Read Online Ghost Ship: A Port Chatham Mystery by P. J. Alderman - Free Book Online

What the devil is ‘secondhand smoke’?”
    “Your smoking can cause cancer in the other people in the room. Now please , do as I say, or I’ll take that cigar away from you and dispose of it myself.” It was an empty threat—she doubted she could put out a spectral cigar.
    “Michael,” Hattie said quietly. “If you would be so kind …”
    Seavey shrugged, giving Hattie a surprisingly tender look. “Very well, my dear.” He made a production of disposing of the cigar in an ashtray.
    Jordan folded her arms. “Okay. Now would someone please tell me what is going on here?”
    “It’s quite simple, really.” Seavey flicked ash from his sleeve. “I’ve come to ask for Hattie’s hand in marriage. And this cretin ”—he gestured in Frank’s direction—“seems to think he has a prior claim.”
    “Oh, dear,” Hattie murmured.
    “How romantic ,” Charlotte sighed, clasping both hands over her heart.

Chapter 5
    I may not deserve Hattie, but I will never stand for her belonging to the likes of you,” Frank growled to Seavey.
    “At least I avenged her death, Lewis,” Seavey replied calmly.
    “I was hanged, man! I had no choice in the matter.”
    “How thrilling ,” Charlotte gushed, “to have two such charming suitors fighting over you.”
    Jordan held back a snort. Only someone so young could hold such an unrealistic view. Then again, what constituted “realistic” when one was standing in a room with four ghosts, contemplating the marriage of two of them?
    She had to admit, if she were forced to choose between the two men, she would find it a tough call. Rawboned and dressed like a nineteenth-century dockworker, Frank Lewis was nevertheless handsome, highly educated, and ethical, though at times admittedly moody, bordering on downright surly. But Michael Seavey embodied the very essence of a stylishly attired, charming sociopath, not unlike her deceased husband and just the type of man she found irresistible.
    In a terrifyingly, psychologically unhealthy sort of way.
    “You’re so lucky!” Charlotte told Hattie.
    Hattie looked pained.
    “Are ghosts even allowed to marry?” Jordan asked the room at large. She was ignored.
    She needed to check into a hotel. No, she needed to quietly slip out of town. She’d take Malachi, of course—she couldn’t leave him behind. But really, a new town sounded like just the ticket. Her friend Carol would probably agree to prescribe a nice sedative to help her deal with her grief over losing Longren House …
    Seavey harrumphed. “If you had been a better man,” he informed Frank, “you would’ve escaped from jail and solved the crime properly. You are correct—you don’t deserve her. I would never have shown such weakness or passivity.”
    Frank visibly flinched; the shanghaier had hit a nerve. “If you knew I didn’t murder Hattie, it was your responsibility to speak up. Yet you did nothing.”
    “Good God, man, I’m not dull-witted!” Seavey looked amused. “Why would I help a known union sympathizer escape from jail? You would’ve continued to wreak havoc upon my business interests.”
    Charlotte clapped her hands together, though they made no sound. “I can’t wait to plan the wedding! We can have it right here in the front parlor!” She hesitated, then frowned at Jordan. “You must work harder on the renovation. Everything must be perfect .”
    “You son of a bitch!” Frank snarled, gliding toward Seavey, who turned to face him, widening his stance, his hands falling loosely to his sides.
    Jordan gave another sharp whistle. “ Stop! ” She glared at the two men. “There will be no more fighting on the premises. We will solve this like civilized human beings .” She paused, then waved a hand. “Whatever.”
    She really was way too tired to deal with any of them. And she really wanted a hot soak in her claw-foot tub, then eight solid hours in her nice, soft bed. Turning to Hattie, she ordered, “Choose one and tell the other to get