Page 24 of Tall, Dark and Haunted

“You didn’t. I have to get to work, anyway. There’s a mess out on Main Street, and I need to get out there and help clean up.”

I feel a wave of panic at her words. There’s only one mess out on Main Street. Ours! Which means she’s working with the deputy mayor… and the local coven. But instead of turning us in, she leaves with a smile and a wave.

The moment she’s gone, Topher rushes across the library to retrieve the book she was looking through. It’s a pictorial guide on different ways to magically decorate your home with dust and debris—didn’t know that was a thing, not even sure it should be—but it is a book on witchcraft so it is as good a place to start as any.

We fan out, checking books on the same shelf, then moving out in both directions. There’s a section on witchcraft and wizardry and another on ghosts. We go through both, pulling out and looking through book after book.

Red’s stomach growls loudly. I know I could eat, but how are we supposed to get any food when there are cops combing the streets looking for us? If we tried to go into a restaurant, we’d probably get arrested.

We focus on reading instead. As time goes by, it becomes apparent that we haven’t a clue what we’re doing. But the guys keep at it, refusing to give up.

Eventually, I excuse myself and head upstairs. There are a few empty computers at the back, and I pick one by the window and take a seat. If I’m going to become a ghost again, there’s one thing I have to do first. Find out what people are saying about me—and my death.

I locate the naked picture the reporter took, though my wonky boobs are blurred out and so is my hoo-ha. Small mercies. It still makes me feel quite naked, and I wrap my arms around my waist briefly before resuming my search.

I read through the lies Alice spread. About us being best friends. About me killing myself. About how I was an exhibitionist and loved walking through the dorms naked—which is a complete and utter lie.

“You bitch!” I mutter as I open the next article, and forget all about Alice when I realize it’s about my paintings. One of which has just sold for one-point-four million. What the hell? That’s not even my best one!

I spent years working on my craft. Classes. Hard work. Pouring my heart and soul into my art. And all it took for it to sell was for me to die? How utterly unfair is that?

“Are you all right?” Red asks gently as he walks up behind me.

I quickly closed the article and give him a wobbly smile.

“What were you reading?” he asks.

“Nothing. Just… life? I… um… wanted to go on a computer one last time.”

“I can understand that,” Red says thoughtfully. “I’ve always wanted to use a computer.”

“You mean you’ve never… oh.”

Red nods. “They weren’t invented yet when we died. But when we get out of this, you can teach me how.”

“Did you find something?” I ask hopefully.

He shakes his head. “No, but we will.”

I nod, letting the confidence in his tone fuel my own as we link fingers and head back downstairs.

“There’s nothing here,” Davy declares when he sees us.

“We’ll ask the librarian for help then,” Topher says resolutely as he slams the book he’s reading shut.

“Why didn’t we do that earlier?” Davy grumbles, but gets to his feet.

When we get to the desk, the old librarian smiles at us. “Hi. I’m Violet. How can I help you?”

“Hello, ma’am,” Topher greets her, giving her a polite bow. “Would you be able to assist us with our research?”

“Of course.” She nods. “Are you looking for books on ghosts? Or spells to return the town to New York? Because if you are, a few witches from the coven have already been by. I can show you the books I showed them.”

“How did you know that’s what we’re looking for?” I ask in surprise.

“Well, it’s pretty obvious you’re the ghosts. Between the outfits and the accents.” She shrugs.

“Are you going to turn us in?” A fresh panic courses through me.