Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 71312 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 357(@200wpm)___ 285(@250wpm)___ 238(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 71312 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 357(@200wpm)___ 285(@250wpm)___ 238(@300wpm)
“Just as I said. He’s a serial killer and he’s going to strike again.”
“Trusting your…your psychic instincts is one thing. Thinking a ghost is still out there murdering people.” He shakes his head again. “Come on, kid, you don’t really believe that, do you?”
“The spirits have spoken,” I say, doing my best not to cringe at myself, feeling like I’m back at the little round table, dressed in a black Victorian dress, working as a medium-for-hire. “Sorry. And I do. I told you, I’ve seen his spirit and I know it’s bound to this place because he followed me home.”
“I’ve watched those ghost adventuring shows. That happens sometimes, and it doesn’t make the ghosts capable of murder. They walk through walls. How can they strangle—never mind.”
“That event…he’ll find it. Unless…” I trail off, not finishing that sentence with we’re able to hack into a bird cam and burn a corpse and look up at the house. Chaotic, angry energy radiates from it, making me shiver. For years, Stuart guarded this place, scaring off anyone who could reveal his secret.
“The event has rented space at Central Park in Paradise Valley,” Officer Maxwell says. “It’s standard to have officers at any events that take place downtown. Best I can do is say we’ve heard of some threats by religious zealots. How’s that? In this day and age, those kinds of things are taken seriously.”
“Yeah, I know. But you can’t shoot a ghost.”
“But a ghost can strangle someone?”
“It’s complicated, but yes,” I sigh. “I don’t want to see people get hurt. This event is a disaster waiting to happen.”
“Look, say I bought your crazy theory. But we can’t cancel something like this without reason.”
“Bomb threat?”
He narrows his eyes. “We’re done here. Go home.”
“Can you just do one more thing for me?”
“Will it get you to flipping drop this whole undead serial killer thing?”
“Ghosts aren’t undead, but yes.”
He gives me a nod. “Go on, then.”
“Tell Lauren Peterson, the owner of this house, that she can’t set foot onto the property for like twenty-four hours. I can’t imagine Stuart is very happy right now and she shouldn’t be in the house alone.”
He stares at me, blinking, but then sighs. “The area will be roped off and the crime scene team will come back in the daylight to search the area more thoroughly, so she can’t come back.”
“Perfect.” I bite my lip and look at the house, feeling Allison’s spirit start to lighten. This was what she was waiting for. Hit with sudden emotion, I blink rapidly to keep from crying. “Thanks again,” I croak out and turn. Keith notices me and rushes over, putting his arm around me.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” I say, teeth chattering. “These aren’t my emotions but they kind of are.” I tip my head up, blinking back more tears, taking a minute to compose myself. “That was Allison’s unfinished business.”
“She moved on?”
“Mh-hm,” I say and now Keith gets emotional.
“What about you-know-who?”
“He’s pissed. Guarding that secret was a big part of why his spirit was here.”
“I cannot wait to get rid of him.”
“You and I both. Are you going to hang out here with your aunt?”
Keith nods. “Someone has to make sure she actually keeps her ass out of that house. She’s much more likely to take a paranormal threat seriously after that evidence was recovered. But you go home to that gorgeous boyfriend and your sexy faery friend. He is single, isn’t he?”
I crinkle my nose. “I really like our group dynamic but who am I to stop love?”
“Honey, it wouldn’t be love. You do realize someone who’s been fucking for a century knows a thing or two.”
“I actually never thought of that. Oh my god, think of those super old vampires!”
Keith and I both laugh. “And with super speed and super strength. Mhhh. Makes me want to see if the rumors are true.”
“Once you go undead you never go back?”
Keith snickers. “I prefer warm bodies. Anyway, you amaze me, Anora.”
I wave my hand in the air. “Nah. It was nothing.”
“Well,” Lauren says, coming over to us. “They’re telling me I need to leave.” She rolls her eyes. “They’re coming back in the morning to look for more evidence. Can you believe it?”
“The nerve,” Keith shoots back sarcastically. “How dare they make sure those families get closure.”
Lauren gives him a look. “When you say it like that…”
“You sound heartless?”
“Shut it. Izzy is having friends over tomorrow so that’s what I’ll be doing after work. Thank god her friend’s moms like to drink.”
“That’s what we have to look forward to as parents?” I ask with a laugh.
“Trust me,” Lauren goes on. “I never really liked wine or coffee until after I had a daughter. Anyway, let's get going and let them work.” The three of us start forward and then something occurs to me.
“You guys go, I just have to ask Officer Maxwell something. Text me later?”