Ghost in the Polka Dot Bikini: A Ghost of Granny Apples Mystery by Sue Ann Jaffarian

as I first saw her.” Emma paused. “There’s something both sweet and tragic about her, isn’t there? Something that brings out the maternal instincts.”
    The ghost looked at Emma and nodded. “Yes, there’s definitely something going on beneath that naiveté. Makes you wonder what her story is. Something tells me it’s a doozy.”
    After Emma conveyed the latest batch of conversation to Phil, they fell silent for a few minutes. Phil and Emma cuddled against the cold, Sandy gazed off into the sea; the three of them settled easily into comfortable companionship.
    Emma broke the silence with another question. “Sandy, do you have any idea how or exactly where Tessa died?”
    Sandy glanced at Emma, then looked back at the ocean, her lined face screwed in concentration. “I’m not sure she even knows or remembers herself. She could have blocked it out or is in denial. I just recall her saying something about a loud noise and a blow or something hitting her. And blood. She did say there was a lot of blood. She’s always said Curtis was getting help and coming back.”
    “We’re researching the back issues of the newspaper tomorrow. Maybe there’s something there that could tell us something.”
    The ghost shook her head. “Doubtful. I’ve read every issue of that paper since I’ve been able to read, even when I went to the mainland to live for a short while. A death on an island this size is always big news, especially the death of a tourist. There was never anything about Tessa’s death in the paper, I’ll almost guarantee it.”
    “That would mean she didn’t die on the island then.”
    “There was never any mention that I recall about a bad accident involving a young woman either. Ever since I first met Tessa, I’ve been trying to figure out what happened to her.”
    Emma’s mind tumbled over the possibilities until it settled on a hit. She sat at attention as she addressed the ghost. “Are you saying it’s possible she died and her body was never found?”
    The spirit of Sandy Sechrest got up and drifted a few feet, its image starting to fade.
    “What I’m saying is, I’m glad you’re here, Emma Whitecastle. If anyone can help Tessa, it’s you.”
    “I’ll do my best. If you remember anything and can’t find me, try to find a spirit named Granny Apples. She’s helping.”
    “I’ve already met Granny. She was with Tessa earlier.” Sandy grinned at Emma. “That ancestor of yours is quite a pistol. Said she needed to find a TV. I sent her to that bar over there.” The ghost pointed toward a beachfront cantina. “Didn’t know they had television in her time.” She laughed.
    “They didn’t. It’s a modern bad habit she’s acquired, along with a few others.”
    “Seems she’s a Chargers fan.” Again, the spirit laughed, this time with gusto. “Just when you think you’ve seen it all.”
    “The Chargers aren’t playing today,” Phil said after the spirit of Sandy Sechrest disappeared and Emma filled him in on the rest of the conversation. He and Emma were still on the bench. Huddled together, they watched the soft glow of evening break over the waves.
    “Granny doesn’t know that, Phil. I doubt my father discusses football season schedules with her.” Emma gave off a slight chuckle. “I’m not even sure he realizes she watches the games with him.”
    “Maybe we should go to a game and take her along.”
    Emma sat up and looked at him with amusement. “You want to create a monster? Right now she thinks it’s a game played inside a little box, like a movie. She’d be haunting the locker room if she found out it’s real and found her way there.”
    “Never know, might help their game.”
    Emma got up from the bench and tugged on Phil’s hand. “Come on,” she said with a giggle, “let’s go see if she’s still in that bar. How does an Irish coffee sound?”
    “Like medicine for my cold, achy bones. Lead on, Fancy Pants.”

Granny Apples wasn’t at the bar