In "Ghost Story", Murphy has expanded the protective role she established in "Aftermath". Grudgingly accepting assistance from Gard and Marcone (mainly financial support from Marcone), she establishes a base of operations on the site of Dresden's former residence in a new castle-like structure built by Marcone and organizes several of Dresden's mortal resources to deal with the problems caused by the power vacuum left following the destruction of the Red Court. Harry's observations detail Murphy's attitude change since his "death." She has shaved her hair down to a low buzz cut and become increasingly withdrawn, confrontational, and hardened to the world around her. Butters surmises Harry's death affected Murphy more than she can admit even to herself. She trains with Monoc Securities warriors, Einherjar, men many times her size with centuries of fighting experience, in full contact sparring matches. Once news of Dresden's absence got out, supernatural beings began to prey on the mortal world, and in particular, Chicago. It is clear that she still detests Marcone and resists accepting his interference in day-to-day operations, but Murphy has become a harder character and learned to face threats that normally Harry would have dealt with using the resources she has available.