Ghost Writer - Pandora Pine Page 0,35

the office and go over the file when they could be home with Wolf?

“I hope you wouldn’t haunt the Ford, but the truth of the matter is we just don’t know.” Cope was out of the car and crossing the road to Ten and Ronan’s townhouse. “We haven’t looked at this from the magick side either.”

“You mean the spirit trapped with the typewriter might not be there of its own free will?” Christ, that was the last thing they needed, a typewriter haunted by a restless spirit compelled by magick. What else could possibly go wrong?

A haggard looking Ronan answered the door when Cope rang the bell.

Jude could hear a commotion from across the street. It sounded like all three kids were screaming. “What the hell is going on?” He was across the road and up the stairs like his ass was on fire. Pushing past Cope and Ronan, Jude saw all three kids sitting in the center of the floor crying.

“I honestly don’t know.” Ronan looked beside himself. “They were so happy and then all of sudden, this happened.”

Fat tears rolled down Wolf’s cheeks. Baby Aurora was lying flat on her back crying as if her life depended on it, while Everly yanked at her hair, shouting, “No!”

Setting the file on the coffee table, Jude sat on the floor next to the crying babies. “What’s wrong?” His voice was gentle. The kids cried harder.

“They ate, had naps, it’s not too cold or too warm. I’m not sure what to do.” Ronan’s phone was in his hand. Jude had a feeling he’d been about to call out the cavalry to help.

“I might be able to help.” Cope sat down on the floor next to the kids. He muttered a few words Jude couldn’t hear. They’d just been talking about magick. Jude knew Cope was spinning a little spell.

Everly dropped her hands from her hair, looking around the room as if she couldn’t remember why she’d been crying in the first place. “Baby.” She smiled and wiggled around to lay next to Aurora who was sniffling.

“Da!” Wolf crawled to Jude, climbing into his lap.

“What the hell did you do?” Ronan asked. He sat next to Everly, scooping Aurora into his arms. He used his shirt to dab at her drying tears.

“Bibbity. Bobbity. Boo.” Cope shrugged.

Jude knew there was more to it than that. “You want to tell us what was making them so upset, Fairy Godmother?”

Cope snorted. “It was the file.”

“File? What file?” Ronan’s head turned back and forth between Cope and Jude. “They were fine, happy and playing about five minutes before you rang the bell. Kaye said they all had a good day before she left.”

“I’m sure that’s true.” Cope made a face at Everly, who was sitting with Ronan and Wolf. “Jude and I just came back from the antique shop that sold him the typewriter. He sent us home with a file on the previous owner.”

“Do you really think the vibe from that is what made the kids lose their little minds?” Jude had seen some bizarre things in his time working with Cope, but he couldn’t remember ever seeing something like this happen before.

“You were on edge in that shop, Jude. I could see it in your eyes and body language. We talked about what a dick the shop owner was in the car as a way to get rid of the bad feelings. The kids don’t have that ability yet. They know when something isn’t right. They cry, and someone makes them feel better.”

“Baby.” Everly climbed into Jude’s lap. She rested her head against Jude and set a dainty hand on Wolf.

“Hello, little princess.” Jude pressed a kiss to her forehead. He felt better instantly. He knew Everly was working her feel good juju on him and Wolf.

“How about we give the kids a snack and the two of you tell me about this file?” Ronan was already heading toward the kitchen.

“Ack!” Aurora yelled. She crawled after Ronan.

Everly peeled herself away from Jude and ran after her father.

“How about you, little man? Do you want a snack too?” Jude set Wolf on the floor and he crawled off after Ronan like he was the Pied Piper.

“I’ll have to try that little trick at home.” Cope reached a hand down to pull Jude back to his feet.

“Reminds me of animals at the zoo who perform a trick for the food reward.” Jude pressed a kiss to Cope’s cheek. “You want to tell me what you did