Chapter 7 #2
“Waiting on my test results. They scanned my noggin this morning. Not sure why, since it’s as hard as a rock.
I’m sure I’ll be back in that driver’s seat before you know it.
I’m sorry I let myself be distracted.” He pulled up his robe sleeve to show a patch on his arm.
“I’ve been meaning to quit, and this incident is a wake-up call.
Again, I’m sorry that I put you in danger over a cigarette. ”
What was it about these men? They all thought they were super protectors. “Don’t you worry about that. We realized quickly what was happening,” I felt Bubba squirm next to me. “I’m glad you’re trying to quit. I had a professor in Seattle that got cancer.”
“I know, I know. My wife has been nagging on me for years. I think this time, it might just stick. But I’ll be going through the chewing gum for a bit, if you don’t mind.
” He sat the book down, with a bookmark to keep his place.
“What brought you here? I’m afraid I don’t know much about my attack.
I had just gone out for my last smoke. I knew you guys were going to head home soon.
I had lit up, heard a crack of a stick behind me, and then I was out.
I heard he took my keys. Didn’t take my wallet or anything else.
I had a hundred bucks on me and he just took the keys. He was targeting you.”
“Yeah, we think that’s what got you attacked. And when Bubba went to find you, he got sprayed with some potion.” I sat on the chair next to him. “Tell me anything else you can remember. Did you see him? Did you smell anything?”
“Like perfume? No, I didn’t see anyone or smell anything.” He frowned. “Why do you ask?”
“Candied pecans?” When he shook his head, staring at me like I was crazy, I smiled and stood. “No reason. Enjoy your rest and don’t hurry back. George is doing a great job.”
“Just don’t decide you like him better than me.
I enjoy driving you around, Miss Eddie. Especially when you go to those estate sales.
My wife is always talking about redoing the house.
I think we need to look at some of those antiques you have in the store.
” Fred absently tapped the book in his lap.
“Bring her in anytime. You’ll get the employee discount.” I patted him on the shoulder. “Good book?”
“Excellent. The author really makes the story come alive.” He smiled at us, but I could see the weariness in his eyes.
“We’ll get out of your hair then. Thank you for all you do.” I started to leave and he grabbed my wrist.
“You’re very welcome. You and your brother got me out of a jam you probably don’t even know about. He’s been a great boss and so have you. I’ve changed my life around in the last ten years. Thank you.” He dropped his hand and leaned back in the chair. I watched as he closed his eyes.
Bubba nodded at the door and I followed him out. As we walked to the elevator, I looked at him. “So the guy who attacked Fred and tried to kidnap me was not the same man as the guy who kidnapped Catherine.”
Bubba pushed the button and the doors opened. “What makes you say that?”
We got on the elevator, and he pushed the lobby button. I let the doors close before I said, “The guy didn’t smell like candied pecans. I think Catherine’s guy was only trying to help.”
“He had her tied up in a basement by the river.” Bubba said, then added, “and drugged.”
“He didn’t hurt her. Maybe somehow, he knew she was the next target?” We were getting close to the lobby. I took a deep breath and tried to close off my psychic ability so we could walk through without being swarmed. “Let’s go to the Canal Street shop and talk to Alicia.”
The trek through the lobby was quieter than I anticipated, but as soon as we were in the car, I saw that same ghost watching me from a window. “I wish I could take a picture of him so we could figure out who he was.”
“Describe him to me now,” Bubba pulled out his notebook. “At least we can get an idea of a few things. Height? Weight? Skin color? Clothes? New or historic?”
I rattled off a few things as I studied him. “Jeans and an ACDC t-shirt. Brown hair, I can’t tell the eyes. Blood on his chest. Jeans jacket. Dresses like he enjoys the sixties. Probably six foot tall. Younger. White. He looks shabby, maybe homeless?”
“Maybe Kirk knows who he is. He usually has a list of everyone who comes through the quarter.” Bubba sighed as he looked in the direction that Eddie was looking. “Anything else?”
“He just faded. He saw me watching though. I think his eyes are blue. Very intense. But we can go. He’s gone.” I leaned back in my seat and took a sip of the potion. Then I put on my seatbelt. “One more ghost to talk to and then I’m wiped. I might have to take a nap today.”
“Seeing them drains you?” Bubba knocked on the window to let George know we were ready, then put on his own seatbelt.
“Not really. It’s when I interact with them.
Especially if I don’t realize they’re ghosts.
Like Flo. Talking with her really drained me.
And that kid, he’s so intense. Funny, I thought he was older the first time I saw him, but I think really, he’s probably in his late teens or early twenties.
Not much older than that.” I reached down to get a Coke to give me a bit of a boost before I had to talk to Alicia.
“Maybe Lilac knows him then. We should pick her up on the way back to the condo. I don’t like the idea of her taking the streetcar home. Especially with everything that’s going on.”
“Good call. Just make sure she’s ready for us. I don’t want to have to wait for her to finish what she’s doing.” As we drove toward our next stop, I felt my eyelids drooping.
The next thing I knew, we were at the fortune telling shop.
I stared at the building. The police tape was gone, and the doors open for business.
A feeling of sadness overwhelmed me, and I sipped some of my potion.
Another reason to head home. My Captain Marvel bottle was almost empty.
It had been a trying day. I turned to see Bubba watching me. “You could have just woke me up.”
“We haven’t been parked but just a minute. Do you need some time before we go in?”
I shook my head. “The building is sad for the loss of Alicia. I’m not sure she’s still here to talk to, but maybe there’s another spirit around.”
As we walked into the building, I noticed a sign by the door.
No Readings Today. Apparently Nic hadn’t found a replacement.
I touched the door frame and the pain from the building almost brought me to my knees.
They had loved Alicia. I saw Bubba’s movement toward me and shook my head.
I was fine. This shop was just going through the stages of grief.
I approached the woman who stood at the cash register, watching us. “Hi, I’m Eddie Cayce,”
She interrupted. “I know who you are. I suppose you’re here to see if Alicia is still around? I haven’t felt her here for days. You’re probably late. If you’d come right after, well, I guess you know best.”
The woman was angry and pushing that anger on me. “Tell me how the killer got a reading time.”
She turned red, tears falling onto her cheeks.
“That was my fault. I aways precheck clients with Alicia. She has a way of knowing which ones might be trouble. I mean, she had a way. Anyway, I was training a new clerk and left her alone for just a few minutes so I could pick up some cold medicine to take home to my husband. I was gone maybe an hour. We were slow. I didn’t see the harm.
And when he came in, Alicia had an open spot on her calendar, so the new girl filled it.
When I came back, Alicia was gone and the cops were here.
My new clerk never came back. It must have freaked her out. ”
“It’s not your fault.” I hated seeing her so upset. “Can we go into the reading room?”
“It’s down the hall to your left. But she’s not there. I can’t feel her anymore.”