Chapter 4

Afew days later, Morgaine took a seat at the only table in the room. She sensed it had been for holding canapés and a floral centerpiece at cocktail parties. So, not her thing. “Okay, remember how we all held hands at the séance when the medium contacted Chad?”

Konrad nodded.

“Well, if Reginald is going to talk to you through me instead of just communicating with me through my mind, I’ll need all the extra energy I can get. Would you mind?”

“Not at all.” Konrad sat opposite Morgaine at the highly polished table and extended his reach.

“Thanks.” Morgaine clasped Konrad’s hands, closed her eyes, and took several deep breaths to help clear her energy. The parlor was only illuminated by natural light and one white candle. She hoped Reginald wouldn’t be shy about talking through her to a stranger, but she had prepared him by introducing Konrad as a security expert.

“Reginald, are you willing to speak to my friend through me?” She waited a few moments, then sat up ramrod straight. As if a broomstick had been inserted you know where.

“Greetings.” The much lower voice of a man spoke through her mouth.

Konrad responded with, “Um, hello. Are you Reginald?”

“Who else would I be?”

Konrad sighed.

“Is there a problem?” Reginald asked.

“Oh, nothing. Are all ghosts so snippy and sarcastic?”

“I beg your pardon. Did you just insult me?”

“It’s just that you remind me of the only other ghost I know. I need to ask a few questions to help Morgaine. Are you willing to answer them?”

“Ordinarily, I’d never speak to a man in such dire need of a haircut, but if you can catch these felons and put them away, I’ll do what I can.”

“Okay.” Konrad mumbled ‘talk about insults’ under his breath.

“What was that?” Reginald asked in an angry tone.

“Never mind. What can you tell us about the robbery?”

“As I told the woman with the funny name, I saw the cops come in, hit the guards over their heads, tie them up with duct tape and rob the place.”

“You know those weren’t real Boston cops, don’t you?”

“How would I know that? Come to think of it, how would you know that? Were you there?”

“No.”

“Well, then.” A long sigh emitted from Morgaine’s mouth. “They took my favorite Degas. Three Mounted Jockeys.”

“There were three of them?”

“No, you dolt. The name of the painting was Three Mounted Jockeys. You know nothing about art, do you?”

“I know more than the average American.”

“Ha. That’s probably true. I cannot believe how stupid people are in this day and age. Most visitors admire the flowers more than the artwork. Well, back to the matter at hand. There were two robbers.”

“Fine. Can you give me descriptions?”

“I’m sure the two guards gave the police their descriptions. But because I’m in a generous mood, I’ll try to remember. They were both Caucasian. One was about six feet and the other slightly shorter. They wore fake moustaches and spoke with what passes for a Boston accent these days. Not the eloquent accents of my time, but an uncultured dialect that made them sound ignorant and uncouth. They used foul language too.”

“Did you notice anything else? Perhaps the thieves said something to each other after they stashed the guards in the basement?”

“How did you know about that? Perhaps you were in on it!”

“I read it in the newspaper. Why are you suspicious of me?”

“Oh. No reason. I just don’t believe a security expert should have hair longer than the woman he’s with. Don’t you trust hairdressers?” he jested.

“Let’s get back to the case. So did they say anything about already having a buyer?”

“They mentioned getting the stuff into their automobile and driving to Revere.”

“Revere! That’s a huge new clue. What else?”

“Well, they had a list.”

“It sounds like they knew exactly what their buyer or buyers wanted.”

“Yes, and someone knew the value of these items. Like a bronze beaker from the Shang Dynasty. It was at least three thousand years-old, possibly four—in other words, priceless.”

“Did they take anything not on the list?”

“Only a Rembrandt etching that was postage stamp size. A self-portrait. I imagine they thought they could hide it pretty easily.”

“Probably. They may have tried to fence it themselves. That would be helpful if the piece ever surfaces. It could lead us directly back to the thieves. Then they could tell us where the rest of it went.”

“The police and FBI were all over this place, collecting evidence and questioning the staff. I can’t believe they haven’t caught these hooligans? It’s been over thirty years.”

“I imagine the FBI has done all the right things.”

“Maybe they were in on it.”

Konrad snorted. “I doubt it.”

“But they had police uniforms and guns.”

“Those can be bought.”

“And the patches that said Boston Police?”

“They may have made or stolen those. My twin brother is a Boston cop. He might be able to ask some of the veterans about it.”

“Oh, so that’s why you don’t want to believe the police are in on it. Your brother is a flatfoot.”

Konrad bristled. “Look, most cops are honest, hardworking individuals who put their lives on the—”

Male laughter interrupted Konrad.

His grip tightened and he growled. Morgaine let go of his hands, swayed, and began to lean over. Konrad shot to his feet and grabbed her shoulders before she hit the table.

“Morgaine, are you all right?”

She took a few panting breaths and opened her eyes.

“Yeah, I’m fine.”

“Where did Reginald go?”

“I don’t know. I imagine he’s still around. I just had to intervene. You two weren’t getting along very well.”

“No kidding. I have the feeling old Reggie doesn’t like cops. Maybe he wasn’t squeaky clean, himself.”

“If we want information, you two have to play nice.” Morgaine suddenly sat bolt upright, opened her mouth, and spoke with the formal male voice again.

“Don’t call me Reggie and I won’t call you Connie. Being a disembodied spirit isn’t easy. How would you like to try it, hmmm?”

“Is that a threat?”

“What could I possibly threaten you with? Unless it’s withholding information…”

“You wouldn’t.”

A long silence followed with Morgaine holding her stiff position.

“Oh c’mon… Don’t be childish,” Konrad said.

“Childish? How dare you. I was born in 1890. I’m well over a hundred years older than you.”

“No, you’re not. We’re barely a generation apart. I was born in 1912.”

Loud male laughter exploded from Morgaine’s mouth.

“I’ll prove it.” Konrad stood and began to strip.

“Oh, my. You’re rather like a work of art, yourself. What big muscles you have, my dear.”

Konrad grinned, growled, and began to shift. His hair seemed to shrink inside his head and sprout elsewhere on his body. His nose and chin extended and his back rounded. As he fell forward, his hands and arms became paws and legs.

A long loud male scream could probably be heard from the sidewalk outside. Konrad shifted back and dressed, quickly.

Morgaine felt Reginald practically rip himself out of her and flee. She wavered a moment, then braced her hands on the table. Konrad lowered himself to the chair opposite her as if nothing had happened.

Morgaine crossed her arms and glared at him. “Did you have to do that? I’ve never seen you change. It freaked meout!”

“Sorry, but I hate being patronized.”

“So do I, but you don’t see me flying around on a broomstick every time someone pisses me off.”

Konrad shrugged. “I figured it was important that he understand not everyone fits in his narrow view of mankind. Some of us aren’t even human and have much longer life spans.”

“That’s it? That’s all you have to say for yourself? This was my first case, and you probably blew it for me.”

“I’m sorry. You’re right. Maybe if I apologize to Reginald…”

“I doubt he’ll ever speak to me again. And he certainly won’t speak to you.”

“I’m very sorry. Maybe I can think of something to salvage the situation.”

The door to the parlor flew open and the curator rushed in. “What happened? I thought I heard a scream?”

Morgaine and Konrad rode the subway back to their neighborhood in silence. It was just as well. Konrad couldn’t think of much to say in the way of apology. He really couldn’t blame Morgaine if she never spoke to him again.

As they strolled toward their building, Morgaine said, “I’m glad you thought fast and said you screamed because you thought you saw the ghost.”

“I have a feeling the curator didn’t believe me.”

“Probably because you don’t look like the type of guy to shriek in fear. Besides, Reginald’s voice doesn’t match the timbre of yours—even coming out of my mouth.”

He chuckled. “Yeah, I don’t scream like a little girl.”

“Well, I almost did when I opened my eyes and saw you changing back.”

“You’ve never seen me change before?” He grabbed the brass, front door handle, but refrained from opening the door.

“How could I?”

“By looking out your window. Although, I usually come back before dawn and Sly lets me in. I don’t know if you’re up that early. Or you could catch me at night. But ever since Jason installed the motion detector, it’s bright as hell out there, so I have to find a dumpster to hide behind where I can stash my clothes and shift.”

“That must be nerve wracking. What if Jason or Merry pulled into their parking spots just as you were shifting?”

“Yeah, I worry about that, believe me.”

“I can cast a spell to shield you from view whenever you shift, if you like.”

Konrad almost gasped. “You can?”

“I believe so. I haven’t actually tried to put a spell on a werewolf before. I might have to tweak it a bit.”

He glanced at the apartment to the right of the front door. “Listen, don’t say anything to Roz about me, okay?”

Morgaine placed her hands on her hips and frowned. “You’re going to tell her though.”

“Yes. When the time is right.” When the hell that’ll be, I don’t know.

She seemed to relax, so he opened the heavy front door and held it for her. Pausing at the bottom of the stairs, she said, “Well, thanks for your—help.”

“I’m really sorry.”

“No need to apologize. I didn’t really know what would happen. I took a chance, and it didn’t work out. At least my agoraphobia didn’t surface this time.” She sighed. “Back to the drawing board.”

“You know who might be able to help you with Reginald more than I can?”

“Who?”

“Roz. She has a way of drawing people out. I’ve heard her deal with different delicate situations very calmly and non-judgmentally. Plus, she knows what kind of evidence is admissible in court. I think she’d be perfect.”

“Is she home?”

Konrad shrugged. “Why don’t we find out? I told her I’d call on her today anyway. Oh, and just so you know, I’m going to tell her I got fired from my—um, job.”

“Why?”

“Because I don’t want to do it anymore.”

“Why not just say you quit?”

“Because I really don’t want to go back to it.”

Morgaine laid a hand on his arm. “I admire that. Will she believe you?”

He shrugged. “She has no reason not to.”

“Okay. Give it a try.” Morgaine waited behind him while Konrad lifted the brass door knocker and rapped on Roz’s door.

She opened it and beamed up into his smiling face.

“Good afternoon, ma’am. May I interest you in buying some magazines today?”

“Only if you deliver them in person—naked, holding a bottle of Champagne,” she said, and gave him a ‘come hither’ look. She stepped back and opened the door wider.

Clearing her throat, Morgaine said, “Dottie has rules about public nudity, but it wouldn’t bother me.”

Roz glanced into the hall and gasped when she realized they weren’t alone.

Konrad cringed. “Uh, Sorry. I should have said that Morgaine’s waiting to ask you something.”

“Oops.” Roz blushed.

When Morgaine stepped forward, she said, “Don’t be embarrassed. I think it’s cute when couples flirt.”

Roz let out a small giggle, then said, “Come in, both of you. Have a seat.”

Morgaine sat on Roz’s antique looking couch, while Konrad wandered around and looked at her things. He didn’t figure her for an antique buff. An old roll-top desk. A tall wooden cabinet with a glass panel holding thick tomes that he assumed were law books. Lots of fragile looking furniture he wouldn’t dare put his full weight on.

“Can I get you guys anything to drink?”

“No, thanks.” Morgaine said.

Roz sat next to her on the sofa. “So, what did you want to ask me?”

“I guess I should start at the beginning. I’m a psychic witch and a medium.”

Roz nodded but her expression didn’t change.

Konrad blew out a breath of relief. Whew. She handled that pretty well. But then he remembered she knew enough about Morgaine already, like leading a séance with Chad, so the information might not come as a shock.

“I’ve been hired to work with a new witness who was present during the theft at the Isabella Stewart Gardener Museum.”

Roz grew more animated. “Really? There’s a new witness? So, there might be hope of catching those douche bags who robbed the place, after all?”

“Yes. We’ve already gained some new information, but we don’t know how much of it can be used in court.”

“Why is that?”

“Because the new witness is a ghost.”

Roz’s mouth dropped open. “I…it didn’t come home with you, did it?”

It’s okay, darling. I’m right here. You’re perfectly safe.

“Are you sure? Ghosts freak me he hell out! Don’t you feel uncomfortable around them?”

No. Even if the room was full of them, they can’t hurt you.

“Ugh, that would be like attending a peeping Tom convention, while thinking you’re alone in the bathroom.”

She quickly recovered her neutral demeanor and said, “A ghost? Haunting the museum?”

“Yes. So, if we learn anything from Reginald—that’s the spirit’s name—do you think it could be used to claim the reward? I don’t want the court to say it’s bunk and cheat me out of my money if I help recover the art.”

Roz rose to her feet and paced as she talked. “Has the ghost’s presence been substantiated?”

“Well, yeah. I’ve talked to him.”

Konrad spoke up. “So, have I. There are two of us who can attest to him being there.

Roz’s eyebrows rose as she focused her sharp gaze on Konrad. “You can talk to ghosts too?”

“Oh, no. I didn’t mean that. Morgaine did her medium thing while I was there. I heard his voice coming through her mouth.”

Roz nodded. “Freaky, but okay…continue.”

“Well,” Morgaine said, “the curator sensed his presence and admitted a couple of visitors claimed to have seen him.”

“I’ll have to check precedents, but I imagine sensing a presence we can’t use. Even a sighting could be explained away. But I’m curious about your being a medium. Can you prove you have that, um—gift?”

“Sure.” She looked at Konrad. “Does she know about Chad?”

“Yes. I asked him not to bother Roz, but I don’t know if he listened to me or not.”

“Would you mind a demonstration if I can get Chad to cooperate?” Morgaine asked.

Roz sat up straighter. “Actually, that sounds fascinating.”

“Good. He usually hangs out on the third floor, so I’ll run upstairs and see if I can find him.”

“Okay.” Roz watched as Morgaine left, then she crossed the room to where Konrad was leaning against the mantelpiece.

Konrad said, “I was thinking about you all morning—when I wasn’t playing ghost busters.”He captured her waist and pulled her toward him for a quick peck on the lips and a hug. Her arms around his neck seemed to be shaking.

“Roz, are you all right?”

“Yeah. It’s just that…well, there’s been a lot to take in lately. Our strange new way of communicating, Morgaine’s a witch and a medium, we have a ghost in the building. What’s next? Vampires and Werewolves?”

Konrad chuckled nervously. “Don’t worry, darling. I won’t let the boogeyman get you.” Don’t think about it, don’t think about it…

“Don’t think about what?”

“Uh, nothin’. I got fired today, that’s all.”

She sucked in a breath. “Really? Is it because you were arrested?”

“Yes. They can’t be too careful, you know.”

“But you weren’t guilty.”

He shrugged.

“I don’t think they should get away with that. Let me look into grounds for a wrongful termination case.” Her lips thinned to a hard line.

“No, don’t. I was ready to quit anyway. It just isn’t worth the aggravation.”

She took his hand. “I’m sorry that happened to you.”

“I’m not. Now I can be awake during the day and see more of you.” He winked.

“And maybe help Morgaine,” Roz added. “Are you sure she’s for real?”

“I’m pretty darn sure.”

“Look, I believe in certain things I can’t explain away with logic. Psychics for instance. I know the government has been doing psychic studies. And it seems like there’s a large portion of our brains which most of us don’t use.”

He nodded but didn’t want to say anything so she’d continue talking. What else did she believe in?

“Some are charlatans, to be sure. But I guess some have a certain amount of credibility. Do you believe she’s the real deal?”

Konrad squeezed her hand. “I’ve seen her talk to Chad, and at the museum she seemed to go into a trance, and I heard the voice of someone else come out of her mouth.”

“Were you with her the whole time? Had she been there before?”

“That was the second time she’d been there. Gwyneth went with her first. I guess they could have rigged something up before, but if she can demonstrate something here, on the fly, I know I’ll be impressed. Do you want to look around to be sure she didn’t plant any microphones?”

“Good idea.” Roz began to check the couch cushions where Morgaine had been sitting when a knock sounded at the door.

“I’ll get it.” Konrad opened the door, but no one was there. Then he heard footsteps on the stairs and Morgaine came into view.

“I guess Chad got here before me.”

Konrad stepped back and waited for Morgaine to enter. “Is he here?”

She cocked her head as if listening to someone whisper in her ear. “Yes, he’s here. And he wants to know what you’re looking for in the sofa cushions.”

Konrad shut the door and changed the subject. “Ready?”

“I am, are you?” Morgaine asked, looking at Roz.

She took a deep breath and nodded.

“Chad, you know Konrad and Roz, right?”

“Know them? That’s a stretch. I know who they are. The tall one with long hair who turns into a wolf at the full moon, that’s Konrad. The chubby one with glasses and her hair in a bun is Roz. What her deal is, I haven’t heard yet. Enlighten me.”

“Roz is a lawyer,” Morgaine said. “I may need her help in the Museum case I’m working on.”

“Why? Did you catch the thief?”

“Not yet.”

Konrad and Roz stared alternately at her and at each other. At one point, they both shrugged.

“Okay, I need to demonstrate to Roz and Konrad that you and I are really communicating. What can you tell me about them that I wouldn’t know?”

“Have you been in Roz’s apartment before?”

“I was here when Merry lived here, but this is the first time since Roz moved in.”

“Good. Have you been in her bedroom yet?”

“No. I’ve only been out here in the living room. I see what you’re getting at. Maybe you can find something in her bedroom that I’ve never seen. Describe it to me in detail and I’ll tell them what it is.”

“You’re pretty smart for a woman who wears black lipstick and nail polish.”

“I’m not wearing the black lipstick today, in case you didn’t notice. I try to be more conservative when I visit the museum.”

Chad laughed.

Morgaine rolled her eyes. “Whatever. Get on with it please.”

“I’ve already been in there. Tell her she left her bedside-table top drawer open and there are three things in it. A box of tissues, a book, and a long plastic cylinder. Bright pink.”

“Good. That’s very specific.” Morgaine faced Roz. “He said you left your bedside table drawer open. There’s a book, a box of tissues and some kind of pink plastic cylinder in it.”

Roz’s jaw dropped and she turned bright red.

“What’s wrong?”

“Oh, and extra batteries. I forgot to mention them.”

Roz coughed and composed herself. “Nothing. Tell him to look for something else.”

Chad was laughing hysterically.

“Chad, what did you do?”

“Can I help it if she likes to read erotica and keeps a vibrator handy?”

Morgaine dropped her head in her hands. Then she took a deep breath and tried again. “Chad, cut the shit. Now find something else, and don’t embarrass the poor woman.”

Konrad smiled.

“Okay, I’m going into her closet. Never mind. It’s dark in there. I’ll try the bathroom.”

Morgaine waited and tapped her foot. Roz folded her hands and bit her lower lip.

“Okay, here’s something. It’s behind the shower curtain, so unless you’ve taken a shower with her…”

“Of course I haven’t. Now tell me what you’re seeing.”

“She has about a dozen bath products. One of those natural sponges, a purple washcloth, a set of red plastic bottles with all kinds of perfumey…Aaa-choo!”

“Goddess bless you.”

Roz tipped her head and the furrow between her brows deepened.

“Okay, he said there’s a loofah, a purple washcloth, and a set of bath products in red bottles behind your shower curtain. He seems to be allergic to them.”

“Not really, but I was allergic to all kinds of stuff when I was alive. Sneezing is just a force of habit I guess.”

Konrad rose. “Roz? Morgaine? Do you want to check his information?”

“No, it sounds pretty accurate,” Roz said. “You two can look if you want to.”

Konrad smiled. “I’ll admit, I’m curious. You wouldn’t mind?”

“Be my guest.”

Morgaine stayed seated. “I’ll wait here just in case there’s other stuff in there he can describe.”

Roz shrugged. “No need to. I’m satisfied that you’re really communicating with a… a…”

“Spirit,” Morgaine supplied.

Roz shivered.

Konrad rejoined them. “Well, I’ll be damned. It’s exactly like he said.” Then he strolled over to Roz and bumped her, playfully. “No wonder you smell like cinnamon, spice, and everything nice. That’s the fragrance in those bottles.”

Roz rolled her eyes. “Okay, buddy. I’ve been embarrassed enough for one day.” She turned to Morgaine. “You said you’re a medium. Can Chad speak through you?”

“Yes, we’ve done it. Neither of us likes it very much, but he might be willing to give you a quick demonstration.”

“I’d like to see it,” she said.

“Chad, are you okay with that?”

“Ugh. If I must. You have no idea how disgusting it is to push myself down through your gray matter so I can use your brain, lungs, and vocal chords.”

“It’s no picnic for me either.”

“Although, it might be fun to say things you can’t censor…like the juicy sex scene she was reading last night.”

Morgaine sighed. “Chad, behave yourself. We don’t need to hear about Roz’s reading material.”

“You know what?” Roz said. “I don’t really need to hear him speak. If I go to the museum with you, I’ll hear the other ghost talk through you, right?”

Morgaine smiled. “You’re a wise woman.”