"Thank you for saying that, Father," Maurice Grosse replied with clear happiness. "If the footage gave you anything useful, then the investigation wasn't a waste of time."
"It certainly wasn't wasted, Mr. Grosse."
Father Anderson released his hand and looked toward the Hodgson family. Like most people who had endured prolonged supernatural activity, they appeared pale and exhausted. Margaret, Billy, and Johnny stood close to their mother with little energy left.
Peggy Hodgson looked worse than her children. Her eyes were bloodshot and dark circles covered the skin beneath them. Every movement revealed how little she had slept.
Anderson had seen the same condition in many victims. This was not an act created for television attention. Even without studying the family, the pressure surrounding the house confirmed that something unnatural was inside.
"Father, allow me to introduce everyone," Maurice said. He stepped aside and gestured toward the woman. "This is Peggy Hodgson."
Anderson nodded and gave the single mother a gentle look.
"Mrs. Hodgson, I understand some of what your family has endured. You have done well to protect your children for this long."
Peggy had been staring at him since he stepped out of the SUV. His words broke through the strength she had forced herself to maintain. Her expression crumbled and she covered her mouth as tears filled her eyes.
Anderson released a quiet sigh. He removed a consecrated crucifix and placed it around her neck while everyone watched.
"You look exhausted. This should help relieve some of the pressure around you."
Peggy had not expected the gesture. She held the crucifix with one hand and looked at the people standing nearby with slight embarrassment.
"Father, I…"
The oppressive feeling that had surrounded her for days suddenly weakened. The air seemed easier to breathe and the tension inside her chest began to loosen.
Peggy tightened her hand around the cross. When she looked up again, Anderson's calm eyes gave her enough encouragement to regain control of herself.
"Thank you, Father. It's a pleasure to meet you."
"You're welcome."
Anderson stepped aside so Ed and Drew could introduce themselves.
"I'm Ed Warren," Ed said. "This is Drew. He assists us with our equipment and investigations."
Peggy greeted them before turning toward the house.
Once the introductions ended, everyone naturally looked to Anderson for direction. He studied the building again and felt the same heavy pressure surrounding it.
"Mrs. Hodgson, may we go inside?"
"Yes. Please come in."
Peggy led her children toward the front door while the others followed. Anderson still did not understand what the demonic nun wanted from this family. He could not yet determine whether the case was part of her plan or an unrelated haunting.
Ed glanced toward the SUV before entering the yard.
"Father, should we wake Lorraine?"
"No. Let her sleep."
The crucifix Anderson had given her was finally allowing her to rest without the nun invading her dreams. There was no reason to disturb her before she was needed.
Anderson then looked toward Maurice. The investigator carried another file beneath one arm.
"Mr. Grosse, have you uncovered anything else?"
Maurice immediately offered him the folder.
"These are the records I found on Bill Wilkins."
Anderson accepted the file and opened it while following Peggy toward the house.
"There really was a Bill Wilkins," Maurice explained. "He was the original owner of this property."
The investigator appeared familiar with the information the Church would require during a supernatural inquiry.
"The Hodgsons moved here from another area and bought the house through a real estate agent two years ago. They had no connection to Wilkins or his family."
Maurice glanced toward Margaret and the younger children.
"I believe the activity is genuine. Janet couldn't have known the name of a man who died before her family ever saw this house. Peggy had never heard of him either."
Anderson removed the first report.
Bill Wilkins had been seventy-two when he died. He suffered from blindness and later experienced a cerebral hemorrhage while sitting in the living room. Someone found him unconscious in the chair and he died soon afterward.
The folder also contained photographs Maurice had collected. One showed Janet suspended in the air above her bed. Others captured toys and pieces of furniture moving through the house.
Anderson studied the records as he walked.
Maurice appeared to be correct about the lack of connection between the two families. Bill's relatives had sold the property after his death. Another owner held it briefly before the Hodgsons purchased it.
Still, the evidence would not have been enough for formal Church approval.
The Church maintained strict standards to prevent mistakes. Photographs could be altered and frightened children could overhear information without remembering where they learned it. Even though Anderson knew the haunting was real, he could not encourage Maurice to reach conclusions without stronger proof.
He closed the folder and handed it back.
"Thank you for your work, Mr. Grosse. You're right that there appears to be no connection between Bill Wilkins and the Hodgson family. I'll keep that in mind during the investigation."
Maurice accepted the file with visible excitement.
"I'm glad I could help, Father."
He glanced toward Ed. The older investigator had always wanted recognition from the Church and hoped to become an officially registered paranormal consultant.
Ed understood the look and gave him an encouraging nod.
Peggy opened the front door and welcomed everyone into the house.
Maurice entered behind Anderson and pointed toward a chair in the corner of the living room.
"Father, that is where Bill Wilkins died. Janet often wakes up there after the activity starts."
The old leather recliner looked expensive and well maintained. To Anderson's spiritual senses, it appeared far more disturbing.
Dark stains covered the upholstery even though none were visible to normal eyes. The impression of a seated figure remained pressed into the chair as if someone had never truly left it.
Anderson looked toward Peggy.
"Did you buy this chair?"
"It came with the house," she said while folding her arms. "Most of the furniture was included in the sale."
"I see."
Anderson examined the living room before looking toward the staircase. Walking through the lower floor would reveal little compared with speaking to the child at the center of the case.
"Mrs. Hodgson, I would like to see Janet."
Peggy pressed her lips together. Worry immediately appeared across her face.
Anderson noticed her hesitation and softened his voice.
"I'm not going to hurt her. I will make sure she remains safe."
Peggy continued watching him.
"I only need to ask Janet a few questions. If we want to end this and give your family a normal life again, I need to hear what happened from her."