Chris Redding - Corpse Whisperer

Celia Johnson was the last person Zach expected to invite over for dinner. But she was his sister and his dealing with Grace had made him realize that life could be short.

She showed up dressed in conservative jeans he didn’t know she owned.

“I know I don’t look like myself, but I didn’t want to make you uncomfortable.”

He led her into his living area. She looked around and he realized she hadn’t ever been here. She was the only family he had, and guilt streaked across his soul.

“Wine?”

“No thanks.”

“No?”

“I quit drinking. It interferes with. . ” Her hands flailed as if trying to grasp a word. “My gift.” Her hands rested at her sides. “Why am I here?”

He smiled. “Cut to the chase, huh?”

“I’m a little too tired for a confrontation.”

“Sit.”

She settled on his oversized, leather couch. Crossing her legs she looked at him as if waiting for the wisdom of the ages. He didn’t know where his ability to forgive her came from. Maybe his time with Grace made him realize that Celia’s power wasn’t always a positive thing for her.

“I’m sorry.”

Celia’s black tinged mouth dropped open. “You’re sorry, huh? For what?”

He sat beside her, his jean clad knee touching hers. “For not being a very good brother.”

She chuckled, her gaze never leaving his. “You have it bad.”

“Huh?”

“This Grace has you good.” She ran a hand through her unruly red locks.

“I don’t know what Grace has. How do you know about her anyway?”

His sister just smiled. “She has a gift. She may not see it that way.”

He leaned back on the cushions Grace’s face in his mind, her lips pursed in consternation. He wasn’t one to believe in love at first sight, but he was gobsmacked by Grace. It wasn’t love, but rather some strong connection. As if he’d known her all of his life.

He was drawn to her.

“Believe her.”

“I’m trying Celia.”

He brushed a hair from her face. “Will you forgive me?”

“I had a long time ago. I knew you didn’t understand that I wasn’t trying to hurt you. I can’t control what I see, but I feel compelled to tell you.”

He nodded thinking maybe he did understand. “So what do I do about this woman?”

She laughed again. “If I have to spell that out, Zach, then you’re in worse shape than I thought.

Grace couldn’t sleep. She went for a run and ended up in Dolores’ neighborhood.

No lights were on either in Dolores’ house or the garage apartment. “I wonder if that guy is going to show up?”

She sighed.

A scream catapulted her out of her reverie. She took Dolores four front steps in one jump. She knocked, then barreled through the unlocked door. “Dolores?”

With her eyes already adjusted to the darkness, she could navigate through the house to the bathroom. A light shone and illuminated a crumpled figure. “Dolores?”

Surrounded by blood Dolores didn’t move. She had a weak, thready pulse. Grace dialed 9-1-1 then returned to monitor her patient. No one else had heard the scream.

Flipping open her cell phone, she dialed Zach’s number. “Zach, it’s Grace Harmony. I’m at Dolores’ house. She’s in trouble.”

“What’s wrong?”

“Come quickly.”

She disconnected, not wanting to explain. She wasn’t sure if Dolores had been shot or she’d lost the baby. Most likely this was the miscarriage.

A siren sounded in the distance, a welcome sound. The EMT’s arrived first and went to work. Two paramedics she worked with rolled on the scene. They loaded Dolores into the ambulance just as Zach arrived.

“She’s losing the baby,” Grace said to him. “I’ll drive.”

He followed, his face a study in disbelief. “The baby?”

“I think so.”

“She really wanted this baby.”

Grace just nodded grimly.

The scene of Zach pacing in the hospital emergency room was getting tired and stale for Grace. She went through the heartache with him three times now. Her strength ebbing, she wasn’t sure she could go through this again. She had to solve this during this rewind.

She brought him coffee. He held it, not taking any sips, as if he’d forgotten that it was there. “Drink.”

He looked down at the white Styrofoam cup as if he’d never seen it before this. “Can you find out what’s happening?”

“I can, but it’s better to let them work on her. They’ll let us know when they can.”

He nodded, obviously knowing that was the answer she would give. “I was just starting to wrap my brain around the idea of a kid. Never really thought about having one. When Dolores and I divorced I didn’t expect to remarry.”

“One never knows what life brings us.” She rubbed her head. “Sorry, that was trite.”

He put a hand on her thigh. “It’s okay.”

His warmth infused her and the vision of them and children sprang out of her mind like a screen coming up before her. She wanted to smile at the happiness she saw in the picture.

“You’ve done so much, Grace. How did you come to be there?”

“I was out running. I couldn’t sleep. Ended up on her doorstep, I guess to check on her.”

“Did you know something was wrong?”

She could lie and tell him she did, but she wanted him to trust her. “No, I didn’t. At least not consciously.”

“I’m glad you were there,” he said, his voice hollow.

A nurse appeared in the doorway. “Mr. Holten?”

Zach stood as if braced to hear whatever news she brought.

The baby that didn’t make it wasn’t his. Dolores was okay, but the baby, a twelve week fetus, was not his. He didn’t know which emotion to feel first, relief or disappointment.

He knew at that point in time, he couldn’t ever trust Dolores again. He was done making excuses for her lies.

Now was the time to look forward and that meant this woman standing in front of him. He didn’t know why, but she seemed to be a part of his future.

“Let’s go,” he said.

She jumped out of her chair, her mouth opened. “Aren’t you going to wait until she’s settled in a room?”

“No, I’ll come see her tomorrow.” He could hear the bitterness in his own voice.

When they got to her car he said, “You must think me a jerk.”

She shook her head. “No. I don’t know your history with Dolores.”

“We have quite a colorful one. We ended our relationship three times before we married. I should have known better.”

He shook his head while he slid into the passenger side. She drove him back to his car at Dolores’ house. “Have you met the tenant?”

Zach looked up at the darkened apartment. “No. Seems odd that the person didn’t come out with all the commotion last night.”

“Maybe they aren’t home.”

“None of my business.” He glanced over at Grace not eager to leave her company. “You need some breakfast?”

“I need a shower and to go to work.”

“Can I meet you for lunch?”

“As long as you don’t mind being stood up.”

“Why?”

“Because if a call comes in I have to go.”

“That’s how it was when I was a cop.”

“Then it’s a deal. Noon in the hospital cafeteria?”

“I’ll see you then.”

Grace met Zach at lunch. Her morning had not gone well. Even her partner had remarked that she didn’t seem to have the touch anymore.

“Off day?”

“I usually can just get a feeling for what they need, but not today. At least I haven’t killed anyone.”

“About Dolores.”

She raised a hand. “I’m not sure I’m up to talking about her.”