“Bad dream,” he said, pulling her tighter.
She squeezed back the tears hanging onto her dignity with a fingernail.
Her gaze eventually traveled up to his eyes. He brushed a hair from her face, his look tender. Licking his lips, he leaned towards her.
All of her self-control went into not kissing him. She could sink into his arms, but it wouldn’t mean as much to him. This would be a fling and she couldn’t risk what she’d seen, the future she’d seen, on her need to be surrounded by a warm body.
“Don’t.”
He backed away, a frown creasing his face. “There’s something about you Grace. And that isn’t a line. I don’t need lines to get women in my bed.” His head shook, but he didn’t let go of her. “Just a day ago I didn’t know you, but I feel as if I have.”
She chuckled. “That’s a very bad pickup line, Zach.”
A smile replaced his frown, a sheepish one.
Her heart had slowed from the nightmare, but not completely. His touch didn’t launch any visions. Instead she felt safe and warm like home on a winter’s day.
Every fiber of her being longed to stay this way, but she had a murder to prevent. “I need your help.”
“What can I do?”
“I need you to believe me that Dolores is in trouble.”
“Oh, Grace.” He kissed her forehead then stood.
She felt cold again though the apartment was even cool. Darkness painted the windows. The only light in the room came from the hall light that Zach must have turned on when he came to her. She pulled the covers around her.
“I don’t see why she would be.”
“Do you know that she’s blackmailing the father of her baby?”
“Her alleged baby.”
“Ask her. She’s pregnant. She admitted it to me.”
“Okay, say she is. Why would she be blackmailing them?”
“Because he’s married.”
Zach crossed his arms, leaning more on one leg than the other. “Who is it?”
Could she tell him? No, he didn’t trust her yet. “I’m not sure.”
“Then how do you know she’s blackmailing someone?” He rubbed a hand down his face. “This is all ludicrous. Nuts. We’re talking about a woman I once loved.”
The pain in his eyes was palpable. The lines around his mouth deepened.
“Zach, what motive would I have for lying to you?”
His shoulders slumped. “None whatsoever.”
Chapter Twenty Four
Zach stood on Dolores’ porch wanting to knock, but unable to make his hand move. She opened the door her breath catching. “Zach.”
“Lors, we need to talk.”
“You sounded just like that when you asked for a divorce.”
“Can I come in?”
“Sure.”
She opened the screen door then followed him into her kitchen. “Coffee?”
“No thanks.”
He didn’t sit. He couldn’t, not even at work today. Something about Grace stuck her square in the middle of his thoughts. No amount of work would extricate her. And he needed to believe her if he planned on pursuing a relationship with her.
Now why did he think that? A relationship. Those thoughts hadn’t entered his mind since Dolores.
“You look serious.”
“I’ve been talking to Grace.”
“Did she tell you she thinks I’m in some kind of trouble?”
“I know it sounds strange, but she has no reason to lie.”
“She’s a nut, Zach. That’s it.”
“I don’t think so.”
Dolores crossed the room and stood inches from him. “You’ve slept with her. Boy, Zach you’ve never been one to think with the wrong head, but this time you have.”
Zach refused to justify the remark. “Are you pregnant?”
She took a step back. “Yes. And he’s yours.”
“Oh?”
“Remember that night.”
“That was once Lors.”
“It only takes once.”
“You sure it’s mine?”
Her mouth dropped open. He remembered the look well and knew it to be fake.
“Of course it is.”
Rumors had circulated about her antics with other officers. Some had even called her a badge bunny. Not to his face, but he knew that the rumor mill was sometimes correct. “If it’s mine I’ll do what’s right.”
“Even leave Miss Gracie alone?”
“Why? Is she that much of a threat to you? She’s trying to save you.”
“I’m not in need of saving.”
***
Grace came back from her last call of the day, glad it had been the end of the shift. She couldn’t decide if her bad night of sleep or Dolores’ unwillingness to believe her clouded her mind. She couldn’t make a decision on patient care. Thankfully her partner had taken control and no one died.
Her partner patted her on the back. “You okay, Grace?”
“No, but I’ll get a better night’s sleep tonight.”
In a hotel, away from Zach. First on her list was a trip to see what she could salvage from her apartment. When she walked to her car, she spotted Zach and groaned. Space from him would be delightful, but he was her only tangible link to Dolores.
Otherwise she’d be stalking the woman.
“Hey.”
Grace frowned. “What are you doing here?”
“Looking for you.”
“Why?”
“You need a place to stay tonight?”
“No, thanks.”
“I talked to Dolores. I owe you an apology. She is pregnant. And the baby is mine.”
Frustration welled up inside of her, making her grit her teeth. “The baby is not yours.”
“Why would Lors lie?”
“Zach, because you’re an honorable man who would do the right thing by her.”
“How you would you know that?”
She bit her tongue to avoid blurting out that she’d known him. He shouldn’t think she’s crazy. He was the one person who she needed to trust her. “I just do.”
“Whose baby is it?”
“I can’t tell you. It doesn’t matter. She’s going to lose it tonight anyway.”
“Oh?”
His brow knitted and she wished she could take the words back. “Never mind.” She brushed past him.
He grabbed her arm. She saw the vision again.
“You can’t make a statement like that and walk away.”
“Zach, I have to. You don’t believe anything I say. So why would you believe this.”
“I talked to her because I think maybe she is in trouble. Dolores hasn’t led a blameless life.”
“The drugs, I know.”
His mouth opened, but he snapped it shut. “You know about that?”
“Yes, go on.”
“Dolores and I lost touch for awhile after the divorce. Well, as much as we could since she was dating most of my coworkers. I heard . . . stuff, let’s say. Maybe she pissed someone off.”
“Do you think her capable of blackmail?”
“No, I don’t.”
“Then this conversation is over.”
“Grace.”
“Stop, Zach. It’s a stretch for you and it isn’t good enough to get me in your bed. It’s just lip service.”
***
Celia Johnson was the last person Zach expected to invite over for dinner. But she was his sister and his dealing with Grace had made him realize that life could be short.
She showed up dressed in conservative jeans he didn’t know she owned.
“I know I don’t look like myself, but I didn’t want to make you uncomfortable.”
He led her into his living area. She looked around and he realized she hadn’t ever been here. She was the only family he had, and guilt streaked across his soul.
“Wine?”
“No thanks.”
“No?”
“I quit drin
king. It interferes with. . . .” Her hands flailed as if trying to grasp a word. “My gift.” Her hands rested at her sides. “Why am I here?”
He smiled. “Cut to the chase, huh?”
“I’m a little too tired for a confrontation.”
“Sit.”
She settled on his oversized, leather couch. Crossing her legs she looked at him as if waiting for the wisdom of the ages. He didn’t know where his ability to forgive her came from. Maybe his time with Grace made him realize that Celia’s power wasn’t always a positive thing for her.
“I’m sorry.”
Celia’s black tinged mouth dropped open. “You’re sorry, huh? For what?”
He sat beside her, his jean clad knee touching hers. “For not being a very good brother.”
She chuckled, her gaze never leaving his. “You have it bad.”
“Huh?”
“This Grace has you good.” She ran a hand through her unruly red locks.
“I don’t know what Grace has. How do you know about her anyway?”
His sister just smiled. “She has a gift. She may not see it that way.”
He leaned back on the cushions Grace’s face in his mind, her lips pursed in consternation. He wasn’t one to believe in love at first sight, but he was gobsmacked by Grace. It wasn’t love, but rather some strong connection. As if he’d known her all of his life.
He was drawn to her.
“Believe her.”
“I’m trying Celia.”
He brushed a hair from her face. “Will you forgive me?”
“I had a long time ago. I knew you didn’t understand that I wasn’t trying to hurt you. I can’t control what I see, but I feel compelled to tell you.”
He nodded thinking maybe he did understand. “So what do I do about this woman?”
She laughed again. “If I have to spell that out, Zach, then you’re in worse shape than I thought.
Chapter Twenty Five
Grace couldn’t sleep. She went for a run and ended up in Dolores’ neighborhood.
No lights were on either in Dolores’ house or the garage apartment. “I wonder if that guy is going to show up?”
She sighed.
A scream catapulted her out of her reverie. She took Dolores four front steps in one jump. She knocked, then barreled through the unlocked door. “Dolores?”
With her eyes already adjusted to the darkness, she could navigate through the house to the bathroom. A light shone and illuminated a crumpled figure. “Dolores?”
Surrounded by blood Dolores didn’t move. She had a weak, thready pulse. Grace dialed 9-1-1 then returned to monitor her patient. No one else had heard the scream.
Flipping open her cell phone, she dialed Zach’s number. “Zach, it’s Grace Harmony. I’m at Dolores’ house. She’s in trouble.”
“What’s wrong?”
“Come quickly.”
She disconnected, not wanting to explain. She wasn’t sure if Dolores had been shot or she’d lost the baby. Most likely this was the miscarriage.
A siren sounded in the distance, a welcome sound. The EMT’s arrived first and went to work. Two paramedics she worked with rolled on the scene. They loaded Dolores into the ambulance just as Zach arrived.
“She’s losing the baby,” Grace said to him. “I’ll drive.”
He followed, his face a study in disbelief. “The baby?”
“I think so.”
“She really wanted this baby.”
Grace just nodded grimly.
***
The scene of Zach pacing in the hospital emergency room was getting tired and stale for Grace. She went through the heartache with him three times now. Her strength ebbing, she wasn’t sure she could go through this again. She had to solve this during this rewind.
She brought him coffee. He held it, not taking any sips, as if he’d forgotten that it was there. “Drink.”
He looked down at the white Styrofoam cup as if he’d never seen it before this. “Can you find out what’s happening?”
“I can, but it’s better to let them work on her. They’ll let us know when they can.”
He nodded, obviously knowing that was the answer she would give. “I was just starting to wrap my brain around the idea of a kid. Never really thought about having one. When Dolores and I divorced I didn’t expect to remarry.”
“One never knows what life brings us.” She rubbed her head. “Sorry, that was trite.”
He put a hand on her thigh. “It’s okay.”
His warmth infused her and the vision of them and children sprang out of her mind like a screen coming up before her. She wanted to smile at the happiness she saw in the picture.
“You’ve done so much, Grace. How did you come to be there?”
“I was out running. I couldn’t sleep. Ended up on her doorstep, I guess to check on her.”
“Did you know something was wrong?”
She could lie and tell him she did, but she wanted him to trust her. “No, I didn’t. At least not consciously.”
“I’m glad you were there,” he said, his voice hollow.
A nurse appeared in the doorway. “Mr. Holten?”
Zach stood as if braced to hear whatever news she brought.
Chapter Twenty Six
The baby that didn’t make it wasn’t his. Dolores was okay, but the baby, a twelve week fetus, was not his. He didn’t know which emotion to feel first, relief or disappointment.
He knew at that point in time, he couldn’t ever trust Dolores again. He was done making excuses for her lies.
Now was the time to look forward and that meant this woman standing in front of him. He didn’t know why, but she seemed to be a part of his future.
“Let’s go,” he said.
She jumped out of her chair, her mouth opened. “Aren’t you going to wait until she’s settled in a room?”
“No, I’ll come see her tomorrow.” He could hear the bitterness in his own voice.
When they got to her car he said, “You must think me a jerk.”
She shook her head. “No. I don’t know your history with Dolores.”
“We have quite a colorful one. We ended our relationship three times before we married. I should have known better.”
He shook his head while he slid into the passenger side. She drove him back to his car at Dolores’ house. “Have you met the tenant?”
Zach looked up at the darkened apartment. “No. Seems odd that the person didn’t come out with all the commotion last night.”
“Maybe they aren’t home.”
“None of my business.” He glanced over at Grace not eager to leave her company. “You need some breakfast?”
“I need a shower and to go to work.”
“Can I meet you for lunch?”
“As long as you don’t mind being stood up.”
“Why?”
“Because if a call comes in I have to go.”
“That’s how it was when I was a cop.”
“Then it’s a deal. Noon in the hospital cafeteria?”
“I’ll see you then.”
***
Grace met Zach at lunch. Her morning had not gone well. Even her partner had remarked that she didn’t seem to have the touch anymore.
“Off day?”
“I usually can just get a feeling for what they need, but not today. At least I haven’t killed anyone.”
“About Dolores.”
She raised a hand. “I’m not sure I’m up to talking about her.”
“Good idea. Let’s talk about something else,” Zach said.
Silence ensued as Grace attacked her salad with gusto. Zach leaned back and watched, his sandwich untouched.
“What?” Grace asked, her fork in mid air. “I never know when a call is coming in so I eat when I can.”
“Understood.”
Grace dropped her fork. “I think we have to talk about Dolores.”
“Why?”
“Because she’s right her
e with us. I’m not sure I want to do this with her here.”
“I talked to her. She knows where I stand.”
“Yes, but I still think that she’s in danger. I can’t pretend she isn’t there. She’s what brought us together.”
Zach took a bite of his sandwich and chewed it as if they were the words Grace had said. Once he swallowed he spoke again. “Okay. Then maybe we need to get this murder out of the way.”
“You believe me?”
No one ever does. She understood what Cassandra in Troy felt.
“Yes.” He said it without flinching. His gaze never left her face.
“I don’t want you to patronize me.”
“I wouldn’t, Grace.”
He reached across and took her hand in his. His warmth settled about her, like a womb. The vision didn’t appear, but the remnants of its memory washed over her. “Okay. So who do you think would want to kill her?”
“If she’s blackmailing someone then that person”
“Not the father of her baby?”
“Could be one and the same, but not if he’s just the father of her baby. That problem is gone now.”
Grace’s pager went off before she could answer. “Duty calls.”
She shoved one more bite into her mouth before she stood. “Thanks for lunch, Zach. And for believing me.”
“What time are you done?”
“Six.”
“I’ll be here.”
She left liking that idea.
***
Zach held a bouquet of flowers, but he’d bought them out of duty not affection.
“Hey,” she said with more cheer than she had energy.
He gave her a perfunctory peck on the cheek. His heart held little emotion for her anymore. “Hey, Lors. How you feeling?”
“Lots of things.”
“Sorry about the baby.”
And he was. Maybe he would have been a good father. He probably hadn’t been a very good husband. Dolores hadn’t been a good wife. The baby might have made them good parents.
Now he’ll never know.
He regretted the lack of opportunity more than he regretted the loss of the actual child.
“Yeah, me, too,” she said. Her eyes misted over. “You know it wasn’t yours.”
He grimaced. “Yes.”
Corpse Whisperer Page 17
