Pepper reached for Mr. Menzel’s leg. Her features were so trustworthy. Her smile was bright like sunshine, and the aura winding around her was content. “Mr. Menzel, do you think they could’ve been wrong? Do you think folks thought they saw Molly but didn’t?”
Mr. Menzel shook his head. “I’ve never thought about it before. But these were people who knew what Molly looked like, so no, I don’t think they were wrong.”
Axel slid his hands down his thighs. “Thank you very much for your time, sir. We appreciate everything you’ve done for us.”
The three of us rose. I helped Mr. Menzel from his recliner. He shuffled to the front door. “If any of y’all want to come back, you can. I enjoy getting visits from young people.”
I hugged him. “It was wonderful meeting you.”
Mr. Menzel squinted as he studied the front lawn. “Looks like the leeches are back. Puts me in a foul mood just to see them. I never would’ve spoken to y’all if those fools had been buzzarding out there when you showed up.”
Pepper shot a glance at Axel. His face remained stoic except for a slight curling at his mouth.
“Thanks again,” I said.
As we walked off, the urge to return to Mr. Menzel’s house and spend hours talking to him overcame me. I would return, and next time I’d bring Roan.
He loved old people. It would be a blast.
I glanced over at Axel. “So what do we do now?”
When the three of us were in the Land Cruiser, he spoke. “We find out about those Hudsons. They might be gone, but even ghosts leave some kind of trace.”
Pepper’s head popped in between the front seats. “I’m betting the Hudsons were more involved than we think.”
I nodded. “I agree. But it still doesn’t answer the question about who killed Molly and who the dark spirit is.”
As we pulled away from the curb, Axel slid a hand over his jaw. “I saw we start with the most obvious.”
“What’s that?”
Axel shot me a knowing look. “Jinkins Hudson.”
FOURTEEN
Axel fished his car keys from his jacket pocket. “I’m going to see what I can find out about the Hudsons.”
We’d returned to Southern Ghost Wranglers. Alice crocheted a new pair of baby booties while Ruth listened to the voice mails.
She capped a hand on the receiver. “Your tube’s been breathing at us.” I frowned. She pointed to theSpiritus. “It’s breathing,” she repeated.
“Great.” I threw my purse on a chair. “Don’t touch it and you won’t get a viral infection.”
“That’s not funny.” She placed a hand over the mouthpiece again.
“Why are you covering that? You’re only listening to messages. The messages can’t hear you.”
She forked her index and middle finger and pointed them at me.
“Now I’m scared.” I shrugged. “Look, I can’t help that it breathes. There’s nowhere else to keep it. It stays here until we know who’s trapped inside.”
Alice glanced up from her work. “Did you say the Hudsons who owned that old B and B?”
“I did.” Axel crossed to her and lifted a pair of booties between two fingers. “These are cute.”
“You need some?” Alice threw another pair at him.
“Um, no! No thanks. I don’t need any booties.”
