Case 1 – Day 3

As Mai predicted the Hisakawa couple did not wish to participate in the séance. Not only did they not wish to be in the house a the time the séance was conducted but they also admitted regardless of what was happening around them they didn't fully believe in the spirits that resided in their home. It always surprised Mai how people were not willing to believe regardless of the fact that it was staring them in the face. Mai shrugged it off. Since they didn't accept the spirits in the house as being real they wouldn't have cultivated the right atmosphere for the séance anyway.

Mai was currently agitated though. The Hisakawa couple let the contractors into the house today so the séance would have to be postponed until they left. They would need as much peace and serenity they could muster to perform a proper séance.

So instead of being in the dining room surrounded in a circle by her friends and colleagues she was now taking temperature readings in the nursery. Naru was watching her from the doorway. She of course tried to convince him that she could manage but then he gruffly countered that the last time she was alone in this wing she was catapulted into a dream that caused her true physical injury.

"How long do you think the contractors will be here today?" Mai tentatively asked.

"The foreman said they were just doing some safety checks. So I don't imagine it will be too long. They will probably leave by lunch time at the latest."

Mai nodded. "The temperature doesn't seem to be fluctuating in here right now."

"Well it was the master bedroom in this wing that was getting the most activity, correct?"

Mai nodded and walked to the doorway. Naru still blocked it and made no attempt to move. "Oliver, I'd like to get past please."

Naru shook his head.

"I can't transport or apparate myself to the room next door. So you can just step aside or lead the way."

"Apparate? Has someone been reading too much Harry Potter?"

Mai huffed in Naru's direction. The male was good at antagonizing her. "So what if I have?"

"I'd say I was surprised. It may be intended for a juvenile audience but it is a thoroughly entertaining and thought provoking book series."

Mai gawked at Naru. She was surprised that he would admit to liking any book written in this century. She figured he was more a fan of Dickens or Stevenson.

"What is the most recent novel you've read, Oliver?"

Naru did his thinking pose. The pose that tormented Mai's dreams, when she wasn't dreaming of a case that is. "I don't often get the opportunity to read for leisure but I believe I most recently reread The Hobbit."

Mai nodded. Truth be told she was surprised that Naru would be fascinated by a book set in a fantasy world of any kind. But Tolkien did offer a unique voice to his books. It was very thought provoking and Mai had to admit that she herself couldn't get through his writing. She wanted to. She wanted to experience his reading his writing style herself but unfortunately her brain turned to mush when she tried. Mai was sure the Japanese translation might have had something to do with that.

Mai jumped when she heard thumping on the stairs. Gene stood at the top out of breath. He joined them when he regained his composure. "The contractors are about to leave. We can begin the séance shortly."

Naru shifted his position in the doorway and Mai was finally able to get past him. She was too set in her destination to notice the scowl Naru directed at his brother.

The dining room was transformed to a place of tranquility. The large rectangular table was pushed to the wall and a large round table moved into it's place. The thick heavy drapes were drawn against the bright sunlight. There were several candles dispersed here and there throughout the room which created a soft ambiance.

Mai momentarily remembered the only séance she had done. The young couple had voiced their concern about doing a séance during the day. How they thought it was supposed to be done around midnight. Mai assured them that really all that was needed to perform a séance was dim lighting, peace, and a believing atmosphere. That was probably where the séance went wrong. The couple said they believed but they were only speaking a half truth. Not only did they doubt it the séance would work in general. They had also doubted Mai's ability to perform said séance.

Mai shook herself out of her reverie and took her seat with Gene on her left. She didn't invite him to but Naru chose to sit to her right. Monk and Ayako took their seats.

"First everyone take a deep breath," Gene instructed. "Calm yourself, find your center."

"I feel like I'm in a Yoga class." Monk stated. A loud sound filled the air and Monk hissed in a pain filled breath. "Geez, sorry..."

Gene smiled at the couple. He waited until they were calm and continued. "Join hands and close your eyes."

Once, Naru touched Mai's hand she shivered. It wasn't a chill that passed between them it was like an electrical charge. She took a deeper breath then norm and when she heard Naru do the same she hesitated from curiosity and confusion. Did he also feel that electrical charge? She wondered. She shook it off. She would break the concentration of the circle if she continued thinking along those lines.

Gene, who knew they were both fighting with their emotions, waited before proceeding. Once he felt Naru's calmness enter him, and Mai's hand grip his in a softer manner then the gripping vise she was holding it in previously he continued. He called to the spirits in the house. He asked if anyone could come to them to shed light on all that had happened here. He wasn't surprised that the spirits were being shy. But he persisted in his endeavors. Sometimes it was just patience that called a spirit to his side.

A good thirty minutes had passed before Gene felt Mai shiver beside him. He opened his eyes and cast them about the room. There in front of him stood a beautiful woman in a red kimono. Did the red symbolize blood? Did it symbolize murder? She seemed familiar and was pretty sure that she was the woman that Mai dreamed of. As if to confirm his suspicions he heard Mai whisper, "Sayuri."

Sayuri's face held nothing but terror. "Let me go."

Mai looked at Gene with confusion. "Sayuri, we are not holding you here. We did call you to us but that was to get some answers. We are here to help you."

"You can't help me. What's done is done."

"Do you know what happened to you?" Mai asked. She knew there were times that spirits didn't realize they were dead.

Sayuri nodded. "Of course I know. How could I not?" Tears drowned in Sayuri's eyes.

Mai was even more confused then before. She was hurt and sad. Those weren't feelings of a victim. Were they?

"Sayuri, I experienced one of your memories. You were in the courtyard and someone attacked you. Can you tell me about that?"

Sayuri shook her head. "I don't want to say. I don't want anyone else hurt. You must go before he knows I have talked to you. You must go before he hurts you too."

Was Sayuri talking about the same man that attacked her in the courtyard? Was there another man or spirit she was afraid of? This séance was proving to add questions rather then give the group answers.

Sayuri's form shivered and blinked out of existence. A thud echoed loudly in the hallway. Then methodical thumping approached the door. Light enveloped the darkened room and there stood Atsuko. "I think my abilities might do you some good on this case."

Mai didn't know how she knew they needed her nor did she really care. Atsuko could read the feelings of the spirits. Her abilities would definitely give them perspective they were lacking on this case.