Flirting Under a Full Moon - By Ashlyn Chase Page 0,39
find anything?”
“I have no idea. I was so mad at them for being here without my permission that I kind of went ballistic and threw them out before they could tell me anything.”
“Damn. I wish you’d at least waited to hear what Sadie found.”
Brandee couldn’t believe her roommate was more concerned with the possibility of unwanted ghosts in their apartment than the actuality of uninvited humans.
“Do you believe in ghosts, Ange?”
She shrugged. “I guess. Do you?”
Brandee gnawed on her fingernail. “I never really considered it until Nick brought up the subject. Mrs. Balog knocked on our door and told me and Nick to keep it down. I confronted her on the loud banging and grunting sounds that come from upstairs some nights.”
“I always assumed they were the sounds an old building makes. I’ve learned to tune out the racket.”
“Me too. But what if there’s more to it?”
“Oh, crap. Now I’ll be sleeping with one eye open.”
“I’m sorry. That’s exactly what I didn’t want. I never thought you’d believe in ghosts. I’ll talk to Sadie tomorrow.”
“Maybe I should do it. If you went ballistic on her ass…”
Brandee chuckled. “Yeah, I kind of did. I’m still pissed at Nick. I imagine it was his idea, not Sadie’s. I know he wants to look out for me, but he overstepped this time.”
“Yeah. Sadie kind of goes where the work takes her.” Angie resumed brushing her hair. “I can’t imagine her coming up here on her own.”
“Me neither. I know her nephew owns the building and everything, but I don’t think she feels entitled to the run of the place.”
Brandee kicked at the floor. “Yeah. I’m really disappointed. I was surprised when he wanted to do the boyfriend-girlfriend thing, but his definition of what that includes is drastically different from mine. He’s way too possessive.”
“Jeez. What are you going to do?”
Brandee hung her head. “I don’t know. What would you do?”
Angie held up her hands and leaned away. “Oh no. No, no, no. You’re not going to trick me into giving you relationship advice. I tried to warn you away from him. But when you didn’t listen, I decided to keep my opinions to myself. It’s all you from here on.”
Brandee slumped. “Great. I was hoping you’d tell me to break up with him.”
“Why?”
“Because I don’t want to, but I think I probably should.”
Angie rose. “I’ll let you sleep on that. I’m off to bed so I can lie awake and listen to everything that goes bump in the night.”
“Sorry.” Brandee felt like the worst roommate ever.
***
Anthony slid into the booth across from Sadie the following night. He folded his hands and didn’t say a word.
She stopped shuffling her cards. “Are you angry?”
“No. Should I be?”
“I hope not. I apologized to Brandee and Angie for invading their space without their knowledge. They both seemed to understand it was only to assure Nick of their safety.”
“Yes, I spoke to Nick. Meanwhile, they spent a sleepless night, wondering what spirit or spirits might be haunting their apartment. Did you learn anything while you were there?”
“There’s definitely something around, but I didn’t have enough time to establish communication.”
“Could you do it from down here?”
“Probably, after-hours. I think the entity avoids people. If anything, that should make the girls feel safer.”
Anthony studied his clasped hands. “Okay, then. I’d like to ask you to stay after closing time tonight. Can you do that?”
Sadie’s lips curled slightly. “Is there cash involved?”
“How about not pressing charges? Will that do?”
Sadie let out a big sigh. “All right.”
Anthony laughed. “I love your entrepreneurial side, Sadie.” And he did. His only known relative was an interesting mix of kooky and clever. What some might call crazy like a fox.
She returned to shuffling the cards. “How long should I stay if no one appears?”
Anthony scratched the eternal stubble on his chin. “I think you’d know better than I would how much time to give a shy spirit.”
“I’ll stay until just after midnight. The bar will have been empty for about an hour. That should be enough time.”
“It’s a full moon tonight. I’ll stay with you to be sure you get home okay.”
“It might be best if you stay in your office. I don’t want anyone else around to spook the little bugger.”
Anthony’s eyebrows rose. “Little? Did you get the sense that it might be a child?”
Sadie’s brows knit. “Not exactly. It was odd. The only thing I heard sounded like a cough, but from about waist high. I hope I can tell you more later.”