“Hi, Sylvia,” he said.
“Hi. I’ve made some calls, looked around, and found a much better place for you to move to. Quinn’s suggestion of Two J’s Cattle Ranch was spot on. I called them, explained the situation, and they’re giving you the run of an entire bunkhouse. I understand it has six bedrooms, plus a kitchen and living room, so you’ve got room to maneuver in. I’ve got it locked down, so just show up before five o’clock to get keys and the access code through the main gate, and you’re all set. Someone tell Lachlan as well.”
“Will do.”
That was a definite relief and a weight off my shoulders.
I leaned against Brandon’s arm to speak into the phone. “Sylvia, something a bit worrisome happened.”
Sylvia sounded reluctant to ask. “What?”
“We stopped at the mayor’s office first and saw ghosts there, so I chose to clear the building to show Gwyn. But in the process of passing the ghosts, we discovered Brandon could see and hear them.”
“See is a bit strong,” Brandon interjected. “I could make out their general outlines. But I could hear them clearly, even without Mack boosting them enough for me to be able to do so.”
I saw Eli’s, Booker’s, and Quinn’s expressions drop in dismay.
“Shit.” Sylvia was officially done with this week, from her tone. “So how strong are the ghosts?”
“I don’t know as yet. The ones I’ve met and passed were peaceful, but…I also didn’t need to boost them much at all to pass them. Guiding only. It was easy, but of course the problematic ones are going to be difficult.”
“This sounds more and more like aMortal Kombatsituation.”
I laughed and then groaned. Dammit, must I be a fighter in the ring? Although it did rather feel that way.
“All I’m saying is, we might be in for a tougher fight than we’d expected. So if you do come across anyone else who has the time to come help, even for a short window, we’d all appreciate it.”
Sylvia swore a little under her breath. “I’m afraid I’m about to add to the bad news. Falisa and Ken are no longer coming.”
The squawk of dismay that erupted out of my mouth was not dignified but accurate, and I was mirrored by everyone else but Gwyn. Nooo, we couldn’t be a Medium down already!
“I know, I know, I’m so sorry. We had an urgent case drop and they were the closest Mediums. I had to send them there. I’m hoping they can finish and join you after. I don’t know if I can send anyone else, but I’ll be on the lookout for someone. Keep me posted.” Click.
We all sort of looked at each other. Three Mediums? Well, three trained Mediums, a sick one, and a trainee for this whole place? I could feel the stress building already. My goodness lordy, what had I done to deserve this? This was like the Scotland case and the tree casecombined. Did I betray a country in a previous life? Accidentally kick a puppy? What? I’d make amends if someone would just tell me.
Eli was the one to ask, “Since we haven’t started working yet, not really, should we pause here and switch hotels before coming back to this?”
“Might as well,” I said. “There’s too many to easily pass here and no good spot to do it in. This will take planning.”
Everyone else seemed to be of the same mind.
We walked back to the SUV, Gwyn asking why limestone and water were such energizing forces for ghosts. Sadly, the answer was we didn’t know why, we just knew they were. I wondered why this area was so much more energized than Eureka Springs. Perhaps because the water there was still? Or perhaps the limestone was mixed in with other stone types that dampened the effects?
Someone smarter than me needed to figure it out.
At any rate, we returned to Clifton and our hotel, packing up quickly. I hadn’t really unpacked, so it took two minutes to throw things back in a suitcase and zip it shut. Then I went to Lachlan’s room and knocked at the door so I could get him up to speed.
Lachlan answered. “Thanks, mate, got the word we’re moving. We’re mostly packed now.”
“Wonderful. I came over to make sure. How’s Davina?”
A weak voice from inside said with a groan, “No longer actively wishing for a nice grave.”
I poked my head in a little to see her. She looked like Lachlan, superficially, with the same honey-brown hair and face shape, just more feminine. Davina was at least sitting upright.
She waggled her fingers. “You’d be Mack, I expect.”
“You’re correct. Hi. Sorry you’re feeling like death warmed over. I understand a taco truck got you.”
