Page 16 of Ghost Hunters 2

Matthew’s body was also thrown across the room. Then his body was lifted again— this time almost to the ceiling and dropped to the floor.

Tilly screamed at the sight of Matthew’s crumpled body.

Dino limped a bit as he rushed to where his grandpa laid. He felt for a pulse but didn’t find one. “Dammit! Grandpa, come back!”

Jillian stepped over and knelt next to Dino. “I am so sorry, Dino.” She took a hold of his hand. Then she looked up at Tilly.

“Noooo!” Tilly wept.

Matthew’s body shimmered for a moment then his ghost rose up. He floated over and took her hand. “Don’t be sorry. Now I’m free to join you.” He raised one of Tilly’s hands to his lips. Kissing her fingers he told her, “But we can’t leave just yet. We have to stop George from continuing this loop forever.” He glanced down at his mortal body lying on the floor and then he looked at Dino. “Don’t be sorry about my death, Dino. I lived a long life but now I’m back with the woman I love.”

Dino shook his head. “I don’t want to lose you. I mean you are...” He looked away. “All I have really.”

“You know that is not true,” Matthew spoke again. “You have a whole family that wants to know you. They want to be a part of your life. Son, you need to allow them in.”

Jillian had tears in her eyes as she gripped Dino’s hand. “He’s right. All I had was my mom and now she’s gone.’

Tilly turned to look at Jillian. “I’m sorry any of this happened. I wish none of this happened. But we still have work to do to make this go away. Did you find the small pouch I told you about?”

“Do you know what the pouch means?” Jillian asked as she fished it out of her pocket.

Tilly looked over at Matthew. “No, I don’t but I don’t think George wasn’t really who he claimed to be.”

“What are you talking about?” Matthew asked.

“I don’t think George was who he said he was,” Tilly repeated. “I think he’s from the Deep South, New Orleans to be exact.”

“What makes you think that and what does it have to do with this situation?” Dino asked.

Tilly raised her hand at him. “Please bear with me. I know this may sound strange but considering I’m a ghost and now Matthew is a ghost. And this place burns down every year then is fine the next day? I think you all need to listen to me.”

Dino folded his hands in front of him. “I just lost my grandfather and I can’t. I just can’t. I mean I’m talking to ghosts here!” He raised his hands and paced the dusty floor.

Jillian bit at her lip. She knew this was hard on him.

“What you need to do is calm the fuck down.”

They all looked up at the doorway.

Bane came in and looked around. He spotted Matthew’s body and said, “Damn.”

“It’s okay, Mr. Jessin.” Matthew stepped out so Bane could see him. Tilly stood next to him.

Bane nodded as he did not really react to seeing the dead walking and talking. “There’s some dark crap going on here. That is for damn sure.

Tilly nodded. “You are right sir, and it is worse than I even thought. I found a letter in George’s room when I was cleaning it once. Like an old letter but it wasn’t addressed to George Walker, it was addressed to Beau Lamprey.” She began to pace nervously as she did seem afraid of this George person. “I didn’t read it as it was none of my business. Like we aren’t allowed to do anything like that being owners of a hotel, you know? But after I found it I began to notice some things that were happening. Shortly after that, my favorite ring disappeared. I asked Claire about it but she hadn’t touched it. Then she told me one of her favorite combs was missing.”

Matthew raised his head. “Was that around the time I asked about my pin?” He looked over at Dino and told him, “When I got out of the military I was given a pin of the flag. I always wore it on my lapel and one day it just disappeared.”

“Yes and that was about the time I saw George digging around my father’s headstone,” Tilly said. “I don’t know what he buried that day but when he finished he looked around almost as if he expected someone to catch him doing something wrong. That was three days before the fire.”

Jillian thought for a moment then reached inside her pocket. “I found this buried by your father’s headstone. I don’t know what it means but the bag looks almost brand new.”

Tilly glanced at the bag and looked at Jillian. “Can you open it?”

Jillian opened the bag and spilled the contents into her hand. There was a lady’s ring, a hair comb, a small pin and a key ring. There was also a dried-up chicken’s foot and various dried herbs. The personal items were coated in what looked like dried blood.

Jillian looked at the items in her hand and frowned. “What the heck is all this stuff and what does it mean?”