A Bar a Brother and a Ghost Hunt Page 4

  “We’ve got plenty of those. This is New Orleans.” Mary Lou took a bite of her cake.

  After cake and two cups of coffee, I was still tired. Once Mary Lou was gone, I kicked off my boots and fell into bed. Caffeine and sugar couldn’t stop the exhaustion. Grief and erratic sleeping patterns had taken their toll.

  Deep sleep took hold, and I felt much better as I found myself in the familiar waiting room on the other side. I knew the doors well enough. There were three doors. I’d only been through one that let me into Heaven, but maybe one day, I’d dare to enter the other two.

  I knew who’d summoned me. This wasn’t my idea, not this time. I entered Heaven and floated toward Gran’s little cottage.

  “My dear, you do look tired. You’re finally getting decent sleep. Please stay.” She pointed to an overstuffed chair.

  “Thanks, but what do you want?” I sat.

  “Your grandfather is very worried. He’s been pacing,” Gran said.

  “It’s not about me,” I replied.

  Grandpa and I hadn’t been on the same page when he was alive. He divorced Gran for her gifts and thought I was crazy, too. He preferred my brothers. He was nicer now, but I was pretty sure he was pacing over Eddie.

  “Your brother still hasn’t turned up. No one has seen him. He can’t have gone down.”

  “Hell is just another door, Gran. It’s not technically down,” I pointed out.

  “Don’t even joke about that.” She wagged a finger at me.

  “I thought Heaven was supposed to be happiness all the time. No worries or fears.” I frowned.

  She sighed. “For most people, it is. Our gifts give us a unique knowledge of far more than is sometimes good for us.”

  “I haven’t seen him, either. Not a glimmer. I don’t know what to say. I’ll keep a lookout. If I see him, I’ll tell him to head straight to you and the light or whatever. It’s not like he can get lost. He knew he was dying for some time.”

  “That’s what worries me. You don’t seem worried at all,” she scolded me.

  I rested my head back on the soft chair. “I learned while watching him suffer that I can’t control anything. I might have some extra gifts, but I can’t make him better. I can’t stop death or disease. I wish I could. I fought to help him as much as possible.”

  “I know. I’m sorry you had to go through that. But not knowing where he is...” Gran shook her head.

  “His soul is out there somewhere. He’ll turn up. It hasn’t been that long,” I said.

  “If he becomes trapped down there, then he’s vulnerable. A lost soul who can be worked on by demons and trapped, in some cases. I can’t have that. I won’t,” she said.

  “If he sticks around for some reason, it’ll have to do with the family. You check on Mom and Dad and Frankie. They won’t be able to see him. If Eddie is with one of them, you let me know, and I’ll go grab him, assuming I can do that.” I shrugged.

  “You can’t without a lot of effort and energy, but you can talk to him.”

  “I can’t touch him? I can touch ghosts,” I replied.

  “You’re talking about older ghosts who are stuck in their state. Eddie is newly freed from his physical body. Much more ethereal. It’s like a ghost using your body to channel, it takes focus and power to do it,” she said. “But you’re right. I’ll keep an eye on the Chicago family more. If I spot him there, I’ll let you know immediately.”

  “Good plan. Now, can I get back to sleep? My life never is quiet for long.” I stood.

  “Be good. A lot of people need your help. Don’t rush to reject or retreat from them,” Gran said.

  “I’ll do my best,” I replied.

  I returned to random dreams about the club. The man in black and the angel drag queen also appeared. Before I’d have woken up, gasping for air, but after years of astral projection, I’d gotten used to it.

  Then, something tickled my foot. I kicked absently. I had no pets. Missy might’ve brushed by, but Greg and Ivy wouldn’t enter my room without knocking.

  I hated being tickled, and it happened again. I kicked harder and rolled over—now fully awake.

  Once again, my foot was tickled, and I rolled onto my back and sat up. I checked my sock, Had I stepped on a spider? Yanking off the socks, I scratched my foot. “Probably just a nightmare about my brothers,” I mumbled to myself.

  “Or one brother having some fun,” Eddie said.

  I looked up. There he stood, mostly transparent but it was him. “What the hell? Where have you been?”

  “I don’t know exactly. Around. How long has it been?” he asked.

  “About a week since you died. Wasn’t there a light? Weren’t you supposed to go to it and review your life? We talked about this. Death isn’t the end of things,” I said.

  “I know, but I had to see some people. I had to know they were okay. I promised,” he said.

  “Gran is a wreck. Grandpa is pacing up there. You need to go straight up there, now. See them, and go to reorientation.” I pointed to the ceiling.

  Eddie looked at the floor. “You don’t know what it’s like. Dying.”

  “No, I don’t. But I do know what Heaven looks like, and it’s a damn bit better than roaming my house as a ghost. I have ghosts. You don’t want that to be your eternity.” I raked my fingers through my bedhead.

  “I don’t either, but I’m not ready. I don’t think I can go.”

  “I can call for Gran. I asked her to watch Mom and Dad. They wouldn’t know if you were there.” I rubbed my forehead. My brother was dodging Gran.

  “No, please don’t call her. I need more time. I’m sorry. I’m not refusing to go, but I need more time. I’m not ready to be dead and on a cloud playing a harp.”

  “You don’t get wings, Eddie. It’s not like that.” I laughed.

  “I don’t care what it’s like. I just have a little business to sort through. It won’t take long, and then I’ll go. I promise,” he said.

  “What business could you possibly have? Frankie and Dad are making sure your estate is taken care of, but you’d set that all up. You didn’t have a secret baby or something?” I asked.

  He smiled. “No, nothing like that. Trust me. I’ll go when I’m ready. Tell Gran not to worry.”

  “Should I tell her I’ve seen you, at least? That might help her relax,” I replied.

  “No, don’t tell her, or she’ll be stalking you waiting, and I won’t be able to talk to you if I need to.”

  “She can’t force you over, can she?” I asked.

  “She can’t, but your friend Greg makes ghosts and supernatural beings very nervous. I’m not sure, but I feel like exorcists might be able to cast us out. He might block me from your house.”

  “I won’t let him, but if you don’t go, after so long, I might have to lock you in the attic.” I smiled.

  “I’m not dangerous, I promise. I died too young,” he said.

  “Lots of people die too young. Your time is your time. I’m sorry, but let go of your business here. Or tell me what it is, and I’ll take care of it like that old show Ghost Whisperer,” I said.

  He shook his head. “Some things a man must face and resolve on his own. I was weak and sickly for so damn long. You and Mom looking after me sometimes felt like I was a baby. I don’t want that. I can’t feel that.”

  “Go to Heaven, then. I napped and projected to visit Gran. It’s the best sleep ever. I promise. Staying here is sucking your energy,” I explained.

  “You’re very good, sis. Very good.”

  “It’s true. I’ve been navigating my way to Heaven and back for years. I’m just a visitor, but you won’t be alone with the grandparents. I promise, I’ll visit. And I’m not lying about any of it.” I shouted as he faded.

  “I love you, too. See you soon.”

  “Damn!” I fell back into the soft bed. “What business could he have?”

  I made a mental note to call my dad in the morning and make sure things were going okay with the estate. Eddie had a will and gave his money to Frankie, to help pay off his student loans from grad school. I didn’t need it. Eddie had given up his apartment, but there was a car. I’d driven it more than he had. He’d been so weak. His slow reaction time had made him afraid to drive. Frankie’s name was on the car title as well as Eddie’s, so he could sell it or keep it.

  My brain ached. Family stuff was so much more difficult than other stressors, because it was hard to read my own family. My emotions blocked me from clearly digging into their minds and hearts.

  Waiting a few more minutes, I closed my eyes when Gran didn’t show up. I hadn’t meant to set her on a wild goose chase, but apparently, I had. But what good would it do to tell her I’d seen Eddie? I had no idea where he’d gone or what his mission was.

  Missy faded into my room. “Are you okay?” she asked.

  I nodded. “I’m fine. If my brother shows up again in the house, make sure I know about it.”

  She nodded.

  “Good thing he didn’t appear while I was changing or in the shower.” I laughed.

  Missy blushed. “Get some more sleep.”

  He was still my brother, even if he was dead. I didn’t need him to be a peeping tom by accident. That’d just creep us both out!

  Chapter Four

  After a dinner of spicy shrimp over rice, Greg took me to the car dealership to retrieve the Jeep. When we walked back into the mansion, Ivy had ice cream sundaes all made.

  “This is a treat,” I said.

  “A little homecoming celebration,” she said.

  “I’m going to take mine upstairs. I have papers to grade,” Greg said.

  “Antisocial,” Ivy quipped.

  “I’m around whenever you need me,” he replied.

  “Thanks for the help today,” I called.

  “He’s so sullen lately,” Ivy huffed.

  “Do you think he misses the rectory?” I asked.

  She smiled. “I don’t know about that. Being a priest meant he had to obey the church, and it’s not easy to get them to approve an exorcism. He felt he needed to help outside the confines of the Roman Catholic Church, but without you around to authenticate the cases, he’s not constantly working, I think he feels useless.”

  “He doesn’t need me to help people.”

  “He can’t do what you do. I can’t, either. He has the prayers and tools, but first, he needs proof. The evidence and knowledge of what’s wrong and how to fix it. You and your gran cut through a lot of time and red tape. Without a psychic medium, he’s been relying on the Catholic guidelines before he acts. Exorcism can be dangerous, a huge liability,” she whispered.

  I frowned. “Nothing bad has happened to him?”

  “No, but he gets called in on all sorts of crank cases. Parents believe their kid is possessed when they’re really off their meds or need meds or are on illegal drugs. He wants to help, but if he tries to exorcise the wrong person, they could be hurt or hurt him. He’s an instrument; he knows it.”

  “That’s all I am. Trying to be a force for good.” I smiled.

  “Exactly. But you can’t do it all alone. You need someone to keep you grounded, like me. Someone to bring in the heavy-hitting holy skills, like Greg. You shouldn’t work a case alone.”

  “I don’t. If I’m working with the police, I have Matt. Greg usually has been around, too. I don’t need a huge staff,” I replied. “But I should maybe start paying Greg.”

  “That might help. Show him you and he are back as a team and working together. He likes teaching theology, but he picked up ancient world history, as well. The theory isn’t as rewarding as the action.”

  I sighed. “I agree. I studied a lot of demonology and exorcism with some local and very experienced priests while in Chicago. But it was all in theory and case review. Nothing practical. The Vatican denied me for their training program.”

  “You’re probably overqualified.” She laughed.

  “No, that’s the worst mistake you can make doing what I do. Confidence and strength is one thing, but don’t get cocky. Overconfidence is death. Don’t let your guard down.” I suddenly knew why it had all felt so different in Chicago.

  I couldn’t go to war with evil or track down murderers, not there. Not so close to my family. There, I had to be compassionate and at my family’s disposal. When I was on a case, I needed all my focus on that case or my energy could be zapped. I was able to study in Chicago, but I had to come back to New Orleans to work a case.

  My brother might be a distraction. I had to factor that into my cases and be ready for it. Then again, I’d given him my full time and attention for as long as he needed. Now, it was time for me to get back to my job. My purpose. I went into the living room and grabbed the stack of requests from the desk.

  “Those can wait,” Ivy said as I returned to the kitchen.

  “I might as well sort through them while I enjoy the ice cream. I had a long nap, so I won’t be heading to bed right away.” I added more hot fudge to my scoops of vanilla bean and strawberry ice cream.

  “There is one very pressing case you need to do, first,” Ivy said.

  “Oh, why didn’t you tell me?” I dug into the melty goodness.

  “It’s not like you can start tomorrow. It’s sort of scheduled. Coffee?” Ivy offered.

  “It’s my house; I can get coffee if I want it. You’re stalling. What’s the scheduled case? Is this the surprise?” I asked.

  “Don’t assume it’s bad.”

  “If it’s a pressing case that needs help, it probably is bad. Unless... No interviews,” I said.

  “It’s sort of part of it. It’s a case study. Think of it that way.” Ivy busied herself making coffee.

  “No, I want all the details. Now, so I can cancel it,” I replied.

  “You can’t. I sort of promised them you’d do it if you were back in town for good. I didn’t think you’d be back permanently. I’m glad you are, but it’s my fault. I started dating this guy who is part of the production team scouting these potential shows. A ghost-hunting group he found is trying to get one of those TV shows that are all over some cable channels and they’re awesome,” she said.

  “Oh, no.” I saw so many bad options.

  “No, they’re different from most of the others on TV. They don’t just want to prove paranormal things exist by capturing evidence with machines, and I’m sure they do have those people on staff to track and measure stuff. There is a science to it. But they also have people who just try to calm and cure the problem.”

  “That’s very nice, but they don’t need me. I solve criminal stuff. Murders and cult leaders with paranormal powers or curses or whatever. I’ll help with missing persons or unsolved cases without paranormal things too, but I live with ghosts all the time. It’s not that scary,” I said.

  “Good ghosts. Some ghosts aren’t nice at all, and resent the living. Some aren’t ghosts. There are people with demons in their homes.” Ivy said it like it was news.

  I patted the stack. “And plenty of them contact me directly. They don’t need to put their families up on some horrid reality TV show to get help.”

  “You can only do so much. Travel so far. There’s only one of you. Those shows have budgets and staff. A real staff.” Ivy set her coffee on the table and started in on her ice cream.

  I savored my hot fudge. “I’m not doing a TV show. I’m not getting a staff or any of that crazy crap.”

  “Even if it helps people?” she asked.

  “I can help people without looking like I’m trying to make money off of it. What’s next? You’ll suggest I set up a camera here and become the Big Easy Medium. No.” I pointed my spoon at her.

  She smirked. “That would not be you, at all. But some families and businesses are being terrorized by evil ghosts or demons. You could tell them how to solve the problem. You might not know how to do it all, but you can tell them the problem, and the team can help research the solution.”

  “You’re still dating this guy?” I asked.

  She blushed. “Yes, but this show isn’t going to have anything fake. No drummed-up evidence. Nothing like that. You’d call them out if it did. I warned them.”

  “I’m not joining some show,” I said.

  “Not joining a show. You’re sort of the kick-off. Special guest star for the first episode, and then, they’ll either get other guest mediums or you can do it again,” she said.

  “You promised them?” I asked.

  “Please. When I read the case, I knew you’d want to help.” She slid a folder to me.

  “Give me the highlights.” I grabbed a water from the fridge.

  “A lot of paranormal stuff is always happening. They’re terrified of the attic, and there is a storage room in the back that makes everyone run. They get touched, hear hissing and growling, and things get thrown at them. If they go there alone, they have nightmares that night.” Ivy spread out some pictures. “And wake up with scratches and bruises.”

  “And they want to be on a TV show? This could be staged,” I said.

  “There was a death at this bar. Someone was shoved down the stairs. Dead.” Ivy shivered.

  “A ghost pushed them down the stairs?” I asked. “Maybe. But people do fall.”

  “No, the police have arrested someone. But everyone says he’s gentle and nice. This one girl saw him push the victim. The guy is sitting in jail.”

  “On the word of the witness?” I asked.

  “He said he did it. He remembered doing it, but he didn’t mean to. Was it murder? Paranormal murder? An accident? A set-up? Are the people there safe now, or will there be more victims?” Ivy sounded like a TV voiceover.

  “A death is a good reason. Plus, a man in jail. I don’t want any other info. I should go in cold.”

  Ivy shook her head. “I have info in there that is just about the Ghost Tamers, not only the case. They did some other investigations. You want to see what they’re like, right?” she asked.

  “Right. Take out the detail for the one I might join in on.” I handed her the packet.