“We’ll talk to some people,” says Candy. “Maybe our new boss can help. She finds things for people.”
Maria smiles a little.
“That would be great. Dash isn’t just my spirit guide. He’s my friend.”
“We understand,” says Candy. “And we’ll do what we can to find him for you.”
“But no guarantees,” I say.
Maria loosens her arms a bit and lets them drop to her sides.
“I understand. And thanks. I really appreciate it.”
“I’ll talk to Julie today,” Candy says.
Maria nods.
“That would be great. Well, I don’t want to keep you from your work. I’m sorry someone wrote on your store.”
I look at the lettering. We haven’t made much progress getting it off yet.
“Thanks. I broke the guy’s wrists, so, you know, that was fun.”
Maria starts away. She gives us the same little wave she gave us before.
“Bye,” she says, and heads back down to Hollywood Boulevard.
I look at Candy.
“Exactly, how are we supposed to help her? Julie doesn’t know anything about ghost hunting. And I can’t do it anymore.”
“Maybe the Vigil has a machine or ghost surveillance cameras or something,” she says. “Or maybe Death could help.”
“Death lives in a closet and sleeps on a cot. If Death could help anyone, he would have helped himself by now.”
Candy pats me on the shoulder.
“You’re clever. You’ll think of something.”
“Thank you for your misplaced confidence.”
Our phones go off at almost the same time. I pull it out and look at the number. The screen doesn’t show a number or BLOCKED. It reads ANSWER ME. I’ve never seen that before. I figure anyone who can do that must be at least a little interesting, so I answer.
“Who is this?”
“Stark?” comes a woman’s voice. “It’s Tuatha Fortune. How are you?”
“Hi. I’m fine,” I say, wanting to hang up but sober enough to know that it would be a bad idea.
Tuatha Fortune is the wife of the previous Augur, Saragossa Blackburn. Widow actually. He died while in office. I have it on good authority he was dismembered and flushed out the pipes with the garbage. Not a pretty way to go.
“How are you, Ms. Fortune?”
“Lovely, my dear. Let me guess. You received the current Augur’s invitation, but decided to ignore it?”
“Not exactly. I threw it away. I was sure the name was a misprint.”
She laughs quietly.