Yerby laughed. We were all thrownyou should have seen us stumbling around like idiots.
Maybe you were stumbling, Mark said.
Hey, you were no better, Yerby said.
None of us was any better, Judy said apologetically. We were just...well, for Pete and me, this was our big weekend out. My folks have the kids. We have a four-year-old girl and a six-year-old boy, and were both teaching and getting our doctorates. We came down to go a little wild.
Hannah was great, thoughyou know, Miss OBrien, the owner, Mark said. She calmed them down, and who the hell else is going to give you your money back and send you to a nice hotel in the middle of the night just because you got scared?
Yerby lifted her sunglasses to stare at him. Sounds like youve got a crush on her.
Dallas could understand that. There was something unique about Hannah. She could snap back with precision, but she was also careful and waryolder than her years.
Yerby! Mark protested.
She smiled. Just kidding. I almost have a crush on her and Im straight, she said with a grin. She was pretty cool. But we were wrongall of us except for Stuart and Shelly. They did see something. A dying man.
And I thank God we didnt, Judy breathed.
Yeah, thats why I cant figure out how we can help you, Pete said.
Shelly and Stuart remember a group leaving Duval about when you did. Do you remember anything about them?
I dont remember anything about anything, Yerby said.
I do! Judy said, perking up. Shelly was kind of unnerved all night. She took all those ghost stories to heart. Anyway, Shelly was walking with me, and she grabbed my arm. Said we should slow down and let that group get ahead of us. Just in case. They looked like trouble, you know? They were all wearing hoodies, so we couldnt see their faces. She hesitated for a moment. It was almost like they were trying to look stoned or drunk when they really werent.
Did you see them anywhere else earlier in the night? Dallas asked.
We didnt really go anywhere except for the tour and the Hard Rock, Pete said.
I didnt notice them until Shelly pointed them out, Judy said.
Do you remember seeing anyone else that night who stood out? Liam asked.
They looked at each other, then shook their heads.
Okay, Dallas said. What do you remember after you were woken up? Did you hear anything from outside?
Except for Shelly screaming? Because I dont know if we could have heard anything from outside besides that, Judy said.
Shelly screamed really loudly, Yerby said, nodding.
And, by then, even Stuart was pretty hysterical, Mark added.
Wait a minute, Pete said, frowning. I do remember hearing some kind of...thrashing. I went to the window in the back to look out, but I didnt see anything. Although I didnt look long. Shelly was hysterical, and we all ran out to see what was going on. But you have to rememberthey were convinced theyd seen a ghost. None of us even began to imagine she might have seen a real man.
Back to the drunks in the hoodies. Did you notice any of them earlier? Dallas asked. Think about it. You notice people in hoodies down here. This is a vacation city. You mostly see shorts, halter dresses, tank tops, swim trunks.
Pete frowned thoughtfully. You know, earlier in the eveningbefore the tourwe were having a drink, and I do remember seeing at least one hoodie hanging over the back of a barstool.
Where were you? Do you remember? Dallas asked.
Yeah. A really cool Irish bar toward the south end of Duval. OHaras, Pete said.
Liam groaned.
Dallas turned to look at him. Someone should be able to help us out there, dont you think?
Oh, yeah, I think so, Liam said.
Yeah? Pete asked. How come?
My sister-in-laws family owns the place, Liam said.
4
Ive been watching the news all day. They still arent letting out much information, Katie OHara said. She indicated the television above the bar and the wide-screen in the main room. They went over the same few facts so many times it was ridiculous.
What exactly have they said? Hannah asked.
That an as-yet-unidentified man was found in an alley, his throat slit. That even once hes identified his name will be withheld pending notification of next of kin. Theyre warning people to stay in groups and stick to well-lit streets.
Hmm, Hannah murmured. Shed told Katie about what had happened, and she didnt feel she was violating anyones trust. She hadnt revealed anything Agent Samson had told her, only confided in Katie regarding the ghost of the dead man. Besides, Katie was married to David Beckett, Liam Becketts brother, and she was sure to know what had happened through the family.
And, like Liam, Katie and her brother, Sean, had their own strange and unearthly Key West experiences. They all shared a strange bond because of that.
Hannah had desperately needed to talk to someone, and Katie was not just a good friend, she was a friend who knew all about souls who hung around after death because something was keeping them from moving on.
What about Melody and Hagen? Katie asked.
I havent seen them since early this morning, Hannah said, and winced. I accused them of playing tricks. I think theyre mad at me.
Theyll come back. They love youand the house, Katie said drily. But you say this Agent Samson is a hard case?
Rude. Obnoxious. And suspicious of me, for whatever reason.
I dont think I know him, Katie said.
He said he grew up here.
Its an island, but people come and go. Did he leave the Keys when he was young?
Hes supposedly friends with your husband.
Really? Well, he might have been. But he hasnt been back here long, right?
I dont really know. He and Liam seem to work well together, but Im in a difficult situation.
Because hes on your case and you have information that can help him, but you cant tell him what you know because a ghost told you, Katie said.
Something like that. Except, of course, I can tell Liam.
I say you call Kelsey, Katie told her. Your cousin Kelsey OBrien, not Liams wife.
I thought about that. I mean, shes FBI, toowith a special unit that handles this kind of thing. Hannah paused, then said decisively, All right. Ill call her.
No, I mean, like, now, Katie said.
I just hate to bother her, Hannah said.
Lets seedead FBI agent in your alley and another one thinking maybe you had something to do with it. And shes not only an agent, too, shes part of the Krewe of Hunters and specializes in paranormal cases. I dont think calling her in these circumstances counts as bothering anyone, Katie said.
Even as she spoke, Hannahs phonesitting on the table by her coffee cupbegan to ring, and the screen identified the caller as Kelsey OBrien.
Katie stared at Hannah. You two have telepathy now?
No, Hannah said with a dry smile. She probably heard about what happened.
She picked up the phone, and Kelsey started off by asking her how she was. Hannah lied and said she was fine. But I was about to call you, she added. Have you guys up there heard about the murder in the Keys?
We always hear when something like that goes down. This is...bad. Ive spoken with Logan, and were coming down.
Logan Raintree was the head of Kelseys special unit. They were also a couple. Hannah was pretty sure they had either gotten married already in secret or were planning on a quiet wedding soon. She would have expected their relationship to be taboo, but apparently they really were very special agents and the tight-knit community in which they worked didnt discourage closeeven intimaterelationships between agents.
Thats great, Hannah said. I cant wait to see you.
Katie, watching her, nodded enthusiastically in agreement.
But until I get there, hang with Liam and Katie, okay? Just to be safe.
Because this has to do with Los Lobos?
Kelsey was quiet for a minute and then she said, Yes. So you do know.
Yes, I know its all related. But, why would I be in any danger? I didnt see what happened, Hannah said, surprised.
There were cops, agents and crime scene techs stomping all over your yard today, right? Kelsey asked.
Yes, but...the only two people who saw any part of what happened are headed back to Miamior there already, depending on who was driving, Hannah said.
Los Lobos has a long reach. I wouldnt count on them being safe, Kelsey said.
They didnt see the killer, just the dead man.
Im sure the police are doing everything they can, Kelsey said. And theres always the possibility that Jose Rodriguez can help us himself.
He cant.
Youve seen him already? Kelsey asked, surprised.
Yes, and he gave me the names of the people he was with, but hes not sure whether they were involved or not. And he has no idea who came up behind him.
What else did he say? Kelsey asked. Did he tell you he was going to be working with Dallas Samson? You met him, right?
Yeah, I met him. You know him?
Uh-huh. I took a class from him when I was at the academy.
In?
Self-defense. Good class. The guy looks like hes made out of iron, and he was teaching a class to show female agents how to deal with that kind of strength. Mind and balance over brawn. It was an excellent class. I loved the man.
Wonderful, Hannah said.
Anyway, Im not sure how many of us will be coming. Logan needs clearance from Adam Harrison for a big operation, so Ill tell you as soon as possible. Do you have any rooms free?
Hannah laughed drily. All of them. In fact, when word gets out, I may have all of them free for a very long time.
Dont kid yourselfhaunted rooms are always in demand, Kelsey told her. Okay, stay safe. Ill be in touch.
Hannahs phone rang again the minute she and Kelsey hung up. She picked it up and saw that it was her reservation service. She winced and answered. A recorded message came on. Good evening. This call is to inform you that your tour reservation cap for this evening has been reached. Guests have been told to arrive no later than seven-thirty this evening. All credit cards have been applied and have cleared. Thank you so much for using Zoom Reservation Services.
She hung up the phone and looked at Katie morosely. I have a tour tonight. Its filled.
It is a Saturday night, Katie pointed out.
Right. And what do you want to bet that people expect me to show them where a man was killed last night?
Want me to get this place covered and come with you? Katie asked.
No, dont be silly. Im not afraid of tourists.
Katie laughed. Be afraidbe very afraid, she teased. Seriously, I can go with you.
And seriously, Im okay. And when I get back, since I dont have a single guest, the night will be all mine.
Youll get guests back, I promise you.
Katie would know. Her husband, David, had once been accused of killing his high school sweetheart. In proving his innocence, hed caught the real killer. And the museum where the killings had taken place belonged to Katie nowand it was thriving.
Hey, Katie said. Theres Liam.
Hannah jerked around quickly. Liam was blinking against the darkness of the pub in contrast to the brilliance of a Key West summer afternoon.
Katie jumped up to greet her brother-in-law. Hannah followed and then stopped. Liam wasnt alone. Agent Samson was with him.
There was no way to miss him when he walked into a room. He was tallsix-three or -fourbut it wasnt just his height. It was the way he carried himself. She couldnt help but note that every female in the pub was staring at him. The men were watching him, as wellwary, perhaps.
Hey, Katie, Liam said, greeting her with a kiss on the cheek. I guess Hannahs brought you up to speed.
Yes, she told me she found a dead man in her alley, Katie said, giving nothing away. She looked inquiringly at Agent Samson.
Katie, this is Dallas Samson. We were best friends until his dad got himself a top job in Washington. Hes down here again, and were working on this case together.
Hey, Katie said, studying the man, then glancing at Hannah with a little grin. Nice to meet you, Agent Samson. I heard you were here.
And we need your help, Samson said. He, too, looked at Hannahsuspicious, probably, that she was there.
I need to head back home, Hannah said. Ill see you soon, Katie.
Dont leave, Samson said.
It sounded like an order given by a drill sergeant. Hannah instantly felt her temperature rise.
Then he added, Please.
It still sounded like a command.
You want me to stay? she asked, her skepticism clear.
For a few minutes. Liam and I can talk to the Hardwickes later, but for now Id like you to take me back to your place after I talk to Katie.
Oh? She knew her one word had attitude, but she couldnt help it. He was obnoxious.
I was hoping you would come with me to meet your handyman neighbor, Mr. Holloway.
Hannah nodded slowly. All right. If it will help, if you think its necessary.
Katie, the group that was staying at the Siren of the Sea noticed a group wearing hoodies who might have been in here earlier in the evening. Do you remember seeing a bunch of guys like that? Liam asked.
Lets see, it was Friday and pretty busy. You know Im not here all the time, right? I just run the karaoke and help out Uncle Jamie when needed, Katie said.
Were you here around seven, by any chance?
Yes, I was, she said, frowning. Let me think. Hoodies?
Dark hoodies, Liam said.
I dont remember anybody wearing one, but I do remember seeing one on the back of a barstool, Katie said. I saw some guy pick it up, and it looked like he was with three or four friends. They were youngearly twenties, Id say. One looked a little older. They looked like they were in town for a bachelor party or a frat weekend, something like that.
Would you recognize any of them if you saw them again? Liam asked her.