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“He’s got a point.” Laura stroked the top of Apollo’s head, and the cat purred louder. “Did you see anything when McLaughlin died? Like his spirit leaving his body?”
“No.” Cassie laughed. “This isn’t some cartoon.”
“Hey, I don’t know. It could be.”
“I did feel him leave, though. The smell of cigarette smoke sort of faded into nothing, and then I could tell he wasn’t there anymore.”
“I’m sorry you had to witness that.”
Cassie shrugged. “Wasn’t the first time I’ve seen a dead body. Won’t be the last.”
Laura finally looked up from Apollo. Her voice was hesitant. “Are you okay? I mean, like, in general?”
Cassie didn’t answer right away. She wasn’t sure she had an answer to give her. “I think so.”
“That’s reassuring.”
“All things considered, it kind of is.” Cassie leaned her head back against the couch and stared at the ceiling. “I’m not perfect. I’m not ecstatic and jumping for joy. You should be concerned if I was.”
“That’s true.”
“But I’m okay. I wish Noah didn’t die, but I’m kind of glad he did it on his own terms. And I’m glad you’re here.” Cassie looked over at Laura. “Thank you, by the way.”
Laura cocked her head to one side. “For what?”
“For asking me how I am. For caring about the answer.” She swallowed back the emotion building in her voice. “For accepting me for who I am. For rolling with it, even though part of me still thinks you think I’m crazy.”
“Crazy? No. Strange? Yes. But that has nothing to do with the fact that you see dead people.”
Cassie clutched her imaginary pearls in mock offense. “Well, that’s rude.”
“It takes a special type of person to do what you do.”
“Work in a museum?”
Laura pursed her lips. “Solve murders. Chase down bad guys. Bring justice to the victims who reach out for your help. I never got to say this before because of everything going on, but…I’m really proud of you. You’re my hero, Cassie. I mean that.”
Cassie felt tears prick the corner of her eyes, and before she allowed them to fall, she reached over and pulled her sister in closer. Apollo, now stuck between them, mewed in protest.
“Oops, sorry.” Cassie let go and kissed him on the forehead instead of meeting her sister’s eyes. “Squashed you.”
Laura gasped. “I forgot to ask you the most important question.”
Cassie waited as her sister paused dramatically, and then asked, “What?”
“What happened to the dog? Is David going to keep him?”
“For now. David’s convinced that whenever Bear wanders around the house whining, he’s looking for me. I don’t buy it. I just think he doesn’t want an upset ninety-pound dog around the fine china.”
Laura’s eyes got bright. “You have to take him. He’s imprinted on you. How could you say no after that?”
Cassie pointed at the cat between them. “I don’t know if Apollo would appreciate having a German Shepherd for a roommate. I’m not the only one who lives here, you know.”
Laura scratched behind Apollo’s ears. “I think Apollo would love having someone to hang out with while you’re gone.”
“Plus there’s that. We’re about to leave, remember? I can’t adopt a dog and then run off to Charlotte.”
“True. And there’s something else we never talked about either.”
