by Gina Ardito
Sean snorted. “Yeah, well, in case you haven’t noticed, Luc’s not big on spilling his guts. So I figure his Elder Counselor hid the idea of Karmic Justice from him because it has something to do with his being here.”
“Wait a minute.” Jodie’s fists shot to her hips. “You’re not saying Luc is here because of someone he wronged in life, are you? Because if you are—”
“What?” He smirked. “You don’t think it’s possible?”
“No.” She shook her head, reconsidered the idea, and restated her denial with more emphasis. “No way. Not in a million years.”
“What makes you say that? Because you and he meld so well?”
Heat broke out in her core, but she quickly cooled her embarrassment and flashed him a look of fury. “I’m not even going to ask how you know about that. Because it’s none of your business. Either way, I’ll be damned if I stand around and listen to you malign the character of a man who may not always be the easiest to get along with, but has always been honest and decent and firmly on the side of right.”
Sean shot up his hands in surrender. “Easy, Jodie. I happen to agree with your assessment of Luc’s character, okay?” With a gentle elbow jab, he nudged her off-balance. “I’ll try to keep the devil’s advocate part of me in check from now on.”
“Fine.” Steadying herself, she folded her arms over her chest in a confrontational stance. “But ace detective or not, piss me off again, and your assistance will no longer be required.”
“You got spirit, lady.” To her surprise, he chuckled. “No wonder Luc’s hooked on you.”
“Hooked on me?” She blew air out her nostrils. “Hardly.” No need for him to know a thrill sizzled through her synapses at the idea.
“Oh, he’s hooked on you.” Casually leaning against the wall, Sean pointed an index finger toward her nose. “And you’re hooked on him, too.”
She slapped the finger away with a quick sideways dash. “I’m not even going to dignify that with an answer.”
His smile only widened, and she pulled her hands taut against her hips to keep from slapping his cheeks next.
“Suit yourself. But for the sake of argument, let’s assume Luc’s been forced to spend time here because of something unresolved from his life. That’s safe enough, don’t you think? It’s why we’re all here. Right?”
“Right.” She kept up her guard, prepared for another insult, but allowing for the possibility his interrogation might lead to a solution.
“So in all the time you and Luc spent together, what’d he tell you about his life and death on Earth?”
“Honestly, not much. Only that he was murdered.”
“Did he say how? Or by whom?”
“No.” She paused, thought back on their various conversations. “Although…I think he said marriage was what killed him.”
Sean stroked his chin. “Interesting. He really said that?”
“Sort of. I once mentioned men kill themselves over vices: addiction, gambling debts, that kinda stuff. And when I asked him what was his vice, he said, ‘marriage.’ I think his wife killed him.”
“Let’s not jump to conclusions.”
“Don’t you see? It makes sense.” Her cadence sped up with her excitement. She was onto something here. She knew it. Now to get Sean to understand. “This last bounty? Mr. Lange? His wife had poisoned him. That would explain why Luc wanted to know if the authorities had punished her yet. And why he got so upset with the idea of Karmic Justice.”
“Slow down, Jodie. Tell me all the details about Mr. Lange. How did he die? And what kind of argument did he put up to convince you to let him stay?”
She considered her words carefully, chose to keep to facts rather than supposition. “He was murdered by his wife, a real black widow, and he wanted to stay until the police caught up with her. It’s why I tried to explain the idea of Karmic Justice to him. And that’s when Luc went ballistic.”
Expression blank and fathomless, Sean nodded. “Slow down. Don’t jump ahead of me. You got the call, you went to the coordinates the Board provided. What was the first thing you noticed when you landed?”
She mentally hurled herself back and told Sean every detail she could recall: the widow and her iced tea bottles, the other murders Jenny might have committed, Luc’s agitation that she hadn’t been caught, her own interjection into the conversation with the details of Karmic Justice and Human Life Empathy, Luc’s violent reaction and his subsequent departure.
“Good,” Sean said. “That’s good. Now think… We’re going backwards, sweetheart. Think about the bounty before Mr. Lange. Think about the details. How do they relate to Luc and Mr. Lange? How did Luc react on that hunt? Did he do or say anything unusual?”
The bounty before Mr. Lange…
Tito Alexander. “No. I mean, he looked like hell, but I did most of the work on that case. Luc was fine—normal, I guess.”
“Okay, let’s try something else. Think back to all the bounties you two have gone after since your arrival. Do you see any common threads in all these lost-and-found spirits? Anything. No matter how silly it sounds. I don’t care if they all liked vanilla ice cream. No quirk every bounty might have shared is too ridiculous to consider.”
Common threads? Like links in a chain? Could all the souls they chased have something to do with why Luc was here? Why they were both here? Tito Alexander, Amanda Kroger, Taylor Finch, Kristin Esterby, poor little Michael Samuels, Tim Regan, Jacob Eihler…
While she ran the litany of victims through her brain, she sank onto the nearest stool. Listlessly, her finger drew curlicues on the countertop.
What, if anything, did these spirits have in common? Besides the fact they were dead and called up by the Board?
Victims… Murder? Maybe.
Okay, let’s take this one bounty at a time.
Amanda Kroger murdered her husband; Phillip Lange was murdered by his wife. Jacob Eihler was murdered by a student. Taylor Finch…murdered. Tito Alexander accidentally killed his girlfriend. Michael Samuels wasn’t murdered, but he did die due to someone else’s negligence.
So change murder to wrongful death and all the links still apply.
This theory was beginning to hold weight.
Keep going. Who’s left?
Kristin Esterby and Tim Regan. How had they died? Pneumonia for Kristin and AIDS for Tim. Not murder, not negligence. A simple illness and a devastating virus.
Her once weighty theory now floated away like a soap bubble. Okay, so scratch murder or wrongful death.
What else could she find to link these poor unfortunates?
Money? Some kind of inheritance? Phillip Lange was murdered for his life insurance. Kristin Esterby’s siblings were involved in a nasty inheritance battle. Ditto Taylor Finch’s family. But Michael Samuels had no money. Nor did Amanda Kroger. Tim Regan had nothing as far as she knew. Tito Alexander wouldn’t have gained a dime from his girlfriend’s death.
So if it wasn’t money and it wasn’t murder, what other links might exist between all the bounties? Think, dammit, think.
What exactly had Luc told her about his death and his subsequent assignment here? The last time they’d discussed their lives on Earth had been before they went after Phillip Lange. Right here. In her bed. Her gaze skipped to the mattress with a longing to crawl inside and yank the scratchy blanket over her head.
No. Not unless Luc was here with her. Melding, soaring, wrapping himself around her, in her…
Think, dammit, think! Stay focused.
Right. The bed. Before they’d hunted down Phillip Lange. She’d just told him about her own childhood and the reason she kept her scars in the Afterlife. And then she’d attempted to find out about his past. “I still don’t know how you died.”
“I was murdered.”The words were clipped, bitter, brooking no emotional reaction.
She remembered pressing the issue. “Then why are you here? I mean, I thought we were all suicides.”
“Apparently not
all of us.”
Then what happened?
Ooh, clever boy. He’d halted all conversation right there by seducing her. And foolishly, she’d fallen for his machinations, for his kisses, for his smooth caresses, and murmured words of adoration. Afterwards, he’d upped and left her there as if he were the only fireman in town and a five-alarm blaze had broken out. When they spoke again, it was because the Board had contacted them to pursue Phillip Lange.
When Luc showed up at her door, she’d noticed how drawn he had looked. No. Not just drawn. Drained. And pale. Because his condition worried her, she’d suggested she take the hunt alone. Which resulted in some nasty retort on his part followed by her question. Do you treat all your partners with such disdain?
Why are you interested in my other partners? Just because we hit the sack together a couple of times doesn’t mean you’ve staked a claim on me, you know.
The words bothered her, but the memory of Luc’s sorry state worried her more. Was it really possible he was stuck here in the Afterlife as a form of Karmic Justice? That would explain his condition and his reaction when he learned about Human Life Empathy. The two instances had to be related.
“Jodie!” Sean’s prompt snapped her back to reality before she melted into the filthy carpet.
A wire tripped in her head, and she suddenly knew the link. “Betrayal,” she said in hushed awe as the realization flooded her from head to toe. “Betrayal and forgiveness.”
Sean folded his arms over his chest and twisted his lips in a doubt-filled frown.
“You don’t see it, do you?” Jodie asked.
He shrugged. “Convince me.”
“Betrayal and forgiveness. It’s just a theory, mind you. But it works. All of our bounties were somehow involved in or victims of betrayal. I committed suicide because I thought my boyfriend betrayed me. Luc was murdered. That in itself says betrayal, don’t you think?”
“Logical, but I need more. Link the bounties for me.”
For God’s sake. Fingers scrubbing her scalp, she paced the narrow room. “Try to follow along, if you can,” she snapped. “Kristin Esterby died of pneumonia. Before her illness, she gave birth to a daughter. A daughter she was forced to relinquish to a servant to keep her social status.”
“The child’s father?”
“Not in the picture, but she mentioned he wasn’t an appropriate man. I didn’t think to pursue the topic at the time. Kristin’s real hold on life was her daughter. I believe her greatest worry was making sure her greedy siblings didn’t get their paws on her little Rebecca.”
“Okay. A stretch, but not so far the band will snap.” His fingers flitted in the air, an irksome prompt that sent her molecules skittering. “Next.”
Tamping down her annoyance, she began to traverse the carpet, pacing miles of ruts into the already pitted nap. While she walked, she outlined each bounty and the links they held to the ideals of betrayal and forgiveness. From Taylor Finch and the thief who attempted to steal his life’s work to Jacob Eihler and the student who gunned him down after being stood up at the school dance. She linked Michael Samuels through his mother, who had imprisoned the child in an asylum where their cruel and bizarre treatment methods eventually killed him. Poor Amanda Kroger was betrayed twice: first by the man who’d promised to love and cherish her, and then by a justice system that refused to see how her desperate need for escape drove her to such drastic action. Tito Alexander betrayed his girlfriend’s trust and couldn’t forgive his error in judgment. Tim Regan had fled to a church to seek forgiveness.
“Finally, we have Phillip Lange who was murdered by his wife to collect on his life insurance policy.” She turned in mid-stride and flashed him a victorious smile. “Voila. Betrayal and forgiveness—or the lack thereof. Fits every single case.”
“Loosely,” Sean admitted. “But for lack of any better scenario, let’s run with your idea for now.”
“Wow,” Jodie retorted flatly. “Your enthusiastic vote of confidence underwhelms me.” Her fingers curled into fists at her sides. To think she used to consider Sean more reasonable than Luc! Well, no more. In fact, she ought to get down on her knees and thank the Board for not saddling her with a partner who played devil’s advocate for his own blasé amusement.
Sean’s laughter reawakened the prickles in her frazzled synapses. “You must drive Luc crazy.”
“Yeah,” she retorted, slipping onto the closest stool. “Wacky hijinks ensue every night. Are you going to help me or not?”
“No wonder the Board paired you up. You’re so well-matched, I’d swear you were two halves of the same whole.”
She was so not in the mood for bullshit. “Did you moonlight for Hallmark in your spare time?”
The smirk faded while he shook his head. “You don’t realize how special what you guys have is, do you? You think the heart-stopping melds, the mind-to-mind communication, the partnership in general, is something every spirit here receives?” He straightened to his full height, towering over her. “Fuhgeddaboudit. Let me tell you something, sunshine. I don’t know why the Board decided to hook you up with Luc, but what you two have is rarer than dinosaurs walking among us.”
“Really?” Her hands shot to her hips. “What exactly do you think we have?”
“I haven’t the faintest idea.” His smile widened, and he eased forward, more casual now, eyes dancing with delight. “But I’m pretty sure you know.”
Chapter 31
Yeah, she did know. Or at least Jodie had a pretty strong suspicion. But she’d be damned if she’d share that information with Sean Martino, Ace Detective. Not until she gained the opportunity to express her feelings to Luc. First, of course, she’d have to find him. Dammit. She had no idea where to look, barely enough energy to stand upright, and now Sean’s mind games only continued to delay her from her goal. She didn’t have time for nonsense.
“You know what? You’ve been a big help. So thanks a bunch.” Calling up the last dregs of activity in her circuits, she stood, strode past him and yanked open her door. “If you’d be kind enough to leave my room now, I have to consider my next move.”
“You don’t have the energy to make another move.” Inching closer, he cupped her jaw to tilt her eyes toward the overhead light. “In fact, I’m surprised you’re still standing at all. You need sleep, honey-pie. Bad.”
She jerked away and stumbled against the counter. “I can’t sleep. I have to find Luc.”
His steely gaze stabbed right through her pretense. “You have to recharge first, Jodie. No way in hell you’ll make it far with your current energy levels. And I’m guessing wherever Luc went isn’t in this realm.”
The realization splashed over her like ice water. “Earth? You think he went back to Earth? What makes you say that?”
“Because I’d imagine if he were anywhere in the realm of the Afterlife, you’d be able to reach him psychically.”
Oh, yeah. With everything else to worry about, she’d forgotten about that psychic communication link. Sleep-deprived fog crept into her brain, and she shook her head to find a clear thought. “But why Earth?”
Sean shrugged. “Unless you think someone here betrayed him.”
“You think he went to confront whoever killed him? Why? I mean, why now? Luc has always said he had no reason to go back to Earth.”
Sean’s expression turned smug. “Was that before or after you told him about Karmic Justice?”
Score one for the ace detective.
He leaned one hand against the door jamb, creating a wall between her and the only exit. “Look, Jodie, believe it or not, I do want to help. Luc’s a friend and if he’s in trouble…” On a slow shrug, he sighed. “I want to help.”
“Yeah?” She folded her arms over her chest. The effort nearly spilled her into the carpet, and she quickly gripped the counter to stay upright. “Thanks, but no thanks.”
“Meld with me, Jodie.”
She snapped to attention, back rigid against the counter. “What?!”
“Relax.” Sean waved a hand in dismissal. “Melding with me won’t be anywhere near as intimate as what you and Luc share.” He waggled his brows. “At least I don’t think so.”
“That does it.” She shot a hand at the door. “Get out!”
“Oh, for Chrissake!” In one swift motion, he grabbed her hand and slapped it flat against his chest, directly over his heart.
Power surged into her in a fusion of electricity and atomic energy, heating her aura and rejuvenating her lagging spirits. Thank God, Sean hadn’t lied about this experience differing from her melds with Luc. Throughout the procedure, she never lost her sense of self. Her nerve endings tingled and sparked to life, but without the shooting star sensation and the desperate, all-consuming need Luc created inside her. In fact, Jodie remained firmly planted to the floor as the waves of heat warmed her chilled insides and awakened her to full alert status in no time at all. Which, considering time didn’t exist here but kept running on Earth, still gave Luc a helluva head start on her.
On a gasp, Sean pushed her away, breaking contact. “Go now,” he huffed, bent at the waist. “Find Luc and bring him home where he belongs.”
~~~~
Outside the Frank E. Campbell Funeral Home, Matt paused at the curb. Luc hovered directly behind him, unnoticed. Amber street lights reflected off a puddle, enhancing Matt’s muddy aura. In fact, every aspect of Matt’s celestial appearance came through to Luc as filthy, black, and ice-cold. Perhaps, Luc saw him that way out of bias—painting him bleak and dark because he now knew his former friend’s dirty secret.
Seconds later, a black stretch limo glided to a stop in front of them both.
Well, well. Moving up in the world, eh, Matty-boy? My death certainly improved your standard of living, didn’t it?
The uniformed driver stepped out, ran around the rear of the car, and opened the passenger door. Gloved fingers touching his cap, he intoned on a slight bow, “Mr. Cooper?”
“Adam…” Matt replied in greeting as he slid across the leather interior.
