"Really now, was it truly out of the blue?"The Goddess squeezed her into a protective hug."You'd asked for it in your prayers, darling."
Evelyn's eyes widened with wonder and pain."Oh, yes.I guess you’re right.I prayed for a way out every night.I just...I never thought anyone was listening to someone like me."
The weight of this revelation—that her desperate prayers had been heard that help had been coming, that she'd been murdered just as freedom was within reach—brought fresh tears to her eyes.But alongside the grief was something else.Validation that her suffering had mattered, that someone had cared enough to intervene.
"That's all we could do, you see.Free will and all."The Goddess of Death touched her sister's shoulder and patted Evelyn on the back."We could not stop Cornelius from pushing you in front of that subway.But we did try to give you hope, and an escape."
"You mean...if he hadn't killed me..."Evelyn's voice broke as she processed the magnitude of what had been stolen from her.
"You would have been free," the Goddess confirmed softly."Your own life, your own career, your own recognition for the beautiful stories you created."
Evelyn wept quietly for a moment, mourning not just her death but the life that could have been.Then she straightened, her expression growing stronger."But I'm here now.And people finally know the truth."
"Yes, you are.And they do."Both goddesses beamed at her with approval.
"Thank you," Evelyn said, her voice steady despite her tears."I never knew anyone was listening.I never knew anyone cared."
"We're always listening," the goddesses said in unison, their voices filled with warmth.
The crowd of solid ghosts had been listening to this divine explanation with fascination, but now Finn stepped forward with his characteristic lack of self-preservation.
"Excuse me, lovely ladies," he said with a charming grin, "but might either of you be interested in a dance?I'm told I'm quite light on my temporarily corporeal feet."
Chet and Beau immediately flanked him, both sporting winning smiles."We promise to be perfect gentlemen," Chet added quickly.
Both goddesses burst into delighted giggles, the sound creating harmonics that made the very air sparkle.
"Oh, you three are precious!"The Goddess laughed."But divine regulations prohibit fraternizing with the deceased."
The Goddess of Death winked at them."Though you certainly know how to flatter a deity.We'll see what the evening brings."
"Right then," the Goddess announced, clapping her hands together with authority, "let's get these spirits back where they belong for a proper celebration.Everyone who's supposed to be dead, follow me!"
With theatrical flair, both goddesses began herding the solid ghosts toward the woods.They all hung their heads slightly.But just as they reached the tree line, the Goddess looked back with exaggerated exasperation.
"Well, for goddess sakes, someone bring the Draught!"
The entire crowd erupted in thunderous cheers.Finn, Chet, and Beau hoisted the remaining kegs above their heads like champions, while the spirits broke into spontaneous celebration songs that promised to become the anthems of this unforgettable night.
Sean watched them go with visible relief."Well, that could have gone much worse.I think we're—"
"Sean McLeary!"the Goddess of Death's voice rang out."Roam O'Reilly!Uma and Murphy O'Reilly!Cemetery.Now.Official business."
Sean's face went pale."I spoke too soon."
The four made their way to the cemetery, where they found both goddesses sitting comfortably in the branches of the great stone Devil Oak Tree, sipping cocktails and sharing snacks.
"Sit," the Goddess of Death commanded, gesturing to the grass below.
"Detective McLeary," she began seriously, drawing out the suspense, "your performance tonight was...absolutely textbook.You couldn't have prevented any of this."
"I...what?"Sean stammered, relief flooding his features.
Both goddesses dissolved into laughter, their amusement painting the cemetery in shifting patterns of light.
"The truth is," the Goddess of Death explained, "having a murderer among the convention guests created an unstable dimensional field.Dimensional tears were inevitable.You’re lucky those three pranksters triggered it first.Funny thing about loopholes, they are notoriously loyal.”
She turned to Murphy, who had been trying to hide behind Uma."And you, Master O'Reilly, your Ghost Draught vapor is a work of art.Absolutely brilliant brewing."
