Page 16 (2/2)

Delia diagnosed Luc with two broken ribs and a concussion, and settled hiators walked in a silent, single-file line down the sidewalk and toward the street, the exuberance they’d carried into the House now gone

Matt, predictably now, studied his lanced back over their shoulders, airy looks at us on the steps We’d broken up their party, even if to save their lives, and they were pissed

"In their position," I said, "I’d probably be angry, too I don’t kno often they’re able to get up close and personal with actual ghosts This probably would have been a coup for them"

"I understand their frustration," Ethan said "But they’ve been colanced at ot hurt, I shouldn’t have let them into the House I certainly couldn’t allow thele with the memory of Luc’s attack

"It’s easy to say that in hindsight," I said, "e should have done But their job is to evaluate, and since Annabelle can’t do it, eren’t left with many options We hired the experts" And we’d still need to deal with ghostly removal, one way or the other "Sorry about the wine," I offered

"It’s insured," Ethan said "So that’s soh the ’49 Sauterne will be difficult to replace"

"1949?" I asked hopefully

"Add a century to that," Ethan said

I winced "I owe you," I said

Thankfully, I’d have an eternity to pay him back

5

Mallory, Catcher, and I went back to Ethan’s office, taking seats while Ethan played host, handing out bottles of water and blood froerator

"The floor is open," he said, walking back to the sitting area He stood in front of us with crossed arms and a dour expression This particular Master and captain of his ship did not like being out of control

"Let’s start with the ghost," I said "He didn’t look anything like the photo of Mickey Rileyearlier"

"No," Catcher agreed "If the FBI’s et soht, that wasn’t hi style, wrong era That wasn’t Mickey Riley"

"But that was definitely Mickey Riley’s grave," I said "We’ve seen the burial records"

"I am officially confused," Mallory said