Finally, after the woman had done everything except whip out a blue light like a bouncer at the door of a night club, she handed the license back to Natalie. “I’ll just go and get the key. You wait here.”
There was no question of Natalie and Liam not following her inside since Mildred had slammed the door on them. Ralph, however, stayed.
“She’s a real joy,” Liam mumbled.
Putting her back to the ghost of Mildred’s husband, Natalie turned to face Liam. She opened her eyes wide and shook her head, hoping he’d get the hint.
He frowned. “What?”
She opened her eyes wider.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
With a huff she gave up. It couldn’t be the first time Ralph had heard his wife insulted. “Forget about it.”
“No, tell me,” Liam said, putting his hand on her arm.
Telling Liam now would mean Ralph would know she could see him. Which, actually, might not be too bad. Maybe he had some information about Lionel. Besides, Ralph wasn’t scary. Not like those Salem spirits.
“Mildred’s husband Ralph is standing right here.”
Liam let out a sigh. “Of course he is.”
“You can see me?” Ralph asked, taking a single step back from Natalie, as if she were the scary one in this scenario.
That was refreshing. Most ghosts had a habit of standing much too close.
Natalie finally raised her gaze to look directly at him. “Long story, but yes, Ralph, I can. And now that you know, I was wondering if you could maybe answer some questions for us about?—”
The door opened to reveal Mildred, key in hand. Natalie slammed her mouth closed. Talking to Ralph was one thing. Talking to his widow about him was another.
“Follow me,” Mildred ordered as she closed her own door firmly and headed down the dim hallway ahead of them.
Liam’s gaze dropped to Mildred’s house slippers. He shot Natalie an amused glance and then said, “Our pleasure.”
Lionel’s apartment was upstairs in a building that did not have an elevator.
Liam’s expression as Mildred started up the steep old staircase in front of them told Natalie his feelings about carrying all of Lionel’s things down these stairs.
“At least the university already picked up his book collection,” she whispered to Liam, who didn’t look all that much happier at the reminder.
She could only hope the remainder of Lionel’s belongings were few and lightweight.
Finally, one flight up, Mildred stopped in front of a door and glanced back at them. “Mr. Graves rented the apartment furnished, so the appliances and furniture remain here.”
She narrowed her eyes at them as if in warning, then swung the door open wide.
Natalie leaned to be able to see around her. Mildred needn’t have worried. No one was going to steal the nubby orange and green sofa. Or the avocado green oven and stovetop.
“We’ll be sure to only take the professor’s personal belongings,” Natalie assured her while extending her hand to take the key.
Mildred shook her head, dropping the key into the pocket of her robe. “Tell me before you leave. I’ll come back up and inspect the premises.”
“Of course.” Liam nodded, which seemed to satisfy her.
“And don’t take all day,” she added. “My stories come on TV in an hour and I don’t like to be interrupted.”
“We’ll work as fast as possible,” Liam promised.
