Spooky Hijinks (8 page)

When he didn’t answer her, but gave her a strange look instead, I said, “Oh, Martha. Would you leave the deputy alone? You’re embarrassing yourself.”

“He doesn’t look embarrassed to me.”

“I’m just here to do my job, lady,” the deputy said.

“Aww, tell Martha your name, David. Don’t be shy,” another deputy chided, as he nudged him in the ribs.

“Let’s get the guns taken to the SUV before the sheriff comes back and has a fit. I don’t want to get on his bad side,” the now red-faced David said.

“Which might just be impossible,” I said. When they gave me a look, I corrected myself. “You better gather the guns up like David says, and in a hurry.”

The deputies donned gloves, carrying the rifles and shotguns to the SUV that the Iosco County Sheriff’s Department had recently procured.

I stared over at the young man who had come in with Martha. “I guess you must be the missing Cliff.”

“I’m not missing. I’m right here.”

“Of course you are, but weren’t you supposed to be out at the lighthouse at the point with Martha for a week?”

His eyes widened. “That was
before
I found out that place was haunted.”

“Haunted?” I laughed. “By a little girl, from what I heard.”

“No, by the woman in white.”

That had my attention. “Do you mean that you actually saw this ghost with your own two eyes?”

“That’s exactly what I’m saying. One time, she was hovering over my bed. The other time, she was in the lookout of the lighthouse, gazing at the lake.”

That struck me as odd since no one at the lighthouse had seen the mystery woman other than me. Caroline giggled as she floated into the room with her ghostly partner, Niles. “Wow, whatever happened here?” she asked.

Cliff’s face whitened. “Th-There’s a gh-ghost over there,” he said, pointing in Caroline’s direction.

I had plenty to say, and obviously, I didn’t have to say anything as Caroline and her beau vanished.

“What ghost?” Elsie asked. “I don’t see any ghosts here.”

“Is this a normal thing for you, Cliff? Seeing ghosts, or
thinking
you see them?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Perhaps we should speak privately in the kitchen.”

“I’d rather not speak about anything ghost-related, period,” Cliff said.

“Be nice to my friends, Cliff. Agnes just wanted to ask you a few questions. I don’t see any harm in that.”

“Fine, the kitchen it is.”

Eleanor and I followed Cliff into the kitchen, and he rubbed his hands on the legs of his jeans. He slid a palm through his dark hair, and I noticed that his red Faze T-shirt was wrinkled past belief. I was shocked that he would even be the type to hook up with Martha, even short term. I had a feeling that he was itching to get back to an Xbox game.

“Are you in the habit of seeing ghosts, or is it just a fluke that you saw the ghost at the lighthouse that nobody saw when I was there except for me.”

His eyes widened. “You saw it, too?”

“Yes. I’ve been seeing ghosts ever since my car accident, and the ghost you just saw out in the living room is one that has attached herself to me, Caroline. On a recent vacation, Caroline met another ghost, Niles, whom she just had to bring back to Michigan with us.”

“That’s so crazy. I’ve seen ghosts since I was a child, but I try to keep it to myself so people don’t think I’m crazy.”

“It does make you feel that way. It defies logic and reason. I was even hesitant to speak to my friend, Eleanor, here about it.”

“It’s so great to meet someone else with the same abilities as me, but I really wish I
couldn’t
see any ghosts.”

“I’m right there with you on that,” Eleanor said. “Luckily, Caroline is the only ghost I’ve ever seen, and only because she revealed herself to me. It’s so unnerving.”

“Have you ever tried to help a ghost? Most of them need a little help. Not talking about helping them crossover, really, just helping them adjust to their ghostly life here on Earth?” I asked.

“I can’t see how I could ever be of any help.”

“You could learn about their stories. It might just help them adjust. The woman in white, as you call her, seems very angry and just hated it when my ghost, Caroline, showed up. Claimed the lighthouse belongs to her.”

“Your ghost?” Eleanor asked. “You act like you own her or something.”

“Of course I don’t. Can I at least talk to Cliff without you interfering, Eleanor?”

“I wasn’t trying to interfere, just wanted to point it out.”

“Fine, then. As I was about to say, Cliff, I think you should go back to the lighthouse and finish up the work, at least. I’m sure the Victorian lady doesn’t mean you any harm. When you’re not working, why not find out who she really might be and just why she has chosen to haunt the lighthouse.”

“I really don’t care to.”

“But you did agree to help out Martha, right?”

“Sure, but I’m not looking to get involved with her. She’s older than my mother.”

I smiled. I wondered if that had more to do with why he’d left, like Martha had put the unwelcome moves on him.

“How about I speak with my daughter about that, okay? Would that give you a reason enough to stay?”

“I’m not sure. I’d rather not.”

“You see, the thing is, we’re planning to get permission to get married there on Christmas Day, and I don’t even know if we’ll be allowed to, but it really needs to be painted and cleaned per your agreement on the contract. It’s hardly fair for you to renege, now is it?”

Cliff frowned and leaned against the counter. “I suppose not, but you have to make sure Martha behaves herself, or I’m leaving for good.”

“It’s only for a week. I’m sure she can behave herself
that
long.” Or I’ll give her a huge chunk of my mind, was my thinking. “I’m interested in finding out about you, Cliff. You mentioned that Martha was older than your mother. Does your mother know you’re here?”

“No, I’m not sure where she is exactly. Her and my dad never stayed together more than a few months after I was born. She just up and left.”

How awful. “Left you with your dad?”

“Yes, and he’s gotten more ornery as he’s aged. I just had to leave before we came to blows.”

“I see. Well, who was that woman who was so rude to Elsie when she called your dad’s house?”

“My stepmother, Barbi. She’s a gold digger, but my dad doesn’t see much past her cleavage. She’s even hit on me before, which was the main reason I wanted to come stay with Aunt Elsie until I can get on my feet. She lied and told my dad that I was making advances on her and he not only booted me out, but disowned me.”

“I imagine a lie like that would make your dad ask you to leave, but disowning you, too? That’s a bit much.”

“We’ve been at odds for years, so it doesn’t really surprise me that he’d disown me like that.”

“So you don’t like Martha making moves on you, nor this bimbo your dad is married to,” Eleanor began. “What, you don’t like girls?”

“I guess I do, but I have more important things to do, like play Xbox Live.”

I nodded, knowing just what he meant, since it was quite normal for boys these days to be gamers even if they’re in their twenties like Cliff. “What game do you like to play?” I asked.

“
Call of Duty
. They just came out with
Call of Duty Modern Warfare
.”

“It would be tough to stay offline for a week. Are you sure that wasn’t your reason to not fulfill your obligations at the lighthouse?”

“Maybe a little,” he admitted reluctantly.

“So are you on the Faze team?” I asked, motioning to his T-shirt.

“Oh, no. You can’t just get on Faze that easy. There’s a waiting list.”

“And you have to be a good player,” Eleanor added. She shrugged when I gave her a look. “What? I’ve heard all about it from some of my Facebook friends’ posts.”

Cliff’s eyes widened to the point of bulging out. Yup, he had bug eyes, just like Elsie had said. “You’re on Facebook?” He laughed.

“Of course I am. Why?”

“You just seem too old to learn about how to use a computer even. My aunt even has trouble at times and calls me up for advice. She takes classes for computers at the Sunrise Side Lifelong Learning center.”

“It is hard to learn how to operate electronic devices like computers and iPhones, but with a little aggravation and patience even old bags like us can keep up to date with the modern technologies. When we were growing up, we played outside and got plenty of fresh air. These days, I think kids lack their vitamin D. There’s nothing like old-fashioned sunshine to do the body good. The sun is a better way to do that than swallowing a pill, I say.”

Cliff had a point, but I’d never tell him that. In truth, though, I’ve learned my way around my iPhone and laptop. We’ve even used them for our cases. Searching online to see what our suspects post on social networking has gone a long way for us in the past.

“So, you’ll go back to the lighthouse with Martha?” I asked again.

“I’ll do it, but I’d rather not run into that ghost again.”

“Just try ignoring her, unless you have a mind to speak with her.”

“I think not, but you can come along and see what you can do about her presence.”

“I sure will, but only after I make a few arrangements for my wedding day.”

“
Our
wedding day,” Eleanor butted in. “Agnes always forgets to include me in the equation.”

I most certainly didn’t, but before we got into a more heated debate about it, Cliff left the kitchen. At this point, it was nice to meet someone else who could see ghosts, but how would I ever get Cliff to do more than shake like a leaf when one showed up?

              
Chapter Six

I yawned when I walked into the other room, and Andrew stood. “It’s about time. I had wondered if I’d have to send out a search party looking for you.”

“Not hardly, but I’m sure ready to head back to the Butler Mansion.”

“I’m shacking up with Mr. Wilson until after we say our I do’s, if that’s okay?” Andrew said with a wink.

Oh, so suddenly he was going all old-fashioned on me. “Fine by me, but I hope you like tuna casserole,” I said, returning his wink.

“I think I’ll do the cooking while I’m there. I’m not sure if I can eat that again this week.”

“You mean you’ve been over to Wilson’s house for dinner recently?”

“Yes,” he whispered. “Actually, he’s nervous about getting married, even if he doesn’t act like it.”

I was with Wilson. I was nervous, too, but now it was centered on the actual preparations and just how we’d pull it all together. “It’s a normal reaction, like who moves where and lives with whom exactly? Right now, we’re committed to staying at the Butler Mansion.”

“Your bed is plenty big enough for two,” he said and winked.

“Yes, but what about Mr. Wilson? He can’t climb the stairs.”

“I spoke to Sara Knoxville about that, and she hired contractors to install a chair lift. They should be there sometime before the end of the month.”

“Like the one in that
Gremlins
movie?”

“Yes, but hopefully it won’t be powered enough to propel him through the roof.”

“What are you two whispering about over there?” Wilson asked suspiciously, making his way over to us.

“I just told Agnes I’m staying with you until the wedding.”

“Oh, good. Tomorrow, I can whip up a batch of my famous tu—”

“No, I’ll be doing the cooking. I insist,” Andrew said.

“Oh, okay. I can’t wait to see how that will turn out. I better check the batteries in my smoke detector, just in case.”

Andrew arched a brow, but instead of making a comeback, he announced, “We’re leaving. Thanks, Elsie, for another delightful card party. Hopefully, we won’t be robbed at gunpoint the next time.”

Elsie had her arm around Jack’s shoulder. “Don’t blame me. Your intended was the one who opened the door for them.”

My hands went to my hips. “I thought it was Martha coming back.”

“Maybe you should make sure you know for sure who’s on the other side of a door before you willingly let them inside,” Eleanor said. “Just a suggestion, of course.”

“Andrew’s right, we should be going now.” I turned to Marjory. “Please contact your brother and ask him if he would consider marrying us. We don’t have all that much time left.”

“Which is why we’ll drop by the mansion tomorrow to help you out,” Elsie said.

I didn’t know exactly what she meant by “we’ll” but I nodded, making way for the door. When we left, I asked a deputy where Sheriff Peterson and Trooper Sales were. “They’re in the woods,” he responded. “It’s going to be a long night.”

I thanked him and Andrew sat in the front seat while I settled myself behind the wheel, leaving Martha and Cliff to share the backseat with Wilson and Eleanor, a tight fit. I rubbed my temples as they began to throb and Andrew took off up 55. The throbbing didn’t seem fair when I had barely had a sip of Elsie’s spiked lemonade all night.

“I’m not sure what Elsie’s rush was,” Eleanor began. “She’s certainly made better lemonade.”

“Yes,” I agreed. “Perhaps she’s nervous living with Jack so soon. I know I would be.”

“You’d never, ever live with Jack Winston, Agnes.”

“You’re right there, and neither would you.”

“He seems actually happy. Elsie, too.”

“She must be giving up her house on the east side of town.”

“So what’s the story about East Tawas and Tawas City, anyway?” Andrew asked. “It’s a tale of two cities. I’ve never known two cities to ever be that close to each other before.”

“Well, that dates back to the lumber era, when the Whittemores founded Tawas City in 1856, but eight years later, the lumbering firm Smith, Van Valkenberg and Company built a mill about a mile to the east, which then was called East Tawas after homes were built around it.”

“So, competitors?” Andrew asked.

“Exactly. East Tawas was known as the Golden Coast, after the beachfront area, whereas Tawas City was called the Old Town. Some have liked to say that East Tawas is more of an affluent area and Tawas City is where the poor folks live.”