No, no. But it makes me weird having dinner with you again after all this time. Luisa said, trying to smile.
It's only been ten months, it's not a long time, he muttered. Anyway I really appreciated your invitation and I see nothin' wrong with having dinner together. Its the most normal thing in the world to me and it doesnt...
When did you become such a talker? Luisa interrupted him, smiling happily.
What do I spy with my eye? Luisa is smiling, I can't believe it. Ernest said, kidding her.
Maybe you couldn't talk about proper laughs, but she certainly was friendlier. Ernest got closer and hugged her to manifest all his approval.
Everything good, then? continued him See, you dont need too much to feel better.
Well done, you became a talker with a wicked sense of humor. I wasn't expecting this from you.
I know, unfortunately you have a wrong idea of me, but anyway...So, and whats this delicious smell coming from the kitchen?
Youll see it in a while. Luisa answered.
You're such a good cook. You cooked me such good things; even in these times I miss your meat dumplings
How's work? Luisa interrupted him, as if she wanted to change topic, Now you're a private investigator, arent you?
Yeah, but to be honest I didn't have a lot to do. Recently, though, I received a serious offer.
What is it about? If you don't mind me asking... Luisa questioned.
Ive to go chasing after a... woman.
Some jealous husband sent you after his wife? Luisa hypothesized, smiling, I can't imagine you as a peeper.
No, you're wrong, it's not about that. It would be easier. The thing is even more complicated than what it seems. Unfortunately I can't tell anything more.
I understand, professional secret. Im not asking you other questions. Now, wed better enjoy our meal, I think dinner is ready. Luisa said and went into the kitchen.
Ernest took a seat at the table and just as he was about to sit the phone rang. Luisa got out of the room and picked up the phone: Hello? ...Yes, he's here. Ill put him on. Its for you. She said to Ernest, who got up very surprised and curious about who was looking for him.
His surprise grew when from the other side of the phone he heard Ronis voice.
Roni, what do you want? he asked, What happened?
I know that this is not the right moment to bother you, but it happened again.
What?
The ghost appeared again and Mr. Houg is waiting for us.
I don't care about the ghost, about Mr. Houg and about you, Roni. I haven't had dinner yet and I have no intention of moving from here. Okay? Ernest answered very angry. Roni though had no intention in giving up.
I know that youll hate me to death, but in ten minutes Ill be there, so I can take you to Mr. Hougs house.
Ernest couldn't believe it. He finally got to be alone with Luisa and Roni was ready to ruin everything because of that damn ghost that had found the right night to make her apparition.
His thoughts were interrupted by Luisas voice: Is something wrong?She asked.
Unfortunately yes. Ernest replied, Roni is arriving and I have to go away with him.
I'm really sorry! Luisa said.
Not as sorry as I am. Fate is against us. Looks like we can't stay in peace us two, huh?
Luisa didn't know what to say. She was looking at Ernest and from her eyes you could tell she was really sorry.
Well, there will be further opportunities to date, dont you think?
Ernest didn't answer quickly. He looked at her in the eyes and he really wanted to believe that there were going to be other occasions, but knowing Luisa he knew that it would've been very difficult.
Now itd be better open the wine bottle, at least we make a toast. he said.
Luisa nodded and brought two glasses.
This toast is for us two, hoping that we can see each other again as soon as possible, Roni permitting. Ernest said and got his glass closer to Luisas who did the same thing.
They had just started drinking, when the doorbell rang.
Here he is. He said.
Luisa went to open the door.
Good evening, Roni said Sorry to disturb you, but its an emergency.
Yes, Roni, we know how much youre sorry, but now wed better go. Ernest said greeting Luisa and going out. Roni did the same.
After closing the door Luisa stayed still in the living room, thinking about what had happened. Ernest had messed her up. Maybe she still loved him! Maybe it was only cuteness? A strong smell of burnt brought her back.
Oh no! she said Dinner went down in flames!
While they were heading towards their cars, Roni was looking at Ernest who strangely seemed calm.
Wed better go with mine, Roni said Dont worry. Well use yours later on.
Ernest obeyed, he went towards Ronis car and they left.
Roni couldn't speak; he knew how much his friend cared about that night, but with his big surprise it was Ernest who asked him what happened.
Well, I don't know much. Mr. Houg phoned me warning me that the event happened again.
The event? Ernest asked.
Yes; clearly he was referring to the ghost. He sounded really worried about it and he immediately asked about you. Roni ended and with the corner of the eye looked at Ernest, which kept looking calm though.
Who did it appear to, this time? the investigator asked, To his son again?
Probably yes, well know it soon.
You're right, Roni, soon well know how things are. Its weird. In this moment I should've been dining with Luisa and Im not. I should be mad at you, but Im not. Can you explain me why?
Roni looked at him in the eyes for a while and tried his best to give an answer.
I'm really sorry about the dinner, but Im happy to see that youre not angry. I can't tell you why. Even though weve known each other for years, Ive always tried to understand you, but I think youll stay a big mystery to me.
Ernest, after having listened to Roni, started laughing and gave him a pat on the back.
I'm talking seriously, you really are a mystery, the antiquarian continued.
Instead, I find out tonight for the first time that youre really reckless when you drive. Id like to arrive to your friends house in one piece, bit if you keep driving like this the odds are just a few. Ernest made him notice.
Dont worry; we'll arrive safe and sound.
In the meantime in front of Ernests eyes the shadow of Hougs house appeared that kept getting bigger as they were getting closer.
Roni didn't slow down not even when, got past the gate of the mansion, they got the internal road. That house was beautiful, but at night it looked sad, it looked like there wasn't anyone living inside it; it was lifeless and it made you dread by looking at it.
Arrived at the entrance, Roni hit the brakes abruptly. They got out of the car and they didn't even have the time to knock that the housekeeper had already opened the door.
Mr. Houg is waiting for you in his study, she said, gesturing them to follow her.
They followed her in silence, climbed the stairs and arrived in front of the door of the study that was open.
They followed her in silence, climbed the stairs and arrived in front of the door of the study that was open.
Please, take a seat, the housekeeper said again, taking two steps backwards.
Getting into the room, Ernest observed her face and understood she was scared.
As soon as Houg sensed that they were there, he suddenly got up and headed towards them.
I don't know how to apologize for disturbing you at this hour, but I couldn't avoid it, seeing that the ghost has appeared again.
Ernest approached the armchair in front of Hougs desk, then, turning to the banker, said: I already knew that. To be honest, I was hoping to hear something more.
This time, my daughter saw her, Houg muttered; then he went to sit in front of Ernest.
And where was your daughter when she saw her? Ernest asked.
In her brothers room. She was keeping him company because Rebecca, the nanny, had gone into town.
But where did the ghost appear? Ernest asked again.
In the familys chapel that is behind the house; you can see it as well from that window, Houg answered, showing the window that was at his left.
Ernest just turned his head to take a look, but he didnt do anything else.
Can I talk to your daughter? Ernest asked.
Sure, Houg said and pressed a grey button he had on the table.
Not even thirty second passed and the housekeeper entered the room.
Please be so kind as to call Barbara. Tell her that Mr. Devon needs to talk to her, Houg said.
The housekeeper nodded and went out.
Silence fell in the study. Roni, who was sitting on the couch on the right of the desk, wasn't making a sound. His silence was due to the fact that the story was making him enthusiastic and he couldn't wait for Hougs daughter to arrive to understand what she had seen.
Houg instead put his head into his hands and, lost in his thoughts, he mentally drifted away from the room until when, back in himself, he said: Im so shocked that I didn't even offer you something to drink.
I'm good like this, Ernest said.
Id like to drink a shot of brandy instead, Roni said.
I agree with you, a shot of brandy is what we need, Houg said and he headed towards a minibar to take the bottle and two glasses.
In the meantime Ernest went near the window and looked outside in the search of the chapel. It was plain dark outside and instead the room where they were was lit up so Ernest couldn't see anything. After a while a beautiful girl arrived, accompanied by the housekeeper.
Shes my daughter Barbara, Houg said turning to Ernest. And he is Mr. Ernest Devon and hes here to help us, Houg said again turning to his daughter this time.
Are you a Ghostbusters, Sir? Houg's daughter asked ironically.
No, Im not, miss, Ernest replied.
So, are you a medium, an exorcist, something like that?
Neither am I, Ernest answered calmly.
Then, I dont see how you could help us, Barbara said, but Houg intervened:Please, Barbara, its not nice to answer this way to our guest; hes a private investigator and hes also very smart. He wants to ask you some questions to better understand the situation and Id be glad if you answer.
Not a word did Barbara speak, then she noticed Roni and she got closer to greet him; then, she turned to Ernest and said: Well, Mr. Devon, you can start questioning me, Im ready.
First of all Im not going to question you, Miss. Like your father said earlier, I just want to ask you some questions to understand what you saw.
Well. I saw my mother's ghost and I assure you I'm not crazy.
Where were you when you saw it?
I was in my brothers room. Rebecca had gone out and he couldn't sleep; I looked outside the window for a second and I saw something moving in the chapel. I turned off the light to see better and
Barbara stopped and turned her head to her father, who encouraged her to continue.
And then I saw my mother's ghost, she continued. Right after I turned the light back on and I called Mary Ann which quickly ran to me. I told her everything and she looked outside the window, but she didn't see anything.
But are you sure that it was a ghost? Ernest asked.
Well, yes yes Im sure, at least I think so.
What makes you think that it was a ghost and not a flesh-and-blood person?
Because a flesh-and-blood person must be crazy to do what I saw and then because I observed the face and it was really my mother's and, since she died more than a year ago, it had to be a ghost. I cant find any other explanation. But actually, a doubt remains
Which doubt? Ernest inquired.
If I saw my mother, or at least her ghost, why am I so much frightened? After all, shes my mother; but in that moment I almost fainted.
Now, please, try to remember the entire scene.
I turned off the light, and then I looked outside the window. At first I didn't notice anything strange, but then I saw a woman and I could swear that she was my mother. She had a long white dress that touched the floor and she had a red rose in her hands. Maybe she felt my gaze on her, because she looked at me and she smiled at me, almost as if she wanted to mock me. Then she started some kind of dance. She was slowly moving her arms and head; they were really weird movements and for all the time her gaze didn't leave the window. I didn't have the courage to look anymore and I called Mary Ann.
But Mary Ann didn't see anything, right? Ernest asked.
Exactly, she didn't see anything. Barbara answered.
Was this silhouette inside or outside the chapel?
I saw her on the stairs, and then I don't know, I can't remember very well.
Did your brother see anything?
No I don't think so. He just got worried because he saw I was nervous.
Where is he, now?
Hes sleeping. Luckily Rebecca came back early and my brother falls asleep fast with her.
Im done, for the moment, Miss. Should I have some questions to ask you, I hope youll be available.
Of course... Barbara said turning to her dad to have the permission to go. After receiving it, she greeted Roni and Ernest and left the room.
What do you think? Houg asked Ernest right after his daughters exit.
I still dont know what to think. It is sure that its not a simple matter, the investigator answered.
I know that well, otherwise I wouldn't have asked for your help Houg said standing up and proceeding: At least now we know that my son didn't make up anything.
Why did you think your son could have made up everything? Ernest asked surprised.
Because he's a kid and you know how kids are: too often they fly with the fantasy. Just a simple light reflection and they see dragons, monsters or ghosts, Houg replied.
Anyway, I need to talk to your son as well. In the meantime, if you agree, Id like to see the chapel, Ernest said.
Ill accompany you. Houg said and pressed again the button on the desk.
After a while the housekeeper entered the study.
Did you call, Mr. Houg? she asked.
Yes, Mary Ann, we need a flashlight, he said.