Page 31 of The Penitentiary
“We have a dancing spoon, which has hit Sunny twice. Our spirit isn’t impressed by Sunny,” I said, and Levi cackled in amusement.
“I wonder why! Surly fucker,” Levi taunted.
“I’ll give you surly fucker,” Sunny growled.
“Surly, old grumpy fucker,” Levi amended, and Sunny opened his mouth and choked as the spoon was shoved in. We all stared at each other in astonishment. Then a ball began lighting up and moving as someone played with it.
“I think it wants you to shut up. Would you like to keep that as a gift?” I asked, and the ball moved away from us.
“Thank you for interacting with us tonight,” I called as we headed for the exit. Callum and everyone would be arriving about now. I hoped they could do something about cellblock five; it wasn’t in me to leave a vicious spirit behind to harm people. I just prayed we had the strength needed for an exorcism.
Chapter Seven.
Callie
“Callie,” Callum greeted us warmly as we approached the RV.
“Callum,” I said, hugging the older man and smiling at him. Callum was in his late fifties but still had a vibrant personality.
“You dug up something here, didn’t you?” Michelle said as we hugged, too. Next to Callum stood another priest, but beside Michelle was a man who made my jaw drop.
“Connor Cartwright?” I gasped.
“Hey there, I hope you don’t mind me crashing your investigation,” Connor said with a warm smile. He reached out his hands and shook everyone’s.
“The king of the paranormal is always welcome,” I said, trying to control my urge to fangirl.
Connor had been among the premier ghost hunters for two decades. He’d started when he was twenty and had been one of the first on TV. He was direct, to the point, didn’t provoke, and took care. But when his co-presenter began lying and makingshit up, there was an enormous falling out, which had been filmed, and Connor walked away.
Connor straight out called his co-presenter a fake, a liar, and a drama queen and refused to work with him again. The network closed the doors on its number one paranormal programme a year later, after ratings dropped dramatically. People didn’t want drama; they wanted the truth.
“Why are you here?” Sunny asked, and I saw the flicker of concern in his eyes. Sunny was on guard.
“I was visiting Michelle when your call came in. There are things people don’t know about my leaving that were never made public. I’m not anyone’s entertainment. But I’m looking to get back into the field and have been researching who’s out there right now. You’re the best,” Connor said.
“Thanks for that compliment. What are you asking? For a job?” Sunny spoke before me.
“Yeah. Michelle told me to come along and visit you with her. And I’d like to apply to the team,” Connor said.
“You’ve been out of the field for what? Five years?” Jack inquired.
“Six. Let’s get on the bus, and we can talk,” Connor suggested.
“Sorry, I never caught your name,” I said, turning to the other priest. He looked to be in his late twenties.
“This is Father Hugo…” Callum said, and I squealed.
“How wonderful to meet you! Callum talks about you a lot!” I exclaimed with a welcoming grin.
Hugo looked at Callum, amused. “You do, old man?”
“Shush, pup! But yes, Callie, Hugo is my protégé, the man I’ve handpicked and trained myself. When you told me about your issue, I knew I’d need him,” Callum said, slapping Hugo on the shoulder.
“Let’s get on the bus; Freddie has made coffee,” Harry called out. We all shuffled on board, and I completed the introductions for everyone.
“Okay, I don’t quite know where to start. A couple of things have thrown me,” I said with a self-deprecating laugh.
“Here’s another. I want to take you up on your offer of a place on the team,” Michelle said, and I gaped at her.
