Dead to the World by Susan Rogers Cooper Read Free Book Online Page A

sad. I’m sorry.’
    Meanwhile, after Megan left the table, Bess began giving Logan their food order. In the middle of it they both heard the front door of the restaurant slam open, and both turned to see what was going on. A young man, a big beefy blond wearing a serious frown, charged into the room. On seeing Logan, he pointed at him and said simply, ‘Outside! Now!’
    Logan looked at Bess. ‘Ah. I’ll be … right back?’ he said, as if not certain if he would or not. He set his order pad down on Bess’s table and headed to the front door. As Logan drew close, the big beefy blond grabbed Logan’s upper arm and pulled him out the door.
    Not liking the look of this turn of events, Bess got up from the table and headed for the door herself.
    Megan and Alicia came out of the restroom just in time to hear their sister scream and see the front door close behind her. Not missing a beat, both girls ran for the front door just in time to see their waiter, Logan, flat on the ground and their sister Bess riding the back of some guy they didn’t know, flailing wildly at his head and shoulders.
    Willis and I got back from dinner around eight. The house was glowing with light and looked quite welcoming, despite the ‘ghost’ that may or may not reside within. Unfortunately that welcome was shattered when we walked in the front door and saw Diamond Lovesy and Humphrey Hammerschultz in the living room regaling Miss Hutchins with yet another mediumesque display.
    ‘I feel him,’ Diamond whispered loudly. ‘He’s evil. So evil.’ She was standing in the middle of the room, arms outstretched (I suppose to better feel all the evil), her eyes closed and her head tilted to the ceiling. I felt it was too bad her eyes were closed because she was missing the beauty of the ornately carved metal ceiling, the crown molding and the light fixtures that had to be at least a hundred years old … OK, so I have a thing for old houses.
    ‘Hello,’ I said loudly, hoping to break the spell Diamond’s shenanigans had produced. I got the desired result.
    ‘Oh, hello, E.J.! And Willis. How was dinner?’ Miss Hutchins asked.
    ‘Excellent,’ Willis said, walking further into the room and sitting down on the sofa next to our hostess. Humphrey already had settled himself in ‘Willis’s chair,’ as he was wont to describe it. ‘Thanks for the recommendation,’ my husband said, smiling down at Miss Hutchins.
    She smiled back and patted his hand – encouraging me that all had been forgiven for his earlier blunder. ‘I’m so glad you enjoyed it.’ She looked up at Diamond Lovesy, who still stood in the middle of the room, arms still outstretched, swaying slightly but no longer staring at the ceiling. She was looking at Willis, and that look was anything but welcoming. ‘Miss Lovesy was attempting to channel my father,’ she said. ‘That means—’
    ‘I’ve heard about it,’ Willis said, and gave the medium the most insincere smile I’d ever seen cross my husband’s face.
    ‘Well, we haven’t gotten much so far,’ Miss Hutchins said to Willis as I found one of the armless stuffed chairs to plop into.
    ‘We’ll wait,’ Willis said. ‘Looking forward to it.’
    Diamond’s outstretched arms fell to her side, and her head lowered as if she was studying the floor. She shook her head slowly from side to side. Then, looking up at Miss Hutchins, she said, ‘I’m sorry. He’s gone.’
    ‘Oh, bother!’ Miss Hutchins said. ‘I really wanted to have a talk with him!’ She frowned, and her lips tugged into a thin line. Pushing herself to her feet, she said, ‘Well, I think it’s time for a hot toddy, don’t y’all?’
    The ‘hot toddy’ consisted of the bottle of whiskey from the previous afternoon and five glasses. ‘Do you have any wine?’ I inquired.
    ‘Oh, dear! Of course! I should have asked!’ Miss Hutchins said, starting to push herself up from the table.
    I beat her to it. ‘Just tell me where it is,’ I