Page 26 of The Aura Answer
“What was that bit about the surprise being mantel size?” he asked as he steered her to the main thoroughfare.
“Evie’s been talking to ghosts again,” she said stiffly, studying the stores they passed.
Huh, not going there. Instead, he continued, “Did you recognize anyone?”
“Not everyone. The one with children in the schoolyard was nice. I wonder if I could talk the principal or PTA into buying it?” She tried to stop at the corner to look up and down the street, but he dragged her on. “Where are we going?”
“Antique mall. Not as high end as King Street but a good start. So none of those drawings screamed drug dealers to you?”
“Bertie sketched what he knew—Judge Rhodes in his robes talking to the mayor’s lawyer outside the courtroom. Tobias watching from the steps as Sheriff Troy takes his father away. I think one was Jax on his Harley, but he had his back turned. The focus was on some female I didn’t recognize. There was Mr. Patel who owns the fruit stand near the school. Nothing dramatic.”
“I think our gallery proprietor was either planning on stiffing the family or throwing the work out, so we at least did a good deed and made her aware that people were watching.” He studied the contents of the antique mall window and grimaced. “Lots of crap. Let’s look anyway.”
Gracie cast him a considering look. He didn’t ask why. He had to work out a business plan and also find a way to recompense his hosts for their kindness. Wondering what pretty schoolteachers were thinking was a concern to someone other than him.
They both aimed unerringly for the booths with the pricier goods. Nick examined the fake early American while Gracie picked through vintage clothing.
“I’m thinking we could set up our own booth,” she whispered, holding up a pair of white elbow-length gloves. “There’s a whole box of these in the attic.”
“Your aunt attended many gala occasions?” He dismissed any of the gewgaws as gifts. Evie and Jax didn’t need more old stuff.
“My great aunt is a drama queen. She used to wear hoop skirts and hold balls. Are we done here?”
“Yes, this junk is worthless. There’s a more promising venue on the next block. What can your sister use? Perhaps we should stop at a Wal-Mart.” He scanned more booths as he weaved a zigzag path in an attempt to price more furniture.
“Buy her something that matches, and see if she’ll wear it,” she suggested with a touch of sarcasm. “Jax once had it all andprobably still does in storage somewhere. Can you buy him a minute’s peace?”
Nick chortled. “Look, craft booths, knit hats and gloves. Matching. And I see a few other things. Go away. Meet me here in half an hour.”
She actually brightened at the prospect of losing him. So, maybe his ego could be flattened a trifle more.
“There’s a children’s thrift booth. This was a great idea, thank you!” She rushed off.
All right, not that he was crushed or anything, but buried under a shelf of colorful potboilers he’d spotted a collection of boxed classic books matching Gracie’s. Evie’s house didn’t have a lot of books, and these even included fairy tales.
He found a silver flask for Jax, an Indiana Jones hat for archeologist Dante, a Magic Eight ball for presumably-psychic Pris, and a sequin-bedecked T-shirt for Loretta. He’d have to cash in his plane ticket to London to pay his credit card bill. First-class, it had been issued in the grandiose days of his cousin’s fraudulent boutiques.
But judging by the prices he was seeing for junk, he could make some money for his host and hostess.
He was a little worried about one of the sketches they’d just seen at the gallery, however, the one depicting the cowboy-booted man handing what appeared to be a wad of cash to a man who resembled one of the judges he’d seen the day of the mob.
Ten
Evie hadreason to dislike Arthur Block when he’d been alive. She wasn’t feeling the love now that he was dead. Unlike poor wraithlike Bertie, Blockhead’s substantial aura occupied the judge’s chair behind the bench as if he owned it.
Mostly, she saw spirit energy in colors. She recognized the former mayor’s selfish hues. But the officious attitude lingered as well. She’d swear he was affronted by their intrusion.
She warned Jax by squeezing his hand. She wanted to see what Block would do if he believed they couldn’t see him.
Sure enough, his colors recoiled in an ugly grimace, and he gestured in what she assumed was a middle finger salute. She couldn’t actually see his fingers, just the movement and color. Interesting that his face manifested more than his fist. Her last ghost had been much clearer all over.
“Nice, Mayor, very congenial, especially since I’m the only one who can see or communicate with you.” Evie settled on one of the courtroom benches, not approaching the flickering energy. She performed a few yoga moves to release the tension in her neck and shoulders. And to warm up. It was shivery cold in here. “I imagine it’s a little frustrating being unable to manipulate people anymore.”
What new torment is this?With a grumble, the aura rocked back in the judge’s cushy chair.
“I believe the Dorothy Parker quote is ‘fresh hell,’ rather appropriate, don’t you agree?” She said this so Jax would have an understanding of the tenor of their conversation.
Jax settled beside her and crossed his arms in intimidation mode. Butcher Block didn’t even notice.
