Alexander returned at noon. Victoria had prepared a table of delicious dishes.

I lingered weakly in a corner. I was hungry too.

In the two weeks before I died, Victoria had starved me. My ghostly hunger was a phantom echo.

Alexander sat. Picked up his chopsticks. Paused.

"Where are the pear blossom cakes?"

Victoria blinked. "The what?"

"The pear blossom cakes. You always make them when I return."

I had always made pear blossom cakes. Nanny Beatrice's recipe. My one specialty.

"I... forgot," Victoria recovered. "I'll make them tomorrow."

"You've never forgotten before."

The silence stretched. Victoria smiled through it.

After lunch, Alexander summoned his aide.

"Investigate the Sterling family. Quietly. Everything from the past three months."

The aide bowed and left.

I floated beside Alexander, my ghostly heart racing.

He was looking for me. He didn't know it yet. But he was looking for me.