A YOUNG OFFICER WHO KNEW THE GHOST

"That girl is definitely on to us," said Ryner as he walked briskly down the hallway.

"I doubt it. She has great intuition, but she's not one hundred percent certain we're here," said Rita, floating beside him.

"You guys should lay low until school ends. I've got a feeling she's gonna keep tabs on me all day," Ryner muttered.

Just as Ryner predicted, Shimoya watched him like a hawk the entire day. She waited outside the bathroom when he went in. She stared at him in class like she was trying to read his mind. The only time she wasn't around was during their separate classes—but even then, Ryner didn't let his guard down.

As the final bell rang, Ryner, Rita, and Thomas made their way toward the school gate.

"That girl is weird. And creepy," Ryner said, glancing over his shoulder. "She followed me everywhere today. I didn't even get the chance to talk about our next move."

"Yeah, she's persistent," said Rita, floating just behind him.

"So, what now?" Thomas asked. "Did you find anything we can work with in the old school building?"

Ryner nodded and pulled something from his jacket. "I found Rita's old school bag. Looked like it had been there since... well, since she died. Inside was this."

He held up a folded piece of paper.

"A love letter," he said.

"You read it without my permission, you jerk!" Rita snapped, puffing out her cheeks.

"What I really can't believe," Ryner muttered, rubbing his face, "is that you managed to slap me even though you're a ghost."

"The letter had some useful info," he continued. "It was addressed to a guy named Charles. Dated April 2018—five years ago. She asked him to meet her in the old school building. That's something we can work with."

"So what do we do with it?" Rita asked.

"That's simple. We find this Charles guy—he's our only lead right now. Maybe even a suspect," said Ryner.

"But how? We don't even know what he looks like or where he is now," Thomas pointed out.

"Good question," Ryner said, then turned to Rita. "You got all flustered earlier when I read the letter, so I'm guessing you remember who this guy is?"

"To be honest... I don't," Rita admitted. "I saw you reading the letter with my name on it, so I figured I wrote it. But I don't remember him—or why I liked him."

"Oh. Great. Then you're no help," Ryner sighed. "Maybe my sister remembers him—I'll ask when I get home."

A click. A flash.

"You're a sly one, Ryner. I'll give you that," came a creepy voice from behind a camera lens. Shimoya smiled, eyes glowing with curiosity. "But it's confirmed now—you're really talking to ghosts."

"Sis, I'm home," Ryner said as he stepped in, slipping off his shoes.

"You came home early? That's a first," Amelia called from the living room. "I'm too tired to cook, so I'll order pizza."

"You always do that on Fridays," Ryner mumbled. "Not that I mind. Better than your half-effort meals."

"What was that? Speak up!" Amelia snapped.

"Nothing! I said nothing," Ryner replied quickly. "Hey, do you know someone named Charley? He went to our school—same grade as you."

"Yeah, I knew him," Amelia said, thinking. "We haven't spoken in two years. Last I heard, he was working at the police station near here. Not sure if he's still there, though."

"Let's go check it out!" Thomas shouted as he zipped away.

"I'm heading out," Ryner said, putting his shoes back on. "Put my slices in the fridge!"

"Wait, Ryner! Does this have anything to do with Rita again?" Amelia called after him. "Jeez, that boy…"

"So this is the place," Ryner said as he stepped inside the precinct, flanked by his ghostly companions.

"What are you doing here, kid?" asked an officer. "You're not allowed in here."

"I'm looking for Officer Charles Buchanan. Is he still stationed at this branch?" Ryner asked.

"Oh, Officer Buchanan? He's out on patrol right now. You'll have to come back later."

Just then, a young female officer approached, curiosity in her eyes. "Did you say Charles Buchanan? He's my cousin. Come with me—we can talk in private."

She led them to a quieter room and closed the door behind her.

"So, what do you want with Charles?" she asked.

"It's about a case from five years ago," Ryner said. "A girl named Rita Holt."

The officer blinked, startled. "Rita Holt? I remember her. She... had a crush on Charles."