She stepped to the front doors and tried the door. It swung open as a look of surprise overtook her. "Did you leave the place unlocked?"

Malachi looked a little surprised too. "No. I locked it, just a couple of hours ago." He walked over to the door, a little perplexed. He inserted his key in the open door and inspected the lock. It seemed to work perfectly. "Well, that's odd."

She tentatively walked into the foyer and stopped looking around when a smell of cat urine and dust hit her nose. Just then, she heard a cat screech. She jumped and looked around, fear overtaking her facial expression. She jumped when Malachi stepped up beside her.

Malachi said, "Well, you know we have cats, but that doesn't explain the open door. There has to be someone here."

Then they heard a door slam from somewhere in the house.

She jumped, eyes wide open. "I think I'll just wait for you out by the truck."

"Don't be silly." He had a way of calming her with his look of assurance. "We'll look around. We'll find out what this person wants and why he is trying to scare us."

"Well, if it is indeed a person, he must have a good reason to go to all that trouble. I think I'll wait in the truck." She turned on her heel and started for the door.

"No, no, wait!" He reached out, taking her arm and pulling her close. "I'll keep you safe."

"What makes you think it's not some criminal operation or something? Or maybe even a real ghost?" Her face was ashen and eyes blinking.