"Wow. That was something," said Phillip, expelling the breath he'd been holding in. "Do you still see him?" he asked, looking at Amanda.
She shook her head. "Let's see what's hidden in the wall," she suggested.
Phillip moved to the corner and pressed the wall as the ghost had instructed. There was a soft click, then, as if it were on a hinge, a portion of the wall from the floor to the ceiling swung inward. The section was no more than six inches wide—not enough to hide a treasure chest, that much was clear. Dust accompanied the panel opening. Amanda sneezed when the dust filled her nose.
"Bless you," said Phillip. He reached into the open panel and pulled out a four-foot-long tube-shaped leather case. It had a carrying strap on one side, and the size and shape suggested it might contain a map.
Amanda's heart beat rapidly; she was anxious to see what was inside. Phillip carried it to the desk. She followed. They stood side by side as he opened the top of the case and peered inside. A smile played across his lips, then became a full blown grin.
"I see a document inside."
"Is it a map?"
"Yes, tell us, Phil, is there a treasure map in there?"
Amanda froze and shut her eyes tightly. Oh, crap, Sweet's awake. How did he untie the ropes? A soft click told her whoever it was had the pistol. They were right back where they started. Doomed.
"Well, well, ya, scurvy dog, do ya think I'd let the likes o' you get the drop on me family?"
A bloodcurdling scream made the hair on the back of her neck stand at attention and sent shivers down her spine. The scream ended abruptly, as if a tap had been turned off. Amanda opened one eye to steal a look at Phillip. He, too, had his eyes shut.
After several seconds of silence that seemed like an eternity, Amanda decided to take a look. She opened her eyes and turned around.
There was no sign of Sweet, the captain, or his cat. All that remained was the pistol, lying on the floor, resting near the wall where their would-be murderer must have dropped it. She tapped Phillip on his shoulder. He turned around.
"What happened?" he said.
Amanda shook her head slowly. "I have no idea. I've never known ghosts to interact with the living. Unless..." It couldn't be, but it was the only sane explanation, if you could call the paranormal sane. She set her jaw and explained. "I've read about this, but have never met anyone who's seen it. And least, anyone who's still alive."
Phillip looked at her in awe, his eyes wide. She continued. "In 1891, a man named Simon Polson, a medium reputed to have been to the other side, reported that when ghosts feel threatened or when they're angered they can will themselves to touch and interact physically with the real world. Polson said it drained them and in some cases destroyed them, but if the ghost were powerful enough, they could even drag the living into the spirit world. The living would not be able to escape and would spend eternity neither living nor dead, in limbo."
Phillip shuddered. "Sounds horrible. Do you think that's what happened to Jim?"
Amanda nodded. "Yes, I think so. But as my mother used to say, he made his bed, he has to lie in it."
She turned to the desk and picked up the map case. "If this is the letter, then we need to take it to a museum to get it authenticated. Old documents will crumble unless they're treated with great care. Do you agree?"
"Yes, but I'm anxious to see the letter."
Amanda grinned. "Me as well, but we have to be patient."
Phillip offered her a lopsided grin, which got her juices flowing again. "Perhaps you and I can work together once we get back to Boston. What do you think?"
Amanda wanted to see him again in the worst way possible. Or was it the best? She smiled to herself. "Well, Mr. Swann, I think we can arrange something, but since you saved my life, I must insist you let me buy you dinner."
"Agreed." He held out his hand, she took it in hers, and shook to seal their agreement. Reluctantly she let go.
"Let's pack up your camp and call for a boat. I'm sure Pierre wouldn't mind coming back for us," she said.
Phillip nodded, then took the leather case from her and walked out of the library into the hall.
A small movement to her left shifted her attention from the doorway toward the wall. Scars appeared from the wall, padded to her, and rubbed his body against her legs, emitting a gentle purring sound. She sighed. Not only did she have a new friend and business partner, but somehow she had adopted a ghost cat.
Amanda watched Phillip go and it dawned on her that her life was headed on a new path. She might even have discovered a best friend, and maybe more.
Hopefully much more.
About the Author
International selling author, Russ Crossley writes science fiction and fantasy, and mystery/suspense as well as their various subgenres.
His latest science fiction satire set in the far future, Revenge of the Lushites, is a sequel to Attack of the Lushites released in 2011. The latest title in the series was released in the fall of 2013. Both titles are available in e-book and trade paperback.
He has sold several short stories that have appeared in anthologies from various publishers including; WMG Publishing, Pocket Books, and St. Martins Press.
He is a member of SF Canada and is past president of the Greater Vancouver Chapter of Romance Writers of America. He is also an alumni of the Oregon Coast Professional Fiction Writers Master Class taught by award winning author/editors, Kristine Katherine Rusch and Dean Wesley Smith.
Feel free to contact him on Facebook, Twitter, or his website http:www.russcrossley.com. He loves to hear from readers.
Other titles from 53rd Street Publishing you may enjoy
http://www.53rdstreetpublising.com
Other books by the Author
Razor and Edge Mysteries
The Kidnapping of Billy Buttons
String of Pearls
Death by Clown
Beggin' For Murder
The Grand Central Mystery
A Strange Case of Undead Murder
Jazz Stiletto Mysteries
A Day Without Sunshine
Skullduggery
Instrument of justice (first published in Over My Dead Body online mystery magazine)
The Amanda Dark paranormal mysteries
Hook Island
Grind Manor
Moonrise Diner
A Father’s Daughter
The Trudy Wilson Mysteries
Bad Loyalty
Shear Murder
Buzzcut coming soon
Novels
Attack of the Lushites
Revenge of the Lushites
My Zombie Prince
Antique Virgin
The Fire In Their Hearts
with R.S. Meger (from Champagne Books)
Zomopolis
The Last Serial Killer
Short Stories
Countdown
Shoeless Moe
Round Up At The Burger Bar:
The Story of Trixie Pug, Parts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Five Minutes
Blossom Queen, Barbarian
The Secret
The Family Line
End of the Flies
Death by Magic
The Penguin Sleeps With The Fishes
Only The Worthy
Hero For A Day
End of Empire
Strange Bedfellows
Big Business
A Perfect Crime
In Search of the Perfect Cup
T.I.N. Men
The Legend of G and the Dragonettes
The Incredible Mr. Fix-It
Lock Stock and Barrel
Divided Loyalties
Cave of Wonders
A Family Empire
Until We Meet Again
Dragon Rising
Solitary Man
The Keel Mountain Conspiracy
Angel on My Shoulder
Heroes of Ol
d
The Great Bicycle Race
Tikka's Big Day
"My Partner the Zombie" —
Hungry For Your Love Anthology
(St. Martin's Press)
Big Hairy Deal
One Red Shoe
A Bad Day in Lunden Texas
Bloody Betty, Queen of the Pirates
Mirror Image
Dangerous Waters
Cape Disappointment
Boomerang
The Watcher of Wayburn Street
The Apprentice
Drip!
A Beautiful Friendship and The Parrot of Doom
Robine's Diary
The Christmas Club
Loose Ends
Splatter Pattern
It Takes Two
Lexicon
Replacement Parts
Sidekicks
Lost Stories
Time and Space
Survivors
Neighborhood Watch
Unnatural Immortal
Rum Runner’s Lounge
It’s A Small Galaxy
A Shattered Man
Betrayed
Replacement Parts
Clubhouse Heroes
Anthologies
Tales of Urban Fantasy
Five Tales of Bizarre Detectives
Tales of Mystery and Suspense
Tales of Weird Fantasy
Spies, Detectives, & Heroes
Tales of Twisted Crime
Tales of The Unexpected
Tales From Space
10 by Russ Crossley
Round Up At The Burger Bar: The Story of Trixie Pug,
Parts 1- 5 The Beginning
Worlds of Science Fiction and Fantasy
More Tales of Mystery and Suspense
Ladies of the Jolly Roger
Justice Served
Love Stories
Ladies of the Jolly Roger with R.S. Meger
The Adventures of Razor and Edge:
Five Tales From The Quirky Detective Team
An Unexpected Journey
On Edge
Non-Fiction
The Writers Tools - The Synopsis
Also available from 53rd Street Publishing
Aloha Armstrong, The Woman from L.I.P.S returns in an exciting new adventure. Her mission: to go undercover as sheriff of Zomopolis, a domed town where incurable zombies are kept until a cure can be found, to discover the fate of the previous sheriff who went missing under mysterious circumstances.
She soon discovers a town filled with secrets, people who might not be who they claim to be, and a deadly conspiracy than threatens to destroy humanity. Handsome diner owner Hanson Braddock, a man with his own secrets, offers his help but can she trust him?
Surrounded by possible enemies Aloha must face a decision that will change her life forever.
Will Aloha save the world from certain doom or is this her final mission?
The book may be purchased from your favorite online bookseller or ordered from your local book store.