’m glad you didn’t start without me,” Chason said. “I tell you, I felt several spiritual beings on the way here. I wouldn’t doubt if they didn’t follow me here. Tonight could very well be full of surprises and revelations.”
Trudy gripped Levi’s hands and, backing into the dining room, led him there, her eyes questioning him while her lips smiled at him. “How you feeling there, matey?”
One dark brow climbed his forehead. “Like I’m about to be led to slaughter.”
“Just keep your mind shut as tightly as you can. You won’t be able to summon Glenn anyway, right? So, why put yourself out there to be trampled on by spirits you’re not interested in talking to?”
“Because they might be interested in talking to me or someone else here.” He squeezed her hands. “I’ll be okay, baby. This isn’t my first ghost rodeo.”
Sunshine told them to sit wherever they felt most comfortable, so Trudy sat between Quintara and Levi with Rhema and Alan sitting across from her. Chason took his place at one end of the table with Perchance sitting at the other end. Sunshine snuggled in next to Chason. She was radiant in a neon blue jumpsuit with a gold tiara perched in her blond hair. The gray tabby sat in her lap.
Perchance pushed her collection of clanging bracelets higher up on her wrists, getting everyone’s attention. “How shall we do this? Will someone start us off? We’re going to try to raise Glenn, right?”
“I’ll take the lead,” Chason said from his station at the other end of the table. He shook his shoulders a bit, squared them, then looked around at the others, his gaze resting momentarily on each person, skimming quickly past Levi, and seeming to Trudy to linger a few seconds longer on her. “Should we join hands?” He reached out to either side, waiting for everyone to obey. When all hands were held, he cleared his throat and closed his eyes. “We are meaning no harm here tonight. Our only quest is to speak once more to our dear friend Glenn O’Connell. Glenn, are you here? Won’t you come forth?”
Trudy flinched when Levi’s fingers curled around hers. From beneath her lashes, she saw his jawline firm and she knew he was struggling with all the beings that had probably crowded into his head. He was the most gifted summoner at the table and she had no doubt that he was already being contacted. She caught sight of Quintara looking at Levi, too, worry pinching the corners of her mouth.
“I believe I have him,” Chason announced, much to Trudy’s surprise. “Yes, I do! Glenn? Won’t you please come closer? I can barely make you out. I can’t hear what you’re saying. You’re still too far away, my friend.” Chason’s pale brows nearly met as he concentrated on whatever he was seeing with his mind’s eye. “We want to ask you a few questions, Glenn. Step into the light, won’t you?”
“Does anyone else feel his presence?” Perchance asked and received silence in response. “I’m not sure if I do. Although, I do feel that someone is here. Maybe more than one spirit.”
“They’re here, all right,” Levi said, his raspy voice pitched to just above a whisper. “I’m trying to block them, but . . . there is one who is very persistent and as obnoxious as hell.” He frowned. “Okay, okay! Chill! Sunshine, Shirley is here and she is determined to make herself heard.” He opened his eyes – eyes that had gone deep, dark blue, the irises big, consuming. He was focused more inside than outside. “You remember Shirley? Shirley Jo?”
“Yes, oh my yes!” Sunshine bounced up and down in the dining room chair, upsetting the gray cat. “She was a client of mine and she edited the first three of our books. Percy knows her, too.”
“She’s stubborn.” Levi winced. “And loud. Normally, I have trouble hearing spirits, but she’s coming in like a bullhorn.”
“That’s her, all right,” Perchance said. “She was a girls’ basketball coach and learned how to make her voice carry. She’s been dead for eight years. What’s the deal? Why does she want to talk to me?”
“She’s sorry about Randy. Randy Watkins. He was her nephew.”
“W-what?!” Sunshine’s gaze whipped to Perchance. “Did you know that?”
“Heck, no! Are you sure about that, Levi?”
“I’m not, but she is. She didn’t send him here. He came to freeload off of Sunshine because Shirley had told him how naïve and trusting Sunshine is. She feels t
errible about how he took advantage of you.”
Sunshine’s eyes filled with sentimental tears. “It’s okay, Shirley Jo. I’ll always love you. Don’t worry about it. Can I do anything for you?”
One corner of Levi’s mouth quirked up. “She’s fine, Sunshine. She’s in a good place.”
Chason made a sound of distress, wrenching all attention back his way. “What’s that, Glenn?”
“What? What is it, Chason?” Rhema asked as everyone’s attention swiveled back to him.
Chason’s shoulders slumped. “I’ve lost him. He . . . he was trying to get through, but there was too much interference.” Chason turned his head so that when he opened his eyes he could glare at Levi.
Levi, however, didn’t seem to notice as he was staring across the table, his gaze fixed above Rhema’s head. Trudy watched, fascinated, and wondered what image gripped him. He nodded slowly, then closed his eyes. When he opened them, his eyes were their normal deep ocean blue and focused on the people around him again.
“Are you okay?” Trudy asked, resting a hand on his arm.
“Yes, it’s okay. I was just . . .” He patted her hand, reassuringly. “I’ll tell you later.”
A chill permeated the air, taking Trudy’s attention away from him. She looked toward Rhema and stiffened when confronted by her spirit guide. Ethel smiled as she was wont to do. That sweet, dimpled smile, all motherly and comforting. What in the world was she doing here? Trudy jerked a little when Ethel answered her, telepathically.
There is something wicked here, Trudy. You can stop it. If you don’t, it will continue to do bad, bad things and I don’t want to see you or anyone else get hurt. Ethel rested her ghostly hands on Rhema’s shoulders and Rhema actually gave a start. Ethel disappeared.
“Ooo!” Rhema ran her hands up and down her arms. “I feel the spirits tonight, too.”
Trudy shook her head, confused as usual by Ethel’s ramblings. She was more of a sweet, unintentional nuisance than a guide.
“Tru?” Levi narrowed his eyes at her. “What just happened?”
She kissed his stubbly cheek. “Tell you later,” she echoed his earlier promise.
“Is anyone else going to try to connect with Glenn?” Chason asked, almost testily. “Or are we done?”
“Earlier, I tried to see if I could call to the other motorist,” Perchance said. “You know, whoever was on the highway with him that night.” She made a face. “But nothing. Trudy, you’re supposed to be good at reaching out to baddies, aren’t you?”
“She’s the best.” Levi’s tone and smile burst with pride. “Nobody comes close to her abilities.”
“Well then,” Chason said, his attention fully on Trudy. “Won’t you attempt to contact the other driver? The one who, intentionally or otherwise, caused Glenn to lose control of his car?”
Put on the spot, Trudy felt hot color stain her neck and cheeks. “I don’t think that will work. They sort of come to me. Why don’t we ask if anyone wants to speak with us? We have a lot of psychic power gathered around this table, so this could be interesting.”
One note sang out from the piano in the living room, making nearly everyone gasp and look about with wide eyes. Everyone but Levi.
“Probably one of the cats,” Levi said, shaking his head at them.
“I’m sure you’re right,” Sunshine said over a nervous giggle as she stroked the feline curled in her lap. “They do that all the time. Let’s join hands again and see who we can conjure.”
With a heavy sigh, Levi grasped Trudy’s and Perchance’s hands. Trudy stifled a grin, knowing that he was probably lifting his shields to keep the spirits from crowding into his mind and driving him batty.
After a few seconds ticked by, Chason inhaled sharply. “Someone is coming . . . it’s a woman. Please, join us. Tell me who you are.”
“I thought I felt something or someone, but now I’m not so sure,” Rhema murmured.
“Me, too,” Quintara said. “The spirits seem very restless this evening. Like they don’t want to speak to us. They just want to bedevil us.”
Trudy watched Chason, looking for what, she didn’t know. Maybe a chink in his armor, some sign that he was or wasn’t truly channeling. Levi’s skepticism was rubbing off on her, she thought, then denounced that. She couldn’t blame Levi for her own doubts. Even in Quintara’s Psychic Roundtable, she had tagged a few of the others as faking it. Chason’s brows dipped and his breathing became more like panting.
“Yes, yes,” Chason said, nodding. “She is here to speak to her son. She has wanted to make contact with him for several years, but he has turned his back on her. Her name is Joan.”
A spasm ran through Levi’s arm and hand. His fingers clutched Trudy’s for a second, startling her so that her gaze jumped from Chason to him. He was staring holes in the other man. Fury fairly smoked off him. Trudy gripped his hand, but couldn’t pry his glare off Chason.
“She’s anxious to speak to her only child, her beloved and troubled son—.”
“Enough,” Levi said, his voice deceptively soft, but as cold as ice. “That’s enough, Bolt.”
Chason blinked as if emerging from a fugue. “Pardon? Is something wrong?”
“I don’t know what you’re playing at, but you can drop the act. When I want to speak to my deceased mother, I’ll do it. I sure as hell don’t need you to make the connection – providing you actually could.”
Trudy felt her mouth drop open. His mother? She noted the ticking muscle in Levi’s jawline and the straight, tensed line of his lips. Yep. He was livid, even though he’d spoken calmly. When Levi was ready to flip out, he gravitated to the deathly quiet stage before he blew like a volcano. Any mention of his parents would get him steamed and ready to explode. Chason Bolt must be either stupid or looking for a brawl.
“Levi, settle down,” Quintara spoke up, treading where angels dare not go. “I’m sure Chason wasn’t trying to stir up trouble. He can’t help who comes forward.”
“Bullshit.”
Quintara arched a censuring brow and Sunshine gasped at Levi’s one-word estimation. It got a choked chuckle out of Perchance. Alan coughed a little in a feeble attempt to break through Levi’s icy fury and death stare.
Trudy knew she should do something, but she felt as if the wind had been knocked out of her. His mother. Good Lord. Levi was right. This was personal between him and Bolt.
“We should probably call it a night,” Alan said. “We’ve all had a trying day and it’s understandable that our nerves are a bit frayed. Rhema, shall we?”
“Yes, I am tired,” Rhema said, grasping his exit strategy. “Sunshine, it was so good of you to have us over. This has been . . . well, we should be going.”
Chairs scooted back and everyone rose as furtive, worried glances were cast Levi’s way. Chason stood, a near-smirk on his handsome face. Levi rose too, gaze still fixed on him. Trudy thought they looked like two lions sizing up each other. She grasped Levi’s arm and jostled him.
“Hey, let’s go. Now. Right now.” She tugged again, hard, finally breaking through. He looked at her, blinked, and then curled his upper lip. She knew that sign, too, and it made her anxious to get him out of the house. “Thanks, Sunshine, for your hospitality. We’ll catch up with you all before we have to head back to Atlanta. Come on, Levi.” She linked her fingers with his and made him walk with her to the front door. Murmuring goodbyes, Trudy slipped on the lightweight jacket and took the purse that Sunshine had retrieved for her, and stepped out onto the porch with Levi in tow. He was quiet, barely responding to Quintara when she kissed his cheek.
“Forget it, darling boy,” Quintara whispered in his ear. “Don’t indulge in a pissing contest with him. You’re better than that.” Then she linked arms with Rhema and they joined Alan, who was holding the car doors open for them.
It seemed that everyone was anxious to leave and Trudy was glad to be making a clean getaway.
“How long ago did your mother die, Levi? Was it re
cently? Is that why you’re so upset?”
Sunshine’s question ruined their escape and released a moan from Trudy. She tipped back her head, staring in supplication at the starry sky before glaring at Sunshine.
“No, not recently.” Levi looked from Sunshine to Chason Bolt, who had come to stand behind her. “Her death isn’t upsetting to me. Someone using it to take potshots at me is what’s upsetting.”
“Levi, please. Let’s go,” Trudy said, her tone between a plea and an order. “It’s chilly out here. Good night, all!”
He took another few moments to glare at Chason before he finally disengaged and walked with Trudy to the car. He settled her into the passenger seat, then started around the front of the car, stopped, pivoted, and strode back to the house.
“Oh, no. Levi, no,” Trudy whispered, watching him go. She gripped the door handle, thinking she’d follow him, but her better sense stayed that reaction. He was a grown man. She wouldn’t run after him, begging him to come back to the car. Anxiously, she observed him standing on the porch, waiting for Chason to join him, which he did. The two stood, face to face, and the porch light gave enough illumination for Trudy to see their stern expressions. Levi said something to which Chason responded. Levi’s hands bunched into fists at his side and he said something else, then turned and jogged down the steps. He strode to the car, flung open the door, and slid into the driver’s seat. Trudy stared at him, his features cloaked in shadows, but his agitation as bright as the sun.
“So, what was that about? What did you say to him?”
Levi started the car and eased out of the parking space and onto the quiet street. “I told him to keep out of my business and out of my way. Final warning.”
“Or what?”
A streetlight revealed the reckless smile tipping up a corner of his mouth. “That’s what he asked.”
“And?”
“And I told him I’d do whatever was necessary to expose him for the lying douchebag he is.”
