by Gareth Otton
What the hell is her problem?
He stared at the spot where she’d been standing, unable to wrap his head around the mystery she posed. She obviously wanted something from him, but what worried him was how easily she could see through him. Even when he had her pinned against the wall as a seven foot nightmare, the moment she realised it was him she lost all fear like she knew he would never hurt her.
He was lost in his thoughts when he felt a hand on his shoulder, making him jump.
“Whoa, sorry. I didn’t mean to surprise you like that,” said the man from the next table, the one who’d jumped earlier. “You’re him, right? Tony Suen.”
“Yeah, that’s me,” Tony answered.
The man burst out laughing like it was the greatest thing he’d ever heard. “Oh, thank God. You have no idea how much I’ve wanted to meet you.”
“Me?” Tony asked, forgetting Amber in the face of this new strangeness. “You mean Tad.”
“No, you… though eventually maybe the Dreamwalker. I need your help.”
“Sure you do,” Tony said, stepping back as he realised what this was. Amongst the many types of people who reacted to Tad’s fame since the Merging, most were people in awe of what he could do. Some, however, wanted to get closer to the world’s most famous celebrity because of what he could do for them. Whether it was product endorsements or a whole list of things they felt Tad could do for them, they were shameless in trying to get his help. “Not interested pal.”
Tony walked away, but the man rushed after him, following him out of the cafe.
“Please, just hear me out. It’s life or death.”
“Sure it is. What have you got? A song you want Tad to say he enjoyed? A new invention you want him to endorse. What?”
“My brother was murdered,” the man said, bringing Tony up short. “He was killed a few weeks ago and I need help.”
“I’m… uh… I’m sorry. I didn’t know. You should go to the police. Tad’s busy right—”
“The police can’t help us,” the man interrupted, rushing on now he had Tony’s attention. He ran his hands through his greasy black hair as he looked around almost nervously. He hadn’t shaved in a while and the look wasn’t for fashion. “Please, I just need your help. My brother is a ghost and doesn’t know how to handle it. I thought maybe you could give him some pointers, then maybe help us with our problem. I know it’s a tall ask, but I’m genuinely scared if I don’t ask for someone’s help they will come for me next.”
Tony frowned, still wanting to tell the guy he was barking up the wrong tree. However, as he pushed his experience with Amber aside, he looked at this in a new light. Maybe this could be an opportunity.
Tony hadn’t spoken to Tad over the last day, still angry at him for chucking Tony off the investigation into the killings in America. He was also angry that Tad wasn’t listening about taking new ghosts. But maybe this was the answer he needed.
Tad needed new ghosts in his life. He was past the worst of what happened with Charles and Miriam, but he was letting their loss keep him from something Tony knew he needed. He had spent his whole life with ghosts keeping him company. Without Charles’ knowledge, Tad wouldn’t have a career. Without Miriam’s detective skills, Tad wouldn’t have survived Joshua King. Without Tony as backup, he wouldn’t have survived so much more. Now that Tad was getting involved with things on a world stage, he needed help to not only be more able to do his job, but also to keep him safe.
Stella was right. Tad on his own was a trouble magnet. He always had been. He had a tendency to act before thinking and that would always lead to trouble. At least in the past he had Charles, Tony and Miriam to temper this instinct. Tony on his own wasn’t enough to help.
Tad needed new ghosts, but he wouldn’t take them, only getting angry whenever Tony forced the issue.
However, he’d been right about one thing. Tony was going about this all wrong. Tad wasn’t Joshua King, he wasn’t interested in talents and how ghosts could benefit him. He was only interested in helping people. He helped Charles because Charles had nowhere else to go. He helped Tony because Tony was lost, terrified, and not ready to move on. He helped Miriam so she could get closure on a case, keep Jen safe, and keep an eye on Kate. He even took on Maggie so he could help with her husband, despite the terrible cost to himself that he knew it would take.
Tad was a sucker for someone in need. Maybe Tony could work that to his advantage.
“What’s your name?” Tony asked the desperate man.
“Paul… Uh, Paul Williams.”
“Well Paul, why don’t you take me to your brother and we’ll see what we can do.”
The man let out an explosive sigh and before Tony could react he was being pulled into a hug. Awkward and suddenly regretting his decision, Tony just stood there until the man released him with a mumbled apology about being too excited.
Then they were off to meet another ghost, and to hopefully set Tad straight once and for all.
15
Saturday, 09th July 2016
18:23
Tad slid the pan into the oven while Stella sat at the breakfast island clutching her coffee so tightly she was seconds from breaking the mug.
She had come a long way since he met her, but she’d never been what he’d call a talker. Despite that, she had been speaking nonstop for twenty minutes and Tad was doing his best not to interrupt so she could get it out of her system.
When she was finally winding down he asked, “So what are you going to do about him? It sounds like he needs to go.”
“I don’t want to fire him. He’s not bad at his job, he’s just an obnoxious arsehole.”
“Hang on a second, you said he ignored protocol. How does that make him good at his job?”
“That was once. He’s normally good.”
“Is he, though?” Tad asked. “Or are you just worried about being understaffed?”
Stella started to answer, then frowned as she mulled it over. “Honestly, I don’t know. It’s already taken so long to get the people we have, and we’re still looking. I need more detectives, I’m not sure two tactical teams are enough, and we could always use more dreamwalkers. It’s never ending. This isn’t me, Tad. I’m a detective, not an administrator. I’m supposed to be solving crimes, not interviewing people all day and dealing with macho dickheads with a superiority complex. I—”
“Hold on,” Tad interrupted. “You’re the perfect person for the job. You’re just taking too much on. You need to delegate. Have someone else do the hiring while you concentrate on more important things.”
“I can’t have someone else do it. I need to make sure everyone is the right fit.”
“You can still do that. Just give someone else your criteria for the job, have them interview the best candidates, and when they’ve narrowed down the field, you come in for a final interview. Meanwhile, you have more time to do what you do best.”
“That doesn’t solve the Harry problem,” she said, sounding like Jen when she wasn’t willing to concede even a small point. Tad forced himself not to laugh as it came across as sulking.
“No, it doesn’t. But that doesn’t need to be a huge issue either. Just tell Trevors to get him to get his people in order.”
“I don’t know,” Stella said, still doubtful.
This time she was so much like Jen in one of her moods that Tad couldn’t help himself. He burst out laughing. When she frowned at him, he only laughed harder.
“I think I’ll go talk to Kimberly. At least she won’t laugh when I bring her a problem,” Stella complained, climbing off her stool and preparing to storm off in a huff.
“Easy there,” Tad said, catching her hand with his good hand to stop her leaving the room. Stella put up a token resistance, but after the story she told earlier about throwing Harry across a room, it was obvious she wasn’t trying too hard. He pulled her toward him as he leaned against the counter.
“I’m not laughing at your problem. I’m laughi
ng at you throwing a pity party and sulking harder than Jen when she doesn’t get her way.”
Stella’s eyes narrowed.
“Sulking?”
“Yes, sulking. You had a bad day at work, there’s an idiot who doesn’t think you walk on water, and you’re complaining because the miracle you pulled off assembling the Dream Team wasn’t big enough. No one’s perfect, Stella.”
“Don’t make fun of this. People died.”
Finally Tad understood.
“So that’s what this is about. I thought we talked about this. There’s nothing you could have done. You had no way of knowing the waves were that bad.”
“I should have known, that’s my job.”
“How could you have known?” he asked. “Seriously, how? You’re setting yourself impossible standards here.” Taking a risk to hopefully change the mood, he added, “And sulking won’t help matters.”
With a sharp hiss, she pulled her hand free and smacked his arm hard enough to instantly deaden it.
“I’m not sulking,” she snapped.
Tad cried out, clutching the wound like she’d broken his arm and milking it for all he was worth. As he was only half lying, it must be causing havoc with her lie-detecting.
“Oh shut up, I didn’t hit you that hard,” she said, though he could hear the doubt in her voice.
“My arm,” he whined. “I already can’t use my left hand and now you’ve crippled my right.”
Despite herself, she laughed. “Shut up, you baby. I barely touched you.”
Suddenly there was a grumbling puppy growl from near their feet and they looked down to see Growler staring at Stella. There was no dream in his growl, and it was obvious the little guy didn’t mean it. It was almost like he was trying to get in on the joke.
“Oh really, you too?” Stella asked even as Tad burst out laughing.
“That’s right Growler, you saw it buddy. She hit me.”
Growler snorted in agreement, and though she tried to hold it in, Stella laughed at that.
“You’re as bad as each other,” she said, though the darkness had lifted from her tone. “If only Freckles were here, he’d have my back.”
Freckles was with Jen and Hawk, finishing their interview with Lizzie. Growler must have got bored as he appeared back at the house looking for Tad an hour ago.
“I don’t know. I’m sure even Freckles can recognise abuse when he sees it,” Tad complained.
“Abuse? I’ll show you abuse, Holcroft.”
She tried to smack his arm again, more playfully this time, but her hand froze as she hit an invisible barrier.
“I don’t think so,” Tad teased as Stella struggled to move her hand.
“You may be super strong, but I’m a Dreamwalker, remember. I have a few tricks of my own. Like augmenting the natural resistance of the air to keep myself safe from evil detectives.”
“I can’t move,” Stella complained, her eyes bulging as she found herself completely trapped.
“Oh yeah, it turns out what’s good for stopping a fist is also good for stopping other movement. For now, I have you at my mercy,” he teased. The truth was this wasn’t the easiest thing to maintain and if she really tried she’d break through in no time. “The question is, how do I take advantage of this prime opportunity.”
“Don’t you dare,” she said as she redoubled her efforts to escape. Tad grinned, because if she wanted to, she’d break free.
“Sorry, I can’t help myself, this is too good an opportunity to pass up.” He ran a finger lightly down her side. Stella flinched and let out a short, high-pitched yelp that bordered on being a laugh. “What’s wrong, did that tickle?” he asked.
“Holcroft! Don’t,” she snapped, half panicked but still smiling. “This is evil.”
“Oh is it,” he said, tickling her again and causing her to fidget a little more, letting out another laugh that lasted a little longer.
“Just you wait until I get free,” she warned. “You’ll regret this.”
His grin only widened as he closed the remaining distance and kissed her while she was still helpless to resist. He waited until she returned the kiss before he relaxed his hold over her. A second later, when she realised she could move again, her arms wrapped around his neck, pulling him closer.
Growler barked, but Tad ignored him. Unfortunately, the next sound he couldn’t ignore.
“Urgh. Gross guys. You promised not to do that lovey-dovey, disgusting stuff where people can see it. You better not be like this at my birthday party when my friends are here.”
Tad jumped back like Stella was on fire, and judging by her sudden blush, she may well have been. Both of them turned to find Jen standing in the kitchen doorway pulling a face with Lizzie standing behind her with a knowing smile.
“Jen, you’re home,” Tad said, pointing out the obvious.
“Duh,” was her mocking response as she rolled her eyes and bent down to pet an excited Growler who rushed over to say hello. “Hey little guy. I bet you didn’t want to see that either, did you? Poor thing.”
Tad rolled his eyes and looked at Lizzie. “She been okay today?”
“Of course I have,” Jen snapped while Lizzie grinned and nodded.
“We had a good day… for the most part,” Lizzie added, glancing at Stella briefly before looking back to Tad. “I’ve got the video on my phone if you want to give it a once over.”
“I do, but let’s wait until after dinner. It’s almost ready.”
“Is that what smells so amazing?” Lizzie asked, shrugging out of her coat and draping it over a chair.
“I hope so,” Tad said as he was about to check on the food. However, Hawk and Freckles had other ideas as they were excitedly doing the rounds, greeting him and Stella like they hadn’t seen them in a year.
“You get what you need from the puppies?” Stella asked Lizzie, having finally recovered from her embarrassment.
“That and more. They were amazing. People are just going to eat this up and—”
She would have said more, but suddenly all three puppies looked up at once before barking and scurrying out of the room, their nails clicking on the hardwood floor. Surprised to see them so worked up, Tad started to follow, then suddenly sensed it as well.
Ghosts.
One was a familiar presence, so it could only be Tony. The second he didn’t know. Stepping into the hall, he found Tony trying to calm the puppies while a pale-faced man stood behind him, looking nervous. He was of average height with short, curly black hair and beady eyes that never settled as they darted from one thing to another.
“Tony, what’s this?” Tad asked, already guessing the answer but wanting to give him the benefit of the doubt before he started shouting.
Tony was about to reply when he noticed his audience was bigger than just Tad. Lizzie stood behind Tad, her hands twitching like she wanted to reach for her phone. Jen stood to Tad’s other side, and Stella leaned out the door to get a better look.
“Hey guys,” Tony said. “Everyone’s here. That’s nice.”
“Tony?” Tad said, the note of warning in his voice causing Tony to raise his hands in self defence.
“Hang on, this isn’t what it looks like. This is Thomas, he needs our help to find the people who killed him and are trying to kill his brother.”
Tad glanced at Stella in time to catch her nod before she disappeared into the kitchen to find her phone.
“Why don’t we discuss this in the living room?” Tony suggested, walking that way before anyone could answer. After a slight hesitation, Thomas followed.
Tad was about to go after them, but hesitated when Lizzie and Jen started following.
“Guys, why don’t you wait in the kitchen. That guy looks nervous, and he doesn’t need everyone crowding around him.”
“But I want to hear what he says,” Jen protested.
“I need you to keep the puppies busy. They’re making him uncomfortable.” When Jen frowned he added, “Please.�
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Sighing like this was the biggest imposition ever, Jen stormed off calling the puppies and hustling them into the kitchen, leaving Tad with the other stubborn girl who didn’t want to be left out.
“He’ll barely know I’m there,” Lizzie complained.
“Lizzie, not everything is a story. Just wait with Jen.”
“I… But…” Seeing he wouldn’t budge, Lizzie’s face fell into an expression almost identical to Jen’s before she too gave up and walked back into the kitchen.
“Thank you,” Tad said as he closed the door behind them. Alone in the hallway, he rubbed his eyes and tried to get his head straight, then he walked to the living room to face the latest complication to his life.
“Hi Thomas, I’m Tad,” he said, offering Thomas his hand as he stepped around the sofas.
“Hi,” the ghost answered nervously, shaking Tad’s hand with barely any pressure before snatching his hand back.
Feeling uncomfortable, Tad was about to reach for his guitar before remembering he hadn’t been able to play it in three months. The middle finger on his left hand twitched a touch more strongly than usual. Ignoring it, he glared at Tony who wouldn’t meet his eye, then took a spot on the central sofa.
“So, Thomas. How can I help? I hope you’re not looking for a Proxy. Despite what Tony might have said, I am not doing that anymore.”
“I… Proxy? No. I’m here about my murder,” the man said in a voice barely louder than a whisper. “I was killed recently by—”
“Sorry, Thomas. I don’t mean to interrupt, but before you get started, I want to be clear about this. You know I’m not a detective, right? If you’re looking for someone to solve your murder, you’re best going to the police.”
“I don’t need someone to solve my murder, I know who killed me. I’m just worried about them coming after my brother next.”
“All the more reason to go to the police,” Tad repeated.
“I’m not sure who to trust. These are powerful men and they keep police on their payroll. If I go to them, I might just be getting my brother killed.”