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Zach shook his head in disbelief and proved that, even though he believed me, the ghost stuff still shocked him. “Let me handle the investigation on my end for Alexander’s death. Max dug a little here in Louisiana and as far as the police are concerned, the case has run cold.” He said to Gretchen, “Give me the names of everyone here, plus anyone who you know was close to Alexander, and we’ll get Max to check ‘em out.”
I curled my lip. “Max will check them out?”
Zach pushed off the bed, reaching into his pocket, and took out his cell phone. “He’s here, as is Eddie.”
My eyes widened. “Here in the house?”
He shook his head. “I thought too many of us would only raise suspicions, so they’re staying at a hotel.”
I swallowed past the emotion tightening my throat. “You all came here—to help me?”
“Of course we did.” He cupped my shoulder. “Not only do we want to keep you safe, but Kipp is our family. We want him back as much as you do. If we help you now it will hurry this along, get the answers you need and this can finally end.”
I shut my eyes, willing myself not to burst into tears. At this rate, a serious mental breakdown loomed from my raw emotions. But as I’d done so many times, I shoved my needs away and opened my eyes to Zach. “How is Kipp doing? You know, at home.”
“Brandon hasn’t left his side at the hospital.” Zach’s voice roughened. “I think he’s waiting for Kipp to wake up.”
Meaning, Zach kept Kipp’s brother informed about our happenings. It surprised me that Brandon believed me enough he waited. Funny how not long ago, I went through hell getting these men to accept my abilities. Now, it shifted to everyone trusting that I could actually save Kipp.
My throat closed in, chest tightened, and I had to force my voice out. “It’s good he’s waiting there.”
Zach smiled softly with a quick nod before sadness swept through his eyes, crinkling the corners. “How was Kipp when you saw him?”
Sometimes I forgot I wasn’t the only one missing Kipp. Now, I couldn’t see anything else but Zach’s pain. They were partners, best friends, and had been roommates; Zach’s misery was bare in his expression. “He’s okay.”
“But you still don’t know why he’s staying there?” Caley asked.
I shook my head, fighting back the tears welling in my eyes. “To keep us safe, whatever that means.”
Zach dialed numbers on his cell phone. “Are you going to try and contact him again?”
“She shouldn’t,” Gretchen interjected.
His fingers paused over his phone and when he glanced up at Gretchen, she continued, “I allowed her to go there once because I thought it would help. But using magic always has a consequence.” She pursed her lips, then to me said, “Just as you’ve learned with the binding spell. Until we know what the consequence is about traveling into the Netherworld, I don’t think it’s wise to go there again.”
I hated the thought of not seeing Kipp again, but… “She’s got a point. Playing around with mystical things without any knowledge of the recourse doesn’t seem like the best choice.” As I said it, though, a thought rose. “But Nettie appeared to travel there and come back.”
Gretchen gave me a pointed look. “How do you know that? We’ve only read one passage in her diary. Do you really want to trust Wayde’s word on what exactly happened to her?”
Good point.
“Which me
ans,” Zach interjected. “You need to get Nettie’s diary to find out if she suffered anything from going there.”
I nodded. “You know, even when Wayde showed me the diary, there was something he wanted to hide. What if that’s what he’s hiding; that going there might be dangerous.”
“All these maybe’s and what if’s…and no answers,” Caley mumbled.
I snorted. “Welcome to my world.”
Chapter Fifteen
The day had come and gone, and nothing eventful happened. I’d done the binding spell with Wayde, and he sealed his promise that he did, in fact, know of a way that could put Kipp back in his body. And I had to promise I’d do whatever I could to help with Alexander until I couldn’t possibly help any longer.
Caley and Zach stayed for a while, mainly to visit over breakfast. After that, they returned to the hotel with Max and Eddie to investigate all the names of members close to Alexander that Gretchen knew of, including those staying at the house.
Lunchtime had been the highlight of my day. Amelia had done herself proud with her homemade beef soup and grilled cheese sandwiches. Then after I took an incredibly long shower later that day, she’d prepared a pot roast and potatoes for dinner. My stomach hadn’t been so happy in a very long time.
