Chapter Thirty-Three

The graveyard, as unkempt and overgrown as it was, was actually quite pretty in the morning and usually peaceful.

"DUSTIN!"

Usually.

"Wake up!" yelled Bea, pounding on the glass sides of the hearse. "Dustin!"

"What?" Dustin groaned. "Can't a chap get some sleep?" Long ago, Dustin had claimed the old buggy as his bed. Propping himself up on one elbow, he asked, "What do you want?"

"A 'thank you' might be good."

"Oh." He smiled. "I can't believe I forgot! Thanks Bea. You know, I was so nervous, but that was a good idea you had."

"Anything for my favorite brother. Well?"

Unsurely, he asked, "Well what?"

"Details!"

"Oh grow up!" he sighed.

Asher groggily sat up in his coffin. "Oi, what's all the bloody ruckus for, eh?"

Smirking, Bea explained, "We were just discussing Dustin's date with Destiny."

Asher stretched. "'Date with Destiny'? Is that some kind of metaphor?" He poured himself a cup of tea and added a touch of something from a flask he pulled out of his coat pocket.

"No, Destiny's the name of Dustin's girlfriend," their little sister teased.

"Girlfriend," mumbled Dustin, smiling. Well, he supposed she was, wasn't she?"

"Oh, is that the mortal?" asked Asher.

"Yep," Bea confirmed. "I think it's so romantic!" She sighed dreamily and took a seat on the roof of the hearse. Giggling, she swung her legs. "Our little Dusty's growing up."

"I think it's pretty bloody stupid if you ask me!" Asher suddenly snapped.

"Well we didn't ask you!" Bea shouted back.

"What's your problem?" asked Dustin. "If I remember correctly, you chased after women all the time!"

Asher cleared his throat and stared down into his drink. Softer, he said, "Well, they were all in the same state of 'being' as me." He looked up. "I mean, really think about it."

"Think about you and your girlfriends? I'd rather not." Dustin smirked.

Asher shook his head. "No, I meant, the complications of a relationship."

Bea giggled.

More playful than reprimanding, Dustin chided, "Oh, get your mind out of the gutter!"

Continuing, Asher said, "What a woman really wants is someone who can hold her in his arms and feel his warm embrace, and the heat of his breath on her neck as he whispers sweet little nothings into her ear."

His siblings stared at him, slaw-jawed.

"I had no idea you were so romantic!" Bea cried, wide-eyed.

"I'm not," Asher replied. "I just remembered what all my old girlfriends griped about." He took a sip of his tea. "So," he drawled, "what happened on your little date?"

"We danced," Dustin said wistfully.

Bea sighed again.

"Any snogging?" Asher asked mischievously.

"A kiss," admitted Dustin, reliving it in his mind.

"Slip of the tongue?"

"On the lips!" he shouted indignantly.

"Loser!" Asher laughed.

"Push off!" Dustin kicked Asher's coffin, chuckling. Then he slid out through the side of the carriage. "You gits take care! I'm off to make breakfast!"

"Doesn't it make you happy to see him happy?" Bea asked, watching her oldest sibling walk into the mansion. "Finally, we can repay him for everything he's done for us." She watched her swinging feet thoughtfully. "Just a shame it had to be after were dead, huh?"

Asher didn't say anything. He just chugged from his flask.

Professor Hahn awoke to the prodding of a foot into his ribs. Blinking, he managed to get his myopic eyes into a bleary focus. The gray, peach, and red blob slowly transformed into his cousin, who was staring down at him with mild amusement while eating a sausage and egg burrito.

Blaine swallowed loudly, then took a gulp from his cup or orange juice. "What," he inquired with an arched eyebrow, "are you doing lying on the porch? You do realize you could have froze, right?" It was an exaggeration. The weather had become a bit warmer, but certainly not warm enough to merit a sleep-out under the stars.

"Uh…" With a groan, Hahn pushed himself up. After pulling leaves off of his shoulders and brushing frost out of his thin beard, he told his kin, "I slept here last night. My key's at home." He was so wide-eyed and had such an uncharacteristic look of bewilderment that Blaine couldn't help laughing.

"You know we keep a spare in that little plastic Nessie in the bird bath." He pointed to the floating lake monster. "You look totally out of it. What happened? Why didn't you go home?"

Hahn blinked slowly again. "What did happen? Oh, right… YOU LEFT ME AT THAT HOUSE!"

"Whoa!" Blaine held up his hands. "I'm getting some negative vibes, here. Why don't we go inside, and I'll get you a hot cup of coffee? You can tell me everything. Hold this, would you?" He handed Hahn his now empty cup. Taking a bite from his burrito, he took his key out of his pocket. But before he could unlock the door, it opened, and they were greeted by the bright-eyed Dr. Gipson.

"Good morning!" the thin man greeted cheerfully as they stepped in. It wasn't a surprise. Gipson usually got there before everyone else did. He was one of those annoying morning people. While everyone else was still pouring their first cup of coffee, he'd already had four and was analyzing his photographs. Maybe all that java was what made him such a nervous wreck.

Hahn sat down at a table and Blaine disappeared into their little kitchen. "So, how'd you get here?" he called out, pouring a mug for the professor. "Why didn't you just go home?" He handed the hot cup to his cousin, who took it gratefully.

"Well," Hahn stared down at the mud colored liquid, "I just didn't feel like I should. I wanted to be at the institute when you got here, so I could talk to you before you got busy with your work. Here." He reached into a pocket and pulled out the battered night vision camcorder. "I got some extraordinary footage. I hope it's not lost."

"Nope, everything's fixable," said Blaine, taking the camera. "At least while I'm around." He left to get his tools.

Gipson took a seat across from Hahn. "Uh…" Nervously, he scratched at a piece of skin along his fingernail. He stared at Hahn's unreadable face, then back down at the table. Unable to hold it in any longer, he screamed, "I'm so sorry! I didn't want to leave you! They made me!" Hands clasped and head down, he pleaded, "Please don't fire me! I have four kids at home!"

"Gipson," Hahn said calmly, "I'm not going to fire you. And you don't have four kids. You have four hairless cats...which is really weird."

"They're non allergenic ."

By then, Blaine had come back, a screwdriver pried into the camera. "I think I got it." All three crowded around the table. Pushing a little button, he rewound some footage. It was dark and blurry, and the sound was hardly audible, but they could see the faint image of Leota's face as it flickered. This lasted for about four seconds before going blank again. "Not a lot, really."

"Shh!" Hahn turned up the volume button. "Do you hear that?" Scowling, he concentrated. "I don't remember this. It must be from after I passed out." They leaned in as closely as they could. A voice, choppy and harsh, could be heard.

"W-what do you mean…going back on the deal!" Hahn recognized the voice as that of the clairvoyant. Static made the words hard to understand, and even blocked some out completely.

A second voice he could not recall ever hearing, replied in low, butchered tones, "No! 'o more of-of this! This is… low, 'ven for me." The audio was twice as bad as it had been yesterday. The camera must have sustained more damage than Hahn thought.

"Sweetie, you can't get much lower than dirt. And you forget, I own you! I…make this hell for… If it wasn't for me-"

"If… wasn't for you, I wouldn't be 'ere!"

"Uh oh," mumbled Gipson. Smoke trailed out of the camera in little tendrils. "Shut it off before it blows!"

Blaine turned it off. "Well, at least there's something on it."

Hahn had his brow furrowed in deep concentration, his eyes staring off into space. "It's enough.'

"Enough for what?" asked Gipson.

"Enough to get a favor repaid." He grinned. "Do you think they would show just a few seconds of supposed ghost footage on the news?"

Gipson shook his head. Slowly, understanding dawned on his face. "No, they'd want more."

"Exactly."

Suddenly realizing the obvious, Blaine looked around. "Where's Koji?"

Sniffling, Destiny awoke to stuffed sinuses. She had fallen asleep crying with her head under her pillow. Why had she been crying again? Temples throbbing with a headache, she suddenly remembered. Oh, right. Eyes shut against the annoying rays of morning light filtering through the window, she remembered the events of last night. The ballroom, the dance, the kiss… Her lips still felt cold. She couldn't deny it; it had all been so wonderful! But…

She hugged a pillow and frowned. "I have to tell him now." With a groan she added, "And I'll just feel even worse!" The ringing telephone interrupted her moping. Sighing, she picked it up and put it to her ear. "Destiny Chalmers speaking…Good morning, Mr. Greskill… What do you mean suspension!…It was an accident! I was there for two days!…Yes, I know noses don't break themselves, but…Yes, thank you, it's nice to know his secretary is cheering me on…I can't afford…It is with pay?…Okay…No charges? That's nice…So, I just stay away while he nurses a wounded ego?…Fair enough…Yes, I know this isn't your decision…Uh-huh…Yeah, you too. Bye." She hung up. "Yay, a few days off. Whoo-hoo."

Dragging herself out of bed, she contemplated all that she would have to say. As she dressed, she still mulled it over. Nothing sounded right for what she needed to convey. Summoning up her courage, she stepped out and into the hall. Destiny paused before entering the kitchen. This was by no means going to be easy. She felt so heartless. Maybe she could avoid him this morning. Maybe he wasn't in there.

She sighed.

Of course he was. It seemed to make Dustin happy to make breakfast for her. He would probably be mixing pancake batter, humming some festive British tune. And he would smile when he saw her, and say, "Good morning, Destiny!" Then she would smile back because it made her so happy to see him happy and...

Throat tightening, she pushed open the door and stepped inside. Just as she envisioned, Dustin was softly singing and making hotcakes. The spirit's sweet voice was so pleasant and comforting. However, it made her feel so much worse.

"Good morning, Destiny," he chirped, giving a slight wave of the spatula. Smiling shyly, he added, "It's almost ready, love."

Love. It was just an English nick-name, wasn't it? Destiny couldn't convince herself. "Dustin," she began, sitting down, "we need to talk."

Flipping the flapjacks onto a plate, he asked, "'Bout what?" Slowly, he said, "Oh." Setting her food down in front of her, he started, flustered, "I'm really, really, sorry about those men getting in! I assure you we had no control over that. We tried the best we could to-"

Destiny blinked. She had actually forgotten about that. Her mind had been so preoccupied with the events of the evening that the ghost hunters just seemed so unimportant. "No, it's not that Dustin. They couldn't do any harm...to you, and you couldn't do any harm to them." Words just suddenly started flowing out, uncontrolled by real thought. "And you couldn't do anything to them, because you're dead. There's a lot of things you can't do because you're dead!" Tears made her voice ragged. "You're just a ghost after all."

Brow furrowed in confusion, his smile had wavered slightly. "Is-is there something wrong?"

"Dustin." She tried to wrap her hands around one of his. Sighing heavily, she blinked away tears. "I like you, I really do..."

"Yeah." It was starting to get difficult to keep grinning. Something wasn't right.

"But..."

"But what?" he chuckled nervously.

Brown eyes boring into his, she whispered, "It can't work." She regretted it the moment it left her tongue. His whole form seemed to slope downward, from his eyelids, to his lips, to his shoulders. "It isn't," she could feel herself start to cry again, "it isn't the physical thing. Well it sorta is. I'm not saying I'm against this because you're not, well, corporeal. It's deeper than that. Dustin, what do you think it would be like to watch me age each year while you stayed the same? You would remain young and I would become an old woman. And when I die, I might go to some great beyond and you would still be here."

Staring down, he mumbled, "That would be torture." He looked up, trying to hide his devastation. "I hope I can at least keep making breakfast for you," he tried to joke.

It was more painful than she thought it would be. If only something could-

Someone knocked at the door. It was to the tune of "Tainted Love." With a half hearted smile, Destiny got up to answer it. She wasn't surprised to see Koji. And when she did, the anger she had felt last night boiled up again.

Wringing his fedora in his hands, Koji guessed, "You found out, didn't you?"

Seething, Destiny growled, "How'd you guess?" As he stepped in, she demanded, "What were you thinking, letting them into my house?"

"I didn't! They found an unlocked door!"

"You brought them here!" she pointed at him.

"You knew I was investigating the mansion!" he pointed back. "Did you think all that would happen is that I'd jot down some notes and call it a day?"

"I would think that someone who is supposedly my friend would have enough respect for me and for them"-she gestured to the house in general to indicate the ghosts-"to get my permission before breaking in! Or did you by chance think that maybe I didn't want some greasy, Ghostbuster rejects touring my home! Those nerds could have been plundering through my underwear drawer for all I know!"

"They wouldn't have done that," Koji smirked with a chuckle. Suddenly completely stone faced, he added, "Trust me. The only woman that would interest these guys is the Bride of Frankenstein.

"Look," he sighed and stared down at his sneakers, "I came by to apologize." There was a sarcastic gasp from the hall. "Shut up, Dustbin!" he yelled at the eavesdropping spook. His attention back on Destiny, he continued, "And I wanted to let you know there's something very bad in your attic."

"How bad?"

"Like banshee from the nether regions bad." Pulling up the legs of his baggy jeans, he showed off his bruises. Dropping them, he said, "I know it's a woman wearing white who's touchy about space. That's it. She flung priceless antiques at me and two other men! I wanted to warn you. I mean, poltergeists can be very dangerous. I know people who have gotten really messed up dealing with them." He was unbelievably sincere.

Destiny's brow was furrowed in thought. "Dustin," she asked the ghost, her voice wavering slightly with awkwardness, "do you know who it is?"

Equally quiet, he responded, "I don't know. Phineas mentioned that it was Emily…" He scowled thoughtfully, trying to remember. "Emily Cavanaugh, I believe. She seemed to have George anxious. Odd, he doesn't worry easily."

"Hmm, unless it concerns him being embarrassed about females," Destiny mumbled. Looking up, she said louder, "I'd like to meet this Emily, or at least find out why George would be so upset. I doubt she's really some bloodthirsty ghoul. The attic, right?" she called over her shoulder as she strode away.

Koji dashed after her and Dustin brought up the rear. "Did you not seen the giant, blue and black bruises!" the detective shouted. "She will throw you down the stairs!" He followed Destiny up to the second story, clomping loudly in hopes something would be roused and scare the woman. Both Detective Wendell and Dustin stopped at the base of the stair well, watching Destiny continue on up to the little wooden door.

Suddenly, George materialized, blocking the entrance. "What do you think you're doing?"

"How'd you know I was here?" she asked, confused.

"My meddling mortal sense was tingling. Now, answer me: What are you doing?" he growled.

"I'm going to meet Emily," Destiny answered determinedly. "She's another one of your secrets, isn't she?" she accused.

Frowning, he snapped, "It's none of your business. I have divulged a lot of information to you, Ms. Chalmers," he was careful not to say granddaughter, and instantly felt bad when he saw a flicker of hurt in her eyes for it, "but if I leave anything out, it's for good reason."

"For you, maybe. But it sounds to me like she's in pain. Why else would she lash out?"

Helpfully, Koji volunteered, "'Cause she's psychotic?"

"And she's dead. Why would she keep herself locked in a room she could easily leave?" Her voice softened and turned to one of pleading. "Please, let me see her for myself. I just have this feeling. Maybe if it's another woman, she'll be calm. If not, I promise I won't go back. I've pretty much kept to myself when it comes to the, uh, residents. In fact I've been pretty mellow about the whole thing, you've got to admit." She stared into the ghost's eyes. "Please George?"

He tried to avert his gaze. "Oh, ugh, puppy dog eyes! Fine." With a huff, he stepped aside. "I'll have you know I'm not setting one foot in there if anything happens," he stated as she knocked on the door.

"Coward," sneered Dustin.

"Oh, you're a knight in shining armor, now, are you?" George retorted.

"I wouldn't go back in there, either," Koji snorted "Not with that crazy psycho-witch."

Destiny ignored the men as she pressed her ear against the door. "Emily?" She knocked lightly. "Emily, are you in there? I'd like to talk to you."

"NO!" came the reply.

"Please, I'd just like to help. I'm not like those men from yesterday."

"Ooh! I hated those icky men! Especially the short one!"

The two male ghosts had a good laugh at Koji's expense.

"Well," Destiny stifled her chuckles, "he won't be coming in. It's just me. No notes, no cameras; just me and you talking. What do you say?" She waited in a moment filled with silence. From the other side came a loud shuffling noise, as if something heavy were being pushed aside. Taking a chance, Destiny turned the knob and pushed open the door. With a departing glance to the others, she stepped in, closing the door behind her.

The attic was cluttered, filled with knick-knacks spanning eras. Piles of junk spanned generations. There were racks of clothes, stacks of books and magazines, discarded musical instruments, a boudoir, a dress dummy, rolled up rugs, faded paintings, toys, a metal birdcage with twisted bars, and-Destiny cringed-bats. The little black fuzz balls hung upside down in one corner, taking their daytime nap. In the attic, the dust and cobwebs were four times worse than any other room. Light filtered in through a broken widow on the other side, but did little to make the place bright.

"BOO!" shouted a blue blur as it sprang up from behind a box.

Destiny didn't even flinch. "What's wrong? Couldn't hack working the hallway?"

The ghoul glared at her with his bulging eye. "This is classic lady, show some respect!"

"Wait a minute." Destiny quirked an eyebrow. "Aren't you in the graveyard, too?"

"No, I got a twin brother that spooks there."

"Ah. Have you seen Emily?"

"Emily? You want to talk to Emily?" he asked in disbelief.

Deciding it would be wise not to use sarcasm, she sighed, "Yes."

His one open eye wide with something other than just being hideous, the springing specter pointed wordlessly over Destiny's shoulder. Very faintly, she could hear the beating of a heart. It was a cringe inducing noise, one that made goose bumps rise along Destiny's arms. She turned to confront the spirit, wearing what she hoped was a friendly smile. "Hello Emily." She hadn't known what to expect, but it wasn't this.

Emily was in fact wearing a white dress-a wedding dress to be precise. It trailed out behind her, it's ghostly lace flowing over and through the clutter. Her platinum blond hair fell in curls around her heart shaped face. The bride's veil was pulled back away from her face, completely revealing her youthful features. A glowing red heart thumped loudly, illuminated through the gown. In her right hand, Emily held a bouquet. In her left, the vase she probably got it from.

Holding the vase threateningly, the apparition said, "No tricks! I've got great aim!"

"So I've heard," Destiny replied calmly. With her eyes on the tense young woman, Destiny slowly took a seat on a trunk. She patted the spot beside her. "Why don't we talk?"

Emily put the vase down on a table, dropping the flowers back in it. "All right. But no funny business." She twirled a lock of hair around her finger and chewed on her bottom lip worriedly, then she quickly plopped down beside the live lady. "So you're not with those men from yesterday, right?"

"No, I didn't even know they had been here until last night. I live in the mansion now. My name is Destiny Chalmers." She held out her hand.

A little unsure, Emily took it. She shook it a bit more enthusiastically as the other woman smiled. "I'm Emily Cav-er, Gracey. I guess. I'm not sure exactly. 'Till death do you part, you know." She giggled. Physically, she was at least eighteen. Socially and emotionally though, she acted like a shy fourteen year old.

"Gracey?" Destiny's jaw dropped. "You were married to George!"

"Don't say his name!" Emily shouted, clapping her hands over her ears and stomping her feet.

"I'm sorry!" Destiny cried, shocked. She watched as the girl wrapped her arms around herself. Emily had some serious problems that needed to be dealt with. Much more calmly, Destiny asked, "What happened?"

"The war was finishing, that's what I remember most from the time," George began. Koji and Dustin listened attentively. "I didn't fight, of course. I was forty-two by then, a bit older than what our nation would want. Not to mention I had name and status." He smiled smugly.

"Good for you." Dustin's voice dripped cynicism. "Why should rich, grown men have to lie in trenches with bullets raining down when a poor, sixteen year old boy could be put in his place?"

Arching an eyebrow, George didn't have a smart reply. "I'm sorry. I suppose I was a bit crass," he apologized to the veteran. "But it is the truth." He cleared his throat. "I had suffered from the Depression, although not as much as I had from the services of Madame Leota. I paid her almost every cent I had. The stock market crash only added to my troubles. World War II had indeed helped the economy, but I was on the verge of destitution. But I digress.

"After Asher's death, I had taken on a new partner at the law firm where I worked. His name was Rick Cavanaugh. Like the Graceys, he was from old money. Knowing the stock market and carefully studying it, it seemed he had played it safe and stashed most of his cash secretly. The old miser kept it hidden until the war had been declared. Although not as wealthy as he had once been, his money began to accumulate quickly through some business dealings on the side. Some said it was from selling weapons to the Italians and the Japanese, but it's never been proven.

"Anyway, I had lunch with Rick and his family one day and got to meet his eighteen year old daughter, Emily. She was a pretty, flirtatious, albeit a bit nervous, girl. Too energetic and young for my taste, really. We were civil towards one another, but the thought of marriage never crossed my mind. Later that evening when I got home, I told Leota all about Emily. I'd mentioned Madame Leota to her because she was worried about a boyfriend who had been drafted. The psychic said she'd be delighted to give the girl a reading…"

"She told me my Rodney had been killed! Got shot right in the head!" Emily sobbed. "And that he was happy now and in Heaven." She wiped her nose on her sleeve. "Then she said that Rodney told her that I should get married right away to"-she shuddered- "Mr. Gracey. I hardly knew him! He was just some old guy Dad worked with. He was handsome and had a nice voice, but…Marriage?"

"It was a few days after their meeting that Madame Leota suggested that I marry the girl."

Koji curled his lip in disgust. "Eww, dude you were old enough to be her dad!"

"Exactly. I didn't want to. I had no feelings for her. But then Leota explained how I'd get so much money out of it," his voice wavered, "and I was still reluctant. But the more she talked, the more appealing it became. I didn't want to! I know I didn't want to, but I agreed anyway!" Eyes staring into the memory, he said wistfully, "From then on, it felt as if I was looking out my eyes, but I wasn't in control. The next time Emily and I met, I remember asking her to marry me. She agreed. God, I wish she hadn't! I wish her father had said 'no'." As if suddenly weak, he leaned against the wall and stared down at his feet. "Then came the wedding night…"

"Oh, god, I was scared! During the entire wedding, I was screaming inside. I didn't want to marry him! He was too old. I didn't know him. I wanted to do what Rodney said, though. I had loved him, and I knew he would only want me to do something that was in my best interest." She wrung her hands. "I admit, it occurred to me once or twice that maybe Leota had been lying, but it all seemed so real when she told me. There was music and shiny lights, and when she stared into my eyes, I swear I saw Rodney looking back at me." Debating on how to continue, Emily paused in thought.

Finally, she unfolded her hands and spoke again. "It was storming bad that night, so the honeymoon was going to be here." She turned to Destiny, shame in her eyes. "I may be naïve, but I know what happens when people get married, and I didn't want to…" Tears streamed down her pale cheeks. "He was so much older, and I couldn't even stand kissing him! I had never ever been been with a man before; I was terrified!" Her heart flittered frantically.

"Oh, sweetie." Destiny felt tears filling her own eyes as Emily threw her arms around her neck. She hugged her back.

"Ms. Chalmers, you're a woman, so you understand, right? You don't think I'm a coward, do you?" she asked worriedly.

"No, I don't think you're a coward." When the girl looked up, Destiny prompted, "What happened next?"

Her misty gaze now on the attic, Emily smiled. It was a desperate, mad grimace. "I came up with a plan! I told him I wanted to play hide and seek. I figured it was a great way to stall because the mansion is so huge. Plus, if it took long enough, he'd be exhausted. What better place to hide than the attic? There's so much junk and it'd be the last place in the house to look."

"So I agreed to her little game. I figured she was just being playful. So I gave her two minutes to hide, and decided to start at the top.

"The closer I got to the attic, the more dizzy I felt. Then there was that sensation again, that feeling that I wasn't in control. I stumbled into the attic and immediately found her hiding in a pile of blankets. I pulled her up and this-this rage just took over! Everything became hazy."

"His eyes," Emily trembled, "they had this bright green glow to them, like a demon. He…he put his hands around my neck," she mimed it, her words broken with sobs, "and he squeezed my throat and shook me. I scratched him and kicked him, but he didn't let go. And then, my vision got blurry and everything went black."

"I came to. I mean, it felt like I had just woken up. There she was, the side of her head laying against my hand. I had choked her! I dropped her on the blankets and tried to resuscitate her, but nothing worked. She was alive, though. I could hear her heart beat. I told her I'd be right back with help and I ran out. I phoned an ambulance. Because of the storm, it took a long time for them to get here. I took the paramedics up to the attic, but we couldn't find her. It was as if she had vanished."

"I opened my eyes and it was dark and hot. I tried to sit up, but hit my head on a ceiling. I was locked in a trunk." She looked down at her seat. "This one actually. Oh, don't worry, I'm not still in there." Destiny sat back down. "I couldn't scream, or make any sounds, so I clawed and pounded on the lid. Soon, I couldn't breathe and I died. Just like that." Eyes narrowed, she growled, "George Gracey killed me!"

"After searching for hours, I noticed a bit of lace sticking out of a trunk. We opened it up, and there she was." George could feel his throat tighten. "Her fingernails were peeled off and there were scratches in the lid. Her fists were bruised. Poor kid." He swallowed. "And that's what she was, just a young girl. I haven't been able to go up into that attic sense." He stared at the door.

The other men were silent until Dustin spoke up. "Who really killed her?"

"Why, Leota, of course." George faced them again. "She slunk in after I left and shoved Emily into that trunk and locked it. It took a crow bar to get it open again. She was planning on getting the money we would get from Rick. I refused it, though. Told him I couldn't take it." He whistled. "That got her pretty mad. It was shortly after Emily's funeral that she told me. And it was that same night we both died."

A click and a slow creak made the three men turn. Emily stood in the doorway, as radiant as ever, her heart beating a steady rhythm. Smiling demurely, she put one hand on the banister and gracefully descended. "Miss Chalmers has told me that as a strong, independent woman, I shouldn't lock myself away from the rest of the world, but confront my fears." Stopping in front of George, her smile turned into a frown. "And I should forgive and forget."

With speed usually associated with a striking black mamba catching a mouse, she punched him in the stomach. When he bent over, she elbowed him in the back. Then she kneed him in the groin. "But according to Kung-Fu: Volume Five, the way to inner peace is to kick your enemy's ribs out through his back."

"Wow," Destiny breathed from the doorway. "I didn't expect her to do that." Springing down the steps two at a time, she got there just as Emily gave George a final kick in the ribs as he lay moaning on the floor. "Who knew there were martial arts guide books in the attic?"

With a satisfied little, "Humph," Emily stepped back and smoothed down her dress. "I feel lots better," she declared happily.

Dustin hoisted George up. "I don't think he deserved that. True, he's arrogant"-George moaned.- "vain"- "Ow!"- "and at times overdramatic-"

"Please Dustin, my pride is all I have. Let me nurse it back to health first!"

Quickly, Dustin finished, "But I think there's been a big misunderstanding, Miss Cavanaugh." As he dragged George into the parlor, he and Koji explained George's side of the story to Destiny and Emily.

"Oopsie," squeaked Emily. "Sorry George," she winced.

"'S all right," he wheezed. Dustin had lain him on one of the loveseats and tried his best to make him comfortable. When Emily tried to fluff a pillow for him, he snatched it and curled up into a fetal position, clutching it to his stomach. "I want to die."

"You're already dead." Destiny turned on the television. "Here, why don't you watch while you rest, okay?"

He gave little, short nods, his eyes big and teary. Then suddenly he sat up. "Oh my god!" Then he bent over in pain. "Oh my god. Shouldn't have done that. Ow." He pointed to the television screen and everyone looked.

A shaky hand held camera bobbed up and down as it followed a balding middle-aged man up the driveway of an old, Dutch Gothic mansion.

"Hey," said Emily brightly, "it looks like our house."

"It is!" Destiny glared at the man on the screen and turned up the volume. Another man, this one in a bad blue suit and clutching a microphone dashed up the front steps. "You have got to be kidding me."

The man with the microphone grinned into the camera. "Greetings, viewers! It's Lennie Weinrib, your daring, on the spot reporter with my good friend, Professor Robert Hahn from the Parker Institute for Supernatural Research. The professor has something very special to show us, don't you Rob?"

Hahn took the mic from Lennie. "I do. Folks, this is a genuine haunted house…"

"Look, E, we're on T. V!" Phineas cheered. He and the usual gaggle of ghosts were crowded around. Word traveled quick amongst them, and as soon as the words, "Emily laid the smack down on Gracey" were heard, everyone had run in to see what happened. The pitiful truth of the fight lay in front of them, but ragging on George could wait. This was much more exciting.

"Hey, down in front!" Ezra snapped at Claude. When the country bumpkin didn't comply, Gus flung his ball and chain around the man's knees and pulled him down. "Thank you, Gussie."

They all watched, shocked, as the footage of Leota that could be salvaged was shown. "Well, I'm sure everyone wants to see more than that, Rob," Lennie chuckled.

"Oh, I've got something much bigger in mind, Lennie." Hahn knocked on the front door. Destiny groaned as it echoed.

"Let's just not answer," said Koji.

"They know we're here," Destiny said, frustrated. "Look, both my car and yours are right there on camera."

Slowly becoming more nervous, Hahn called out, "Open up Ms. Chalmers! I've got a surprise for you!"

"Oh, I've got one for you too," she growled.

"Koji, I know you're here, too!" Smirking slyly, he drawled in a sing-song tone, "Are you and Ms. Chalmers doing some investigating on your own?" The others around him laughed at his suggestive joke.

The color drained from Destiny's face. "I'm going to kill him! Then, when he dies, I'm going to watch you guys pull him apart." She mimed ripping him to shreds. Then, she took in a deep breath and let it out slowly. "Okay, here's what we do. Since, they're not going to leave unless they're let inside, I'll let them in. Then you guys," she pointed to the ghosts, "stay in here. No one, I repeat, NO ONE is to go anywhere near the cameras. Stay in here. Watch me humiliate myself, okay. Koji," she grabbed his wrist, "you're coming with me."

"Aww, why can't we just sic Emily after him?"

Destiny put on her best smile and slowly opened the door. "Hi, Professor Hahn. Koji and I were just discussing you."

"You were?"

"We were?"

"Yes, we were." She chuckled nervously and stepped on Koji's foot.

"Ye-ow, yes, we were talking about the bizarre lack…of…any kind of spiritual entities… whatsoever." He smiled. "I haven't seen a place so empty since Blaine ate that double bean burrito and cut one off in the photo lab."

No one laughed at his tasteless joke, except for Ezra, Phineas, and Gus, who were in hysterics.

Meanwhile, someone else was watching Destiny with extreme interest.

Craig sat up a little straighter in his king-sized bed, letting his box of imported chocolates slide down his silk sheets and fall onto his Caravaggio rug. "Desdanee?" His nose was still heavily bandaged. Although it hurt ever so slightly, he grinned. This was perfect!

"I have no idea what he's talking about," said Destiny. "I haven't seen any ghosts, and I certainly didn't give this man permission to come into my home yesterday."

There was a gasp as the camera turned to Hahn. "In agreeing to let us investigate your home, you consent that we can enter whenever we feel it is in your best interest. It's not our fault that you don't read the fine print."

"What are you talking about?"

"It says so on our website. If you didn't bother to go check it out, it's on you."

"What website? Look, what you did was illegal-"

"Not according to our lawyers."

"What lawyers?"

"The ones we're going to hire. I suggest you get one too."

"Why can't you admit you're wrong? Look, do you see any ghosts? Any floating sheets?"

"As a matter of fact, Blaine said he saw a floating sheet!"

The reporters laughed.

"No, really! It was floating! I'll bet if we find it, I can find traces of ectoplasm all over it!"

The hitchhiking trio was collapsing and holding their sides with laughter. "That ectoplasm thing never gets old!" Ezra snorted, clapping Dustin roughly on the back.

L. L. turned to glare at them. With a finger to her lips, she hissed, "Shh!" From her seat next to George, she leaned forward and turned to volume up.

"Are you sure one of your men wasn't just running around wearing a blanket?" asked Destiny. "Are you that desperate for photos that you fake them by having someone dress up? I mean, I bet that camera footage was really your girlfrie-sister," that got a chuckle, "with her head sticking up through a hole in the table. Why are you wasting everyone's precious time? These reporters could be spending their time doing something better, like interviewing the mayor about unveiling a new Yankee Candle shop. Or attending a concert benefit for canker sores. You know-" The words caught in her throat as she watched a new figure stride into the room and up to Destiny.

"Craig, what are you doing here?" she demanded. He was wearing a robe, nightclothes, and loafer slippers. "Your nose is still broken. And you're wearing those god-awful red pajamas I got you for Christmas. Hey-"

He pulled her into an embrace. Luckily, she thought quickly and turned her head so that his lips just caught her ear. "I camb to beg your forgibness an' ask for your hamb en marr'age." He dropped to one knee and grabbed her hand. "Desdanee, will youb mar-ee meb?"

"What?" cried Destiny.

"What?" cried the news crew.

"What?" cried the ghosts.

"What?" cried over thirty thousand viewers at home.

Trying to pull her hand from his strong grip, Destiny grunted, "No!"

"Are youb sure 'bout that?" asked Craig, gesturing to the camera.

Destiny could feel herself begin to hyperventilate. He was doing this on purpose! He knew how she panicked, especially in front of people. If he thought she would say 'Yes' like she had last time, just because a bunch of people were watching and everything was so sudden, he had another thing coming!

"No…"

"Aw!" groaned the news team. "Quit being such an ice queen!" shouted the camera man. They began to chat, "Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes!"

Lennie's cell phone rang and he answered. "What? Fantastic!" He flipped his phone shut and hissed to the camera man, "Our ratings are going through the roof!"

With the cheers, jeers, lights, and Craig smirking at her, Destiny could feel herself getting more and more lightheaded. Her throat felt tight. She couldn't breathe.

"Don't do it!" squealed Emily.

"I've had enough." With determination, Dustin strode out of the room.

"Hey, where are you…Oh." Phineas looked at the screen. "There he is!"

"Don't botch it up mate!" yelled Asher.

"What do youb say, Desdanee?" Craig felt something tap his shoulder. He turned around, but didn't see anything. "Well, tha' wab weirb…" Then he felt a fist hit him square in the nose, knocking him down. "Holee shib!" he screamed, his hands cupping his face.

"Don't you ever treat a lady like that again!" Dustin commanded. Grabbing Craig by his pajama collar, he hissed, "Or so help me, I will haunt you for the rest of my afterlife and make life miserable for you until you die, then I will beat you into a little ectoplasmic pulp every day for eternity!" He dropped him roughly on the floor.

Jaw dropping, Dustin suddenly seemed to realize what he had done. "Oh, bloody hell," he whimpered to the camera.

"That's it," said Ezra. "Cover's blown."

"Havoc time?" asked Phineas.

"Havoc time."

"Gus love havoc time!" Cackling, the three rushed out.

The shortest spook slammed the metal ball into the cameraman's legs, making him drop the camera. Phineas and Ezra picked up Craig by his arms and dragged him across the floor. The onlookers gasped with amazement. Everyone scrambled to pick the camera up and get it running again after the fall caused it to turn off.

"Look pal," said Ezra, "you got good taste in women, I'll give you that."

"But you need to learn how to treat a lady," Phineas added.

Gus dashed in front of them and opened the door. "No…" Ezra and Phineas hoisted him up. "Means…" They pulled him back. "NO!" They tossed him, flinging him into his car door. He hit with a groan, and slid all the way down, crying.

Koji bit his lip. How were they ever going to counteract this? The camera beeped a few times and came to life. Koji stepped in front of it and yelled, "STOP!"

Everything suddenly halted. One could hear a tear drop hit the floor, it was so quiet. Unfamiliar with so much attention, Koji stuttered. "Uh, he-hi." He cleared his throat. "Hey, I'm Koji Wendell, from the Parker Institute of Supernatural Research. And I would just like to say that I'm sorry."

Everyone shot each other confused looks. "What are you talking about?" asked Hahn.

"I set this up. Well, not the news crew. All the ghost stuff. The head in the crystal ball? That's just a Styrofoam wig stand and a film loop on a projector. The floating instruments are on strings. That guy crying like a baby on the dirt there? Actor." Craig was in too much pain to object. "That coffee that just got knocked out of that intern's hand and onto that ugly blue suit? Well, that kid's probably just a klutz. Awkward phase in everyone's life. But she," he pointed a hand at Destiny, "had nothing to do with it. I pretended to be a cable guy and when she wasn't looking, set all that crap up. Hahn had nothing to do with it either." The professor's face was beet red with rage. "Yeah, I just wanted to pull a big hoax. Figured it'd be my break, you know? My name in a headline. My own Sci-Fi channel series." He chuckled weakly. "I'm really, really sorry, everyone. Sorry I wasted your time and betrayed your trust, especially you Destiny. I'm sorry."

Lennie made a gesture with his hand and the camera was shut off. The crew started to trudge out, carting out all their equipment. Sobbing, Craig drove himself home.

"Wendell!" Hahn growled. "Give me your badge!"

Koji didn't even bother with an excuse. He took out his wallet and flipped it open. With a struggle, he finally pulled out his ugly, plastic green badge. "Here." He slapped it into Hahn's palm. "Stupid thing never glowed in the dark anyway."

"I will see to it that you will never work in the field of the paranormal again!"

"Yes, sir." Koji watched, stone faced as Hahn stormed out, slamming the door behind him. Sniffing, he wiped tears from his eyes. "Well, there's that career down the tubes." A chuckle didn't hide the soft sob.

Dustin put a hand on the young man's shoulder. "Brilliant work. I can't express how noble and brave that was."

Smiling, Koji said, "Thanks Dustbin."

"You're welcome, Koh-Gee. Come on, I'll make you a hot cup of tea. Seems like everyone could use one," he added, glancing at a shaking Destiny.

Before Koji could follow him to the kitchen he was stopped and nearly fell over as his legs closed together. Gus grinned up at him, his arms wrapped around Koji's legs in a tight embrace. "Ahh! Ezra, call him off! He's hugging me! Eww!"

L. L. giggled as she swooped down and snatched his fedora off his head. She put it on, and then perched on his shoulders, her legs dangling around his neck. After shaking Gus off of him, he grinned up at the little girl and put an extra bounce in his step as he walked to the kitchen.

After eating half a dozen cookies and paying Destiny back for the roll of dough he stole, Koji left. Once again, Destiny and Dustin were sitting alone at the little table. She looked down into her tea, putting together what she should say.

"Thank you for coming to my rescue." She smiled. "I don't know what happened. I just froze up again." She chuckled dryly. "My heart is still pounding."

"You're welcome." He smiled back. "I'm sure you could have done without my help."

"Not that time, I couldn't. I don't know what it is, I just panic. But I did do better than last time." Beaming, she said, "I did say no. That's a start. Granted, I'll be surprised if I ever get my job back."

"Destiny, I've been thinking a lot about what you said this morning, and I agree that there are a lot of…peculiarities about our relationship. But," he looked up, wrapping his transparent fingers around hers, "can't we at least enjoy this while you're here? Maybe when you die sixty-some-odd years from now, you won't be stuck here. I hope you aren't. But until that time, why not have breakfast and dinner together? Or the occasional dance? Or the hopefully more than occasional kiss?" Destiny allowed herself a chuckle at that.

"Destiny, you've changed this place from Hell to Heaven for me. I only hope I can do the same for you."

It was not something she could express as poetically as he did, but it was true. Something between them had clicked long ago. Destiny couldn't place exactly when that had happened. Maybe it was all the way back to when he had accidentally picked up her bra-she giggled inwardly at the memory-or perhaps it had been when they went for the buggy ride. Whatever it was, she couldn't argue that it had changed her life for the better.

Unable to find the words, she smiled at him. "Why do you do that?"

"Do what?"

"Counteract all of my pessimistic thoughts. It's so hard to be cynical with you around. If you don't knock it off, I might start having faith in mankind."

"Oh," sneered Dustin playfully, "we wouldn't want that." He smiled. "What do you say? This is your decision. I don't want to pressure you. Trust me, I'm not the type of man who-"

He was cut off with a kiss.