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“Gordon Bailey. Right, now, let’s get a move on. Wouldn’t want anyone to get possessed, now would we?” He shot a nasty look at Walt, like Walt was plotting to possess somebody. Walt peeked back over her shoulder to check, but no, he was definitely looking at her. Her fur bristled.

Mrs. Third Floor’s eyes widened. “Can that happen?”

The Bald Guy shrugged.“Happens all the time. We’ve seen it, what? Ten, twenty times?”

“At least. But we’re here now. You have nothing to fear.” Mr. Slick Hair smiled at Mrs. Third Floor.

“Good.” Mrs. Third Floor leaned over and grabbed Walt around the middle. “I’m ready.”

“URK!” Walt gagged as she was hauled up into Mrs. Third Floor’s arms. She was never prepared for a scoop lift.

Mr. Slick Hair frowned.“You’re bringing the cat?”

“Oh yes, she protects me. Madison, get Butterbean’s leash. Let’s go.” Mrs. Third Floor looked like she was bracing for a fight.

The Bald Guy shook his head.“Whatever, lady. Let’s get going.”

“So you actually saw an apparition?” Mr. Slick Hair asked Mrs. Third Floor while they waited for the elevator.

“Yes, I did!” Mrs. Third Floor said, beaming up at him. Mrs. Food caught her eye and gave a slight shake of the head.

“Well, not exactly SAW,” Mrs. Third Floor said slowly. “But there was the video—the pizza floated!”

“Yes, very intriguing,” Mr. Slick Hair said. He patted his bag. “We brought some equipment to get some initial readings. That should tell us where we stand.”

The elevator bell dinged, and the doors opened. It wasn’t empty.

Mrs. Power Walker was standing in the elevator.

“Oh, hello there!” she said, looking down at Butterbean. “Brought more friends along this time, I see.”

Butterbean wagged her tail in response.

Mrs. Third Floor looked confused.“Um, yes? There are a lot of us. Pardon me.” There was a small stampede as everyone tried to squeeze into the elevator.

“Five?” Mrs. Power Walker’s finger hovered over the button.

Butterbean and Walt exchanged a panicked glance. The last thing they needed was for Mrs. Power Walker to blow their cover. If she did, their days of exploring the apartment building were over.

“What? Yes, five. But how…” Mrs. Third Floor looked even more confused.

Mrs. Power Walker caught Butterbean’s eye and shrugged as she pushed the button for the fifth floor. Butterbean lolled her tongue in response.

“Urk,” Walt meowed pleadingly.

Mrs. Power Walker patted her on the head.“Nice kitty.”

Then she winked.

“Oh yeah, the spiritual vibes are super strong here,” Mr. Slick Hair said when they got off the elevator. “They’re just rolling off that apartment right… there?” He pointed at the white cat’s apartment.

“There,” Madison said, pointing at 5B. “It’s that one. With the spooky ducky doormat.”

Butterbean examined the doormat. She’d never considered the duck wearing a bonnet to be spooky before, but now that Madison mentioned it, there was something unnatural about it. As far as Butterbean knew, real ducks didn’t wear bonnets.

“Of course,” Mr. Slick Hair said, barely even looking at the duck. “I can sense a real presence here.”

“Right,” Mrs. Food said, unlocking the door. Then she stood back. “Voil?.”

Mr. Slick Hair strolled inside, looking around thoughtfully. Butterbean peered in after him. It was quiet. If she didn’t know better, she would never have guessed an octopus had been living there for the past few days.

“I’m feeling a really dangerous presence here,” Mr. Slick Hair said, pressing his hand to his temple. “Super-strong vibes.”

“You said that,” Madison said, adjusting the leash in her hand. “Vibes of who? A ghost? Someone in particular?”

“I work best with silence, kid,” Mr. Slick Hair said without looking at her. “Don’t poison the atmosphere.”

“Hush, Madison,” Mrs. Food said softly. “Let them work.”

Madison rolled her eyes.

The Bald Guy unzipped the equipment bag and took out a video camera and an elaborate-looking machine with lots of dials.

“So, do you need me to show you around? Or would that disturb the atmosphere?” Mrs. Third Floor hovered anxiously near Mr. Slick Hair.

He held out a hand at her.“Please. Let me take it all in.”

“Um, I… okay.” Mrs. Third Floor glanced nervously at Mrs. Food and pursed her mouth shut tightly, like she was afraid she’d keep talking otherwise.

“Walt!” Butterbean attempted to whisper (with limited success). “Do you see Jerome anywhere?”

“Blerg,” Walt said as she dangled from Mrs. Third Floor’s arms.

Butterbean took that for a no. Unless Walt could see something Butterbean couldn’t, it seemed like Jerome was actually going to keep his word for once.

“Someone looking for me?” A voice drifted down from the light fixture overhead.

“Oh no.” Butterbean was just in time to see a long tentacle drop down from the glass bowl covering the light. It dangled right over Mr. Slick Hair’s head.

Walt made a sputtering sound. Butterbean held her breath, but luckily, no one seemed to notice the tentacle hanging from overhead. They were all focused on the Bald Guy setting up the equipment.