And just because a place has been torn down doesn’t mean it’s gone. The imprint’s still there. People remember, wonder, write papers and books about it.

A hotel that used to host the cream of L.A. society, diplomats, kings, and even a presidential candidate who was assassinated isn’t going to let something like being demolished keep it down.

Hiding something in it is kind of genius, but I see a few flaws in this plan. “Physical key, psychic lock,” I say. “How’s that supposed to work? And how did he get it in there? I don’t know what his knack was, but it was clearly not necromancy. I don’t see him wading through a sea of ghosts to get to the—” I glance at the room number on the key. “—fourth floor.”

“You know, your grandfather was a pain in the ass, too.”

“Must be a family trait.”

“It’s a physical key because it’s a physical lock. The room is a pocket dimension. It’s anchored to the location where that room in the Ambassador used to be, and used it as a template. The key tag is a talisman to ward against the ghosts as long as it’s on your person. He usually went into the hotel, stood outside the room and then crossed over so he didn’t have to deal with the ghosts. It’s about the safest safehouse you can have. It even has electricity and running water. Well, it did the last time I was there. Nobody’s been in since before your grandfather died.”

“Jesus. All it needs now is a moat full of alligators. How did he do all that?”

“He didn’t. A lot of people owed him favors. Big favors. The only thing he had to figure out was how to get over to the other side, and that was just a spell. He liked to go there and get away from things.”

“And you don’t know what makes the spirit bottle such a big deal?”

“Just that it scared him enough that he felt the need to hide it in the most secure place he could think of.”

This feels dangerous. Like I should walk away and not look back. But there’s something at the back of my mind that tells me not to ignore it.

“Thank you,” I say. “For the key and for telling me about my family. If it’s all right, I’d like to talk to you about it more sometime.”

“I thought you might. Some of it’s not easy to talk about. I loved him, but he had his flaws, and trouble always seemed to travel in his wake. We both lost a lot of good friends because of things he did.”

Sounds familiar.

“Thanks. Should I call you at the number I got hold of you tonight?”