Page 25 of Cursed
“Old factory,” Paul’s ghost said through Evan. “Paint.”
Turpentine, Seth thought.Like we suspected.
“Protect Pax,” Paul urged.
“How do we get him to believe us?” Seth asked.
“Tell him I said ‘tugaloo,’” Henry’s ghost replied. “He’ll know.”
“Stop Vernon,” Paul’s spirit pressed. “Save my grandson.”
Both Nash and Evan shook off the connection with the ghosts as if waking from a doze. They both looked a bit confused.
“Did any of that happen out loud?” Evan looked to Seth for confirmation.
“Yes. I heard it all,” Seth replied.
Nash looked equally befuddled, but he also nodded. “Paul and Henry were both here. I knew I was speaking for Henry, but it took my whole concentration.”
“Henry was angry,” Evan spoke up. “Maybe because he’s more recently dead, but I got a strong sense of personality despite the ritual’s toll. He’s really worried about Pax.”
“He said Pax would remember ‘tugaloo,’” Seth said. “Does that make any sense to either of you?”
“It’s a state park in South Carolina, near the Georgia border,” Nash replied. “Maybe they went there as kids?”
“Let’s hope Pax makes the connection.” Evan took a gulp of his coffee like he was trying to clear away the last of the ghost’s touch. “Of course, passing along a code word from a ghost isn’t any less weird than telling him a witch is trying to kill him.”
“Caden’s been making some quiet inquiries about the old factory,” Nash told them. “He’s pretty sure Vernon’s got some people inside the police department, so he doesn’t want to tip our hand. Turns out there have been plenty of complaints about noise and bad smells coming from the turpentine plant since it shut down, but none of the reports indicated that the investigators found anything wrong.”
“Convenient cover-up,” Seth said.
“Which means bringing our own backup if that’s where things go down,” Nash pointed out. “Because we can’t count on the cops.”
Much as Seth hated dragging anyone else into danger confronting the witch-disciples, he had learned the hard way to accept help when it was offered, especially from friends with supernatural abilities.
“We’ve got a favor to ask.” Evan then explained the need to find and destroy the anchor, their theory that it might be an old ship’s wheel, and the possibility that it was part of the décor at Legacy.
“If we paid your tab, would you and Caden be willing to go there for dinner and see if you can pick up anything either from magic or the ghosts about whether the anchor is there?” Seth finished.
Nash chuckled. “Most people would jump at the chance for a free dinner for two there—it’s pretty expensive. Although knowing Vernon’s backstory, it’s a little dicey. Let me talk toCaden, but I think we’ll be up for it, assuming we can get a reservation.”
“Thank you,” Evan replied. “That would be a huge help.”
“Let’s hope we have time to pull the pieces together before Vernon makes his move,” Seth said. “And cross your fingers that we can get Pax to listen. It would be nice to do this the easy way for once.”
They thanked Nash and promised to return for dinner, then let him get back to preparing to open. Since it was nearly lunchtime, Seth headed back for the food truck lot and another opportunity to encounter Pax and Tony.
“You took all that pretty well in stride,” Evan said as they looked for a parking space. “What did you make of it?”
Seth paused, weighing his words. He didn’t envy Evan his ability with spirits, but he respected what his partner could do and the cost of his insight. “It always freaks me out a little when you’re talking, but I know it’s not reallyyou,” he admitted. “That’s not a bad thing—I think your ability is amazing. But it makes me want to protect you. And a little…jealous? I don’t like sharing you.”
Evan chuckled. “If it helps, the ghost wasn’t possessing me, just talking to me in my head so I can convey the message. Paul and Henry were pretty polite, as ghosts go. I don’t have a splitting headache because they didn’t push too hard.”
“We’ve got confirmation of where Vernon’s doing his dirty deeds,” Seth said. “Straight from the victims. Now we’ve just got to outfox his particular brand of magic.”
They parked and walked to the food trucks side by side, in sync as usual. Pax greeted them warmly when they reached the counter.
“What’ll it be today, gentlemen? I’m glad you’ve found favorites here. You’re going to miss us when you go home.”
