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Startled, Allison looked at him "As in Ethan Oxford? He’s not a s to creep around this place! Julian, yes, he was young and spry and in excellent shape But--"

"There’s also Cherry Addison--" Tyler began

"Cherry! We’d have heard those spiked heels of hers aand Nathan Pierson," he finished

"I just can’t i around the house to shove Julian’s head down on a bayonet and then somehow traumatize Artie Dixon and send him into a coma," Allison said "Have you met our board? Well, I know you met Cherry, but--"

"I’ve met them all," Tyler told her "We’ll need to spend some more time with them And, I’m sorry to say, with Jason and Annette, as well"

Allison started to answer but fell silent as they heard a coan frowned and raised a brow at Tyler, who shrugged

"We have to knock People are living there now!" they heard

It was a feminine voice--one Allison kneell

"You won’t have to wait for the board A few of them are already here," she said

"Did you know they were coan asked Tyler

Tyler shook his head as he walked to the door, unlocking it Sarah stepped back in shock as the door opened; she had a hand on Nathan Pierson’s arm Nathan still held his key, ready to use it, and Cherry Addison was standing iue" Nathan spoke casually, grinning "We’ve coood God, Nathan, tell thearlic around the s or doing anything to destroy the integrity of the property," Cherry told hih Cherry really seemed to like Tyler

"Couarantee that we don’t put garlic around the s"

As they filed in, Tyler began the introductions to Sean, Kelsey and Logan When he’d finished, he asked, "Where’s Ethan?"

"Ethan’s been friends with Ada time I believe they’re at a fundraiser now, soht Adas together He’s the organizer We’re the workers," Logan explained

Allison noted that Sean had hit a key on the computer; the scenes depicted on all the screens were of the present

Cherry Addison turned to her "So, Allison, you’re still showing the Krewe around That’s so kind of you, dear You could be taking this time to hole up in your little room on campus and do your brilliant acade Her words were benign enough, but her tone often contradicted theested the opposite of what she said She seeed in a stuffy university office or library

"Cherry, you kno I love the house!" Allison said

"Ms Leigh has been extremely helpful," Tyler put in

"Of course, the house and its history are near and dear to us all" Sarah smiled at Allison Bless Sarah; she was so like a nervous terrier, but her intentions were always the best "And I just can’t believe that anyone--anyone!--would purposely hurt that young Mr Mitchell He was such a talented oofball" Cherry’s voice was caustic "What’sout in the media about that man--Artie Dixon They’ve practically turned his coma into an alien invasion!"

"Cherry, that’s one of the reasons Ethan was so keen on inviting this unit of law enforce our historic property back into historic perspective" He shrugged "But, even if that doesn’t happen, everyone loves a good haunted house, huh?"

"As long as people stop dying in it," Allison said

She was surprised that she’d spoken She stood, uncomfortable with the words that had escaped her A silence descended on the roo as people stop dying in it Well, we’ll leave you to your work We just thought we should drop by and see if you needed anything Oh, as to the office I can arrange to cos back in order, Allison"

Allison smiled at him "Thanks, Nathan I can do it on my own, but it’s up to you"

"I suppose I could help," Cherry said, sounding reluctant "But not today Oh,You must all come"

"Cherry, they’re here to work," Sarah reestured expansively "They need to breathe once in a while, Sarah Please join us The gallery is farther down on Walnut Take a break and coroup "Is it possible that Julian trashed the office before doing hi," Kelsey said "But ill do our absolute best to find out the truth"

Sarah nodded "Yes, I’m sure you will"

"I have a luncheon date," Nathan said "I need to getAnything at all"