"So there are three criteria for the chosen haunted person?"
"Yes, they have to have attended the function, be the spotlight of a dance although it is never the hosts or those supposed to be in the spotlight."
"So, a usurper?"
"In a way I suppose."
"And what else?"
"They have to kiss,"
"Platonic or romantic?"
"Either, there was a brother and sister who kissed on the cheek and also a husband and wife."
"What makes you believe that these people falling into these criteria are haunted?"
"When alone," he hesitated, a bead of sweat rolled down his brow although the AC made the room a virtual icebox. "One of them dies, while the other claims it was a ghost." All eyes were instantly glued to the man.
"We need to know the name and information of each person you believe this happened to." Noll stated firmly. "Also a list of occasions at this location where there was dancing."
"Here," the man slid a folder across the table to them. "There is a list of all occasions at the hall for the last 10 years. The ones highlighted had dancing while the second folder contains names of those affected."
Noll filtered through the second folder. It held the invitation to the function, then a picture of the couple dancing followed by a newspaper clipping of the incident. The first couple contained a hand written letter describing the incident.
"These three, Takanamo wedding, Shinagawa company anniversary and the Tanika Family reunion have witness statements?"
"Yes, those three reported the strange occurrences. The Shinagawa Company was the first to report; I took the complaint and dismissed it. Nothing had happened before. A year after the Takanamo wedding someone visited me retelling of his son who claims a spirit in the building followed him and killed his sister in the car. Even in prison he still claims this."
"The Tanika family?"
"They are the most recent event at the dance hall. I was invited to be there as a friend of the family and I even gave them a discount." He shrugged, "I remember seeing the Grandfather take his wife out on the dance floor. He was 98 years old and married 75 years and they stole the dance. They had a grace and elegance only love and experience bestow." He face took on a calm dreamy look. "The next day the grandfather was dead. While his wife stated a ghost killed him. They chalked it up to dementia…" he let his voice drift off as though he did not believe it.
"This ghost," as Mai spoke a shiver ran down her spine. "What do they say happens?"
"A voice is heard first, screaming that they ruined the event. On the way home they hear more sounds, the old woman stated she saw a woman and little…" he fidgeted with his hands. "People, size of children," he obviously did not like the idea of children being any part of this as he shook his hands trying to rid his hands of the deed. "They had huge stomachs and gnawed on his body."
Mai reached out and held the man's hand stilling it. He slightly calmed as he looked at her, she released his hand and handed him a cup of tea. "A spirit can take on many forms;" her voice calm and soothing, "There is a type spirit that is the size of a child with a distended belly. It does not have anything to do with children."
The man gave her a weak smile before sipping the tea. She looked over to Lin and Naru. She knew there was something more to this case, that his words were true.
"We have more research we have to do, please leave your information we will contact you." Noll stated standing.
"Thank you sir."
"In order to investigate we would need to have a function happening in order to investigate." Mai stated. "Do you have any events planned?" Mai asked.
"There is a wedding reception on December 16th. I was planning to cancel it. I do not wish to endanger any others. I have other venues they can use."
Noll glared down at his assistant. She was a part time investigator but that did not give her the right to usurp his authority. "We will let you know in time to prepare."
"I believe I will cancel it anyway, I can't risk any of them being hurt."
"Do not worry," Noll's eyes glinted darkly as he stared at the man. "If, we take the case, we will be sure to protect others from danger."
"Thank you sir." The man bowed then turned and left.
Once the door closed, Noll bellowed. "Mai, Tea." Then he stormed into his office followed by Lin.
Mai sighed as she picked up the teacups off the table. She put water over the burner for tea the washed the teacups setting them out to dry. She would put them in the cupboard later. The water was just before a boil when she filtered it through the tealeaves and turned off the burner. Her hands moved knowingly through the motions. Naru liked his tea dark and strong, Lin's was lighter but she added a spice of ginger giving it a slight kick, her own she added just a bit of honey.
Placing them on the tray, she headed for Noll's office knowing he would make his second request soon and then he would be a bear to live with for the rest of the day. She made a cursory knock then proceeded in the door. Lin was sitting with his laptop and the list of previous celebrations. She was sure he was researching other possible occasions.
Mai set the tea on the edge of Noll's desk then set the tray on a table next to Lin's chair. When Lin silently handed her the one of the files she took the other chair in the office and reviewed the file. She opened the file to find the testimonies of the surviving victims. She took a pad and began translation them into Romanji and English. Noll reasoned something might be lost if translated directly to English so he would read both.
After an hour, the tea was gone, the translations done and Lin had found more correlations. Noll reviewed it all silently.
"Mai, what is your conclusion about the 'small bodied bloated spirit?'" he asked. Mai knew he had already come to his own conclusion but answered anyway.
"Gaki," she stated. "The description fits almost identical, reading the firsthand account I have little doubt."
"Views on them taking orders from the spirit?"
"Although it is not part of the definition, some spirits or ghosts are stronger than others, one might take command and the lesser follow." She shrugged. "There are also spirits that have the ability to control others. Either is possible." Mai smiled proud of how much she had grown in knowledge. Noll only nodded seeming to have come to similar conclusion.
Beside her, she thought she saw Lin nod also. His acceptance she had slowly won and he would show in little ways when he thought she did well. A nod, a word, and rarely a smile or laugh, she accepted this as part of who he was.
"Call the others; have them meet here tomorrow at 3pm. To direct the spirits target we will need to plan carefully."
"Ne Naru?" Mai asked quietly. "How will we prevent the guests from getting targeted?"
Noll grinned looking fully at her. "We will arrange to be the usurpers."