The Haunting at Grays Harbor (The River Book 8) Read Free Page B

it’s evil, and
it’s way above my pay grade.”
    “Well, it’s not evening yet,” Steven said, checking his
watch. “But it will be soon. Do you suppose we could go to the house? Introduce
ourselves? Maybe talk with them?”
    “I’ll give you directions,” Father Wynan said. “And I’ll call
Barbara to tell them you’re coming.”
    “You won’t come with us?” Roy asked, standing up.
    “I doubt I’ll ever set foot in that house again,” Father
Wynan said.

Chapter Two
     
     
     
    Steven saw the correctional facility looming over a hill to
his left just as they passed a sign warning motorists not to stop for hitchhikers.
    “Didn’t know this was out here,” he said.
    “Surprised they live so close to it,” Roy replied. “Usually
people don’t like prisons in their backyard.”
    They drove on another mile before finding the turn into the
small outcropping of homes, many situated with a view of Grays Harbor. There
were five rows of small streets, arranged on a hill, each lined with houses of
differing ages, and a comfortable distance between each. The house that Father
Wynan directed them to was on the second street, and looked large and modern.
    In addition to an SUV in the driveway, a large white van was
parked in front of the house with its back doors open. Steven parked in front
of the van, and he and Roy walked to the front door as two men carried a large
metallic trunk from the van into the house.
    “Can you get the door?” one of the men asked Roy, who was
standing next to it. Roy obliged and reached for the door knob, but it opened
before he could reach it. Inside was a short man with a moustache, who held the
door open as the two men carried the case inside. He was wearing a white polo
shirt with the initials WES embroidered on the front. He started to shut the
door when Roy stepped up.
    “Excuse me, we’re here to see Barbara,” Roy said.
    The man eyed Roy up and down. “Who are you?”
    “My name is Roy, and this is my son, Steven. Barbara should
be expecting us.”
    The short man squinted at them as though he did not believe
Roy, but he held the door open. “Come in. She’s in the kitchen.”
    Roy stepped in, and Steven quickly followed. It was chaotic
inside. There were cables running in all directions on the floor. They stepped
over them, walking down a hallway, trying to find the kitchen. People were
moving throughout the house and metallic crates were stacked everywhere.
    “What’s going on here?” Steven whispered to Roy as they made
their way down the hall, avoiding the people and the cables.
    “I have no idea,” Roy replied. “Maybe they decided to move?”
    “These guys are moving stuff in, not out,” Steven said,
glancing into a room as they passed by it. Electronics were spread around the
room, wires running everywhere. He saw light stands, control panels – even a parabolic dish. “They’re not movers.”
    Roy found the kitchen and walked inside. It was quieter than
the other rooms. A woman was sitting on a stool at a counter, looking
dejectedly into a cup of coffee that she held between both hands.
    “Barbara?” Roy asked.
    She looked up, and Steven saw how deeply worried she looked –
the weeks of stress and sleepless nights were evident. Underneath the worry was
a pretty, young face. She stood up. “You must be Roy?” she said, extending her
hand.
    “I am,” Roy said, taking her hand. “And this is Steven. He’s
my son.”
    “I have to admit, I was a little surprised to get Father
Wynan’s call. I figured he was out of the picture.”
    “We just came from his place,” Roy said. “I think he feels a
little guilty about running out on you the other night. He made a few calls,
and here we are.”
    “Well, as you can see, you’re not the only ones!” Barbara
said. “Brad – that’s my husband – called in these people. Some ghost hunting
outfit from Seattle. They claim to be able to eradicate everything from a
house. Not bugs or mice, mind