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prepared to perform an exorcism … for a reasonable fee.”
    “Uh huh. And you, Mrs. Peterman, you think this is your husband.”
    “It’s because the narcoleptic violated him!”
    “But you, Ms. Manson, think it’s a different ghost?”
    “Yeah, I think it’s a guy named Marley, who died in 1905. He’s charged with trespassing, and if he doesn’t make an appearance,” she shouted at nobody in particular, “I’m gonna request a bench warrant!”
    “I made an appearance two hours ago,” a voice answered from the back of the room. “This place moves like a glacier.” Everyone turned to look at Mr. Marley, who had reappeared, or materialized, depending on what you believed.
    “You’re Marley?” Judge Epstein asked. “And you’re not dead?”
    “Yeah, I’m Marley, and I’m as alive as he is,” he said glancing over at Mr. Fisher from the INS. We all took a second to try to figure out what that meant.
    “Your Honor, we straightened out that trespassing case,” the judge’s clerk said, coming in through a side door. “The 1905 case was Commonwealth vs. Morely. This is Commonwealth vs. Marley,” he said laying a file on her bench and looking up. He seemed a bit perplexed at what exactly was going on.
    “So, it looks like Mr. Marley is among the living. Does the Commonwealth have an offer?” Judge Epstein asked Ms. Manson with a smile.
    “Yeah, we’ll come up with something,” Edna replied, looking disappointed.
    “Your Honor, I apologize for the problems with the power,” another voice announced from the back of courtroom. Once again, everyone turned to look. It was Ernie, looking sheepish.
    “You were responsible for that?”
    “Uh, yeah,” he shuffled his feet. “I got a little carried away with the EMF meter. Wound up causing an electrical surge so powerful I knocked myself out for a few. All better now, though.”
    “So, nobody is missing. Nobody is dead. And there’s an explanation for why the lights went out and the air conditioner went wild.” She tossed her broken gavel down on her bench.
    “I still think there’s paranormal activity here,” Ernie answered.
    “Me too!” Delores agreed. The two of them gazed at each other and you could almost hear the violins and see the little cherubs floating above their heads.
    “I still think it’s Sid,” Gladys grumbled.
    “Somebody get her out of here so we can wrap this nightmare session up,” Judge Epstein grumbled back and a deputy escorted Gladys out of the courtroom. Braden went off to negotiate a plea bargain, for the very much alive, Mr. Marley, and I went over to talk to Mr. Fisher, Ms. Brooks and Mr. Brenner.
    “We’ve determined that you’re correct, and Mr. Smith is not actually in the country illegally,” Mr. Fisher informed us.
    “There are some people from Mental Health who are coming to pick him up,” Ms. Brooks added. “It seems that our work here is done.”
    “Thanks.” I smiled. The two federal employees gathered their things and left.
    “Happy Halloween, Mrs. Pierce,” Mr. Brenner said, turning to leave.
    “Happy Halloween!” I called after him.
    A half an hour later, Braden and I finally walked wearily out of the front doors of the criminal courts building and headed for our car. It was too late for Jess’s party, but we were exhausted anyway.
    “So, that was definitely an interesting experience,” I said to my husband.
    “Yeah, no more Night Court.” He stopped walking and stood staring at something in the sky. I followed his gaze.
    “What is that?” I asked, puzzled by the cigar-shaped object with the blinking lights. Suddenly, with what looked like a burst of energy, it disappeared.
    “It’s gone. I’ve never seen anything like that before.”
    “You don’t suppose …” The two of us looked at each other.
    “Nah, couldn’t be,” he answered and we walked on hand in hand. We had bigger things to think about anyway, like the baby we were planning to make.
     
    The End