wish that were the case,” Robert said. “I just don’t believe it.”
“Why aren’t we finding any bodies, then?” Ken asked him.
“I don’t know,” Robert said. “I didn’t mean to make you uneasy, Leslie,” he added, turning to her.
“You didn’t. I have a state-of-the-art alarm here, remember?” she asked, smiling.
But Robert still seemed disturbed as he stared at her.
Shortly afterward, their dishes were removed and coffee was served, along with a delicious apple cobbler. As dessert was set down, Leslie decided that she was going to lighten the mood. “So…anything new and exciting going on in anyone’s social life?” she asked.
Apparently it wasn’t the right light question.
“What social life?” Ken asked. “Do you have one of those, Robert?”
“Sure, I’m here for dinner tonight,” Robert said. “Thanks to this gracious lady,” he added, reaching across the table and squeezing Greta’s hand.
“Greta’s whole life is social, but since she works so hard at it, she doesn’t have an actual social life, either,” Hank teased.
“Nonsense,” Greta said. “I’m a happy woman. I love working for my causes, especially history. And you, Ken. You’re at every social event.”
“Ah, but is that a social life?” Ken asked.
“Sorry I asked,” Leslie said.
Finally the coffee was cleared, the dining room and kitchen were immaculately cleaned, and all that was left was the aroma of the dinner that had been. Since everyone seemed reluctant to leave, Leslie decided that it was time to ask them to go.
She feigned a yawn. “Oh, sorry. Hey, we do start tomorrow morning, right, Professor?”
“Are you trying to kick us out?” Brad asked.
“I can’t really kick you out. It isn’t my house. But, yes, please leave. I need to go to bed,” she told him, grinning.
Robert Adair looked at Brad. “I guess she’s serious.”
“Looks like,” Brad agreed with a shrug.
There were a lot of goodbyes, with everyone making sure she had their numbers programmed into her cell phone and forcing her to promise that she would call right away if she needed anything.
Greta insisted on walking through the downstairs and making sure the caterers had cleaned up to her satisfaction and turned off all the appliances, and that the doors and windows were all locked. She explained the alarm and gave the code to Leslie, while the others hovered in the entryway. At last, even Greta was willing to admit that all was well.
“Now, tomorrow is Monday. The house opens at ten, so Melissa Turner arrives at around eight-thirty—she’s in charge of ticket sales—and Tandy Goren and Jeff Green—the historical guides—usually get here a bit after. Melissa comes in and makes her coffee early. She’s one of those people who likes to get to work ahead of schedule so she can take her time. She’s a sweetheart—you’ll love her. Just don’t be startled when you hear voices early.”
“I may already be gone,” Leslie said. She looked at Laymon. “What time are we meeting at the site, Professor?”
“Take your time tomorrow. Ten will be fine,” Professor Laymon said. “You know where it is?”
“Down the street. I don’t think I can miss it.” She smiled.
“Yes, well, just dial my cell if you don’t see where we are. I want to make my general assessment, then I’ll get you and Brad going while I take care of hiring some grad students and start with the other what-have-yous.”
She nodded, waiting anxiously for them to leave.
Ken Dryer brushed sandy hair from his forehead and took her hand. “I’m still a cop,” he said huskily. “You know you can count on me if you need anything.”
Let go of her hand, dickhead!
Ken frowned suddenly, then shrugged. “Call me.”
“Thank you,” she said.
Hank stepped forward. “Okay, I’m not a cop, but I’m always around if you need me, anyway.” He kissed her cheek.
You are the dickhead of all dickheads!
Hank suddenly seemed to stumble. “Just let me know if you need me,” he said.
Robert hugged her easily; Brad bussed her cheek. “See you tomorrow, kid.”
Greta hugged her fiercely. Leslie felt as if she were about to leave on a safari into the deepest jungle. They were all so worried. And she couldn’t possibly explain why she so badly wanted to stay in the house.
Alone.
At last the good-nights were ending. Robert Adair continued to look troubled. She kissed his cheek. “We’ll have dinner soon, how’s that?” she whispered to him.
That seemed to brighten him. He nodded.
“It’s really good to see you back, Leslie,” he said gravely.
“Back in New York. Back with us all,” Ken Dryer added.
She smiled. “This is home,” she murmured.
Finally they left and she was alone in the house.
She stood in the entry. She could still hear the street noises, muffled by the fence and the thick walls of the house. The sound of a horn, a shout, a car alarm. The usual.
She forced those noises into the background and tried to hear the house itself.
Nothing. Everything was quiet. Not even an old board creaked.
Hastings House had stood for more than two centuries. It had seen war, peace, life, love…and death. It had to be filled with a few spirits. It had been witness to a revolution, to a civil war that had torn a country apart. It had been there in 1812 when a fledgling nation had faced its first major confrontation following its independence. It had witnessed riots, the teeming disturbance of a world gone crazy in the caste war pitting old immigrants against new. World wars had come and gone, and the Cold War after them. It had survived the tragedy and trials of the twenty-first century.
There had to be spirits here….
But she heard, sensed, nothing. The house was silent.
“Matt?” she whispered hopefully.
But there was no reply.
She closed her eyes, prayed, hoped, waited.
Nothing.
At last she went up to bed.
There
