Ghost Hunter

Chapter 12

SHORTLY AFTER ELEVEN O'CLOCK THAT MORNING, ELLY saw the door of Thornton's Alien Antiquities open. Doreen Thornton, the proprietor, emerged. She was cutting-edge trendy, as usual, in a tight, tiny pink skirt and snug green sweater that showed off her hourglass figure to advantage. Fishnet stockings and pink-and-green heels finished the look.

Doreen's tight black curls framed pretty, dark-brown features and riveting dark eyes. She wore an amber pendant around her neck.

Elly knew that the amber in Doreen's pendant was genuine. The stone was of good quality and professionally tuned. Doreen had spent a lot of money on it.

Like Bertha, Doreen was an ephemeral-energy para-resonator, a tangler who could handle the dangerous illusion traps that peppered the catacombs. Like Bertha, she had never had the advantages of a college education and therefore had never qualified to join the exclusive Society of Para-Archaeologists. Drawn to the world underground, as were so many with her type of parapsych abilities, she had chosen to eke out a living as a ruin rat.

It was either that or get a job as a cocktail waitress, she had explained to Elly.

Doreen had been one of the first on Ruin Lane to welcome Elly to the neighborhood. Elly had been grateful for both the friendship and the fashion advice. Until she met Doreen she had not realized how sadly unstylish her Aurora Springs wardrobe was.

Doreen darted across the mist-bound street and opened the door of St. Clair's Herbal Emporium. The bell tinkled.

"Man, I don't think this fog is ever going to lift," she announced, closing the door. "I know this is the season for it, but I can't remember the last time it hung around for so long. Not good for business, that's for sure."

"Tell me about it," Elly said, leaning on the counter. "I've only had two customers all morning."

Rose, crouched over her little box of bracelets at the end of the counter, chortled a greeting.

Doreen patted her affectionately. "You are looking fabulous today, my little fashionista." She peered more closely at the strand of green stones that sparkled in Rose's gray fur. "New bracelet?

Rose preened.

"She helped herself to it out of my jewelry box this morning," Elly explained.

"Give the girl credit. She knows what looks good on her."

"Maybe, but at the rate things are going, I'm not going to have any bracelets left," Elly said.

"So take Rose shopping."

"I may have to do that. How was the visit to the parents?"

"The usual. Dad coughed up a small loan to help with the rent on the shop this month." Doreen made a face.

"Had to listen to another lecture from my mom and my aunt on the subject of getting serious about a Covenant Marriage. I drove back here as fast as I could very early this morning."

Elly went to the hot plate and poured two mugs of the herbal tisane that she had made earlier. The aromatic blend of Harmonic honey, redstick spice, and amber root made a pleasant contrast to the damp, gray day.

"Did you tell them about the new boyfriend?" she asked, carrying the mugs back to the counter.

"No." Doreen picked up one of the mugs and inhaled the fragrance with an air of delight. "Figured they would just start asking questions, and I really can't talk about him yet. I gave him my word that I would keep our relationship quiet until after he's finished with this new assignment."

"Must be hard dating a cop."

"The hours are weird, that's for sure." Doreen grinned. "Kind of exciting, though. He's such a hunk, and he sure doesn't dress like the average detective. The man has a sense of style like you would not believe."

"I can't wait to meet him."

"I'll introduce you as soon as he's off this current case. He says that until it's finished, he has to keep a very low profile, especially in the Old Quarter. He can't risk being seen by the bad guys. So, what's up with you? I heard you had a visitor last night."

Elly winced. "Word travels fast."

"Especially on Ruin Lane. I got the story from Phillip and Garrick first thing today. They said they saw a black Spectrum EX parked in the alley behind your shop last night and that it didn't leave until after eight this morning. Can you confirm or deny?"

"Uh-huh."

"I'll take that as a confirm." Doreen grinned. "Well?"

"There's not much to tell," Elly mumbled. "Just a friend from out of town. I let him stay overnight at my place. No big deal."

"How can you say that? He spent the whole night."

"Not in my bed," Elly said.

It was always nice to be able to tell the truth.