Page 42 of The Legend of Lovers Hollow
“Looks like we’ve got a lot of residual psychic energy in here,” Thad says. His voice is calm and easy, but his gaze is intent as he watches Warren.
“Yeah, right,” Warren scoffs.
Thad looks amused. “Ah, a nonbeliever.”
“A realist.”
This time, it’s Morgan who scoffs.
With a shake of his head and a smile tugging at his lips, Thad turns and walks back to the pile of bags and gear. His team are having a quiet conversation with Haruto, who’s buzzing like he’s been wired into the mains.
Sorting through the bags quickly, Thad finds the one he wants and unzips it, rummaging inside for something. A noise behind me has me peering over my shoulder, and I see John the Maid has quietly made a reappearance. Without a word, he begins sweeping up the sugar that Edwina flung everywhere from the floor, pausing long enough to straighten the rug on the floor and heave the sofa back into place.
“Ah, there it is!” Thad pulls out some kind of handheld device resembling a Geiger counter.
“What’s that?” Morgan asks curiously.
“An EMF detector. It measures disruptions in electromagnetic fields, which can often be attributed to spirit activity.” Thad stands and switches it on, and it immediately flares to life, lighting up and making a loud noise. “Whoa! Check this out. These readings are off the charts.”
His team hustle over to his side, looking impressed.
Bez whistles when she sees the numbers. “Haven’t seen a reading like that since the Château de Brissac in France.”
Thad smiles warmly, looking around the room and up at the vaulted ceiling. “That’s why I love these old buildings, especially the ones that haven’t had too much modernisation.”
“Why’s that?” I ask, completely fascinated by this whole process.
“Less tech means less to interfere with all the readings.” Faiz flicks her long braids over one shoulder and unzips her coat to reveal a well-worn sweatshirt with the wordsDeuce Dalton - Ghost Hunter - CREWscrawled across it. “Plus, they come with lots of history, and with history, more often ghosts and other paranormal phenomena.”
I can’t help my smile as Faiz talks about finding ghosts while one stands right next to her.
Thad shifts. “Whoa, Faiz, don’t move. The reading just spiked even higher. Even the Eastern State Penitentiary in Pennsylvania didn’t peak this high. I think there might be something close to you.”
Yeah, there is.Bertie. Who is gazing up at Faiz in awe, like she’s Naomi Campbell. Although it doesn’t look like Edwina is in much better shape. She’s following Thad around the room, making calf eyes at him. I don’t have the heart to tell her that the look he was shooting Warren suggests she’s probably barking up the wrong orchard.
“So, is this what you’re going to be doing while you’re here?” Morgan eyes the bags. “Set up all your equipment and what, film some sort of footage?”
“We have a web series calledDeuce Dalton, Ghost Hunter. My team and I travel all over the world in search of the paranormal and film episodes to air online. I did check first with Ellis that it was okay.”
“He did,” I say eagerly. “I just haven’t had a chance to tell you since you only got back yesterday.”
“No, it’s fine.” Morgan steps closer to me, his gaze softening. “I don’t have a problem with it. You’re in charge, Ellis, you know that.”
I smile up at him. “He has hundreds of thousands of followers, Morgan. Just imagine how much exposure that will give us.”
“It’s true.” Thad nods as he once again gives the lobby an interested look. “Most of the hotels we’ve stayed at that had a measurable spirit activity have seen a massive rise in bookings after their episode aired on our show.”
“Hear that, Morgan?” I practically bounce on my toes. “This could be just what we need.”
“Of course, that does depend on how many paranormal experiences we can detect, but given the opening readings just on the EMF detector, I’m extremely optimistic. I wish we could stay longer. This place has been on my bucket list for a while, but our other commitment can’t be moved.”
“The ghosts have a full diary and couldn’t fit you in anywhere else?” Warren says dryly.
“Actually, it’s more a case of it being the anniversary of a specific event, which makes our chance to detect certain spirits more likely,” Thad replies, not taking the least bit of offence at Warren’s surly attitude. “It’s the same with this weekend. Valentine’s night is the exact anniversary of the Legend of Lovers Hollow, so we’re far more likely to be able to experience their presence then or, if we’re really lucky, maybe even see them.”
Thad’s eyes fall on the huge portrait which hangs on the wall at the top of the staircase and looks out over the lobby.
“That’s Lady Clare, isn’t it?” Thad heads towards the stairs and I follow him.