Chapter 289

I learned a few things I didn’t know about ghosts and hauntings before my phone rang again.

It was Heather. Her voice was filled with joy. “Daisy, I want to thank you. You’ve made our lives better than they were before.”

“I’m glad,” I said. “I’m sorry I haven’t had a chance to call you and tell you the good news.” I felt a little ashamed that I had forgotten about her.

“Dad is excited to start his new job at Wilson, Inc. He’s going to love working there, and he’s never made that much money. And the new deed to our house just arrived. Our home is now safe from being taken from us.”

“My friend Amy is starting a new homeless shelter and employment training center at the old Archer Manor,” I said. “She said she’d hire you to work there if you want.”

“I’d love to work for Amy and help the homeless!” Heather enthused. “Thank you, Daisy.”

“You are very welcome,” I said. “I’ll call you tomorrow with more details about the job. I’m meeting Amy soon and must get going.”

“Okay. Thanks again.”

As soon as Heather and I disconnected, I turned off my computer and hurried downstairs. I told Benson I would be back later and went to meet Amy.

She was waiting for me outside the mansion on Lycan Square.

The creepy vibe that always emanated from the manor seemed stronger today, but that could be my imagination and from reading the articles on hauntings.

I didn’t want Amy to mirror my mood, so I forced myself to smile and gave her a silly finger wave as I approached the manor’s porch.

Amy smiled and waved back. “Thanks for meeting me here, but I hope nothing happens. Seeing that ghost once was enough.”

I rolled my eyes dramatically. “I hope we do see a ghost. I read some interesting things about them after we hung up. Let’s go inside, and you can tell me more about what happened.”

“Okay, but I called Andrew and Amanda,” Amy said. “I want to know about the other times the ghost was active. They should be here soon.”

We went inside, and Alfred hurried to us.

“Miss Gray, I didn’t know you and Miss Wilson were going to be here today,” he said. “I have no refreshments prepared.”

“We’re here to look around and talk about what’s been happening lately,” Amy said. “Andrew and Amanda will be here soon, so some coffee would be nice.”

“Yes, Miss,” Alfred said and headed for the kitchen.

I followed him. “Alfred, what happened in the kitchen that frightened you?”

“Nothing frightened me, Miss,” he replied stiffly. “I’ve never believed in spirits and such.”

“But you said the lights flashed and cups fell out of the cupboard,” Amy reminded him.

Alfred shrugged. “It’s an old house. Perhaps you should have an electrician check the wiring, and the cupboards may not be level.”

“Thanks, Alfred,” I said and led Amy from the kitchen.

“He changed his tune fast,” Amy whispered. “He was afraid when it happened.”

“Many people use denial to deal with their fear,” I said. “Show me the new carpeting and where the ghost of Robert Richardson chased you.”

Reluctantly, Amy followed me to the third floor. I snapped on all the lights to see the new carpeting.

“I love this shade of blue,” I told Amy as I admired one of the redecorated bedrooms.

“Me too,” Amy said as she looked around nervously.

“Where was the ghost?” I asked.

She returned to the stairs. I had just gone down to the second floor when I heard an eerie moan. I thought maybe one of the guys installing the carpets was hurt, so I walked up the hall to see if they needed help.”

“Let’s go down there,” I said and went down the stairs to the second floor. Amy hung back as I walked up the hall toward Martha’s room. “I don’t see anything.”

“It came out of the next bedroom up the hall from Martha’s suite,” Amy said. “I screamed, and it chased me down the hall. I ran downstairs and found Aaron in the parlor reading a newspaper.”

I walked farther up the hall and peeked into the room where Amy said the ghost first appeared.

“Ohhh!” I squealed and put a hand over my heart.

Amy hurried to my side. “What?”

“The new carpet is gorgeous,” I said. “I love this shade of green.”

Amy lightly slapped my arm. “Goof, you scared me. I thought the ghost was after you.”

“Nope, but I do like the new carpeting,” I said. “Where did the ghost go if it didn’t follow you downstairs?”

“I don’t care as long as it stays there,” Amy said.

After closing the green room’s door, I made my way to Martha’s suite.

“Could it have gone in here?” I asked and opened the door. I stepped inside the bedroom and gasped.

An electrical charge ran over my skin, making the hair in my arms stand on end, and the bedside lamp began to flash on and off. As I looked for the cord to unplug it, the room temperature became cold enough for me to see my breath.

Amy had been right. There was something paranormal going on in Archer Manor.

“Daisy, come out of there,” Amy begged. “It’s coming back.”

I rushed out the door, closed it behind me, and ran down the stairs with Amy.

Andrew had arrived while we were upstairs, and he was waiting at the bottom. “Amanda is in the foyer. Since the ghost is active again, she won’t come any further into the house.”

“I don’t blame her,” Amy said as we hurried to the foyer. “Why didn’t anyone tell me about the ghost?”

“It was dormant for years,” Amanda replied. “I hoped it was gone.”

“Dad said it went away after you moved out,” Andrew said.

Amanda did a palms up. “Maybe because it didn’t have me to torment anymore, it got bored.”

Andrew rolled his eyes. “Archer Manor has always been haunted. Weird things happened, and we ignored them. If you act like it doesn’t affect you, it will stop.”

“I saw that online,” I said. “Our emotional energy strengthens ghosts.”

“Exactly.” Andrew hugged Amy. “I’m sorry that I didn’t insist you sell the house. But since you started such a worthy project, you must stay strong, Amy, and show the spirits that it’s your house now.”

“Yeah, right,” Amanda scoffed. “I was glad to let you have this place cheap, Amy. Something evil lives within these walls. Do what I did: sell it and run.”

“I can’t do that,” Amy said. “There are too many Betas and Omegas who need this shelter.”

“That’s right.” I put an arm around Amy’s shoulders. “We will find a way to evict the ghost for good.”

Even though I was freaked out in Martha’s bedroom a few minutes ago, I thought Andrew was right. I had to help Amy calm the house so she could continue her plans to open a homeless shelter.

Amanda walked to the door. “Good luck with that. I want nothing to do with this place.”

As she went out the door, my cell buzzed. It was Victor.

“Hello, darling,” I said into the phone.

Victor sounded frustrated. “Daisy, I had a horrible day and want to spend a quiet night at the apartment if that’s okay with you.”

“That’s fine,” I said. “I can meet you there soon. I’ll bring dinner with me. Have a drink and relax until I get there.”

“That sounds great, sweetheart,” he said. “I’ll see you soon.”

We disconnected, and I turned to Amy. “I'll help you get this place under control. Andrew is right. I read an article that said the same thing he did.”

My mind had not ruled out someone playing games, either.  But it was getting dark, which wasn’t a good time for amateurs to begin searching for ghosts in a haunted mansion.

“I'm pretty sure a ghost can’t hurt you,” Andrew assured Amy. “It used to scare Amanda so badly she had to stay with friends, but it never hurt any of us. And if you need my help, just call.”

Amy nodded and hugged Andrew tightly. “I will, but I’m sure Daisy will devise a plan to deal with the ghost. We won’t let it stop the shelter from opening on time.”

“But not tonight,” I said. “Victor is waiting for his dinner. I’ll call you tomorrow.”

“Daisy, tell Heather to call me,” Amy said. “She can start whenever she wants. There’s a lot to be done before we open.”

“Will do,” I said and hurried to my car. What should I take Victor for dinner? He sounded like he needed distraction. A romantic evening would do us both good. I knew what to do that would make him forget all about work.