“What do you mean?”
“It’s a little, um, messy.”
“What happened?”
“Some kids thought they might be able to summon the spirit of Soren Perles, or something along those lines.” At his continued frown, Harper paused. “They, uh, sacrificed a chicken.”
Gabe winced. “That’ll make a mess.”
“You got that right. Way more blood and feathers than a person might expect from a single poor bird. It’s pretty gruesome.”
“The police told me someone had broken in, but I didn’thear all the details.” Asher shook his head. “I feel like an old man when I say this, but what’s the matter with kids these days? When Delilah and I ran wild, we never set out to hurt anything, or anyone.”
“What time are you going to the mansion tomorrow?” Harper asked. Part of her wanted to steer clear of the place, but another part was intrigued. The memory of the woman dancing on her lawn…Could the spirit of Isabel Perles really have followed her home somehow? And if so, was Sigrid right—was she trying to tell Harper something? Something about what happened to Delilah?
“Fairly early, eight o’clock. We’re meeting at the back gate, it leads onto Brazilia Avenue. We’re still not supposed to go in the front gate, or muck with the scene under the cypress. But you’re all welcome, if you want to take a look.”
“I’d love to see inside,” said Gabe. “Sadly, I promised to escort my elderly neighbor to church services in the a.m.”
“Next time,” said Asher. He held Tariq’s gaze for a moment, but Tariq said nothing. “Well then, I’d better get going. Thank you for the drink, Tariq. Good night, Gabe. And, Harper, I’ll see you tomorrow.”
A silence fell over the table after he left.
“Anyone up for a duet?” Gabe asked. “Looks like the microphone is free.”
Tariq and Harper demurred.
“Aw, you’re no fun,” said Gabe, downing the last of his beer and getting to his feet. “Well, in that case, I’d best get going, myself. Thank you, Tariq, as always, for a fascinating evening. Harper, see you around campus.”
After Gabe left, Tariq turned to Harper. “Are you seriously planning to meet with Asher tomorrow?”
“Why not?”
“I wish you wouldn’t. I don’t trust him.”
“Then come with us.”
“I can’t. We have some major donors visiting the aquarium tomorrow, and we’re putting on a bit of an event to welcome them.”
“Jellyfish lovers?”
“I hope so, though usually the otters get all the attention. But seriously, Harper. Asher puts me on edge.”
“I don’t know the details of your history with him, but he seems perfectly nice to me.”
“I don’t trust anyone who’s that good-looking.”
“You’re pretty easy on the eyes yourself, mister,” she scoffed. “Besides, you two seemed to get along fine tonight.”
“Hey, I’m a civilized guy. Just because I’m polite doesn’t mean I like someone.”
“I really do want to go back and see the Perles Mansion. Maybe take a look at that journal.”
“Why?”
“There’s something in that house…I don’t know. When I went in with the detective, something seemed really odd, but I can’t put my finger on exactly what. Didn’t you notice it, that first night?”
Their gaze held for a moment.
