Read Ghostfinders 02 - Ghost of a Smile for Free Online

sunglasses at night, in a deserted building? You’re not from any of the official ghost-hunting groups, like FOG and PIS.”
    “Fog and what ?” said Happy.
    “Friends of Ghosts, and Paranormal Investigation Society,” said Tiley. He stabbed an accusing finger at JC. “You’re journalists, aren’t you? Bloody tabloids!”
    “No,” said JC. “We’re really not interested in publicity. The horror of ghosts, for most people, is that they’re beyond all the usual methods of control. People feel helpless before them, terrified by the unknown, not knowing how to cope. But we are from the Carnacki Institute, and we know what to do with ghosts.”
    “Like what?” said Tiley.
    “Whatever’s necessary,” said JC.
    Again, there was something in his voice that seemed to reach the old man and calm him down. JC gave him his full attention.
    “What was it like, Mr. Tiley, working here, back in the day? Was it a bad place, back then?”
    “Not really,” said Tiley. “Hard work, but steady. Regular work that you could rely on, year in and year out. And that meant a lot, back when I was a young man. I spent most of my working life here, man and boy.”
    “I don’t know how you can be sentimental about it, Gramps,” said Susan.
    “It was work you could depend on,” Tiley repeated. “And we were all grateful. Nothing much to show for it, mind. We just made parts, for other machines. We never made anything complete.”
    “Ah, interesting,” said JC. “No sense of closure. Could be significant.”
    He walked slowly out across the great expanse of open space, head cocked to one side, as though listening. “Huge machines, heavy machinery, working endlessly, doing the same things over and over, tended by people doing the same things, over and over. For decades . . . A ritual, impressing itself on Time and Space, digging psychic grooves into the surroundings . . .”
    “Hold on,” said Melody. “Are you suggesting that this place is haunted by the ghosts of heavy machinery?”
    “Think about it,” said Happy. “If a man were to walk through the space where the machines manifested . . . they’d tear him apart.” And then he stopped and shook his head slowly.
    “No. Sorry, JC, but very definitely no. I told you, I sensed emotions—raw and harsh and wild.”
    “You’re all talking nonsense,” Tiley said firmly. “Ghosts are the restless spirits of departed people. That’s it. I’ve read all the books, and I believe what’s needed here is a lay exorcism.”
    “Not a bad idea,” said JC, walking back to join the others. “But first, I think we should hold a séance. Summon up all the players, so to speak, so we can get a good look at them. Get some idea of what this is all about. I’ll say it again. Albert Winter didn’t just die here. There was more to it than that. There was purpose, and intent, to his death.”
    “We don’t have a medium,” said Tiley, concentrating on the one thing that made sense to him.
    “Actually we do,” said JC. “A medium is a link between the worlds of the living and the dead. And there is one member of my little team who fits the bill perfectly. Kim, dear, come forward and make yourself known, would you?”
    Kim came floating out of the shadows, smiling brightly, only hovering an inch or so above the dusty floor. She allowed herself to become semi-transparent, to make it clear what she was. Graham Tiley and his grand-daughter stared at her with open mouths. Susan actually fell back a step, and Tiley had to grab her to steady her. They huddled close together, for mutual support. Kim stopped a tactful distance away and gave them both her most charming smile.
    “Hi,” she said. “My name is Kim, and I’m a ghost. Please. Don’t be afraid. I don’t bite. I’m part of the team.”
    Of the two, Graham Tiley seemed the most affected. He breathed heavily, his eyes fixed unblinkingly on Kim. He looked like he would have turned and run if Susan hadn’t been holding on to