“I can take care of myself. I don’t need a keeper.”
“He knows that. It’s just hard for him sometimes. You’ve been through a lot. The accident shook him.”
“What he said in there had nothing to do with the accident. He made Josh feel like an ass, and that’s unfair. And not only is it unfair, it’s ridiculous. He knows there’s nothing going on between us. We’re fake-dating!”
“You and Josh aren’t really dating?” Jenny asked.
Em bowed her head. She hadn’t realized Jenny was behind her. She waited for her to join them on the side of the road and explained about her arrangement with Josh, quietly in case any of Abby’s guests were hanging around near the cars lining the road or walking the path to the house.
“Oh, okay. I never would’ve guessed. You guys are so great together,” Jenny said.
Em had to change the subject before Jenny asked about the kiss she’d just witnessed. “It looks like there’ll be standing room only. We’d better get in there or they’ll start without us.”
“They’ll wait for us,” Jenny said, holding up the silver locket she wore and pointing to the ring on her pinkie finger. “The medium says she needs something that belonged to May and Clara to connect with them.”
“She’s holding the séance in May and Clara’s house, and from the evidence, it appears they’re still there. Shouldn’t that be enough?” Em asked as she pushed open the gate, unable to keep the skepticism from her voice. It sounded like a bunch of hooey to her.
“She said it’s difficult to get a clear reading when there are so many energies.”
“She thinks there are more ghosts than May, Clara, and Willy?” Em asked, glancing at the house. The windows were illuminated by flickering lights that appeared to be candles. A dumb idea if you asked her. The house was old, and the interior mostly wood.
“I think she was talking about the energies from all the people who’ve lived there,” Jenny explained.
The front door opened, and Bri’s sister, Ellie, stepped outside. She hugged Bri. “I was just coming to get you. What took you so long?”
Afraid Bri might mention Em and Josh’s kiss, Em said, “Nice dress. All you need is a pointy hat and a wand.”
Ellie laughed. “What’s a nonbeliever like you doing at an event like this?”
“I was invited,” she said, and then she introduced Jenny to Ellie. “I’m her bodyguard.” Em held open the door, ushering the women inside. “Hang on for a minute,” she said to Bri’s sister, closing the door halfway. “So this woman Abby hired, do you think she’s the real deal or is this some kind of scam?”
“According to Abby, she’s legit. She checked her out when the woman contacted her about appearing on her podcast.”
“The woman contacted Abby, not the other way around?”
Ellie nodded. “She told Abby she was intrigued by the stories about Seaton House and volunteered her services.”
“Volunteered as in she’s not getting paid?”
“You sound like Granny. She says there’s something fishy about the woman. But honestly, I think she’s just put out that Abby didn’t ask us to conduct the séance.”
“Do me a favor, and see if you can get a read on the woman.” As much as Em didn’t believe in the woo-woo, she couldn’t completely discount Ellie’s abilities. Ellie had consulted on a couple of cases for the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation. So there had to be something to it.
“Em, I don’t read people without their permission.”
“I’m guessing you heard about the threatening letters Abby, Jenny, and the bookstore received?”
“I did, but what does that have to do with Madame Zola?”
Em snorted-laughed at the woman’s name then cleared her throat. “Maybe nothing, but at this point, I’m not ruling anything or anyone out, and I agree with Granny McLeod, something doesn’t feel right about this.” She held open the door. “Now that I think about it, see if you can pick up anything from the other women in attendance.”
Ellie’s lips twitched. “Does that include you?”
“No, it doesn’t include me.” Em mentally slammed down the walls in her mind. The last thing she wanted was Bri’s sister poking around in her head, especially after the kiss Em had shared with Josh.
“You’re just like my husband. I can’t read him either.” Ellie stepped into the house and lowered her voice. “So what exactly am I supposed to be picking up on?”
“Someone who isn’t here for the thrill. Someone who’s angry.” Bri’s sister swayed, and Em reached out to steady her. “Are you okay?”
Ellie nodded. “It happens sometimes when I open my mind. There’s a lot of emotion in this room, in this house.”
Before Em could question her further, an older woman sitting behind a card table in the center of the living room pinned Em with a penetrating stare. She wore a black dress, a thick silver amulet at her throat, and heavy rings on her fingers. Madame Zola, Em presumed.
“Okay, there’s one person who’s angry,” Ellie whispered.
“I knew it,” Em said out of the side of her mouth. “Is she angry because I’m looking into May and Clara’s murders?”
“You are? Who do you think—”
Madame Zola cut off Ellie with an impervious wave of her bone-white hand. “You are late. You have disturbed the energy in the house.” The woman waved Jenny over, pointing at the chair across the card table from her. “Sit.”
Em nodded at several people she knew as she moved to the front of the semicircle the women had formed around the table. She’d promised Steve she’d stay close to Jenny.
There were about thirty women crowded into the living room. She spotted Abby, who appeared to be live streaming the event.
“You have the items I requested?” Madame Zola asked Jenny.
Okay, that was something Em needed to ask about. It sounded like the medium had specifically requested the ring and locket. Madame Zola accepted the items from Jenny, placing them in her palm. She folded her fingers around the jewelry, rubbing the open palm of her other hand over her closed fist. She tipped her head back, closing her eyes and murmuring words Em couldn’t make out. She’d ask Jenny what the woman had said later.
Em watched Madame Zola closely. She wasn’t about to let her pull a sleight of hand and pocket Jenny’s family heirlooms. There was a loud bang, and several women jumped, followed by a nervous titter of laughter. Em glanced around. Bri was standing in the far corner of the room with several members of the Sisterhood, including Granny MacLeod, who caught Em’s eye and waved her gloved hands. Em smiled and nodded before continuing her search for Bri’s sister, but she couldn’t spot her in the crowd.
“Yes, yes, I hear you,” Madame Zola said, her voice several octaves higher than her speaking voice.
At the sound of a low moan, several women near Em took nervous steps backward.
“Yes, I feel your pain. I want to help you. Will you let me help you?” the medium crooned, her gaze moving around the room.