Axel wasn’t the kind of man who played tricks on others. And he’d heard Axel’s unit, the Krewe of Hunters, referred to as ghostbusters.

It couldn’t be real.

And yet...

It seemed it was. Could he simply accept it?

Axel, bag of books in hand, looked back at him.

Dan strode to him, heading ahead to open the door. The flapper went quickly to the door as he held it open. He looked at her.

“Thank you,” she said.

“Of course. Though, couldn’t you go right through it?”

“Yes, but...it’s not always easy. Anyway, thank you.”

Axel came through the door behind her. “Let’s go, then.”

“Hell, yes, let’s go,” Dan said and then paused. “You got a car here?” he asked Axel.

“Yup. I’ve got a Bureau car.”

“Good. Then, as we drive, you can explain to me why we don’t just ask the murder victims who the hell murdered them!” he said, and he gestured for Axel to lead the way.

He’d accepted it.

He was joining his old friend, Axel.

And a ghost.

Okay, never mind. He hadn’t really accepted it. Not yet.

“You’re coming with us?” he asked her.

“For now, yes. Then I’ve a little strolling about town to do, see what I can find out,” she said.

“You have a name?” he asked her.

She smiled. “Mabel. Mabel Greely. Nice to make your acquaintance.”

“Come on,” Axel said. “The three of us need to have a good conversation, and then, well, Adam will be waiting, and we’ll really get this all geared up.”

Dan looked from Axel to Mabel. “Forgive me my rudeness, Miss Greely. But if you’re real and you’re a ghost, why don’t we just ask the victims who killed them?”

“Because they didn’t stay,” Mabel said softly. She looked at Axel. “This poor boy. He’s so lost. Much better when people realize what they can see as children. They’re so much more accepting. We’ve so much to teach you!” she told Dan.

He felt a strange chill that was also oddly warm at the same time as she gently drew her hand down his cheek.

It couldn’t be real.

Apparently, it was.

“Katie, my name is Adam Harrison. I have a fancy title with the FBI, but I’m not a special agent. Well, I’m an assistant director, but my talent isn’t in finding murderers. My talent is in finding the people who have special abilities and can find murderers. I head a unique group called the Krewe of Hunters.” He hesitated, aware she was unnerved by him and staring straight ahead as he talked. “Katie, your dad could see the dead.”

“No. My father never said anything about seeing the dead. And I never saw him talking to the dead.”

“You wouldn’t have known.”