Josslyn checked her inbox the next morning. She was disappointed when she did not receive an e-mail from the Skylar & Associates Paranormal Research Institute.
She worked on the Princess Daboola website for a few hours, then checked her inbox again. There was an e-mail from Skylar and Associates Paranormal Research Institute. She laughed and clapped her hands, jumping up and down in her seat.
Eric Skylar, founder and lead investigator of the Skylar and Associates Paranormal Research Institute, had set an appointment to meet the Bryants in two days and explained that their current caseload had been busy.
A sense of relief came over Josslyn and she was overjoyed.
“I have an idea,” she signed to Nathan later that morning. “Since Evan goes to school and the investigation takes place at night and may take several hours, why don’t we get David to interpret for us? I’m sure he’d love to help us.”
“Which David?” Nathan signed.
“David Osborn.”
“What’s wrong with David Franzblau?”
“He smokes. That’s why I didn’t invite him to the dinner party a few months back.”
Josslyn called David Osborn on VP. “Would you be available to provide sign-language interpreting services in two days and maybe the day after, if needed?”
“Oh, absolutely,” David signed.
“A paranormal research institute is coming here to conduct an investigation of our house.”
“Very cool! You know, I’ve always been intrigued by paranormal research firms and have always been very interested in all the ghost hunting they do. I appreciate you considering me, and I’d be happy to come over. What time?”
“How about six or seven in the evening?”
“See you then!”
Moments later, Trina entered the study with a despondent look on her face. “I found Abbott and Costello very late last night,” she signed to Josslyn. “They were behind the washer-dryer unit. I was too scared to go near them. They looked evil.”
“Evil?”
“Yeah. Their appearance had changed. They didn’t look normal.”
Josslyn’s brief joy turned to an unsettling, disquieting feeling, and her face reflected fear. “This is freaking me out. Where are they now?”
“They went out the kitty door into the backyard. I haven’t seen them since.”
“Maybe they’re still outside somewhere. We can look for them.”
Trina shook her head.
“Why not?” Josslyn signed.
“The rabbits may not be in the backyard,” Trina signed. A tear fell down her cheek.
“How come you didn’t wake me or your father?”
“I didn’t think to wake you or Dad, and if I did, I didn’t want to wake you guys up in the middle of the night. Dad would’ve said that it was too dark out and that the rabbits may have disappeared into the bushes and gone beyond the perimeter of the premises.”
“I’m sorry, honey. Come here.” Josslyn hugged her daughter. “In spite of all that’s been going on, I have some good news. The investigators from the paranormal research institute will be here in two days.”
Trina's spirits lifted a little, and she felt hopeful, more optimistic. “That is good news. At least, it gives us something to look forward to.”
Josslyn nodded and hugged her daughter again.