Free Janet McNulty - Mellow Summers 07 - Two Ghosts Haunt a Grove by Janet McNulty Page A

Jackie. “Jackie?”
    “Mel, where have you been?”
    “Doesn’t matter,” I said, “I’ll pick you up in twenty.. Wear boots and jeans.”
    “Mel—”
    I flipped my phone closed. Okay maybe I was a bit rude, but I hadn’t time to waste. I needed to talk with the family and Stacy Kellmore was a good place to start.
     

Chapter 7
    I pulled into the apartment complex right on time with both Jackie and Greg waiting outside for me. “Get in,” I said.
    “Mel, what is this about?” demanded Jackie.
    “I know where Stacy Kellmore lives and need to speak with her.”
    They both folded their arms.
    “Please,” I begged, “I’ll explain on the way.”
    That did it. They jumped in the car and I took off for Joseph Bourtonson’s place again.
    Instead of taking the lonely road that went straight to the abandoned inn, I veered to the right at the fork in the road heading deeper into a wooded area. This was where Stacy Kellmore was supposed to be. Driving slowly, I kept a look out for anything that indicated we had found her. Nothing so far.
    “Are you sure you know where you’re going?” asked Jackie.
    “Pretty sure,” I replied. “According to Kyle his sister lives up here and has for quite a while. Sort of an outdoors, hippie type.”
    “Great,” muttered Greg, “Another weird one.”
    “I don’t think it’s going to be that bad,” I said.
    “We’re lost,” Jackie piped up.
    “No, we’re not,” I replied, growing more irritated.
    Where was she? I knew this had to be the place. It was the only area that was close to the property.
    A man seated on a horse caught my eye. He was a bit see-throughish; not at all like the hooded figure we saw a few days before. I slammed the brakes.
    “What?” asked Greg, concerned.
    The man on the horse turned casually and trotted off. Quickly, I hit the accelerator and turned the wheel determined to follow him and find out who he was. The car bounced and rocked violently as I sped through the wooded terrain on a trail barely wide enough for it.
    “Mel!” screamed Jackie as she held on for dear life. “Mel, what are you doing?”
    I didn’t pay any attention. I knew that that was the ghost I had seen earlier and he was leading me to something. Hopefully to something worthwhile. The car jolted again as my rear tire slammed into a giant rock. I took my foot off the accelerator a bit.
    “Mel!” screamed both Jackie and Greg.
    Suddenly, a woman darted out in front of me. With lightning fast reflexes I slammed the brakes bringing the car to a screeching halt missing the woman by inches. I jumped out of the car. “I’m terribly sorry—”
    “Are you insane?” demanded the woman.
    “No.”
    “What the hell are you doing out here driving at ninety miles an hour! This place is no place for vehicles or maniac drivers!”
    “I’m sorry,” I said, feeling very guilty at almost hitting her, “It’s just I saw this man on a horse and—”
    “Man?” The woman stared at me suddenly alert, the near collision forgotten.
    “Yeah,” I said.
    Jackie and Greg got out of the car as well.
    “Was he dressed in black?” asked the woman.
    “No,” I replied, cautiously, “He was a bit see throughish and ghostly white.”
    “Oh, well, next time be more careful,” said the woman, her tone changing 180 degrees, “The woods are no place for city folk.”
    “Mel, really what was that all about?” demanded Greg.
    “I’m sorry,” I said to him before turning back to the woman, “Look, we’re looking for Stacy Kellmore. She’s supposed to live up here or something.”
    “And what do you want with me?” asked the woman as she took off her hat letting her blonde hair fall around her shoulders.
    “Stacy?” I asked.
    “Yes, that’s me. I’m Stacy Kellmore.”
    “My name is Mel and this is Jackie and Greg. I just got done talking with your brother and wanted to talk to you about the property dispute you filed against him.”
    “I don’t see why this is any of