She gave in without realizing what she was about to do. “I had a dream last night.” She launched into the tale, leaving nothing out. Next to Jared, Shawn sent the detective a questioning look but remained mute. All Jared could do was shrug in response.
“So, I guess I’m edgy,” Harper admitted as she finished up. “I’m not sure what to make of any of it.”
Rather than crack wise, as was his way, Zander nodded in understanding. “It always sucks when they don’t realize they’re dead. Did you try leading her to the truth?”
“I did, but she didn’t seem ready for it. I didn’t want to push her, especially in a dream. The entire thing was surreal, like I was hanging in an alternate universe or something.”
“That was probably smart.” Zander rubbed her shoulder, thoughtful. “The dreams add a new layer to your abilities. They’ve been happening more frequently of late.”
“I know it sounds selfish, but I kind of wish we could go back to the way things were,” she admitted, rueful. “I preferred it when I sought the ghosts out and questioned them. I don’t like them invading my subconscious.”
“I can see that.” Zander flashed a warm smile. “The thing is, Harp, I think you’re looking at this the wrong way. While the dreams seem invasive, they’re also an extra layer of protection. Now you don’t always have to return to the scene of the crime to get information. Sometimes the information literally just pops into your head.”
Honestly, Harper had never thought of it that way. “That’s kind of interesting, huh?”
“It is.” Zander bobbed his head. “As for the second ghost, I’m not sure what to make of it. Is it possible someone died up here years ago and has been hanging out ever since? Maybe that was some weird coincidence or something.”
“Maybe.” Harper tugged on her bottom lip. “I just don’t know. There was a moment when we were in the old cemetery yesterday where I thought I saw a hint of movement in the woods. When I looked closer, though, there was nobody there.”
“You didn’t mention that,” Jared argued, his tone accusatory. “Why wouldn’t you mention that?”
Harper shrugged. “There was nothing there when I looked closer. It happened so fast, I thought I imagined it. Now, though ... I just don’t know.”
“Well, we’ll figure it out.” Jared moved up to her other side and tried to slip his arm around her waist. He ran into Zander before he could pull it off, though. “I’ve got it from here.”
Zander narrowed his eyes, to the point where Jared was convinced the other man was going to put up a fight. Ultimately, though, he merely nodded and released his best friend.
“Are we really going to the scene of the fake murder?” Shawn asked, moving up so he could walk next to Zander. “I’m not going to lie. It seems like a waste of time to be playing a game when there’s a real murderer to chase.”
“We don’t know that it was a murder, though,” Jared pointed out.
“What else could it be?”
“It might’ve been an accident. She could’ve gotten excited, tripped and fell, and accidentally hurt herself that way. We simply don’t know right now.”
“What are the odds of that?”
“Not great, but I think we have to at least pretend we’re playing the game so people don’t grow too suspicious of us,” Jared offered. “If we’re going to chase the real case — something I have no jurisdiction to do, mind you — then we’re going to have to feign interest in the fake case.”
“That sounds delightful,” Zander drawled.
“And necessary,” Jared insisted. “You guys were technically brought here to do a job. That doesn’t mean we can’t manage two jobs.”
“Fine.” Zander held up his hands. “As much as I would like to argue — and we all know how much I love to argue — I happen to agree with you. Let’s see if we can solve a fake murder, shall we?”
THE AREA AROUND THE WAY STATION LOOKED largely quiet. It took the foursome a few minutes to find the spot where the body had been dropped for public perusal. Once they discovered the fake blood, though, they were in business.
“Okay, the fact sheet says that she was found on her back, eyes to the sky, and there was a large blade protruding from her stomach,” Shawn read from the sheet.
“From her stomach?” Jared made a face. “That’s a weird place to stab someone. Usually people go for the chest.”
“Maybe that’s part of the story.”
“I guess. Let’s look around.”
Harper headed to the east to search for clues, and even though Jared would’ve preferred keeping her at his side given what was happening, he wisely gave her a bit of room. She was working out a few things in her head and she needed space to do that. Because he understood that facet of her personality, he put all of his effort into searching for clues while Harper trudged back and forth in front of the tree line.
For her part, Harper recognized Jared’s worry for what it was. He wanted to press her, ask for her opinion on what was going on, but he also wanted to save her the angst that would be associated with being wrong. She appreciated that he was willing to take a step back. That’s what she really needed at this point.
She was lost in thought, her eyes glazed. In truth, she wasn’t looking for clues. She was simply thinking, long and hard.
Then it happened.
Out of the corner of her eye, a shadow caught her attention. Since the sun was shining in the opposite direction, though, it made no sense for a shadow to shift to her left. Her heart skipped a beat, and she
