Free Elizabeth Basque - Medium Mysteries 02 - Silver Lake by Elizabeth Basque Page B

asked. You never knew with Mack. But his answer surprised me.
    “ We were followed heah,” he said, and jerked his head to a car parking not far away.
    I followed his line of vision. A dark, sleek SUV had just pulled in.
    “Are you sure?” Julie asked.
    “ Yep. Evah since we left the neighborhood.”
    No one got out of the SUV.
    “Bet they’ll get out once you ladies do,” Mack predicted.
    “ Well, there’s only one way to find out,” I told them. “Come on, Julie.”
    Julie was nervous, I could tell. Sure enough, as we exited the car—and Mack moved through it—a man in a dark suit and dark sunglasses got out. He was wearing a long overcoat, even though the day promised to be warm.
    “Don’t worry,” Mack said as he rose into the air and looked down at the man.
    He headed towards us, and I decided to wait for him. He looked a little surprised that we weren’t hurrying for the elevator, but he kept his pace until he reached us.
    “Can I help you?” I asked coolly. I had my own shades on, which was good. I didn’t want him to see any fear in my eyes. And I reassured myself that Julie and I had a bodyguard that this man didn’t know about.
    “ Pauline Ocean.” He looked away while he said my name.
    “ Yes.”
    Julie took a step closer to me, but kept silent.
    “You’re here to visit Garrett Mackenzie. Is that right?”
    “ You’re correct. And your name is…?”
    “ My name’s not important. I don’t think it would be in your best interest to visit Mr. Mackenzie.”
    It irritated me that he wouldn’t look at me. Probably some kind of dramatic thug trait he had picked up from watching too much TV.
    I laughed. “Who do you think you are? You can’t tell me what to do. Good day to you, sir.”
    Julie and I turned, but the man caught my arm. “I’m afraid you don’t understand,” the man said quietly. He was glancing around the semi-dark lot.
    It was then that Mack decided to show himself. He just appeared, right next to me. He hovered above the floor and put his hand on top of the man’s grip on me.
    “ I’m afraid it’s you who doesn’t undahstand,” Mack bellowed.
    The trench coat man whipped his hand off of me and jumped back. “Whaa…”
    Mack pushed him, and I knew that the man would be chilled by the ghost’s touch. It’s not a pleasant experience, most of the time, to be touched by a ghost. Add to it the element of surprise and most people are spooked enough.
    Add an angry and impatient Mack, and the results were most spectacular.
    The man almost fell, more out of fear and surprise than anything. He caught himself and gaped at Mack’s shimmering image now floating in front of me and Julie. He tried to gather his wits about him, but it was clear that he was spooked.
    “ What were you saying?” Julie asked with a smile.
    Arms crossed, Mack moved closer to the man. The man stood his ground, but just barely. Whoever he was, he was a bully, and he was used to intimidating people. His face, which had gone pale, reddened with embarrassment.
    “You don’t scare me,” the man said uncertainly. “I’ve got a job to do.”
    Mack drew himself up and took a deep breath. “BOO!” he bellowed.
    “Mother of God,” whimpered the man, and he turned around and fled.
    “ That’s right!” Mack hollered after him as the man tried to unlock his car with shaking hands. “Come around these ladies again and you’ll get what you deserve!”
    The man got into his car and backed out too fast, bumping into another car. He didn’t stop, though, and sped right past us. Mack took the opportunity to sweep alongside of the man’s window for a few yards, moaning loudly.
    With the Trench Coat Man gone, Mack came back to my side.
    Julie laughed, and I joined in.
    Mack was obviously pleased with himself, although it hadn’t taken much to get rid of our tail.
    “ Now,” I said, turning finally toward the elevator at the far end of the lot, “you’ve had your fun, Mack. I hope you don’t