Dolores put a hand on her hip. “Anything else?”
She was being dismissed. “Uh, no.”
Zach pulled up at that moment. He strode over to them full of authority. Her heart burst at the sight of him, but she tamped it down. He didn’t know her from Adam.
“Problem?” Zach said. His mirrored sunglasses obscured his eyes, but she knew his gaze would go right through her.
Dolores spoke before Grace could form any words. “I’m trying to tell this woman I rented the apartment already. She isn’t leaving. She insists I should rent it to her.”
Zach looked over his sunglasses. “Oh? You have a problem miss?”
Grace shook her head, wondering what she’d said and why was this time even more different than the last rewind. Thoughts swirled in her brain. Someone was doing something different each time. But who would know to do that, but her and she did everything the same as she could.
“No, problem, but I would like to talk to you.”
He flipped a card out of his pocket. “Make an appointment.”
She took the proffered item, but shook her head. “I need to speak with you now.”
Zach crossed his arms, his stance wide as if bracing for something. “Okay.”
“Could I buy you a cup of coffee or something?”
He shrugged. “I’ll be back in a little bit, Lors.”
With a peck on the cheek, he strode back to his car. “Follow me.”
Grace met him two blocks away at a coffee shop on the main drag in Glen Hills. He ordered his with shot of cinnamon.
She sipped her latte, gathering her words carefully. The direct approach would have to work, not that she liked it that way. If she couldn’t be on Dolores doorstep she’d have to find another way to keep her eye on the woman. “I think Dolores is in trouble.”
Zach took man-sized swig of his frilly coffee, then set the cup down on the table. His long fingers stroked the Styrofoam, making Grace’s mouth water.
She shook away the images of her and Zach naked when his deep voice interrupted them. “In trouble how?”
“She’s going to be murdered.”
He straightened at the word “murder.” “Do you know for a fact? Have you heard of some plot?”
“Not exactly.”
How could she tell him? This had never become any easier for her. And probably wouldn’t ever. So she forged ahead. “I can’t tell you how, I know, I just know.”
“Now, Miss?”
“Harmony, but call me Grace.”
“Miss Harmony, if you’re trying to protect someone, they shouldn’t be. If they want to commit murder then they do not deserve your loyalty.”
She sighed, trying to get rid of her frustration. Her heart swelled with her emotions for him and she couldn’t think straight. She just wanted to kiss him and see if he’d remember. Her fingers ached to touch him. She longed to be touched by him. “I’m not protecting anyone. But Dolores.”
“Then why do you think she’s in danger?”
Grace took a breath, then blew it out noisily. “Sometimes I know things before hand.”
His mouth twisted into grimace. “Oh, a psychic.” His eyes rolled. “I’ve dealt with those before.”
“Then you understand.”
“Completely.” He stood, then dropped some bills on the Formica table. “And I’m not buying into your scam.”
Grace’s mouth fell open as he strode out of the coffee shop.
Well that didn’t go well.
***
Zach strolled back to his car. He heard the thud of someone running behind him. Not the rhythmic patter of a jogger, but someone in a hurry. He whirled to find the young woman racing towards him.
She stopped two feet from him, her chest heaving. “What if I can prove that I know things?”
“Ma’am, you are looking at the world’s greatest skeptic. I’m not going to be bothered.”
“Please.”
Her green eyes pleaded with him. He was always a sucker for a pretty face. And she had a nice one. And a nice body hidden in those baggy pants, he’d bet. What the hey? “Fine, Karnak, predict something.”
“Dolores is going to tell you she’s pregnant.”
“Fine, we’ll see.”
She shoved a napkin with numbers on it at him. “Call me either way.”
She turned and walked away from him, seemingly confident in her ability.
“We’ll see about that.”
***
Dolores was cooking some dinner when he arrived. The kitchen had been scrubbed, but it still looked shabby. The appliances needed to be updated.
“Want some?” she asked.
“Thanks.”
“What’d that chick have to say?”
He waved a hand in the air. “Just some nonsense. One of those psychics.”
“What’d she predict?”
“That you were going to be murdered.”
“Lovely. Will you miss me?”
“Won’t have to you’ll still be here. By the way, you’re pregnant.”
Dolores grew still. “You think so?”
“So the lady says.”
Zach dug into his meal. Dolores followed suit a few minutes later.
“She was so sure she gave me her number.”
He dropped the napkin with Grace’s number on the table. Dolores picked it up, then threw it aside. “Odd.”
“That’s what I thought.”
***
Grace decided she needed a book. Or just to see Dolores who happened to work at a bookstore. “Time to Read” occupied an old Victorian House on the main drag of Glen Hills. The shop sat between an ice cream parlor and a hardware store. Small town America alive and well in New Jersey.
She pushed open the door almost knocking down her quarry.
“What the hell are you doing here?” Dolores said.
Loaded down with books, the woman still struck a defiant pose. What had Grace done to deserve this being so hard? “I’m looking for a book.”
“No, you’re stalking me.”
Paranoid? “I am looking for you, too.” She surveyed the room and at one end sat a small coffee bar. “Can I buy you a cup of coffee?”
“Never drink the stuff.”
“So what can I get you so that you sit and listen to me?”
Dolores frowned. Dropping the books on a cart, she wiped her hands on her dress. “Okay if you’ll leave me alone after this.”
“I’ll try.”
Grace ordered a cappuccino, not that she needed the caffeine. She as too keyed up by the events being different that she could have run to Ohio.
“Spill it.”
“I think you’re in some danger.”
“Danger? What? From you stealing away Zach?”
Did she have Zach this time? “No, I think someone is trying to kill you.”
“Zach said you thought you were psychic.”
“You talked to Zach? Did you tell him about the baby?”
Dolores went still. Her face twisted into a grimace. “Now how do you know about the baby?”
“Because I know Dolores. Just like I know that in two days someone is going to enter your home and shoot you dead.”
Dolores blinked, her face a mask, now. “I think I’ve heard enough.” She stood.
“Dolores, I knew about the baby. Why would I be wrong about this?”
“Because you are. You could have found out I was pregnant other ways.”
Dolores moved away as if on a mission.
“Have you told anyone?”
“No.”
“Then how could I know?”
She whirled to face Grace. “I am pregnant and I don’t care how you know. This will bring Zach back to me.”
“But the baby isn’t his.”
Dolores’ mouth gaped open and she took in a sharp breath. “How do you know that?”
“I know things, Dolores. Now tell me why anyone would want to kill you?”
Chapter Twenty Three
> “I was about to call you,” Zach said, as she sat by his desk.
He did have the receiver in his hand.
“She isn’t pregnant,” he said.
“Yes, she is.” Grace ran a hand over her face. Her hand longed to touch him. Just once so she could convey her feelings. He wouldn’t get it. Would he fall in love with her this time? “She just didn’t tell you because you brought it up.”
“You talked to her? I think you need to stay away from her.”
I can’t. How could she tell him? “We chatted. She is pregnant. She wants you back.”
“The child is mine. I’ll do what I need to.”
“But the baby isn’t yours.” she said louder than she wanted. If only she could go forward instead of backward. She’d be through all this. Frustration ate at her patience.
Zach frowned. “So the great Karnak knows that, too.”
Grace bristled at his tone. “No need to make fun. Dolores is in danger. In two nights, I think, someone is going to enter her home and shoot her. Have you checked out her new tenant?”
His back straightened. “I’m in the process of doing that. None of your concern.”
“He’d be a major suspect.”
Zach leaned back in his chair his arms crossed. “Why can’t you tell me who did it?”
“I can’t. I don’t have control over these things.”
“Is she really pregnant?”
“Yes, Za-Mr. Holten.”
“Then why didn’t she tell me? Dolores isn’t exactly one to back down from a confrontation. As a matter of fact I didn’t even confront her. I said it in passing conversation. Look, I have a pile of work to do so if you don’t have anything more specific to tell me about Dolores and her alleged killer I’ll have to ask you to leave.”
Grace stood, knowing what her next move would be.
She needed to find out about Dolores’ tenant.
***
With Dolores at work, Grace was able to knock on the garage apartment door without prying eyes.
Too bad no one answered. She could see the furniture that came with the place and some boxes, but no other signs of life.
As she headed back to her car, her phone jangled. Mark’s cell number showed on her screen.
“Hey, Gracie.”
“Hey, Mark.”
“That wasn’t enthusiastic. Have I become a burden or are you having a bad day?”
“Bad day. I’ve rewound and everything is different again. I can’t even rent the apartment by Dolores.”
“Dolores?”
“I’m sorry, Mark, I’m speaking as if you rewound also. Dolores is the name of the person who is going to be killed.”
“I knew a Dolores once. Hot chick.”
“Unless you’ve lived in Glen Hills, New Jersey, I doubt you know her. Are you in California or on your way to see me?”
“Is that what I did last time?”
“Yes.” And professed your love. A love she couldn’t ever return. That part she certainly didn’t want to go through again. She could only hope that was different, too.
“Did you try to find out who the tenant is?”
“Yes, but she won’t tell me. I just knocked on his or her door with no answer.”
“Maybe he’s at work.”
“He?”
“Just a guess. So tell me about Dolores.”
“She’s pregnant. I don’t know who the father is. He’s my prime suspect, but I also think I need to find out about this tenant.”
“Why would this person be the killer? They didn’t rent the apartment last time.”
She sighed. “I know, but I’m grasping at straws here. No one believes me as usual.”
“Except for me.”
“Except for you. I’m even further away from the truth than I was last time. This is so frustrating.”
“I’m sure it is. But you always find a way.”
She enjoyed that at least one person on this earth believed her. She didn’t feel so isolated when she talked to Mark. Their friendship was her safety line in a crazy world. She’d hate to lose it.
“I didn’t last time. Maybe I’m losing my touch.”
“Not you Gracie. That would never happen.”
His voice warmed her.
“How can you be so sure?” she said. She wasn’t sure of anything anymore. Not her ability. Not her reasons for rewinding. She wasn’t even sure of her own heart.
“I just am, Gracie. I better go.”
He clicked off before she could ask him again where he was. Disappointment had her redialing. She only connected to his voicemail.
She didn’t bother leaving a message.
***
Zach couldn’t get the sight of Grace in his chair out of his mind. Her eyes had pleaded with him. As far as she knew, she was telling the truth.
He’d checked out Dolores’ tenant and his name was indeed Mark. Mark Handon. He’d have to find out if Grace knew him. She could be a reference. Then he’d do more research. This all didn’t sit right with him.
But first he needed to see Grace. She seemed familiar to him. Almost as if he’d met her in a dream.
His head shook. “I’m losing it.”
He found out where Grace lived and paid a visit on his way home from work. Easy since they lived in the same block just different apartment buildings.
So different that hers was on fire.
And Grace stood there hugging herself. Zach tried to talk himself out of going to her. There was something about her, a fragility that his alpha male heart couldn’t resist. Grace Harmony was a woman who needed to be protected. He just wasn’t sure if it was from herself or some outside source.
“Hey,” he said.
She jumped, her head whipping around to face him. She let out a breath when she saw him. “You.”
“Yeah, me.”
“What brings you here?”
“You.”
Her perky mouth dropped open. “Me?”
“Yeah. I can tell when someone’s lying and you aren’t. I’m not sure why you think what you’re saying is the truth, but you believe in your message.”
She licked her lips. “So, you’ll help me?”
“I haven’t decided that.”
Her big eyes teared up. Oh, God, don’t cry. He’d melt. She wiped away tears, as she turned away from him. A sniff then a snort came out of her. “Fine. I need to find a place to stay tonight.”
“I have a sofa bed.”
Why did he say that? He was tempted to look behind him to see if someone else said it. He didn’t even know this woman, but he was drawn to her. He shook himself mentally. Only her need to be rescued attracted him. A real need, not the fake, manipulative one that Dolores sported when she found it useful.
Dolores could take care of herself.
This lady was truly in distress.
“I couldn’t impose.”
“It wouldn’t be.” He tugged at her arm. “Have you eaten?”
“No,”
“Good, I’ve got some dinner to make and you might as well share with me.”
She studied him for a long minute and he expected her to decline. “Okay.”
With her arms still wrapped around herself she followed him to the car. “Mine’s blocked in by fire trucks.”
“We can come back later for it. Or tomorrow.”
“Later, I need to work tomorrow.”
“What do you do?” He slid into the car.
She belted herself into the seat. “I’m a paramedic at Centre Community Hospital.”
“My office is down the street from the hospital.”
“Yes, I know.”
She looked straight ahead for the two minute drive to his place. Her shoulders slumped and her feet dragged as she followed him up two flights of steps. “My humble abode,” he said when he unlocked the door.
“It’s nice,” she said even though her gaze never left her feet.
Zach put a hand on her back to usher her inside.
She flinched as if his touched burned her.
***
Grace didn’t want to move away from his touch, but the visions it inspired took away her breath.
Instead of the erotic, steamy dreams she’d been having about Zach, she saw him in a very different scenario. Sitting on a lawn chair, two children sat on his lap. He played with them.
Some part of her knew they were her children, their children. Her heart raced and her breath quickened.
“Are you okay?”
Grace nodded, her words not available. She moved to the couch, shaking off the vision. “I’m fine.” Her voice made a come back. “You just startled me.”
Zach closed the door as if the subject were done. “I’ll get started on dinner. Can I get you a glass of wine?”
“Sure.”
Her mouth remained dry and part of her brain tried to understand the vision. She’d never had them until recently. What if every time he touched her this happened? She’d gotten used to the colors. These scenes would disturb her more.
Zach handed her a glass of amber liquid while she was still immersed in thought. “Is spaghetti okay?”
She smiled up at him. “Comfort food.”
“You look like you could use some comfort.” He held out his hand, a smile lighting up his eyes. “Come sit with me in the kitchen.”
Stark white cabinets lined one wall of the long skinny kitchen. A mural decorated the opposite wall.eH Zach was cooking in a vineyard. He motioned to the painting. “Friend of mine did that. I don’t use much cabinet space so I took them down. Now I feel as if I’m outside.”
“Nice,” was all Grace could think to say.
***
Grace found herself in cold storage. Her guess was the morgue. She opened a drawer sure that was the right one. When she uncovered the sheet, instead of Dolores an inert Zach lay there.
She nudged him. “Zach, ask me. Ask me for help.”
Then his eyelids snapped open like a shade let loose. “No, Grace you can’t help me.”
She screamed. Someone shook her.
“Grace.”
“No,” she said. Zach wouldn’t let her go.
“Grace, wake up.”
In that moment of clarity, as sheyou become awake, as the shreds of the dream still lingered on, but she realized that it was not real, Grace knew Zach’s arms were around her. For real. He wasn’t prone on a slab.
Her heart pounded in her throat. Her limbs shook as they grabbed him. The dream had been so real. She could see him on that slab as if her brain had taken a photo. If the dream was a premonition it was the first one she’d ever had.
Corpse Whisperer Page 16
