On the way back home, Celestine just had to stop at the store where “her” dress was, but she was so disappointed when she discovered that some man came in yesterday and bought it for his girlfriend. “Well, she certainly has a nice boyfriend,” Celestine said finally, about half way back home. “Maybe he’s not really her boyfriend,” I said, “might have been her brother. The lady at the store wouldn’t necessarily know who he was.” “I have 3 brothers who have good jobs,” she said, “and none of them would buy me a dress like that.

But, the only brother who would even speak to me is the one who was shot. I haven’t heard from the other 2 since the funeral of our parents 3 years ago. They only showed up to get their share of the inheritance…and my share too. They were going to invest it for me so I would make more money, but all they did was steal it from me.” “Hey, no tears now,” I said, “they are not allowed with me around. I have 6 younger sisters and I buy nice things for them all the time.”

“Like that new swimsuit you bought me?” she asked. “Yes, I have bought one for each of them,” I said smiling. “I’m not sure I should accept gifts from you,” she said, looking at me out of the corner of her eyes, “you do remember that you’re married, right?” “Yes, I remember, and I will never forget that,” I said, “I love my wife very much. Just think of me as your older brother buying you something nice. Besides, you are doing so much for me, and saving me a lot of money by allowing me to stay at your home, free.”

We got home and parked, but I sensed trouble now. I think perhaps I was still too stressed out before that I didn’t sense trouble like I should have. Oddly, the trouble didn’t seem to be coming from inside the house though, but from a car parked on the street. When we got out of Celestine’s car, a big man with a long beard got out of that other car and came walking over to us. He introduced himself as a real estate agent working for a local company, and he gave us his business card.

Apparently a man and his wife came into his office this morning asking about Celestine’s house, to see if it was for sale. He talked and talked, trying to make Celestine believe that she shouldn’t turn down this wonderful opportunity to sell her house, especially with the housing market not very good right now. These people were willing to pay a very decent price for such an old house that needed a lot of work. I reminded him that the house was in immaculate condition, it needed no work at all.

But he proceeded to say it would need to be completely gutted to get rid of mice and bugs, put in new insulation, new wiring, new plumbing and so on. By the time he was finished talking these people may as well tear the house down and build a new one, it would likely be cheaper. I told him that my sister wasn’t interested in selling her house. Conversation over. We then went inside and the man got into his car and drove away.

“So, I’m your sister now?” she asked. “Sometimes it’s best to keep things simple,” I said, “rather than saying you just met me and I moved in with you.” She looked at me, blinking like Misty and Cristy do. Amazing. “Okay, that makes sense,” she said. I then told her to sit down and wait for me to return. “I was going to wait until I left before giving you this,” I said, “but I can’t wait after seeing those tears earlier.” I handed her the package. She opened it slowly, looking at me.

Then she screamed. And hugged me tight. “I hope your wife forgives me for this,” she said. Meower.= Oooo, that a long one. “Now for that clue,” I said, “is there a way into the attic?” “Not that I know of,” she said, “and I have certainly looked for it.” “Hmm, that means there is a hidden passage,” I said, “I already figured there is one, or more, since that must be what those ghosts use to get around. First, the basement.”

Down we went and looked around but we could find nothing, so, back upstairs, then upstairs again. “What’s in this room?” I asked. “This was a toy room for my parents when they were kids,” she said as we went inside. “There is dad’s racing set, and his toy rocket with a moon painted on the ceiling above it.” “That’s what we want,” I said. I searched under the table and found a button which I pressed. The moon lifted up and a foldable ladder came down. We then climbed up into the attic.

“Now to look for a portrait of your grandmother,” I said. “Why?” asked Celestine. “The clue mentioned a face,” I said, “so I figured…” “How about the face of a clock?” she asked, looking at an antique clock hanging on the wall. I took it off the wall and Celestine removed an envelope from the back of the clock. It was indeed very hot up here in the attic, like the clue said, so we headed back down to the main floor.

Now to read our new clue which said; “Now, my dear, do this if you can, it’s time to get yourself a man. The two of you get in my bed, lie down, think, use your head. Use your feet to find it fast, now my dear, soon ’twill be last.” “Wow, how did my grandmother know about you?” said Celestine giggling. “Which bed was hers?” I asked. She said to follow her and off we went to a bedroom on the main floor and we both quickly jumped on the bed.

“Um, I don’t see any clues,” said Celestine. “Same here,” I said, “but I didn’t expect to see any that easily, the others were hidden. It was a large wood bed with big, heavy looking posts at each corner with a big, round, wood ball on top of each. “Well, it did say feet,” I said. I then tried taking the ball off one post, but it didn’t move. Celestine tried the other one and with a bit of twisting it came off. The post was hollow, partially anyway, and inside was a piece of paper with another riddle. “I was hoping this would be the last one,” sighed Celestine, “but I guess not.”

Meanwhile, back home. “Maybe we should just wait for Steve to come back,” suggested Aari, “after all, he called you, so we know he’s okay.” Others seemed to agree with this idea. “I don’t believe you people,” scolded Jennifer, “if you were missing, Steve would be looking for you round the clock and you want to give up after a couple of days because it’s too hard!

We know Steve isn’t a ghost like us, so maybe he can be brainwashed by one of our enemies and used against us! Well, if you want to just sit around the pool all day and relax, then fine, I will look for Steve myself!” She then stormed out of the library and went back to our bedroom. “I still think it’s just a test,” said Tracy to the others. “Well, if that’s true,” said Misty, “then he would have left us some clues, so, let’s find them!”

To Be Continued. ©2025 Steve McLeod.