Page 98 of Looking for Love in All the Haunted Places
“She died about a year ago. I know that isn’t her. She loved this house, more than the rest of us. I think that’s why it uses her to upset me, as you put it.”
So, they both saw family members. As did Bobbi, and even Eunice had heard her deceased mom. Was that enough to be considered a pattern? Damn, she really wished she knew what Brian had seen. “It wants something. I can’t figure out what,” she said, frowning. “What do you think? Any guesses?”
“I don’t need to guess.” He leveled her with a cool stare. “That’s what I’m paying you to find out, isn’t it?”
Lucky snorted. “No? I’m supposed to be the titular Caretaker slash Final Girl. You’re only getting a two-for-one investigative special because it suits my agenda.” She was only half-joking. “It’s been my choice.Thatwas the deal, right?”
His unexpected wry smile nearly sent her spiraling. “For someone so clever, I’m truly astonished you have yet to figure me out. I suppose the internet didn’t provide after all.”
“I’ve been busy,” she admitted. “I haven’t had time. You’re not exactly my top priority, Xander.”
“That’s a shame,” he muttered as he adjusted his gold cuff links. “The Caretakerhad become troublesome and much bigger than we initially intended. Bobbi and Brian were fantastic on camera but ultimately ordinary. Eunice was exceptional but incompatible. After her departure I knew if we continued on the same path we’d end up with an endless parade of caretakers, never making it beyond three nights. I was venting to an associate during dinner when they mentioned your name. They forwarded an email you’d sent them soliciting private funding.”
Lucky stared at him with a bewildered expression. “Which associate? Who shared my email?” Because ‘an associate’ told her less than nothing. She’d senthundredsof emails over the past two years with her supernatural researcher résumé, begging for a chance. And money.
“Let’s just say they’re veryinvestedin the progress you’ve made thus far,” he said. “It didn’t take long for me to find out more about your investigations and I didn’t believe any of it. But”—he held up his index finger—“I had a feeling and I couldn’t shake it. So, I instructed my employee, your contact, to leak the production information to you. I knew you would apply. And I knew if you could convince my team of your suitability for the show, that at some point we would end up right here.”
Xander, the skeleton, searching—always searching. He’d found them all, just as Chase said.
Lucky almost didn’t know what to say to any of that. She’d lied during her interview for nothing, but her pride wouldn’t let him take credit for her initiative and work. “None of that means you hired me to investigate. I’m doing it on my own.”
“Then let’s change that,” he said, holding her gaze with his determined hazel eyes. “Hennessee has reacted to you in ways it never has with me. You were as right as I was: you are perfect for this job,specifically. I need you here at night communicating with the house to find out more about it. I cannot do this without you.
“We’ll renegotiate the contract to increase your pay. I’m sure you’ll find my offer very generous. Whatever supplies or equipment you require are already yours. Your residence here will last for as long as you need with no interruptions, even if that exceeds your initial thirty days.”
Holy shit. This was it. All her hard work had paid off because she officially had an investor on her side. Aninvestorwith resources whobelievedin her. She grabbed the back of the couch to steady herself.
“But what about the show?” She paused—two sentences in one breath was a bit too much for her overwhelmed state. “Are we still filming it?”
“That will continue as well, yes. Self-tapes every twelve hours, more if you can manage it. Any additional footage you record such as vlogging or incidents will be welcomed but not mandatory.”
Lucky nodded. “Okay. Yeah. I—”Breathe in. Breathe out.“Thank you. Let’s do it. I agree.”
“Excellent,” he said, looking away. He began staring out the front window. “There is, however, one more thing we need to discuss. I’m thrilled to see how happy Maverick has been of late. I have no issues with your relationship, but he distracts you. Severely so. I need you to separate from him for the time being.”
“Excuse me?” She blinked at him, taken aback. “Separatehow?”
“Physically.” Xander turned back to her, expression neutral but immovable. “Maverick cannot come here, and you cannot go there for the duration of your investigation.”
What in the Faustian bargain?
Lucky’s chest felt tight. “Xander, you can’t ask me to do that.”
She and Maverick had already made plans. Early-afternoon Sunday dinner. Cheering for Rebel at her first swim meet. Shopping for birthday party decorations. A joint interview with a local medium who claimed to use psychography. A trip to the pier togo on a whale-watching boat tour. Gengar’s follow-up vet appointment. Maverick’s turn to take Rebel and Riley to the movies.
Xander at least seemed to understand the gravity of the situation he placed her in. “This is, and always will be, a voluntary project. Whether or not you accept is up to you.”
•••
Lucky paced the length of her suite, from window to door and back again. She concentrated on her breathing, the feel of her phone in her hand, and the sun-warmed hardwood floor under her feet. Her center, her gut, had been thrown so far out of whack she didn’t know if she’d ever find equilibrium again. Because it wasn’t one side against the other—each side refused to let the other go. She wanted both. She had to have both.
“Maverick, hey.”
“Hey,” he answered. “I’m assuming you made it to the house okay?”
“I did. Sorry, I meant to text you when I got here, but I got sidetracked.”
“Did the raccoons attack the garbage again?”
