Free The Old House (Haunted Series Book 16) by Alexie Aaron Page A

owners wanted to make sure the bar had everything possible for making the latest martinis and margaritas.  I knew we would have to order some special liquors, so I had come in specially to do the ordering.  Some of these could take months to get in,” he explained.  “I was in the liquor cabinet when I felt a presence behind me.”
    “Was it just a feeling, or did you hear or possibly smell something?” Mia asked.
    “No, just the hairs on the back of my neck raised.  I turned around, and a beefy-looking man dressed in a pinstripe suit was sitting across the bar in one of the booths.  I yelled over, ‘Sorry, but the management has closed the bar until the grand reopening.’  He just stares at me like I’ve insulted him.  I walk out from behind the bar and towards the man when he gets up and disappears.”
    “Could he have left the bar before you got to him?” Mia asked sweetly.
    “No, I was four feet from him when he vanished, miss.”
    “That must have been scary,” she sympathized.
    “That was nuthin’.  I shook that off. I’ve seen a few things in my line of work.  So I go back to my inventory when a hand grabs me by the back of the neck and pushes me down to the floor, and then the kicking starts.  All the while, this guy is saying stuff about my heritage and my mother’s lack of husband.”
    “That’s horrible,” Mia says.  “How long did this go on for?”
    “Long enough to break two ribs and bruise my kidney.”
    “I’m sorry this has happened to you, John.”
    “So you believe me?” John said, surprised.
    “I’ve seen some things too in my line of work,” Mia said.
    “And cut,” Burt said.
    “Do you want to go back into the bar?” Mia asked John.
    “No, miss.”
    “I could go back in there with you.  Maybe have you wear some protection.  We could sort out this difference of opinion?”
    “Miss, the guy knocked the shit out of me.”
    “Fair enough,” Mia said, knowing when to back off.  “You’re not still seeing the man, are you?”
    John paled.  “How did you know?”
    “Tell me about it.” Mia motioned for Burt to start filming.
    “I was walking across Michigan Avenue in the city when I get shoved.  That isn’t odd considering that it was a rush hour crowd.  I barely missed getting winged by a cab.  I look back, and there’s that same guy in the pinstripe suit looking at me.  How is this possible?”
    “It’s a rare occurrence, but sometimes a spirit will follow you home.  I think he’s been with you since the incident here.  He’s with you now,” she added.
    “Why? I didn’t do him no disservice.”
    “He seems to have other ideas.  We could go back into the bar and straighten this out,” Mia offered.  “Or you can take your chances on your own.”
    “Who’s going to protect me, that lug with the plastic smile?” he asked, indicating Mike.
    “No, John, I am,” Mia said sweetly.  “Plus, we’re going to use some precautions.”
    “And cut,” Burt said.  “Mia, may I have a word with you?”
    “Sure thing, boss,” she said.  She tapped her earcom.  “Ted, did we pack any iron vests?”
    “Yes.”
    “Good, I’m going to send John down for you to suit him up while I have a confab with Burt.”
    “Be nice, Olive.”
    “I’ll do my best, Popeye.”
    Burt frowned.  He had a feeling he had been put in the role of Brutus, but he smiled once again and patted the chair beside him.
    Mike left to escort John to the command center.  It was just Mia and Burt sitting face to face.  She wasn’t worried until Burt took off his com and asked for hers.
    “First of all, sorry about your hair,” Burt said.
    “It was too shiny,” Mia said.  “Sorry about the punch.”
    “It was just a tap.  What are you doing with John?”
    “Trying to help him and clear out a few ghosts at the same time.  As a bonus, you get it on film,” she said.
    “You’re telling me there is a ghost attached to John?”
    “Two.  I didn’t want to