AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“That doesn’t sound good,” Pallas said.
“It gets worse. He was terminated from his next position after being accused of falsifying the results of his research. I know, I should have done a better background check on Fenner. In my own defense and in defense of my brother, all I can tell you is that neither of those two scandals is easy to find online. Both pharmaceutical companies buried the records as deeply as possible because the truth would have embarrassed the firms and affected stock prices.”
“You said Fenner suggested you consult a psychiatrist. Did you?”
“I made an appointment with one after the flashbacks started, but I canceled it.”
“Why?”
“Take a guess,” Ambrose said.
She nodded. “You were afraid of the diagnosis.”
“I’m either having flashbacks or I’m hallucinating,” Ambrose said. “Neither lends itself to a diagnosis of sound mental health.”
“Have you talked to anyone else about your experience at the Institute?”
“No. The only person I might have tried to discuss it with is Maureen, but she had already ended things by then.”
“Maureen?”
“My ex. She gave up on me a few weeks after San Diego.” He stopped at the junction of the lane and the main road and then turned toward Carnelian. “She assured me it was me, not her.”
“I’ve heard that one a couple of times myself,” Pallas said. “It never gets better.”
“No, and in my case it was true.”
“Did you see the other patient the next morning?” Pallas asked.
“No. I asked about her. They told me she had checked out ahead of me. I didn’t know what to believe at that point. I couldn’t think clearly. But later when I was in the car I noticed some reddish-brown stuff under my fingernails.”
“Blood?”
“I’m sure of it.”
Pallas watched him for a long moment.
“What are you thinking?” he said.
“That it’s time to go to step two of our strategy,” Pallas said. “Lucky for us, Carnelian has a very handy local legend.”
“The Carnelian ghosts? I saw something about it in the guidebook in my room. The last descendant of the town’s founder went mad. Thought he was being haunted by the ghost of his wife, who died in the asylum.”
“Yep, that’s the legend,” Pallas said. “Our cover story is simple and straightforward. TheLost Night Filescrew is in town to answer the burning question ‘Was Xavier Carnelian murdered by the ghost of his dead bride, Catherine?’ ”
“Do you really think this is going to work?”
“Trust me,” Pallas said. “Everyone wants to be on a podcast.”
CHAPTER NINE
Small bells tinkledmerrily when Pallas and Ambrose walked intoPrism: Your destination for all things metaphysical.Pallas stopped just inside the door and gave herself a moment to absorb the good energy that flooded the little shop.
She had occasionally visited stores featuring crystals, candles, chimes, and other assorted products promoted as having the potential to elevate good energy in a space, but this was the first time she had encountered the real deal. Prism was awash in balanced and harmonious vibes.
“Wow,” she said. She looked around in wonder. “Just wow.”
Ambrose raised his brows in silent inquiry.
