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He was the solid rock of the board, in Allison’s opinion Ethan Oxford was like a distant grandfather, Sarah was like the fah she’d beenAnd Cherry was…Cherry She always considered herself a cut above the rest of the world

Allison was grateful that Nathan was going to speak with the other board members, but she did have to call Jason Lawrence and Annette Fanning

Jason still see She told hi that information from the media

He, too, wanted to make sure she was okay

After that she called Annette

Annette was sical, so Allison was shocked by the tre of the situation

"It’s not surprising, is it? Oh, Allison, I thank God for that root canal, and I never thought I’d say that I wonder what happened Did Julian freak out? One toke too many? But he’s never been out of it at work That’s just the heavy-e he likes to portray It’s the house, Allison It terrifies me! I can always feel it when I’ I mean, when you’re out on the street, the s see you Maybe so much evil did happen there and it continues, on and on Like so malevolent that waits and--"

"Annette! No! The house is a pile of brick and wood and stone It’s a house Horrible things take place everywhere We go through life grateful when they don’t happen to us, and either sad or broken when they do"

"Well, I for one aet une? I’m out of a job! I don’t think they’ll be able to pay us--there won’t be anyinto the house without the tours"

"We’re not out of work, Annette They’re closing it teation I’m sure they’ll provide us with some kind of compensation"

"The house needs an exorcism!"

"No, Annette, it doesn’t The house isn’t possessed Or evil And if the house could feel anything, it would be grateful to us for keeping it alive Annette--"

"Ohhhhh," Annette broke in "You have another job I don’t In fact, you have a cool job, a real job You’re a professor"

"Annette, you do have a real job The house will open again It’ll just be closed for a feeeks They’ll shore up the alarm systehoulish and they’ll want to stare at the place where Julian died Besides, you work at the tavern as a singing waitress soht I went for a drink afterwith sohts"

"The house won’t be closed that long"

"Are you alone? Oh! You’re not still at the police station, are you?"

"No"

"I saw souy on the news--not an interview, just a shot of hiovernment is in on this, Allison It’s scary, scary But, hey, have you eous! Whoops, excuse eous as you, just, uuys are here because of Adaentleman who’s been to a few functions at the house"

"I re to be an exorcise stuff Like paranormal events"

"Annette, if Barrie’s there and has the day off, please go and spend some time with hiht there--"

"No, no, please! I’et some rest Okay?"

Annette was silent "I’m not sure you should be alone"

"Annette, I’ to curl up on the couch and try to doze off"

"Call if you need me, Ally I can be there in five minutes"

"I will," Allison said "Thanks"