Dan faces Mara. In a low, dark tone, he says, “Are you saying Aimee was involved in Jimmy’s death?”
His brother’s blond head snaps our way. He slips away from Aimee and scoffs. “Don’t be dumb. She might be flaky sometimes, but she wouldn’t hurt a fly.”
I’m not convinced of that. Aimee is not exactly known as a paragon of virtue. She can bully girls with the cattiest of cheerleaders. She’s shallower than a puddle in a pothole. Those “qualities” aren’t always a sign a person’s capable of murder. But it is possible.
The question is, is Aimee powerful enough to do that? Was Jimmy weak enough to allow it?
On the other hand, her loud, unabashed mourning is getting on my nerves. Even Jimmy’s family, with whom he shared a much better relationship, by the sound of things, is restrained in grief.
“I’m just saying there was more to her and Jimmy as a couple,” Mara says. “They had problems.”
“How do you know?” I ask her in a low voice.
She shrugs. “What can I say? I’m perceptive. I notice things. It wasn’t that hard, really. My bedroom is directly opposite Jimmy’s. Sometimes I heard conversations between them. Arguments.”
“You spied on them?” Dan asks, looking nauseated. Jimmy’s face mirrors his expression perfectly.
Mara’s defensive. “Their fights were loud. I’m surprised you didn’t eavesdrop, Dan. Or did you?”
“I’ve always got my music on when I paint.”
Jimmy nods at me. “That’s one thing I’m not gonna miss—Dan’s morbid Morrissey obsession.”
“I like Morrissey, too,” I say. Dan throws me a look of solidarity. Mara seems confused, and I realize I’d slipped up by replying to Jimmy out loud.
“I want to know what she overheard,” Jimmy says with a tinge of anger.
I lead everyone further way from Aimee, at the same time being careful not to tread closer to where Jimmy’s body was snagged in the water. “Mara, what did you overhear?”
She purses her full lips for a second, weighing up what she’s going to say. “There were so many fights. It’s a wonder they were together for eight months.”
Jimmy chuckles. “Wow, she kept track of how long Aimee and me were dating? Even I didn’t know that!”
I wonder just how much Mara heard by “accident” and how much she eagerly listened out for. Is she nosy? Easily distracted? Or is there something more to her interest in a relationship on the rocks?
“It was over between them,” Mara says conspiratorially. She stares at Aimee with palpable hate. Had there always been a rivalry between them? “She treated him like dirt if he wouldn’t give in to her. Constantly badgering him.”
“Mara, did you hear them argu—” I begin, but I’m interrupted by the sharp squawk of feedback from a megaphone.
A familiar voice carries over the laughter and chatter around us. “This is a crime scene, people. Vacate the area immediately. I repeat, this is a crime scene. Vacate the area immediately or you will be arrested.”
Instantly, “mourners” scamper across logs and rocks, out of bushes and out of the water. A couple of kids splashing in the waterfall gape like stricken deer under the powerful flashlights shone by Charlie and his squad.
“Todd, is that Budweiser I see in your hand?” Charlie bellows.
Standing on waterhole’s rocky edge, Todd drops the can as if it’s full of rat poison. He splits as fast as his thick linebacker legs will carry him. Sam’s already well down the wooded path leading to the parking lot.
Only Dan, Mara, Jimmy and I stand rooted to the spot while everyone around us runs so fast you’d think a planet-sized asteroid is about to hit.
Charlie shakes his head and kicks empty cans and pretzel bags out of his way. Bristling, he picks up a shred of black-and-yellow police tape. “Didn’t you guys see this?”
We shake our heads. The clearing was already full of bodies celebrating the life of their fallen hero when we arrived.
“We haven’t finished processing the area,” Charlie says, staring at me like it was my fault that he hadn’t posted officers to guard the clearing. I start following him. “Keira, stop, turn around, and go home to your mother.”
“She’s at work. Again.”
“Keira, what are you doing? He said we have to go,” Mara calls out. Her gaze is locked on me. I feel like a butterfly pinned to a frame in a science lab. Trapped and under scrutiny. I hope Charlie won’t mention anything about me writing an article. I’m sure she’d be okay with it, but I bet she wanted to get the scoop first.
Waving her off, I say, “Just a minute. I need to ask Charlie something…about my mom.”
Charlie’s eyes widen to grapefruit-like proportions, but continues walking. I scurry after him, closer to the waterfall. He shines his torch on the water and yells, “That’s right, you kids. If you’re not out of here in two minutes, you’ll be smiling for mug shots down at the station.”
“Yes, sir!” the couple says unison. They scramble from the water wearing only underwear. Stopping briefly to scoop up their clothes on the rocks, they make it out of the clearing in record-breaking time.
Charlie glares at the trash left behind.
“Were you for real about not being done with the crime scene?” I ask.
He sucks in his cheeks. “I can’t go into specifics with you on the case.”
“You don’t have to give me everything. Just a few morsels. Enough to write a story.”
“Sorry, Keira. Chief Higgins says he doesn’t want the press to get hold of details that might hurt the case.” He can’t get away fast enough.
I catch up to him. “Isn’t that what the police say when they want to narrow down suspects based on how much they know?”
“You’re pretty smart. Just like your mom,” he says.
“She likes you.” My throat kind of closes up, and my words come out strangled.
“Is that what you wanted to tell me?” He rolls his eyes. “Gee, thanks. Now go home, Keira.”
“Mom would have told you that I’m pretty trustworthy, right?” I persist. “That I have good judgment? I wouldn’t print anything that would put Jimmy’s case in jeopardy. I care about his family too much.”
Charlie glances at Dan in the distance. “Or about one member in particular.”
I feel my face burn. “That’s none of your business.”
He gives a rueful laugh, then motions for me to follow him along the water’s edge. “Our boys did a thorough job. Photographed the crap out of the place, combed the area from here to the parking lot, took samples. We’ve hit another setback. No viable footprints on this rocky ground.
“But there is some ‘good’ news. We found a suspicious object up at the clifftop. A rock with a small amount of blood on it. They’re running tests on it to see whose blood it might be.”
“Jimmy’s blood.” A dull throb ricochets in my skull and echoes into the pit of my stomach. Even without seeing the “suspicious object,” my physical reaction leaves me in no doubt.
“We’ll see what the lab thinks, but I’m with you on that. The blood seemed relatively fresh.”
A memory of the blood dripping from Jimmy’s head makes me shiver. “What about the car? Did you check out Big River Way?”
“Yeah. We found exactly where you said it’d be. His phone was in there, too. We’re running tests on it,” he says.
“That’s great news,” I say a little too quickly. On one hand, I’m amazed my vision of the car’s location proved correct. But on the other hand, I don’t like the way Charlie’s staring at me. Like I’m a suspect. Maybe I’m paranoid. “What’s next?”
He jerks his head toward the waterhole. “We couldn’t find the car keys. Now, I’m guessing maybe whoever killed him threw the keys in the woods.”
One thing I know for sure, those keys aren’t in Jimmy’s pockets. What on earth could he have done with them?
“Do you have a description of them?”
“A Ford key and fob.
Wolves keychain. You know what it looks like.”
A plastic carving of a wolf baring its teeth, with a full moon and stars in the background, it wasn’t high art. But every Wolves fan worth their salt has one. Thousands have been sold over the decades.
“There are acres and acres of woodlands.” I gesture around me. “It could take years to find them.”
“Pardon my French, but no shit, Keira,” Charlie says wryly. He gives me sideways look. “I could do with some volunteers to search the woods. You in?”
“Of course. I’ll do anything.” I tap my fingers against my chin. A tarot reading could provide some clues. Then I could conduct a physical search.
“Please. I’ve got Jimmy’s dad calling me pretty much every half-hour, asking for updates.”
“And you’ve got nothing to tell him. I get it.” After my “success” with the séance and the vision of the car, maybe I can apply my skills and get to the bottom of Jimmy’s demise.
The clearing is pretty much deserted now. Even Mara’s backing away. She eyes me solemnly and gives a tiny farewell wave before hurrying after the stragglers.
“So it was party central up here,” Charlie says, frowning.
“Everyone really misses Jimmy,” I say. Come to think of it, where is Jimmy?
Oh, God, not again.
Frantically, I glance around. Whenever Jimmy gets lost, he ends up here at the falls, so where is he now?
Charlie’s phone rings. “Excuse me. I’ve got to take this.”
I barely acknowledge him as he steps away. Dan, oblivious to the whole world, has wandered to the very spot where his brother was found entangled in the water. He kicks at a stone and crouches, deep in thought.
The other cops pick up trash and douse the bonfire. In the diminishing light, movement above the waterfall grabs my gaze. Standing high above, Jimmy surveys the drop. His body shimmers. He’s dangerously close not only to the edge of the cliff, but to the very limit of our connection.
Without tearing my eyes from Jimmy, I call out, “Dan, can you come here?”
“Have you found something? Are you getting a vision?” He’s with me in seconds, his feet sure against the rocky, uneven ground. Dan fixes his intense blue stare on me.
“You could say that.” I point at the top of the falls. “Jimmy’s up there. Look. I mean...just trust me on that.”
“What are you waiting for? Let’s get up there,” he says, pulling on my arm. I stall at the bottom of the natural staircase leading to the top.
It’s dark, it’s slippery, and there’s no railing. I crane my neck. Jimmy’s moved closer to the edge. Is he about to re-enact his death?
“No, wait,” I say. “We have to leave him alone. It might be important for his...process.”
“What if he gets hurt? That’s a huge drop.” Worry oozes from every artistic pore. Then he pauses and shakes his head ruefully.
I can’t stop a tiny snort of laughter from escaping. “If Jimmy jumps, I think he’ll be okay.”
Fierceness overtakes his features. “My brother didn’t jump in the first place. I know him better than anyone. That’s just not who he is. So that leaves only two possibilities—an accident...or murder. Are you with me on that? ’Cause if you’re not, then let’s just go our separate ways.”
“I am with you. Jimmy, you and me, we’re teammates now,” I insist. I bow my head and brush away a tear that somehow broke free. Warmth spreads over my shoulder, and it takes me a second to realize it’s coming from Dan’s hand.
“That sounds like something Jimmy would say.” He squeezes my shoulder and lets go.
“He’s the team captain.” I give a wobbly smile. “Let’s just wait and see what he does.”
I find a smooth plateau of rock where we can sit and get a better view. Whether Jimmy jumps or falls, I’m glad Dan won’t be able to see it with his own eyes. He’ll just have to take my word for it.
The bonfire’s just a smoldering pile of glowing ashes now. Cool air weaves into the thin fibers of my T-shirt and jeans. I shiver involuntarily.
“Cold?” Dan scoots close to me before I can answer. He takes off his jacket and drapes it over my shoulders. I snuggle into it, my body tingling as I catch his scent, feel his warmth. It’s almost as good as an embrace. Almost.
We’re not quite touching. Millimeters apart. But there’s undeniable heat pulsating off his body and into mine. Adorably, he keeps watch over the falls, even though I’m certain he can’t see his brother. I wish he’d make a move. Maybe it’s up to me to take his hand now?
“Not anymore. Thanks.” The sound of the water is mesmerizing. It could well seduce me into a trance. A gentle mist of water sprays us, calms down my rapid pulse.
“Keira? Dan?” Charlie says, his voice rough. “We’ve got to get to a car accident in Emerson.”
“Anyone hurt?” Dan asks, on full alert. Emerson’s tiny population can’t justify a school, so their kids are included in our school district. The last thing we need is another tragedy close to home—or another ghost with issues.
“Minor injuries. You guys hanging around here for a while?”
I nod. “Yeah.”
“All right, then don’t stay out too late.”
“Mom knows. I texted her.” I wave him away and focus on the shadows above the waterfall. When Charlie’s and the other officers’ footsteps fade to nothing, I call up to Jimmy. “What’s going on, Jimmy? What are you doing up there? You’re in the danger zone, you know.”
After a beat, he takes his eyes off whatever’s caught his attention and looks at me. “It’s pretty fucking amazing up here. If you could see what I see...”
My chest constricts as he trails off. He seems enthralled, ecstatic. Which can only mean one thing. “Do you see the Light?”
“A lot of lights,” he replies. “Ever see those pictures of the universe in the science labs? With the nebula and stuff? It’s just like that. And I’m standing right in the middle of it. Fucking amazing.”
I relay to Dan what he says, profanities and all. Dan squeezes my hand and doesn’t let go. “He’s describing my Milky Way mural.”
“Sorry, Dan, it’s even better. Even better.” Jimmy treads further along the ledge, further from us. “Oh, hey!” he exclaims, like he’s talking to a friend. He murmurs something I can’t hear, and then laughs.
“Is someone up there with you?” I call out. He doesn’t answer, but he laughs again. I’m glad one of us is having a good time. Me? My heart rate’s taking off like a champion sprinter. He takes another step away. “Careful, Jimmy, don’t go too far. You know what happens when—”
“It’s cool. I’ve got something I need to do. Look after my little brother. And don’t try to find me. I’ll be back. I think...” He steps away from the edge, out of view. At the same time, it feels like a guillotine shears down and severs the connection between us. I reel back onto the rocks.
“Keira!” Dan leans over me, his hand still clenching mine. “What just happened? Tell me!”
Dazed, I say, “He...he’s gone.”
“Into the Light? To heaven? Talk to me!”
I beg my muscles to stop shaking. “He’s gone, and I’m not sure he wants to come back.”
Chapter Sixteen
“What happens now?” Dan paces my bedroom. He downs the last of his Coke and pitches the can into my wastebasket with a clang. It’s lucky Mom’s at work, or all the noise he’s making would wake her.
“Please, that rug is threadbare as it is. Can you sit still for one minute?” I scowl, but inside, I’m in knots about Dan being in my room past midnight on a school night. Being in my room, period. It was okay having Jimmy as a roommate. He’s just a buddy now, my imaginary friend.
But Dan? I’m starting to feel like we’re in Becky’s closet again. Hot and bothered and way too close to each other.
Close enough to kiss.
He plops onto my bed, but he doesn’t lose the deep frown. His feet tap restlessly on the floor. He folds up my
pillow and puts it behind his head.
I stroke my tarot cards for comfort, but it’s times like these I wish I had a cat. Something warm to cuddle.
Better still—Dan.
I gasp involuntarily. Dan gives me an odd look.
Jesus, Keira. Get a grip.
In a business-like voice, I say, “We have to respect his wishes and do nothing. For now. If he’s gone into the Light, then that’s exactly the right place for Jimmy. It’s not our place to bring him back.”
But if he’s gone into the darkness...I’m not going to twiddle my thumbs. I’m going in there to save his soul.
“Tell me again what he said.” Dan grabs a pencil from my nightstand and twists it repeatedly. I swipe paper from my printer tray and hand it to him, along with a binder. He looks at me in amazement. “You knew? I was itching to draw something, calm me down.”
I figured as much, him being a tortured artist and all. But I wasn’t going to tell him he’s an open book. Some people get defensive about that. I sit next to him and tease, “No, I want you to write down what I say this time so I don’t have to repeat it.”
A smile tugs at the corners of his mouth, the first one in hours. My breath catches as he drapes himself over my bed. I decide I much prefer him happy rather than dark and broody. Not that dark and broody isn’t sexy on him.
“Sorry,” he says. “I’m not the most patient guy around.”
I give him a sidelong glance. “Really? I thought art takes time and that you have to be patient.”
“Not me. I usually paint when I’m angry. Comes out faster.”
“What are you angry about?” I wriggle backwards on the bed so my back is against the wall. My bare arm bumps his accidentally. I half-expect him to draw away fast, but instead he holds his arm steady. Touching mine. My heart flutters. Can he feel that electricity between us? Or am I oversensitive?
He shrugs, and his arm rubs against mine deliciously. I can barely focus.
“Being stuck in this town. Being the only non-jock in the family. I mean, even my mom’s in a soccer league.”
I force myself to say something, but it’s hard because all I can think about is how damn close he is. On my bed. “You play baseball. I’ve seen you. Weren’t you on the JV team?”
This is Your Afterlife Page 12
