"I think it's pretty awesome."
"Well, you'd be the only one."
"For what it's worth, everyone thinks you're cool. If Alicia is messing with you, then you're okay in her book."
Kylie let out a small smile. "That means a lot, believe me. I'm sorry. I'm not usually this moody."
Guilt attacked him at the thought of what he'd put her through. The night hadn't gone as planned, at least as far as Kylie was concerned.
"Actually, I'm the one who's sorry. I was hoping we could all show you a good time, ghost or not." He looked back to the house. "Instead I showed you a vampire and a witch. I'm not exactly easing you into things, am I?"
Her eyes lit up. "Oh, no. Don't think that at all. I'm having fun. Actually, I've had more fun tonight than I've ever had. Your friends are awesome."
"They're not freaking you out?"
"Well, maybe just a little."
A new voice from behind startled Alex and Kylie both, making them jump.
"Alex."
He whirled his head to see Victoria, looking down at him. Even in heels she was completely silent.
"Shit, Victoria! Stop sneaking up on people."
"I can't help it," she said, shrugging. The corner of her mouth lifted in a playful smile. "Old habit, I guess. I have to go. Kevin's inside drawing up a portal for me now. Is the blood still in the basement?"
"Yeah," he said, nodding. "Right where you left it."
"Excellent. Give me a hug before I leave."
They embraced. With her heels Victoria was just as tall as Alex. He willed her to see Kylie once again.
"Good luck to you," Victoria said to her. "You're in good hands. Alex will take good care of you."
"T-Thank you," Kylie said, stuttering, obviously flustered. "I trust Alex."
Victoria nodded and squeezed Alex's hand before turning and walking away. She slid open the patio door and disappeared back inside the house.
"Okay, now I'm a little freaked out," Kylie said. "Nate is right, she is beautiful. And she just asked you about blood in the basement."
"Well, she is a vampire. She drinks blood. We keep a stash here for when she visits."
Kylie folded her arms and shook her head. She sighed deeply, but Alex could tell she was more relaxed.
"Is there anything else I need to know before I convince my mom to give you money?"
Alex laughed. "Oh, there's plenty. But one day at a time. Speaking of the case, Nate stopped me—"
She rolled her eyes. "Can you believe him? He wants to come to Florida with us."
"You don't like Nate?"
She sat back down once again near the pool. "I don't mind him. It's actually nice to talk to someone when you aren't around. But the last thing I want while trying to find out who killed me is to be reminded how looks matter, even in the afterlife."
"You're prettier than you think, Kylie."
"Thanks for lying. I'll take it."
It was his turn to roll his eyes. Self confidence was an issue Kylie needed to work on.
"Nate thinks he can help."
"What do you think? Should we let him come?"
"That's completely up to you. But he wants to help you. He could be off in the world doing anything."
Kylie scoffed. "Yeah, like camping out in girls' locker rooms."
"He's done that?"
"He has, and he's told me all about it. In gory detail."
Alex shook his head. Nate definitely wasn't helping to endear himself to Kylie.
"Well, if he'd rather be helping us, and not spying on naked women, that has to say something, right?"
"So, you think he should come with us?"
He held up his hands. "I don't think anything."
"You're not helping."
"You sound like Cindy. And nope, I'm not helping. Just saying to think about it. Whatever you decide, it's good either way to me."
The sliding door opened. Cindy stuck her head out, her ninja mask draped over her shoulder.
"Hey, baby," she said. "I need some help in here."
"What's up?"
"Kevin and Leese are dancing to some stupid, romantic song they put on."
Alex waited for Cindy to continue, but she was quiet. He traded glances with Kylie, who was just as confused.
"So?"
"So, I need you to get in here and dance with me. We can't let them show us up."
"Didn't we do enough dancing at our wedding?"
"Alex, get your ass in here," she said, disappearing into the kitchen.
He laughed and nodded to Kylie.
"Let's go. No better way to end Halloween than by slow dancing."
"You go ahead. I think I'll stay out here."
"I'm sure Nate would love to dance with you."
"Uh, that's okay."
"I'll let Nate know where you are."
"You wouldn't dare."
Alex only smiled. He would definitely dare.
"Okay, okay," Kylie said. "I'm coming inside."
They walked to the back door together.
"Do those wings of yours work?"
"They do."
"You can fly. You can dance. You can see ghosts. What else can you do?"
"Hopefully, you won't find out."
CHAPTER 7
The sun had not yet risen when Alex started loading the truck. Cindy had awakened before him and made breakfast. She was quiet, solemn, as she helped Alex pack extra clothes and type notes on her laptop. She didn't need to say anything. Her emotions were all over her face.
Kylie followed him down the sidewalk as he carried two bags. Nate hadn't been seen since the night before, when Kylie and he had a talk outside the house. She didn't fill Alex in on their conversation, and he didn't ask.
"Is Cindy okay?" she asked.
"Yeah. She's just going to miss me, so she's trying to keep her mind busy."
"Why doesn't she come with us?"
"She's gone on cases with me before, but she does have to work." He smirked when he thought of the most recent Felder case. "Apparently it's not a bad idea to bring along a hot woman, to distract people."
They were nearly back to the house when Cindy walked out the front door. She was still in her pajamas, but didn't care. She nearly threw herself into Alex's arms. The air rushed out of his lungs as Cindy squeezed with everything she had. She sniffled as she fought back tears.
"Uh, babe, this isn't my funeral. I'm coming back."
"I know, you ass. This is good for us. I hope our little business takes off running, and even if it doesn't, you were born to help people. But still…that doesn't mean I can't miss you when you're gone."
He squeezed her in return and kissed her neck, one of her sensitive spots. She shivered and pushed him away.
"Save that for when you get back." She turned and smiled at Kylie. "Besides, Kylie's watching."
"Oh, I've already heard plenty," Kylie said. "You two aren't as quiet as you think at one in the morning."
Cindy saved Alex from the embarrassment before it could settle in. She stepped toward Kylie, still holding Alex's hand.
"Watch Alex for me."
Kylie smiled and nodded. Even though they had to use Alex to speak to each other, the two women had become friendly. Alex was aware of the irony. Cindy repeatedly told Alex it wasn't a good idea to get too chummy with clients, as it made collecting money more difficult. He couldn't argue the point, but apparently that didn't apply to her. The night before, he sat in between Cindy and Alicia and held both their hands so they could all argue about a show they were watching.
"When this is over, you can come over whenever you want."
Kylie was hesitant. "Thank you. I'll be honest, I'm not sure what I'm doing yet."
Cindy turned her attention to Alex.
"Okay, you've got everything you need? Plenty of clothes? You took your phone, right?"
"It's in the truck already."
"And you have your charger cable? If I call, and can't get hold of you—"
<
br /> "I have the cable. I even have a backup."
"Good. Remember what we talked about. Take plenty of notes. If you need me to look up something, research, whatever, call me."
"I got it."
"And check in every night. Before you go to bed, call. I don't care how late it is. I'll keep the file updated from here."
"You're so hot when you worry."
"Shut up." She grabbed his face and gave him a quick kiss. "You find out who killed Kylie, and get back here."
He double-checked the truck one last night. Satisfied he had everything he needed, he regarded Kylie.
"So, is it just me and you?"
Almost as if he'd heard Alex from the spirit world, Nate appeared. Alex noticed him on the lawn. Nate took a step toward the house before realizing everyone was at the truck.
"Hey, guys!" he called, trotting over to join them. "Sorry I'm late. I had to stop at a few places and let everyone know I was going on a trip. I actually know a guy in Florida. Looks like it's already warm there. Seems like four thousand people are out jogging. You wouldn't believe what I saw. This couple was running, and the girl trips. The guy actually stopped and laughed at her. It was the craziest thing—"
"Good morning, Nate," Alex interrupted.
"Morning, man." He glanced between Alex and Kylie. "We ready to go? It's a damn long drive."
Alex glanced at Kylie, who smiled and nodded her approval. She'd changed her mind about Nate coming along. Alex wondered if they'd both end up regretting that decision. Driving from Maryland to Florida might seem even longer with someone who liked to talk as much as Nate.
He never got the chance to answer the question before a car sped down the street. Alicia waved as she screeched to a halt in front of the house. Alex didn't expect her to stop by. She was a veterinary technician, and didn't have to be at the office for a few more hours. She climbed out of her car, already dressed for work. Her scrubs were adorned with puppies and kittens.
"Hey," Alex said. "I thought you'd still be sleeping."
"No way. I have to at least say goodbye before you leave."
They shared a hug. Alex turned to see if anyone was moving in their home. Alicia used a car as much as a magic portal to visit Alex and Cindy, and he wouldn't have been surprised to see a witch in the living room.
"No Kevin this morning?"
"Nope. I tired him out last night."
Alex and Cindy groaned while Kylie and Nate laughed. He was glad Alicia showed up. Since dating Kevin, it had been a while since just the three of them spent time together. They grew up together, and he loved his sister. They talked for a few more minutes before Alex noticed Kylie staring at the truck in fear. He decided it was time to get moving, before she worked herself into a panic.
He slid behind the wheel. Cindy leaned through the window for one last kiss.
"Damn, Kylie," Nate said. "Is this how you got in cars when you were alive?"
Alex turned to see Kylie cautiously making her way inside the truck. Like when they first met, she crawled slowly, carefully. Nate shook his head and threw his hands up impatiently.
"Any day now," he said. "Maybe you should be the one sitting by the window."
"No! I want to be in the middle. It'll make me feel safer. Hopefully I won't fall out."
"Maybe I shouldn't complain." Nate broke into a huge grin as his eyes drifted lower. Half of Kylie stuck out from the truck. "The view is rather good."
"Oh, you bastard," Kylie said, speeding up her crawl.
Her hand dipped into the seat once. Alex grabbed her wrist to help pull her along. After she was settled Nate slid in next to her. There was a chill in the air, and not from Alex's powers, as Kylie stared straight ahead.
"What?" Nate asked innocently.
"You are such as asshole."
"I only said that to make you move faster. It worked, didn't it?"
"Guys, please," Alex said, before looking at Cindy. "Wish me luck."
She shook her head. "I'm not worried. You can handle the case."
"I'm not worried about the case, either." He nodded to his right. "I'm just worried about surviving the trip."
*****
According to his phone, the drive to Stewardtown, Kylie's home, would take just under twelve hours. They didn't need to cross the entire state of Florida, cutting their drive dramatically. Leaving as early as they did, Alex hoped they would be there before the end of the day. A few breaks for food, to stretch his legs, were hopefully all he'd need. He'd check into a hotel late, get some sleep, and visit Kylie's mother in the morning. If, by a terrible long shot, Kylie's mother refused to hire him, he would simply rest a day and drive home alone.
The plan was simple. Unfortunately, it fell apart rather quickly.
At noontime, Alex figured they'd be nearly halfway through the trip. He didn't stop for food or even a single bathroom break. He thought they'd be in the middle of North Carolina. Instead, they were only in Virgina.
Kylie just couldn't stay in the truck.
At her best, she went an entire hour without falling onto the interstate. At her worst, she fell out five times. She'd tumble and spill onto I-95, with ten cars driving through her. Alex would have to pull over to the side, and slowly back up to pick her up. It would take another five minutes for her to crawl back into the truck. That time increased as her mood worsened. For one ten-minute stretch, she stood with her back turned and her hands on her hips, trying to control her crying. Alex felt bad for her, but he wanted to get moving. Nate did his best to cheer her up, and despite the tension that was sometimes there between the two, he had the most success. He'd make a joke, or give her an exaggerated compliment. Sometimes she'd laugh, or glare at him, but either way they got moving.
They tried distracting her with music, or being completely quiet. Nothing seemed to help.
Finally, they crossed the border into North Carolina. Kylie was sitting next to the window now, another random attempt to change things up.
"I'm really sorry," Kylie said, for nearly the twentieth time. "I know I'm slowing everything down."
"If we go any slower," Nate said. "We'd be like those stop-motion animation movies. I worked on one of those once, in school. I had the coolest teacher before I died. He used to let us sleep in class. This one time—"
"It's okay, Kylie," Alex said, trying to skip Nate's tale. "We'll figure it out."
"I had an idea," she announced. "Maybe it would help if I sat on your lap."
Alex assumed she was joking, and laughed. It was only after glancing over Nate and seeing her face that he knew she was serious.
"You are not sitting on my lap."
"I'm not trying to get all touchy-feely," she said. "You're married, and like thirty years older than me."
"I am not."
"I'm just saying. I don't think I'd fall through you."
"I'm sorry, but we're going to have to come up with something else."
"You can sit on my lap," Nate offered. "I know it'll help me."
"Shut up."
"Tell me about the night you died," Alex said. "Don't skimp on details. Tell me everything."
"You said you didn't want to talk about the case until you were sure my mother was going to hire you, pay you."
"I changed my mind. We might as well get started now."
"Well, I won't be able to help much. I don't remember dying. At all. I remember stumbling around in an alley. I called out Zoey's name, but she wasn't there. I almost fell in a wall. When I made it to the street, no one could see me."
"You don't remember your own death?" Nate asked. "Wow. You're lucky you didn't get stuck in a loop."
Kylie frowned. "A loop?"
"Caught in your own death," Alex explained. "Sometimes a violent death can mess with a spirit's memory. And that trauma can lead to reliving your death, over and over. It happens in quite a few haunted houses."
"That's horrible."
"It is. Okay, what about before? What's the last thing you remember bef
ore that alley?"
"I was in the club, with Zoey. She was dancing with a guy, and I was in the corner."
Nate furrowed his brow. "Why were you in the corner?"
She gestured to her clothes. "This is what I had on when I died. Do you think any guy would walk up to this?"
"I would, in a second."
"Whatever, Nate."
"I'm serious. I never went to a club when I was alive. Shit, that's obvious, right? But I've been in plenty since kicking the bucket. Everyone looks the same. Showing off their tits, their ass, wearing clothes so tight it might as well be body paint. Now, don't get me wrong. I'm not complaining."
"Of course you're not," Kylie said.
"But you're the one I'd notice. You stand out in a crowd, more than anyone else."
Alex and Kylie were both quiet as they stared at Nate. He shrunk in the seat, uncomfortable with the attention. In the short time Alex knew him, that was the nicest thing he'd said. Kylie was confused, but wore a small smile.
"What?" he said. "I'm just saying Kylie's got it going on, that's all."
"Anyway," Alex said. "So you were in a corner watching Zoey dance, and then you woke up in an alley."
"Yeah."
"Damn, that's a lot to cover. What do the police say?"
"How should I know? It's not like they interviewed me."
"They interviewed your mother, right? Do they have any leads? What about Zoey? I'm sure they talked to her."
"Alex, look, I'm sorry, but I don't know. I spent some time with my mom, but after seeing her cry her eyes out for the millionth time, I bailed. I haven't seen Zoey since that night. I've seen cops going in and out of my house, but I was too chicken to listen in. It took everything I had to go to my own funeral. Zoey wasn't there. Three people were there, and they were my mom's friends. I heard about you, and I started hitching rides."
Alex pursed his lips and swallowed. He thought Kylie would have more details than that. It took her a lot of time to travel to Maryland. For all she knew, the police might have solved her case already. All the effort in getting to Stewardtown would go to waste.
He should have called Kylie's mother before leaving. He should have made his case over the phone as best he could. But he thought it was better for Kylie's mother to see what he could do in person. She would certainly hang up after hearing a lunatic claim he'd spoken with the ghost of her daughter.
Demons LLC (Damned and Cursed Book 7) Page 14
