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He rubbed some more, letting his arms enfold me. Did he hold me a little more tightly than he needed to? Maybe. But who cared. Despite the darkness all around, it felt as though Casper and I were floating in a bubble of light. I leaned against him, savoring the sensation until he said, “You need a warm bath. Let’s go back to Mac’s.”

The bubble burst. Its yellow light streamed into the darkness and disappeared.

Casper scooped me up in his arms and carried me down Loch Road. I was torn between the indignity of being carried like a child—paranormal investigators should look tough at all times—and the thrill of being held in his arms. Luckily there was no one around to see so I decided to remain in his arms. It couldn’t hurt. After all, there was no hanky panky going on.

I leaned my head against his chest. “I’m so cold, Casper.” He held me closer.

I think I died then because I went straight to Cloud 9. Or maybe it was Heaven. Either way it felt great.

But, like all great things, it was over too soon. Casper stopped walking and set me gently down outside Mac’s. The ground was so cold my bare feet ached.

“You’ll be inside soon,” said Casper.

All the lights were out so he hammered on the door. I shifted uncomfortably from foot to foot as we waited for someone to open up. I was considering asking Casper to pick me up again before my feet froze when a light came on inside.

The door opened. Douglas stared at me. He didn’t complain that I’d left him at the dance. He simply asked, “What happened?”

“Long story,” I said.

Douglas shook his head in exasperation. “You took a boat out on the loch, didn’t you?”

I felt like hanging my head in shame. Not because I’d hired the boat but because I’d made such a mess of the job. I made a mental note to reimburse Jason for the loss of his boat.

“If you’d taken me with you,” said Douglas peevishly, “this wouldn’t have happened.”

“If I’d taken you with me,” I said recovering some lost spirit. “Casper would’ve had to rescue both of us.”

“Casper rescued you?”

Oh no. How was I going to explain that? Casper just happened to be passing and he pulled me from the middle of the loch. I don’t think so.

Luckily Casper had more presence of mind than I did.

“I was doing some night fishing,” he said. “I was in the right place at the right time. But there’s no need to talk about that now. Allegra needs a warm bath. She’s half frozen.”

“Aye.” Douglas hurried upstairs to unlock my room. I’d lost my key in the loch.

As we followed him more slowly I heard water running. When we reached my room I could see steam coming from the bathroom. I couldn’t wait to jump in the bath.

After shooing Casper and Douglas away I sank into the blissfully hot water. But I didn’t stay in very long. I was so tired that falling asleep and sliding beneath the water was a real possibility. After my recent experience in the loch, I had no wish to die by drowning.

When I got out I pulled on my granny nightie, a robe and a thick pair of socks, then I headed downstairs to say goodnight and thank Casper once again for rescuing me. As I approached the kitchen, I heard Casper and Douglas talking.

Normally I don’t eavesdrop. (And if you believe that you’ll believe anything. I’m nosy. Get over it.) Tonight, as I stood outside the kitchen, I could clearly hear Douglas and Casper discussing me. They say eavesdroppers never hear any good about themselves, but I challenge anybody not to listen when two men are discussing you.

I heard Douglas say, “You’re her partner, Casper. How could you let her go out on the loch in a rowboat while you went fishing? And why were you fishing when you’re supposed to be helping Allegra solve this case?”

“Allegra has a mind of her own,” Casper said soothingly. “If she’s determined to do something, no one can stop her.”

Douglas grunted his agreement. “Is there anything going on between you and Allegra?”

“Anything going on?” Casper was playing dumb. He must have known what Douglas meant.

“Are you involved with her?” asked