It was nearly ten pm and Leroy and Billie Jo would arrive soon. The two women shared a look.

Tattered and angry clouds skidded across a moonlit sky, darkening the night one moment, and letting silvery moonshine paint the garden the next. Winds, fitful and uncertain, sighed through trees and bushes and swirled the last of the dead leaves from winter around the place where Mama La Tourneau and Angelique Benoit  were setting up a round wooden table with four chairs.  Here had been the summer house, right next to the holes where the graves had been excavated, right near to what was left of the back garden wall.

They placed hurricane candles around wherever they could find a place to put one, and many hung from the tree that arched over where they'd put the table. The Spanish Moss, moving in the slightest of breezes, cast even eerier shadows than the guttering of the candles.

"Dey know," Mama said to Angelique, sensing the anger and the expectancy in the air.

"Of course," Angelique said.  "They are tired of waiting."

"I am fearful, Angelique. We do not have their box. My hope is Leroy who can speak with them. Make them to see, he can find a way.  More so than lifting the curse, dat is what they want."

Angelique gave her a quick hug.  "He will convince them.  He is not empty handed tonight.  Nor are we."

Mama nodded. They were ready.

In DC Leroy checked his weapon. This time he was taking it. He wasn't in a really good mood. Billie had been on cloud nine all day, and his spirits sank, despite his best efforts to ignore what he knew to be the reason she was so happy.  But then he had a bad feeling about the whole séance thing.  Oh well, he shrugged, grabbed his leather jacket and headed up the stairs to Billie Jo's apartment.  It was show time.

"Come on in," she called.  "I'm ready, I just need my purse."  She found it in the kitchen and then smiled at him. "All yours."

He refrained from saying what he was thinking, touched her arm and zapped them both to Angelique's, near her trailer. "Yo!" Leroy called.

"Hush, honey.  It is not good to draw attention to yourself now.  The spirits are already gathering, waiting to be called," Angelique told him.  "Come and sit."

"Oh," Leroy said, more quietly. He looked around at the candles and shivered, although the night was mild. He eyed Billie Jo out of the corner of his eye, while Mama eyed him.

Billie Jo swallowed and slid into the seat next to Leroy.  "So, uhm...what's going to happen?"

"We will join hands and call up whatever spirits are willing to come. Leroy, I want you to talk to dem."

"Me?" he squeaked. "Why me?"

"Because you are the one helping them.  You also called them the first time," Angelique explained, taking his hand.  "You will be fine cherie and we are here too."

"How come they can't talk to Billie Jo," Leroy groused as he took Billie's hand in one hand and Angelique's in the other.  Mama took Billie Jo's other hand and then joined with Angelique completing the circle.

"Spirits of the dead. You've come before. We ask you to come again. We ask you to guide us, and have patience with us, and help us to understand your needs, so we can lift the curse and free you," Mama said, her head aimed at the sky, her eyes closed.

It started with the wind and the sudden drop in temperature in the garden.  Like a bad horror movie the trees shivered in the wind and the candles in the trees went out one by one as if someone were blowing them out.  Then came the smell of rotting compost and sour earth, infiltrating the garden from the beyond the remains of the wall.  It came carried by the rising mist and the sudden appearance of fog swirling around the trees, seeking out the candles around the table snuffing them out too.

It entwined around Billie Jo sending a shudder through her.  It caressed her skin like a dream lover, it's fingers the tangible sensation of power and barely contained emotion that she couldn't evade.  She felt her heart thudding in her chest and the sound of her breathing was louder than the wind.  She couldn't stop gasping for air, panting through her mouth, pulling it in and still feeling like she was suffocating.  Panic welled higher, closer to escape with every breath she took that didn't help and every word she couldn't force out of her mouth.

"Stop it!" Leroy hissed. "Stop it. Talk to me, dammit. Leave her alone."

A sound like laughter swept across the garden.  "You do not want to talk to us.  You wanted us to talk to her," Josephe said, half forming out of the ground fog encircling Billie Jo. 

"All right, I'm sayin' I'm talkin' to you. But only if you leave her alone. Otherwise, we're outta here. And you know damn well I can zap out of here in a split second."

At the rear of the garden other shapes were forming, of the long dead, grandmothers, stooped and crooked, women holding children in their arms, men restless and angry around them.   Then Desiree  came and another man with her whose appearance made Josephe snarl and launch himself towards him.  The other man simply stood and took the assault while Desiree screamed at Josephe to stop.

"He is not himself tonight," came a cultured voice.  "You must forgive him."

"Well, I'm not doing too good myself. Who are you?" Leroy was watching Billie Jo making sure she was all right now.

Mama and Angelique remained silent.

"Alec Vinton, at your service," he said with a bow.

"I talked to your relative the other day about you and saw your journal," Leroy replied.

"Yes, I know.  I was there."

"Ah. So, what can I do for you then?" Leroy asked.

"I rather think the question is what I can do for you.  He gestured towards a shape less defined than the others in the back of the garden and distancing herself from them.  "She doesn't belong here but she can't leave."

"Cherie," Desiree said.  "Do not do this.  It has been too long now.  Let it go."

Alec laughed, harsh and powerful.  "Too long since he drove to my death?  Too long since I slit his throat for you, my darling?  Or too long since you would pay any price for revenge, even letting yourself be touched by me?"

"Do not, I beg of you.   Help us end this.  Do not do this."

"Since you ask me so sweetly, my love, with just the right throb of heartfelt sincerity in your voice, just the hint of a tear, how can I deny you."  He swept her a mocking bow.  "I leave it in your hands."

Oui, cherie, it is better if you do."  She ran a wisp of a finger down his cheek and then turned to Leroy.  "You haven't found my box?"

"No I haven't found your box, I'm sorry. I've got a few ideas, but we were too busy running down Alec here to implement them. And then there's the missing student. I'm thinking she's got the box but we can't find her."

"She does not have the box, cherie.  Ask her yourself.  She is there at the bottom of the garden."

"Another death to feed your blood hunger, Desiree?" Josephe snarled.  "And all for your brats."

Desiree ignored him.  Instead she went and brought Gayle forward.  "Indeed child, I am most sorry that you should have died because of my anger.  The Baron was so greedy and I was so consumed."

"Gayle?" Leroy asked. "You're dead? Oh damn. I'm so sorry. How... What happened? Who was the guy you left with?  We haven't been able to find that out."

Gayle shrank back, trying to get away, while Desiree whispered to her insistently.  "Trust me cherie," she said aloud, "I know.  It is for the best."

Gayle's form softened and faded then reformed, more distinct that before and she nodded.  She turned to Leroy and said, "It was Dr. Klein," she said. 

Billie Jo gasped and started to say something, then stopped herself.  Desiree whispered for Gayle to go on.

"He had driven me home from the site and I'd asked him about the box.  He didn't know I'd seen him with it and when it didn't show up on the inventory for the site I asked if he'd forgotten to list it.  He had just gotten to my apartment.  He said he had forgotten and thanked me for reminding him."  Gayle looked around the garden at the wall.  "Then he asked if he could come in for a moment.  He...he said he wanted to...there was something he had to tell me.  So I let him."

"And then what happened, honey," Leroy asked quietly. "If he's the guy that killed you, I want him. I promise, somehow, I'll get him."

"He...he said he couldn't keep away any longer, that he knew it was wrong because I was his student, but he...he was in love with me, he said and that I didn't know, I had no idea what I did to him.  He said he knew I felt the same way.  Then he...I was stunned, I didn't know what to do and all of a sudden he was kissing me, making love to me."  Gayle sighed and looked at Leroy.  "After he tried to get me to agree to say nothing about the box, that we could use it to have a wonderful life.  He must of seen something on my face because he stopped in the middle of it and said he was hungry, why didn't we go get some dinner.  Only instead of dinner he...he drove out to the bayou and I was getting worried but he said he knew a place, a lovely little place.   And he did, I guess because he took me to this place in the bayou and parked the car and pulled me close like he was going to kiss me but instead he started choking me.  Then he left me there, for the gators and the other animals and he just left."

"Oh geez," Leroy breathed, watching, out of the corner of his eye, Billie Jo go pale.  "Oh honey. Can you find that bayou on a map? Maybe we can find your... what's left of your body, so we can nail the bastard."

She shook her head.  "It was out by the Lake, but that's all I really know."

"Okay, so we need to set him up so he goes out there to check to make sure what's left is still there and we haven't found it. How about the box? Any idea where he might have it?"

She shook her head.  "I only saw it the once, here right after he found it I think."

"All right, let me think. Billie?  We need to make him put the box somewhere. Hey, can you guys haunt him?"

Billie shivered and looked at Leroy.  "I...I think it would have to be at his house," she said.

Desiree nodded.  "We can try.  He does not believe, I think.  He has ignored us here, but..."

"We will change his mind, my love.  You're very good at persuasion as I know.  And it is in our best interests to help, isn't it Josephe?  Regardless of our differences."

"I promise you, I'll make sure the box stays here," Leroy said. "Just help us get this bastard. And Mama and Angelique are gonna do all they can to break the curse, right ladies?" Leroy asked.

"But we are missing something, cher'," Mama said sadly. "It will take the blood of the ghosts, and we do not have it."

Alec laughed.  "Leroy knows better, don't you?"

"I do. The chemise."

Mama, Angelique and even Billie, looking pale as the ghosts but still aware looked at him. "Alec left it and ordered that his heirs keep it. It is covered in blood and I looked at it the other night when I was in London. I just have to figure out how to get the current Earl to give it up."

Alec laughed again.  "I will tell him to give it to you.  It will be fun."

"Yeah, I guess it would be fun at that. You're on. Okay so do we got a plan you guys?"

Desiree nodded and drew Gayle close.  "You will rest soon, child.  We all will.  Until then do not despair."

Gayle nodded and followed Desiree into the depths of the garden where the other ghosts who'd been listening were beginning to disperse.

Angelique smiled and spoke first.  "It has been long since all of my family gathered together.  Thank you Bella."

Bella sighed and relaxed for the first time that night. "You are most welcome Angelique. And you, Billie Jo," Mama said, squeezing Billie Jo's hand, "I am sorry, child. But it will be for the best in the end. Just trust in that." 

Billie Jo nodded and tried to smile and couldn't.  She stared at the end of the garden where the ghosts had been, her mouth twisting.  Then her face crumpled and the tears started.

Leroy pulled her in and wrapped his arms around her. "Come on, let me get you home. I'll talk to Alec tomorrow about going to London. Right now you need your sisters. I'll call Betty too."

She nodded and just sobbed against him, her face tight against his shoulder.

Mama nodded at him and he stood, pulling Billie up with him and zapped them to the Brownstone.  He zapped the lock on Billie's apartment and walked her in, never letting go.

"Hey, Bij, can you let me go long enough for me to call Bobbie and Betty? I promise I won't go anywhere if you don't want me to, okay?"

She nodded against his shoulder and lifted her head and tried to thank him. When she couldn't she nodded again, her mouth trembling and her eyes huge in her face.

He wiped away her tears with the back of a finger. "Oh, sweetie.." he whispered and bent down to kiss those lips and just before he did he caught himself and pulled up. What the hell was he thinking? She just learned her lover, the guy she really loves, is a murderer!   Instead he reached for his cell phone and called the girls. "911," he said into the phone. "Get to Billie's asap!" He didn't wait to hear an answer.

She wiped her face with the backs of her hands, gulping back the tears.  "I...I," she said and then shook her head helplessly, the tears pouring out again and buried her face against him.

Leroy conjured up a box of kleenex and crab walked both of them over to the couch where he pulled her down beside him, not letting go of her for a second.

Bobbie was the first to arrive, in her nightgown, running full out into the room.

"Hi," Leroy said. "It's not exactly what it looks like."

"No, I wouldn't think so.  What happened? Did he dump her?" she asked, sitting down on the couch.  She rubbed Billie's back.  "It'll be okay, honey.  You just cry 'til you're through."  She looked back at Leroy.  "Well?"

"Joe, uhm, stole the box. And uhm... there was more." Leroy hesitated looking down at Billie Jo.

"I'll make tea, then," she said as Betty zapped in.  "You can explain to us both when I get back."

"Bobbie?" Betty said.  "What happened?"

Bobbie looked at Billie and then Leroy.  "He's gonna tell us in a minute, but basically it seems Joe did it.  Lemme make some tea, okay?"

"Uhm, Billie, you want me to leave you guys so y'all can, uhm, be more, uhm, natural?"

"You aren't leaving until you tell us what happened," Betty said, taking Bobbie's place on the couch.  "You want me to take her?"

"Sure," he said, but he sounded kind of uncertain about it.  "Joe, uhm, killed the missing girl. Her ghost showed up at the seance."

Betty left Billie where she was and just nodded.  "Well...not good.  What are you going to do now?"

"We're gonna nail the bastard, that's what we're gonna do, right Billie?"

She nodded her head and sat up a bit, looking at her sister and Leroy.  "I'm...oh god, I'm so stupid," she wailed and started crying harder.

"No you're not," Leroy insisted. "Stop it. We all make mistakes."

"I am," she sobbed.  "You tried...they tried..."

"Billie honey," Betty said.  "It's alright.  You're not stupid.  You fell in love.  It happens honey and there's nothing wrong with that."

Bobbie set the tray down in time to hear the end of the exchange.  She nodded.  "Right.  Leroy you want a drink or some tea?  Or you wanna bail while it's still possible?"

"Uhm, what you want Billie. Me to bail, or stay?"

Bobbie looked at her sister clinging like a barnacle to the man and rolled her eyes.  "She wants you to stay," she said when Billie just kept crying.  "I'll get you a drink and you can get her to drink some tea."

"Thanks," Leroy said, then took the cup of tea Betty handed him holding it near to Billie's face. "Here. Drink. Good for you. Grow hair on your chest."

Billie snuffled hard and lifted her head again.  She managed a limp smile and took the kleenex Betty offered her.  When the tears slowed to a trickle she blew her nose and accepted the cup.  "Thanks," she said.

Bobbie sat on the coffee table facing her and patted her knee.  "You're drenching the poor man, honey."

Billie's eyes flew to Leroy's.  "I'm sorry," she said.  "I didn't mean...oh I'm...you must hate...I'm sorry."

"No, it's okay. It's fine. Here, have another kleenex. Then maybe try a couple of sips of tea, or you're gonna run out of tears."

She smiled at him and drank some of the tea.  Then she wiped her eyes and blew her nose again.  "I'm sorry I'm being so...I mean I should have listened and now I'm crying all over you.  And gotten you all out of bed.   And it's only what I deserve for being so dumb."

"Not dumb," Bobbie said.  "He's the one who's dumb, and worse than dumb.  Don't you worry about being dumb."

Billie shook her head and shifted a little against Leroy's shoulder.

"No," he said after a moment, "You're right. You are dumb. I mean, who the hell would find some handsome intriguing guy paying attention to you and asking you out a good thing? If I were you, I'd avoid those guys from now on, but I mean, I can see why it might appeal, you know?  Well, not to me, but maybe to you, huh?"

She giggled a little and wiped her face again.  "I was so mean to you, too."

"Nah. I'm used to it. You didn't slug me. My sister used to slug me. But, you know, you should get some sleep. Things always are better after a good night sleep."

She nodded.  I'm keeping ya'll up.  I'll be okay, honest."

"I know you will honey, which is why I'm staying here tonight," Bobbie said.

Betty hugged Billie and kissed her cheek.  "No room for me or I'd stay too.  But you know I'm just a phone call away."

"Yeah, thanks.  And tell Ian I'm sorry."

"Well if you really want me to I will," Betty said.  "But I don't think he's upset."

"Well I dragged you all the way back here in the middle of the night."

"Okay, I'll tell him.  You get some sleep.  And if you need to take the day tomorrow, don't worry about it.  I'll talk to Rimes."

"Thanks," Billie said and hugged her.  She smiled as Betty winked out.  "And thanks to you two too."

"Hey, this is what partners are for, you know? Well, maybe going out and getting drunk together too, but all in all I think this was probably better, huh?  So, anyway, I'll be right downstairs if you two need anything. Just, you know, bang on the pipes or something. Or, well, if pressed, call my cell."  He began extracting himself and discovered his shirt was soaked. "Hmm. Doesn't even smell like beer."

Billie giggled and leaned over and kissed his cheek.  "You're so sweet to me.  Thank you, honey.  For everything."

"Oh, wasn't nothin'. You wait. I'll be crying on your shoulder soon enough. 'Night, ya'll," he said and walked over to the door, letting himself out into the hallway.  He paused a moment, leaning back against the door.   He was so tired he zapped himself downstairs and fell onto the bed fully dressed, and was out cold in a heartbeat.

Bobbie waited 'til the door closed and then looked at her sister.  "Come on honey, let's go to bed.  You can cry on my shoulder now."

Billie nodded and stood up.  "I'm so tired you probably won't have anything to worry about." 

"Good, because so am I," she said, and followed her sister to bed.

Billie Jo stared at herself in the mirror and stifled a groan.  Today was definitely a day for make up.  She needed it, to cover the puffy eyes and dark circles, and help the lackluster aura but more important for the moral support.  There was no question she thought, layering a concealer under her eyes to hide the shadows and then blending foundation, that she'd made a fool of herself.  She'd been so sure she was right and everyone else was wrong.  Now, all she wanted to do was hide under the covers and never face anyone who knew anything about it again.  Or at least not until some other stupidity intervened and her stupidity was forgotten. 

She powdered the foundation then brushed the excess off before dotting on blush with a delicate hand.   Then she moved on to a soft taupe shadow and a darker accent on her eye lids.  She defined her brows, lined the upper and lower lids, applied mascara and then moved on to her lipstick.  She did it on autopilot while she gave herself a pep talk.  By the time she was daubing cologne in strategic spots and checking her hair one last time she was willing to risk being seen by Leroy.   Getting it over with meant getting through it sooner.

With that bracing thought she knocked on his door, rehearsing her nonchalant hello.

Leroy had slept in his clothes, unmoving the entire night. And he was out cold still when the knock came. He was awake instantly, which was something that proved useful on any number of occasions. This time, however, it meant he remembered the night before all in a rush. Oh, gods, he should have gotten up early to go check on Billie. Instead he'd lain here like a dead lump of .. of, he had no idea.

As it was, he was hoping it was Bobbie (well, who else knew he was even living here?) to give him a report on how Billie was doing, so he jumped up and headed to the door without a thought about what he might look like. He threw open the door saying "Bobbie, how is... oh.   Billie.  You look, uhm..." He blinked in surprise.

"Good morning," she said brightly, slipping around him into the apartment.  "I didn't mean to wake you.  I just figured you want to get an early start with Alec this morning.  Want me to make some coffee?" she asked, all of it coming out in a breathless rush.

"Uh," he replied trying to get his head around this, "Yeah, if you don't mind. I need to jump in the shower. If that's all right?"

"Sure," she said, heading for the kitchen.  "There's no real rush.  Take you time.  I'll fix some breakfast too."

"Uhm," he replied running his hand through his hair, making it more messy than it already was, "okay. If you, uhm, feel like it."

She nodded, determination plain and bustled into the kitchen.  "Go shower.  You'll feel better."

"Uhm, ok," he said and stopped long enough to find clean clothes before closing himself securely in the bedroom bathroom. He stared at himself in the mirror, wondering if he'd dreamed up the night before. She'd ... she had a horrible shock, and... and.. and the guy she loved and.. and she looked gorgeous and together and he must have imagined..." He shrugged, turned on the shower and shaved while the water got hot.  Man, he looked like hell. Too bad it wasn't because he'd gotten drunk. He should have gotten drunk.

About ten minutes later he sauntered into the kitchen looking more himself.  "Coffee...." he said in his best zombie voice, heading toward the pot that was beckoning him.

"Wow, breakfast smells good," he added, as he poured himself a cup and refilled hers. "But, you know, you and Bobbie don't have to cook for me.  I perfectly capable of running down the street to, well, any number of diners."

"There aren't any diners in Georgetown," she pointed out.  "Besides, it's no more trouble cooking for two than cooking for one.  Unless I'm intruding," she said, a stricken look in her eyes.  "I'm sorry, I never thought.  I don't want to invade your privacy."

Leroy's eyes went wide. "Oh, gosh, that wasn't what I meant at all. I mean, it's just that, well, Dixie always tells me I give out vibes like every woman in the world should mother me, and, well, I mean... No, you aren't invading my privacy.  I just... are you okay?"

She flushed and turned back to the stove in a hurry.  "Yeah.  I...ah...I'm sorry about last night, making a fool of myself and all.  You're really sweet."

"Oh, honey, you are not a fool.  You loved him, er, love him. And that makes us all vulnerable. I'm just ... I want to kill the bastard for what he did to you," Leroy said in a rush, his temper getting the better of him for a moment.

She turned around, surprised, sudden tears in her eyes.  "Oh honey, no.  I didn't...oh please, don't, not on my account."

"Oh, Billie. I'm sorry. I won't hurt him, I promise!  I just... I'm just an idiot sometimes."

"No, I  meant, I don't want you getting in trouble.  I don't want anything to happen to you on account of me and being so...so foolish and all," she said, her chin starting to tremble.  "Oh Leroy, it's all such a mess and I couldn't stand it if you...because of me." 

Leroy took a step toward her then stopped, frozen. "It's because of him, not because of you. Stop it now," he said, firmly. "Just stop blaming yourself. Blame him, he's the one that deceived you."

She shook her head.  "I know he did.  It's just I'm the one who wouldn't listen and I should have, I should have known better.  Everybody tried to tell me." she whispered, looking at the floor, twisting the potholder she held.  She looked up at him, sniffling.  "I'm sorry.  I'm just being a big baby."

He was rooted to the spot and wanted nothing more than to wrap her up in his arms. Instead he said, "I think maybe the eggs are burning," very gently.

"Oh," she said, whirling around and grabbing for the pan.  Then she yelped and dropped the pan, flying for the sink, shoving her hand under the cold water.  "Damn it all!" she said, and hit the counter with her other hand, making the dishes clatter as she started crying.

He couldn't stand it and stepped forward. "Here, let me see your hand," he said as he took it. "Not too bad. You'll have a blister though." He was keeping his voice as emotionless as he knew how, giving her a chance to get it together.

She nodded.  "Let me get some cream for it and I'll make you some more eggs."

"You get something on it and I'll make the eggs, how's that?" he asked, catching her eye, looking into her gaze as if he was trying to figure out just where she was in there.

She managed a smile, looking back at him.  "Thanks.  I'll clean the mess up, you just leave it."

He watched her hurry out and heard her clatter up the stairs and began cleaning up the mess. He had scrambled eggs ready to go when she came back. "There you are," he said with a smile. "Sit down. I'll get this."

She started to protest and stopped.  "Thank you," she said, meeting his eyes as she sat down.  "For everything."

"You better save the thanks until after you see if you survive my cooking. Actually, though, I'm not that bad a breakfast cook. Eggs. I mean, how can you screw up eggs?  Well, okay, I can screw up an omelet but I know how to scramble a bunch of eggs."  He winced. He was jabbering.

"Scrambled's my favorite," she said, and tasted them.  "They're good."

"Thanks. So are the biscuits. So, you wanna go to London, huh?"

"Yeah, unless I'll be in the way.  But you've been doing all the hard work and I figure it's time I helped."

He frowned, unable to respond for a minute, his mouth full of eggs. When he swallowed he replied, "Hey, I just got lucky. If it had been an American spy, it'd have been you doing all the hard work.  You know, I'm not exactly sure how I'm supposed to contact old Alec once we get there. But then he said he was there when I visited with his heir, so maybe we should just assume he's gonna show up?"

"Probably," she agreed.  "We can always call Mama and get her to summon him up again if that doesn't work."

He nodded, buttering a biscuit. "I'll arrest him, so you don't have to see him again," he suddenly said, his eyes on his biscuit.

She reached over and squeezed his hand.  "I'll be okay honey.  Thanks for caring so much.  It helps a lot."

His eyes flew up to meet hers. He found a smile and plastered it on his lips. "I do, you know."

She smiled back, her eyes on his.  "I know."

"Okay, good," he said.  He got up and got the dishes, loaded them in the dishwasher and gave her a refill on her coffee.  "You relax, I'm gonna call the office and tell them where we're going."

She nodded, watching him leave the room.  "I'm ready whenever you are," she said.

He was back in about five minutes, pulling on his leather jacket. "Okay, let's go see the Earl of ... of whatever.  Man, I'm glad Ian doesn't insist on his title."

She giggled.  "I keep trying to picture Betty as a Countess if they ever marry."

"A countess? Not an earless?" he said as they headed out the door and he locked it.

"Yep, countess.  She also told me Edwards says she needs a ladies maid."

Leroy was still laughing when they zapped onto the stoop of the Earl of Charlbury's townhouse.  The butler let them in and left them in the hallway under the unblinking gaze of a footman while he went to ascertain if his lordship was at home.  He returned a few moments later and showed them into the study, announcing them and then bowing himself out.

"Ah, Mr. Saunders," the earl said, rising and coming out from behind his desk.  "To what do I owe this pleasure?"

"Good afternoon there, Lord Charlbury, this is Billie Jo Dubois, my partner. We wanted to talk to you a bit more about your ancestor Alec Vinton, if you don't mind. It's about that chemise."

The earl allowed an eyebrow to rise slowly.  "Indeed."

"Alec, now would be a good time, dude," Leroy said to the air.

"I beg your pardon?" the earl said.

"No need," came a voice from behind him.  "He was talking to me."  Alec was sitting a the earl's desk, leaning back in the chair, dressed impeccably.  Impeccably, that is, if it were 1820 when men's fashion in morning wear had run to pantaloons and superfine coats with intricately tied cravats.

The earl spun around on his heel.

"Hey Alec, thanks for showing up," Leroy said. "Alec says," Leroy added, looking at the current earl with understanding, "that you'll give me the chemise. Old Alec here can manifest, but not carry off much, so I thought maybe he could explain better than I did why we need the chemise."

The fourth earl smiled indulgently at the ninth.  "I'm sure you won't mind, Jonathan.  You always said you were going to burn it one of these days.  I must say I'm glad you never did.  Though I always understood the temptation."

The ninth earl took a hesitant step towards the apparition behind the desk, an equally hesitant hand outstretched to touch him.  When he encountered nothing he jerked it back like he'd encountered a bolt of electricity.  "I uhm..." he said and swallowed.  "I take it you're supposed to be the...ah...my uhm great, great, great grandfather?" he finally managed.

Alec thought for a moment.  "Yes, that would be right, three greats.  Now, I'd be eternally obliged if you'd have Henderson pack up the chemise and give it to Leroy there.  We've quite a lot to do today and not much of time to spare."

The ninth earl nodded and moved to the bell pull.  "Would you, ah, like some tea while Henderson is, uhm, bringing the garment?"

"None for me.  Can't drink it," Alec said.  "But they might."

"That's mighty nice of you, sir, but we're good. We had breakfast a few minutes ago back home in DC," Leroy explained. 

The ninth earl nodded.  "A few minutes ago, in DC.  Quite," he said and turned gratefully to instruct his butler to pack the chemise and bring it to him. Then he poured himself three fingers of scotch and downed it in two swallows.  When he turned around it was obvious he had been hoping it was all an hallucination.  When it wasn't he poured another three finger and sank into a wing chair in front of the fire.  Remembering his manners he waved towards the other seats.  "Please, have a seat."

"Hey, thanks," Leroy replied. "We've had a rough 24, you know?  At least you only have one ghost to deal with. Trust me when I tell you listening to Alec here and Desiree and Josephe fight is a bit wearing."  He waited for Billie to take a seat and then took one himself.

"Quite," the ninth earl said.  "I do understand.  Do you uhm, frequently encounter that sort of thing in your work?"

"You have no idea," Leroy replied with a sigh. "I prefer the ghosts to the bad vamps though."

"Ah, perfectly understandable."  He downed the rest of his scotch. 

Leroy winked at Billie.

Fortunately for the earl and his liver Henderson returned with the chemise.  "As you requested, your lordship," he said, presenting a box with a bow and then departing, his aplomb unimpaired by the apparition behind the desk.

"Well," the current earl said,  "if there's nothing else...?"

"Uhm, I'm good. Alec, Billie?"

"I'm fine," Alec said.  "We ready to go?"

Billie nodded.

Leroy looked at the current earl. "Close your eyes and count to 10 and don't open your eyes until you're done."

The current earl closed his eyes and by the time he reached 2 Billie and Leroy were gone.

He looked around his study and then sank back in the chair with a groan.  Maybe Ian could explain it all.