Page 38 of Air Of Mystery
I simply nodded and remained silent.
With a sigh Grandma opened her passenger side door. “But you’re going to sulk anyway.”
Orion assisted her from the car and then shut the door for her. He gave me a wave, and she walked into her manor home without so much as a backward glance.
“This is such bullshit,” I muttered. Backing out of the driveway with exquisite care, I barely resisted the urge to floor it and pull away with an angry squeal of tires. But I did not. Instead, I headed for my home and the Golden Hill neighborhood. By the time I arrived back at the house, my jaw was clenched so tightly that it was making the sides of my neck ache.
I did not slam my car door once I parked in the back drive and instead shut it like a rational adult. Despite it being hot, I headed straight for the family gardens hoping to find some peace and tranquility. Or if nothing else, maybe walking around all of Brynn’s flowers would help me work off some of my frustration.
As usual the gardens were stunning, and after a while I ducked under an arbor that was covered in hot pink roses and sat on a bench. There was a bit of shade coming from a nearby Japanese Maple tree that I took advantage of. Rolling my shoulders, Ithen tipped my head from side to side trying to pop my neck in an effort to alleviate some of the pressure.
Brynn suddenly popped her head around the arbor. “Hey there.”
“Hi.”
“Things not go well at the house on Henry Street?”
“Did you speak to Grandma?”
“No.” Brynn shook her head. “Frustration is written all over your face.” My sister sat beside me and dropped her hand on my leg. “Tell me.”
After taking a deep cleansing breath, I did.
Afterward, Brynn sat quietly for a long moment. “You and your team have dealt with some incredibly active hauntings at that location for the past few years. That was scary enough. Then in June, Tyler was attacked there, and although Kenna managed to fight it off...I have to admit that Istillget creeped out any time I’m in the neighborhood of that old Victorian.” She flashed a wry smile. “I’m not as brave as you or Kenna.”
“Oh bullshit,” I said immediately. “You acted like Wonder Woman scooping up and hauling an unconscious girl out of that house last year.”
“Hey, whatever happened to Sophia?”
“She’s living with her paternal grandparents now. They’re good people and she’s doing well,” I told her. “My friend Jason checks in on her from time to time.”
“Good,” Brynn said. “That’s great news.”
I drug a hand through my short hair. “I gotta tell ya, Brynn, the fact that the house was cleaned so hardcore, worries me more than a little bit. There was a realtor there. She told us she had showings for the rest of the afternoon. So, Don’s definitely selling it.”
“Let me check.” Brynn took her phone from her pocket and pulled up a real estate website. “I found it,” she said and flipped her phone around to show me. Together, we scrolled through the photos that were taken of the interior.
“By the old gods.” I shook my head. “It says in the listing: A DIYers dream. Priced to sell.”
Brynn put her phone away. “You did your best. I’d try and put this case behind you, if you can. I know it won’t be easy.”
“Yeah, yeah,” I muttered. “In the meantime, I’m going to throw myself into preparing for the Iowa trip, and the investigation at the Marquette Mansion in a few months.”
“I’m so happy the Marquettes invited you up there to tape a show during their October ghost tours.” Brynn smiled. “Thatisexciting news.”
I nodded. “There’s plenty of history I needed to re-familiarize myself with about the original Marquette family and the big tragedy and mystery of 1847.”
“That’s definitely a solid plan,” Brynn agreed.
“The show might be a few months away, but I want to be as prepared as possible.” I hesitated and wiggled my eyebrows. “I also have to throw someone special a bridal shower pretty soon.”
“Someone special? Who would that be?” Brynn batted her eyes innocently, making me laugh.
“It’s going to be the best damn bridal shower,” I said, slinging an arm around her shoulder.
“You ever going to tell me where it will be?”
“I booked the smaller event space—the room with the stone fireplace—at the Marquette Mansion for your bridal shower.”
