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fought at times about certain green technologies—especially those that messed with my historic renovations—but on the whole it was a satisfying, comfortable relationship. Maybe
too
comfortable. My dad liked him, Stan liked him, Dog liked him (though, Dog liked most people, especially those who slipped him treats now and then), and Caleb liked him. Sometimes I wondered if I could extricate myself from this relationship even if I wanted to. It made me hyperventilate to think about it too much.
    There were too many of us to fit at the small pine table in the kitchen, so we took our seats in the dining room. No sooner had we served ourselves generous hunks of steaming, gooey, fragrant lasagna, than Luz brought up what was on her mind.
    “So Mel, I was hoping I could talk you into checking out an apartment—actually, it’s a small cottage. The place seemed too good to be true, and I guess it is. Nice place, reasonable rent, walking distance to campus.”
    “I’m not really looking to move, Luz.” I glanced self-consciously at my father and then at Graham, who had been making noises about our moving in together. “Not yet.”
    “That’s not why I wanted you to look at it. It might need your special help.”
    “Uh-oh,” groused Dad with a roll of his eyes. “Here we go.”
    “What’s wrong with it?” I asked.
    “The students say it’s haunted. They’re afraid to stay there.”
    “You want me to get rid of the spooks?”
    “Exactly.”
    “I don’t know, Luz, my schedule’s pretty full these days. But there are people who do this professionally. Have the students call Olivier, see if he can help.”
    Olivier Galopin was my ghost guru. He knew things. Not long ago he had opened a store catering to the spirit needs of San Franciscans, and could barely keep up with demand.
    “Olivier charges money,” said Luz, taking another piece of garlic bread. “We’re more in a pro bono situation.”
    “I already do construction work pro bono for good causes. I have to do ghost work for free, too?”
    “Seriously? You’re going to charge me?”
    “I would never charge
you
. I would, however, charge a bunch of college students.”
    “These particular students are from my old neighborhood, Mel. East LA. They’re already on Pell Grants and maxed out on student loans.” Luz’s head started to waggle, a sure sign she was peeved. “You know what it took for them to scrape together first and last month’s rent, plus security deposit, in a city like San Francisco?”
    “Aw, go on over there and check the place out,” Dad said. “It won’t take long.”
    “I thought you hated the idea of me ‘mucking around with ghosts and whatnot,’” I said.
    “I’m resigned,” he said with a shrug. “You’re gonna do it anyway, sooner or later. Can’t keep your nose out of something like this.”
    “Yes, please, Mel, say you will,” said Stan. “Quick, before Luz brings out the index finger of doom.”
    “All right.” I had to smile. Luz’s head waggle was one thing, but when she started waving her index finger in your face you were
really
in for it. “I am but your humble ghost-whispering servant, here to serve.”
    “Thank you,” Luz said, shooting a pretend glare inStan’s direction and helping herself to thirds of lasagna. My father beamed and pushed the bowl of parmesan cheese closer to her.
    “What if you find
another
body?” asked Graham.
    “Why would she find another body?” Dad demanded. “She already got her body for this go-round.”
    “Graham’s got a point, though,” said Stan, thoughtfully. “Different haunting, could mean a different body. Then you’re gonna be running around after two entirely different murderers. Could get complicated.”
    “Maybe you should find the first murderer,” said Caleb with a sage nod, “before you check out the college students’ apartment.”
    “Come on, you guys. It’s really not that bad,” I protested. “I work on plenty of buildings without