Flirting Under a Full Moon - By Ashlyn Chase Page 0,42
Alzheimer’s. And where are those weird little guys?”
Anthony patted her hand. “I’m sorry you heard that, Brandee. I wasn’t serious about giving you Alzheimer’s. I can’t really do that. I’m a hypnotist and thought it might be easier for you if I erased your memory of the brownies.”
“The Brownies? Why? It wasn’t that bad. I even stuck with it and became a Girl Scout.”
Sadie tittered. “The ‘weird little guys’ you saw are called brownies, dear. We didn’t realize they were here in the building until tonight.”
They were real and inhabited her workplace? What about her home? She tried not to overreact. Instead she cleared her throat and casually asked, “So, it’s still tonight, and I didn’t go all Rip Van Winkle or anything?”
Anthony stood. “You were only out for a few minutes.”
Brandee began to rise, but Anthony stopped her with a gentle hand on her shoulder. “Sit for a minute. I want to be sure you’re all right.”
“Why wouldn’t I be? Did I bump my head?”
Sadie strolled over and sat in the spot Anthony had just vacated. “I don’t think so. I found you sort of crumpled in a heap, but your head wasn’t on the floor.”
“Then I should be good to go.” Brandee’s voice wavered a bit, but she wanted to get out of there before anyone did anything to her.
“Not yet,” Anthony said. “I imagine you have questions. I’d rather you ask us than anyone else.”
“Who would I ask? Everyone would think I was crazy.”
“Exactly.” Anthony crossed to his office chair, rotated it to face her, then sat.
“So what the hell are they—brownies? Where did they come from? Are they some kind of alien?”
Sadie gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. “As a matter of fact, they’re very much from earth. They’re earth spirits.”
Anthony leaned forward and clasped his hands. “They inhabit certain homes. They like to clean places, and as long as a snack is left for them, they’re happy to help. But they don’t like to be seen. You were very fortunate to get a glimpse of them.”
“Ha. If I’m so lucky, why were you trying to make me forget? And what did you mean when you said you couldn’t do it to me much more? What have you done to me?”
Anthony bit his lip, then swore and grabbed a tissue. A drop of blood was visible. He pressed the paper over the cut until it stopped bleeding, which seemed to take no time at all.
Sadie fiddled with her rings. “Do you remember wanting to stay behind the bar and see if I could make contact with the spirit I detected?”
“Yes. I remember everything before that and up until the little noseless, bearded men found me. Do they come into our apartment?”
“No, and Anthony didn’t do any hypnosis with you tonight.”
He leaned back. “I’d like to take the memory of the brownies from you for your own good. You absolutely can’t tell anyone about what you saw. If you don’t know about them, you won’t let it slip out. I need your permission, however.” He glanced at Sadie and she gave a slight nod.
“What would happen if I did let it slip? I’m not saying I would. Anyone I told would think I’m a few bottles short of a six-pack.”
“I imagine the brownies would move out—or worse. If curious gawkers came looking for them, they’d be very upset. They’re sensitive creatures.”
“Worse? Something worse than not getting your bar cleaned for free?”
“If angered, they play pranks on the offender.”
“But we’ll tell Angie, right? I mean, she’ll want to know since she lives here too.”
“I wouldn’t,” Sadie said quickly. “The fewer people who know, the better. We really can’t take a chance on word getting out.”
“I used to wonder why the place sparkled the next day after a busy night. I just figured you had a kick-ass cleaning crew come in.”
Anthony smiled. “And I thought you guys always did a great job of cleaning up after I left.”
“You really didn’t know about the brownies?”
“I really didn’t. The bar opens several hours before I get in.”
She faced Sadie. “But you said snacks had to be left out for them. We don’t leave out any food at the end of the night.”
“Apparently they were helping themselves to the peanuts and pretzels. But they did such an excellent job of cleaning up after themselves that we had no idea.”
Brandee shook her head. “Crazy.” After a brief pause, she asked, “So, is it okay if I go upstairs now? I promise not to