Givin' Up The Ghost (An Indigo Eady Paranormal Mystery) (22 page)

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D
S Robbie O’Boyle, called by Riley when we hadn’t returned
in two hours, thankfully met us near the entrance to the tunnel and arrested
Andy. I was happy to turn the revolver over to him. I had to admit, I sort of
scared myself. For one brief moment...the whole thing with my dad’s murder sort
of got mixed up in my head. The investigation had deemed his death a suicide.
But I knew the truth. I had the vision. He did not commit suicide out of
loneliness for my mom as others tried to make out. I hoped that solving Bart’s
murder would in some way make me feel better about not challenging the
investigation into my father’s death. I didn’t feel better after all.

Of course, we were all sorts of busted. And it turned out we
were not too old to be grounded. For going behind our parents backs and putting
ourselves in danger. For having the opportunity to tell the truth but lying
instead.

We were granted a reprieve on the following Friday, two days
before Christmas, to attend the celebration of life party at the Blind Badger.
Corkboards had been removed from Bart’s study and placed in the pub, where
people pinned photographs of deceased loved ones. The boards filled in quickly,
with photos, notes and drawings of all kinds. Simon and I had spent hours going
through photos and choosing which ones to post. One with both my parents, arms
around each other and smiling into the camera. Another of Simon’s mom and
little brother Bryan, smiling proudly like a big boy on his first day of
preschool.

The Blind Badger was crammed quite full with friends and
family. Tables had been pushed back for easier access to the dance floor in the
middle of the pub. A makeshift bandstand was erected in one corner. Badger
played his guitar and sang with an impromptu band he put together. And he was
good.
Really good
. I hadn’t known he could sing like that, or play the guitar.
After all we’d been through, did I know him at all?

Up on the bandstand, Badger dedicated the next song.

“To all those who have gone before us, whose lives were cut
short, or long,” he said with a laugh, “for all who have loved and are loved,
this song is for you.”

He began to sing a song about how the dead are still alive,
only it’s a different existence.

The crowd that had gathered around was quiet. I joined in
with the chorus, and then others joined in, until the whole pub joined in and
sang
“We’re Alive and Well.”

Girls surrounded the bandstand, not bothering to hide their
adoration. Admiration lit their faces. What girl doesn’t love a musician?
Badger laughed and talked to them in between songs.
Flirted even.

I sighed, my heart slightly cracking.
It’s just as well
.
My freakish nature was a put-off. I’d rather have him as a lifetime friend,
than a once-upon-a-time boyfriend.

NOT.

I sighed again. My pride would never allow me to pursue him.
I wouldn’t fight other girls over him. If he wanted me, he wouldn’t make me.

I looked up and found him watching me. He had a strange look
on his face. Somber. He whispered something to his band mate and laid down his
guitar and walked toward me, his hand out in invitation. The girls’ eyes
followed him to me, jealously.

My heart skipped a beat. The band played a popular slow song
as we danced closely, without speaking. I rested my head against his shoulder,
closed my eyes and swayed to the music.

The future was so uncertain. We were both grieving. Badger
had a family to help support and a mound of responsibility now that his father
was gone. He smiled down at me, possibly the saddest smile ever. Like a goodbye
without words.

After the most perfect, saddest dance ever, I wanted to be
alone. I headed for the snug, empty except for the cheery fire. A feeling of
déjà vu reminded me that this was where it all started, at Agatha’s celebration
of life, when I met Bart right here in the snug. I had been alone then, too.
Bart came and created the snug storm, then the investigation began and
friendships formed. And now, I was alone again. I had come full circle. I sat
on the bench and wiped a small tear away.

“You did well, Indigo,” said a deep voice next to my ear. I
jumped of course. Why couldn’t spirits enter a room like normal people? At
least this time I didn’t dump coffee on anybody.

I looked at Bart, glowing with health and vitality, and
woundless. “Thank you. Are you enjoying your party?”

He smiled. “Yes. I couldn’t hope for a better send off.”

Another glowing figure filled the doorway. Shelly, her eyes
shining and healthy. A search crew led by Ralph found her remains in the
tunnel.

“So, are you ready to cross over now?” I asked, because that
was the last task. To cross Bart, and in turn Shelly and Agatha over to the
other side so the soul collector, aka the Dark Shadow, couldn’t take their
energy, keeping them weak and binding them to this dimension, forever in fear
and darkness. I’d worry about my own soul later.

“Yes,” he said, glancing back at Shelly, and now Agatha and
Hannah, too. But Hannah didn’t glow, not like the others. Something held her
here and she wasn’t ready yet to cross over.

“Do you see the light?” I asked hopefully, not knowing what
to expect or how to help them on that final journey because I didn’t know what
the heck I was doing.

He laughed, his eyes crinkling like Badger’s. “No, it’s not
like that. We are the light.” And I saw that they were, all standing there
glowing with the warmest, most awesome love you could imagine.

“I don’t understand. How do you get to heaven, then?”

“We merely think it and go,” he answered. “But first, I need
one more favor.”

“What is it?” I asked, skeptically. I’m not gonna lie, I was
worried. I mean, the last time he wanted a favor I got drunk, burned, cut, shot
at and chased by a murderer.

“Come here.” Both hands were cupped closed before him,
something glowing between his fingers.

I sincerely hoped we weren’t about to have another snug
storm as I cautiously approached sideways and stooped, the better to make a
dash under the table if the sky started falling.

“What’s that?” asked Simon from the doorway, his voice
cracking. His eyes were round as ten pence coins as he stared at the glowing
orb and inched slowly around to my side.

Riley, Badger and Cappy herded in behind him, mouths gaping.
They circled around as Simon had done, each standing back as far as the snug
would allow. With nine of us crammed inside the little snug, and our
shadow-doubles hovering behind, we crowded around the shiny object floating in
the air over his palms.

“Put your hands out, Indigo,” said Bart. His eyes circled
the faces, remaining longer on Badger and Riley.

The room gasped collectively as I held my palms out.

“Don’t touch it!” said Simon, tugging on my elbow. “You
don’t know what it is. It might burn you or something.”

“It’s okay,” I said, moving closer to Bart. The group
followed the trail of the glowing orb moving toward me. Like campers around a
campfire, the glow illuminated our astonished faces. It hovered over my
outstretched hands briefly, before lowering slowing into my palms. As it
touched my skin, it zapped and hissed, shooting out an array of colorful sparks
like sparklers on the fourth of July or Guy Fawkes Day. Then a loud
POP
made us spring back before the glow faded away.

Left in its place was a necklace, a delicate silver antique
chain dipping down to a perfect, blue teardrop.

I looked up at Bart wide-eyed. How had he done that? Passed
an item from one dimension to another? It defied the laws of something, I was
sure.

“It’s for Riley,” he said, turning with shimmering eyes to
look at his daughter.

I turned to Riley, holding out the necklace. “He says it’s
for you.”

“He who?” She took the necklace, a look of wonder on her
face. “My dad,” she breathed out, studying the antique necklace. “He gave mum a
similar one for her birthday. They were Aunt Aggie’s.”

She turned to me. “Mum knew about this. We looked everywhere
for it, but couldn’t find it.”

“I couldn’t leave without giving it to her,” said Bart.  He
looked over to Badger. “Tell my family...” He choked on the words. “Tell them I
love them. I didn’t want to leave...”

“Yeah,” I whispered, unable to speak clearly. “I’ll tell
them.”

“What? Tell us what?” said Riley, a sense of urgency in her
voice. “Tell him...tell him we love him and...” She sniffed and swallowed,
struggling for control. “We miss him.”

“He hears you,” I said. “He’s standing right there.”

Riley nodded.

“I love you too, dad. We all do,” said Badger.

Bart smiled.

The snug began to hum. It started low, and increased in
sound. Not loud, but alarming nonetheless. A final POP and then Bart, Shelly
and Agatha vanished, as if they had been beamed up.

“He’s gone,” I said, feeling almost light-hearted.

We accomplished what we set out to do. Badger and Riley had
answers. Simon and I...well, with Christmas only two days away, we could enjoy
some family time with Uncle Richard. For the first time in a long time, hope
filled my heart.

A
huge amount of support went into this life-changing endeavor
of mine. I will attempt to thank you all.

My biggest thanks goes to my front-line support system, my
husband, Allan Gardner. Allan, you knew me and valued me before I did. You
taught me to dream and reach for the stars. Without you, there would be no
Givin’
Up The Ghost
. Our life journey has been a blast and I wouldn’t change a
thing. You are the best man I’ve ever known. I love you. Thanks for loving me.

My second line of thanks goes to my daughter, Amber Gardner,
son-in-law John Crosser, sister Donna Richardson, mom Mildred Brannon, best
friends Cindy Chapman and Sue Kargodorian. When I said I was going to write a
book, you all believed in me. Thank you for that.

Also, thanks to Mike and Yuanchun Gardner, Kirk Chapman,
Jayme Chapman, Mark and Michelle Baxter, Jim Richardson, Alyssa Frazier, Aram
Kargodorian, Kelli Babb, Ann Zachau, Fay and Floyd Nygaard, Darrel Johnson,
Caroline Esquivel and Linda Gomez for your unfailing support, encouragement and
interest.

To the early readers and supportive critiques of portions of
my book: Donna Richardson, Kelli Babb, Molly Wingate and Ann Easton, thank you.

Special thanks to my critique partner Angela Brown. Our
Partners in ParanormYA journey was your creative genius. Thanks for taking me
on. Your insight made
Givin’ Up The Ghost
a better book. Any mistakes
are my own.

Further thanks to others who critiqued and edited my book,
Angela Brown, Sharon Bayliss and Kelly Lynne.

Thanks to my cover illustrator Corona Zschusschen for
creating the exact cover I dreamed about.

A million thanks to the support of the online writing
community, whose kind words and encouragement helped me enormously.

Thank you to all my family and friends. You are God’s gift
to me on this journey.

G
ivin’ Up The Ghost
is the first book in the Indigo
Eady Paranormal “Cozy” Mystery series.

A Guilty Ghost Surprised
, the second book in the
Indigo Eady Paranormal “Cozy” Mystery series, will be released August, 2013.

Second Death
, the first novella in the Indigo Eady
Afterlife series, will be released June, 2013.

W
riter, runner, reader, dreamer.

Gwen Gardner is a young adult fiction writer whose someday
finally came. She quit her job, moved to the mountains and began to write. This
book is the result.