Getting to the big reveal!
“Direct or not, there was some link between the two.” Gallagher frowned. “I cannot imagine that either the ghost or the spirit are enjoying their inadvertent bond.”
“My sympathies would be stronger,” I retorted, “if I thought either entity fully deserved them. Our Mister David C. Shane was a thoroughly unpleasant man in life, and the spirit that has him stuck in its gullet seems little better. It took pleasure in killing the man, even if it cannot consume the soul. I would almost be willing to let the two have the joy of each other, except that their shared indigestion is troubling the rest of the city.”
“And there is the upcoming conference,” Curwin noted.
“And there is the upcoming conference. I have received word from Superintendent Marsh: his superiors would like assurances that we will not have our deliberations with our new allies interrupted by foul necromantic events. They are disquieted enough by our ethical ones.” I sighed. “That need for reassurance comes from the very top, gentlemen. Sprague House will be very concerned if things go poorly.”
“But not enough to give us actual support,” Gallagher muttered, probably out of politeness for Curwin’s and my practical inability to do the same. “The Marshes were always purse-pinchers.”