Oh, this was a pleasant surprise.
“You remembered something?” I asked.
“I suppose it’s not about the ghost specifically. It’s about what people did in the mansion. They may have stirred up the activity.”
Oh no. I had a feeling I knew where this was going. It never ended well.
“Tell me someone didn’t use a Ouija board in the mansion? Please tell me they didn’t.”
She frowned. “That’s absolutely what happened. But I didn’t know it was going to happen. I had no idea.”
“I believe you. I’m not blaming you,” I said. “It’s just that it’s always a bad idea unless you’re experienced and really know what you’re doing. If they didn’t close the opening up, then they could let in demons. They just come right through like it’s a revolving door at the Marriott.”
“If I had known I would have stopped them,” she said.
“Do you know what happened? Has anything bad been happening since?”
“Well, it was right before the murder occurred. Like the night before.”
“Oh, dear,” I said. “That’s not good.”
“Do you think that could have had something to do with the murder?” she asked.
“I suppose it could have done that. Perhaps someone was possessed and it made them murder Tabatha?”
“I never thought of it that way,” she said. “It kind of makes sense, but who would have been possessed? Someone who was there at the séance?”
“There was an actual séance? They didn’t just use the Ouija board?”
“There’s a difference?” she asked.
“Ultimately, no. It all has the same outcome, but it definitely enhances the situation if there are candles and chanting involved.”
“There was definitely candles and chanting involved,” she said with a shake of her head.
“Well, at least now I know more of what I’m dealing with. Do you have any idea who was involved in this stance?”
“Yes, I have the names.”
“Why did they do this at your mansion?” I asked.
“They had had a party there that night and I guess they were drinking wine, and someone thought it would be a good idea. They made a makeshift Ouija board. It went downhill from there. I didn’t know until I stepped into the room and interrupted it.”
“It’s a good thing you interrupted when you did. Who are these people?” I asked.
“They wanted to have a couple’s bachelor and bachelorette party. I guess they thought it would be a good idea to do it in a spooky old house. Now I know why they wanted to have a séance.”
“Well, that certainly is a strange bachelor, combined bachelorette party. I’ve ever heard of stripers and drinking a lot. But never a séance.”
“There was wine involved,” she said.
That wasn’t what I pictured when I thought about those types of parties. Nevertheless, this was the outcome I had to deal with now.
“Would you mind giving me their names so that I can speak to them?”
“I’m not supposed to do that, but I guess under the circumstances it’s really necessary.”
“Yes, I think it would be a good idea,” I said. “Did you tell the police about this?”
“I didn’t because it just seemed so weird. I didn’t think it was relevant, but once I found out that you did the haunted tours, I kind of thought maybe I should tell you.” Judy glanced over at a few of the patrons as if she didn’t want anyone to overhear our conversation.
“Well, I’m certainly glad you did.” I picked up a pad of paper and a pencil.
“I can write the names down for you,” she said, motioning toward my paper and pencil.
I pushed the paper toward her and watched as she scribbled out a few names. I was impressed that she had them memorized.
“If you don't mind would you not tell them that I gave you this information? I just would rather not be involved.” She handed me the paper.
“Absolutely I won’t tell them at all. Thank you again for letting me know. If I find out anything, I’ll be in touch,” I said.
She studied my face for a moment as if she was having second thoughts about telling me. Nevertheless, she smiled and then turned to leave the library. I studied the paper with the names. I wasn’t quite sure what to make of all this. As soon as I got the chance, I’d call the people on the list and try to schedule a time to speak to them. I’d find out what they said and who they called to with the Ouija board. And the outcome of their actions.
Furthermore, I wanted to know if they knew Tabatha. I was fairly sure they hadn’t been at the wedding, but it was a question that warranted an answer. Tammy was headed my way, so I stuffed the paper into my pocket. For now, I kept this information to myself because I knew Tammy didn’t like the paranormal stuff. It freaked her out. Solving this without her ever knowing would be for the best.
“Is everything okay?” Tammy asked. “I thought saw the owner of the mansion here. Was she talking to you? Was she looking for me?”
Oh no. Now I had to tell her the truth. How would I explain that Judy had been here? Plus, I was taking way too long to answer. Tammy was staring at me.
She placed her hands on her hips. “Okay, spill it. What aren’t you telling me? She cancelled the wedding? She’s not going to give the deposit back?”
“Well, that’s not the reason she was here. Just stay calm, okay?” I asked.
“It’s bad news. I knew it. I’m not sure what I’ve done lately, but I think something has caused me to have this bad energy around me. The next thing you know Matteo will call off the wedding.” Tammy massaged her temples.
My eyes widened. “Something happened with Matteo? Did you all fight?”
She waved her hands. “No, we didn’t fight, but with my bad luck, maybe it will start soon.”
“Don’t say that kind of stuff. When you put those words out into the air then sometimes it tends to happen. You should say something good right now.”
“Like what?” Tammy asked.
“Like how much you love Matteo and that you’re not going to call it off.”
“Of course, I’m not going to call off the wedding. We’re getting off track here.”
“You’re right. We need to talk about something else,” I said.
Why did I do that? I should have steered her away from the conversation about Judy. I’d just maneuvered her right back around, like doing a U-turn. No wonder Brannon said I was a bad driver.
“Judy was here to talk to you?” Tammy asked.
“That’s right. She wanted to tell me that there had been a séance at the mansion the night before. We were speculating that possibly it had something to do with the murder.”
Tammy stared at me for a moment as if I’d just spoken to her in a foreign language.
“Are you serious?”
“Of course I’m serious.”
“In my personal opinion it’s the paranormal that caused my wedding to be canceled,” she said.
“I guess it’s a possibility.”
“How would you ever find out?”