Free Vampire Memories #5 - Ghosts of Memories by Barb Hendee Page B

functioned as her driver—to fill the necessary spots. The table was so large that at least six people were required to be able to join hands.
    “Ivory?” he said.
    She tried not to look at him as she turned and glided toward the table, red silk moving about her feet. Perhaps she knew her eyes gave too much away.
    But really, this entire affair was too tedious. If the money hadn’t already been transferred into his account, he might have pleaded a headache and begged off. But that wouldn’t do either. He and Ivory were there for a reason—for this reason—and they were being well paid.
    Mr. Renault sat down across from Christian. Strain and sorrow had caused deep creases around his eyes.
    “Who is it that I am calling from the other side?” Christian asked. He normally made a point of being told almost nothing before meeting the client for the séance. That made the whole event seem even more miraculous.
    “My wife, Debra.”
    Christian forced his expression to exude controlled compassion. “I will try for you. The spirits often speak to me. Do you know precisely what you wish to ask her?”
    Mr. Renault nodded. “Yes.”
    Christian instantly entered his mind again, but going deeper now, seeing images of an attractive woman in her forties, with cropped auburn hair and a warm smile. All Christian had to do was get Mr. Renault to think of the words he needed to hear, and then Christian could have Ivory parrot them back. This wouldn’t take long.
    Vera had the servants sit, and then everyone joined hands. Even after nearly a week, this room still appalled Christian. It was just so…overstuffed. But he’d always known that real money and good taste did not necessarily go hand in hand. Poor Vera was lonely, and perhaps all the things taking up space made her feel less so.
    He closed his eyes. “Debra Renault, I call to you from the other side. Hear me. Come to us now.”
    An incredibly clear image flashed through Mr. Renault’s mind. Debra was dressed in jeans and a cable-knit sweater. She was near tears and seemed to be trying not to grab her husband’s arm.
    Unfortunately, due to his scattered state of mind—over that unsettling phone call—Christian had not prepared himself for the onslaught of emotion, and so Mr. Renault’s guilt and sorrow suddenly hit him hard. He had to fight to keep his eyes closed.
    What’s wrong? Ivory flashed.
    Nothing. Stay with me.
    “Debra, is that you?” he said aloud. “Are you with us?”
    But just as he finished asking the question, Vera’s cook screamed. “Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!”
    The sound was loud and long, and then Vera gasped and Mr. Renault was shouting. “What in the hell…?”
    “Who disturbs the peace of the dead?” shouted a deep male voice with a heavy Scottish accent.
    Christian opened his eyes.
    To his complete shock, a transparent, six-foot-tall Scottish Highlander was floating four or five inches above the floor on the other side of the room—near a collection of Egyptian statues.
    The cook was still screaming, and Mr. Renault was on his feet now.
    “That is not Debra!”
    “Who disturbs the dead?” the ghost shouted again, and he sailed up into midair, flying over the table and swooshing toward Christian. On instinct, Christian ducked, and Ivory dashed off her chair to one side.
    “You will pay!” the ghost yelled, turning in midair and swooshing back again.
    Vera jumped up so quickly she knocked the candelabra over, spreading hot candle wax across the table. Even the stoic Simmons looked alarmed as he watched the Scottish ghost flying around the room.
    The cook went on screaming, and Mr. Renault’s face had gone quite red.
    Christian had absolutely no idea what to do.
    Once Mary reached the correct area near Puget Sound, she had no trouble zeroing in on two undead signatures, and within moments, she’d located the mansion.
    Wow, she thought, taking in the exterior. Fancy.
    From what she could sense out here, both vampires appeared to be located