Lana Malloy Paranormal Mystery Series - Four Novella Set: Lana Malloy Paranormal Mystery Box Sets, #4

By Kim Cox

In the LANA MALLOY PARANORMAL MYSTERY SERIES, Lana Malloy is a psychic, private investigator who is on a mission to help the dearly departed even when they don't realize they need help.

 

In HAUNTED HEARTS, Lana sets out to solve her first case—the twenty-year-old cold case and double murder of her great aunt and her great aunt's fiancé. If she succeeds, they'll spend eternity together; if she can't, they'll be stuck as Haunted Hearts. With the help of the ghosts and a new love interest, she is able to find the murderer.

 

In GET OUT OR DIE, the success of Lana's first case has spread throughout the local Charleston area and her business is booming. At one pro-bono job, Lana helps a widow communicate with her late husband where she learns of a frightening new ability—an ability that could give the spirit the upper hand if she's not careful.

 

In THE WEDDING CRASHER, Lana is on her honeymoon in Gatlinburg, Tennessee when she learns that a reoccurring vision about an abducted woman took place in nearby Knoxville. This case takes her hiking up mountainsides and trekking through rough terrain to find a madman before he can harm this young woman.

 

In CHRISTMAS CRUISE, Lana and Tony go on their first cruise together to the Bahamas, but Lana soon finds herself on a serial killer's cruising ground. Ten women have been murdered in ten years. It's up to Lana to get these women the justice they deserve.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kim Cox Books
• Release date: Feb 18, 2023
• ISBN: 9781519900807

Book preview

LANA MALLOY PARANORMAL

MYSTERY SERIES

FOUR-BOOK SET

BOX SET 4 – BOOKS: 1, 2, 3, & 4 – Plus The Short Story Prequel

HAUNTING LANA

HAUNTED HEARTS

GET OUT OR DIE

THE WEDDING CRASHER

CHRISTMAS CRUISE

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Kim Cox

Other Books by Kim Cox

Lana Malloy Paranormal Mysteries Series (Novellas)

Haunting Lana: The Beginning (Book 0)

Haunted Hearts (Book 1)

The Wedding Crasher (Book 3)

Christmas Cruise (Book 4)

Haunted by Her Past (Book 5)

Romantic Suspense/Mystery Stand-Alone Novels

Suspicious Minds

For the Love of Money

Style & Profile Series

All This Time (Book 1)

Before We Wed (Book 2)

Short Stories - Sweet Romances

A Dream Come True

In His Arms

All For Love

Love Conquers All

Collections

Wandering Spirits I

Wandering Spirits II

Dream, Conquer, & Love

LANA MALLOY PARANORMAL MYSTERY SERIES

A picture containing text, outdoor, posing, sign Description automatically generated

IN THE LANA MALLOY PARANORMAL MYSTERY SERIES, Lana Malloy is a psychic, private investigator who is on a mission to help the dearly departed even when they don’t realize they need help.

In HAUNTED HEARTS, Lana sets out to solve her first case—the twenty-year-old cold-case and double murder of her great aunt and her great aunt’s fiancé. If she succeeds, they’ll spend eternity together; if she can’t, they’ll be stuck as Haunted Hearts. With the help of the ghosts and a new love interest, she can find the murderer.

In GET OUT OR DIE, the success of Lana’s first case has spread throughout the local Charleston area and her business is booming. At one pro-bono job, Lana helps a widow communicate with her late husband where she learns of a frightening new ability—an ability that could give the spirit the upper hand if she’s not careful.

In THE WEDDING CRASHER, when Lana Malloy is about to marry Tony Calabria, she has a dream of her wedding that is troubling, and she wonders if she could call it off. With the help of her Great Aunt Lucy, she realizes the vision isn't about her own wedding but that of someone else who will be forced to marry or worse. During their honeymoon, Lana's visions become clearer and now Lana and Tony are faced with finding and rescuing Jada from a madman.

In CHRISTMAS CRUISE, Lana boards a cruise ship haunted by dead women who were brutally murdered. While aboard the ship Lana has an experience that mentally injures her. Once she recovers, she’s more determined than ever to find the killer.

In HAUNTED BY HER PAST, Lana and Demi team up to support Jena. Abused and scared, Jena runs away only to be haunted by her abuser. He's worse dead than he was when he was alive.

And Coming Soon

In GRAVE ACCUSATIONS, Tony's brother Derek is being haunted by a soldier he tried to save. His guilt eats him up and he refuses Lana's help.

COPYRIGHT

LANA MALLOY PARANORMAL Mystery Series Box #4

Novellas 0, 1, 2, 3, & 4

© 2015 by Kim Cox

All rights reserved. No part of this work may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without permission from the author.

This book is a work of fiction. Name, characters, places, and incidents are the products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons living or dead is entirely coincidental. No part of this publication can be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without permission of the author in writing.

Haunted Hearts was previously published as part of the Enchanted Holidays anthology, and Get Out or Die was previously published as part of the One Touch Beyond anthology. All rights have reverted back to the author as of March 15, 2015. The author has edited and added new scenes since the previous versions.

Cover Art © 2020 Kim Cox Designs

Table of Contents

——

Other Books by Kim Cox

LANA MALLOY PARANORMAL MYSTERY SERIES

HAUNTING LANA:  THE BEGINNING

In The Beginning . . .

HAUNTED HEARTS - BOOK 1

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

GET OUT OR DIE - BOOK 2

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

THE WEDDING CRASHER - BOOK 3

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

CHRISTMAS CRUISE - BOOK 4

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Epilogue

DEAR READER,

EXCERPT: HAUNTED BY HER PAST - BOOK 5

ROMANTIC SUSPENSE & ROMANTIC MYSTERY NOVELS

NEWEST RELEASE EXCERPT

REVIEW THIS BOOK ONLINE

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

HAUNTING LANA:  THE BEGINNING

KIM COX

A picture containing text, sign Description automatically generated

~ Haunting Lana ~

Blurb

She's only a child . . . a child with a special gift. Ten-year-old Lana can see and speak to ghosts.

Her first ghostly encounter needs her help, but she hasn't a clue what to do. The ghost terrifies her, and she bolts. Is there anyone who can help her? Her father tries. After all, the gift comes to her through his family line, but her father can't see ghosts. His only gift is an occasional premonition.

The Malloy ancestors had experienced powerful gifts. But no one has exhibited the gift of clairvoyance since Lana's great aunt died.

A family prophecy speaks of a powerful clairvoyant to come. Everyone, including her great aunt, believed she was the one. Lana is the last of the Malloy line. Until now, she's shown no special abilities.

Could she have abilities? Is she the one? If you want to find out how it all started, begin here.

In The Beginning . . .

Ten-year-old Lana Malloy rode her bike down Rosewood Lane, and a man she’d never seen before waved her down.

Help me.

Lana jammed on her brakes to keep from hitting him. Move. I'm not supposed to talk to strangers. She hated that because she loved talking to everyone, but they'd recently seen a video at school about the dangers of predators who would kidnap children. Stranger danger, they called it.

Please! Help me, he repeated. You are the only who can. Please!

Lana got scared. This man would not give up. He wouldn't take no for an answer. I'm going to tell my daddy if you don't leave me alone. She turned the tires of her bike to maneuver around him, but he again positioned himself in front of her. Go away! she screamed.

Marietta Lambert walked up, wiping her hands on her apron. The beach breeze picked up her white hair and whipped it around her cheeks. Girl, who you talkin' to?

Thank goodness, Mrs. Lambert. I'm so glad you're here. That man . . . She stopped to point at him even though she knew it was rude. He won't leave me alone. I told him I'm not supposed to talk to strangers. Lana was becoming teary eyed with fear and relief that someone else was with her.

What man?

Was Mrs. Lambert losing her eyesight or something? Lana pointed again. "That man standing right there in front of my bike.

Girl, there's no man there. Now, you go on home and stop joking around or I'm going to call your mama.

The man moved and Lana pushed her bike toward her house. Phew, she whispered, gazing back to see if Mrs. Lambert saw her.

Mrs. Lambert watched only until she disappeared back into her home.

When Lana turned back around, the man floated in midair beside her.

He yelled, I can't go away. I can’t go anywhere until I get your help. No one else can see me. Can't you tell my family I fell in a hole? I’ll show you where. They'll be worried to death about me.

Lana thought she must be losing her mind or something. Why could she see him, and Mrs. Lambert couldn't? You're just a figment of my imagination. Tears now ran freely down her face, as she screamed once again, Go away!

But he didn't leave and continued along with her. I don’t know what happened to me. One moment, I was laying at the bottom of that well, hoping to be rescued, and the next I’m moving from place to place without any means that I can recollect. I don't even know where I am or how to get home. You gotta help me, little girl.

No! Lana screamed. I gotta go home. I can't help you. You'll have to find someone else.

You have'ta. There is no one else.

Seeing that reason wasn't working with this man or figment, Lana jumped on her bike and rode off. Maybe she could outrun him. When she thought she'd put enough distance between them, she glimpsed back and didn't see him anymore, but when she turned back around, he was standing right in front of her bike. Lana turned the handlebars to the left as hard and fast as she could, lost control and was thrown from the bike and into a chain-link fence.

When Lana screamed, Marcus O'Reilly came running out of his house. He looked down and helped her stand, brushing off her clothes but when he looked at her face he froze. Oh, my!

Tears, hard and fast, poured from Lana's eyes, burning the left side of her face.

He grabbed his handkerchief from his pants' pocket and held it to Lana's face, applying pressure to it.

Help me hold this in place. Don’t worry, it’s clean. Just got it from the drawer.

It hurts, Mr. O'Reilly.

I know it does, honey. He turned toward his house. Carol Ann! he yelled to his wife.

Mrs. O'Reilly stuck her head out the screen door, but when she saw her husband with Lana, she ran out to see what was going on.

She clasped her hands to her cheeks. Oh, my. What can I do to help?

Mr. O’Reilly uncovered the cut so he could see it better. Call Jerry Malloy or talk to his wife, Claire. Tell them not to worry but let them know that Lana wrecked her bike and will need a few stitches. He removed Lana’s hair from the blood, and then refolded and placed the cloth back to her cheek.

Mrs. O'Reilly just watched, staring.

Go on, woman.

As if waking from a bad dream, she turned and ran full speed back inside.

The rest of the day was a blur for Lana as she slipped in and out of slumber. The doctors in the emergency room had cleaned all the scrapes on her arms and legs. Summer wasn't a good time to wreck your bike—too much exposed skin. She needed more stitches to the left side of her face than anyone had thought, inside and outside stitches because the gash in her cheek was so deep.

Doctor, will it leave a bad scar? Her mom gripped Lana's hand trying to comfort her.

Her dad walked up and put his arm around them both.

Only time will tell, Mrs. Malloy. It should heal nicely. When she comes in to get the stitches out, we'll reevaluate it. If you think the scar is too bad or want to get rid of it altogether, I can refer you to a good plastic surgeon down in Atlanta.

Thank you, Dr. Rossie.

Lana's mom squeezed Lana’s hand as her father helped her off the examining table.

Dr. Rossie handed Lana a sucker as the family started out the door.

On the ride home, Lana sat in the backseat, half asleep, but heard her parents talking. What they said made her skin crawl.

Jerry, Marietta called and said Lana was saying some crazy things about a man bothering her.

What man?

That's just it. She said Lana pointed at thin air, not a man in sight. You don't think . . .

I don't know, Claire. It runs in my family. I have the gift but just a premonition here and there. I never communicated with them. Aunt Lucy talked to them. My father and Lucy could see and talk to ghosts sometimes.

Ghosts! What did they mean? Lana wanted to yell. She wanted to ask but she was too tired and pretended to sleep. It wasn’t hard to do as drained as she felt. If she started asking questions now, they would just clam up. That’s what generally happened. It was best to wait until they wanted to tell her. Lana let sleep overtake her.

CLAIRE GLANCED AT THE back seat to check on Lana before continuing. But she's so young. How's she going to deal with something like that?

Jerry turned the headlights on as the sun started to set over the horizon. I wish Aunt Lucy was here. She'd know what to do.

Well, she's not. It's up to us to help her, and you're the only one living who knows anything about it. So, by us, I mean you.

When he didn't acknowledge her, she pinched his arm.

Ouch!

Did you hear me?

I'll have a talk with her when we get home after she’s rested. I promise.

What're you goin' to say?

I have no earthly idea, he said, sighing.

AS LANA RESTED ON HER bed, her father came into her room. Honey Bear, we need to discuss what happened today . . . ah . . . what happened when you go that. He pointed to her bandaged face.

I promise I didn’t do anything wrong, Daddy. The man wouldn’t leave me alone. Why couldn’t no one else see him and help me?

The truth is, Lana, you have special abilities. Some call them gifts. You can see and talk to ghosts.

Lana was more confused than ever. Ghosts? What do you mean? Lana already knew because she’d overheard her parent’s conversation in the car, but she didn’t want to believe—she hoped she’d heard wrong.

Her dad pulled her into his arms. You may be able to see spirits before they move on and they may want help from you.

But I’m only ten. How can I help them?

Just do the best you can. If you can’t help them, tell them. Ask them to find another person with the gift. I’m sure they’ll understand.

Lana wasn’t so sure about that. The man earlier today didn’t understand. After her father left, she lay on her bed, face down, and cried into her pillow.

LANA! HER MAMA CALLED. Demi's here. I'm going to send her on up to you.

Lana sat up and slid off her bed. She met her friend at her bedroom door. Hey.

Hey, Demi answered, entering the room. My goodness, girl, what happened to your face?

Lana touched the bandage, and the cut stung a bit. I wrecked my bike.

Demi pointed at Lana’s face. Can I see your stiches? She jumped on the bed, landing on her knees, then bounced around until she was sitting on top of the pink bedspread with a white lace trim.

Lana sat next to her. Another time. I have to leave the bandage on for a day or two.

Demi straightened her legs out in front of her. What happened? You're usually a pretty good biker. How'd you wreck?

You wouldn't believe me if I told you.

Uh-huh. I would to.

Promise you won't laugh or make fun of me.

Course I won't. We besties, remember?

Okay. This man was bugging me, and I was trying to get away from him. I looked back to make sure he wasn't chasing me, and he was gone. But when I turned around, he was standing in front of me. Turns out, he was a spirit, ghost, or something like that.

Demi gasped as her eyes grew twice their original size. She then smiled. My great, great, great nanna could see and talk to spirits. That's the story in the family. They said she had a near-death experience and after that, the spirits were followin' her ‘round, wanting her help all the time.

All the time? Lana gulped.

That's what I heard. You have a near death experience that I know nothing about?

Of course, I didn’t. Lana jumped up and stomped to the dresser. This is terrible.

Demi jumped off the bed, walked up behind Lana and finger combed her friend’s hair. I think it's amazing. I would love to be able to help people or ghosts finish their business.

Be careful what you wish for, Demi. I'll never have another private moment. Don’t you see that?

By the way, how did you ... she coughed, ... get this thing?

Dad explained it. He said my great aunt Lucy had it and it runs in his family. They've all had some type of special gift. Dad can't see ghosts though. He just gets a glimpse of things.

He can see into the future?

Not exactly. He just gets a glimpse of what could happen in the future. Bits and pieces, he said. If he doesn’t interrupt it right, he could cause more harm than good if he shares what he sees.

Interrupt it? What's that mean?

I mean in-ter-pret.

What's that?

He said it's like reading something, like a puzzle, and having to figure out what it means. Except his are like dreams and sometimes during the day, he gets a flash but mostly while he's sleeping.

Oh!

Tears started to drip onto Lana’s cheeks again as she mulled over what was happening to her.

Demi got Lana a tissue from the side table and handed it to her. What's wrong?

Everyone's going to make fun of me. Laugh at me. I’m such a FREAK! Lana hiccupped with the tears that flowed freely now.

Demi hugged her. You are not! You're special. Don’t you see that? She pushed the hair from Lana's face, took the tissue from her and helped her dry her tears. Then she hugged her again.

Lana squeezed Demi’s hand. You're the best. I'm so lucky to have you for my best friend.

Her mother yelled from the bottom of the stairs, Lana, come on down to dinner, now. Ask Demi if she's eaten yet.

After they ate, Demi and Lana played dolls in her room until bedtime. Suddenly scared to sleep alone, Lana asked Demi to stay the night with her. Right after lights out, they giggled under the cover-tent they'd built. They both jumped at the sound of every bump.

Lana snatched the covers to the side, aimed her flashlight, and peeked out. Who's there?

What is it? Demi said, her voice trembling even though she pretended to put on a brave face.

It's only me, doll baby.

Lana ran toward the known voice, Demi following closely behind. Aunt Lucy! Lana squealed.

Who? Where? Demi clutched Lana’s arm in a death grip.

Don't be afraid, Demi. It's only Aunt Lucy.

I don't see her.

She's dead, silly. Confused by her own words, Lana said, Lucy! How can you be here?

I’m not really here. I’m in spirit form. She swooshed around the room before coming to stand in front of her."

Demi tugged the bottom of Lana pajama top to get her attention. What’s she saying?

She wants to talk to me about my new gift.  Lana pointed. She says for you not to be afraid and to go back to the tent. I'll be back in just a minute.

I-I don't know. You sure?

Yep. It's just Aunt Lucy. She won't let nothing happen to us.

Okay.

Before Demi turned to walk away, Lana handed her the flashlight. The glow of Lucy produced enough light for Lana to see without it.

I just learned you saw your first spirit today. Sorry I wasn't with you when it happened. I could've helped you and maybe that wouldn't've happened. She motioned toward her bandage.

A tear trickled down Lana's cheek and she brushed it away.

Now, stop that. It's not so bad. You'll see.

But it was so scary. I wish you were here all the time. Lana dotted her eye with her shirt tail.

It can be, but you'll learn to control things.

Lana sat on the edge of her bed and watched as Lucy's shape changed. Sometimes she seemed almost solid, and at others, Lana could see straight through her. Why now? How come I haven’t seen ghosts before.

Lucy sat beside her on the bed. I can’t say for sure, but I believe my death trigger your gift.

How will I control it, Auntie?

It's different for everyone, but you'll learn. Just be patient and don't be afraid. Sometimes people have unfinished business and they're stuck here until they find out what that is and finish it.

Why are you still here?

I'm not sure.

Am I supposed to help you?

Maybe. Someday. Lucy hovered over the cover. But for now, you need to help that man who came to see you today.

Can't I just ignore the spirits, and they can find someone else to help them?

Never ignore a spirit, Lana, that's dangerous. Let me just say it won’t be pretty.

The expression on Lucy's face said more than any of her words, and Lana decided she'd find a way to handle her new gift. Along with Lucy and Demi, she'd overcome her fear.

Honey, I will be here to comfort and guide you through this for as long as I can. Remember that.

I will.

Lucy floated through the wall and Lana thought she’d figured out her aunt’s unfinished business. Lucy must need to lead Lana in the right path as a medium. Once Lana learned what to do, then Lucy would be able to move on. That had to be it.

The next day, Lana, along with Demi, went back to where Lana had wrecked her bike.

Droplets of Lana’s blood still spotted along the fence’s railing. She shuddered.

She spotted the ghost. Hey, mister.

Thank you, dear child, for returning.

My Aunt Lucy said I should help you. She drew in a deep breath to steady her nerves and force a smile.

Bless you. The man glowed brighter and motioned for her to follow him.

Where we going? Demi asked as she trotted up behind them.

He’s showing me where we will find his . . . uh . . . body.

I’m not looking, Demi stated.

A few blocks and he pointed to a hole in the ground. My body’s down there.

Okay, where’s your family?

Just a couple of houses from here. Just go tell them you saw me down there and thought they should know.

Okay.

Lana grabbed Demi’s hand and they followed the man to his home. A bunch of people were sitting inside the house, arguing about him. Just as Lana was about to knock on the screen door, she heard a man say his dad had wandered off again and they couldn’t find him.

She spoke through the door. I know where he is.

All eyes turned toward the porch where Demi and Lana waited.

Demi continued to hold Lana’s hand as the man and a young woman walked to the door.

The man glared at her, and she trembled. What are you talking about, girl? How you know where he is?

I just saw him, she lied. She didn’t look at the body in the hole. I think he fell in an old well nobody ever covered up. He needs your help. He said to go find his family.

Randy, we best go see if he’s okay. He could be hurt.

The man’s angry face changed to sadness as he pondered the lady’s words. He walked onto the porch. Show me.

When they returned to the spot, Lana pointed. He’s down there.

The man fell to the ground on his belly and yelled, Dad! Are you okay? Dad!

The spirit of the man appeared beside Lana. Thank you, dear child. My son will take care of it from here. You should run on home now before your family gets worried about you.

Lana and Demi ran away as fast as they could. When Lana thought she was far enough away as to not be heard by anyone besides her friend, she turned and grabbed Demi's hands. I did it. I helped him. She giggled nervously

You did! Your aunt will be so proud of you.

She sure is. You did a good job, Lana. Are you still afraid.

Lana nodded her head in quick succession.

Demi scrunched her brows and lips together. What's the matter? You okay.

Aunt Lucy's here, she whispered to Demi.

Oh, okay. Demi backed up as if to give them privacy. I'll wait over here.

It's only natural to be a little scared, but I think you'll be okay.

Maybe. She blinked away the tears beginning to form in her eyes. Now that the ordeal was over, she felt both relieved and apprehensive of it happening again.

Just remember, whenever you're afraid, call me and I'll be with you.

Thank you, Auntie, for being here for me.

My pleasure. I will always be close.

Now go be a kid. Demi looks bored.

Lana smiled. Okay. She ran over to Demi, grabbed her hand, and the two ran home together.

HAUNTED HEARTS - BOOK 1

KIM COX

~ Haunted Hearts ~

Blurb

Will Lana Malloy solve the twenty-year-old double murder of her great aunt and her great aunt’s fiancé by Memorial Day? If she can, they’ll spend eternity together; if she can’t, they’ll be stuck as Haunted Hearts for another year.

Reviews

Haunted Hearts by Kim Cox is a charming . . . ghost story . . . The ghost characters and their living relatives were all delightful and fun. And of course . . . there is romance as well as the mystery. – Fallen Angel Reviews

Twists and turns abound in this suspenseful novel having the reader on the edge of their seat until the climatic conclusion. – Nancy Carty Lepri, Freelance Editor, Reviewer, and Author of Tommy’s Amigo

DEDICATION

To the love of my life and my best friend, my awesome husband, Lee Cox

A special thank you to my critique partners, Elaine, Liz, Chris, Sher, and Nancy.

Chapter One

H ow do you like it ? Lucy Ann Malloy, stood at the top of the stairs, turned to the right then to the left as she modeled the blue and green pastel dress. I found it in the attic with some of my old things. She lingered in the doorway of the main floor. Well?

Lana Malloy looked up from editing the ad for her new PI business. Nice, she said and returned to her work.

Lucy moved to Lana’s side and gazed over her shoulder. What are you working on?

The ad for the local newspapers and a few magazines. I’ve got to figure out how to attract some business or I’ll never make it through the first month.

A chill filled the air surrounding Lana and she shivered, pulling her wrap tightly around her.

I have an idea and it’s actually a pretty good one. I know who your first client can be.

Without glancing away from her paper, Lana asked, And who would that be?

Me.

You? Her interest piqued; Lana shifted in her seat to face her aunt. What are you talking about?

Lucy’s white hair shone with blue highlights as if she’d had it rinsed recently. She was well preserved for someone who’d been dead twenty years. Find my murderer so I can rest in peace. How about it? Lana’s great-aunt had been with her since she moved into the old beach house in Charleston, South Carolina, five years ago.

But I need cash. Who would be paying for my services? Lana smiled, pulling her reading glasses off and laying them on the desk. She loved her great-aunt, but she could be a card. Lucy had always been a rebel, always trying to be different from everyone else. Besides, you died over twenty years ago. That’s a cold trail for sure.

I got money, smarty—a lot of money that no one has found . . . Lucy covered her mouth with both hands then removed them. Oh well, the cat is out of the bag now. I can’t spend it anyway.

But you died more than—

Let me finish. Shows how much you or any of those cops know. She glided back and forth across the room as if she were dancing at her coming-out ball.

Well?

Get out your pencil and pad and take notes.

Not until I’m sure what you’re telling me is the truth. Lucy sometimes changed details to suit herself and the moment, but she’d never talked about her death before today. Lana never questioned her because she thought it may be too painful for her aunt to relive.

Have I ever lied to you? Never mind, don’t answer that. Lucy laughed as she stopped in midair, lowered herself down to the desk and hovered in a sitting position above its surface. Then she crossed her legs. It was late May. The last thing I remember, I was helping David eat his supper. He’d been sick the last few days and I went over to visit. He didn’t eat much of his potato soup and I love potato soup on a cool night. You know that kind your mother used to whip up? Lucy licked her lips. I miss food more than anything else since I’ve been dead. There’s no need to eat anymore . . . no appetite.

Get on with your murder case, please.

Oh yeah. I tend to get sidetracked now and then, she said, smiling, her eyes twinkling. Anyway, I never left that room. Then I woke up in my own house dead and floating above my own body lying on the living room floor, right there in front of the sofa. The next morning, your mother came to see me and found me . . . I mean, my body. That’s it.

Right. You were poisoned, but your murderer was never caught, Lana mused.

You call yourself a private investigator? Elementary, my dear Lana. Use some logic. Clue number one, how did I get from Davide’s to my house?

Lana nibbled the eraser on the end of her pencil then flipped the paper over on her spiral notebook. She jotted down a couple of notes. So, you believe you were poisoned at Davide’s, but someone brought you back here either a few minutes before or after you died?

By golly, I believe she’s got it.

Are you sure you didn’t forget going home?

I didn’t forget. I was only sixty-five and not senile. Someone must’ve moved me while I was unconscious or after I died. Can’t you see that?

Lana stood and paced the room. It’s a possibility, I guess. She stopped, turned around and asked, What did the police say?

They said, 'The old broad croaked. No suspects.' And they investigated no further. Lucy moved up behind Lana. Clue number two, I’ve been reading up on my ghostly position as well. Did you know there are specific reasons why ghosts haunt places?

No. What are they?

According to this, my reason is . . . Lucy took out a book, brushed the air above it until it opened to the bookmark, and then she started to read. When someone is murdered and the murder goes unsolved, their spirit must wait around until the mystery is solved, usually around the anniversary of their death.

Where did you get that book?

Here, in this house.

Lana sauntered into the library and fingered through the books on the shelves. I didn’t know we had all these books on ghosts and hauntings. Lana smiled until she saw the woeful expression on Lucy’s face. She was serious about this, and Lana felt badly she hadn’t realized it sooner. She loved the woman dearly, but often, Lucy kidded around so much it was hard to tell when her aunt was genuine. Where did these come from?

I found them in the attic, dusted them off and put them on the shelf last night. You believe me now?

I don’t know. I’ll read over some of these today and see what’s what. Lana brought a book back to her desk as Lucy followed. Turning toward her, she asked, What exactly did you figure out? And if you’ve solved it, why do you need me?

Not everything. Just what I need to do to get to my resting place. I was killed on May 26, 1994, two weeks before Davide and I were to be married.

So?

I need to find my murderer by Memorial Day this year, or I’ll be stuck here until next year, same time.

Why?

Because that’s when I died. Lucy placed her hands on her hips. Haven’t you been listening? Anyway, the book says it’s the only time I’ll have the opportunity this year to claim my eternity. She pointed to the