A Bar a Brother and a Ghost Hunt Page 3

  “Oh, the blue boat is in the shop. It needs a new exhaust system. Take the Jeep. You might want to get a new SUV or something reliable and good on gas. You’ve got the money.” Ivy headed out to her car.

  I couldn’t believe the Jeep still ran, but it got me to the club. I parked around back in my reserved spot. Owning things had its privileges.

  I went in the backdoor and saw the new guy Ivy had hired answering phones. I went on through to the main floor and saw the brunch laid out. Sandwiches, bagels, all sorts of fruit and salads. Healthy choices, and plenty of them.

  Ivy and another drag queen were handing out bingo cards. Logo Channel’s daily programming was on the TVs. The tables were full of middle-aged to elderly men and women sprinkled with a few younger people, as well.

  A couple more of the regular drag queens came in and engaged the customers. The men flirted.

  Ivy kicked off the bingo, mic in hand. “Are we ready to win big?” Ivy asked.

  The crowd clapped.

  “First, we must say hello to our special guest. The owner and psychic detective diva herself—Deanna Oscar!” Ivy pointed at me.

  I stood behind the bar and waved. Diva was the last word that fit me, but it was a compliment here.

  “She needs more makeup,” said someone in the crowd.

  “No, I’m not a queen,” I tried to explain.

  “And heels. Bigger hair,” someone else added.

  I laughed and grabbed a sandwich. One of the drag queens seemed to be staring at me. Their outfits ranged from bold color to classic Hollywood. This drag queen was new to me and wore a silky white dress and angel wings.

  I wanted to ask, but I’d learned years ago that style was highly personal. Plus, she might be attending another event later that would explain the wings. New Orleans was an anything goes sort of city, and judgement wasn’t welcome here. Eventually, I’d get to know her better and could ask questions when appropriate.

  Shaking off the weird feeling that the queen might be staring at me just because she wanted to hit me up for a job, I picked up a fruit cup and a bottle of water then found myself a corner booth to eat lunch and observe.

  It seemed perfect. Everyone was happy. People won free brunch and bingo passes, as well as slightly bigger prizes like fancy wine or VIP tickets to the club on big performance nights.

  The angel queen kept an eye on me but didn’t come near. I tried to read her but got nothing. That made me nervous. I scanned the crowd and could read something about everyone. Whether it was their emotions or thoughts, I didn’t push too far—I simply needed to know I hadn’t lost my gift.

  Then, I hit on one man who was blank, as well. He wore a black suit and acted like he owned the place. He was cocky, handsome and powerful, but that much was clear from his body language. Tall and well built, he’d have women or men fawning over him. His mind was a blank to me. Some people could block my powers. Other psychics, mainly. You had to know how to control your gift before you could use it properly.

  “How are things?” Ivy asked as she sat across from me.

  “It’s over?” I asked

  “Lunch break. We tried starting with brunch first, but people wanted some play from the start.” She grinned. “Like it?”

  “It’s great. Lots of people. Who’s that new queen?” I asked.

  “What new one?” she looked at the crowd.

  I glanced around. “She’s gone. She was dressed like an angel, complete with the wings.”

  Ivy took my bottle of water and sniffed. “Okay, you’re not drinking.”

  “Of course not. I’m not seeing things, either. She was really tall. Like nearly seven feet in heels. Maybe she was looking for a job and realized it wasn’t a good time.” I blew it off.

  “I’d have noticed a queen like that. You might need more sleep. Or maybe it was a ghost?” Ivy asked.

  “Too clear to be a ghost. She was real, fully fleshed out.” I craned my neck to spot the guy. “What about him? Know him?”

  Ivy turned. “Nope. He’s hot, though. Expensive suit. Forties, probably. Good shape. Maybe his dad or mom is here, and he’s checking on them. We get a lot of LGBT seniors who want to socialize.”

  “That’s great. Just picking up on the new faces who aren’t here for the bingo.” I stabbed a piece of melon. “You don’t have to run this place. I can hire someone else or do it myself. I appreciate you taking over. Watching the house and here.”

  She put her hand on my arm. “Stop. I love this. And I love living in a mansion and not a dingy apartment that would fall apart with another flood. There’s flooding all over just from rain; it’s like the damned apocalypse out there. But I should offer to pay rent.”

  “Please, no rent. This place is making a lot more money because you’re running it. I just don’t want you to feel stuck. Like you can’t pursue your singing career or anything else you want. You’re not trapped,” I said.

  “I know. Honey, we’re not your family. They tried to trap you into the web, again. And I get it—your brother was sick. That overrides the family crazy. Greg was worried you wouldn’t ever come back. You just do your thing. We’ll do our things. You’re not your mother.” Ivy winked.

  “Thank God.” I sat back.

  Ivy grinned. “You do worry too much and take care of people, but you’re not micromanaging or stifling.”

  “Thanks.” I looked at the hot mystery man and tried to read him, again. Was he gay and scoping the place out for later? Was he the son of a bingo player just checking on his elderly parent?

  Nothing. Damn!

  Ivy smirked. “He’s hot. Go talk to him if you want. You could use a date. Get back on the horse.”

  “It’s not that. I can’t read him. I’m on the fritz,” I said.

  “You’re jet lagged. Go home and rest. Tomorrow is soon enough to go through the current requests for your help, and I’ve got a little surprise,” she said.

  I got the plunk of dread in my stomach. Ivy was brilliant with drag club events and promotion, but when she tried to dabble in what she called my psychic detective work, it always seemed to go wrong, somehow.

  “A surprise? I don’t need one,” I said.

  “You’ll love it, I promise!” she said.

  “Does Greg know?” I asked.

  “He might.” Ivy slid from the booth. “Back to work. Go home and really sleep. No parents, no siblings, no pressures. Get caught up on your rest, and then, go buy a new car. Seriously, that Jeep is going to crumble, and that Hummer is a gas-guzzler. Get something normal-ish.”

  “Sounds like a plan.” I had another plan. As Ivy went to work, I texted Greg to see if he was free. As I ate and waited for a reply, I looked for Hot Guy again. He was gone. Oh well, maybe some sleep would help reset my brain and powers.

  Greg met me at the Toyota dealer where I had test-driven their entire SUV line. I’d avoided all the pushy salesmen and found the lone female, Sheila, a young African American woman who was confident in her work but wouldn’t mansplain how to drive a car to me.

  “Trading in the Jeep?” Greg asked.

  I frowned. “I don’t think so. I wouldn’t know where the title is, and that car has been there when I needed it. I think it’d be bad luck to give it up.”

  “Did you decide on a model?” Sheila asked.

  “The Rav-4. I don’t need anything bigger. Loaded, and I liked that shimmery white,” I replied.

  “What about all-wheel drive? Could be useful in the swamps,” Greg suggested.

  “That’s a good idea. I might need that.” I knew I’d asked him to meet me for a reason. Swamps weren’t a big problem in Chicago.

  Sheila punched info into the computer. “AWD in Blizzard Pearl, it is. Ash or black interior?”

  “Black. I track through enough mud; it’ll show less.” I smiled.

  Greg sat next to me. I poked into his brain quickly. He wondered if I’d called him down to keep from being taken advantage of. I couldn’t argue it felt better not doing this stuff alone, but I’d avoided the sleazy salesmen. I had some negotiation advantages, as well.

  “And you said loaded. We have one in the color you want in Limited, which is as high as you can get unless you want a hybrid.”

  “Do you have a hybrid?” Greg asked.

  “Not in the color combo you’re looking for. We only get so many of those. People haven’t fully embraced it,” she replied.

  “I don’t need a hybrid. That car should do.” I pulled up the costs on my phone—invoice price and how much they were being sold for.

  “I’ll have it pulled around and get the paperwork going. Credit?” she asked as she stood.

  “Cash,” I replied.

  “Same old De,” Greg said.

  Sheila walked away to get the ball rolling for my car purchase.

  “You mean like Gran? She hated debt, and I don’t blame her. They’ve got the interest rates so low it makes people borrow too much and not save. Corporations get bailed out, not people. Then, they’re caught in the bank’s web again. All the savings rates are horrible compared to the inflation rate so people who want to get ahead can’t.” I sighed. “Sorry, I spent too much time talking finances and life insurance with Dad and Frankie.”

  Greg waved away my apology. “You’ve got a lot more to manage than most.”

  “And a lot less to complain about because of it. But I’m glad I hired a couple of people to manage the money. One recession was annoying enough. You know there will be another the way the government keeps printing money.” I pulled out my checkbook.

  “So cheerful,” Greg said.

  “Sorry. I’m happy to be back. But now that the bigger issues are resolved, I don’t know. It feels like I’ve neglected the routine things. And Ivy said something about a su
rprise.” I got around to the reason I’d called Greg down.

  “She’s told you?” Greg asked.

  “Not yet, and I’m not prying around in my friends’ minds for their secrets. I like being surprised, sometimes. But I’m not sure I’m ready for anything big. I want to get back to normal. I’ll go through the cases tomorrow; I’m sure there are some that need my help, but I don’t need a surprise. Please talk her out of it,” I said.

  “Come on, a little welcome home party at the club isn’t the end of the world. You’ll have some wine, dance, and watch Ivy perform.” Greg chuckled.

  I studied him for a second. Good-looking and calm, but I’d seen him lie without a flinch. “Just a party? Then, she wouldn’t have mentioned a surprise.”

  “Then, I don’t know what she meant by it,” he said.

  I didn’t believe him, but he wouldn’t tell.

  “You okay? Your brother bugging you?” he asked.

  I shook my head. “I haven’t seen him. Maybe that’s what’s frustrating me.”

  “But you made good use of your time up in Chicago. Studying demons and exorcism. There are some good pockets of priests and monks up there with expertise. Did you like it?” he asked.

  “I learned a lot of details that I’m not sure will help when you’re in the midst of facing evil. I’m still not fully qualified to do an exorcism, but I learned more about the theories of possession.”

  “Still a doubter,” he replied.

  “Not a doubter, but I’m sticking by my free will defense. I don’t let anyone else run my body or possess me but me. Demonic oppression is one thing. Possession, that has to include some sort of invitation or permission from the victim.”

  “Does that mean they’re not a victim?” he asked.

  Sheila walked up. “Sorry, is this a private conversation?”

  “Not really.” I smiled.

  Sheila looked a bit scared. “Sorry, I thought I heard the word ‘demonic’.” Sheila sat at her desk with a stack of papers.

  “Sometimes, I run into those cases. I dabble in the paranormal and help the police. I’m a psychic medium. We’re not dangerous,” I said.

  “Okay.” She went through the papers on the car’s features. “Here’s the asking price.”

  “You realize she just told you she’s a psychic,” Greg said.

  “Counteroffer away. My manager has to approve,” Sheila said.

  I scribbled another number. She countered, and I wrote one more number. I didn’t want to steal all her commission, but I wasn’t going to be taken for a ride. “Take that to your manager.”

  “I’ll be back.” She walked off.

  Greg smiled. “She probably thinks we’ll sacrifice her to a demon if you don’t get your way.”

  “Whatever it takes. This car will have a warranty and be good on gas mileage. Then, I’m going to catch up on my sleep.”

  “Do it while you can. Ivy won’t wait forever,” Greg said.

  “For this party?” I asked.

  “Of course, the party.” He checked his phone. “I have to go. Afternoon class.”

  “You’ve thrown yourself into teaching,” I said.

  He stood. “Well, you weren’t around as much, so there weren’t cases for me to help with. I don’t like working alone. I’m not psychic. Plus, I have to pay my own bills, even if the room and board is free.”

  “I’m sure I’ll have some cases to work on, and I’ll put you on a payroll for your help,” I said.

  “Don’t worry about it. I like teaching,” he replied.

  “Okay. See you later.” I checked my phone.

  Sheila returned with a smile. I had a new car and a party coming up. That wasn’t the surprise Ivy meant, but I was too tired to try to pry it out of people now. I needed to get this done and get some sleep. Maybe I’d see Gran or my brother. When I slept, I tended to astral project myself into Heaven to visit. Eventless sleep sounded better right now, though.

  Chapter Three

  Missy opened the door as I approached.

  “Thanks! Anything new?” I asked.

  Missy nodded to the house opposite mine.

  I turned and spotted Mary Lou Weathers dashing next door. The truth was I was the only middle-class owner on the block. Plenty of people looked down on me, but Mary Lou running over in her expensive heels and jewelry looked more low-class than anything I had on.

  Poor Mary Lou had married into an old and wealthy family, yet she couldn’t shake her eagerness to be accepted and approved of. Since no one in my family really approved of me, I didn’t have that fear of rejection. Or maybe I’d just grown numb to it. People could think I was crazy, but now I had my own job and house back.

  “It’s so good to see you back here. And with a new car. You must be staying. Please say you are,” Mary Lou gushed.

  “I’m staying. Come in. Coffee or tea?” I asked.

  “Coffee, please.” She followed me inside.

  I headed straight for the kitchen and grabbed a mug. A single serve coffee machine that was much fancier than the one I remembered sat on the counter with a display of pods next to it. I set the mug on the tray.

  “Pick your flavor,” I said.

  “You really need to get an actual housekeeper,” she said.

  I set out creamer and a spoon, then found the sugar bowl. “One thing at a time.”

  “I’m sure everyone is piling on you with news and updates. I didn’t want you to hear it from someone else.” She punched buttons on the machine.

  “Hear what?” I grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge. “That you and Greg are done?”

  “That? It was done years ago. Well, off and on for a bit. I’m sure you think I’m a terrible wife, but I didn’t marry a very good guy.” She took the full mug to the kitchen table.

  I sat and watched her mix cream and sugar in her coffee.

  “You could divorce him,” I stated the obvious.

  Mary Lou shook her head. “This isn’t about me. My situation is what it is.”

  “So, what do you want to tell me first?” I asked.

  “My brother-in-law, John. I know he was interested in you, but then, you went away. You were back and forth for so long...” She sipped her coffee.

  “I didn’t expect him to wait around.” I’d guessed he’d moved on long ago.

  “Well, yes. But he’s engaged. He wants to invite you to the engagement party and wedding. I insisted I talk to you before any invitations were sent out.” Mary Lou frowned.

  “That’s great news. He can invite me, if he really wants to. I can’t promise to make it. You know how my schedule gets. Just tell me he’s marrying a smart woman who isn’t after his family money.” I didn’t want John to be miserable.

  “No, she’s a lawyer. Smart and not poor. A lawyer marrying a judge—cliché.” Mary Lou rolled her eyes.

  “And you’re doing okay?” I asked. “I’m sorry I never had time to spend with people when I flew down. The back and forth was exhausting.”

  “Don’t you apologize or give it a second thought. I’m so sorry about your brother. If I got cancer like that, I think I’d get sick of the treatments. If there was no clear hope, one day I’d just swallow a bottle of pills.” She clinked her nails along the ceramic mug.

  I took a long drink of water. “Maybe. I thought that some days, and other days, after the awful ones, he was happy and felt better. Remissions and side effects were a crap shoot. Of all the things modern medicine can do, why can’t they cure cancer?”

  “Probably too much money in it. Like stocks and all those other silly things. It’s all so complicated that most people don’t understand. Then, the little guys get screwed.” She sighed.

  “You’ve cheered me up.” I went to the counter and lifted the lid on the cake pan. “Devil’s food?”

  “Please. Sorry. I wish I could think of something cheerful. John’s wedding is good. You being back cheers me up.”

  “Will you be at Ivy’s welcome home party for me?” I asked.

  Mary Lou frowned. “You know? Of course you know.”

  “Greg told me. But I think there’s more to her surprise. She’s busy at the club right now. But I’ll get it out of her.” I cut two large pieces of cake, plated them, and set the plates on the table.

  “You’ll settle in. Be back to normal in no time. There are always murders around New Orleans. Matt will be thrilled to have you back.”

  Matt Weathers, her detective brother-in-law, was a main supporter of mine. “He solves murders every day. He only needs me for the really tricky or paranormal ones.”