Page 13 of Ghostly

Wynona would understand his annoyance. She never felt the need for aimless chatting.

Curiosity ate at him—what was the media saying?—but he was too afraid to check, as if that only could get the reporters onto his trail. He gritted his teeth. 172 days to go.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

It was a book—Ida pulled it out of the shelf, then put it back, and repeated that two more times.

Focus, remember?

Gabriel clicked the email out of his sight and returned to the report.

Knock, knock, knock.

Another book. She reached for the next one.

“Stop!” The command came out more forceful than he intended.

Ida dropped the book, which fell straight through her skirt and landed in her foot. “What’s wrong?”

“What are you doing?”

“I just…” She picked up the book and placed it back. “I have to do it.”

“Well, it’s distracting.”

“Well, I have to!” She stomped her foot.

“Youhaveto move each book three times? Is that a part of a ghostly ritual or something?” He couldn’t keep the sarcasm out of his voice.

“Maybe you’d know if you ever listened to me,” she returned in the same tone.

“I am listening! But you must realize it gets…”

“Annoying?”

He slumped his shoulders. “No.”

“Tiresome?”

“I have a lot of work.”

“So you said.”

He felt her countenance change. He couldn’t explain how, and there wasn’t a visible change, but when she got sad—like right now—a wave of energy floated toward him, where it stuck onto his skin.

Was she upset because he’d rejected her help? He needed to do it himself, on principle. He wouldn’t stoop to Anderson’s level, making use of others for his own gain. And besides, now that he was cut off from everything and everyone else, what was there to do?

More work. Hell, he should’ve asked Clifford for two projects. Just nothing pharmaceutical.

He rubbed the bridge of his nose. “Can’t I exorcise you or something?”

Ida gasped. “You want to getridof me?”

She didn’t look angry, only shocked, but Gabriel’s fingers still froze over the keyboard.Uh-oh.How vengeful could ghosts get?

“Well, you’re out of luck.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “There’s no way. You’re stuck with me, the same way I’m stuck with you.”

“Excuse me?” he shot back, his tone not unlike Ida’s, earlier.