Page 56 of Air Of Mystery
“They were older,” Estella pointed out.
“Estella.” I spoke calmly despite my annoyance. “Gabriella and Philippe have requested that I not show Archer’s face during the interview, and I am going to honor that.”
“Yeah, well I’m still going to be watching you,” she said, crossing her arms over her chest.
Before I could say anything in reply, Larry walked in carrying some more equipment. He had such blatant ‘nice guy’ vibes and was so friendly that it typically had a calming effect on people during an investigation.
“Hey Skye!” He was all good cheer as he walked over to me in his cargo pants and vintage horror film T-shirt. “This place is awesome! Can’t believe I’ve never been here before. I gotta bring the wife. She’d love it.” He dumped his cases. “Hi,” he said, sticking out his hand to Estella. “I’m Larry. I’m the tech part of the team and a mundane. I keep Skye and George, our psychic, grounded and on track.”
“It’s a dirty job,” I quipped.
“But someone’s gotta do it,” Larry joked.
Estella didn’t smile but she did shake his hand. “Hola, Larry. I’m Estella Marquette, and I didn’t ask if you were a practitioner.”
“Nice to meet ya, Estella.” Larry smiled. “And you didn’t have to. I can spot a Witch from fifty yards out.”
Estella cocked her head to one side. “Is that right?”
“Yup,” Larry said affably. “Hey, can I get a cola? I’m dying of thirst.” He waited a beat. “That’s a silly ghost hunter pun.”
Estella chuckled at that.
“Where is George?” I asked.
Larry began to unlock his cases. “He was talking to some couple out in the lobby. Dude sounded French, the woman was a pretty blonde with wavy hair.”
“That would be our hosts for the next two days,” I explained. “Philippe and Gabriella Marquette.”
“The Marquettes.” Larry nodded. “We’re interviewing their boy off camera, right?”
“That’s right,” I said, looking significantly at Estella.
A moment later George walked into the room. He was accompanied by Gabriella and Philippe, and he sailed in looking fabulous as always. Today George had opted for a casual blazer, dark slacks and an open-collared shirt. I saw with no surprise that he’d added a thin flowing scarf with a celestial pattern around his neck.
He immediately walked over to Estella, introduced himself, and went straight into charm mode. While he schmoozed Estella, I shook hands with Philippe and then was hugged by Gabriella.
“So glad you’re here!” Gabriella said. “This is very exciting!”
The young man who had escorted me in was back and carrying a glass of cola, two ginger ales, and another bottle of water on a tray.
“Thank you,” George said to him. “Water’s for me. The first ginger ale is for Skye—I had a feeling you asked for one earlier but didn’t get it.”
As George took the glass from the tray and passed it to me, I saw Estella flush a bit.
“The cola,” George continued easily, “would be for Larry.”
Larry scooped up his soda from the server and took a long drink. “Thanks, George.”
Estella rolled her eyes at George. “Big deal, so you know your cohort’s drink preferences.”
George immediately responded. “Don’t like psychics much, do you, young lady?”
“Seen plenty of phonies with fake crystal balls in my day.” She sneered. “Surprised you’re not wearing a turban.”
That comment had Gabriella inhaling sharply in surprise and me walking straight over to George and Estella to step in.
Nobody trash-talked my team.
