Dead, Actually Part 4

'Good point, I guess. And hey, look, I know you must be pretty rocked over this but- 'I tell you Ive been murdered and the best you can offer is that I must be "rocked" by it? Thats it? Now she was pacing, awkwardly, on her one stiletto. 'Some basic sympathy wouldnt go astray, you know.

'And ditto for basic manners, but I guess well both have to suck it up. Come on! It wasnt like she was the only one whod suffered a shock here!

I shouldnt have even bothered answering her; it was like she hadnt even heard me. Suddenly pivoting back on her one heel, she stared at me, her eyes wide frightened even. 'Oh my G.o.d, was my phone with me when I had the, um . . .?

'I have no idea, JoJo, I answered softly.

'We have to find it! She was striding in the opposite direction, fully panicked. When she reached my bed she started tossing pillows onto the floor, dragging out drawers, overturning books . . . 'It has to be somewhere! You have to find it!

I dived to catch a crystal photo frame. 'Me! Why would I want to find it?

JoJo turned, and for a moment confusion clouded her features. She shook it away, replacing it with the chilling stare I was becoming way more familiar with. 'Oh, youll want to find it, Willow Cartwright. Youll want to find it very badly. Because everything youve been screaming at me for the past thirty minutes is apparently true meaning Im . . . Im d-dead. Not breaking the stare-lock, she inhaled to compose herself. 'So. Im a ghost. Right? Which means I must have been drawn here for some reason. Which means, youre going to find that phone.

I shrugged. 'Hate to sound like a broken record here but Im not following your logic. So, again: why would I do that?

'Because if you dont Im going to make every minute of your life a living h.e.l.l. Literally. And believe me Ive had a lot of practice. My whole life is in that phone. Just find it and youll find all the suspects you want and a whole lot of other interesting stuff . . .

I swear the temperature dropped even lower, as though I was living in Alaska in mid-winter and someone had just left the door open. 'Youre crazy! For starters I wouldnt have any idea of where to look! You cant be serious!

'Deadly serious. Oooh, look at me! I just made a pun. Her glossy lips curled; youd almost call it a smile. Almost. If it werent for the ice shooting out of her eyes.

And as each shard hit me I felt myself filling with ice-cold dread. Could she do that? Could she haunt me forever if I didnt help her?

I wanted to laugh, to call her bluff, but the words stalled in my throat. Frankly, I didnt have a clue whether she could carry out her threat but was I game to risk it? I rubbed my hands along my arms to try to coax back some circulation, some warmth.

But instead of comforting warmth, it was dread that surged through me.

Heavy, stomach-churning dread.

What was next? Because that was the only certainty: that there would be something else; that this nightmare had only begun.

Chapter Four.

Actually, what happened next was something of an anticlimax.

After JoJos announcement I guess Id expected something pretty dramatic. Fire and brimstone? Some ghostly mayhem? At least a token smashing of something breakable.

If anything, it was just the opposite. Before my eyes she started to fade; power-down. I saw it in her eyes first, and then she literally began to fade. It was the weirdest thing, and in direct relation, my concern was downgrading to confusion. Nothing made sense, especially her babblings about needing to rest.

'Are you even listening to me? I said, "Im tired!" There was a subtle whoosh as she pa.s.sed me. 'And Im going to lie down.

Which she did. On my bed.

What was I supposed to do now?

I stared at her, suddenly feeling weak myself. Reaching out, I snagged the back of the big armchair in the corner and sank into the soft velvet. My head reeled, trying again to make sense. Why did JoJo need to rest? To recharge? Why? Because she was still new to the ghost gig and she didnt know the drill yet? Or did all ghosts come with rechargeable battery packs?

Jackhammers pounded inside my skull as I wondered what to do next. Maybe if I could lay down Id be able to think more clearly. There was just one big problem with that . . . Okay, I knew what she had wasnt catching, but I just couldnt lie down and share that bed. Even if it was king-sized. The thought of it really creeped me out.

Minutes ticked by. Minutes with no clear thoughts other than the fact that I had a ghost in my room. In my bed! It was barely eleven pm, yet it seemed like Id been in this room for hours. The light hurt my head and I reached for the dimmer switch.

'Dont. It was one word, but something about the way she said it stalled me.

Dropping my hand, I frowned. 'You want the light on? Why? Are you afraid of the dark?

She ignored me. Frustration burned, kicking the jackhammers up to high speed. Boy was she in for a shock. Last time I heard, coffins didnt come with night lights. Even the top of the range.

Idly I fingered the phone still in my hand. What I wouldnt give to have the Ghostbusters on speed dial right now. That had been my first instinct; not to ring the G-Busters, but to call someone; tell someone. But Id tried that. Twice. And twice, no one had believed me. Mentally I scrolled down the contacts. Seth? Could I call Seth? Yeah right. The chances of him believing me were even slimmer than Macey believing me. So what? I was the only one who knew of her existence?

A cloak of loneliness settled around my shoulders. For most of my life Id struggled with the sense that I didnt really belong, but that was nothing compared to this. Thoughts buzzed through my brain with the speed of lightning but none of them settled for long enough for me to grab onto and examine. Until those thoughts wandered back to Pete.

Pete and his phone call . . .

Did Pete know about JoJo? Was that why hed freaked out? Did somebody else know? Anybody?

An idea hit me maybe there was a way. It was a long shot but worth a try.

It took all my courage to actually touch her again. But it was necessary. 'JoJo! Wake up! I need your Facebook pa.s.sword.

'Why?

The answer shocked me. Because it was so instant and so normal. 'Youre not asleep, are you? Irritation burned a path up from my gut. 'You dont even really sleep, do you? So why the heck do you need my bed?

'I asked, "Why? she repeated in that haughty way that probably always ensured she got her own way. Well, she could add this occasion to the list because I needed to check out my idea and didnt have time to argue.

'Its a stretch, but I thought if I could log on to your page I might be able to see what your friends are saying.

She didnt argue further and within seconds I was logged on to the internet on my phone, typing in the letters she spelled out.

And what I found really spun me out.

'What? she demanded, trying to look over my shoulder. 'What are they saying?

I shook my head. 'Its not what theyre saying. Her confused expression prompted me to continue. 'Its what youre saying. Seems like youve posted four, five no, six comments in the past four days.

She frowned. 'But thats- 'Impossible? I offered.

She moved with the speed of light and before I could even blink she was beside me trying to s.n.a.t.c.h my phone from me, but her hands went straight through it! This time I didnt scream, but I did have to draw in a long slow breath to force my heartbeat back to normal. At least this time, though, my trip to the outer limits wasnt made alone; JoJo was staring at her hands in sheer disbelief. 'Good party trick, I muttered, trying to pretend I wasnt fazed.

Maybe it worked, because immediately she shoved her hands behind her back; like they were the only problem? The disbelief had left her eyes and the sub-zero chill factor was back. 'Could you just stick to the issue? she snapped. 'What do the messages say?

'Um . . . I cleared my throat and gave my attention back to the phone. 'Theyre all much the same: "Let the fun begin," I read. 'Another one says, "Game on." Heres one where you offer advice: "Not sleeping? Maybe you need to get something off your conscience?" I shook my head. 'This is really weird stuff. Who would write this? I paused and scrolled up. 'This ones a bit creepy it says, "Find the phone and you find the answers." Darting her a glance, I added, 'Oh, and by the way, as of the day after your death? Your status was changed to Dead. Maybe . . .

'Maybe? Staring off into the distance, JoJo let the word hang in the air. 'But how could anyone have done this? I mean, she said, now turning back to me, 'no one knows my pa.s.sword. No one!

'Where do you keep your pa.s.swords? Do you have the same one for everything?

'No, she answered slowly. 'My father told me that was dangerous. So I have a different one for different accounts.

'Which means, I began, letting the penny drop, 'that you have to keep a list somewhere, right? Before she could answer Id barged on. 'And let me guess: that list is in your phone? Right again? I shook my head. 'Geez, JoJo. Maybe you should have hung around for Part Two of Daddys pa.s.sword security lesson. Im pretty sure hed have advised you not to keep them in your freaking phone diary!

I was learning quickly that a p.i.s.sed-off dead JoJo was really no different to a p.i.s.sed-off living JoJo. 'So, whats your point, Willow?

'My point? Lowering myself onto the bed, I felt some of my steam start to evaporate. 'It means you could be right. Maybe someone really did have something to do with your death. I held up one hand. 'Im not saying murder because thats just too weird, but someones obviously got your phone. And if you had it when you had the, um . . . accident . . .

'Because of the FB messages?

'Yep. That and the fact that Im guessing you also apparently called Pete Hamill tonight. And Ive got a feeling he mightnt be the only one youve been calling.

'But . . .

'But you couldnt have, right? I shook my head. 'So who in the freaking world is it? And what are they getting out of pretending to be you? Is it really that great being JoJo Grayson?

Too late I realised that my last comment hadnt been exactly tactful. And if theres one thing you can depend on JoJo for, its that she never takes criticism well.

Her eyes narrowed and I knew I was about to cop a serve. I watched her eyes scanning my room; saw the distaste and let it roll off me. JoJos opinion hadnt ever counted with me. Nothing had changed on that front. Still, it was interesting, watching her homing in on objects, looking for a target; something to jerk my chain. When she found it, though, she caught me by surprise, because I didnt expect that anything coming out of JoJos mouth could hurt me.

'So, whats with all the pictures of Seth Pentecost around here? You got the hots for him?

Sacred territory alert! Immediately my brain and heart went to battle with each other. Okay, so she wasnt saying anything that was untrue, but coming from her, it stung. 'Seth is my best friends brother were like family.

She laughed and it totally was not a nice sound. 'Family, huh? That can be very nasty . . .

'I dont get you, JoJo. I was trying to help you but you still cant help being a b.i.t.c.h.

'Au contraire, Willow! Thats French you do French, Willow? She laughed again and the sound was brittle as it bounced off the walls. 'Ooh no, I bet youve never frenched in your life. But Im getting off the subject. What was it? Oh yes, Seth. Seth and how I can help you. See? Whats b.i.t.c.hy about that? So, what do you want to know? What he likes best? Yes, Seth was very sweet if you know what I mean.

I kicked out my legs and got up. 'Im getting out of here. Youre not just repugnant and b.i.t.c.hy youre vile. Youre poison!

'Good, she drawled. 'Then I might get some rest. Close the door on your way out, will you?

'Oh, I can do better than that, I drawled back. 'I can even turn the light out for you! Youd better get used to dark, cold places, anyway!

My hand went to the light switch but the look on her face stopped me. She was dead. She was dead. She had no feelings! I tried to chant these things but they wouldnt let me block out the little-girl voice that begged for the light to be left on.

So I turned and stormed out.

And left the light on.

Such a sucker . . .

Chapter Five.

Not surprisingly I didnt get much sleep, although after my series of weird events, I couldnt completely blame my new roommate. But she was certainly the main reason I avoided my room for as long as possible the next day. It helped that I already had a full day planned, so after my beach run and shower, I was out of there. All the while thanking an old housekeeper for her insistence that if you lived in a two-storey house, you needed to leave a spare set of clothes in the laundry. I made a mental note to send her a thank-you card. Considering it saved me having to face JoJo, that was the least I could do. But in the end, even after all that effort, it hadnt mattered. JoJo was with me, no matter what I did at least in my head.

Because of that, I was really grateful, an hour later, for my grandmothers expertise and connections at the Home Maintenance Agency when they introduced us to the couple theyd selected as potential home help. Normally Id handle this on my own, but I figured at the rate Mimi was going through housekeepers that shortly wed be blacklisted, so having Gran along to ride shotgun was not only fun but a deliberate manipulation on my part.

Suzy and Carlos were Argentinean, came with great creds and for me it was love at first sight helped, possibly, by my grandmothers shrewd questioning. I just hoped they werent afraid of ghosts . . .

Of course that thought threatened to send me spiralling into a downer, so instead I focussed on Gran. The woman was a wonder. My grandfather had taught me to read and a.n.a.lyse spreadsheets before Id finished primary school; I could balance a budget or cheque account with my eyes closed but the way my grandmother understood people left me in awe.

Not only that, the way she got things moving wasnt bad either. So, not only were Suzy and Carlos ours, they were also able to start that very afternoon. For a whole hour I basked in the love of my fellow man; I was feeling the love. Why couldnt all problems be solved that easily?

Not surprisingly, the thought of 'problems sent me mentally scuttling straight back to mine. Maybe it was being with Gran for a while, but it occurred to me that if JoJo couldnt move out of the house then maybe I should? Like, JoJo would have to evaporate sometime, wouldnt she? Did dead people just hang around forever?

Who knew?

Not me. I was clueless. I didnt know anything except for this: I sooo did not need all this extra confusion and stress. I had my parents and Simon to worry about, Seth to pine over and exams as soon as we got back to school! Nor did I need the constant chill.

They were good arguments, and I almost had myself convinced that walking away would be an answer until late in the day when I went back to my room. And looked at JoJo sitting there. Really looked.

Thats when I knew. Yes, I wanted her out of my life, but more and more I was convinced that there was only one way: I was going to have to get her some answers. And as much as I hated giving in to the Angels wishes, if I wanted to kick-start Mission: Get Rid of JoJo then Teahnas party was a good place to begin.

And so there I was, thirty minutes later, standing in my dressing-room closet wondering what was appropriate to wear to a wake. Of course I could just poke my head around the door and ask the guest of honour for her opinion . . .

Black would probably be the most obvious colour but considering the way JoJo had wound me up last night; the way shed nagged and harped at me the minute Id walked back into the room maybe something in bright psychedelic colours would be perfect.

If I needed proof that I wasnt coping, I got it right then. I was in my undies, still deciding what to wear, when my closet door was suddenly pushed back, and I swear I jumped three metres off the ground. 'Could you knock or yell or something? I thought it was her!

Macey frowned. 'Who?

'Her! I hissed, darting past Macey out the door. 'Did you see her?

'Im guessing, Macey answered slowly, 'that you mean Suzy? Your new housekeeper? I met her and Carlos downstairs. I thought your text said they werent starting yet? She paused it was just a heartbeat, but it conveyed her confusion as much as her words did. 'Why would you think Suzy would come up and barge into your closet?

'I didnt! I didnt even mean Suzy! I meant J . . . I hesitated this was going to be awkward. But as I turned back and fully looked at Macey for the first time, that and all other thoughts stopped dead. I stopped dead. And stared. 'What are you wearing?

Her grin got wider as she twirled in this crazy leopard-print, skin-tight, off-the-shoulder, thigh-length dress. 'Isnt it just too wild! Hey, I figure were going to be hanging out with some pretty catty chicks tonight so I dressed to suit! I got it at that new retro boutique at Broadbeach. Youve got to come there with me. I saw some stuff there youd go crazy for! She twirled again. 'Dont you just love it? Very Marilyn Monroe. Yes?

I probably would have gone for Lady Gaga, but whatever style it was on her I loved it. I didnt know anyone else who could pull off a look like that. She was wearing these amazing black-and-silver studded ankle-wrap stilettos and the look was totally tart, yet with her long straight black hair she still managed to look cla.s.sy and in control.

'G.o.d I feel like such a freaking regular beside you!