Erik took a few seconds to read his intuition. “I don’t think so, but there’s been some breakage, and that’s bad in an antique store.”
“I understand. If you can hang in there for an hour, I’ve got a break between appointments. You’re not far away. I’ll pop over and see if I can help. In the meantime, if you have a lavender or sandalwood candle handy, those scents can help soothe restless spirits.”
“Will do,” Erik said. “Thank you so much. See you soon.”
He relayed the information to Susan, then returned to the break room, took a pillar candle out of the cupboard, and lit it in the sink where it wouldn’t cause damage if it got knocked over.
“You are welcome to stay here, but please don’t cause trouble,” Erik said to empty air. The ghosts’ presence was strong enough that he could sense it. “And if there’s danger, tell Haley when she comes.”
Nothing stirred, and Erik hoped his message had been received.
“If you don’t need me up front, I’ll stay in here with my laptop until Haley arrives,” Erik told Susan, reluctant to leave the candle unattended. “Just in case.”
“That’s fine,” she said. “It’s been quiet so far.”
Erik settled in at the table and went back to work on invoices and orders. The candle’s scent filled the air, and whether or not it was calming the ghosts, he found it soothing.
The hour flew by, and Erik looked up when he heard the bell jangle to indicate a new arrival.
“Erik, this is Haley. Haley, Erik,” Susan introduced a few minutes later.
“Monty told me you might be in touch.” Haley stepped forward to shake his hand. She looked to be in her early thirties with short blond hair and bright green eyes.
Erik chuckled. “Actually, it doesn’t surprise me that Monty figured we’d connect.”
“He told me a little about your work and some of the situations you and your partner have handled recently. Never a dull moment!” she added.
“I wouldn’t mind duller moments, but loose ends seem to find us,” Erik replied. “Trinkets isn’t just an antique store. Part of our founding mission was to get haunted and dangerous objects out of the wrong hands. Antiques come with a lot of emotional resonance and more than a few ghosts. I have a contact who safely removes the most dangerous pieces, but it would be great to help the spirits move on and un-haunt the pieces, so I suspect you’ll hear from me often.”
“Believe it or not, I’ve worked with museums and antique shops more than a few times.” A loud boom of thunder drowned out Haley’s words.
“Our resident ghosts are usually well-behaved,” Erik said. “And the shop itself is heavily warded. That’s why having them act up worries me. I’m sorry to bother you.”
She made a dismissive gesture. “Not a problem. Glad to help.”
Haley walked into the break room and stopped after a few steps. She closed her eyes and seemed to be listening intently.
“I know you’re here,” she said quietly. “Something has upset you. I’m sorry about that. I can’t make whatever it is stop, but I can help you mind it less. If I do that, will you stay quiet and not break anything else?”
Haley nodded, responding to voices only she could hear. “Good. I will take your word on that.”
She opened her eyes and looked at Erik. “It helps to have someone acknowledge that you’re upset, even after you’re dead.”
Haley set her messenger bag on the table and took out a few containers, a bowl, and a pestle. She combined several powdersand a sweet-smelling liquid in the bowl and then let the mixture fall drop by drop into the candle flame.
“No harm will come to you within these wards,” Haley said. “Whatever you sense elsewhere cannot reach you. Be at peace, and do not trouble the things or people in this building.” She blew out the candle and watched the rising spiral of smoke.
Erik didn’t see or hear anything, but the jangly feeling eased, and he hoped that meant that the spirits could relax and ignore whatever had provoked them.
“Thank you,” he told Haley after she packed up her materials. “What do I owe you?”
“First one’s on the house,” she replied with a laugh. “I have the feeling we’ll be working together a lot.”
He thanked her again and walked her to the door. “If you find out what’s stirring them up, let me know,” Erik reminded her.
“I will definitely keep you on speed dial,” Haley assured him, and left with a wave to Susan.
Erik remained at the window for a few minutes, looking out onto the street. The gloomy day threatened rain, although it had only delivered intermittent showers and some thunder.
