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going to be late for my watch if I didn’t conduct at least some of this conversation on the move.
    Joseph followed beside me, his top hat back in place. “I am still establishing the profession and making a name for myself. Since people do not know to seek me, I must find the ghosts and walking corpses myself.”
    â€œAh.” The puzzle clicked softly together in my brain. “You read the article in the Picayune , I take it?” When Joseph didn’t answer, I peered at him slantwise. “I reckon you read about the haunting, and now you want to stop it. Am I right?”
    Joseph nodded slowly. “ Wi . I recognized your uniform last night—I saw you on the pier.”
    â€œAnd you were on the pier why?”
    â€œBecause I was hoping to board the Sadie Queen , but the captain is not . . . interested in my services.”
    â€œThat’s not a good start to your tale, Mr. Boyer.” I stared down at the cracks in the mud road. Each step was bringing a bit more life into me. “It also doesn’t explain why you’re talkin’ to me.”
    â€œI saw you at the pier last night . . . and I followed you.”
    I whipped my face up. “Pardon?”
    â€œI realize how it must sound,” he rushed to say, a flush darkening his cheeks. “Yes, I followed you so I could gain passage, and yes, I was too ashamed to mention it last night. Then, of course . . . the police arrived, preventing me from mentioning it at all. But do you not see? I can do much to help the Sadie Queen .”
    I grunted. “If you’re telling the truth.”
    â€œOf course I am,” he retorted.
    I ignored him, my mind already leaping ahead to what would happen if the ghosts could actually be purged from the steamer. It would mean no more nightmares, no more voices. It would mean passengers and employees would return. Business would pick up, and Cass could stop worrying about Ellis’s hospital bills.
    My pace slowed slightly as I turned down a new street—and the First District piers came into view. I slid my eyes to Joseph’s. “What exactly is in this for you, Mr. Boyer? I can’t pay you to destroy the ghosts.”
    â€œI do not want payment. These ghosts are here, and I am here.” He motioned vaguely to the piers. “And . . . as I said, I am still making a name for myself.”
    I blinked. “Oh. I get it. Why, that’s very sly, Mr. Boyer.” I barked a laugh. “Trying to board the Queen right when there’s a race. That’s a lot of publicity for you. . . . But what about me? Why should I help you?”
    â€œYou . . . do not care about the ghosts?”
    â€œNot enough to sneak you on board when you’ve already been turned away. But”—I pointed a finger at him—“I have an idea that might work for both of us.”
    He winced, as if bracing for a punch. “Wi?”
    â€œI am soon to be in a position of unemployment. It seems to me that a man like you must have connections.” I cocked my head toward him, a jaunty step taking over my stride. “Why, if you could find me a new job—any kind of job—after the race, then not only will I sneak you onto the Sadie Queen , but I will guide you to . . . and through the ghosts.”
    â€œA job is all you ask in return?” He dodged around a woman insisting we try her pralines.
    â€œA good job,” I countered, shooing the praline-monger away. “And preferably a permanent one.”
    â€œI believe I can manage this.” Joseph scratched his chin, nodding. “ Wi, wi. A steady position in exchange for stowing me on the Sadie Queen .” He slowed to a stop and held out his hand. “We have a deal, Mr . . .”
    I twisted around just in time to stop and clasp his hand. “Sheridan. My name’s Daniel Sheridan.”
    â€œWell, Mr. Sheridan,