A Walk on the Haunted Side (Haunted Tour Guide Mystery Book 2) (8 page)

Should I have hesitated longer? Perhaps pretended to check my empty schedule? I wanted to take things slow after my ex, but the first time Brannon asked I’d jumped on it. Apparently I had no self-control.

The waitress set the plates down in front of us.

“Can I get you anything else?” she asked, as if she was praying that we’d say no.

“No, I think we’re fine for now,” Brannon answered.

I took a drink of my Diet Coke and stared at his handsome face. He looked at me as he dumped ketchup onto his food. I took a bite of my sandwich and wondered what I should say next.

“How did the tour go tonight? Other than Sandra showing up?” he asked, saving me from having to think of what to say.

“It was oddly strange and uncomfortable,” I said.

“Maybe she won’t do that again. But let me know what happens with this shadow. Maybe we should take some equipment out there.”

I shrugged. “Maybe.”

Brannon and I discussed the paranormal, books, and movies as we ate. I’d had no idea that we liked so many of the same things. He enjoyed thrillers like me, even though I never wanted to watch them without someone beside me. I had hoped he would give me a little insight into the murder investigation, but he’d kept silent on that topic.

After paying for dinner, Brannon and I strolled down the sidewalk toward my place. The air was cool, but with the clear black sky we could see stars forever.

“If Sandra comes back for the tour again make sure to give me a call,” Brannon said.

I nodded. “I’ll make sure to let you know.” I was being honest this time. He would be the first person I called.

We stepped up onto my porch and stopped in front of the door.

“Until we figure out what is going on, I’m not sure that you should do the tour alone,” he said.

I looked at him. “What do you mean? I have to do the tour.”

He shoved his hands into his pockets. “Yes, I know, but maybe you could get someone to do it with you?”

I shrugged. “I have no idea who that could be. Tammy already has three jobs.”

Brannon looked down at his feet. “I could come with you if you’d like.”

Heat rushed to my cheeks. I wasn’t sure how to react. “Sure, I guess that would be okay.”

Had I sounded too casual? I hated overanalyzing things.

Without saying another word, he leaned down and pressed his lips against mine. I hadn’t been expecting that. Not that I was complaining, I just hadn’t seen his kiss coming. Or maybe I had. I’d noticed the way he’d been looking at me all night. I’d forgotten what passion felt like. I suppose I’d tried to lock it away in the back of my mind. His delicious lips wandered over mine, pushing reality out of the way. I was lost in the moment. 

He inched away from my face and looked me in the eyes. “I’ll see you tomorrow,” he whispered.

I watched as he walked down the path and to the sidewalk. I stepped inside my place with the tingle from his lips still on my mind. How would it be if he did the tour with me? I supposed it would only be a few times and I could handle that. Who was I kidding? Spending lots of time after dark with a handsome man? Yes please!

The next morning, I hurried out of bed. I was late for work and had only twenty minutes to get ready. As I stepped out of my bedroom, I didn’t notice the presence, but it soon appeared. I looked around as if I would see something this time, but there was nothing.

I went about my morning routine and tried to ignore it. I had a bowl of Special K cereal and brewed coffee. After I grabbed my mug and purse, I headed out the door. The sun was shining and a few clouds dotted the sky. The forecast called for rain, so I thought I would enjoy the sunshine while I had a chance. If I had to walk alone, I figured as long as it was in the daylight I would be fine.

Luckily, I still had time to make it to work. It was a nice crisp morning and I figured it would help clear my head. I looked over my shoulder to see if anyone was following me. Thank goodness I didn’t see anyone or anything.

I continued on my way, but after just a few seconds, it felt as if someone was watching me. It was a much stronger feeling than I’d had inside my apartment or the library. I figured it was the same presence I’d been seeing everywhere. I wanted to know why this spirit was coming around. What did it want with me? Its constant company was more than a little unsettling. 

I spotted movement out of the corner of my eye. The thought of ignoring it crossed my mind, but my curiosity wouldn’t allow that. The more I acknowledged the ghosts though, the more they would show up—at least that was my theory.

After a couple seconds of debate, I glanced to my right and that was when I saw the shadow. I shouldn’t have been surprised. I’d known that something was around and waiting for me. There were more ghosts than ever in Devil’s Moon. Why were there so many all of a sudden? Had I attracted more with my tour? 

Somehow this presence seemed different from the one before. Don’t ask me how I knew. This time it didn’t feel as if the spirit was male. I sensed it was a woman. The longer I watched her, the more she took on a living person’s appearance. She wore a light blue dress that looked as if it was from the 1920s. Her dark hair flowed past her shoulders. Something wouldn’t allow me to look away as I stared right at her. Would she communicate through my phone like Annie? I glanced down at my phone, but there was no message. I couldn’t stand there forever, so I moved forward a couple inches. She moved too. I wondered if she would chase after me if I started running. This was becoming scary quickly.

I inched forward more, but this time she didn’t move with me. When I glanced over at her, she vanished right before my eyes. Now she was nowhere in sight. I just needed to get to work before she returned. I headed down the sidewalk, but was sure someone was walking behind me. I glanced over my shoulder.

Sandra stared at me. I didn’t know what to do. My only plan now was to ignore her and continue walking toward the library. I didn’t want to talk with her. As I practically ran down the sidewalk, I cast another glance over my shoulder. Sandra wasn’t there. Whew. Maybe she had gone for good. Was that too much to ask? Probably so after what she’d said last night.

Suddenly I was rethinking my decision to walk to work today. First, it was the ghost after me, and now it was this woman. Speaking of the ghost, I looked around to see if she was there. The spirit wasn’t there now either, but would she pop up beside me at any second? 

Tammy had offered for us to carpool, but I’d told her no. But now I knew I should have let her pick me up. It was too bad because I really enjoyed walking to work. It looked as if those days would be over.

I’d traveled a short distance when I noticed the footsteps behind me again. The more I walked the louder the footsteps grew. I was sure someone was following me and it had to be Sandra again. But maybe it was the ghost. I hurried my steps, hoping I could walk faster than whoever was back there. Good thing I’d worn my sensible white canvas tennis shoes, because I wouldn’t have been able to run in heels. I clutched my big pink purse to my chest so that I could move even faster, and possibly use it as a weapon if need be.

A hand wrapped around my shoulder. This was it. I was being attacked. Was the killer behind me? My heart rate increased and panic set in. I spun around and just started punching. I wasn’t even sure who or what I was hitting at, but I wanted to fend off my attacker. I swung punches and finally came in contact with someone. Well, it was probably only one punch that came into contact. But I was pretty proud that I’d made that one.

Sandra clutched her stomach where I’d punched her. I felt bad, but it had had to be done. I’d thought someone was attacking me. What was I supposed to do?

“Oh, are you okay? I didn’t know you were back there,” I said. “Why did you sneak up on me like that?” She could have called out and given me some kind of warning. Especially since there was a killer on the loose. Wasn’t she afraid of that? Or was she the killer?

“I can’t believe you did that.” She continued to hold her stomach. I reached out to touch her arm, but she yanked it away. “Don’t touch me,” she warned with a wave of her index finger.

Okay, clearly she was upset with me. That was understandable, but I hoped she saw my point of view. She would have done the same thing in my shoes.

“I just wanted to make sure you were okay,” I said.

Sandra straightened and pushed back her shoulders. “I am fine.”

I was pretty sure she was still mad though. She was probably planning ways to get back at me. 

“Why are you following me?” I asked, staring her right in the eyes.

She narrowed her eyes. “I wasn’t following you. I was just walking.”

Yeah, I didn’t believe that for a second. I shrugged and turned back around. If she wasn’t going to be truthful, then I wasn’t even going to talk to her. I couldn’t stand around and wait for her to leave, so I continued toward the library. Unfortunately, Sandra continued walking with me.

“Are you on the way to the library?” she asked as she walked along beside me.

“Yes, I have to go to work,” I said without looking over at her.

Maybe she would take the hint.

“I will just walk with you,” she said.

That was what I’d been afraid she would say. “Okay,” I mumbled.

Had she been waiting for me to come out of my apartment? That was a scary thought. Next thing I knew she’d be breaking into my place and tying me up. Was she stalking me like she had Hank? But if so, why? I didn’t even know her.

“I didn’t get a chance to finish talking to you last night,” she said.

I hadn’t thought there was anything left to talk about. What could she ask? All she talked about was Hank’s books. I was a librarian, so I supposed that was why she was asking. There was more that she wanted to say though. I felt it. Would she admit to the murder? Would she tell me how she got that ticket? The thought freaked me out.

“Did you say anything to Officer Landon about me?” Sandra asked.

That was an odd question and not what I’d expected. Maybe this was why she was following me around. I clutched my purse and continued down the sidewalk. “No, I didn’t say anything about you. There are a few questions I’d like to ask you.”

She scowled as if she was shocked I would say such a thing. Finally, she cleared her throat and said, “Okay, what is your question?”

“Did you see Hank two nights ago? You know… before it happened?” My stomach turned just thinking about her answer.

“No,” she answered sharply. “I was not around.”

Now she thought I was accusing her of the murder. Well, I supposed I kind of was.

“I don’t appreciate your questions,” she snapped.

Now this was even more awkward than before.

She fidgeted as she walked. Apparently she didn’t like my questions. That wasn’t going to stop me from asking though. I slowed my pace so it would give her a chance to answer.

“Are you sure that you didn’t see Hank or Cady before the tour?” I asked.

“I already said no, I didn’t see him. You sound like the police asking me questions like that.”

She was being defensive. I couldn’t tell if she was being truthful or not. How would I ask her about the ticket? I would just have to get up my nerve and ask the question.

“Did you happen to hear Hank mention taking my tour?”

Sandra eyed me suspiciously. “No, I didn’t.”

We’d almost made it to the library. Sandra and I walked in silence for a moment.

Suddenly, she said, “I just don’t know why the police keep asking me questions. Just because I am a fan of Hank’s doesn’t mean that’s any reason to ask me all these questions. I just wish they would leave me alone.”

“They’re just trying to get answers to his death, I suppose,” I said, feeling even more uncomfortable talking to her.

I wondered if she was going to follow me into work. The building came into view and I was grateful. Now I could escape into my work. She couldn’t think she could follow me around work all day. I hated this and just wanted to get away.

“I think the police should leave me alone,” she said again.

Yeah, she had already said that once. She had a tendency to talk about the same things.

“Sandra, did you know you dropped a ticket for my tour? I found it at the library. I believe it was Hank’s.” I watched her for a reaction.

She narrowed her yes. “I found it. I mean, I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Now I was more suspicious than ever. She wasn’t being truthful.

“I don’t have to answer your questions,” she said.

When I reached the stairs leading to the front entrance to the library, I said, “It was nice talking to you, but I have to work now.”

She looked at the building and then back at me. “Yeah. I guess I should let you go. I’ve taken up enough of your time.”

I wasn’t going to argue with that.

“Okay, nice chatting with you.” I waved.

She studied my face for a second longer, and then said, “Yeah, thanks for talking with me.”

I still hadn’t gotten the answers I had hoped for. That was something I would have to deal with. I didn’t want to keep talking to her.

Finally Sandra turned around and moved down the sidewalk. I released a sigh of relief. I still didn’t know what she wanted from me. At least this time she didn’t say she’d be back.

She glanced back at me and waved. I hurried up the steps so she wouldn’t come back. Once at the top, I had to glance back to see if she was there. She was still walking, and didn’t turn around to look at me this time. A wind whipped over my skin, which reminded me of the ghost I’d seen. I’d forgotten all about her with dealing with Sandra.

“What was that all about?” Tammy asked from over my shoulder.

I jumped and spun around.

“Wow, you are jumpy,” she said. 

I released a deep breath and then said, “I feel like I have a stalker.”

“What makes you say that?” she asked.

I gestured with a tilt of my head. “Not only did Sandra follow me at the tour last night, this morning she was practically waiting for me outside my apartment.”

Tammy’s eyes widened. “That is scary. What does she want?”

“I don’t know exactly.” My phone dinged and I glanced down at the screen.

I am concerned for you.

I looked over Tammy’s shoulder and spotted Annie. “What are you concerned about?” I asked.

Tammy searched for Annie as if she’d see her.

You are involved with this murder investigation. It is dangerous.

That sent a chill down my spine. Did she know something that I didn’t know? “What do you mean?” I asked as I stepped inside the library’s door.

The killer is out there somewhere. Now you have to find the killer before the killer finds you.

Annie was right. As much as I didn’t want to be involved, I had to help find the killer before something else happened.