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“Of course, darling. She was part of the cult.”
CHAPTER9
Grant
“Seriously?” Grant was stunned.
“Yes,” Rebecca confirmed. “Before her dear rich daddy decided to fix up and reopen the hotel, this was where Myrna and her little cult friends lived. Daddy spent lots of money keeping it all very hush hush. The rumor goes that he even arranged for that one fellow who wrote the book to go away.”
“Go away?” Huck echoed grimly. “You mean…?”
Rebecca drew an imaginary line across her neck with her cigarette.
Grant needed to sit down. He headed to his bed and dropped, his thoughts spinning as he tried to sort everything out. He was grateful when Huck followed him and sat beside him, and he leaned into the strong arm Huck wrapped around his shoulders.
Precipitation was kind enough to give them space, leaving the bed to join Rebecca.
“You okay?” Huck asked.
“You know, I don’t actually know.” Grant almost wanted to laugh because it really did sound ridiculous even thinking it. “Janice, the woman who enjoys making my life absolutely miserable, is the daughter of the lady who owns this hotel and was apparently in a cult. And not just any cult, but a cult that was trying to release the evil possible god spirit from the fucking staircase that killed you and might be responsible for trapping countless spirits here.”
“That about sums it up, sweetie,” Precipitation chirped.
“Well, at least we know why Myrna didn’t include that part in her tours.” Huck looked as down as Grant felt. “She didn’t want anybody to know about her rotation in crazy cult town.”
“Aurora and I didn’t findanythingabout her being a member of the cult when we did our research,” Grant said. “Her father must have spent a fortune covering it up. And Janice, wow,Janiceis her daughter? I guess that explains how we were able to get access to the hotel for the show. She just asked her damn mom.”
“I’m sorry I didn’t recognize her,” Huck said. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen her here before.”
“I know I have, but I didn’t remember her until you started chatting me up about the cult.” Precipitation offered an apologetic smile. “Only so much room up in this gorgeous noggin, you know, and I’d rather it be occupied with stories about myself.”
“The most droll collection of adventures ever assembled, I’m sure,” Rebecca chimed in.
“Hag.”
“Skank.”
“I wonder if Finn and Cary know,” Grant said suddenly. “It would definitely explain how Janice got this damn job so fast. The execs at QuikTV must have known she’d be able to get us in here to film. Fuck.” His stomach churned. “I’ve got to tell them.”
“Tell them what exactly?”
“Well, that she’s lying to us!”
“Has she actually lied?” Rebecca asked. “Or is she just withholding that little truth, hmm?”
“I… Well, I guess I don’t know.” Grant frowned. “I’ve never really talked to Janice about her family or anything. I suppose she hasn’t technically lied to anyone. I just…” He took a deep breath, trying to calm a sudden pounding in his head that was making it difficult to think. It was fast and heavy, a thunderous pulse that was not his own, and he tried to ignore it. “I have a very strong feeling that something is very, very wrong.”
“Then you go to Finn and Cary,” Huck said firmly. “Trust your gut.”
“I will. I’m trying to work out what exactly I’m going to say to them because it honestly sounds bonkers.” Grant flopped back on the bed, groaning. “Yeah, sure, hey guys, I think Janice is Myrna’s daughter and they were involved in a cult. I know she was probably just a little kid or even a baby back then, but I think she’s up to no good. What? Proof? Nope, don’t have any.”
“What about her talking to herself in the hallway?” Huck turned so he could stretch out beside Grant. He propped his head up on his elbow and shrugged. “Maybe that sir is the Thing. Maybe she’s in cahoots with it.”
“That’s kind of a stretch, don’t you think?”
“Says the medium who’s currently hanging out with three dead people.”
“Well…”
