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He glared. “Yes.”

I watched Andrew shudder at the promise, his bashing lessening as Gerald promised him what he wanted. I took the chance to step outside the protective circle. “Andrew,” I said softly.

He continued to writhe, claws scratching at the circle, trying to get to Gerald. He was ignoring me but I knew Andrew was in there, just under the surface instead of pressed down deep, buried beneath the vengeance.

“What is he doing?” Gerald asked in shock.

“He’s doing what a psychopomp does. So you should be careful about what you promise, Gerald. You wouldn’t want someone who can talk with and control ghosts to let every ghostly employee you ever killed know exactly where you were, would you? That would be a lot of vengeful ghosts to handle. Even for you.”

Gerald’s eyes widened. “He wouldn’t.”

“His job is literally to help ghosts pass on. If what they need to pass on is to kill you, he’s obligated to help them, isn’t he?”

“FINE! I SWEAR IT! What else do you want from me?” Gerald yelled.

“Leave. Leave the country and never come back,” I said.

He eyed us all calculatingly. “The drive.”

“You’re not getting that,” Ted said. “I need to clear my name and everyone needs to know exactly who you are so you can never do this again.”

“How the hell am I supposed to leave if you’re going to plaster me all over the news?” Gerald snapped.

“We’ll give you a head start,” Ryan said. “About as long as a ghost would take to chase you to the airport.”

With every stipulation Andrew seemed to gain more control, the blackness and hatred of this form sloughing away, giving way to something bright in the distance.

I gasped when I realised that it was a call to cross over. An offer.

But I couldn’t concentrate on that as Gerald’s gaze found mine, as if looking for some leeway or reason. I scowled. “Decide quickly. I won’t hold him forever.”

I would, but I had to make him believe it.

“Fine. I agree to your terms.”

Andrew gasped and it sounded human.

Ted pulled out some papers and a pen. “Sign it.”

“What?” Gerald said incredulously.

“I learned from the best that I should cover my bases. It’s just a formality. You gave your word to Owain, after all.”

Gerald looked at the confession and contract. He clenched his jaw but signed it before passing it over.

Andrew stumbled back as soon as he saw it and I followed him, gathering his diminishing form into my arms.

I caught Ryan’s eye and nodded. “It should be safe.”

“Have a nice time in Spain. I hear it's lovely this time of year,” Ryan said, grasping Gerald by the collar and marching him outside with Ted on their heels.

I felt Andrew’s ghostly essence shudder in my arms as the room grew still and the sound of the front door closing echoed in the distance.

“Is he gone?” Andrew mumbled.

“Yes,” I whispered. “He’s gone. For good.”

“Is…is it gone?” He sounded more worried about this question and I smiled, pulling back.