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you to judge? You don’t even exist. In fact, maybe my imagination is so vivid I made you up. How’s that for creativity?”
    She heard the soft chime of feminine laughter as a misty shape appeared. “Do you see that?” Reggie asked under her breath, indicating a spot with a tip of her head and a meaningful look.
    Bemused, Chase shook his head. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, I see nothing unusual. I heard laughter though.”
    Reggie pointed to the garden gate Chase had restored. “You mean you don’t see the woman standing by the gate?”
    Frowning, Chase said, “No.”
    With a long, suffering sigh, Reggie cocked a hip and slapped her hands to her waist. “Well that’s just great! Now I see dead people.”
    The otherworldly laughter continued.
    Chase said, “That’s good, Reg. Whoever she is, she’s in a good mood.”
    Reggie rolled her eyes. “Sure, everything’s fine until the laughter turns maniacal.”
    When she looked back at the gate, the misty woman was gone. They could hear the birds sing again and the breeze played with Chase’s cowlick.
    Stunned, she sat down on the bench and put a hand to her forehead. She popped a chocolate into her mouth. She bit down and was momentarily distracted. “Mmmm, chocolaty goodness.”
    Chase stayed silent and watched her for a full minute. Then he asked, “Was that anything like what you felt in the library?”
    Reggie shook her head with feeling. “Nothing whatsoever. This feels exciting…exhilarating even. No, the library made me feel hopeless. It sucked something from me. Here, this thing seemed to fill me up. This was giving, despite the obvious irritation in the voice.” She laughed self-consciously.
    “It’s gone now, isn’t it?”
    “Yeah, I feel completely normal. I’m starving, but completely normal.”
    He laughed. “Starving is normal for you.”
    She nodded and popped another chocolate in her mouth.
    By silent agreement, they turned to a safer subject. Neither seemed ready to discuss the specter’s demand that they kiss each other.
    “Ernestine was helpful up to a point.” Reggie proceeded to tell him what the sly old lady had to say.
    He nodded. “My research backs up her story. Constance McCann just fades from the history books.”
    “It was worth a try. I had hoped that fresh eyes might find something I missed. Is there any record of how she died?”
    “No real information. The household accounts show the purchase of a coffin at the time. It could have been for her, but it’s hard to tell. If I’ve interpreted it correctly, a female servant went missing that year as well. I’m going to go over some of the journals from that period, see if anyone mentions Constance’s death.”
    Reggie nodded as she grabbed half of his sandwich. After taking a bite, chewing and swallowing, she said, “Let me know if you need help with that. I’ve read them all, but that was some time ago and I wasn’t looking for anything specific.”
    “How ’bout we meet here at eight o’clock tonight? Some furniture was delivered this morning. We can use it to make ourselves comfortable while we search.”
    She looked at him with surprise. “You can get your hands on the journals? The ladies at the Historical Society don’t let that stuff out of their sights. How’d you manage it?”
    Leaning over her, he invaded her space and said, “I can be very persuasive.” He kissed the top of her head and moved away. “See you tonight. And remember, don’t go near the library.”
    Speechless, she sat back on the bench and watched him go.
     
    * * * *
     
    The main floor of the house was humming with activity, and she smiled when she saw how the place was shaping up. The owner, Pat Somers, had selected some pieces of furniture and wanted them incorporated into the interior designs for the house. Reggie crossed her fingers praying that she’d approve of Ms. Somers’s choices.
    It was a great relief when she saw the beautiful living room furniture.