Page 146 of Ghost

“Evening, there, Mason,” Martin Royale greeted jovially.“I was just telling Fred here that there ain’t a place on this Earth as pretty as Hobonny.

“Nope, none at all,” Freed agreed.

“May I get you something?”asked Sharon.

“I can get it myself, Sharon, if you’ll just tell me where everything is.”

Sharon laughed.“Best not.The cook here isn’t happy when there is anyone inherkitchen.”

“I’ll just have a beer, then.”

“You’ll need to be a bit more specific as to what kind of beer.There are quite a few to choose from.”

Mason looked at Sharon a moment.“Surprise me.I tend to like a nice pale ale.”

“What?No bourbon?”Ellen asked, a wicked smile on her face.

“Oh no, you’re not getting me drunk tonight!”Mason looked at the Royales.“Word to the wise; do not sit and drink with that woman,” he said pointing towards Ellen.“She’ll drink you under the table.”

Both Royales looked wide-eyed at Ellen, then at Mason.

“Did you get your chores done?”Ellen asked Mason as he took the rocking chair next to her.

“I did.”Mason leaned in closer to Ellen.“Did you have a chance to speak privately with Gerald?”

“I did.”Ellen looked around casually.“We had a nice stroll through the rose garden.”

Mason nodded.“It creeps me out that they can hear what we’re saying.”

Ellen snorted.“I’m just glad we found out.Can you imagine the fallout if it had been a guest here?”

“Not to mention the...stuff.”

Ellen nodded.“Indeed.However, I think Francis would have been able to point us in the right direction had that occurred.”

“That’s if they didn’t immediately high-tail it out of here.”

“I’d not thought of that, but true.”Ellen glanced at Mason.“I plan on asking Judith to have a look at the books first thing in the morning.I do not intend to give her a chance to try and hide anything.I want to make sure that you and Francis are there.Francis will be able to spot anything that seems irregular.I’ll have Gerald keep an eye on that Red character.”

“Smart.”

“Here ya go, Mason.”Sharon handed him a beer and had one of her own in her hand.“I’ve never had a Japanese beer before.Thought I’d give it a try.”

“Cool.”He took a big sip of Sharon’s choice of beer.“Not bad.I’ll stick to an American beer, thanks.”He sighed after a sip of his own beer.

Sharon took a drink.“Yeah, I agree.Not bad, just not... good.”She leaned in close to Ellen and Mason, “Where are they?”

Ellen’s eyebrows rose slightly.“Why, whoever do you mean, Sharon?”

Sharon rolled her eyes.“Causing trouble if I know Gerald.”

Mason laughed.“Yep.Probably.”

Ellen sighed.“I would have to admit, he does seem to cause trouble when there is no need.”Ellen looked at Mason.“He was like that in life too, but he’s a good man and I love him dearly.”

“I love you equally, my love,” Gerald whispered as he slowly appeared, Francis next to him.

“And I also, my dear, sweet cousin.However, as I recall, you were one to cause plenty of trouble all on your own.I can remember the times....”