Grave Dealings

by R. R. Virdi

  Church’s mouth spread into a thin smile.

  As far as I was concerned, that was Yahtzee. “This has to do with all the weirdness going down here, right?” I pointed both index fingers towards the ground.

  Church inclined his head. “Yes, Vincent. And you’re going to need help. More than I give. Camilla Ortiz has proven herself time and time again—especially now.”

  It hit me. I scooted an inch away from Church and eyed him. “Proven herself like figuring out the oh-so-puzzling mystery of me.” I hooked a thumb to my chest.

  “Yes.”

  Oh, you shit turnip.

  Church winced. He pushed aside a rogue lock of curly blonde hair with a finger. “Vincent, I don’t believe it is any more appropriate to swear in your head than it is aloud in this place.”

  He had a point. Better to be open and honest about it. I looked him in the eyes. “Shit turnip.”

  Church sighed. “Petulance doesn’t get anything accomplished, Vincent.”

  Pfft. Maybe not, but it helps. Sometimes you don’t need a win; you just need something to help you deal with things until you can win.

  “I don’t have long, Vincent, and neither do you.” He nodded to my tattoo.

  I looked. Crap. Another hour had passed. Forty-seven left. What was going on with this case? Time was slipping faster than normal. And I still didn’t have a decent lead.

  “You have Ashton Campbell, I believe.” Church gave me a genuine smile. Hell, it almost sparkled.

  I frowned before my mouth slipped open. “How did you know his last name? I didn’t even get that bit.”

  Church held the smile and patted me on the shoulder. “Finish the important questions, and never question good blessings.”

  I squinted at him. “Is that a proverb, or are you just trying to get me to drop it.”

  He smiled. “Yes.”

  Wiseass.

  “Fine, you’re right. Time’s slippin’ and I ain’t got much. You wanted Ortiz to figure it out on her own, didn’t you? You were testing her.” It wasn’t a question.

  Church nodded. “I told you to leave it alone, and that she would come to her own conclusion.”

  He did.

  “Lizzie. Kelly.” I stared at him, watching for a reaction.

  He gave none.

  I kept the look up regardless. If he blinked, I wanted to take note of it. “First, Ortiz pops into my life. Next, a girl who can see ghosts, and now some college kid who thinks my life’s an X-Files episode.”

  “It’s a good show, but I don’t hear a question.” Church matched my unblinking stare.

  It always creeped me out when he did that. I exhaled. “Ortiz wasn’t the only person you ‘hoped’ I bumped into, was she?”

  His mouth twitched. As much a sign as I’d ever get from him.

  “That’s a yes, isn’t it?”

  He stared.

  “Don’t suppose you can tell me why?”

  “Can you tell me why you harbor such an aversion to having people enter your life?”

  “You’re putting people in harm’s way, Church.” My teeth ground, and my fingernails dug deep into my palm as I tightened my fists. “You don’t have that right.”

  I don’t know how he kept his voice calm. It was something out of meditation videos. “None of us have the right to decide for another person, Vincent, including you. You’d do well to remember that. And yet there are times when perhaps it would be better if others chose for us. Every choice has consequences. Sometimes it’s better to have friends to help us make the right ones, hmm?”

  I didn’t know what to make of that. “Uh, word.”

  He gave me a thin smile as he tapped his forearm.

  I waved a hand. “I know. Time. Slipping. Yeah. Got it.”

  “More than you know, and more will as well.”

  Say what? My heart felt like it was beating in concert to a samba routine. I looked down out of fear. The tattoo hadn’t changed. I looked up and sighed. “I can’t believe I fell for that.”

  Church had vanished.

  I licked my lips and rose from the pew. Polished nickel caught my eye. I gazed to the spot where Church had sat. A few folded bills rested in place, held there by several nickels. I snatched the money up and paused when I found a small note folded into the bills.

  It read: You’re welcome. Take a cab.

  I smiled and held the note up. “Okay, you’re not a complete ass.” I rushed out of the cathedral, hoping I’d be able to flag a cab down and reach Ashton. I muttered a quick prayer that he’d have the answers I was looking for.

  Chapter Ten

  My head rattled against the seat of the cab. It smelled of too much leather polish, apparently used to bury the underlying smell of last night’s vomit. Guess the cabbie had a night nearly as exciting as mine. I was grateful for the rest, no matter how short. Shutting my eyes gave me time to think, and filter through the information I did have.

  Daniel ran an art gallery—one that had turned his crumbling future into success. I’d heard a story somewhat like that before. I frowned and considered the notion. It was too early to assume there was any foul play involved with his career success. That didn’t mean I could rule it out either.

  The one person I’d met in his apartment complex didn’t seem surprised or disturbed by Daniel’s appearance. Monsters usually stumble or do a double take when someone they’ve drowned comes back to life.

  And there was the little bit the puck had left me with. A creature not of faerie. That didn’t narrow it down, but maybe I could call on someone else—another creature of faerie.

  I pressed my lips tightly together and reconsidered. Every time I’d called in a favor of late, they had a nasty way of coming back to bite me in the ass. I wasn’t a fan of that.

  A screech filled my ears as the cab slowed to a halt. The cabbie apologized for the brakes and muttered about maintenance. I drowned out most of it, catching the total sum out of the corners of my eyes. I forked over the fare without looking and swung the door open. My hips brushed against the door as I shut it with a gentle bump. I buried the change in my pants, just enough for a return to Daniel’s pad.

  I stared at the hospital and scowled when I noticed where I was. I whirled around to face the cab. “Hey—”

  The driver had made it to the end of the block.

  I exhaled and stowed my hands into the windbreaker’s pockets. The guy had dropped me in front of the ER. I shook my head and skirted along the building’s edge. A few minutes later, I was rewarded with the entrance for general admission. Finding Ashton wouldn’t be difficult since I had his full name.

  I turned to the side, narrowing my profile to let someone in a wheelchair pass, as I slipped through the sliding doors. My body spasmed like my bones were trying to shift under my skin. I rubbed my arms for a second. I can’t put my finger on it, but hospitals have an eerie vibe. It’s like having a cold blanket thrown over you, sapping your heat and making you go numb. Don’t get me started on how they all look the same. At least to me.

  I swallowed and banished the throng of people bustling by. Thankfully, hospitals are well laid out. I spotted a curved desk of brushed wood and approached. Here goes nothing.

  The woman behind it had an expression that said she worked the job because it was easy and boring. She was a bit on the plump side and looked to be in her twenties. She was as memorable as a face on a bus. Unremarkable and dressed for her position.

  I flashed her a smile. “Hi.” I propped my elbows on the counter and leaned forwards.

  She scowled.

  I let out a weak cough and pulled myself back. Wow. I was only into the hellos and this was already going badly. “Um, I’m a friend of an employee here. I wondered if you could tell me where to find him? I think he’s on schedule right now.”

  She seemed mollified and leaned back in her chair. The seat creaked in protest. She crossed her arms, fixing me with a haughty look.

  So much for mollified.

  �
��What’s their name?”

  I told her.

  Her eyes grew to owlish proportions and her cheeks colored. “Oh, Ashton?” She pulled herself to the computer and got to work searching. “I saw him earlier. He’s on the third floor—patient care attendance.”

  I drummed my fingers against the desk and thanked her before moving off.

  “Uh-uh, hold up.”

  I stopped.

  “He’s working. I can’t page him for ya, and you can’t bother him. You want to see him, you can go up there, but you’ll have to wait.” She fixed me with a look that suggested if I didn’t do exactly that, she’d give me hell.

  I had enough to worry about. I didn’t need a pissed off college kid with a soul-crushing job to give me trouble. There were elevators nearby. A small relief. I hustled over to them, motioning with a hand in the hopes I’d get lucky.

  A slender hand snapped out from within the elevator to hold the doors open.

  I leapt in and exhaled. “Thanks.”

  “No problem.” I winced as her perfume hit me. It was like citrus and wood. A rather earthy scent for a woman.

  She was dressed in scrubs—a nurse—slim built and with a bit of bounce in her step.

  I glimpsed at her ID. “This is going to be terribly forward of me, Anna, being that I’m a stranger and all—”

  “You want my number.” She smiled and ran a finger through her auburn hair. “I get that a lot.”

  I could see why. She was attractive by any standard. I almost felt bad for clarifying the mix-up. “Uh, no, sorry. I’m looking for someone I’m supposed to meet.”

  She stared at me, her lips quirking as she waited for me to explain. Her eyes held my stare. They were a shade of burnt sienna, a rich brown tinged with warm orange.

  I’d never seen anything like it.

  She arched a brow and leaned against the elevator wall. “So, this person have a name?”

  I shook my head. “Yeah, Ashton...” I stopped and realized I had no idea what he looked like. My best bet would be to have someone point him out. That’s not normal when you’re already friends with them though. “I think that’s his name. Never met him before.”

  “We work on the same floor. He expecting you?”

  I nodded.

  “At work? During his shift?”

  Right. The hole in my plan. One I needed to plug, fast. “It can’t wait; it’s an emergency.”

  Anna’s brow creased, and she looked at me like I was unhinged. “You said he was expecting you? Aren’t emergencies sudden?”

  Why did I have to get trapped with the nurse who moonlighted as the captain of a debate team? I sighed. “Yes, they are. The emergency already happened. A mutual friend is in trouble, he’s expecting someone. I’m that someone.” I tapped a finger to my chin. “He doesn’t know that he’s waiting for me. Got it? Good.” It wasn’t completely a lie.

  Technically, I wasn’t Daniel. I was just wearing him. As far as I was concerned, that made me a mutual friend. And I sure as hell was in trouble. I was still fishing for clues. Ignorance is one of the worst problems a man can have.

  She blinked and sniffed the air like I was displeasing. “So, you need me to introduce you?”

  “It’d be awfully nice of you. Maybe I’ll pick you up a tuna melt from the cafeteria.” I gave her my best smile.

  Anna gave me a look like I’d offered her a roadkill sandwich. “You need to work on your lunch bribes.”

  I needed to work on my best smile, apparently. The elevator sounded and I flourished with my hands. “After you.”

  She huffed, but a smile touched her lips. “You’re relentless.”

  “You have no idea.”

  Anna tugged on the end of her ponytail and chewed her lip. “Alright, fine, you win.”

  I didn’t smirk. That would be rude. Besides, I’m a good winner. I pumped a fist in the air and slapped on the widest grin I could.

  She snorted and laughed. “Yes, you wore me down. Congratulations.” Anna plucked a handheld mirror from her pocket, unfolding the disc in her palm. She gazed into it until a voice blared over the intercom, draining the humor and color from her face. “Code blue, I have to go.” Anna raced out of the elevator and barreled past people.

  “But, Ashton—yeah, okay.” I clucked my tongue against my cheek and got out of the lift. My foot hadn’t touched the tiles before the screaming started. The world slowed as adrenaline and thoughts flooded me. I homed in on the source, breaking into motion.

  “Hey!” A male nurse spun to glare at me as he stumbled.

  I ignored him, bustling past. Maybe I was overreacting. I’d rather that than be right and not do anything about it. The screaming intensified. It became a race between me and the staff trailing behind. I pushed harder.

  My fingers gripped the side of the doorframe as I swung around and into the room. Red vapor, like blood turned to fog, trailed through the room. It flitted into a doorway on the right. I chased after it and came to a dead end in the form of a bathroom. The bloody mist coalesced, plunging into the mirror. I raced over to it.

  Not the brightest thing to do.

  I held my face an inch from it, staring.

  Twin orbs, like burning coals, stared back.

  “Holy shit!” I pushed myself away from the mirror. The room smelled of the same stench that filled Daniel’s bedroom. I didn’t think killer wood polish was the cause of death. I had something to work with now.

  The screaming slowed.

  I left the bathroom and saw the visitor in the chair beside the bed had slumped over. She was in her later years and could’ve been on senior care commercials. Her thick glasses sat askew on her face. Her skin paled before my eyes. She wore a crocheted shawl, thrown over comfortable clothing that you’d expect grandmothers to wear. Her eyes clouded, looking like foggy glass. Blood poured from her nose like an unending tap of red water.

  That wasn’t normal.

  A choking sound stole my attention. I turned to face the sobbing patient.

  Acne riddled his forehead, the oils giving his face a slight sheen. The kid had the look of someone who spent a lot of time out in the sun. He was probably an athlete on a middle school team. His eyes were as wide as saucers. Sweat plastered his greasy, black hair to his head. He gawked at me.

  I returned the awkward expression. It’s not like I was supposed to be there. That was affirmed the next second.

  A trio of staffers surged into the room, eyeing the scene, me, and back to the old lady.

  Things didn’t look good or in my favor. They never do.

  I threw my hands into the air. “I can explain.” Well, I hoped I could. “I heard screaming, and I ran to see if I could help.” It was the truth.

  The kid’s teeth chattered, and he looked around the room like he was still in danger.

  A middle-aged doctor, whose hair had gone prematurely gray, eyed the kid like he was seeing a ghost. “Timothy, you’re...conscious.” He sounded surprised.

  I took note of that.

  The kid’s chest heaved like he was running a marathon and showed no sign of slowing. He ignored the doctor, focusing on me. “You saw it. You saw it!” It wasn’t a question.

  I felt everyone’s eyes boring holes into my skull. My stomach churned, and the back of my throat felt like someone had slathered grease over it. What I was about to do was horrible. “Is the kid okay? I’ve got no clue what he’s talking about.”

  The doctor bustled past me, giving me an understanding, but strained, smile. “He’ll be fine. We appreciate your help, but you need to leave.” He tilted his head and looked to someone behind me. The doctor moved to the grandmother, placing two fingers on the side of her throat and leaning in. He fumbled for his stethoscope and did a more thorough check. His face turned to stone. I didn’t need to hear what he said to know her condition.

  A pair of hands gripped my biceps and pulled. I turned to face a reedy man in his late twenties. A rubber band-like twang snapped through my mind, followed
by a bright streak. A carousel of images flooded through me, and I worked to dissect them. I wish they weren’t accompanied by just as many feelings.

  Something swelled in my heart and made its way to my stomach. Laughter seized me, wanting to burst free. It gave way to cold anticipation like I was watching a horror movie about to hit the climax. Frenzied excitement. My body shook again.

  I blinked several times, trying to clear it all.

  The assistant gave me a gentle shake. “Daniel, are you okay? What are you doing here?”

  I exhaled slower than normal, working to draw the breath out and buy some time. It took a three-count before I was able to put it together. I trundled through the images in my mind. I may have snuck a peek at his badge. That helped the most.

  Ashton was an inch shy of six foot, built like a plank. His hair was greasy black and pushed back in a poor imitation of James Dean. He could have been a stunt double for the actor back in the day. He was close enough in appearance to pull it off. Except for the eyes. They were brown and nursed a bright cherry glow that reminded me of Anna’s. His cologne smelled of woody notes and citrus.

  “Daniel?” Ashton whistled as he pulled me out of the room. He snapped his fingers in front of my face. “You there?”

  I snapped to reality. “Yeah. Sorry. Here. Freaked out by...that. What happened?”

  Ashton’s eyes were close to resembling pinwheels after my rapid succession of answers. He put two fingers to his temple and shook his head. “I’m going to pretend I understood most of that. As to what happened, you tell me—you were there.”

  My neck felt hot, and I rubbed a hand against the back of it. A breath left through my clenched teeth as I thought it over. This wasn’t one of those times where you tell the truth. I’d likely have the cops called on me if I told him what I really saw. “I ran into the room and saw the old lady bleeding out of her nose. The kid was shrieking. Makes sense. He woke up to find—who was that lady exactly?”

  Ashton’s head sank. He took several steps away, beckoning me with a motion of his hand. “Come on.” He gave the room one last look.

  I followed him, stepping beside him, waiting for an answer.