“You want me to let you walk around my house, windows open, alone?”
“Oh no, sorry. You misunderstand me. It’s best if you do it.” I glance at Roe, feigning confusion. “He’s the one who, uh, who has the negative energy attached?”
Roe nods.
After a brief round of introductions and hellos we move to the table. There’re seven of us in all. Marty Zebulund and his wife, Roe and I, Viktor, Kyle, and Craig.
We make our way around the table.
“We’re a few chairs short.” Viktor points out.
“Ah, no. I’m not going to be part of this,” I say. “I’ll leave as soon as you’re all set up.”
“Why?” Viktor pales.
“To be honest, it’s not my place. I’m not connected to this spirit. I don’t want to get tangled with the energy.”
Viktor nods but his brows are furrowed and there’s a tightness in the lines around his mouth.
“I wasn’t there that night either. My presence may interfere. But don’t worry. I’ve taught Roe all I know because he’s got the gift, much stronger than anybody I’ve ever met.”
Roe narrows his eyes and stares at the table.
“We’ve all signed NDAs,” I say to him. This is all part of our shtick. “Nobody can talk about what happens here tonight, right, Mr. Zebulund?”
It takes all my strength to call him by name and act respectful. I feel sick. Roe tentatively peers at the other men, gauging their reactions to this. They’re quiet but don’t seem silly or teasing. In fact, the whole room is somber. Roe and I may know this is all a hoax, but I realize nobody else is remotely at ease.
“Nothing leaves this circle,” Zebulund says.
Roe and I researched what goes into a séance and he’s supposed to drag it out as long as possible while I find a way to mess with Zebulund. When he’s triggered, hopefully, he’ll then sage the house, and when we all leave, that’s when I search the office.
That’s the plan at least.
“I guess that means I should go too, then? Since I wasn’t there that night?” Nancy asks, her voice cool.
My heart stutters. We didn’t plan for the wife to be here.
“That’s a great question,” I say to stall for time.
If she leaves the room with me then she’ll keep tabs on me, making sneaking away near impossible. But if she stays they may insist I do too. I can leave and try to sneak back in but none of the windows are open. I’m lost in thought for what feels like hours. Are my concerns written all over my face?
“Why don’t you two ladies go get acquainted?” Zebulund suggests. His tone is light and affable for a clear command.
“Of course, darling,” Nancy says.
My skin crawls as she cowers to him. I feel sad for this beautiful woman. There’s no way she’s in a partnership where she feels loved and respected.
“You remember everything?” I ask Roe, still stalling.
“I guess so.” His face is smooth but I swear he’s thinking the same things.
There’s a small shrug in his voice. There’s no way to get out of this socially delicate situation. Where’s a diversion when you need one? I have no other plan this time. I can’t believe this. I’m getting sloppy. Before I started making out with hot actors, I would’ve never gone into this so loosey-goosey.
“We’ll leave you men to it,” I say. “Call if you need me.”
Sloppy. That’s what this is. I came in with too much confidence in my newly developed powers and without a Plan B. Stupid. Stupid. I’m mad at myself as we leave the room; I almost don’t hear Nancy.
“Let’s go get hammered,” she says.
