“I mean, I personally thought that was obvious, but now that that disclaimer is out of the way so Darcy doesn’t murder me again—because I’m already a ghost, get it—the final task for you two is to promote transparency moving forward. You are to be presented with thirty-six questions. Both must answer to complete the final task, or risk painful death.”

“Did she add that in last minute, too?” Brougham asked.

“No, she said it was crucial to fit the tone of the creepy ghost.”

“She really threw herself into this.”

The first question appeared on the screen: If you could have anyone in the world, past or present, over for dinner, who would you invite?

“What’s this based on?” Brougham asked, shifting so his legs were crossed beneath him.

“Thirty-six questions of increasing vulnerability. It’s supposed to fast-track a bond.”

“Ah.”

We watched as Brooke gave her answer to Ray.

“It’s a toss-up between my nanna and the director of the C.I.A.,” Brougham said suddenly.

I blinked in surprise. I hadn’t expected us to play along. But, sure. Why not? “That’s an interesting toss-up.”

“I know. My nanna’s the best person I know, and I used to get sent to her house all the time when I was little and my parents blew up. But she lives in Adelaide, so we never get to see her anymore. But the director of the C.I.A. would know so much cool shit, and I figure I can kidnap him and force secrets out of him.”

“Just casually.”

“Right.”

“Mine would be Oriella. She’s a YouTuber I watch all the time. I’d love to pick her brains.”

“I know who she is. You mentioned her to me once, so I looked her up.”

“You did?”

“Yup. Her videos are interesting.”

Huh.

Hadn’t picked Brougham to be interested in something like that. But I guess he had sought me out for help in that area months ago.

The next question appeared on-screen. Would you want to be famous? For what?

Brougham shot a hand up. “Easy. Freestyle world rec-ord.”

We went on like that for a while, answering the questions as they came, and trying to match Brooke and Ray for time. Then we came to the first intense question.