Corpse Whisperer

by Chris Redding

  “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.

  “Well, she kicked me out so I can’t stay in her house. I guess I’ll camp in my car. Do you really think that it’ll happen tonight?”

  She bit her lip. “I don’t know anything anymore.”

  “Well, just in case.”

  He stood.

  “Stay.”

  His gaze went molten. “I can sleep on a chair.”

  Her heart leapt. The idea of a warm body next to hers appealed to her. Especially his warm body. “No. There’s room on the bed.”

  His head shook, his lids half-closed. “I can’t sleep next to you and not want something.”

  He reached out to her. She leaned into his hand. “I don’t expect you to. I’m a big girl, Zach. I can make these choices.”

  His smile lit up the room. “I’m going to do a circuit of the property. I’ll be back. Don’t let anyone else in.”

  Grace laughed. “Who else would be here?”

  “The boogey man,” Zach said, then left.

  Chapter Twenty One

  Zach walked in the waning sunlight. No one stirred, but a dog barked in the next block. He missed the sounds of a neighborhood; barbecues, kids screaming. You only heard footsteps in an apartment building. Sometimes someone played their stereo too loud.

  He had to buy a house. He nodded as if he’d just made a major decision. Maybe he had. A decision to finally let another woman into his heart.

  He rounded the front porch and heard a shot. His heart pumped wildly as he let himself into Dolores’ front door. The back door slammed as he searched for his ex-wife.

  She lay bleeding in the hallway. The nurse was unconscious in the kitchen.

  “Grace.”

  As if a spirit bidden by a spell, she appeared in the doorway. “I heard the shot.”

  “Did you see anyone?”

  “No.”

  Grace grabbed the phone and dialed for an ambulance.

  “Damn. You were right.”

  Her face told him she thought he’d believed her. He bit his tongue. He’d revealed that he hadn’t actually believed her.

  Wrenching the sheet off of Dolores’ bed, he bunched it up and put it over her gaping chest wound. He held it down as if his life depended on it. If Dolores lived, Grace wouldn’t have to leave. His pulsed beat double time as his muscles strained to hold down the sheet.

  “They’re on the way,” said Grace. She felt for a pulse, but shook her head. Then she began CPR.

  No pulse appeared on Dolores before the EMT's arrived.

  ***

  Grace surveyed the emergency department’s waiting room thinking she’d been here too much lately not even counting when she worked. She knew the time would come soon to rewind.

  She had less than an hour before her birthday. Her heart raced at the idea she might not get to Dolores in time.

  Dolores would ask that of her once again to help her. Her bones ached with weariness while her heart pumped with a newfound love.

  Too bad he wouldn’t remember her. She would start from scratch with him. For once she didn’t want to leave anything behind. Usually it didn’t matter. Even though she’d been in a relationship last time, the timing of it had been that she’d only lost a bit of the relationship. She didn’t start again.

  Zach wandered in and sat down next to her. His shoulders slumped and a piece of hair stood up from running his hand through it. He still cared about Dolores, if only a little bit.

  “They’re still working on her.”

  “I can find out more, but it’s better to let them work.”

  He nodded his breath coming out in noisy burst. “I’m not a patient person.”

  She touched his arm, a wave of dizziness washed over her. Her eyes fell closed and she slowed her breathing. His arms went around her probably as much for himself as for her comfort.

  “I should have believed you. I’m sorry.”

  “That’s okay.”

  I’m used to it. Only Mark ever believed her. Only Mark understood and she had no idea where he was. He had from the very beginning.

  She sighed, drinking in Zach’s warmth that made her head spin. How could she be with him anyway when he made her feel sick? She disengaged herself from him, then stood. “Coffee?”

  His gaze searched hers as if for an answer. “I don’t love her. I haven’t for a long time. That doesn’t stop me from worrying about her.”

  “I realize that Zach. I just need to move.”

  Two detectives appeared in the waiting room door. “Grace Harmony?”

  “That’s me.”

  “We need to talk to you. At the station.”

  Zach stood. “This can’t wait, Josh?”

  The detectives exchanged a glance. “No, Zach, it can’t.”

  Grace didn’t know what to say. Would she get a chance to see Dolores if she wasn’t here? Would she rewind or would Dolores’ death always weigh on her mind.

  Like the last time. She couldn’t do this again.

  “Uh, do I need a lawyer?” she asked.

  “Yes.”

  A chill went down her spine.

  “Wait a second. What do you have on her?” Zach asked. He put himself between her and his fellow officers.

  “We can’t say, here, but we need to speak with Miss Harmony.”

  “Josh, Bill, tell me.”

  “We�
�ve found the murder weapon.”

  “Okay, so,” Zach said.

  She put a hand on his shoulder. He’d be risking his job. “Don’t. I’ll go. Find me a lawyer.”

  She’d need to see Dolores. Maybe in the morgue. She gathered her purse, patted Zach on the arm, then followed the pair to an unmarked car.

  When she turned around, Zach was in the hospital doorway, watching her. She waved and climbed into the vehicle.

  ***

  They didn’t cuff her, but she looked restrained anyway. Zach went back to the waiting room, racking his brain for why finding the murder weapon meant questioning Grace. She had no connection to this event.

  The nurse came in. “Mr. Holten? I’m sorry, but Dolores didn’t make it.”

  “Thanks.”

  He jammed a hand through his hair, not sure what to do next. Dolores didn’t have any known relatives. Her parents had died years before leaving her wealthy.

  Not sure what his next move was, he drove to the police station. On his way he phoned a lawyer friend.

  Kyle Walton had been Zach’s friend since high school. When Zach went to the police academy, Kyle went to college. As Zach took the detective’s exam, Kyle was passing the bar.

  Not a criminal attorney, the two had never crossed paths professionally. Until now.

  “Do you know what time it is? It is almost happy hour.”

  Zach grimaced. “I didn’t realize it was late. It’s an

  Emergency.”

  “I have no doubt it is. You in trouble?”

  “No, but someone I know is. She’s at the station for

  Questioning.”

  “She? Dolores?”

  “No, she died tonight. Someone shot her.”

  “Oh, Zach I’m sorry.”

  He’d worry about Dolores’ death later. Grace problem he could do something about. He hoped she would let him. “Thanks, but I think Grace needs your help.”

  “Grace. I’ll be at the station in fifteen minutes.

  Tell her not to answer any questions until I get there.”

  “She’s been there for a few minutes, now.”

  “Then you get there and hold them off. Professional courtesy or something.”

  Zach disconnected, hoping he wasn’t too late.

  ***

  Grace sat in the interrogation room, a lukewarm cup of coffee in front of her. No one would tell her anything. No one would tell her if Dolores died.

  Her gaze kept straying to where a clock should be. She had no idea what time it was. Her cell was off and in her purse, but they’d taken that.

  She did know Dolores was probably dead. And she’d have to go back again. And Zach wouldn’t know her. Her heart ached at the idea.

  She could not think of a reason why she sat here stewing. What game were they playing?

  Finally, the two detectives that had brought her in arrived in the room.

  “I’m Detective Harding. This is Detective Warren.”

  Harding had a day’s growth of beard on a loose-fleshed face. Warren was younger and slimmer as if he hadn’t grown into his body yet. Mark looked like that when they first met.

  “Why am I here and do I need a lawyer?”

  Harding sat on the edge of the table, on the opposite of her. His warm smile didn’t soothe her. “Please don’t do the ‘good cop/bad cop.’”

  “We have some questions about your version of the story.”

  “My version?”

  Grace’s mouth went dry. She’d been in interrogation rooms before today. And the scenario had always worked out, but not without a fight. She steeled herself.

  “You say you heard the shot and came running from your apartment.”

  “Yes.”

  “But you didn’t see anyone exit Ms. Holten’s house.”

  “No, but I wasn’t looking either. The night was dark and there were no lights on.”

  “You didn’t turn on an outside light?”

  “The one outside of my place had blown out and I had not replaced it.”

  Dolores could corroborate her story. If she were alive.

  “Did anyone else notice this?”

  “Other than my landlord?”

  “Yes.”

  “Not that I know of.”

  “Ms. Holten maybe?”

  “Yes, but I don’t think she’s in any state to tell you that.”

  The detectives exchanged a glance.

  “She’s dead isn’t she?”

  “Now why would you think that?” Harding asked.

  “Because of your look. The one that passed between you.”

  “We found the murder weapon.”

  Ah, here it comes. “Where?”

  “In the trashcan on the other side of the garage.” “Makes sense if he came out of Dolores’ house and ran.”

  “He? Why do you think it’s a ‘he’?”

  “I assumed,” she said.

  “Or you know something about it?” Warren this time.

  Her head went back and forth as if she were at a tennis match making her neck ache. “No, I don’t. I’m done talking. I want a lawyer.”

  Warren frowned. “I don’t think a lawyer is going to help you out of this one.”

  “Oh?”

  Her pulse quickened. They think she did it?

  “Nope, not this time.”

  ***

  Zach pulled into a spot, set the brake and opened his door in one motion. Kyle had actually beaten him here.

  His spirits rose a little. “Kyle.” He held out his hand.

  His friend took it and they shook and hugged. “So tell me the story.”

  “Maybe you should hear it from Grace.”

  “And how do you know Grace?”

  “Lors rented her garage apartment to her.”

  “I’m still not getting the connection.”

  “Always eager to bust my chops aren’t you?”

  Kyle’s white smile brightened an otherwise bleak day. “You bet.”

  Zach didn’t bother with the front desk. He knew Grace would be stewing in an interrogation room. Josh Warren stopped him before he entered.

  “Where do you think you’re going?”

  “To see Grace.”

  “She’s asked for a lawyer.”

  “And I have one for her.”

  Josh eyed Kyle. “He can go in.”

  Zach motioned for Kyle to see Grace. “I’ll bring you some coffee.”

  “Thanks,” he said.

  Zach filled two cups with coffee and located a bottle of water in small refrigerator in the detective’s room. Returning to where Grace was, Zach barged in.

  Her gaze met his. She was scared. Taking the water she thanked him, but turned away, no hint that they’d almost slept together that night. He leaned against the wall, his coffee in hand.

  Acting like he belonged there, he figured he had about five minutes before they kicked him out.

  Kyle glanced his way. “Do you mind?”

  “Go ahead.”

  “With all due respect, I’d like to have a private conversation with my client.”

  “We’re on the same side, Zach.”

  “Still I have a right to see her in private.”

  Zach frowned, knowing he was right. He nodded at Grace, who didn’t acknowledge him, then left.

  Chapter Twenty Two

  Grace was getting out.

  Kyle had told her they couldn’t hold her. She submitted to fingerprinting, but she knew hers wouldn’t match any on the gun.

  So she stood outside the police station, drinking in her freedom. The day hadn’t seemed so warm or inviting.

  Zach stopped next to her. “Give you a lift?”

  Where did he stand in all this? “You think I did it?”

  “No.” His head shook from side to side. “But they must or they wouldn’t have brought you in. You sure you didn’t see anyone?”

  She sighed. Ever the cop. Could he not be for five minutes? “No and I’ve said that a milli
on times today.”

  “Sorry.”

  He put a hand on her shoulder.

  She shrugged it off. “Maybe you shouldn’t be consorting with a murder suspect.”

  “Grace.”

  Her name on his lips stopped her. “You aren’t a suspect or you’d still be in there.”

  “I’m out here because of Kyle.” She looked up at him. He seemed taller to her. His jet black hair was a little more rumpled than usual. His eyes were just as steely. “Thanks.”

  He put a hand on her arm. “Look I have to go shower and get to work. Let me drop you somewhere.”

  “I’m going home.”

  “You sure you want to be there?”

  “Yes, I need to sleep. I have to work tonight.” A thought occurred to her. “I need to get into the morgue.”

  “For what?”

  She waved a hand away. “I’ll find another ride. I have something to do at the hospital.”

  She left him standing on the steps.

  He’d live. She’d almost forgotten that she needed to see Dolores. She only had a few minutes or her power would be gone. She’d never save Dolores. Zach may forgive her, but she couldn’t forgive herself

  The morgue attendant wasn’t so keen on that idea. “She’s due for an autopsy this morning.”

  “Just a peek before you cut her up.”

  “This some closure thing?”

  “Right.”

  The tall, thin man frowned. “Okay.”

  He led her to a drawer in a stark, cold room. “She’s in here. You have five minutes.”

  Graced braced herself for a rewind.

  She wasn’t disappointed.

  ***

  The sun shone as it had the first two times she went through that day.

  But this time Dolores was shaking her head. “No, I’m sorry I just rented the apartment to someone.”

  “Oh,” Grace said unsure of where to go from here. This hadn’t happened last time. Maybe she could talk the tenant out of this place. She’d have to think of some great story.

  Gee, the landlady’s going to get killed and I need to be there to save her. Like I did the last two times I was here.

  They’d be fitting her with a straitjacket for sure.