Oleander House: Bay City Paranormal Investigations, Book 1

something very alien and very dangerous waiting around the corner.”
“What corner?” David asked, frowning. “You mean in the hall or something?”
“No,” Andre said. “He means around a corner of space, or something. Like it was there in the room with us, only on a different level. Right, Sam?”
“Right,” Sam confirmed.
Bo gave him a considering look. “That’s interesting. I’ve never heard anybody describe a paranormal encounter in quite that way before.”
Andre nodded. “I can believe it. I’ve sure as hell never felt anything like it before.”
“Guys?” Cecile said, looking hesitant. “Have either of you considered the possibility that you might be psychic?”
Glancing at Andre, Sam leaned forward in his seat. “Actually, we were just talking about that before you guys came in. We were wondering that exact thing.”
“What do you think?” Andre asked, a little nervously. “You reckon we are?”
Cecile was silent for a moment. “I think it’s definitely possible,” she said finally. “Although I’ve never experienced anything like what you’re describing, the way you’ve experienced it sounds awfully familiar. Most of my own psychic experiences have happened in similar ways. An extremely strong feeling or sensation that others don’t share, usually without anything concrete to back it up.”
Sam stared uncomfortably at his lap. He didn’t know quite how to feel. Thinking he might be psychic was bad enough; having it more or less confirmed by an actual psychic gave him a queasy sensation. He stiffened in surprise when a hand gripped his shoulder. He looked up, right into Bo’s sympathetic eyes. Bo’s expression said that he’d noticed Sam’s mixed feelings about his abilities and was trying to be supportive. Sam appreciated the effort. He smiled, and Bo smiled back.
“Guys,” Bo said. “I get the feeling that neither of you are particularly comfortable with this. I hope that won’t stop you from trying to use your perceptions in this investigation.”
Andre raised his eyebrows at Sam. Sam shrugged. “We’ll give it a shot,” Andre agreed. “Maybe Cecile can kind of show us what to do?”
Cecile smiled. “I’ll help any way I can. There’s not really much to it, though. All you have to do is center yourself and concentrate on what you’re sensing.”
“What I want to know,” Amy chimed in, “is what the hell is this thing y’all are sensing?”
The room fell silent. Sam could practically hear the wheels turning in everyone’s heads, including his own.
David broke the silence. “Could it be some sort of poltergeist?”
“Maybe,” Amy answered, brow furrowed. “But poltergeists usually don’t hurt anyone.”
“No one’s been hurt here,” Andre reminded her.
“Yet,” David muttered.
“But people have been killed here in the past,” Amy pointed out. “That’s not something poltergeists do.”
“Could it be another kind of spirit?” Cecile wondered. “A malevolent one?”
“I guess it’s possible.” Bo perched on the arm of Sam’s chair. “But I don’t think so. People have lived here for decades at a time without experiencing anything at all. That actually sounds more like poltergeist activity, except that Amy’s right, they don’t usually hurt people. They certainly don’t kill.”
“Any idea what it might be, then?” Sam asked, keeping his voice level with an effort. Bo’s nearness made his head spin.
Bo looked down at him, gaze lingering on his mouth. Sam licked his lips. He suddenly found it hard to concentrate on the conversation.
Giving Sam one last look, Bo turned away. “I’m not sure. It might be that what we have here is something no one’s studied before. Maybe even something completely unique.”
No one spoke. The fear-tinged excitement was palpable in the room.
“So,” David said nervously. “How do we handle it?”
“The same way we have been.” Bo stood and started pacing, his footsteps slow and measured. “We use the methods we’ve worked out every time we investigate. We make a note of every single thing that happens, and every single time anyone feels anything unusual. Even if it doesn’t seem important at the time, it might turn out to be part of a pattern.”
Sam thought uneasily of his dreams. Andre caught his eye, and Sam knew they were both thinking the same thing.
“And remember,” Bo continued. “Never investigate alone. That’s especially important now.”
“Here’s a thought,” Amy said.