Ghostly Waves Read online

  Ghostly Waves

  Lorna Shadow Cozy Ghost Mystery, Volume 7

  K.E. O'Connor

  Published by K.E. O'Connor, 2017.

  This is a work of fiction. Similarities to real people, places, or events are entirely coincidental.

  GHOSTLY WAVES

  First edition. October 25, 2017.

  Copyright © 2017 K.E. O'Connor.

  Written by K.E. O'Connor.

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright Page

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 1

  I wrinkled my nose as I stared at the two options available. I couldn’t believe I still had the leopard print thong given to me as a joke gift by Helen. But it was a choice of these or the off-white giant granny knickers that should have been incinerated years ago. Where had all my underwear gone since moving into this house?

  Shifting my mobile to my other ear, I focused on my conversation with Josie, the agent at Prestige Recruitment Agency. “And you said this new position is in Cornwall?”

  “It sounds incredible,” twittered Josie, her voice its usual two octaves too high. “And I thought you could do with somewhere lovely, given your last position didn’t work out so well.”

  There was an awkward silence. I stared at my underwear and then shook my head. “You mean with most of the family getting arrested?” My short-lived position working for the Cornells had been eventful and not one I wished to repeat.

  “It was all so embarrassing,” said Josie. “That will teach me not to take a holiday again. I’d never have let you stay there if I’d have been around.”

  “We managed okay.” I did a slow turn in the bedroom, my new duck egg blue bedroom, the one I shared with my long-term boyfriend, Zach Booth. Maybe he’d hidden my underwear? Could he have a secret liking for wearing my knickers when I wasn’t around? I couldn’t think of anyone less likely to enjoy dressing up in my underwear. He was a practical man through and through.

  “And I know you were supposed to go back to the other position in Yorkshire,” said Josie, “but the family decided to stay abroad. Won’t be back for another two years.”

  “Can’t say I blame them,” I said. “The castle they live in is drafty. And I love Cornwall, so this new position sounds great.”

  “And the Carlisles are super,” said Josie. “You’ll be working for Julianne Carlisle, but there’ll be other administrative tasks. And Helen will have the role of laundress, with full seamstress responsibilities. Also, the family runs a successful vineyard in the south-west. You could get the chance to sample the local wine. That would be a bonus.” Josie was working hard on selling this job to me.

  I smiled to myself. The position sounded good, lots of variety and in a beautiful part of the country so I could go exploring with Flipper on my days off. Cornwall was full of intriguing coves and beaches and so many wild, diverse green spaces, I’d be spoilt for choice. And Helen and I deserved a break. After being chased around by scary mobster types in our last situation, we’d just been breaking our backs moving into our new house.

  We’d only been in our gorgeous new home a few weeks, but I was tired of the smell of fresh paint and plaster. This position in Cornwall would get me away from the DIY and give us some much-needed income so we could furnish the house and make it a real home. I might also invest some of that money in new underwear.

  “What do you reckon?” asked Josie. “I’ve forwarded your details to the family, and they think you and Helen sound perfect.”

  “We’ll take it,” I said. “And they’re fine with dogs?” I looked over to where Flipper was snoozing on the bottom of the bed, one gray paw tucked over his muzzle. Next to him lay Jessie, Zach’s dog. She was curled on her side, a happy doggy grin on her face, as one paw rested against Flipper. They never left each other’s side. It was doggy true love.

  “They are,” said Josie. “I never forget about Flipper. When I mentioned him to Julianne, she said they used to have dogs in the family, so it won’t be any problem having him there.”

  “When do they need us to start?” I screwed up the leopard print thong and the granny pants and shoved them back in the drawer.

  “They’d appreciate it if you could get there tonight,” said Josie.

  “Shouldn’t be a problem,” I said. So long as I could find some decent underwear. I yanked open another drawer and rifled through it. Zach might have moved my things and forgotten to tell me. I shoved aside a pair of his black socks, and my hand hit a small jewelry box at the back of the drawer.

  I pulled it out, and my jaw dropped. It looked like a ring box. I squeaked in surprise, and I never squeak.

  “Are you still there?” asked Josie. “Everything okay?”

  “I’m not... well, yes, everything is fine with the job. Tell the family we’ll be there tonight.” I ended the call, and my hand shook as I placed down my mobile. What was Zach doing with a ring box hidden in his sock drawer?

  My heart thudding, I eased the box lid open.

  “You have to hear the argument Helen is having with Gunner over him wanting to move his drum kit into the house.” Zach walked into the room, a towel around his waist, fresh out of the shower, smelling of lime and lemon shower gel.

  I spun around and hid the jewelry box behind my back, pulling my face into what I hoped was a mask of innocence.

  He gave me a curious look. “Are you all right?”

  “Everything’s fine.” My fingers curled around the box as guilt flashed through me. If Zach had brought this ring with a plan to propose, I shouldn’t be snooping a peek at it. But, even so, I needed to see what my engagement ring looked like, just in case it was dreadful and I had to fake delight.

  “Has Josie found you and Helen new jobs?” He walked over to the king-sized bed, ruffling the dogs’ furry heads as he passed them.

  “Down in Cornwall.”

  He raised an eyebrow. “That’s quite a journey.”

  “It is, but it sounds lovely.” I tried to ease open Zach’s sock drawer and place the ring box back without him noticing, but couldn’t find the handle. “Six months in the Cornish sunshine. And the family owns a vineyard. I could send you back a few bottles of wine.”

  “I’d rather have you here.” He grinned at me. “But I understand why you want to get away. Sorry I couldn’t get the house finished before we all moved in.”

  The plan had been for Zach and Gunner to have everything installed, all the plastering and painting done, and then we’d pick the furniture before moving in, the four of us—me, Zach, Helen, and Zach’s older brother, Gunner. But Zach got offered an enticing horticultural job, and Gunner became tied up in cracking a big case, and the timeline slid. Fresh paint and cardboard boxes were our everyday surroundings.

  “I don’t mind,” I said. “Just happy we’re finally here. Although it would be nice to sit on something sturdier than a rickety wooden chair and eat out of plastic containers.” Zach and Gunner had worked as hard as they could to get the house ready. But without the money to finish it, we were still living in a building site.

  “We can always come down for a long weekend,” said Zach. “It’s been years since I’ve been to Cornwall. Used to go there as a kid with the family, go rock pooling and seal watching. And the walking down there is great. Loads of coastal paths to explore.”

  “I’ve always dreamed of retiring there,” I said, “taking long walks along the beach and enjoying a few cream teas.”

  “I’ll join you in that.” Zach dropped his towel, giving me a wonderful view of his toned muscles before he shrugged into a pair of black combat trousers. As a gardener, Zach had a lean, toned body that came from hours of turning soil and digging holes, not the pumped-up muscles of someone who spent time in the gym. It was a look that suited him, and one I was always happy to leer at, as all good girlfriends should.

  “It will be good to have a break from all the work on the house,” I said.

  “What’s the house like in Cornwall?” Zach pulled a green linen shirt from the closet and shrugged it on.

  “You mean, how old is it? How many ghosts might be living there?” My ability to see ghosts was something I never put on my CV, but I often ended up having to use that particular skill, especially when working in old buildings. The older the house, the more ghosts there usually were.

  “That’s always of interest. Need to make sure you won’t get yourself into too much trouble.”

  “As if I would.” I grinned at him.

  He gave me a frown, but it wasn’t serious. “After your last job, you must want a break from all the ghost hunting.”

  “But we cracked a huge case,” I said. “Thanks to that ghost, Gunner’s looking like the golden boy in the police. He solved a robbery that no one else could.”

  “And he hasn’t stopped bragging about it since,” said Zach, giving an exaggerated sigh. “If his head gets any bigger, it won’t be able to fit through the front door.” He loo
ked around the bedroom and scratched his chin.

  “Are you missing something?”

  “My watch,” said Zach. “Sure I left it in here before I took a shower.”

  I looked around. “Haven’t seen it. You didn’t leave it in the bathroom?”

  “No. I always leave it on the nightstand.”

  “Since we’re talking about missing things, you don’t happen to know where all my underwear is?”

  Zach raised his eyebrows. “In the laundry hamper?”

  I scowled at him. “I do the washing regularly enough. And I’d do it more often if Helen didn’t insist on taking over all the time. You know what she’s like, obsessed with making sure everything is clean, has no holes in it or stains on it. I’m sure she checks the hamper every day.”

  “Well, I haven’t moved your underwear.”

  “I only have two pairs of knickers left.” I decided not to show Zach what my two options were.

  “Maybe it’s time you go shopping.” He gave me a grin. “Could help you pick out something we’d both like.”

  “I don’t need any more,” I said, feeling my cheeks warm. “Just need to find the underwear I already have.”

  “Sure you’re looking in the right place?”

  “Are you sure you are when it comes to your missing watch?”

  Zach frowned. “Yes. I am. And what about my trainers?”

  I crossed my arms over my chest. “What about them?”

  “Have you put them somewhere?”

  “What use would I have for your trainers? They’re too big for me.”

  “I’ve always kept them under the bed,” said Zach. “Went to get them out the other day, and they’re gone.”

  “So, you thought I’d taken them?”

  He ran a hand through his damp hair. “I didn’t say that. I just wondered if you’d put them somewhere else. Maybe you like to put things under the bed, and my trainers were getting in the way.”

  I forced down my irritation. We were both new to living together; things like this were bound to come up. Being in a relationship was all about compromise. I’d read that on a blog. “I haven’t seen your trainers. Maybe the dogs took them.”

  “Jessie’s never shown an interest in my shoes,” said Zach. “What about Flipper?”

  At the sound of his name, Flipper raised his head and blinked his ice blue eyes at us.

  “Flipper would never chew your trainers,” I said.

  “I didn’t say he’d chew them,” said Zach. “He could have played with them, took them outside, and they got lost in the garden.”

  “Have you looked in the garden?”

  Zach let out a sigh. “Not yet. I’ll go look now. Perhaps I’ll find my watch out there, too.” He strode out of the room and slammed the door behind him.

  I resisted the urge to throw the ring box at him. As if Flipper or I would be interested in his smelly shoes. I looked at Flipper, and he tilted his head to one side. “I bet he’s put them in a closet somewhere and forgotten about it.”

  Flipper whined and looked at the ring box still in my hand.

  I rested the tips of my fingers on the top of it, but no longer wanted to look inside. The thrill of finding it had faded. I placed the ring box back in Zach’s sock drawer and closed it.

  It suddenly felt like we had a long way to go before we’d be ready to take the next step in our relationship. If we fell out over something as silly as missing shoes and underwear, we couldn’t hope to spend the next fifty years together in wedded bliss.

  I took a deep breath. A break from paint, missing things, and Helen’s arguments with Gunner was what I needed. It would be an adjustment period for everything that was new and a little scary. Cornwall would be perfect.

  Chapter 2

  Four hours later, Helen had driven us over halfway to our new job. Our suitcases were in the trunk and Flipper was fast asleep on the back seat of the car. The windows of Helen’s bright red car were down and she was singing along to a pop tune on the radio.

  I joined in, but was still distracted by my argument with Zach, turning over the possibilities of what happened to our things. Why would Zach want to hide my knickers?

  Helen flipped off the radio and tapped her fingers on the steering wheel, her blonde hair blowing in the breeze. “What’s up with you?”

  “Nothing a new set of underwear won’t cure.”

  She shot me a curious glance. “What do you mean?”

  “I’m not sure I mean anything. But I only had two pairs of knickers left this morning, neither of them suitable.”

  “I do the laundry regularly. I’m sure I missed none of your frillies.”

  “I don’t think you have. And I don’t ask you to do the laundry for us all.”

  Helen grinned at me. “I enjoy it. But you can’t have run out already.”

  “I know I haven’t,” I said with a frustrated sigh. “But this morning, it was leopard skin thong or granny pant gray. Then I got into a row with Zach over my underwear.”

  Helen grinned at me. “You accused him of stealing your knickers?”

  “No, idiot! I asked him if he’d moved them. Then he started going on about a missing watch and missing shoes and got all huffy with me and stormed out.”

  “Maybe Gunner borrowed his shoes. It would be the sort of thoughtless thing he’d do, taking them without asking and putting them back somewhere else. He did that with the last muffin just the other day. And don’t get me started on how he leaves the crusts on a sliced loaf and tells me there’s plenty of bread left!”

  I dragged my attention away from my knicker drama. “So, you and Gunner are still arguing?” Their relationship shot from one extreme to the other, with Helen either blushing furiously and batting her long, dark eyelashes or proclaiming her hatred for him.

  “It’s complicated.”

  “And it will stay complicated until you both sit down and talk to each other without fighting,” I said. “We all live in the same house. You can’t keep rowing. It makes the atmosphere tense.”

  “I wouldn’t argue with him if he wasn’t such a bull head.”

  “You sure you don’t have a little bit of bull headedness in you, as well?”

  “Not a drop.” Helen scowled at me. “What were you saying about missing underwear?”

  I grinned at her unsubtle change of topic. “Maybe I have made a mistake. It feels like we’ve been unpacking boxes for weeks. Guess I could have stuffed them in the wrong place and forgotten about it.”

  “It’s possible. I found my eyelash curlers in the cutlery drawer last week. I was sure I had them on my vanity table, but there they were when I went to get a strainer.”

  “It’s good to know I’m not the only one going crazy and putting things in strange places.”

  “It’s not craziness. We’re busy working women. The men in our lives should be more considerate.”

  “Gunner is definitely in your life?”

  She flashed me a nervous smile. “He has potential.”

  “Seriously! You’re finally admitting you like him?” It was about time they got themselves sorted and either dated or stuck to the frenemy zone and went out with other people.

  “I’m tolerating him,” said Helen. “And he’s not so bad to look at, when he’s not showing off all his muscles or making out like he’s some hotshot. He’s got everyone he works with convinced he cracked the whole Cornell gold heist case. That was all our doing. Well, you and the ghosts. But I assisted.”

  “He can hardly go around admitting he got helped by two amateurs and some ghosts. That would give him a one-way ticket to the unemployment line. Bet you wouldn’t find him so attractive then.”

  “It’s not his job that appeals.”

  “Why the sudden declaration of interest?”

  Helen shrugged. “He’s mentioned a colleague.”

  I raised my eyebrows. “A female colleague?”

  “Matilda,” said Helen, snitching her nose. “Sounds like the name for a heifer.”

  I laughed. “I’m sure she’s a very nice lady.”

  “She probably is.” Helen scowled.

  “And you’re worried Gunner will lose interest in you if this Matilda is being lovely to him?”

  “It’s crossed my mind.” Helen’s fingers whitened as she gripped the steering wheel. “He reckons she’s been baking him brownies. I should do that. No one can beat my brownies.”