I kissed her once more and then headed over to where Ricky and the others waited.

"Whipped!" teased Max, while everyone else gave me our band's traditional fist b.u.mp.

"You'd be enormously lucky to find a la.s.s like Fiona," Chris chided him. "Chasin' tail's a gas, but it won't last forever."

"Oh yeah? If it lasts until I'm forty, that'll be fine by me," Max retorted, turning his gaze to size up a pair of buxom babes who'd wandered close by. "I don't think my liver will last much longer than that anyway."

Not if he keeps drinking like he does. h.e.l.l, he was holding a gla.s.s of straight Kentucky bourbon.

"Guys, let's stay focused," said Ricky. "We need to make sure this goes as planned."

Man, this is when I like him best. Ricky's definitely a gamer, as am I. We practice well, but once the lights are on, we've always taken our performance to the next level. That had to happen tonight.

"We're going on at six, right?" asked Mongo, removing his drumsticks from their protective pouch. Everyone's gear was already set up on stage, and the lone exception was my axe.

"No, our gig's been moved up to five-thirty," said Ricky.

"So time's a wastin'," I said. "We're still playing for an hour, I take it."

"Yeah, that's still the same deal," he confirmed. "But we've got a great chance to be the most memorable act here today. Two country trios played earlier, and after us there's a jam session featuring Morris Daniels and Chuck Gil."

"So, we are the only alternative to the Nashville Sound tonight, gents!" beamed Chris.

Dude oozes confidence. He's holding up just as strong as ever, which I wondered about since he's the youngster among us. I thought he might cower a little once we got here, but so far so good.

It didn't take long to confirm the order of things: where to move back and forth on stage, while Chris does his thing; what songs made the final cut and the order; and, how to handle an encore if the right opportunity presented itself. In other words, if the response was as great as we hoped, we'd return to the stage for two more numbers. If not, then we'd leave it at an hour.

As we stepped onto the stage, Ricky told me the industry folks wanted to see a full show, including an encore, according to Michael. It's the reason our performance was moved from six o'clock to five-thirty. Then from seven o'clock to eight, the stage would be cleared and set up for the final act of the night. Something about Green Hills' noise codes demanding that everything be finished by 9:00 p.m.

When the curtain pulled back and we were introduced, the applause was polite, tepid. Other than the Marlowes and Fiona, Michael, and Mr. Stanford, I doubt anyone else had a clue as to what was in store for them. Once the light show started and Chris played an eerie arpeggio upon his violin, I think our audience started to understand how different we'd be from the country acts that played before us. Nevertheless, I don't think anyone was quite ready for "Primetime" and Chris's frenetic takeover of the immediate world around him.

Even Fiona's mouth dropped open-and she already sensed how great this kid would be for us. But she'd never seen him play before then. I caught her approving nod to me shortly after our new leader began to croon the lyrics.

Take me to the limit-right to the top Got a fire on my a.s.s, and I just can't stop I'm reeling...indeed I am...

Yeah, I know...not as poetic as our other lyrics. But this is a frigging metal anthem this time.

Well, it's b.a.l.l.s to the walls-reaching for the stars Got an ace in the hole, and gonna take my shot I'm feeling...I just can't lose...

Ricky and I began our hair swing, in perfect rhythm with each other, while Max and his glitter-laced Mohawk alternated between a Billy Idol romp toward the audience and then back to Mongo. True to his nature, Mongo stayed oblivious to what went on around him, completely focused on holding down the groove.

I'm the other part of that equation. Mongo and I have learned to trust each other to the point neither one has to keep an actual eye on the other to accomplish this. Very sweet, and it's something Jim Stanford noticed long ago about our band.

Push, push, push-I'm primetime, baby Push, push, push-I'm primed I'm ready to roll!

The applause was incredible. I'd never experienced anything like it, and I could tell Ricky and Max felt the same way. It's hard to say for Mongo, since he's the most experienced musician among us. Chris, however, seemed to soak in every ounce of energy and infatuation from the audience. It's sort of like Ted Nugent and a pound of chocolate, for those who've heard how the legendary rocker stayed high as a kite using his hypoglycemic condition. Only in this case, Chris's altered state is completely natural.

The audience still seemed unprepared for what would come next.

After another heavy tune, we moved into the first of three power ballads. "Is This The Way?" tore a hole in the collective hearts before us. Lighters, tears, and a swaying crowd. Totally not Ed's thing, as he stood stoic, eyeing all of us on stage as if we'd recently escaped some work-release program, and were high on Meth or some s.h.i.t.

Finally, we reached our last number. One of Fiona's favorites, a soulful rocker ent.i.tled "Mary's Candy". An astounding ovation followed-much better than expected, even by our manager. It was a very cool thing to see the A&R guys and a few country celebrities smiling broadly while they hollered for more.

"Wow! You're frigging amazing, man!" I told Chris when we headed backstage, raising my voice to be heard over the din.

Folks were still applauding and a chant for more had started. It was quite possibly led by Fiona, since when I waved to her before we left the stage she could scarcely contain her enthusiasm. Seeing her ecstasy fed the adrenaline flowing through me. Totally stoked, I barely noticed Ed, who stood to her left, clapping polite. Like he attended a cattle auction instead of a small venue concert.

"Thanks, James!" said Chris, slapping me on the back. "Same to you, brother-your songs are the fuel to this engine, and nothing's going to slow us down now!"

It made me feel incredibly proud, as it did Ricky. We shared an embrace that was interrupted by both Max and Mongo trying to join in. k.u.mbaya.

"Guys, get your a.s.ses back out there!" Michael hissed from behind us. "Give em' the night cap they're ready for!"

Chris smiled impishly and we all followed his lead back on stage. The crowd's chant turned into a near-deafening roar as we reclaimed our instruments. "Natural Religion" proved to be a satisfying entree for our audience's hunger, and for dessert, our final song of the night. "Lady Jade".

More cheers and chants erupted as Chris bid them all adieu, and we followed Michael's exit game plan. "Leave em' wanting more-always!" is the theme he preaches.

The rest of the band toweled themselves off before rejoining the party, while I followed Ed's strict orders to meet him and Fiona at his cruiser. It would've been nice to rub shoulders with many of our local celebrities, especially since I now had a bigger purpose than simply being their favorite psychic's husband. After Fiona said goodbye to several ladies in the industry she knows quite well, she climbed into the cruiser and Ed drove us home.

Unlike the trip out there, my woman shared the backseat with me, snuggling close and seemingly oblivious to the uncomfortable glances from d.i.c.k Tracy in his rearview mirror.

It's all good...feeling like a real rock star.

Chapter Twenty-six.

One of the early lessons in hunting ghosts is this: Never push your luck.

There are a lot of ways to interpret those pearls of wisdom, I'm sure. I imagine whoever thought of it first in our biz meant it in the context of an actual investigation. Perhaps something simple like don't agitate an angry spirit, or something more complex, such as don't overdo it on the technical end with too many cameras, audio recorders, or for that matter investigators.

It's probably never been used in the context of p.i.s.sing off any law enforcement folks a.s.signed to protect someone from a bloodthirsty killer.

Until now.

Sunday evening, just after seven o'clock. It's Fiona's turn to drive the Camaro again, and she's guiding the car along an old dirt road, overgrown with briars and tall gra.s.s, and rutted from years of neglect.

Yes, Angie got her way tonight. Call it empathy for the limping skeptic, whose gig she set up more than a month ago would be canceled without another 'make-up' appointment until sometime next year. So she swears, anyway...seriously underestimating the persuasive gifts of her roommate, Jackie, as well as Fiona. Considering all we've been through, especially what she's recently endured, I'd fully expect the owners to allow us a return visit sometime soon. A h.e.l.luva lot sooner than next year.

"Are you still thinking of calling Ed about this?" I asked my wife, as we pulled into a clearing. A mid-sized antebellum stood a quarter of a mile away. Call it a mini-Carnton.

"Why? You sound like you don't want me to call him," she replied.

"It's up to you...but this will p.i.s.s him off worse than when we went to Candi's place the other day." I paused while she whipped the car alongside Angie's SUV. "I thought they impounded her vehicle to look for further trace evidence?"

"They finished yesterday and Jackie picked it up for her," she explained. "As for Ed, he probably will be angry to hear we broke his curfew instructions again. But I need to call him...just a feeling. The text I received when we were on the highway? That was him, saying he had an 'important development-call me right away!'"

"But if you call him now, I'll bet he shuts this down before it gets started."

"Maybe...but do I have to tell him where we are?"

"No, I guess not."

Yeah, what she said surprised me. Not that she's dishonest by nature-not even close. Knowing her as well as I do, I'd say this is more like someone's kids fibbing about going to a party with their friends when they should be doing their homework or some s.h.i.t.... Okay, yeah, a lie's a lie and there will probably be consequences. All of a sudden it sort of felt like some karmic debt would be collected on her shortly. That'd suck if it happened while exploring the old mansion in front of us.

"Hey, guys!"

Angie waved to us from the front porch once we stepped out of the car. Dressed in black jeans and boots, she wore a Bruce Springsteen T-shirt. Jackie stood next to her, dressed similarly, only she wore a retro Duran Duran T. She and Fiona could pa.s.s as twins tonight as far as shirts are concerned. Me? Same ole same old...black T and wranglers. Why mess with what works best?

"Well, we made it here without Ed's knowledge," I advised, not sure at all why I mentioned this. Fiona's slingshot glance told me she thought the same thing. "Where are the boys?"

I saw Tony's truck and Tom's van parked next to the house. Easier to unload the gear, I a.s.sumed.

"They're inside the smoke house setting up," said Jackie. "Once they get the last cameras and audio stuff in place, we'll get started."

She paused to look up toward the second floor balcony, where one of the cameras blinked red in response. Waiting and ready. Beautiful place, by the way, and it will be even more so once the restoration's complete. Greek revival millwork and the old reddish bricks look just like the ones used to build the finer plantation homes throughout middle Tennessee. People used to bake them right on property. Of course that meant slave labor in most cases.

The place definitely looks like a pre-Civil War estate.

"It's a little early, don't you think?" Fiona's nose crinkled as she said this, and she looked back toward the fading sun. Not quite sunset yet. Normally, we don't get started until dusk. Seven o'clock start times only happen in late fall and winter. Until tonight.

"We need to start earlier this evening since the owners aren't keen on us being here too long after dark," Angie advised, moving to the doorway.

Other than a very slight limp and sternness in her countenance, I couldn't detect anything that pointed to the traumatic experience she recently endured. Good for her. It shows her iron toughness goes all the way down to her soul.

"Well, okay," said Fiona, her disappointment readily apparent.

I could already tell that she found Montebello Manor more to her liking than she had expected, since not a d.a.m.ned thing existed on the internet about its existence. Due to our recent 'house arrest', finding the opportunity to visit the archives at any Nashville area library would've been arduous at best. Something to look forward to later on, I guess.

"I probably should let Ed know what we're up to," my wife advised, causing both me and Jackie to shoot her matching looks of surprise. I couldn't tell if this was a catty response to Angie or not, since Fiona isn't normally like that. "If we don't tell him about this, I think it might make it hard to enlist his future help."

Not sure I'd ever buy that, since the man lives for the infinitesimal chance he could be her Prince Charming.

"He already knows," said Angie.

Hard to tell if Jackie caught that glint of satisfaction in both voice and facial expression, but I did. And my wife sure as h.e.l.l did, too. Not voiced, and she wouldn't let on otherwise. But I felt her bristle just the same.

"Huh?"

That was me, giving my standard surprised response, although Jackie wore a similar confused expression.

"Hey, it's no big thing...just part of the deal for me not to have cops around twenty-four/seven," Angie explained, her expression softening as if she realized her previous response was a little b.i.t.c.hy. The tension from the other females diminished somewhat. "He's planning to stop by around nine. That's all the more reason to get busy, so his energy doesn't mess things up for us."

Good point.

"I thought you were a skeptic about 'energy', 'ghosts' and s.h.i.t like that?"

Justin poked his head through the door, and it was Angie's turn to look surprised. Dude can sneak up on you if you're not careful.

"What up, Ale-e-a-ah-h-s-s?"

I could tell he was totally jazzed to be here, and his eagerness seemed to help Fiona relax. Maybe we'd catch something flitting about, even though there's still plenty of daylight outside. But with Justin around, at least it'd be a h.e.l.luva lot more festive.

"Good to see you, bro!"

"Same to you, Jimmy!"

Dressed in fatigues with a gold chain across his 'Bonnie Blue' rebel flag T-shirt, no one from around here would ever take him seriously if they didn't know him like we do. Believe it or not there are others like him, who share similar pa.s.sion for the past. One of the things Fiona did uncover from her recent internet browsing is there are nearly four hundred black Civil War buffs in the southern states-many of whom are second and third generation enthusiasts. So it's not as unusual as I a.s.sumed...although I'd bet everything I'm worth very few of them share Justin's interest in the paranormal.

And they sure as h.e.l.l can't be as funny as him either.

"Are Tony and Tom ready to get started?" asked Angie.

"Yeah, everything's set up and ready to go!" he enthused. "Do you still want them to start with the smoke house out back?"

"Yes," she said. "You and Jackie will take the cellar and work your way up to the first floor, where Jimmy and Fiona will be. We'll save the upstairs for last, since that's where most of the reported stuff happens. I thought it would be cool if we explored that section of the house together."

I forgot momentarily this was her gig. Normally, even when members of the group arrange a visit, Fiona is still the one who captains the ship for us. Jackie or Tom usually fell in line next, with me, Tony, and then Justin last. When Angie joined us last year, she became the runt of the litter, meaning she got the sc.r.a.ps instead of Justin.

But obviously that wasn't the case tonight.

I looked over at Fiona, thinking she might bristle again, but she was preoccupied with her Blackberry. It surprised me that it worked out here near the outskirts of College Grove, her thumbs and fingers striking the small keys vigorously. Texting a message to Ed, I a.s.sumed.

This was all so weird to me. Not the usual flow for an investigation.

I suddenly worried about the killer. What if the dude watched us from somewhere nearby? Wouldn't that figure...especially on a night when our normal 'modus operandi' had been turned upside down and inside out.

"I'm hoping something will finally sway me from my skepticism," said Angie, more to me than anyone else, since Justin and Jackie were already moving past us toward the south side of the house where the cellar sat. "I'll begin working with the boys out back and join everyone else by the time Jackie and Justin have rejoined you and Fiona inside the house. Sound like a plan?"

She smiled, and for the first time since I could remember, she seemed at peace. Maybe she sensed tonight would be the investigation that sold her on the validity of what we do. Or maybe her recent encounter with a vicious murderer had mellowed her...taken the edge off her rogue nature.

Just as long as she didn't try to convert me into some L. Ron Hubbard clone, we'd still get along fine.

"Well, why don't you two get started in the main level and I'll go see what Tom and Tony are up to?" Angie suggested. She moved past us down the porch steps.

"What's the layout like inside, Angie?" asked Fiona.

Good question.

We always knew the layout for an investigation in advance, and this was one of the sticking points for visiting Montebello Manor. Sketchy details at best, since according to Angie, the Purdues offered little to go on. Very strange, and a cause for concern since the investigation's outcome could easily be compromised without a solid plan to work from. Free-flow s.h.i.t usually doesn't work out well, at least in our experience.

"Well, I could show you real quick."

Angie started back up the stairs, a pained grimace on her face.