meet with the attorney in the morning, take care of business, and go home.”
“You are leaving?” An expression of relief flashed across Grim’s face. “That is probably for the best.”
He wanted her to leave. Of course he did. With her gone, he was off the hook. He could go his merry way, killing demons and drop-kicking the planets back into alignment, or whatever it was superhero-demigod types like him did on their days off.
Fine by her; she couldn’t wait to get out of there.
“I might not sell,” she heard herself say. “The deal could fall through.”
“It could at that,” Junior said with a knowing smile.
He vanished, leaving Sassy and Grim alone in the foyer.
Grim looked at her, his eyes unreadable. “You are weary and in need of sustenance. While you bathe, I will put the shield spell in place and find us something to eat.”
“Good luck with that,” Sassy said. “I doubt there’s food in the house. The place has been empty for—”
He vanished.
Swallowing her frustration, Sassy trailed out of the foyer and into the great room.
Meredith materialized with a citrusy whoosh, hands on hips. “Where do you think you’re going, sluthole?”
“To take a bath.”
Sassy tried to step around her, but the ghost whisked in front of her, barring her way.
“Take a bath someplace else, sluthole.”
“Don’t call me that.”
“Sluthole. Sluthole. Sluthole. Big old slutty sluthole.”
Something snapped inside Sassy. “BE NICE,” she shouted and thrust her hand, palm out, at the ghost.
A beam of colored light hit Meredith in the face. The ghost wafted in the air, spinning like a drunken balloon. Her sour expression turned blissful.
She gave Sassy a wide goofy smile. “Hey, boo, how you doing?”
Dear Lord, what had she done?
“Hey yourself,” Sassy managed.
Grim materialized, sword drawn. “I heard a noise.” He saw the ghost and lowered his weapon. “Oh, it is you. I thought you were gone.”
“I came back.” Meredith giggled. Flipping sideways in the air, she circled him headfirst, smacking her red lips. “My, you are a pretty thang. Ass for days. I hereby knight you Sir Gluteus Maximus.”
The ghost trailed her fingers across his sculpted rump.
Grim jumped. “Stop that. What ails the fiend?”
“It’s my fault,” Sassy said. “She was acting ugly, so I zapped her. I didn’t mean to. It sort of happened.”
Grim grunted. “Do not be dismayed. The shade is much too disagreeable for it to last.”
He disappeared.
Meredith gave Sassy a little finger wave and a toothy smile. “The master bedroom is this way, guh.”
“Is there a house phone? I need to call my parents.”
And a wrecker service for the car. And an exorcist.
“’Fraid not,” Meredith said. “The Skinners cut the line when they broke into the house. Idiots.”
Sassy followed the ghost through the house. The master bedroom was large with khaki walls, a tray ceiling, and heavy, masculine furniture. A plush Oriental rug in brown and gold covered the dark wood floor. Spying a portable phone on the bedside table, she snatched it up and pushed the buttons. Meredith was right; dead as a doornail.
Mama would be hysterical. Oh, well, Sassy would call her from town tomorrow.
Casting a longing glance at the king bed with its tapestry bedspread and upholstered headboard, Sassy went into the bathroom and flipped on the lights. She paused in the doorway and looked around. The space was luxurious, opulent even, with a high ceiling and wide crown molding. Rich cream and brown tile work gave the space a Mediterranean feel. An ornate crystal chandelier added a touch of drama. To the left of the door were double sinks and a toilet. Taking up an entire wall was a walk-in shower big enough to park a limo in. To the right of the door, a deep scalloped tub sat beneath an arched window. Ensconced in a gleaming walnut frame and bracketed by Corinthian columns, the garden tub was the focal point of the room.
No doubt in daylight, the window offered a splendid view of the river. At the moment, however, night pressed against the glass, concealing the outside world in thick inky fleece.
Sassy stepped into the room and swallowed a shriek when she caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror. Rings of melted mascara encircled her eyes. Merciful heavens, she looked like a startled raccoon. Her dress was ripped and stained. She was dirty from head to toe. Her once-perfect nails were bleeding and torn.
Her hair was the biggest shocker. Her naturally smooth tresses were a mass of unruly ringlets, as though imbued with a life of their own,