Gem of a Ghost: A Ghost of Granny Apples Mystery by Sue Ann Jaffarian Page B

face, then stopped when Phil caught her in the act. He merely grinned at the childish behavior and patted her arm. “Patience.”
    After taking a deep breath, Emma said, “Keith, I’m inviting Lainey to my home in Julian next weekend. Would you like to drive down and see her? It’s not here and it’s not Serenity. Think of it as someplace neutral where you two can talk out your problems.”
    “She might not want to see me.”
    Phil considered the invitation. “I think that’s a great idea, Emma. And if it’s uncomfortable for them, Keith can stay at the ranch instead of under the same roof.”
    He turned to Keith. “My ranch is just across the way from Emma’s cabin. It will give you two space when you need it.”
    Before Keith could answer, Granny popped into view. “Come quick!” she told Emma. “It’s the girl.”
    Without explanation, Emma dashed around the sofa and sprinted down the hallway toward the master bedroom. Phil, realizing something was wrong, was right behind her. Bringing up the rear was a surprised Keith.
    When she got to the double doors, Emma grabbed the knob and started twisting and turning while shoving on the door.
    “Something’s wrong with Summer,” she told the men.
    “Out of the way, Emma.” Phil slammed his sturdy shoulder against the door. It shook but didn’t give. Keith, still stunned, watched. “Come on, son,” Phil shouted. “Give me a hand here.”
    Keith lined himself up with Phil, and the two of them hit the door with their shoulders like side-by-side battering rams. The thick, expensive door buckled but didn’t give.
    “What’s going on?” asked Keith between grunts and slams.
    Emma shook with impatience to get inside the room. “I think Summer’s in trouble.”
    “One more time,” said Phil. “One, two, three .” On three, the two men hit the door, breaking it open. They spilled into the room like floodwaters, with Emma wading through them.

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    “Summer, no.” Emma wanted to shout the words, but she didn’t dare in case the sound startled the girl any more than breaking down the door had. Instead, they squeaked out of her in a soft plea as she stepped past the men and cautiously made her way to the open door to the balcony.
    Summer was partially dressed, wearing only skinny leggings and her lacy pink bra. On her feet were her high heels. Her hair was a tangle of golden vines spilling down her shoulders and across her face and neck. She looked like an exotic wild animal. Teetering precariously, one foot on a patio table, the other on the railing of the balcony, she peered over the edge to the ground twelve floors below. Standing next to her, his eyes glued to her face, his arms outspread as if to catch her, was the ghost of Max Naiman.
    “Summer!” Keith called and started for her.
    Grabbing his arm, Phil held him back. “Careful. You don’t want to spook her.”
    At her name, Summer turned around and pushed hair from her face. She saw them, but it was clear the image wasn’t registering. Her eyes were glazed and unfixed.
    “What’s she on?” Emma whispered to Keith.
    “Nothing that I know of,” he whispered back. “I’ve never even seen her smoke dope.”
    “Help her, Emma,” pleaded Max, not taking his eyes off of Summer.
    “There’s something not natural about that girl,” Granny said to Emma.
    “Granny’s right,” added Max. “It was the same with Lainey.”
    Motioning for the men to stay behind, Emma took another step toward the balcony. “Summer, come here, dear. I have something for you.” She kept her voice light and inviting, forcing the fright out of it for the sake of the girl.
    Summer looked at Emma, and for a brief moment happy recognition sparked her eyes. “You’re Kelly’s mom.” Her tone was totally devoid of the earlier insolence.
    “That’s right, Summer, I am.” Another careful step. “Remember when you girls used to stay at our house?”
    The girl on the balcony nodded slowly.
    “You and Lainey