Read Online Krewe of Hunters 8 The Uninvited by Heather Graham - Free Book Online Page A

teased her, claiming that he was waiting for her
to notice him and ignore the age discrepancy; he teased a lot of people, though,
and he had a way of making his words sound like a compliment rather than
licentious.
    He was the solid rock of the board, in Allison’s opinion. Ethan
Oxford was like a distant grandfather, Sarah was like the family old-maid
aunt—even though she’d been married. She was high-strung. And Cherry was…Cherry.
She always considered herself a cut above the rest of the world.
    Allison was grateful that Nathan was going to speak with the
other board members, but she did have to call Jason Lawrence and Annette
Fanning.
    Jason still seemed stunned by the whole thing. She told him
about the attic but said they were keeping that information from the media.
    He, too, wanted to make sure she was okay.
    After that she called Annette.
    Annette was smart and fun and usually logical, so Allison was
shocked by the tremor in her friend’s voice and the view she seemed to be taking
of the situation.
    “It’s not surprising, is it? Oh, Allison, I thank God for that
root canal, and I never thought I’d say that. I wonder what happened. Did Julian
freak out? One toke too many? But he’s never been out of it at work. That’s just
the heavy-metal image he likes to portray. It’s the house, Allison. It terrifies
me! I can always feel it when I’m there, like…like the house itself is
breathing. I mean, when you’re out on the street, the windows seem like eyes,
watching you. Maybe so much evil did happen there and it continues, on and on.
Like something malevolent that waits and—”
    “Annette! No! The house is a pile of brick and wood and stone.
It’s a house. Horrible things take place everywhere.
We go through life grateful when they don’t happen to us, and either sad or
broken when they do.”
    “Well, I for one am glad they’re closing it down. No, wait—do
we get unemployment or anything? I’m out of a job! I don’t think they’ll be able
to pay us—there won’t be any money coming into the house without the tours.”
    “We’re not out of work, Annette. They’re closing it temporarily
for an investigation. I’m sure they’ll provide us with some kind of
compensation.”
    “The house needs an exorcism!”
    “No, Annette, it doesn’t. The house isn’t possessed. Or evil.
And if the house could feel anything, it would be grateful to us for keeping it
alive. Annette—”
    “Ohhhhh,” Annette broke in. “You have another job. I don’t. In
fact, you have a cool job, a real job. You’re a professor.”
    “Annette, you do have a real job.
The house will open again. It’ll just be closed for a few weeks. They’ll shore
up the alarm system, and we’ll be bombarded when we reopen because people are
ghoulish and they’ll want to stare at the place where Julian died. Besides, you
work at the tavern as a singing waitress sometimes.”
    “Yeah, thank God! I was there last night. I went for a drink
after my root canal and to hang with some of my friends. I can ask for a few
more nights.”
    “The house won’t be closed that long.”
    “Are you alone? Oh! You’re not still at the police station, are
you?”
    “No.”
    “I saw some government guy on the news—not an interview, just a
shot of him talking to the police. The U.S. government is in on this, Allison.
It’s scary, scary. But, hey, have you met him? My God, he’s gorgeous! Whoops,
excuse me, Barrie heard that. Barrie, he’s not as gorgeous as you, just, um,
pretty gorgeous!”
    “Annette, pay attention. Those guys are here because of Adam
Harrison. You know, the nice elderly gentleman who’s been to a few functions at
the house.”
    “I remember him. Maybe there is going to be an exorcism! I heard that his people look into strange stuff. Like
paranormal events.”
    “Annette, if Barrie’s there and has the day off, please go and
spend some time with him.”
    “What kind of friend do you think I am? I’ll be