got the meal together a little earlier than she planned and didn’t want it to get cold, so she had me herd everyone into the dining room.” Lulu shrugged.
Floor length white voile curtains danced at the open windows as we walked in. A soft breeze blew in the heady scent of hyacinths. The family was already seated.
“Darlings.” My mother, nearly as tall as I, jumped up to hug first me, then Marcy. She wore a lightweight, cream-colored suit that showed off her still-perfect figure to perfection.
“Don’t you two look a vision,” Dad said from where he sat. Uncle Leon nodded from the head of the long gleaming table. Aunt Janet motioned us in, a smile on her pretty, unlined face.
We sat across from my dad and mom. The kitchen door opened, and Vel came in carrying a huge silver platter filled with fried chicken, mashed potatoes, corn, and rolls. The smells made my stomach growl. I could already feel the calories jumping on my hips.
“Pass that food around, baby girl,” Vel commanded as she set the meat platter in front of Marcy.
Marcy forked a crispy, batter-dipped breast onto her plate and handed me the platter. Thinking of Liam and his fascination for short skirts, I took a leg and passed the platter to Uncle Leon.
Silverware clinked against china as the food made its way around. The succulent scents that swirled around the table made my mouth water. If I had a tail, I would have wagged it.
“Drat, I forgot the gravy. I’ll be right back.” Her starched white uniform rustled as Vel hustled back into the kitchen.
Seconds later, a high-pitched scream froze my blood.
Chapter 4
Chairs scraped and plates clattered as we raced to the kitchen. Her back pressed against the wall, Vel stared at a gravy boat that sat in solitary splendor on the glistening granite countertop.
“Vel, what’s wrong?” Aunt Janet, barely five-two in her stocking feet, reached Vel first and put her arm around her.
“The gravy boat floated through the air.” Vel’s finger trembled as she pointed at the delicate china.
“Vel, have you been drinking again?” Uncle Leon ran a hand through graying chestnut hair, still thick and wavy.
Liam leaned up against the refrigerator with his arms crossed. “Reflex. She started to drop the gravy boat. I caught it.” He lifted his hands in an “it wasn’t my fault” gesture.
Sure enough, gravy had sloshed over the side and dripped on the counter. “What are you doing here?”
Dad, who stood closest to me, frowned. “What did you say, Cat?”
Liam glanced at Dad, then back at me. “I was snapped like a puppet on a string. One minute, I’m watching the news.” His features relaxed in a sweet smile. “I love your picture box. The next, poof, I’m pulled here. Seems we can’t be too far apart.”
“Cat, what did you say, and why are you staring at the refrigerator?” Dad asked again. His gaze narrowed as he studied me. Dad was an independent reporter, a very good one. He hadn’t won Pulitzers for nothing. When it came to news, he had the nose of a bloodhound. The last thing I needed was my father scenting a story.
My shoulders twitched. Nerves jumped under my skin. “Must be because I’m hungry. What’s the gravy boat doing here instead of at the table?”
“Caitlin Lee, that’s rude.” Mom looked disapproving.
“Sorry, I was just making a joke.” I brushed at a small potato lump on my skirt that had bounced from a spoon when we all made a dash for the kitchen.
“Maybe it was the ghost,” Marcy joked before she clapped a hand over her mouth.
My jaw dropped. Liam and I stared at each other. He recovered first and had the audacity to wink at me. I frowned a warning. Though warning against what was a good question. No one could see him except me, unless he decided to pick up another gravy boat.
Uncle Leon turned to Marcy and sighed. “What are you talking about, darling?”
“Don’t worry, Daddy. I’m getting a full refund,” she rushed to explain.
“Refund?” Uncle Leon’s voice sounded hollow. He tucked his hands in his pants and rocked on his heels.
At least my father had turned his attention from me to Marcy. The twitch between my shoulders eased.
“They had ghosts for sale on eBay, and I was the top bidder,” she explained proudly. Marcy was such a riot.
“And what price did you get them for?” Uncle Leon asked, his eyebrows raised, his lips pursed.
“It doesn’t matter. I sent them back. They were empty test tubes, and one of them was broken.” She looked aggrieved. “The money should be back in my account next week.”
“How much?” Though still calm, he’d developed a tic in his left cheek. Oh, dear.
“Only six.” Marcy smiled brightly and brushed at her skirt.
“Six what, Marcia?” Uncle Leon only called her Marcia when he was on the verge of a meltdown.
Marcy cleared her throat. “Six thousand.”
“You spent six thousand dollars on broken test tubes?” His low voice carried more weight than a bellow.
Marcy and I looked at each other. She swallowed and shifted on her stilettos. Before she could open her mouth, I jumped, figuratively, into the fray. “You can’t put too high a price on a soul.” I plastered a pious expression on my face, or at least tried to.
Uncle Leon gave me a pained look. “I understand this from my daughter. But I expected better from you.”
“Why?” My mother shot me a withering glance. “You know these two have been partners in crime since they could toddle. If one was doing mischief, you could be sure the other was as well.”
Partners in crime.
Guilt assailed me. I really should tell Marcy about Liam. At least I’d diverted some of Uncle Leon’s wrath from her; I consoled myself.
My uncle turned to his only child and pointed his finger. “For sheer stupidity, you’ve outdone yourself. I expect your credit cards on my desk after lunch. I’ll return them at the end of the month.”
Uh-oh.
Marcy’s azure eyes widened till they filled her face. “But that’s over two weeks away, and there’s a sale at…” Her voice trailed off as she took note of the alarming shade of red on her father’s handsome features. “Of course, Daddy.”
Her father swiveled in my direction. “And you, young lady, are not to pick up the slack.”
I nodded. The word slack could be loosely interpreted.
“I’m sorry. I should have let the silly thing fall,” Liam apologized.
