Chapter 12
"Hello Mr. and Ms. Walker, Gale said to make yourselves at home, she will be here shortly." The lobby attendant informed us.
"Let me guess, she knew we were coming?" I said. She flashed me a look that let me know she didn't much appreciate my sarcasm. I decided I liked the assistant about as much as I liked Gale, which wasn't very much. But truth was, we needed help, and Gale had been right on target from the beginning. For a moment I wondered if we had never visited Gale would any of this had ever happened. Did she actually awaken Ashley's 'abilities' by telling her she was capable of hosting. Maybe if Ashley had never known about hosting she would have never opened up to it.
As I was lost in my thoughts Gale walked up. She brought me out of my trance with an answer to what I was dwelling on.
"She would have hosted regardless of whether or not I got involved." She was staring at me. Ashley looked at me confused. 'I hate her.' I thought to myself. Gale just winked and turned toward her office motioning for us to follow. I wondered if she heard that last thought too.
"So, a lot has happened since I last saw you two huh?" I'm sure my face turned beet red. If I was ever guilty of a crime, my face alone would give me away. I prayed she didn't know.
"Actually, we're not here for help with Isabelle." I started. "Well, we are in a sense, but not with the hosting part. We want to know why she died."
"I thought you said she killed herself?" Gale asked.
"I did, but now I'm not so sure." I looked at Ashley just to confirm her agreement. "We found an article about a servant who was found dead in the river who worked for Du Bois. We have no other leads, is there a way to know what really happened? How she really died?"
Gale's hand picked at her lips as she pondered my question. "Well, I suppose if I could talk to Isabelle, maybe I can do a reading on her. Maybe I can see something."
"Okay. When do you want to drop by?" I was anxious to get started.
"I guess we should make it this evening. Let me clear my schedule. I'll call you in a few hours." Gale stood indicating the reading was already over. We took the hint and made our way out.
Gale's call came after 7 p.m. I gave her directions and told her this was about the time of day Isabelle liked to come out and play. She didn't find my sarcasm funny either. Psychics really lack a sense of humor. When she arrived we sat and got our plan together. Ashley was going to take a nap upstairs while Gale and I waited downstairs within ear shy of her movements. I was nervous and wanting to back out. I didn't want to put Ashley at risk. She could tell I was panicking. She put both hands on my face and looked me directly in the eye.
"I'm not worried, I know you will protect me", then she kissed me directly on the mouth and hugged me tight."
I looked at Gale nervously, wondering if Ashley and I were being too intimate. If Gale only knew what I had done. Or did she? Maybe she was okay with me being with Ashley and just didn't want to embarrass us. She didn't have to say it, I was embarrassed anyway. Ashley looked at me with worried eyes as she went up to the attic. I put my chair in the opening of the doorway ready to dart up the stairs when necessary.
"What will we say to her if she shows up?" I asked Gale.
"The truth. I'm here to give her a reading."
I didn't speak to Gale again. I was intent on listening for any movement upstairs. My watch ticked away about forty-two minutes before I heard foot steps. I ran upstairs immediately. I got there so fast Isabelle was still in the process of changing her clothes. I was so worried about getting to Ashley I forgot about the changing part. Gale was right behind me. I wasn't sure if I should turn away or not, but at least Ashley -or Isabelle I mean - never turned around to face us while dressing.
"Hello." I said as Isabelle tied her dress. She turned and looked at me like she knew I was there.
"Hello." She did a double take when she noticed Gale. "Who is this?"
"This is Gale. She is a... Um..." I didn't know if Isabelle would understand what a psychic does. I wasn't sure how to describe it. Gale came to my rescue.
"Hello honey." Gale put on a motherly charm when she talked to Isabelle. "I was just wondering if you would like to have a reading about your future. It's really fun. Even the old scrooge here has done it, he said he thought you might like to try it." Isabelle looked at me to confirm what Gale was saying. I nodded my head letting her know it was okay.
"Okay, I will." Isabelle said. I think she was just being polite.
Gale set up a table and asked Isabelle to join her. They went through the cards and Gale mostly talked about things that made Isabelle happy. Like a mysterious love she had in her life - meaning with Du Bois. Gale told Isabelle that everything was going to be 'just fine'. Isabelle seemed amused and pleased with her reading. She thanked Gale after it was over and even thanked me for bringing her. Gale acted like she was leaving and went downstairs. I told Isabelle I'd like to stay with her and asked if she wanted to take a nap. She seemed cold towards me. I wasn't sure if she remembered the suicide attempt and I wasn't about to bring it up.
I asked her if I could hold her and she looked reluctant to get in the bed with me, but did. I liked holding her and watching her rest. I waited until my sister came back to me. I'm not sure why I did it, but when she turned over and said hey I leaned in and kissed her. I realized what I was doing after I was already committed. I told her I was just glad to see her again. She smiled and rolled over to get out of bed.
Gale was waiting in the living room.