Page 103 of Shattering Dawn
Pallas picked up her wineglass. “I agree. We can’t quit now. We’re just getting started.”
“There must be more people like us out there,” Phoebe said. “People who need investigators who specialize in cases involving the paranormal.”
Talia pushed her glasses higher on her nose. She looked intrigued. “If we’re serious about this, we have to start turning a real profit.”
“Whoa,” Gideon said. “You all need to slow down and give this some careful thought. I’ve been doing this investigation work for a while, and I can tell you, it’s not as simple and straightforward as you seem to believe—”
A series of sharp raps sounded on the door. Amelia and everyone else in the room except Gideon went still.
Gideon, cane gripped in his left hand, was on his feet, heading for the front door.
Shelton eased the recliner to the upright position and stood.
“Hang on.” Amelia whipped out from behind the island and hurried toward the door. “Let’s not overreact here. It might be the real estate agent who tried to contact me while I was in Lucent Springs, the one with the waterfront listing. I could really use a high-end client.”
She reached the door a step ahead of Gideon and went up on her toes to get a good look through the peephole. She groaned when she saw a familiar face.
“Relax, everyone,” she said. “It’s Dr. Pike, my ex-therapist.”
The others were all on their feet now. No one looked relaxed.
Another short, sharp series of raps sounded on the door.
“Amelia? Are you in there? It’s Dr. Pike. Please answer the door. I’ve been worried about you.”
“I’m fine, Dr. Pike,” she said. She started to unlock the first of the three locks.
“I’ll open the door,” Gideon said, easing her aside. “I’ve got a few questions for Pike.”
“Oh, for goodness’ sake,” Amelia muttered. “He’s harmless.”
“That’s what you thought about your neighbor Irene.” Gideon raised his voice. “Stand back, Pike. Hands where I can see them. I’m going to open the door. One wrong move and you will not be a happy camper.”
“Amelia,” Pike yelped. “I’m on my phone. I’m calling nine-one-one.”
“I’m all right, Dr. Pike,” she shouted. “Honest. Gideon, stop fooling around. You’re embarrassing me. Open the door.”
She was mildly surprised when he did just that.
Pike stumbled backward, clutching his phone. He stared at Gideon and then he saw Shelton, Luke, and Ambrose looming in the front hall. Panic flashed in his eyes but he did not run.
“Amelia?” he said.
“Come in, Dr. Pike. It’s time you met my friends. Would you like a glass of wine?”
“You heard her,” Gideon said. “Come in. I want to talk to you.”
Pike moved nervously into the hall. Gideon shut the door before he could change his mind.
Amelia herded the crowd back into the living room. “Sit down, everyone. Dr. Pike, let me introduce you.” She went around theroom. When she was finished she smiled. “This is my therapist, Dr. Norris Pike. He was trying to help me deal with a little phobia I developed a few weeks ago.”
Shelton spoke up sharply. “Pike? Dr. Norris Pike? Editor of thePike Journal of Parapsychology?”
Pike widened his eyes. “You know my work, sir?”
Shelton chuckled and held out his hand. “Longtime subscriber and occasional contributor. You have been gracious enough to publish a few of my papers. I write under the name S. W. Sweet.”
“What a pleasure to meet you.” Pike seized Shelton’s hand and shook it with great force. “I have admired your work for years. Your theories on the para-physics of aura resonance are brilliant. This is a wonderful surprise.” He looked around. “Can I assume we are among like-minded friends?”