Fortunately, he opened the door when she knocked. “Aunt Dottie. Is everything all right?”
“Well, yes and no. I’m fine, dear. Unfortunately, apartment 3A is haunted.” She brushed by him and squatted on his white sofa.
He stood there, confusion knitting his brow. “Um, excuse me? Did you say haunted?”
“Yes. The professor who lived there and moved out wants his security deposit back. He said we didn’t disclose thefactthat the place was haunted. He had a psychic come in to verify it.”
“I see. And is there something you want me to do about this? I’ll gladly refund his security deposit.”
“Oh, I already did that. Actually, I hadn’t deposited the check yet, so I just tore it up. But there is something you can do to help.”
Jason scratched his head. “Okkaaayyy…”
“I want to hold a séance. I mean, it would be silly just to take one person’s word for it, right?”
Jason shrugged. “I guess… Do you know anyone who can conduct a séance?”
“Yes, and I have it all set up for tonight. I’ve been assured that she has an unparalleled reputation and the utmost professionalism. In other words, she won’t breathe a word of it to anyone—no matter what she finds.”
A smile curved one side of her nephew’s mouth.
Oh, please. If he starts laughing at me too, so help me…”
But all he said was, “Thank you for being sensitive to my need for privacy, Aunt Dottie. I really appreciate that. So yes, go ahead with your plans.”
“Oh.” Relief washed over her. He wasn’t a doubter—just concerned for his precious privacy, as usual.
“Who will be attending this séance?” he asked.
She stood and returned to the doorway, knowing enough to get out before he asked too many questions.
“Well, so far it’s you and me. I’ll check with the rest of the tenants to see who can come. Apparently the more we can find, the better it will be. Since they’ve all sworn to protect your privacy too, I figured you wouldn’t mind…”
He nodded. “Sure. What time and where is it going to be held?”
“In apartment 3A. Six p.m. I’ll get Ralph to set up a table and some chairs. I’ll just have to see how many will be coming, first.”
“Knock yourself out,” he said with a smile.
Now he’s making fun, but we’ll see how he feels if the table floats and the electricity goes off.A shiver of excitement trailed down her spine at the thought of something dramatic and extraordinary happening in her otherwise dull day.
Chapter 6
Merry had been dancing to Santana in her kitchen when she heard the knock on her door. Her heart leapt, hoping it was Jason. Really, who else could it be? The outer door hadn’t opened and slammed, so it must be someone from the building. She rushed to her door and threw it open.
“Dottie?”Crap. What a disappointment.“Oh, um… Is something wrong? Was my music too loud?”
“No, dear. There’s nothing wrong. Well, not withyou,anyway.” She smiled in an insincere way that made Merry’s internal warning lights flash.What now?The elevator whirred in the background.
“I just stopped by to invite you to a get-together in apartment 3A tonight. Six p.m. Can you make it?”
Oh, God. She wants to have a tenants’ meeting or intervention or something.“What kind of get-together, Dottie?”
“Well, it’s a séance. I think I discovered why we can’t keep that apartment rented.”
Hair follicles prickled on the back of her neck. “You mean it’s haunted?”
“Yes, we think so. Jason and I do anyway. Ralph is…” She rolled her eyes and waved her hand in a dismissive gesture. Her eyes suddenly narrowed at Merry. “Youdobelieve in spirits occasionally remaining on this plane, don’t you? Because of unfinished business or they don’t know they’re dead or something…”
