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Kipp took a step forward. “You—”
Zach’s knuckles against Dane’s jaw cut off his words. Dane dropped to the ground. Zach stood over him, scowling with tight fists. “Say anything like that again, and cop or not, I’ll make you regret it.”
Dane sighed, rubbing his jaw and stood. “I’m not here to make friends. I’m taking time out of my schedule, and I’m here to help Tess with her abilities. Punch me again and I’ll fucking walk out on her. Understand that?”
I pulled Zach away and kept my hand on his arm in hopes to settle him. Why were men so difficult? “Can we stop with the pissing contest?” I pondered, more than happy to understand a bit more of this, and actually had a thought rise. “Do you think it’s possible that Kipp refused to die and somehow his soul fought to stay, then because he didn’t have a body it got stuck?”
Dane stretched out his jaw. “It’s possible, and would make sense. I’d imagine he’s here for something, and the more I’m with you, I suspect that reason is you.”
I blinked. “Huh?”
“You said it yourself that he’s totally different than any other ghost. You both seem to have a strong connection.” Was that anger flashing in his features? “If he’s not here for himself, if his soul doesn’t need to be settled then he’s staying for another reason.” He gave me a pointed look. “You.”
I glanced at Kipp, who seemed as confused as I before I turned to Dane. “But why?”
“I cannot answer that.”
I didn’t believe him. Maybe because his eyes shone with hidden secrets.
Before I instructed Zach to punch him again to get the information out of him, Kipp said, “You see it, don’t you?”
I wanted to laugh at him for whispering since no one could hear him but me. Instead, I gave a soft nod. Dane’s expression, though, fighting to remain lax showed a hint of knowledge he tried very hard to keep private.
“I’ll go with you and see what we’ve got,” Dane said, only confirming he wanted to change the subject. “I can help you understand how to deal with this ghost if it’s troublesome.”
I pushed away my suspicion of Dane. We had matters that were more serious. “Yes, speaking of that, if this ghost isn’t friendly, why would I be in danger?”
“Let’s see what we’re up against and then go from there.” Dane sighed. “There’s a vast amount of information to tell you. And I don’t want to overwhelm you. Taking it step by step right now is the best way to proceed.”
It might have seemed like he was being courteous of me, but I didn’t believe that for a stink
in’ minute. He withheld information and I hoped to hell, it wouldn’t bite me in the ass later.
Kipp stared down Dane as if he wanted to flatten him where he stood. He finally glanced at me. “Let’s get this over with. The sooner you learn what you need to, the sooner this fucker can leave.”
That seemed simple enough, but the tight knot in my gut made me quite aware, it wouldn’t be that easy.
Chapter Eight
Midafternoon settled in. The sun rested halfway in the sky and the day was lovely. Too bad I wasn’t in the mood to enjoy it.
After plugging the address into the G.P.S. and driving for a while, Dane rounded the corner onto Poplar Avenue then arrived at Overton Park. The Memphis Zoo was to the south of us, but Dane continued driving toward the parking lot that led to Veterans Plaza.
By the time he entered the parking lot, I already spotted the ghosts waiting by one of the memorials to the Veterans killed during the World Wars. The park was lovely. The ghosts were just absurd.
Everyone had it wrong. I always wondered why paranormal investigators hunted for ghosts at night. They were as active during the daylight hours as they were at night. It only made things creepier in the dark. I might see ghosts, but being in the pitch black, being unable to see them was far scarier.
Dane drove into a parking spot and cut the ignition of his rented car. He drew in a deep breath, which I took to mean he felt the energy here. Hell, even I could feel an increased energy causing the hair on my arms to rise because of the hoard of ghosts present.
Not only our group awaited us standing by a statue of a solider, but by the soldiers—ghosts—walking along the fields and looking upon the memorials.
I was out of the car in a jiffy and strode toward the group. Dane might feel their presence, but he’d have no idea of their location. I wasn’t so lucky and could see the twenty ghosts staring at us.
“I think there are more of them now,” Kipp said.
“I really hope that doesn’t mean this situation has gotten worse in a day,” I grumbled.
Once I reached the ghosts, I scanned their faces, and again was surprised at how afraid they appeared. Not a settling thought since whoever had scared them was a ghost they wanted me to deal with.
