Sleep Savannah Sleep

by Alistair Cross

  “Eighteen. So you’ve said.” Unblinking, Jason held his son in place. “But you’re not eighteen, Brent, and until you’re supporting yourself in your own home, you’ll do what I say, when I say, and right now, I say get out of my face.” He abruptly let go of the boy.

  Brent stumbled back. Uncertainty flashed in his eyes, but they quickly regained their hard spark. He straightened, puffing his chest. “No.” His voice was full of defiance and teenage hormones.

  His eyes locked on his son’s, Jason closed the few steps between them, meeting the challenge. “One more word out of you and this is going to get really ugly, really fast.” He watched Brent debating on whether or not to push it. “Just one more word.”

  Apparently, his better sense won out, because, finally, Brent’s face relaxed, the hardness in his eyes softened, and he lowered himself onto the couch.

  “That was a wise choice, Brent.”

  “Whatever. You don’t scare me.”

  “I’m not trying to scare you. I’m trying to talk to you like an adult.”

  Brent hung his head in silence, staring at the space between his feet. He suddenly looked so tired, so defeated, so alone.

  Jason felt the edges of his own anger go dull. After several moments, he carefully sat down next to his son. “I get it, Brent. I do.”

  “You get what?” The venom was gone from his voice.

  “This hasn’t been easy for you, any of it. What happened to Mom. And then the move. This ridiculous business with Savannah. And I know you miss Liam.”

  Brent rubbed the back of his neck. “Whatever. Liam’s a douche. If he was a real friend, I’d have heard from him.”

  “You’re wrong, Brent. He just lost his sister and his mom. You have to try and understand what he’s going through.”

  “No, I don’t.”

  “Brent, don’t you think-”

  “You don’t know what I think.” Brent’s voice was flat. “You don’t even know who I am.”

  Jason couldn’t argue that. “You’re right. I don’t. So, tell me. Tell me what’s going on. Tell me what you want.”

  Brent lowered his head and closed his eyes. “I already told you what I want. I want you to stay out of freakin’ murder cases so we can try to be a normal family.”

  “Unfortunately, I can’t do that right now.” Jason studied his son, trying to figure out the source of the boy’s hostility. “What’s really bothering you? Is it about Mom? Is it Liam? What is it?”

  Brent hesitated. “It’s everything.”

  “How can I help you, Brent?”

  Brent shook his head. “You won’t listen, so it doesn’t matter.”

  “That’s not true. Just talk to me.” Jason felt hollowed out. “I’m tired of fighting with you, Brent. We can have pissing contests and knock heads until we’re both dead, but it isn’t going to change a thing. So let’s talk. Not as father and son, but man-to-man. Tell me what’s bothering you.”

  Brent was silent.

  “You can tell me anything. You know that, right?”

  “All right,” Brent said at last. “Here’s what’s bothering me …” He glanced at Jason from the corner of his eye. “And if you punish me for saying it, I’ll never tell you anything ever again.”

  “Fair enough.”

  Brent ran the back of his hand across his nose and sniffed. “You’re always telling me how I am, but do you know how you are? Do you know that you’re so wrapped up in the Savannah Sturgess thing that it’s like me and Amber don’t even exist anymore? Do you know that?”

  He did know it - and he hated himself for it. “I do. I’m sorry. Once this is over-”

  “But what if it’s never over?” Brent’s voice cracked with emotion.

  “It can’t go on forever, Brent.”

  Brent gave a half-hearted shrug.

  “Look. I know you’re scared. I can see it, and there’s nothing wrong with that. But it’s going to be all right. We’re going to be all right.”

  Brent shrugged again. “Uh-huh.”

  “And I’m not going to prison, so don’t even think about that. I just have to go give my testimony so they can convict Savannah’s murderer.”

  Brent shifted. “But everybody knows it’s Travis Delgado.”

  “Probably.”

  “Of course it’s him. Who else?”

  “It doesn’t matter,” Jason said. “What’s important to me is us. You and me. Can we at least try to be friends?” He leaned forward and tried to force his son to look at him. “Please?”

  But Brent just stared at the floor. “I guess.”

  “So … friends?”

  Brent nodded. “Friends,” he mumbled.

  Jason squeezed Brent’s shoulder. “I love you, son.”

  Brent picked at his fingernails. “I love you, too, Dad.”

  His words, so very rarely spoken, caught Jason off guard and turned his heart into a big warm puddle. Without thinking, he pulled Brent into a hug.

  Brent not only let him, but wrapped his arms around Jason’s ribs and tightly squeezed back.

  Jason heard his own breath hitch with emotion - his son hadn’t hugged back since he was a child. He put a hand on Brent’s head, holding him close. Tears pricked his eyes and he closed them, relishing this rare moment. He vowed to be more compassionate toward Brent. It was obvious why the kid was acting out - he’d just lost one parent, and now, he was scared of losing another. “I’m not going anywhere, Brent.” He kissed his son’s head, breathing in the scent of him, his heart full to bursting. “It’ll work out. I promise.”

  Jason had two appointments the next day, and both of them cancelled that morning. And so it begins, he told himself. He wasn’t surprised. News of his involvement in the Savannah Sturgess case was undoubtedly making its way through the grapevine and soon, he’d have no clients at all. Then what? His savings and Julia’s life insurance money would only stretch so far. After that, he’d either have to get a job or leave town and start the business somewhere else. But there’s nothing I can do about that right now.

  He tried looking on the bright side. The cancellations would give him a chance to do some reading about ghosts and hauntings. He hoped the books would give him some insight into the nature of the dead - and more specifically, how to get rid of them. It was completely ridiculous, he knew, and yet it was the only thing that made any sense.

  He dove into the pages, jotting down potentially helpful notes. According to one book, hauntings were nothing more than energetic residue, memories in motion, a tape on a loop. This certainly didn’t apply to his situation. Another book suggested that ghosts were living people in a different dimension. Allegedly, the dimensions sometimes crossed, and that’s when you saw what you thought was a ghost. This didn’t apply either. The third book was the most helpful. It addressed earthbound spirits who weren’t at peace and couldn’t move on, and this, he was certain, was what he was dealing with. As he read, he found a strange comfort in the stories. There were endless accounts just like his - he wasn’t alone.

  BONG-DONG-DING-BONG!

  Jason’s shoulders bunched - so far, no one but Savannah had ever rung the bell and he immediately equated the sound with her presence.

  But it couldn’t be …

  He hurried to the door, half-expecting it to be her.

  But it wasn’t Savannah.

  Hallie Bessner, in a black t-shirt and flattering blue jeans, smiled at him. “Hi!”

  “Hallie!” Seeing her lifted his mood. “Come in.” He opened the door.

  She brushed past him and he caught the mouthwatering scents of fruity shampoo and soft, sweet perfume. “Would you believe it if I said I was just in the neighborhood? It’s such a cliché, I know, but it’s true. I had to stop by my sister’s to drop off some shoes she lent me. I hope I’m not interrupting anything.”

  “No, of course not. Come in and sit down.” He led her into the living room, glad he’d picked up Brent’s dirty socks and shoes. “I’ll get you some cof
fee.”

  She took a seat on the sofa. “You don’t have to trouble yourself.”

  “It’s no trouble. I already have some made and was going to grab a cup anyway.”

  “All right, if you insist.” When she smiled, dimples appeared. They were adorable, and he was surprised he hadn’t noticed them before. It seemed as if every time he was near her, he found something new to like.

  “Cream? Sugar?”

  “Just black.”

  “I’ll be back in a flash.” He went into the kitchen, quickly poured two cups, zapped them in the microwave, and returned, joining her on the sofa.

  “Thank you.” She took her coffee and sipped it. “I haven’t heard from you in a few days. I hope everything’s okay?”

  Though he hadn’t been to The Devil’s Triangle recently, he and Hallie had been texting quite a bit - until the last couple of days, anyway. “Things are … all right.” He wondered if he should tell her about his involvement in the Savannah Sturgess case - then it occurred to him that she probably already knew - small town gossip and all that. “I’m sure you heard about …”

  Sipping her coffee, Hallie nodded. “But I’m not here to pry, I promise.”

  Jason smiled. He did that a lot around her. “Pry away.”

  “Really?”

  “Better to hear the truth than rumors.”

  “Well said. I agree, but really, I just came to see if you’re okay.” She glanced at the stack of books about ghosts on the coffee table.

  Jason’s cheeks flared. He wished he’d thought to put them away.

  Hallie picked one up and thumbed through it. “Now this on the other hand, I just may have to probe you about.”

  “Um, well …” Jason cleared his throat.

  She looked at him. “You believe in ghosts?”

  “I …” His neck, cheeks, and ears went hot.

  “I believe in them, too.”

  “Really?”

  She nodded. “Definitely. And lots of other things that can’t be explained.” She looked at him and smiled. “I won’t think you’re a freak if you extend me the same courtesy. Fair?”

  Jason laughed. “Fair.”

  Hallie turned toward him. “Did I ever tell you that I once got a reading from Tabitha Cooper?”

  He shook his head and sipped his coffee. “And? How was it?”

  “Everything she said was dead on. She warned me about my then-fiancé. She said he’d never be faithful to me - among other things. Everything she told me about him was totally accurate and I knew it, but …” She shrugged. “I ignored it, anyway. I think people see what they want to see. Except people like Tabitha Cooper, that is. She saw a lot more than most.”

  “I never met her but … let’s just say she’s part of the reason I’m learning about hauntings and restless spirits and such.”

  Hallie’s eyes danced with intrigue. “Do you think she’s … haunting you?”

  Jason coughed. “Well, no. Not exactly. But she’s… uh … making unusual appearances in my dreams.” A part of him felt like an idiot but another part felt sure he could tell her anything. Before he could overthink it, he continued. “I think it’s Savannah who’s haunting me.” He searched her eyes for skepticism and found none.

  “Well, now you have to tell me more.”

  “Well.” He shifted uncomfortably. “It’s really very strange.”

  “I won’t think it’s strange. Well, I might - but I won’t think you’re strange, believe me.”

  And he did believe her. Before he knew it, he was telling her about the dreams, the hallucinations, and how he knew where to find Savannah Sturgess’ body. As he spoke, she listened with genuine interest. It should have felt uncomfortable confessing these things to her, but instead, it was surprisingly natural, like sharing secrets with a lifelong friend.

  “And that’s why I have to go to court,” he finished. “And I’m not looking forward to it.”

  “I don’t blame you.” She watched him with concern. “Why don’t you let me go with you?”

  “What?”

  “To court.”

  “Oh. You don’t have to do that.” This woman was just full of surprises.

  “But I’d like to. If you want me to, that is.”

  “But … why?”

  Hallie shrugged. “You might need a shoulder to cry on.” Her lips spread into a mischievous grin. “Plus, I’d love to see Travis Delgado get his ass handed to him by Ed Gregorio.” She sucked air in through her teeth. “Old Ed’s a mean son-of-a-bitch when he needs to be.”

  “You know him?”

  “Well, we don’t play poker together on Friday nights, but I’ve heard the stories about him.”

  “Do you know Jacqueline Winters?”

  Hallie wrinkled her nose. “I wouldn’t even play tic-tac-toe with that ice queen.”

  Jason laughed. “I’ve heard she’s quite a …”

  “Bitch? You heard right. But Gregorio is the better attorney. So, what do you say? How would you like some moral support?”

  “If you’re sure. I mean, as long as you don’t feel obligated.”

  “Of course not. Just tell me what day and time and I’ll be there. My work schedule is pretty flexible.”

  “Thank you. That’s really sweet of you.” He was surprised to realize how much he liked the idea of taking her along. Sometimes, just not being alone made even the most difficult situations bearable. This was one of those times.

  “I’m happy to. Like I said, I’d love to see Travis get raked over the coals.” She gave him a wicked little smile.

  But he could tell she didn’t care about what happened to Travis; she was genuinely concerned for him. He felt warmth flood through his chest as if his heart had swelled to twice its size - it had been a long time since anyone had been so good to him. And he felt something else too - a compelling need to kiss her. His gaze darted over her face and when they lit on her lips, it was as if every hair on his body stood at attention.

  He guessed from her eyes she felt the same way - and the next thing he knew, they were kissing, really kissing, their tongues darting with deep, hungry strokes, their hands roaming - hers through his hair and his up her arm to one firm breast that fit perfectly in his palm. He gently squeezed and the moan in her throat spiked his hunger.

  He broke the kiss to move to her neck to breathe her in, to run his tongue along the side of her skin and nip tenderly at the soft white sweetness. “Yes,” he whispered. “Yes.” He brought his mouth back to hers, his tongue greedily probing. His hands found her shoulders and he carefully began urging her back, wanting to be on top of her.

  “Wait.” Her voice broke the trance.

  Jason drew back, suddenly aware of what had almost happened. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to-”

  “No,” Hallie said in breathless tones. “It’s okay. It’s my fault. I-”

  “No, I shouldn’t have …”

  For a moment, they stared at each other and Jason could tell she wanted him as much as he wanted her - he could see it dancing in her eyes, feel it rising from her skin in heady waves. But it was too soon - and they both knew it. Hallie sighed, smiled weakly, and patted his knee. “I liked it. A lot. But … Let’s wait, okay?” Her lips were red from the crush of Jason’s beard stubble.

  He liked the way it looked on her. “Yes. My God, I’m so embarrassed.” He stared at the floor.

  “Don’t be. Please.”

  But red heat crept up from the collar of his shirt. “I don’t know what came over me.”

  “Jason?”

  He faced her.

  She placed her hands on the sides of his face and smiled. “I should go.” Her breath was hot and delicious against his lips. She stood.

  Jason got to his feet, thrusting his hands in his pockets in an attempt to camouflage his raging erection. “I hope I didn’t … scare you off.”

  Her smile put him at ease. “Of course not. We still have a book club to run. And I’m going to court with you,
remember?”

  “Oh, good.” Relief washed over him; he’d been terrified he’d scared her off.

  She laughed. “You didn’t think you were going to get rid of me that easily, did you?”

  “I was … hoping not.”

  Then her eyes went serious. “Jason. I didn’t stop you because I wanted to. I stopped you because I don’t want to be the reason you feel guilty.” She glanced at the framed photograph of Julia on the mantle, and Jason’s cheeks burned hotter. “It’s too soon; we both know that. But I’m willing to wait until you’re ready. I mean, really ready. No matter how long it takes.”

  Jason took her hand. “Thank you, Hallie.” He gave her a soft kiss on the cheek.

  “For what?” She grinned. “I barely let you get to second base, handsome. You should be furious with me.”

  Jason chuckled self-consciously. “For being the voice of reason? I’m glad you stopped me. It’s just ... too soon, like you said.”

  She pulled her keys from her pocket. “Well, it wasn’t easy, I’ll tell you that much.” She waggled her eyebrows at him. “Man, you’re like a wind-up toy when you get going!” Her laughter soothed the sting of his embarrassment and he laughed too, part relieved, part disappointed, but altogether stunned by this woman’s effect on him.

  15

  Inquisition

  Jacqueline Winters, in a navy Valentino power suit sat tapping her pencil as Ed Gregorio questioned Sheriff Marshall Redding.

  Jason watched her, both eager and afraid to see her in action. Her shoulder-length bob was the color of frost and her red-tipped nails reminded him of cigarette burns. The bright polish was an unlikely deviation from her otherwise formal appearance; its effect was mesmerizing - and terrifying.

  Equally as terrifying was the man who sat next to her. Travis Delgado was clean-shaven with freshly-barbered hair. The well-cut black suit and charcoal tie were a startling contrast to the two black eyes, the haphazardly plastered nose bandage, and the shameless neck brace that was surely more for show than purpose. Delgado’s injuries were surprisingly considerable but Jason felt no remorse. In fact, if not for the nerve-wracking reality of the courtroom, he would have been so proud his buttons might have popped right off his shirt. I messed him up pretty good.