“Do you think that’s possible?”
“I’m not sure, but it might have found a way, especially if it has an ulterior motive,” she said.
“What sort of ulterior motive?” Harry echoed.
Phoebe shuffled her feet. “I don’t know… maybe it wants revenge on someone who did harm to the ghost… during its human lifetime… or to some family member. This is just my opinion…I’m no expert.”
“You know far more about ghosts than I do. Do you feel uneasy about it now like you did at the apartment?”
“It’s different. I don’t feel like i’m in any real danger, but… I get the feeling it wants something from me and I have no idea what that could be. So, I’m uneasy about what it might want me to do.”
“Do you believe an unseen force – such as a ghost – can actually force a real flesh-and-blood person to do something against his or her will?”
Head tipped slightly to one side, Phoebe frowned. “I get the feeling you are not a believer.”
“In my experience, things that ‘go bump in the night’ usually have a logical explanation.”
“Yes, in many cases that’s true, but I don’t think real ghosts go around advertising their presence without a reason, and they don’t actually go bump in the night.”
Harry chuckled and drew a deep breath. “Okay, I’m willing to put my personal beliefs aside in the interest of fair play. Anything else I should know? Is there any particular room in the house where you sense the ghost more?”
“Yes, the bedroom that I’m using as a craft room. It always seems to be colder than the rest of the house for some reason.”
Harry nodded. “Now, tell me, how do you think I can help you? What do you want me to do?”
She shrugged. “Whatever it is you do to determine if this really is a ghost, or if someone is following me, I suppose.”
********************
All through the following week, Harry kept an eye on Phoebe when she was outside. He knew the real estate agent responsible for a vacant house across the street.
Harry knew the real estate agent, who provided him with a key, after obtaining the owner’s permission. His truck might attract attention parked on the street, but not in a driveway. However, a week of surveillance produced no results.
Meanwhile, Phoebe had asked if he might be able to get some history on the house, and previous owners. The ghost might be someone connected to the house. He knew that Joe used to live in that part of town and might know something.
“Rufus and Lillian Peters bought it,” Joe said.
“Bought it from whom?”
“Dickinson’s estate… both dead…no children…”
“Do you know anything about these previous owners?”
“Dickinsons – no. Rufus was a seaman… lost at sea… said he visited her every night.”
Harry shook his head. “She said that?” Joe nodded. “How long did she remain in the house after he died?”
