By noon, the work day was going pretty smoothly.
Asher had gotten the call from Arthur Beck. The property agent had agreed to their terms and the contract had been signed, making Asher the legal owner of the Freedom Stadium Ruins.
Mr Burns had just left his office after signing the partnership contract. Lyman Creed called to congratulate Asher on successfully acquiring the partnership.
He sounded like he would choke on the words. Asher had never heard anything more pleasant.
It was only the beginning. But he was fairly on track for the shareholders meeting.
He had just one trouble left to handle: Dominic Tates.
The malignant ghost had been suspiciously absent since the car ride. But he did not seem like the type to let this pass in silence.
Asher was certain he was up to something unsavoury. But whatever he had planned, Asher was fine so long as he was left out of it.
He still needed to find a way to convince Tates to sign his contract. But he would give it some time, when demolition began in the stadium ruins, Tates would also come around. Hopefully.
"Mr Knox?" Rick stepped into the office. "There's a... situation at Marrick Tower."
Asher frowned.
---
A half hour later and he stood before the haunted tower he had first met Julian Marrick.
The tower had been set for renovation. After giving it much thought, Asher concluded the best way to take care of Marrick's first tower was to make it an upscale residential complex as it used to be.
Emmy would be discharged just in time for the complete renovation. They would move into the penthouse together and he would even do Marrick the honour of introducing Emmy to his memory.
He had it all planned out.
Based on Rick's reports, the renovation was proceeding smoothly. Until now.
What exactly was this 'situation'?
Asher wouldn't have believed it if he didn't see it for himself.
A young woman faced off against a group of private contractors. She stood within a barrier of caution tape, dressed from head to toe in black combat leather, like she was part of some biker gang.
Despite that, she was beautiful. Fiery red hair and defiant green eyes. He could see it from where he stood.
It was only that she didn't seem all that sane.
She had supposedly erected the caution tape herself, claiming the renovation of Marrick's Tower could not be carried out just yet. For reasons she would not explain.
"Ma'am." The supervisor insisted. "If you don't vacate the property, we will have to forcefully remove you."
She scoffed. "I'd like to see you try."
And then turned to head into the building like she owned the place.
The series of events that followed happened faster than Asher could comprehend. The first worker who reached for her, screamed as his arm was twisted behind his back.
He was shoved to the side like he weighed nothing. Not even a beat after, two more construction workers were slammed into the ground on their back.
One moment she was standing, the next she was flying through the air, knocking the supervisor down with a knee to his chest.
With four down. The other construction workers had second thoughts. They retreated, eyeing her warily.
Rick was suspiciously a good few steps behind. George didn't even get out of the car.
Asher contemplated heading back and thinking this out properly.
Just his luck, someone sighted him at that exact moment and called out.
"Mr Knox! You're finally here!"
He didn't want to be.
What had Marrick's journal said again? 'Wealth came with responsibilities', or something like that.
Clearing his throat, Asher headed over.
The supervisor had a look on his face, Asher read it as 'Now, you've done it.'
He hadn't come with backup. Save for Rick that was even farther behind now and George who hadn't moved from his place at the driver's seat.
He wasn't certain why the supervisor was suddenly so confident he would fare better than they had.
All he had was a fatter wallet and a bigger bank account. He couldn't beat her up with that.
"Excuse me, Miss." Asher began, stopping at a reasonable distance. "You're on my property."
She sighed in exasperation. "Listen, I don't care who you are, but I have business there. And you can't move even a single stone till I'm done."
Asher frowned.
"Will you at least share what kind of business? And how long you need to complete this 'business'."
She glanced back at Marrick's tower. "You wouldn't believe it if I told you. But I'm here to make certain you don't end up moving out a few days after moving in, due to strange occurrences."
"I'm Chloe. An Exorcist." She was staring at him now, eyes daring him to doubt her words.
He did. Until his gaze took in the typical black clothing that was only different in the fact that it was leather.
And the black envelope sticking out of her pocket which he was certain no one else but him could see.
It clicked then. 'Squatters.'
Marrick had expressed his displeasure that other ghosts inhabited the other floors of his tower and wouldn't leave. Initially, he had even ordered Asher to clear them out.
To fully accomplish Marrick's will, his tower needed to be restored. Not just by a renovation...
An exorcism.
She probably expected him to laugh. Asher blinked.
He had guessed there would be others like him, in the business of the dead. But he didn't think he would meet one so quickly.
He extended a hand. "Asher Knox. A pleasure, Miss Chloe."
She didn't take his hand. Just glared.
"I don't have any more time to waste on you."
"How long will your 'business' take?" He asked instead.
"As long as it takes."
With that, she was gone.
Asher stared after her, watching a lone woman disappear into a tower swarmed with squatting ghosts.
"Rick. I think we might have to push back the renovation."