Page 2 of Mack's Horribly Hellacious Ghost Town
Yeah, that would make it worse. Samhain meant the veil was thinner, the ghosts had more energy, and it was just a bad combination all around.
Mack rubbed a hand over his face, blowing out a stressed breath. “We’re called in if there’s a child in danger, property damage, or someone getting hurt. Which of these does this town fall under?”
“Sadly, all three.”
Mack’s stress started rubbing off on me. “Damn, Sylvia. Please tell me we’re not going in alone.”
“You’re absolutely not. In fact, I’m calling on anyone who can go and throwing as many people at this problem as I can. Eli and her crew are packing as we speak.”
“I already feel better. Who else?”
“Falisa Tate and her husband are coming as well.”
I perked up. Those two were solid and a good pair to work with. “That’s great. They’re awesome. Anyone else?”
“At this point, I’m taking suggestions.”
Mack rocked back on his heels, eyes meeting mine. “Just them for a whole town?”
“Sadly, they’re the best I can offer.”
Our department wasn’t very big, and we were chronically short-staffed. It was a problem with no ready solution, sadly.
“Sylvia, when do you need us there?”
“Two days, if possible. Eli’s arriving by then. She’s coming from California and will meet you there.”
“Got it.” I met Mack’s eyes, judging from his expression what he thought of everything, but he nodded. Ready to go. “Then we’ll be there in two days. How long will this take? What’s the scope of the job?”
“We’re going Charlie.”
Ouch. There were different levels of cleaning up a super haunted area. Alpha, you only did the troublemakers and the rest could stay. Beta, you did troublemakers and anyone who wanted to pass on. Charlie, you tried to clear everyone out but if there were a few stragglers, fine. Delta, you didn’t give ghosts options and you didn’t leave until the area was perfectly clear.
Our Scottish Highland case had been a Charlie level.
Yeah, so, I refused to go into this with just five other people. “Maybe Beau would be willing to step out of retirement and help a little?”
“Great idea. I’ll call him.”
“You got it. Email the briefing over, please. We’ll pack tonight.”
“Already done. Keep me posted.” She disconnected.
To Mack, I suggested, “You text Eli and Beau, tell them we’re going.”
“I can do that, sure.” Mack’s brows drew together. “I wish I could think of someone else to call.”
“Me, too.”
Like our conversation had summoned someone, my phone rang. I flipped it over to see the screen. “Huh, Lachlan’s calling. Hey, man, what’s up?”
Lachlan had an almost whine to his voice as he answered. “Mate, I’m bored to tears over here. Nothing to kill in weeks. I’m going stir crazy. Thought I might pop over and visit you, do some sightseeing or something.”
I met Mack’s eyes, an unholy grin spreading across my mouth. “Well, about that, we’re going into a whole haunted town. Want in?”
“I’m not a Medium, as y’ken, but…I mean, I’m sure I can help out in other ways.”
“I’m sure you can. And we’ll take all the help we can get right now. It’s just three Mediums going.”
