From the stairwell came another muffled cry.
Kerry.
Aura Lee ran to the steps and had made it up the first three when she encountered an even deeper cold. Suddenly she was blind with it, turned to stone by it, deaf from it. Death.
It sank into her, stunning her, stealing her breath.
As she lost consciousness her last thought was, Cottie, no.
The world went dark.
* * *
"Hell's teeth, Max. What's going on in this place?"
Aura Lee's eyelids fluttered. What was Neal doing here? Where was here? She felt a hand on her forehead and reveled in its warmth.
"If I could explain it, I would." Max's voice was sharp with worry. "Kerry, wake up. Come on, luv, make an effort."
A bird trilled with joyous abandon until a motorcycle roared nearby. Aura Lee grimaced at the noise and moved her head from side to side.
"She's coming out of it." Neal picked up one of her hands and patted it. "You're okay, Aura Lee. Open your eyes for me, sweetheart."
"We need to find out what went on in there," Max said roughly. "If I can't get Kerry to surface soon, I'm taking her to hospital."
"She can stay in Brenna's room," Aura Lee whispered.
"That's my girl." Neal dropped a kiss on her cheek and slid his arm under her shoulders, slowly bringing her to a sitting position. The blanket over her slid down and was quickly replaced. Aura Lee opened her eyes and saw they were outside in the courtyard at the base of the associate house stairs. She could see the tree branches swaying in the breeze.
Neil pulled her closer. "Lean against me. I'll hold you up."
Max was nearby, kneeling beside Kerry.
"Is she all right?" Aura Lee looked up into Neal's eyes. "She was in the stairwell longer than I was. It was so cold."
Neal glanced at Max. "Did you hear her?"
"Yes." Max pulled the covers up around Kerry's chin and lay down next to her, holding her close. "Wake up, Kerry. Wake up."
"What happened in there?" Neal asked. "Why did you go inside, anyway?"
The clouds shifted overhead, letting sunshine through, and Aura Lee closed her eyes against the brightness. Her head hurt. "Trying to figure out what happened to Brenna." She sighed. "Stupid, I guess."
"No, not stupid." Neal hugged her. "But it was dangerous. I think it's time to give our ghostly visitors wide berth." He looked over at Max. "Any sign she's coming to?"
"Possibly." Max met his eyes grimly. "She's so cold, I'm having difficulties warming her up. I'm not about to take her back in there." He jerked his head toward the associate house. "Shall we try to get them into the main house?"
"Yeah." Neal looked down at Aura Lee. "What d'you say? Shall we get you back to your place?"
She nodded. "I can walk."
"And deprive me of the chance to do the heroic bit? Sweep you up in my manly arms and remove you from peril? Perish the thought." He grinned at her shaky giggle and pushed himself to his knees. As he began to hoist her up, Rose's pickup came through the gate and stopped near the fountain.
Andrea and Rose spilled from the truck and ran to them as Brenna followed slowly behind. "What's happened now?" demanded Rose.
Andrea raised her brows at Neal and he nodded. With a relieved smile she bent beside Kerry. "What is it, Max?"
"I found them both cold as death in the stairwell. I dragged them out and called Neal, since his number was first on the list." Emotion was thick in his voice. "We've been trying to get Kerry awake."
"He's in love with her," Aura Lee whispered to Neal. He nodded and winked.
Andrea patted Max's arm in sympathy. "I'm sure she'll be fine. Were you going to take them inside?"
"The main house."
Brenna sat down on the cobblestones beside Aura Lee. "You were in my place?"
Aura Lee reached for her hand and clung to it. "You're going to want to stay with us tonight."
Brenna just sat there. She was sallow, her eyes clouded with fear. "What did you find?"
"We can talk about it later." Aura Lee extended her other hand to Neal. "Why don't the two of you haul me off these bricks. If you'll let me lean a little, you won't have be all heroic, Neal."
"No glory for me." Neal took her by the arm and, with Brenna's help, got her to her feet. "Let's take it really slow."
"Don't worry." Aura Lee felt as if she might sink into the ground. "I won't run ahead."
Rose was holding Kerry's hand tightly and chanting in a low voice near her ear. "Come back to us, Kerry. We need your help. Max is waiting." After a moment, her eyelids moved and she took a sharp breath. "That's it, breathe, Kerry. Breathe deeply."
Soon Kerry was inhaling and exhaling with more regularity. She opened her eyes easily and looked up into Max's face. "Hello."
Max cupped her cheek and bent to kiss her. "Hello." His voice trembled. "You frightened the bejesus out of me."
"Sorry." Kerry's eyes closed again. "Did you find the gloppy stuff?" She began to shiver, her body vibrating as it attempted to restore heat to her, life to her.
Rose frowned at her. "What are you talking about?"
Kerry sighed. "I left it on the foyer table, in a little bag. Aura Lee found it on the couch." She breathed evenly for a while, the shivering dying down, a tiny smile curving her lips.
"I think she's asleep." Rose got to her feet. "I'm too old for this, any of it." She looked toward the main house where Neal and Brenna were guiding Aura Lee up the steps to the porch. She turned back to Max. "You know anything about the bag she mentioned?"
He shook his head. "I'll go see if it's there. Then we'll take her inside." He pushed a few strands of her hair behind her ear and stood up.
As Rose gathered up blankets, Max ran into the associate house and came out a minute later, plastic bag in hand.
"How is it in there?"
Max grimaced. "Nothing jumped out at me, but it feels quite odd. The air is crackling with electricity." He glanced down at the bag.
"What is it?"
Max frowned at it and shook his head slowly. "I can't say for certain, but an unpleasant thought comes to mind."
Rose waited. "And?" she finally prompted him.
"As insane as it might sound, I think it might be ectoplasm."
At his feet Kerry opened her eyes and looked up at him with a sneer. "Ectoplasm? Are you nuts?"
"But, Kerry..."
"I could never be with a man who believes in ectoplasm." Her eyes closed and she was asleep once more.
"If she's arguing, she's getting stronger," Rose said. "Let's get moving."
Chapter 25
"Everything I've ever read says that ectoplasm is at best a fiction, and at worst, a fraud. Those damned spiritualists used to make the stuff out of gauze and wet cornstarch." Kerry hit the coffee table with her fist. "I won't let you ruin your reputation claiming anything else."
"Darling," Max said, his voice rough with fatigue. "I won't bandy about the word and my reputation will be fine. I'm the leading authority on hauntings in both the UK and America. A discussion about ectoplasm won't change that."
Noreen groaned and tugged at her hair in frustration. "I realize I missed much of the drama this afternoon, but what does it matter if there was ectoplasm on Brenna's couch?"
"If that's what it is," Max said with waning patience, "it's enormously important from a scientific point of view."
Kerry snorted. "Scientific? How would you even begin to identify it?"
Max glared at her and she all but snarled at him.
Rose sighed. The day had lasted forever, what with Aura Lee, Kerry, and Brenna filling the category of walking wounded after their experiences with whatever was turning Brenna's apartment into a deep freeze. The night ahead promised to be longer still and more contentious if the current conversation was any indication. If she added the possibility of further paranormal events, she was ready to check into a shiny new, never-been-haunted motel, or perhaps an expensive mental institution.
/> They'd gathered for a makeshift snack, choosing the living room for its fireplace warmth. Paper plates held the remains of cheese and crackers, and inroads had been made into the wine and spirits. They'd focused on creature comforts and, for the most part, fitful conversation. The atmosphere thrummed with tension, fear, and fatigue. Everyone was on edge.
"Stop arguing," Rose ordered loudly. Silence descended on the room as they all stared at her in surprise.
"We have to pool our resources and compare notes on what's gone on today. Ectoplasm is at the end of the list."
Noreen eyed her with respect. "You've got the makings of a head mistress in you, Rose. Well done."
"Thank you." Rose waved a hand at the meal's debris. "Let's clear up this mess and get a laptop or two fired up." She glanced at the mantel clock. "We'll regroup in fifteen minutes and sort through what happened today. Agreed?"
"Sure." Kerry reached for paper plates.
"Yeah." Andrea stood up and grabbed at napkins and silverware.
"I'll help with the glasses." Brenna took several as she pushed herself up from the floor.
Rose turned to Aura Lee as she started to rise. "Let everyone else do the work. Unless you need the bathroom, I'd suggest you hold onto your piece of the sofa and put up your feet."
"That sounds good." Aura Lee leaned against the sofa back and nestled into the blanket around her. "I don't know if I'll ever get warm again." Her face lit with an idea. "I know! We could make hot toddies. Wouldn't that be good?"
"Sounds great—and I'll make them. Kerry can help me." Rose put on her best frown. "Seriously, don't move. I'll fill up the samovar and we can each get our own. Okay?"
Aura Lee had again sunk back into the cushions. "Okay. Thanks."
"You're welcome. Noreen, will you stay here with her?" When Noreen looked askance, Rose explained. "Nobody is left alone tonight. We stick to pairs or more. I don't want anybody else to be vulnerable to the deep freeze."
Noreen nodded and watched Rose scoop up a couple of paper plates and go into the kitchen. "She's really got the bit between her teeth tonight, doesn't she?"
"We scared her. We scared me."
Noreen was silent for a moment. Finally she asked, "What happened at Brenna's?"
Aura Lee shivered under her blanket. "Something was in there. Something that produced the most soul-leeching cold I've ever felt." She looked blindly at her feet, propped on the coffee table. "I thought I would die from that cold."
"Oh, my dear." Noreen clasped her hand comfortingly. "I'm sorry you went through that. I've been frightened lately, but not from anything nearly as terrifying as that."
"I'm glad you haven't been." Aura Lee let out a sigh. "Rose is right. We need to put our heads together and puzzle out what's causing these terrible things, why they're happening. How else will we be able stay here?"
Before long Andrea came back into the room carrying a polished silver samovar etched with flowers. She set it on the sideboard and lit the candle resting under it. "You'll love this, Aura Lee," she said with forced cheer. "Lots of spices, lots of rum. It'll warm you right up."
Kerry eased past her with a tray of glasses and a pitcher of water and arranged them on the bar table. Max followed with mugs for the toddies and when he'd stacked them near the samovar, he reclaimed his seat.
When the doorbell pealed the smile slipped from Andrea's face. "Who could this—oh, it's probably Neal." She started to leave the room but Noreen stopped her.
"We have a new rule. The buddy system is in effect for everything. Nobody is to wander off alone."
Max stood up. "It's a good plan. I'll go with you."
Andrea blinked and nodded. As Brenna carted in a tray of cookies and pastries, she and Max went together to answer the door.
Aura Lee noted how carefully Brenna placed the tray on the coffee table. The shadows under her eyes had grown larger since that morning. "How are you feeling, dear?"
Brenna's smile didn't reach her eyes. "Like Janet Leigh in the Psycho shower scene. Somebody's going to reach around that shower curtain any minute now. How are you feeling?"
When Aura Lee just shook her head, Brenna nodded. "Yeah." She jerked toward a sound from the door and relaxed when Rose carried Strudel into the room and set her on Aura Lee's lap.
Max came in from the hallway, Neal and Andrea trailing behind him hand in hand. Neal greeted Rose with a kiss on the cheek, and waited as Andrea curled up on the sofa, sitting beside her. Brenna grabbed a blanket and sat on the floor.
Rose slid a piece of paper from the table and glanced at it. "I would love for us to call it a night, but we have to go over what happened this afternoon at Brenna's place. Our spirit or spirits are becoming more aggressive." Her gray eyes were dark with trouble. "If there's anything we can do to bring this danger to an end, we've got to find it. Brenna, you go first. You went for the camera and the book. Do you remember what happened while you were there?"
Brenna nodded. "I'm not likely to forget it. In a nutshell, I got the book and started upstairs for the camera. My cell rang when I got to the top of the stairs—it was Dink—and all of a sudden I could smell my grandmother's perfume. It was so strong, so reminiscent of her—I just lost it. I think I started back down the stairs, but I'm not sure. Nothing else is clear in my mind except seeing you bending over me. I was lying on the floor."
"Did you feel that awful cold?" Kerry asked.
Brenna frowned, considering, and shook her head slowly. "I don't think so. It was the scent of Wind Song that did me in. Gran always called it her signature scent."
"Aromas can trigger such visceral responses," Kerry said. "They activate the primitive brain."
"Have you smelled this Wind Song before?" Max asked. "Whilst you've been here at Wisdom Court, I mean?"
"No, not that I'm aware of." Brenna rubbed one brow, thinking back. "I've been dreaming about her nearly every night ever since I arrived. The dreams have been hard to take, really scary, but I don't think any of them involved scent."
Noreen looked up from the tablet where she'd been entering notes. "Were you frightened when you smelled the perfume? Did you have any sense of another presence?"
"Yeah, I kind of did." Brenna's eyes narrowed as she thought. "I remember thinking something was... off when I looked for the book in the screening room. It was one of those thoughts in passing. I wanted to get out of there, so I didn't follow up on it."
"Why is that?" Max asked in a quiet voice. "What made you feel that way?"
She shrugged. "I was spooked when I got there. I've been nervous ever since the other night, when the sounds went all wonky. But today the rooms felt almost... electrical. The air was tight, you know?"
They were silent, taken aback. Finally Rose let out a breath. "In some ways that's the scariest thing I've heard today."
"Yes, although the competition is getting fierce." Noreen typed for another moment. "Let's break out the toddies and then it'll be Aura Lee's turn."
"Back to the baked goods." Andrea took several cookies and pastries, handing the plate to Neal. "I don't know if the sugar chemically helps or not, but I do find comfort in it."
"Maybe because it's real," Neal said around a bite of cherry Danish. "It's physical... sensory. Of this world."
Aura Lee's smile slipped. "Yes, it is." Strudel put her paw on Aura Lee's leg, taking a morsel of cookie when she held it out to her.
They served themselves the refreshments, and as the brief stir of activity diminished, Aura Lee cleared her throat. "Before you ask me anything, I have a question for Brenna. Why did you put Christmas paper on the kitchen windows?"
Brenna was surprised into a laugh. "My secret's out. I kept getting the creeps from the dark windows at night. It felt like somebody was looking in at me. And I meant to ask about curtains," she added, "but so much was going on, I just forgot. I hunted around and found wrapping paper in the pantry." She smiled at Aura Lee. "It helps."
"I'm glad of that. Dolores loved having the windows uncove
red so she could look for deer in the mornings." Aura Lee lifted her shoulders in a what-can-you-do movement. "I'll have to start asking associates what they prefer."
"If we have any more," Rose said softly. No one said anything, and she added, "I honestly don't know if we can allow anyone new to come here. For all the welcome we give, our invisible residents aren't particularly friendly."
"No crepe-hanging yet," Max said confidently. "Let's keep trying to make sense of what happened. Aura Lee."
She took a deep breath. "Kerry and I went into Brenna's apartment and we were paying attention to smells, too, since we'd called the fire department about smoke. We both smelled ozone, or something like it. I looked for frayed wires on the appliances and checked the electric cords in the living room. The ecto—" She glanced at Rose. "We found the jelly-like substance on the leather couch and put it in a plastic bag. Wait, we did that first," she added quickly. "I did the wire hunt after that. I saw something moving in the kitchen, on the floor. I thought it was a mouse and went after it with the broom, but when it got to the living room, it looked more like a little cloud, like mist." Her voice trembled and Strudel made a whining sound. "It went up the stairs and I started to follow. I got caught by the cold," she said simply. "It took me over completely and for a moment I thought Cottie had come for me. That's all I can remember."
Noreen finished entering a line on her tablet and peered up from the screen. "So Brenna didn't feel the cold but you did. That's puzzling."
Max nodded. "Yes. I'd much rather have consistent accounts. Sometimes it makes it easier to figure out what the spirits are after. Now, you, luv," he said to Kerry.
The adventures of the day had taken a toll, her pale skin and shadow-smudged eyes giving her an air of fragility. "I started up the stairs to the bedroom. The light was out, and the switch didn't work. The higher I went, the darker it got. Then I heard something." She thought for a moment. "Bumps, like steps or something dropped. It freaked me out a little. I felt the cold then. It just... enveloped me, soaked into me. I couldn't move because of it." She took a shaky breath. "The only other thing I can remember happened right before that. I looked behind me for some reason, down the stairs. It stretched back like a tunnel, like I was looking through the wrong end of a telescope. It was weird." Max tightened his arm around her shoulders and she rested her head against him.
A Signal Shown Page 18
