Page 60 of Secrets in the Dark
“And you didn’t tell us,” Mason said.
“Excuse me, if you weren’t ghosties and I’d have told you, you would have asked for a new man to be assigned to your unit. And, from his description, our killer is Jesse Miller. Since our task isn’t so much trying to discern who it is as it is how to find him, it wasn’t something necessary. Had it been necessary... I’d have done the same thing you did, and I’d have made up a witness out in the crowd.”
“Touché,” Della murmured.
“This has been with you all your life, Edmund? Or something that came to you later?” Mason asked him.
“Early in life. My mom died when I was just five.”
“I’m so sorry,” Della murmured.
“It’s okay. She’s still around, though she prefers to haunt our family home up in Stirling. And you?” he asked Mason.
“A grandparent when I was a kid. I came into it gently,” he said, glancing at Della.
“A friend was killed in an accident when I was in high school,” Della explained.
“And he saved her life—oh, and helped catch a serial killer while doing so,” Mason said.
“He was able to warn me and point out a rock and... I was able to bash the guy in the head and then the police got there and... Well, he’s still a good friend and I see him whenever I can.” She shrugged. “I go to the cemetery, but he still loves hitching rides to sporting events when he can, and, of course, like Abigail, he haunted places where he can watch TV and stay up on current events.”
“That happened to you—and you went into law enforcement anyway, after that kind of trauma?” Edmund asked.
“That incident made it very important that I go into law enforcement,” Della said. “Our gifts are something that we can use. And, of course, we’re incredibly lucky because—”
“The Krewe of Hunters is also known as the ghostbusting unit,” Edmund said. “I’ve read up on the Krewe and, of course, I wondered. Still, it’s not an easy thing just to ask about, but tonight, when I saw you and saw your ghost, it seemed the time to clear the air.”
“We’re lucky,” Della told him. “Our founder—”
“Adam Harrison,” Edmund said, interrupting with a smile. “He recruited Special Agent Jackson Crow and a team and because the first case for his new unit happened to be in New Orleans, you became the Krewe of Hunters. In the Bureau, some may tease and call you the ghostbusters because your cases usually revolve around the unusual—like vampire killers and Jack the Ripper copycats. But you also have their respect because you manage to make arrests and stop whatever horror is going on. When the vampire killings began in France, someone in the know called your founder or your field supervisor and here you are.”
Della glanced at Mason. “Yes,” she said simply.
Edmund smiled. “I’m grateful. When the vampire killings fell to me, I was beyond angry and frustrated and grateful for help. Right now I’m hoping that when this comes to a conclusion, they decide that we are a great unit and that I’m considered to be part of it.”
“Edmund, from what we’ve been told, yes, this is going to be a continuing unit. Killers don’t respect country boundaries. Interpol has been with us, and now this team, and now you’ve been an integral part of it.” Mason paused and frowned. “What about the others?” he asked.
“What about them?” Edmund asked.
“Are theyghosties?” Mason asked.
“I don’t know. I’ve worked with Sean before, but not closely like this. And, of course, I met François and Jeanne when we started on the vampire killings.”
“Interesting,” Mason murmured.
“You think that—” Edmund began.
“I’m curious, certainly,” Mason told him. He shrugged. “Our powers that be may have had an idea about people and that may be why we were put together.”
“François Bisset was chosen, but Jeanne LaPierre caught the case in France, just as I caught it in England,” Edmund said.
“We’ll find out in the days to come,” Mason said.
“Subtly,” Edmund suggested.
“Subtly,” Mason agreed. “And you should go up and get some sleep. Della and I are here, on watch for two hours, so...”
“I’m going up. But I do want to meet Abigail Scott. Oh, and if you’re nice, I’ll introduce you to some royalty along the line!”
