Kevin Murphy The Quest for Queen Grace's Pardon Begins

Kevin Murphy

The Quest for Queen Grace’s Pardon Begins

M. J. Smith

Published by Book and Software Publishing Corporation at Smashwords.

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Copyright © 2012 M. S. Smith

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

Published by Book and Software Publishing Corporation

P. O. Box 18643

Fountain Hills, AZ 85269-8643

Cover Artwork

Jnnffr Productions

Copyright © 2012 M. S. Smith. All rights reserved.

For my Mother Helen Smith,

my father Dr. Leo J. Smith

and my grandmother Margaret McArdle

who enkindled in me the love of Ireland, Scotland

and storytelling.

Special thanks to my wife Mary Smith for her encouragement, proofreading and many recommendations.

Table of Contents

New Revelation

Grandpa Pat gets up to Speed

Queen Grace O’Malley’s Visit

Planning the Reunion

Ghost Roundup

The Big Meeting

One Helluva Job

She’s Back!

More Trouble

Let the Preparations Begin

The Party

Party in Full Swing

Mountainman Triathlon

Sightseeing Tour

Murphy Family Party

The Finale

New Revelation

Fifteen year old Kevin Murphy was sitting at the desk in his Killarney, Ireland, hotel room making notes about his recent encounter with the Father of Lies when the point of a well-used sword appeared two inches from his nose. The freezing-cold blade moved up and down just enough to attract his attention. Slowly Kevin twisted and looked up to see who was wielding the sword. At first all he saw was the outline of a person. Slowly the outline became solid, revealing the sword was held by an older, yellow-haired woman dressed in a green cape that partially covered an arsenal of swords, knives, and guns that were strapped to her slender body.

It had been that kind of a week for Kevin. In fact, his current situation seemed almost trivial compared to the encounters with the Father of Lies and his demons that he had been recording in his notebook.

When the woman was sure she had Kevin’s undivided attention, she yelled, MY NAME IS QUEEN GRACE O’MALLEY. HAVE YOU EVER HEARD OF ME, BOY?

Kevin opened his mouth to answer but he couldn’t get a word out fast enough to suit Queen Grace.

In one swift, fluid movement, she lowered the point of the sword toward the floor and moved her face closer to Kevin’s. Actually, I’m the ghost of Queen Grace O’Malley. When I was alive, my boys and I controlled the entire west coast of Ireland. If someone wanted to cross or fish in my family’s waters, they had to pay me a toll or suffer the consequence!

Instead of giving her his undivided attention, Kevin was looking for a way to run out of his hotel room. That was not a good idea. Suddenly, Kevin felt the flat side of her sword’s blade come crashing down on the top of his head. PAY ATTENTION SO YOU DON’T HAVE TO SUFFER THE CONSEQUENCE LIKE THE OTHERS!

To make sure Kevin understood what she meant, Queen Grace focused her attention on the desk in front of him and swung her sword at the hotel directory, cutting it in half. Looking back at Kevin, she continued in a much calmer tone. You don’t want that to happen to your head, do you, boy?

She paused until Kevin shook his head in response to her question. About 450 years ago I realized the English were trying to take over everything in Ireland so I sent some of my ships to Scotland to fetch a thousand mercenaries. Their job was to make sure I was allowed to continue to maintain myself from my enterprises at sea.

When she saw that Kevin didn’t understand what she was saying, she clarified what she had said, Maintain myself means that I could make enough money to live respectively befitting my status as the queen of West Ireland. Is that clear enough for you?

When Kevin nodded, she continued her story. Anyhow, because I refused to follow their laws, the English had me and one of my sons arrested, charged with a lot of crimes against the state, and thrown into prison…first I went back and forth between Limerick and Askeaton and then I was sent to a hellhole in Dublin for almost a year. In total, I was in their custody just under two years, but I got out. Kevin could feel the temperature in the room turn colder when she added, I will never forgive the Earl of Desmond for the harm he caused me.

Over the next quarter of an hour, she went on to tell him how she became a pirate and some of her adventures at sea and on land. Finally, realizing that she was giving Kevin too many details and not getting to the point, Queen Grace quickly summarized her life and the reason for her being there. Anyhow, it’s a long story, but here’s the short version. In 1593 I finally ended up taking one of my ships to London to ask Queen Elizabeth—not the current one but the first one—for a pardon so I could get my son out of prison. When he was out, I went back to maintaining myself by the sea. When I died in 1603, I found I was stuck between Heaven and the Shadow World. It took me almost 200 years, but I finally figured out that to get unstuck, I needed a second pardon for the new stuff I had done since I was granted the first pardon.

Hoping to make a break for the door, Kevin quietly got to his feet so he would be ready when the chance presented itself. He didn’t understand how her story involved him, but she seemed to be waiting for him to say something, so he asked, That’s a cool story, but why tell me about your needing another pardon?

Moving closer, a slight smile developed on her face, Queen Grace explained, Because, you’re the one who is going to get it for me.

Kevin knew nothing about pardons, in particular English pardons, so he asked, Me? Why me? I don’t know a thing about English law and, after all, I’m only a kid!

Queen Grace thrust out her hand that wasn’t holding the sword and pushed Kevin back into his chair to make sure he gave her his full attention. I’ve been watching you since you and your family arrived in Ireland a week ago. When St. Patrick picked you to stop the Father of Lies’ breakout, I knew there must be something special about you. When I saw how you beat him and the demons he sent after you, I knew you were the man…I mean, boy, to get me my pardon.

Because Queen Grace stood in front of him with one hand holding her sword, Kevin had nowhere to go. He decided his best approach would be to placate her until he could figure a way out of this. Okay, okay, I’ll do some research and find out what can be done.

CAN be done? Don’t you mean WILL be done?

Hearing Queen Grace’s response and seeing the change in her facial appearance, Kevin realized he had to choose his words very carefully or he was going to end up with a sword stuck in him. Right! I meant WILL be done. I’ll get to work on it as fast as I can. The second I have the answer, how do I contact you?

Kevin felt Queen Grace grab his hand and then suddenly found himself in a large storeroom of some kind. Look around and get a clear picture of this place in your mind while I look something up, Queen Grace said as she swung around and walked toward a table in the corner of the room with a book on it.

Despite the shock his sudden displacement had caused him, Kevin quickly did as he was told because he didn’t want worse things to happen to him. While he looked around, he thought this would be an interesting place to explore if Queen Grace weren’t there. The room had three walls and a window that took up the entire remaining wall. Through the window Kevin could see a small stone-covered cove and three men fishing from the shore. When he saw the men, he jumped back a step and asked, Can those men out there see us?

Queen Grace casually turned around and looked out the window. No, they can’t. It looks like a rock cliff from out there. They can’t see in but we can see out. I’ve learned a lot of very interesting things since I died. I had this special one-way window made for me at the Waterford Crystal Factory. I wish I knew all this good stuff when I was alive.

Kevin stepped closer to the window and waved both of his hands in the air but the men paid no attention to him. He then lost interest in the men and looked around the room that was stocked high with chests that were filled to overflowing with treasures.

Queen Grace interrupted his musings by grabbing his hand and pulling him toward the table in the corner of the room. When he was where she wanted him, she released his hand and read from a large green book for a few seconds. She then closed the book and said, Look at me and don’t move, or this could destroy your brain. Her hand then changed from its solid form to an outline. While she looked carefully at Kevin’s face, she pushed her hand into his head, moved one finger slightly and quietly said something Kevin couldn’t understand. When she stopped talking, she pulled her hand from his head. Immediately the hand became solid and grabbed hold of Kevin’s hand.

Do you have this room clearly in your mind? Queen Grace asked. Kevin nodded, and instantly found himself back in his hotel room.

Releasing his hand, Queen Grace said, Now it’s your turn. Grab my hand, picture in your mind the place where we just were, and say, ‘Please move me,’ and you and I will be there in an instant.

Kevin was having a real difficult time keeping up with all that was happening. Slowly he took Queen Grace’s hand. It was cold, like the point of her sword. He hesitated for a few seconds before he said, Please move me, and instantly he and Queen Grace were back in the room where she had taken him a minute before. But unlike before, they both appeared as just outlines.

Good. Now to make us visible, just say ‘Here please’ and we’ll appear.

Kevin quickly said, Here please, and they both materialized.

Well, that wasn’t too hard, was it? It’s called The Passage, and it can move you from one place to another. Just get the place you want to go clearly in your mind, say the words I just taught you, and you’re there in a flash. To get back, just say ‘Please bring me back’ and you will be back where you started. Queen Grace stopped speaking and stared at Kevin for a moment, but he didn’t say the words fast enough that caused her to yell, Now!

Kevin quickly blurted out, Please bring me back, and they were both back in his hotel room. Queen Grace regarded him with a smug, satisfied look.

That’s how you contact me when you’ve finished your research.

Kevin was beginning to fully comprehend both how serious a problem he was in and what a cool thing he had just learned when Queen Grace said, So, what’s your plan?

We have to leave here after breakfast but I’ll get to work on the research as soon as possible. Do you want me to keep you up to date on what I’m doing every now and then, or just contact you when I’ve got the answer?

The pirate queen’s booming laugh made Kevin wince. Based on what you did to those demons, you’ll have the answer for me in no time at all! As she disappeared, Kevin heard her add, I’ll be watching you and listening to your every word.

Kevin quickly grabbed his notebook and made some notes about how to use The Passage. When he was sure he had it right, he lay down on the bed, thought about his room in Estes Park, Colorado, said the required words, and instantly found himself lying in his bed at home. In a few seconds, he said the words needed to return him to his hotel in Killarney and he was back there in the bed. He tried The Passage several more times before falling asleep.

Kevin was jolted awake when the phone rang. He sat up groggily, picked it up and answered, Hello.

You’re late for your last Irish breakfast, Kevin, his sister Katie said. We’re all here waiting for you.

Kevin looked out the window and saw that it was already daylight. He stifled a huge yawn. I’ll be right there. I have the most interesting dream to tell you, Katie.

In a slightly exasperated voice, Katie responded, It wasn’t a dream, Kevin. It actually happened. I was with you for most of it, remember?

I know that stuff really happened, but I’m talking about something new. I can’t wait to tell you. Maybe I’ll be able to tell you on the plane, if we aren’t sitting too close to Mom and Dad.

I’ll be all ears, but just get down here right away or you’ll be in big trouble! Kevin did not need to be told twice.

Following breakfast, they met up with Margaret O’Dea’s parents who had driven to Killarney to bring her home. Margaret had traveled with the Murphy family for the past few days and shared some of Kevin’s encounters with the demons. With their goodbyes said, the Murphys were driven to Shannon Airport for their return flight home.

Kevin and Katie took their seats in row thirty on the plane to the United States as their parents made their way to their seats ten rows further back. Suddenly a huge hand appeared above Kevin’s head, floating in the space beneath the overhead compartment. After a few seconds, the hand reached down, wrapped its fingers and thumb completely around the startled boy, pulled him from his seat, and held him suspended in the air. As he struggled to get loose, the face of the ghost of Pirate Queen Grace O’Malley appeared in front of Kevin. For added emphasis, the point of her sword was again just inches from his nose. He stopped struggling and stared intently at her as she yelled, AND JUST WHERE DO YOU THINK YOU’RE GOING, BOY? YOU’RE NOT LEAVING IRELAND UNTIL I GET MY PARDON! To help make her point, Kevin felt the hand’s grip on him tighten, making it difficult to breathe.

Kevin had not come away from his initial meeting with Queen Grace O’Malley feeling good about the way he had dealt with her. The fact was, he had been a bit of a wimp. On the ride to the airport, Kevin had reflected on that encounter and had decided that the best way to deal with her in the future, if that ever became necessary, was to be just as direct with her as she was with him. He reasoned she wasn’t used to being treated that way and it might throw her off guard. He screwed his face into an angry glare and shouted at the top of his lungs. I CAN’T BREATHE! LET GO OF ME AND PUT ME DOWN! I CAN’T DO ANYTHING FOR YOU IF I’M DEAD!

Queen Grace looked surprised, but instead of his shouting to make her back down, it only enraged her further. NOT UNTIL YOU EXPLAIN WHY YOU ARE TRYING TO LEAVE IRELAND WHEN THERE’S STILL WORK TO BE DONE ON MY PARDON!

Kevin again struggled to free himself from the hand’s increasingly tight grip as he gasped, You want me to explain with all these people listening? I didn’t think you ghosts liked to be seen by a lot of people!

The hand loosened up a bit as Queen Grace sneered down at Kevin. You’re not as smart as I thought you were when I picked you for this job. I immobilized all of them so we could have our little talk in private. They don’t have a clue about what’s going on and won’t wake up until I release them.

Kevin looked at Katie and the other passengers and saw that everyone was completely still, with distant looks on their faces. Turning back to Queen Grace, he said with a grin, That’s completely cool! How did you do it? It might come in handy sometime….ah, if I need it while I’m getting your pardon, I mean.

Stop trying to change the topic and shut up, boy! I’m the one asking the questions. So I’ll put it to you one more time. And, understand this—I want a straight answer this time. Why are you trying to leave Ireland when you know you have to get to work on my pardon? Earlier this morning, during our little chat, I made it perfectly clear that you have one and only one goal in life—to get me my pardon!

Look, early this morning, during our little chat, I told you I was leaving today but that I would get to work on it as soon as I could! I don’t know anything about pardons in Great Britain and I have to do some research before I can even think of doing anything.

When you said you were leaving, I didn’t think you meant you were leaving the COUNTRY. I thought you were going somewhere in Ireland to start your research. How can you expect to do research about getting a pardon from the English when you’re thousands of miles away in America? Believe me, boy, this pardon is no trifle! It’s important to me and that means it’s important to you, too!

Kevin was starting to get a little angry himself. After being chased all over Ireland and beating the Father of Lies and his demons, he was in no mood to get pushed around any more. Back off. You’re not as smart as I thought you were. When you showed me how to use that thing to get in touch with you when I had an answer, I assumed you also showed me how to use it so I could travel back and forth between the United States and Ireland to do my research. I do live in the United States, you know.

It’s called The Passage.

Whatever…anyway, with The Passage, I can work on your pardon from anywhere. I don’t need to be here all the time. I tried it after you left and it worked great. I can go anywhere in a flash.

Ignoring his comments, the queen’s face moved closer to Kevin’s and she asked, So what is your plan for getting me my pardon, boy?

DON’T YOU LISTEN? I DON’T HAVE A PLAN! Feeling the hand squeeze even harder, Kevin hastily added, …YET! But, I’m going to work on it as soon as I get back to Colorado. I want it to be totally cool.

The hand again loosened its grip slightly as it moved Kevin closer to Queen Grace’s face. I don’t care about how ‘cool’ it is whatever that means; I just want it to work. I’ve been mired in this godforsaken limbo for 400 years and I intend to be freed IMMEDIATELY! Do you get that?

So tell the hand to let up on me. If it squeezes me to death, I won’t be able to figure out how to get you the pardon. You need me, so you’d better treat me right or there’ll be no pardon for you. Queen Grace waved her hand dismissively and the hand disappeared, leaving Kevin floating in the air above the seats.

Be careful, boy! People don’t talk to me like that and live. When I was alive, I commanded more than two hundred pirates and a thousand mercenaries in my fight with the English. Like I told you, we controlled the entire west coast of Ireland and most of the south as well. Do you think I’ll let a foolish young boy speak to me with such disrespect?

Now it was Kevin’s turn to sneer. When I was alive’, ‘commanded’, ‘controlled’ and ‘had’—all things that happened in the past. Things are done differently now. You need to adapt, or you’re a ghost who’s toast. Kevin thought his rhyme was clever so he cracked a grin.

The hand suddenly reappeared, squeezed Kevin harder than before, lifted him up quickly, and pounded his head on the ceiling of the plane’s cabin three times. Queen Grace again pointed her sword at Kevin’s face. I may have lived in the past, but do not ever assume that I am not able to remove your head right this moment, boy! I will not tolerate your rudeness another second. When you talk to me, show respect. Respect is everything. It’s even more important to me than the pardon.

Kevin reached up and pushed himself down from the ceiling with both hands. You’re proving how ‘past tense’ you are by pulling that sword on me. You can’t have a sword on an airplane these days. It’s against the law.

Queen Grace’s face grew much larger and a bit red as she said, The law? For someone who just beat the Father of Lies, you’re certainly a fool. I don’t care about your laws. In fact, I’ve never cared much about any laws. I do what I want when I want! Laws are made to protect the weak, and I AM NOT WEAK. I AM THE QUEEN OF THE IRISH PIRATES!

What a pile of bull! If you didn’t care at least a little bit about the law, a pardon wouldn’t mean a thing to you. This is all about laws.

Queen Grace O’Malley was very taken back by what Kevin had just said. Clearly, at this point in her existence, she actually was interested in laws and rules and such. She didn’t respond right away because she needed time to think. When she did respond, her voice was fretful and questioning rather than strong and direct, as was her usual style. Your job is to get me the pardon and keep your mouth shut. What makes you think you have the right to question me? That’s not how this should work.

Kevin saw that his refusal to back down from Queen Grace was succeeding. My job is to do what I think is best, and that’s what I intend to do. Anyhow, if I stop asking questions, I’m dead. Maybe that’s why you don’t like them.

The queen’s face disappeared and her full-sized body appeared standing in the aisle next to Kevin. She was dressed as she was when he had seen her the night before, including the same arsenal under the floor-length blue cape.

Kevin decided to change the topic since he had no idea yet what he could do to get her a pardon for all of the crimes she had committed when she was alive. So, tell me, how do I freeze the people like you did? Like I said before, it may come in handy when I’m working on getting your pardon.

In life, Queen Grace O’Malley had never dealt with anyone like Kevin. People Kevin’s age had always given her what she wanted immediately, without question. She didn’t know how to get him to give her the respect she demanded. Again there was a long pause before anyone said anything. Kevin knew from his communications class in school that in a discussion like this, the first person to talk loses the battle of wits, so he wasn’t going to say another word, no matter how long he had to wait. Finally, Queen Grace moved her head close to Kevin’s ear and whispered, All you have to do is say, ‘Please lock them up,’ and they freeze. When you want to remove the spell, you say, ‘Please unlock them now,’ and they will return to normal. Grace pulled away from Kevin’s ear and scowled at him disdainfully.

Can anyone do it?

No, not just anyone, but you should be able to. Earlier this morning, when I gave you the power to use The Passage, you also received the power to lock people up. Sometimes you will need to use them together.

Smiling innocently at the queen, Kevin asked, What is it I have to say to undo the spell? I forgot.

She slowly shook her head in exasperation and said, I’m worried about you, boy. I just told you; weren’t you listening? All you have to say is, ‘Please unlock them now,’ and they’ll unfreeze. The second that she said it, Queen Grace O’Malley realized Kevin had outsmarted her. She released him from the grip of the hand and both ghostly images disappeared as Kevin fell back into his seat. If she had delayed releasing the grip even another second, the other passengers, whom she had just awakened, would have seen Kevin floating in the air above his seat.

Katie twisted toward Kevin and said, What’s going on with you? One second you’re in your seat and the next you’re jumping up and down.

Kevin couldn’t wait to tell Katie about Queen Grace’s appearance, and he grabbed her arm excitedly. You’re going to have a hard time believing what I’m about to tell you but it’s all true, every word of it!

Katie had heard this kind of intro from Kevin many times, just before he let loose with one of his whoppers. With a buildup like that, I can’t wait to hear this story.

I’ve been visited by the ghost of Pirate Queen Grace O’Malley twice—once just now and once last night when she came to my room. Just now, she had a huge hand hold me up in the air while she talked to me. And just before she left, she made the hand disappear, so I dropped back in my seat. That’s why you thought I was jumping up and down. Anyhow, she wants me to get her a pardon and she was here to find out why I was leaving Ireland before she had it. I had to think fast to get rid of her!

Kevin, you need to slow down and start from the beginning if you want me to follow what you’re talking about. I’m not a mind reader and your story is jumping all over the place. I don’t know anything about Queen Grace O’Malley. Who is she?

Kevin took a deep breath as he tried to calm down and gather his thoughts. Okay, you’re right. When you called my hotel room this morning, remember I told you I had a dream last night that I wanted to tell you about? Well, that wasn’t exactly right. It was more like a ‘visitation’ than a dream.

Stop! Who is Queen Grace O’Malley? I need to know that or nothing else makes any sense.

You’re right. I’m not telling the story right. It’s just that I’m a little shaken up. When she was alive, she was the queen of all the Irish pirates.

Katie interrupted, When she was alive. You mean you were talking to a ghost?

Yeah, she’s a ghost. She’s been dead for 400 years. When she was alive, she ruled the west coast of Ireland and fought a personal war with England.

Kevin, if we’re dealing with a ghost, I need more information.

Kevin thought for a moment and then responded. I have to be careful about what I say because I can’t tell you anything about the ceremony at Blarney Castle. He paused a few more seconds to decide what he could say. But I can say this much. I took Queen Grace O’Malley’s place in the viewing stand at the ceremony. That’s why I got such a great spot. Apparently she’s a big shot in the history of Ireland. Mike Smith told me she said she was too sick to come to the ceremony. Kevin paused, shook his head and went on, Can you believe that, a ghost saying she was too sick to come to the ceremony? I mean, aren’t ghosts dead anyway? None of the ghosts I saw there looked any too good but they showed up! Kevin started to laugh at his own joke but saw that Katie didn’t find it funny and wanted him to get on with his story.

Anyhow, here’s what I know about her. When Queen Grace O’Malley was alive, she was a female Irish pirate. Not just any old pirate; she was the leader of over two hundred pirates. She also had a thousand mercenaries from Scotland helping her fight her personal war with England. The Irish and the Scots were both at war with the English at that time. Queen Grace O’Malley wasn’t the kind of boss who sat around and had others do the work. She actually went out and attacked ships with her men. Because of all the bad stuff Queen Grace O’Malley did, she needed to go to London so she could meet the first Queen Elizabeth face to face. Following a long talk, Queen Elizabeth pardoned Queen Grace O’Malley for everything she’d done. With a smile on his face, Kevin added, Queen Grace O’Malley told me Queen Elizabeth even seemed to like her. Queen Grace O’Malley said that she didn’t care much about the pardon but getting it was the only way she could get her son out of prison in Ireland. The moment that he was free, Queen Grace returned to her former ways.

Why do you keep referring to her as Queen Grace O’Malley? It’s very annoying.

I know, but that’s how she said I have to address her—and I sure don’t want her to catch me calling her any other name. She said Queen Elizabeth tried to make her a countess but she wouldn’t have it. Like I told you, she was just here and could be watching or listening to us right now—so I plan to do what I was told!

With a skeptical look on her face, Katie said, So you’re being visited by a woman who’s been dead for 400 years, was a pirate when she was alive and insists on being called Queen Grace O’Malley. This should be one of your best stories.

It’s the truth!

Now that I know who Grace O’Malley is, let’s hear the story but stop calling her Queen Grace O’Malley or I’ll get a sword and kill you myself.

Okay, okay. As I was saying, I was making some notes about what had happened over the past week when Queen Grace appeared out of nowhere, right in front of me, and started moving the point of her sword up and down in front of my nose. Then she leaned over and yelled in my face, ‘Pay attention, boy! I want you to do something for me and I need you to get it right the first time!’ or something like that. With all the guns, knives and swords that were strapped to her, I was so scared I wanted to die on the spot and get it over with! I’m telling you, she was a walking arsenal. She had all those guns and knives on her just a minute ago here on the plane. To make sure I paid attention, she pulled one of the swords out of her belt and pointed it at my face.

Last night or today? asked Katie, trying to follow Kevin’s story.

Both times! The point was an inch from the end of my nose! Her sword was so cold I could feel it without even touching it. Next she whacked me on the top of my head to make sure she had my attention. Then she lowered her sword to her side and started pacing back and forth in front of me.

When he saw the puzzled look on Katie’s face, Kevin continued with an explanation, Sorry, I’m talking about last night. Anyhow, she never once took her eyes off me. After a few slow passes, she stopped in front of me and leaned over, put her hands on the arms of my chair, and yelled, ‘I need a pardon so I can get unstuck and you’re the one who’s going to get it for me.’ I didn’t have a clue what she was talking about and I think she could tell, because she told me her entire life’s story. She was like a lawyer building a case bit by bit. It seemed to take hours, even though I’m sure it was less than twenty minutes. Every once in a while she would smack me on the shoulder or the head to let me know she was no one to fool with. It’s a good thing they don’t make them like her anymore; she’s a real piece of work. Kevin paused, waiting for a reaction from Katie.

What does ‘unstuck’ mean? Katie asked.

When she died in 1603, she wasn’t bad enough to go to the Shadow World but she wasn’t good enough to go to Heaven either. So now her soul is stuck between Heaven and the Shadow World and she wants me to get her pardoned again so she can get unstuck. She made it sound like there was nothing to it and I should be able to have it done in a day or two.

Kevin twisted his head and stared at Katie with a contemplative look on his face. "I wonder how she thinks I can get her pardoned for something that happened over four hundred years ago. I’m sure they don’t do that kind of thing anyway; but even if they did, I wouldn’t know how to go about getting it done. I’m