Coop took a deep breath and told Ezra what he had told me. “I asked Mum about it, and she said that over the years some of the servants reported seeing things or feeling really cold. Those have happened more frequently the last couple of years, but even then, not all that often. Not like now.”
“Likenow? So it’s only recently the sightings have been about more than weird feelings and spooky shadows?” When Coop nodded, Ezra turned the teapot around in his hands, thinking. “Okay, let’s say thereisa ghost here, and it’s not Miles.” He gave us both a hard look. “Why now? And why would it be happening more often?” My brother started to pace in front of us. “I’ve researched the history of this place, and I admit there were ghost stories when the castle was in Ireland. Nothing’s been reported since it was reconstructed here in the States, way more than a hundred years ago.”
“True.” Coop shoved his hands in his pockets, considering us. Finally he said, “I think it’s Sir Hugh.”
“Who?” I asked.
“That guy in the library painting,” he said. “The one you saw there.”
“What’s this?” Ezra took my arm and turned me to face him, his expression incredulous. “You’re kidding me, right? You don’t think you’ve actually seen a ghost.” It was a command.
“Twice.” I exchanged glances with Coop. “Ez is right, though. There has to be a reason. Wasn’t that guy in the picture from Ireland?”
“Yes. His grandson immigrated to America and made a fortune in the Gold Rush. He moved here and decided to bring the family castle over. I do think Sir Hugh is the ghost.” Coop held out his hands. “Look, before you argue with me, here’s my theory. It took a long time to take the citadel apart, ship it over here, and then put it back together again.”
“So?” Ezra’s sarcasm meant we were losing him.
“I read somewhere that ghosts are tied to a place. Well, they took that place apart. Maybe he had a hard time pulling himself together again. I don’t know. A couple of years ago he’d only show himself for a few seconds, but now he’s able to chuck part of a picture frame at Mum. And even bigger, he wrapped that rope around Pop’s foot.”
“Don’t forget the teapot.” I pointed to it.
“And the teapot. He’s getting stronger.” Coop ran agitated hands through his short hair. “I’mnotmaking this up. I swear. The citadel is haunted.”
“Sick!” Eli and Joel shouted in unison. They ran to Coop, each grabbing one of his arms. “A ghost, really?” The little scar by Joel’s mouth dimpled the skin from his broad grin. He didn’t wait for an answer but spun to his twin.
“Ghostbusters,” Eli said, his face taking on its mischief-planning gleam.
“Yaaas.” Joel let out a whoop and the two dashed away.
“Um ....” Coop frowned at me in confusion.
“You do know what this means, don’t you?” I asked Ezra.
“Oh, yeah.” My brother let out a deep breath. “They’re going to try to catch your ghost.”
