"It means," Sean said, his voice tight with worry, "that any ghost who found this loophole when it was open could go anywhere in your town.No invitations needed.No restrictions.This is exactly the kind of security breach that gets enforcement agents...reassigned."
"How bad?"Roam asked, alarmed by Sean's obvious concern.
"The worst kind of bad," Sean said, running his hands through his hair."Loopholes are supposed to be impossible with proper protectant in place.If word of this gets back to headquarters..."
Murphy stepped forward."But how did it happen?"
Sean pulled a notepad from his back pocket and flipped it open.“Well, I spoke to a Prudence Whitmore and learned that three ghosts were going around telling stories about being able to taste real beer and time travel.It sounded like a joke, and I couldn’t find anyone to corroborate her story.Then I got called here.”
Murphy's face went carefully neutral, but Uma noticed the way his eyes flicked toward her with concern.
"Ghosts can't taste anything," Dr.Wimpleton observed."That's physically impossible."
"Exactly," Sean said.“But now I’m wondering.What if Prudence is telling the truth and this trio of troublemakers brought along something that could make them taste.Maybe that is something that could overwhelm even fresh protectant."
The group stood in stunned silence as the implications sank in.
“So, it might also track that the town square prank," Uma said slowly, “could have been caused by ghosts."
"At this point, anything is possible,” Sean nodded."And I need to reseal this site immediately, then check the perimeter for other breaches."
"Sean," Uma began slowly, "I may have found something similar at one of the ginkgo trees in the square this morning."
"Similar how?"Roam asked sharply.Sean stared at her in alarm.
"That crystal stuff is around the base of one of the trees.I thought it was just debris from the prank, but if there's a connection..."Uma looked at the mark, then back at the group."It looked like the same kind of residue."
Sean's professional composure cracked visibly."Multiple loophole sites.”
“You mean the same loophole," Evangelina said thoughtfully."Once to get to town, once to get back."
"I'm going to need a lot more protectant spray," Sean said, as he wiped his brow in preparation.“I’ll have to file an incident report that doesn't make me look completely incompetent, too.”
Chapter 12
Fame, Shame, and Blame
The sacred grove hummed with anticipation as ghosts gathered around the central stage for what was being billed as the literary event of the century—for the dead.Banners fluttered overhead announcing "Cornelius Lennox's Afterlife Debut," while an obscene number of flowers created an elegant backdrop for the author's table.
The staging was everything Cornelius had demanded and more.Elaborate decorations transformed the natural amphitheater into something worthy of the most prestigious literary venues, complete with floating lights that cast flattering shadows and sound equipment that would carry his voice to every corner of the gathering.
From the shadows at the edge of the crowd, Evelyn Marsh watched with a mixture of pride and heartbreak as spirits from around the world pressed closer to hear about the new romance novel that bore Cornelius's name.Her words, her characters, her sleepless nights of editing—all about to be celebrated as his genius.
The irony cut deep into her consciousness.She had poured her heart into every page, crafted characters that felt more real to her than most living people, created dialogue that sang with authentic emotion.Yet she would remain unknown while he basked in acclaim for creativity that had never been his.
"Ladies and gentlemen of the afterlife," Madame Theodora Grimm announced from the stage, "please welcome the incomparable Cornelius Lennox and his latest masterpiece, 'Second Chances: A Love Beyond Death!'"
The crowd erupted in applause as Cornelius glided onto the stage, looking every inch the celebrated author in his designer suit.His hair was perfect and his smile smooth.He basked in the adoration.
He moved gracefully to the center, filling the space with charismatic light.Every gesture was calculated for maximum impact, every fake smile timed to seduce his audience.
"My dear departed friends," he began, his voice carrying that same alluring power that had made him famous, "it brings me tremendous joy to share this labor of love with you.This book represents everything I've learned about the human heart, about the power of love to transcend death.”
In the crowd, Gloria was clapping with excitement, flanked by Dottie and Darlene Darwin who were equally enthralled."Oh, this is wonderful!"Gloria whispered."I hope this is better than the last book.It’ has to be, right?Wonder how we can read this one?"
Her enthusiasm was infectious, spreading through the crowd of admirers who had followed Cornelius's work throughout their living years and beyond.
"I know!The man's a genius," Dottie agreed."And I heard that last book wasn't really his fault—some kind of publishing pressure or something."
