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Ted opened his eyes again and blinked at me, like he was surprised. “What?”

“Are you feeling okay? I’m sure this has all been really stressful.”

Ted looked over at Ryan in question.

“Yes, he’s being sincere. It’s his thing, so don’t be a bitch to him.”

“Ryan! Don’t call your friend a bitch!” I gasped.

“Oh my god, you’re not lying,” Ted said and Ryan nodded. “How does that even happen in this day and age? Didn’t wholesome and sincere die long ago?”

“All his friends are ghosts. He hasn’t been jaded by people like us.”

“Hallelujah. It’s a miracle.”

“Amen.”

Ryan winked at me and I shook my head bemusedly. These guys were weird.

I caught Ted’s eye. “Would you like to stay here for a while? We have room.”

“I can’t pay,” Ted said. “They’ll be tracking my accounts.”

“Free of charge,” I said at the same time as Ryan said, “You can do a buy now pay later.”

I scowled at him and repeated, “Free of charge.”

“If you let me stay here it might implicate you in this. You do know that, right?”

Ryan sighed. “He knows.”

I smiled. “It’ll all work out.”

“The police is whatever. I’m more worried about the Gerald of it all,” Ryan said. “Underneath the friendly creepy uncle routine, that man is dangerous.”

Ted nodded.

“And we have another problem,” I said, biting my lip. Ryan looked over at me in question and I pointed up. “Andrew.”

Ryan’s eyes widened and he swore. “He’ll go full dark if he sees Gerald if just the name or association with him sets him off like that.”

Ted looked between us. “Who is Andrew?”

“Have you seen those plaques in the HQ lobby?” Ryan said.

Realisation etched lines into Ted’s face. “The first employee to die?”

Ryan nodded. “And he’s not too happy about that. Vengeful spirit not happy.”

Ted’s expression turned calculating instead of fearful like I had expected. “Sounds like a perfect welcome to me.”

“What are you saying?” I asked.

“That we should have a company reunion.”

“No,” I snapped immediately.

“You didn’t even think about it,” Ted said. “You do know this man is responsible for countless bodies, including your friend’s, right?”