“Unfortunately, domestic violence happens every day,” Jude said.
“Yeah, but here’s the thing, the relationships are always between members of staff and the arrests all take place the week before Labor Day, which lines up with the 1933 hurricane and Vivienne’s death.”
“You’re serious?” Jude asked.
Ronan nodded. “Ten called it a residual haunting. In other words, its history repeating itself every year. We think Walt’s spirit is influencing what’s happening here at the hotel. Not only did he die in the hurricane, like Vivienne did, but they are both buried in unmarked graves.”
Jude looked as if he had something to say about that when Lainie interrupted him. “There’s a rumor about unmarked graves here at the Angel of Hope Cemetery. People say that the spirits can’t rest in peace until their remains are found and properly laid to rest with their names being restored. I alwaysthought it was an urban legend, something to scare people. Do you know where these graves are?”
“I don’t, but I have a feeling I know someone who might.” Ronan tilted his head toward Everly, who was munching on a piece of bacon.
“You’re not gonna get her involved are you?” Jude asked, looking concerned.
“No, I’m gonna talk to Ten about this and see what he thinks we should do next.” Ronan turned back to Lainie. “You’re not out of the woods here. I read the police reports and there’s a pattern of violence that grows over the course of the summer and climaxes over the last weekend of the summer. Make sure you tell the police everything. What Kurt did to you is not okay.” As Ronan spoke, two uniformed officers stepped into the bar area.
Lainie nodded. She looked absolutely miserable. “I will, thank you, Ronan.” Without another word, she turned and headed toward the cops.
Fitz pulled one aside and began speaking to him in low tones. Ronan assumed he was filling the officer in on what they’d all witnessed. When the chat was over, the cops led Lainie out of the Taproom.
“We should talk to Ten and see what he thinks about finding these unmarked graves,” Ronan said. “If we can put Walt’s spirit to rest and have Ten cross him over, that would break the residual haunting, theoretically keeping Lainie safe.”
Jude sighed. “I’m not sure that’s the right decision. I agree that we need to get together with Ten and Cope and figure out our next step, but I also think that if Kurt isn’t here then he can’t hurt Lainie. We’re leaving in a few days. Problem solved.”
“I disagree, Uncle Jude,” Everly called from the table behind him. “Someone else will try to hurt Lainie in his place.”
“Are you sure?” Ronan asked, knowing damn well Everly was.
“I can feel how mad Walt is. He wants to hurt Vivienne the way she hurt him. It makes him happy that Kurt is treating Lainie this way. He whispers in Kurt’s ear and tells him things that make him angrier and angrier.” Everly shivered.
“That settles it. Let’s go talk to Tennyson.” Ronan needed to know if Ten was getting the same vibe from Kurt that their daughter was getting. He’d also know what to do next to keep everyone safe and end this haunting once and for all.
10
Tennyson
Ten stared down at the room service tray in awe. Ronan had ordered all of his favorites and took the kids to arts and crafts so that he could have a leisurely morning in bed. He’d needed a little extra sleep after his talk with Ronan about residual hauntings.
Ever since Lainie told him about Vivienne and Walt’s tragic love story, Ten had kept his gift wide open. He’d begged Walt to talk to him, to let Ten help him to cross over. So far he hadn’t heard a peep from the long dead man.
Finishing his breakfast, Ten made a second cup of tea, which he planned to drink on the porch while watching the waves roll in and crash against the rocky shore. He picked up the mug and moved toward the door when a male voice stopped him cold.
“Hello, Tennyson Grimm,” A male voice said.
Ten spun around and saw nothing. No movement. No sign of a spirit. The room was seemingly empty. “You have me at a disadvantage. I don’t know your name.” He assumed he was finally speaking to the spirit of Walter Todd, but had learned the hard way not to assume anything when it came to the spirit world. This could be the spirit of George Washington for all he knew.
“I like having the advantage,” the ghost said, sounding pleased with himself.
“Why don’t you show yourself and then we can have a face to face conversation.” Ten hated dealing with spirits who wanted to play games. He wanted to finish his tea and hop in the shower, sohe could go see what Everly was up to at her arts and crafts class. He didn’t have the time or inclination to deal with this ghost.
The spirit laughed. “I don’t think so. As I said, I like having the advantage. You walk around with your nose in the air thinking that you’re better than everyone because you have this gift. I’m here to tell you that you are nothing special. You and that little brat, who’s filled with sunshine and rainbows. Trying to get me to spill my guts so she can help me. She’s the one who needs help. She deserves a spanking and a much overdue lesson in how children should be seen and not heard.”
“Watch yourself,” Ten cautioned, feeling his temper start to rise, which he assumed was just what the spirit wanted. If he were overly emotional, it would give this ghost an even bigger advantage. “If there is something I can help you with, tell me what it is and I can go on with my day. If you’re just here to be a dick, you can leave now.”
Laughter filled the room. It was dark and malevolent, sending shivers down Ten’s spine. “I’m not wasting my time with you because I need or want something. I’m here to warn you.”
“Warn me about what?” Ten asked, having a feeling he knew exactly what the spirit was going to say. This was about Lainie. This was about revenge.
“Stay away from Lainie. She’smine. They’re all mine. Mine to play with. Mine to punish. Mine to kill if the mood strikes.”
