“Does your date know about your secret power? Does he know how you communicate with the dead?” Her lip curled. I couldn’t believe what she was saying. “Does he know what you really are?”

“Mia! Why are you doing this?” I felt confused, angry. I wanted to strike out at her, but I didn’t.

From the window, I could see police lights below. I took a deep breath. “I suggest you go downstairs and explain yourself to the police.” My hand was shaking as I reached for the nearest candle and blew it out. William paused when he passed me but wouldn’t look at me. Henri excused himself and apologized again, but Mia said nothing as she left us. We were left standing in the room with a few candles and some chalk drawings on the floor. I grabbed a nearby work cloth and wiped them away.

It felt wrong in here now. Not peaceful or happy, just wrong and troubled. Like Mia. What had happened to make her hate me so?

“Carrie Jo? What was she talking about? Didn’t you hear a child in here?”

I knew I would have to tell him everything, and soon. I just didn’t think I could do it tonight.

“I did hear a child’s voice, but it was probably one of them,” I explained away. “Trying to have some fun with us. They must have known we were climbing up those stairs because they squeaked so bad. I don’t know what’s happened with Mia.” My hair stood on end. I was pretty sure we had heard the voice of a child, one who had lived here long ago, but I knew that it was not Calpurnia or Muncie.

“What was she talking about? Are you some sort of psychic?” He spit the words out; I knew how much he disliked psychics.

“No, I’m not psychic, not at all. I never asked her to do...this, whatever this is. And I promise to tell you everything, but let’s talk to the police now. I need to get any keys she may have stolen and change computer passwords before we leave.” I paused at the door. “I’m sorry, Ashland.”

He put his hand on my shoulder and pulled me to him. We stayed like that for a moment, remembering how perfect the evening had been before all this. “You do know we have to fire her, right?”

“Let’s go do it now.”

The police asked us a few questions, but Ashland did not want to press any charges. He wanted to keep the incident out of the papers. I pulled Mia aside. “I don’t know what kind of stunt you were trying to pull, Mia, but it has gotten you fired. I hope it was worth it.”

Her dark eyes were full of emotion, but I couldn’t fathom what she might be thinking. She left with William, and Henri made it a point to personally apologize to Ashland again for the intrusion. He handed me his card and left us to finish up the police report.