"But this is a success story," Roam pointed out."You identified the problem, sealed the holes, prevented any harm.That's exactly the kind of competent response they'd want to see."
"True enough," Sean said, sealing his report in an envelope that sparkled with a hit of red."With any luck, this will just be filed away in some celestial bureaucracy and forgotten."
"What's next?"Roam asked.
"We head back to the convention and interview those three ghosts," Sean replied."Get the full story of what happened, document it for the interview report, and close the case officially."
"Sounds like a plan," Roam agreed, standing to leave.
As they prepared to depart, Leahnora suddenly stiffened in her chair, her dark brown eyes taking on the distant, unfocused look that those who knew her recognized from her fortune-telling days.Her hand pressed to her temple as if fighting off a sudden pressure.
The transformation was subtle but unmistakable—her normal awareness faded, replaced by the otherworldly perception that had once made her legendary among those seeking glimpses of the future.
"Mayor?"Roam asked, concerned."Are you alright?"
Leahnora blinked several times, the prophetic haze clearing from her expression.She looked directly at Sean with an intensity that made him shift uncomfortably.
"Someone fears a judge who sees all," she said quietly, her voice carrying an odd, distant cadence.“Remember...the judges are the answers.Truth protects the truthful.Fear will be forgotten, its’ monger will vanish.”
Sean stared at her, his face going pale."Mayor, are you okay?”
Leahnora went slack and shook her head to clear it completely."I don't practice prophecy anymore, but sometimes, when the future presses too strongly against the present..."She trailed off, then looked at Sean with gentle concern."Whatever you're worried about, let it go.Focus and forge ahead.”
Sean exchanged a bewildered glance with Roam, who looked equally puzzled by the mayor's unexpected insight.
"Right then," Sean said, his words shaky."Thank you for...whatever that was."
"Just remember," Leahnora added, her voice returning to a tone, "good work speaks for itself.And you've done good work here."
Chapter 16
Party Planning for Disasters
Meanwhile, as evening settled over the sacred grove, three spirits were just beginning to stir from a deep, exhausted sleep in their spacious tent decorated with classic elements that suggested its occupants knew the finer ways of living.
Finn opened his ghostly eyes and groaned, his spectral form feeling oddly heavy and sluggish."By all that's holy, what did we do to ourselves last night?"
The hangover was unlike anything he'd experienced in life or death.His consciousness felt fragmented, as if pieces of his identity had been scattered across dimensions and were slowly reassembling themselves.
"Felt like the most alive I've been since I died," Chet mumbled from his corner of the tent, slowly floating upright."But blessed if I don't feel like I've been run over by a carriage."
"Being solid takes it out of you, doesn't it?"Beau observed, straightening his bow tie with characteristic Southern dignity."Though I must say, it was absolutely worth every moment of exhaustion."
As the memories of their adventure came flooding back—the real beer, the pranks, the sheer joy of being able to touch and taste and feel—all three spirits began to grin with the anticipation of children planning another escapade.
"Gentlemen," Finn announced, his energy returning as he remembered the magical vapors waiting in Murphy's icehouse, "I believe it's time for another evening of adventure."
"Agreed," Chet said, rubbing his ghostly hands together."Though perhaps we should pace ourselves tonight.Being corporeal is more tiring than I anticipated."
"Pacing is for the living," Beau declared with a laugh."We're dead—we have eternity to recover?"
"Right then, lads," Finn continued, adjusting his jacket with enthusiasm."Tonight's the Ghost Prom—the grand finale of the weekend's festivities.Perfect timing for our second performance."
Chet smoothed down his hair, grinning at his reflection in a floating mirror."And we'll have the advantage of knowing exactly where to find the good stuff.That vapor is going to transform this from a typical ghostly gathering into something legendary."
His reflection showed none of the wear that might have been expected from their previous evening's adventures.Death had certain advantages when it came to recovering from hangovers and poor decisions.
"Absolutely," Beau agreed."Though I do think we should invite some company to join our adventure."
