CHAPTER 25
Travel trailer tip 25: Secure your doors and windows, and close the shade when you’re away. Don’t forget where you put the keys.
After a change of clothing, I left my little trailer behind at the craft fair as I pointed the truck in the direction of Madame Gerard’s house. She had left me with unanswered questions, and I intended to get those answers.
Elizabeth sat in the passenger seat, with Van in the middle between us. At least I wasn’t alone for this trip. I needed another person with me. Although I wasn’t quite sure anyone else could see Elizabeth sitting in the truck, I knew she was there, and that was all that mattered right now.
Now was as good a time as any to tell Elizabeth that we were related. I hoped she would be just as excited with the news as I was.
“I discovered something this morning,” I said.
“Oh, a clue to find the murderer?” Elizabeth asked excitedly.
“No, this is different.”
Elizabeth frowned. “I hope it’s not bad.”
“Actually, I think it’s good.” I stopped at a red light.
“Now I’m curious.”
“You’re my great-great-great-aunt.”
She scrunched her brow. “Your great-great-great-aunt? How do you know that?”
“My grandmother found your picture in her photo album.”
Elizabeth smiled. “Honest? How exciting. I can’t tell you how happy this makes me. That explains why you painted me. I obviously came back here to help because there was going to be danger at the craft fair.”
“Fate has things worked out.” The light turned green and I took off.
“I want to see the photo,” she said.
“As soon as the craft fair is over, I’ll take you to my grandmother’s.”
Elizabeth grinned. “I’d like that.”
“Should I call you Aunt Elizabeth?”
“I’d like that even more,” she said.
“Do you think anyone else sees you?” I asked as I steered the truck.
“I’m not sure,” Elizabeth said. “Your friend can see me. Maybe only a select few get the lucky advantage of knowing me.”
I chuckled. “Yes, maybe it’s just certain people.”
“I think it’s probably certain people who have a sixth sense.” Elizabeth tapped her index finger against her temple.
“I’m curious to know if the psychic will be able to see you.” I traveled through a green light. “She sees other spirits, so why not you too?”
“Well, that is her job,” Elizabeth said. “I certainly won’t hide from her on purpose.”
“I guess we’ll find out.”
I made a left turn and after a few more blocks, we reached Madame Gerard’s house. I was kind of nervous about seeing her again. What would she have to say this time? I hoped it wasn’t more bad news.
After parking the truck, I picked up Van. I grabbed my bag with my other hand and headed toward the psychic’s front door. Elizabeth was walking along beside us. I wondered if Madame Gerard would be surprised to see me so soon. Probably no more surprised than I’d been to see her at the craft fair. Plus, I’d brought a special spirit friend along.
Once at the front door, I released a deep breath and pushed the button to ring her. I waited for any sign that she was home. The “Open” sign cast its eerie glow over the entire area. I hoped she was really here. Maybe she was ignoring me. A thickness lingered in the air, but I assumed it was the usual humidity. I hoped it was nothing more sinister. It was probably just my nerves, I reminded myself.
A shuffling noise came from the other side of the door. Madame Gerard peeked out through the blinds, just as she had the last time. Her dazzling blue eyes practically glowed as she watched me.
I knew she recognized me. The blinds closed and there was no other sound. Was she going to ignore me, act as if I wasn’t there? Now I felt kind of foolish for coming back. Maybe she was just strange and there had never been a spirit talking to her. She probably hadn’t meant for me to return.
Elizabeth said, “Do you think she’s going to let you in?”
“I hope so, but now I’m beginning to wonder. Maybe this was a bad idea,” I said.
A familiar sound came from the other side of the door. The locks. She was going through each one. Elizabeth stepped back, as if she was unsure what the psychic would do next. Finally, Madame Gerard opened the door just a crack. She eyed me up and down.
“Remember me?” I asked. “My name is Celeste Cabot. You came to see me this morning.”
Instantly, her attention fixed on Elizabeth. “You brought another ghost with you?”
Wow. It hadn’t taken her long to notice.
“Yes. I hope you don’t mind. I don’t mean any harm,” I said.
She opened the door wider. “Please come in.”
Madame Gerard saw Elizabeth too. This was exciting. Now I wanted to know if she could tell me more about Aunt Elizabeth. Perhaps the psychic would have details Elizabeth didn’t remember. That might seem crazy, but anything was possible at this point. Elizabeth and I entered the house and went to the right, into the room Madame Gerard had pointed out.
“Please have a seat at the table.” The bangle bracelets on her wrists jingled when she motioned.
Candles flickered around the room. Madame Gerard’s crystal ball was in the middle of the table. I peered into the glass, wondering if I would actually see anything. Did I have psychic ability? I wasn’t sure. But I knew I saw Elizabeth. So had Sammie and Madame Gerard.
Elizabeth followed me into the room. I sat down in the same chair as before, and Elizabeth took a seat in the chair where Sammie had sat. It was a neat trick that Elizabeth could actually sit in the chair. She did everything a living person could do and even more. Van sat next to me on the other side. He acted as if he knew exactly why we were there.
Madame Gerard took her place across from us. She hadn’t mentioned if the bad spirit was still around. I hoped he had gone. Madame Gerard’s attention turned to Elizabeth. She looked surprised to see a ghost here. I figured she must have experienced quite a few ghosts, considering her profession. Maybe no one had ever brought a ghost with them.
“She wasn’t with you when you were here last,” Madame Gerard pointed out.
Elizabeth fidgeted in the seat. Obviously, Madame Gerard’s stare made her uncomfortable.
Madame Gerard stretched out her arms toward us. “Let’s all hold hands.”
When I tried to hold Elizabeth’s hand, mine went right through hers. Was she fading? Her energy didn’t seem as strong.
Madame Gerard chuckled. “Sorry, I suppose I forgot.”
“It will be impossible for us to hold hands with Elizabeth,” I said.
“This is the first time I’ve had an actual ghost sitting at the table like this,” Madame Gerard said.
“Really?” I asked with a frown. “I would’ve thought it would happen all the time. As a matter of fact, I thought when I was here you saw the ghost who was talking to you. I thought you saw the spirit with you this morning. But you couldn’t see the ghost?”
“No, that’s not the way it works for me,” Madame Gerard said. “I just see them in my mind. I’ve never seen a ghost in person.”
Again, Madame Gerard stared at Elizabeth.
“Well, I suppose there’s a first for everything,” I said.
“I’m surprised you came back so soon.”
“I thought maybe it was necessary. After what you said, I have questions.” I motioned with a tilt of my head toward Elizabeth.
“I don’t think I have the answers you want.” Madame Gerard attempted a smile. That was the first time I’d actually seen her smile. “Take my hand, and we’ll just pretend we’re holding Elizabeth’s hands.” Madame Gerard wiggled her fingers.
“What will I do?” Elizabeth asked.
“You can use your mind to concentrate with us.” The psychic closed her eyes.
Again, I opened one eye and peeked around the room to see if another ghost popped up. I wanted to know who Madame Gerard had been talking with before. If the ghost returned, maybe I could see it.
“Okay. There is another ghost here,” Madame Gerard said.
With both my eyes open now, I saw no sign of a ghost. The spirit was just appearing in Madame Gerard’s mind.