Free Hungry Spirits [Spirits 04] by Alice Duncan Page A

I’d seen on my poor husband’s face all day long. I spread a blanket over his shoulders, and he huddled in the chair, looking almost happy for quite a while as we watched his dog romp.
    The air was chilly in the foothills, but Spike didn’t mind. He chased around like a dog possessed, barking at squirrels and birds, leaping in the air after falling leaves, and at one point jumping into the stream.
    “ Hey!” I hollered. “It’s too cold for that!”
    But Spike didn’t think so. He had a rip-roaring good time. So did Billy, who said, “What the heck, Daisy. He’s wearing a fur coat.”
    Actually, I was enjoying myself, too, until Sam said, “Say, did that woman come back to your class yesterday? The one who disappeared during the first class?”
    There went my good mood. I glared at Sam. “Yes, she did. What I want to know is why you’re so interested in her, Sam Rotondo.”
    This time he gave me a half answer, which was about twice as much as he’d given me before. “I’m not really interested in her at all. I just think it’s curious that as soon as the law showed up, she vanished. That type of behavior makes my detectival instincts stand up and salute.”
    “ Hmm. That’s the only reason?”
    “ That’s it.”
    “ You’re not thinking she’s a criminal or anything? There’s not a wanted poster for her up at the police station?”
    He growled, “Cripes. No, there’s no wanted poster up at the police station. If there were, I’d have arrested her by now. I don’t know what she is. I only thought it was odd that she ran away as soon as I arrived.”
    I didn’t believe him, and it took a good ten minutes for my happy mood to return. Thank God for Billy’s dog or it never would have.
    The rest of our outing passed peacefully enough, and Sam drove us home in time for cold chicken, green salad and potato patties that Vi’d made from the leftover mashed potatoes from dinner. This, after I’d absolutely stuffed myself at noon. I’ll never have the “slim, boyish” figure the fashion magazines tell us we women are supposed to have, I guess.
    Sam, Billy and Pa played gin rummy after supper as usual, and Aunt Vi and Ma read. I practiced playing “This Is My Father’s World” on our piano in order to be as competent with the music as possible when Lucy showed up.
    She did that very thing during my third run-through of the music.
    “ Hey, Lucy,” said I, opening the door for her. I waved to her father, who had drawn his automobile up at the curb in front of our house, to let him know all was well.
    “ It’s cold tonight,” Lucy said, shivering to prove it, as she came in. I took her woolen coat and hung it on the coat tree beside the front door. She wore the same outfit she’d worn to church that morning, a pretty tweed suit in muted browns with a loose belt tied just below her waist. Lucy was long and lean, like the magazines kept telling us we should be, so the style worked on her very well. You wouldn’t know she had a curve on her, if you know what I mean.
    “ Let me introduce you to everyone.” Then, deciding that was a stupid thing to have said, I amended the statement. “Well, I guess you know everyone in my family.” Leading her toward the piano and pausing beside the card table, I said, “Lucille Spinks, you know my family, but this is Sam Rotondo. Sam’s a detective for the Pasadena Police Department.”
    To my utter astonishment, Lucy blushed! When I introduced her to Sam! Good heavens, what did this mean?
    Sam and Pa had risen politely when Lucy entered the room. Billy smiled at her from his chair. “Hey, Lucy,” said he.
    “ Good evening, Billy.”
    Sam, bowing slightly, said, “Pleased to meet you, Miss Spinks.” I’d never known him to be so polite.
    “ Happy to meet you , Detective,” Lucy said back at him, her cheeks positively glowing.
    Well, for heaven’s sake. I didn’t know what was going on with Lucy, but I decided I didn’t like it. After a round of