“Well, it’s the truth,” Cassandra said to Angus.
“I know that. Still, nice to hear,” Angus returned.
“Fucking hell,” Jack muttered.
Angus looked at Jack and his face grew serious. “I promised you, I’d no’ let you down. This is a setback but, Bennett, that promise holds true. I’ll no’ let you down.”
“You need to be patient,” Cassandra added.
“And you need to understand that Belle and my room is off-limits,” Jack returned.
“We can’t –”Cassandra started.
“Off-limits,” Jack repeated firmly.
Cassandra opened her mouth to speak but Angus got there first.
“Cass, let it go,” Angus muttered out the side of his mouth. “If he’s declaring limits, that means he’s no’ kicking us out on our arses.”
“Oh yeah,” Cassandra muttered back.
“Fucking hell,” Jack muttered in return.
Cassandra’s face grew soft and she murmured, “Patience, mate, seriously, you have to trust us.”
Jack was unaffected by her soft look. “I’ll trust you when you give me reason to do so. Until then, you need to know, another stunt like this, you’re gone.”
“Understood,” Cassandra said immediately.
Jack scowled at them both trying to ascertain if they did, indeed, understand. When he could tell by their faces they did, he turned his back on them, stalked down the stairs and to Lila’s room.
The minute he entered, Belle flew to him.
His arms closed around her as her hands settled on his chest and her head tipped back.
“The children?” she asked.
Jack’s gaze slid to Lila then back to Belle. “They’ve disappeared again.”
“Damn it to hell,” Lila muttered.
“Gram’s been telling me that Cassandra and Angus can’t find them,” Belle told him.
Jack put his arm around her shoulders and moved her to the door. “We’ll have a full briefing tomorrow.”
“Do you think they’re okay?” Belle asked as Jack whistled for the dogs and nodded his goodnight to Lila.
He had no idea how to answer her.
Firstly, he now did, indeed, believe there were ghosts, as outrageous as that concept was. He couldn’t believe his ears but he also couldn’t deny he’d heard, distinctly, a young, disembodied voice shouting the name Myrtle.
Secondly, given the fact that they were ghosts, he doubted they were okay.
Lastly, they were being pursued by the Laurel and Hardy of ghost hunters and therefore felt the need to flee then disappear which meant they were seriously not okay.
“I’m sure they’re fine, love,” Jack murmured his lie.
“I hope so,” Belle whispered and before he closed the door behind them, Jack locked eyes with Lila who was biting her lip.