Chris Redding - Corpse Whisperer

He sighed. “I’ll be okay. I just need some time, Gracie. I’ve loved you a long time. It’ll take me time to stop.”

“Mark, I wish I’d known.”

“No, I wish I hadn’t said anything.”

“Why?”

“Then I’d be here for you instead of running away licking my wounds. Just don’t call me for a few days.”

“Fair enough, Mark.”

He grunted.

“Mark?”

“Yeah, Gracie?”

“I’m sorry I don’t feel the same.”

“Not as sorry as I am.”

The dial tone shouldn’t have surprised her, but it did. She returned the receiver with a heavy heart.

Grace’s phone rang again an hour later. She snatched it hoping it was Mark.

Instead a woman’s voice came on the line. “I know what you are.”

She’d had prank calls before, when she was more open about her gift. Since she didn’t broadcast her ability anymore, she hadn’t received any.

Until now. Her voice left her for a moment.

“What?”

She couldn’t hear any noise in the background so the person was calling from their home. Was it a neighbor? Had someone figured out who she was and what she could do?

She bit her lip. She’d have to shake the dust of this town off of her when she finished. Regret eased through her. Used to moving when a job was done she’d hoped she could stay in Glen Hills.

No such luck.

“I know what you are. And I’m going to tell people.”

“What will you tell them?”

“About your gift.”

There was no sneer in the woman’s voice. Usually the person who called told her she was spawn of the devil. This woman sounded as if she wanted to help Grace.

She wasn’t believing it. “Tell them what you want.”

Once her birthday came this would all be done. Her powers would be gone and she could live a normal life. That was only two hours away.

“I know.”

“How?”

Who had ratted her out?

“I just know.”

A click on the other end finished the conversation.

Zach let himself in, then called out Dolores’ name. Her nurse greeted him in the kitchen. “She wants to see you.”

“Good. Take a break. We might be awhile.”

The nurse poured herself a cup of coffee then sat at the kitchen table. Zach strode down the hallway and found

Dolores in her living room.

Propped up with pillows on her couch, she looked like the queen she thought she was. “Zach.”

“Lors.”

He didn’t kiss her. He didn’t even go near her. Instead he sat on a chair with the coffee table between them.

“So, she’s gotten to you.”

“Who and how did that person get to me?”

“Grace. You have feelings for her.”

He couldn’t deny that. “Yes.”

Dolores smiled. “I knew this day would come. I don’t have you anymore.”

“Lors, you lost me when you lied about the baby. Why?”

“I got scared.”

“You?”

“Yes, strangely enough. Ever since I quit drugs, I’ve never been as sure of myself as I was.”

“Don’t spread it on too thick, Lors. I’m not in a gullible mood.”

“Fine, you’re not in a good mood either. Why’d you come here?”

“Because someone tried to kill you. And I want to know why?”

“Now why would I know that? Besides I wasn’t here. Grace was. Maybe she’s the target.”

Zach shook his head. He did think that, but Grace was convinced someone was going to kill Dolores. “Your house. Who would have known she was here?”

“I don’t know who she talks to. We haven’t talked much.”

“So whose baby was it?”

Her mouth opened and closed a few times. “I’d rather not say. Especially since I lost the baby anyway.”

“You seem relieved more than heartbroken.”

“Honestly, I am. I initially saw it as a new start, a sign that I was on my way.”

“And now?”

“Just a mistake.”

“Would the father have any reason to kill you?”

Her jaw dropped. “I didn’t even tell him.”

“Why not?”

“Because we parted ways before I found out. I wasn’t going to get back with him.”

“Was he married?”

“No, just someone who couldn’t be tied down.”

“Who?”

“Why do you need to know?”

“Because he’s first on my list for who tried to shoot you.”

“Ever the cop, Zach.”

He shrugged. He wouldn’t apologize for what he was. Or what he had been. “Tell me.”

“No one you know. Frankly, I’m embarrassed. It was someone I had a fling with. We spent several days in bed then he had to leave. I’m not sure I could get in touch with him anyway.”

“Are you blackmailing anyone?” Grace said from the doorway.

Dolores turned to her like a cat who’d been cornered. Zach leapt between them even though his ex-wife wouldn’t be a formidable opponent at this point.

“You going to take everything from me, Grace? My dignity, too?”

“Quit the melodrama, Dolores,” Zach said.

“Why? She’s got you wrapped around her finger.”

Zach couldn’t deny that he would believe Grace over his ex-wife. But only because she’d been honest with him.

“I’m not here to steal anything.” Her gaze flicked to Zach. “I’m just here to save your life.”

“Huh? Please.”

“Listen to her Dolores.”

Grace sat on the coffee table. “Dolores, someone killed you and you spoke to me and asked me to help you.”

Grace’s heart fluttered in her chest. She’d never revealed herself to the person she was helping.

Seeing Dolores laugh didn’t encourage her to do it again.

Dolores looked from Grace to Zach. “And you believe her? She must be good in bed.”

Grace’s spine stiffened. She looked at Zach, then left. So much for the direct approach.

Zach caught up with her at the bottom of her steps. He pulled her into his embrace. “It’s okay. Dolores doesn’t have a lot of imagination.”

“You don’t believe me either.”

“I do. Or at least I’m trying.”

The colors green and gray danced in front of her eyes. Her heart skipped a beat and the world went a little cockeyed. “I need to sit.”

“Let’s get you inside.”

His voice floated past her ear. The back yard grew blurry. Her knees went weak. “Zach.”

He scooped her up before she could fall. She hated and liked the feeling of his strong arms around her. He held her as if he carried damsels all the time.

She cursed herself for her weakness, especially since it involved Zach. Without her wanting it he could have her on her knees.

He placed her on her sofa bed as if she were fine China. The visions disappeared, but his touch remained. She didn’t understand this. It made no sense. Why did he sometimes affect her, but not other times? She didn’t need this part of her life being off-balance. She only wanted to get through to her birthday.

All would be over then. Her power gone, but then so would Zach. He wouldn’t remember and that made her heart ache.

“Let me get you some water.”

She grabbed at him. “Don’t go.” She’d never clung to anyone, not even Mark. Her mother had warned her to go through life alone, at least until her power was gone.

Funny, her mother hadn’t and her father ended up being killed when neither of them could help. Exhaustion crept into her bones like a dog coming back to its master after it has been bad.

He sat next to her, studying her, as if memorizing her features. “The colors?”

“Yes, but they’re gone now.”

He smiled. “Good. Don’t let Dolores bother you.”

“She did, but I shouldn’t have said anything. What’s our next move?”

He snuggled her closer, the embrace of a lover. She knew if she just kissed him, he’d make love to her. That’s a memory she would hold in her heart forever.