Charon's Crossing

"You're right. I don't understand. You said you'd be gone a week."

Static crackled through the line. Kathryn shifted the telephone to her other ear.

"Jason, it's too complicated to explain right now. I'm standing in the middle of what passes for downtown, there are trucks and cars going by... Look, don't worry, okay? I know I'm losing a lot of time from work, but—"

"I don't care about work, Kathryn. I'm thinking of us being apart for another week."

Kathryn rubbed her forehead. "Of course," she said quickly. "I meant that, too."

"Look, I've got an idea. How'd you like me to fly down for the weekend?"

"It isn't necessary. Really."

"I know it isn't necessary. I just figured it was a nice idea but if you don't think so..."

"Of course it's a nice idea," she said quickly, hearing the hurt in his voice. "It's a wonderful idea. I just don't want you to go to all that trouble."

"It's no trouble, darling. I'll let you know when..."

The connection suddenly went dead.

"Jason? Jason, can you hear me?"

Kathryn hung the phone up with a bang.

Great. Just great. Jason was flying down; he was going to see for himself that Charon's Crossing was a mess, not a mansion. Not that she cared. It was just that...

"Kathryn? Oh, I'm so glad I caught you."

Kathryn looked around. Olive Potter was coming towards her. She hooked her arm though Kathryn's and drew her aside.

"Hiram came to tell me what happened," she said. "I'm so sorry there was this misunderstandin'."

"Well, I am, too. And I'm sorry I bit Hiram's head off. None of this is his fault. It's Amos's."

"Actually, that isn't what I wanted to discuss with you." The realtor hesitated. "Hiram said... well, he said you seemed upset about the doin's out at your place."

Kathryn drew her arm from Olive's. "What doings?"

"He said you spoke of things happenin'. Chains and drafts, noises and such."

"For heaven's sake, Olive. I was just being sarcastic."

"Kathryn, I think you should reconsider my suggestion that you stay someplace else for the rest of the time you are on the island."

Kathryn put her hands on her hips. "Why?"

"I've explained that. You told Hiram..."

"And I told you, I was being sarcastic."

"Nonetheless—"

"You lied to me, didn't you? I asked you if you knew anything about Charon's Crossing being haunted, and you said you didn't."

"I said there were stories, stuff and nonsense no sensible person would believe in."

"What stuff and nonsense?"