AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I want to help.” When Jason opened his mouth to argue, Cassie held up a hand. “Please, let me help. This is what I’m good at. This is what I do.”
Jason closed his mouth. He looked exhausted but relieved. He nodded once. It was sharp and quick, but it was all the permission she needed.
Cassie let the full weight of it hit her. She’d gone on two dates with him. The first one, she’d accidentally punched him in the face. The second, she’d agreed to help him investigate the murder of his cousin. If they had any relationship at all in the future, at least it wouldn’t be a boring one.
13
Cassie waved to the security guard as she entered the museum, stuffing her phone into her purse and taking a sip of her coffee. It was still too hot to drink, but she ignored the burning on her tongue and tipped the cup back for a second time. She needed the caffeine more than she needed her taste buds.
Last night had been a whirlwind of emotions, and as soon as Jason had dropped her back off at the hotel, she’d face-planted into her bed. She didn’t feel like she got a full eight hours, but according to her alarm clock, she had. The night had been full of dreams—part memories, part premonitions—jumbled into one confusing mass that Cassie was still trying to untangle.
She remembered seeing the Ghost Doctor again, but this time Jason was in the hospital bed, fighting for his life. Then the scene shifted, and Cassie stood in the middle of the cemetery while Sabine and Granny Mabel watched on, silent. Kiki stood before her, but it was really Jasmine. She complimented Cassie’s hair, then faded away. No different from any of the other spirits that circled them. Cassie tried to find her again, but she tripped and fell into a grave. When she looked up, David stood above her, poised with a shovel in his hands.
As soon as the first heap of dirt hit her face, Cassie had jolted up in bed.
Now, staring at the front entrance, she took another long pull from her coffee cup and wished it would work faster. Jules had called her just after eight to let her know they had unloaded the van full of antique furniture. They’d cleaned the exhibit area days prior, so Cassie only needed to supervise the placement of the pieces and ensure the informational placards were correct.
When she finished, Cassie would meet Jason at the hospital where Jasmine had died. They’d track down the nurse he knew, see what she could tell them, and go from there. Cassie was still glad to help, but Jason’s apprehension had rubbed off on her. There was a reason he’d given up investigating crimes as an MP, and an even bigger reason he hadn’t told her. And she’d be lying if she said she wasn’t dying to know.
Jules waved Cassie over to the information desk. Her bob swung with excitement, and her wide eyes looked like they were ready to burst from her head. Cassie had only met the woman two days ago, and she already felt like an old friend. A bright spot of normality in a world full of strange shadows.
“How did last night go?” Jules bounced up and down in her chair. “How was the date?”
“The date was good.” It wasn’t a lie, but Cassie found she had to force some cheer into her voice. “It was good.”
Jules frowned. “What happened?”
“Nothing.” Cassie set her coffee down on the counter and ran a hand through her hair. “Nothing bad, I mean. I had a great time. Things are just complicated right now. For both of us.”
“Complicated doesn’t mean impossible.” Jules shrugged, and her frown dissipated. “I saw the way he looked at you at the bar. Trust me, he wants this.”
Cassie couldn’t find the words to explain how that was the least of her worries at the moment. She was more concerned with what Jason thought of her abilities, and whether he’d ever get used to what she could see. Then there was the fact that, in a matter of hours, they’d be investigating the death of his cousin. Would he appreciate how she helped him find answers—if they even found answers—or would he resent her for it?
Too late to turn back now. But she couldn’t say that either, so she smiled instead. “Thanks. That’s nice to hear.” Ford emerged from the back and waltzed up to Jules. He tipped his head back in acknowledgment of Cassie. She returned the favor. “Good morning.”
“Morning.” Ford plucked the stapler off Jules’ desk. “Need this.” He opened her drawer and pulled out a pair of scissors. “And this.” He grabbed two pens and a paperclip. “This, too.”
“Help yourself.” Jules’ voice was sarcastic, but she had trouble hiding her smile. “Anything else? My coffee mug? My desk chair? The computer?”
Ford looked at the chair as if weighing his options, but Cassie had a feeling he was using it as an excuse to look her up and down. Jules blushed under his scrutiny. “It’s safe for now.”
“What in God’s name are you doing?”
Ford spun on his heel. He said nothing until he was halfway across the room. “Crime.”
Cassie lifted an eyebrow when Jules turned back around. “Crime?”
Jules shook her head. “He’s always saying that. Probably fixing”—she fluttered her hand in the air—“something.”
Cassie noticed Jules’ blush hadn’t receded. “And you’re the only person in the entire building with office supplies?”
Jules rolled her eyes. “He likes to pick on me.”
Cassie grinned. “I wonder why.”
“Ford’s impossible.”
“He likes you.”
