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muttered.
    “The real question is, why do you need me to check up on him? Can’t you ask someone on the Other Side?”
    Skag’s expression grew watchful. “I’ve already asked. There’s an odd lack of information concerning Mr. Bradford. In fact, if it were possible for spirits to be frightened, I’d say Mr. Bradford’s name inspires a certain amount of fear. Which should be a source of curiosity at least.”
    Rose frowned. The idea of ghosts being afraid of the living wasn’t particularly comforting. “Actually there was someone there who could pose more serious problems for us. More than William Bradford, anyway. A couple of someones, as it turned out.”
    Skag elevated an eyebrow. “Explain.”
    “Lieutenant Harry Dominguez, the cop who investigated Locators, Ltd. last year, was there. Along with his good friend, Mr. Evan Delwin.”
    Skag’s eyebrow stayed up. “Delwin? The author?”
    She nodded. “Mr. Expose-Psychic-Fraud himself.”
    “Well, well.” Skag gave her one of his Cheshire cat smiles. “I’d heard Delwin was in town, but I didn’t realize he was consulting with the police. Dominguez must feel there’s some kind of case to be made against Bradford. This may work out even better than I’d thought.”
    Rose had the customary sinking feeling in her stomach. “What should work out? What are you planning now?”
    “To annihilate two birds with a single stone. You’re going to apply for a job, Rose, drawing upon all those tiresome skills you developed as a librarian.”
    “I’m not applying for anything until I know what you’re up to. And quite possibly not even then.”
    “You can apply to become Delwin’s research assistant. I found his advertisement just today so he may not have many applicants as yet. Then you can use your position with him to investigate Bradford since I assume that’s what Delwin will be doing. In addition, you can keep an eye on Lieutenant Dominguez, should his interest inexplicably turn our way once again. He didn’t find your connection to Locators when he did his first investigation.”
    Rose gritted her teeth. “No.”
    “No?”
    “No. Not unless you tell me what’s going on. I’m not your assistant, Skag, I’m your partner.”
    He stared at her for a long moment, then shrugged. “I don’t have anything concrete yet, Rose. But something is happening. There’s some kind of trouble coming. I can feel it. And it’s centered on Bradford. It may be a threat to our enterprise. Or possibly to the family itself.”
    Rose stared at him for a long moment. “A threat to the family? What kind of threat?”
    “You remember your brother’s problem with the haunted carriage house?”
    She frowned. “The demonic ghost who wanted to suck up his soul? Yeah, I remember that pretty well. Are you saying we’ve got another one?”
    “Not precisely the same, no. But perhaps another ancient ghost is involved. It’s certainly a possibility.”
    “But what does that mean? Is it coming after us directly? How is it related to Bradford?”
    Skag shook his head impatiently. “As I said, it’s nothing concrete yet—just a feeling. That’s why we need more information. Human information this time, since my spiritual sources aren’t proving helpful.”
    Rose sighed. “And who exactly will run Locators, Ltd. while I’m off playing research assistant with Evan Delwin? Since that’s my sole source of income now, I’m not inclined to let it slide.”
    Skag waved an impatient hand. “You can catch up in the evening. I assume Delwin won’t want more than eight hours of your time per day.”
    “Wonderful. So I end up having even less of a life than I have currently. I didn’t think that was possible.”
    “It’s only a temporary situation. Delwin will undoubtedly return to his home base once he’s finished this current project.”
    “I’ll discuss it with you tomorrow.” She marched toward the stairs, turning back at the door. “Did I mention Delwin looks a