Chapter 2
“Ghost? What ghost on what ledge?” Morris demanded in a hot voice.
“You said it was a damn bird up there. Boys, get out the blasted gear. We’re
going hunting.”
The rest of the crew cried out, dropped the containers, and
started to unlock them.
“Like hell you are.”
“You can’t stop us,” Morris said.
“Try me, Mr Jarrett. This is my home, my business. You and your
crew are no longer welcome on these grounds. Your deposits are refunded. Close
the containers. Pick them up. Turn around and leave. Now,” Edmund Carslyle
said, shoving forward into Morris’ face. Fists clenched against his thighs.
Above the manor, lightning flashed, thunder rumbled across the
skies.
Next to Edmund, Aiden fixed his glasses and looked around at the sudden
natural effects around the manor. There wasn’t a cloud in the sky. Where did
the storm come from?
“You’ll hear from my lawyers,” Morris threatened.
Edmund released and clenched one fist. “You’ll get nowhere other
than lose money and face within your community. I wouldn’t even bother. Leave.”
“Aiden, move, we’ll go to the next project,” Morris snapped to
him.
Aiden managed to remove his attention from Edmund’s chiseled body
to Morris’ furious expression. He knew this expression well. “You know what, Morris,
there’s no point to this.”
“To what?”
Adjusting his glasses, Aiden straightened his back at Morris’
harsh glance. He heard the doubt in his boss’ voice. “I don’t believe I’ll keep
doing this with you. As a scientific and logical researcher, I don’t consider
paranormal hunting to be a legitimate business. I give you my notice.”
“What the hell are you going to do? Back to contractor research or
standing in front of a classroom, trying to teach?”
“Perhaps. I need to consider my options, but I no longer include
your team as one of them. I wish you luck in your further endeavors, Morris,”
Aiden said, holding out a hand.
“You’re quitting on me? Just like that?”
“Yes. Yes, I am. I will not require a reference or anything.”
“We’re your ride home.”
“I believe I can manage something. I’m quite capable of looking
after myself,” Aiden said, adjusting his glasses.
“Truly, Aiden? You’re quite naïve about the outside world. You
still prefer the world inside a classroom or your computers,” Morris sneered.
“I will figure out my own way. Thank you, Morris,” Aiden said in a
distinctive tone.
“You’re making a big mistake, Aiden. A big one.” Morris shook his
head.
“I believe he is making the smartest decision since joining your
ridiculous ragtag operation. He seems like a reasonable, educated young man who
has multiple employment opportunities,” Edmund said, stepping behind Aiden. “I
asked you to leave. Please comply.”
“You’ll regret this, Carslyle,” Morris threatened under his
breath, grabbing his bag, shoving the front door open, leaving the manor. His
crew followed, grumbling under their breaths about lugging the ridiculous
pounds of equipment back and forth and the long drive back to their base.
Aiden looked out the front doors and watched the van leave. His
career as a paranormal researcher and analyst for the ghost hunting team ended
with the turning of those wheels. He tried not to cringe at the thought of
overdue bills piling in his inbox at home. He wasn’t sure he would even make
rent. What the hell was he thinking? Now how was he supposed to get home?
“Shall we get you signed and settled in? I would be delighted to
have you as a guest.”
Straightening his glasses, Aiden swung around to face the gorgeous
man, feeling the lust slingshot through his body. “Pardon?”
Edmund went behind the front desk, taking over the duties from the
manager with a wave of a hand. “Do you wish to stay at the manor?”
“Ahh, I would like too, but there is a problem with my funds and
issues at home. I don’t believe I can afford to stay. I need to find a way
home. After what happened with the others, I didn’t think you wanted anyone
here.” Aiden glanced over his shoulder at the doors, and back to Edmund, the
possible…ghost?
“I can tell you aren’t a ghost hunter, not at all like the others.
You don’t have their annoying drive.”
“No, no, I’m not. I’m a professor, a doctor really, of quantum
mechanics, mathematical theorems, chemistry, physics, and combinatorialist. I
taught quantum, mathematics, and physics in a small college, but was released
when the college lost their funding.”
“You’re a genius. You went to MIT?”
Aiden shrugged, fixed his glasses. “I tested high on that so
called genius group.”
“The Mensa International Group?”
“That’s the one. I belong to them, but don’t participate. Don’t
particularly like crowds and much attention.”
“Yet, you teach.”
“I did teach. I no longer have a position. It was small graduate
classes, less than a dozen students.” Aiden pulled a wallet from his jacket and
opened it. Everything inside precisely lined the same direction, spaced
perfect, and in alphabet order. Even the last three dollar bills were creased
and in numerical order. He slid out his driver’s license and the credit card. He
tapped the card on the granite counter and considered the balance remaining. He
passed both forward and hoped it would go through. If not, he would figure out
another option. From a different pocket, he pulled out a small electronic
tablet. Instead of his finger, he used a stylus to open various applications,
and made notes or deletions.
“How long would you like to stay with me at the manor?”
The stylus paused at the question. Adjusting the glasses, Aiden
regarded Edmund. “Stay with you?”
Edmund chuckled. “Pardon, excuse my wording. How long would you
like to stay here at the manor?”
“The three days we have scheduled. I hope to find a way home by
Monday.”
Edmund typed in the appropriate information and slid the card
through the reader. It came up rejected to his disappointment. With a glance at
the bespectacled man, he tapped in to comp the room. “Please use the stylus to
sign for the contract on our reader.”
Setting down his tablet, Aiden scrawled his signature across the
small screen. He accepted everything, and returned the stylus to the holder. “My
card went through.”
“Yes, it went through fine,” Edmund said with a small smile. “Thank
you, ahh, Dr Joseph.” He slid Aiden’s cards across the desk.
“Aiden, please. I’m on a small vacation to figure out my next path.”
Aiden replaced the cards back in the same perfection as before.
“You’re in Suite 304. I’ll take you upstairs. It’s the third
floor, next to the family suite.”
“Family suite?”
“My bedroom suite and bathroom includes the widow’s walk and
off-limits to customers.”
“Most of the haunting reports are located around the area.”
“Yes, but I don’t appreciate people wandering around my personal
room to catch sight of a ghost.” Edmund unlocked a drawer, pulled a white card,
tapped keys, and ran the card through the machine. He hit keys, zapped the
card, and nodded at double green lights. Choosing a small folder, he added a
pair of brochures on one side, a list of numbers in front, and the access card.
“This is your key card. It deactivates if not used within twenty-four hours. I
can reset it. It lets you in the gym and pool after hours, which is eight PM.”
He slid the folder across the desk.
“Thank you.”
“Welcome. Let me show you to your room. Need help with your bags.”
“No, this is it.” Aiden gathered his things, shouldered his bags,
and followed the other man.
Alone in the third upstairs hall, Edmund glanced at him. “What did
you mean by you saw a ghost on the outside ledge?”
TO BE CONTINUED
