Corpse Whisperer (18 page)

“Thanks, Zach, but I just want to rest.”

“Of course. You need anything?”

“No. I hired a nurse for the night.”

“Good.”

Zach waited until she was inside her house with her nurse before he took Grace’s steps two at a time.

She answered his knock, but didn’t let him in. “Go away, Zach. I don’t appreciate being a sideshow freak for anyone.”

“You aren’t.” He put out his hands to touch her, make her believe him. She stepped away from him. “I’ve never stopped being a cop. I always need to know what I’m dealing with.”

Disgust screwed up her face. “What you’re dealing with? I’m human Zach and I still have feelings.”

He cursed himself for using the wrong word. Talking had never been his forte. He sighed. “Grace, listen. I just want to help.”

“Then tell me who you think would try to kill Dolores.”

“You mean, you? The person shot at you.”

“Okay, then who would kill me?”

“Your friend, Mark.”

Her face scrunched up. “Mark?”

“He’s in love with you and can’t have you.”

“He just thinks he’s in love with me.”

“Can we have this conversation inside?”

She let him in, but not before thinking about it. “Okay.”

Perched on the edge of her couch, she looked at him, eyebrows up.

He clenched his fists. Had last night meant nothing? “You can’t fault me for wanting to know about you.”

“Why not? It’s an invasion of my privacy.”

“I wanted facts. Facts about this talent you say you have. It’s what I do. Investigate.”

“And what did you find out? What facts have you brought to light?” Bitterness tinged her voice.

He slumped onto the chair. “Nothing really. That reporter didn’t like you.”

“She thinks I made up a story to tell her.”

“So you told her the truth.”

She stood and paced away from him. “Look, the killer is still out there. And we’re in here splitting hairs. You can either help me or get out of my way.”

She was obviously determined to do this her way.

“So what’s our next move?”

“We keep an eye on Dolores’ house. The last time the person killed her the day she came home from the hospital.”

She had no idea how bizarre her words sounded to him. As if Dolores had been killed more than once. “There isn’t a better view from here. We just can’t see the front door.”

“There’s a cop out front, right?”

“Yes, but he could get called away at any moment if he’s needed somewhere else.”

She frowned and wrapped herself in her arms. Zach wanted his arms to be there, but he knew he had ground to make up. She wanted him to believe her. He’d get nowhere until he did. This whole idea was a tough sell. He considered her worth the try to stretch his imagination.

There were people in his family that said they had powers. He avoided them if he could. He wasn’t willing to avoid Grace. “Grace, I won’t apologize for doing something that is a part of me. I investigate. I have a curious nature and I needed to know about you. I wanted to make sure that Dolores wasn’t going to get ripped off.”

She nodded and seemed to be mulling that over. “I guess I can’t blame you.”

“You haven’t committed any crimes so I couldn’t do an official background check so I used the internet.”

“Why didn’t you read them and forget them? You printed them out.”

He stood and walked so he was within her personal space. She had to know how he felt. “Because there is something about you, something that draws me to you. And I haven’t felt this kind of attraction in a long time. Maybe not ever.”

Her eyes widened liked saucers. “I’ll probably move on after all this.”

His heart went heavy. He brushed a hair from her face, his fingers only grazing her cheek. He saw her flinch only because he was looking for it. Like dealing with a skittish colt, he’d have to take it slowly. Maybe she’d rethink moving on. “I guess I’ll deal with that if it happens.”

He reached out to her again still with some hesitation. Would she see the colors? His finger traced her jaw line and she didn’t pull away. Instead her eyes closed, her face leaning into his touch.

A murmur escaped her lips. “We can’t do this now.”

“I know, but I’m going to kiss you.”

He brought his lips to hers as lightning sent a sizzle through him. He’d kissed many women, some of them expert kissers. Right now his knees wanted to buckle. Instead, he dug his fingers into her hair as if it were a lifeline.

She responded by grabbing his shirt front and pulling him closer. No room for the Holy Spirit here.

Just as he was settling into the rhythm of her lips, she nudged him away. “I heard a car,” she said, her voice sandpaper.

His cop radar went on overload. The kiss still burned his lips, but the hair on the back of his neck stood.

“Damn. We’ll revisit that,” he said, glancing out the window.

He raced down Grace’s steps with her close behind. “It’s Mark.”

Sure enough her squat friend climbed out of a compact car. “What’s up guys?”

Chapter Twenty

Grace’s breath slowed. She was out of breath more from Zach’s kisses than from the trek down the steps.

Mark eyed them both.

Her hand went to her probably swollen lips. “Where have you been?” Her breathy voice held no venom. Guilt tinged her consciousness even though rationally she had no reason. Mark had no claim to her.

She just didn’t need to rub it in his face.

His gaze went to Zach who had moved closer to her. He couldn’t have been more obvious about possessing her than if he’d peed on her leg.

“Police station,” Mark said, more to Zach than to her. He looked like a kid daring Zach to tell on him.

Grace stepped away from Zach’s overbearing presence. Mark didn’t need this, nor did she. “You went in?”

“Sure, I got nothing to hide. They let me go finally. What have you two been up to?”

“Nothing,” she said, more quickly than she should have.

Mark faced Zach. “So you’ve moved in on her already.”
“Mark, it isn’t what you think,” Grace said.

“Oh, I can just imagine. I’m out of here.”

He slammed the car door and squealed his tires on the way out. Grace had never seen him so upset. “Has he been drinking?”

“I didn’t smell anything,” Zach said.

She rubbed a hand through her hair. What a mess she was making. Of her life. Of everyone’s around her. Zach’s arms hung at his sides, as if the crisis were over now. Was it just beginning?

He wasn’t here because he believed her. He was here because of his attraction to her. Not that she could deny there were feelings inside of her for him. She couldn’t act on them. She couldn’t get distracted.

She’d cost someone’s life once already. Her mind wouldn’t take that again.

“You better go check on Dolores,” Grace said.

Zach nodded. “Not until you’re inside, with the door locked.”

She trudged up the steps, wanting only sleep, knowing it would have to wait. Besides, with the sun up, she’d never sleep.

Her phone rang. Mark.

“I’m leaving town. I’ll be in touch,” he said.

“You okay?”

She didn’t want him to leave on this note. They’d been friends for too long to ruin the friendship now.

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.”

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.

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.

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.