Aaron Lightner is a member of the Talamasca—a secret group that studies the occult. He interviews Doctor Petrie, who treated Deirdre Mayfair. The doctor recalls going to the Mayfair house in the Garden District and meeting several Mayfairs, including Carl (Carlotta), Millie, and Nancy, as well as Deirdre’s nurse. The women share some details about other family members, such as Ellie and Stella. Deirdre, who is in her 40s, is on large doses of Thorazine. She sits on the porch in nightgowns and an emerald pendant, seemingly unable to move. The doctor wants to stop giving her drugs or lower her dose. He sees a spirit named Lasher near Deirdre.

After Lasher knocks the syringe out of the doctor’s hand, Petrie is “off the case” (18). He walks past the house, worries about Deirdre, and then goes to a bar. There, Petrie sees Lasher and watches as he disappears. Petrie also sees Lasher in Jackson Square. Eventually, the hauntings cause him to leave New Orleans and move to Maine. After he tells Aaron about his experiences with the Mayfairs, Petrie asks for the recording of their session, and Aaron gives it to him.