Page 31 of Burn For Me

Her narrow shoulders lifted and dropped.

“The only family I have is a granddaughter who doesn’t even know I exist, and I can’t take the money to my grave. I’ll keep it paid off. You make a point of working through the list I gave you and then I will add more to it when you’re done.”

“I don’t know what to say,” I said and meant it. This strange woman had shown me more kindness than just about anyone ever had in my life, and I didn’t understand why.

“Just say thank you and that you’ll take the deal. I like the company, and I’m no dummy, Derek. I’m slowly losing my mind.”

She put the purse down on the table, a shadow of sadness crossing her face.

“If I die, I’d like someone to know I’m gone. Someone that might miss this old face and maybe say a few words.”

I gave her a small smile.

“Alright, then thank you.” I took out the cheap wallet I’d purchased from the pawn shop and placed the platinum card inside.

“Also, if you go out to the shed, there’s an old truck. It was my husband’s, and I didn’t have the heart to sell it when he passed. If you can get her to run, it’s yours.”

Stepping forward, I gripped the older woman in a hug, shocking myself with the need to show her affection.

“Thanks, Dora.”

She was so thin. I didn’t know how her clothes were not falling off her body. At that moment, a fierce protective instinct took a firm hold in my heart. If anyone hurt Dora, they’d have to deal with me.

Stepping back, she wiped a tear from her cheek. “Don’t mention it. I’ll be right back.”

I watched her wander out of the kitchen and into the bathroom. The fates worked in mysterious ways. One thing was becoming very clear, whoever was pulling the strings on my life was helping me this time, and I intended not to waste this opportunity. Jason was next on my list, and as soon as I found his ass, he was going to meet his end.

I looked out the kitchen window toward the shed Dora mentioned. The sun glowed brightly through the window over the sink and decorative miniature vases that held dried flowers. A flicker caught my attention, and I took a step toward the sink. A warmth spread throughout my body as I caught sight of the shimmering image of Adalyn sitting in the garden, smiling at me. She raised her hand and waved, and I found myself walking to the back door. Moving outside, I looked around and couldn’t see Adalyn.

Turning, I spotted her by the shed. She was wearing a pretty sundress with little flowers on it, her short hair blowing around her face. She laughed as she waved for me to follow her. Not hesitating, I jogged toward her image and let out a bark of a laugh as she stuck her tongue out at me, then stepped through the closed door.

Grabbing the rusted door lever, I pushed down and gave it a pull.

“Adalyn? Where are you?” I called out and stepped into the dank, dark space.

Waving my hand in front of my face at the thick dust floating in the air, I pulled the T-shirt I was wearing up over my nose to keep from coughing. It was obvious no one had been in here for years other than small creatures. Massive spiders hung from almost every rafter. The large shadows of their furry bodies blocked out the little bit of light trying to come in through the dirt-covered windows.

“Adalyn,” I called out again, taking a step further into the darkness.

“Over here.”

“Where are you? I can’t see you.” My eyes scanned the area.

Long threads stretched from floor to ceiling, and I had to push the white webs out of the way like I’d entered a heavily decorated haunted house.

“Over here.”

“I don’t see you.”

“Who you lookin’ for?”

I whipped around to see Dora slowly making her way toward the shed, her arm up to block the bright glare of the afternoon sun. I looked over my shoulder, and I could feel that Adalyn was gone.

“No one, Dora. I was just mumbling to myself. Is this the truck?” I pointed to the oil-stained tarp that was covering something large.

“Yup, go ahead and pull the tarp off. Annoying things, get off me,” she grumbled and swatted away a spider that landed on her arm that looked big enough to cart the frail old woman away. “Guess I need to do some cleaning up in here.”

“Don’t worry about it, I’ll fix it up.” I looked around the space and smiled.