Curtis was on a street, only this wasn’t downtown like where he’d been found. This was a suburban street with cookie-cutter houses lining both sides.
Curtis was strolling up the street to the corner where a black sedan with dark tinted windows was parked and waiting.
The driver’s face was cast in shadow.
Curtis leaned down to talk to the guy.
“What happened to your face? Did the cop do that?” the man asked.
“No. I got into a scuffle with the private investigator that found me before I got away and ditched him.”
“Private investigator, huh? Did you go running your mouth, Curtis?”
“No, man. I didn’t tell them anything. All they have is my books, and it’s all in code. They’ll never know. I won’t tell a soul.”
“You’re right. You won’t.”
The muzzle of a gun appeared in the low illumination from the streetlight. The guy popped the trunk. “Get in.”
Curtis stepped backward, and the guy got out of the car. “Get in, Curtis, or the next visit is to that lovely wife of yours.”
The man’s face was in the moonlight. A jagged scar marked the right side of his face near his eye. Ryley had never seen the guy before, but she knew who it wasn’t.
Curtis held up his hands and walked to the back of the car and climbed inside. “I’ll tell you everything, please just don’t hurt my wife.”
The man gave a devilish grin. “Yeah, you will.”
His fist came down hard, breaking Curtis’s nose. Blood splattered everywhere and dripped inside the trunk.
“This is not good.” She glanced at the street signs, noting the names, Marietta and Monroe.
In an instant, she blinked, and she was on the side of the road downtown, where the guy with the scar had stopped at a light.
The trunk popped open, and Curtis took off at a run. He only made it three steps before Scar Guy shot him from behind.
The smoke hadn’t even left his gun before he sped away.
Ryley frowned and released her hold.
Curtis’s ghost was staring at her. His eyes were sad. “Why did you do that?”
“It’s time for you to go.” Ryley didn’t care she was speaking out loud.
“I’m not ready. I have to tell Gloria the will is in the encyclopedia,” he said just a light appeared behind him. He glanced back at Ryley one last time. Pain registered on his face as he was sucked into the light and gone for good.
She let out a shaky breath and rubbed her arms. The air in the room was cold enough she could see her breath.
The assistant was staring at her. “I don’t even want to know.”
“Nope, you don’t,” she said and watched as he re-zipped the bag and shoved the drawer back into place, closing the door.
He escorted her out through a side door, just as the coroner parked in his spot. She waited until he went inside before jogging to her car. Climbing inside, she turned up the heat, trying to thaw the chill that settled into her bones. She wasn’t going to last twenty minutes this time. Not enough time to get back to her apartment, and God forbid she pass out in the parking lot. They’d call for an ambulance or worse.
Sending spirits into the light was like running a marathon. One that promised she’d sleep for the next few hours. She drove up the street to her brother’s office and parked the car. She walked in. Janet was at the receptionist's desk, talking to the new girl they’d hired to answer the phones.
“Oh, my,” Janet said, taking Ryley’s arm and helping her inside. Ryley’s energy was almost entirely depleted.
“Should I call an ambulance?” The new girl called out.
“That’s not necessary. I’ve got her.” Janet helped Ryley down the hall and into her brother’s private quarters. She helped ease Ryley down onto the couch.
“Tell my brother I sent Curtis Jones home.”
Those were the last words she spoke before her entire world tunneled into darkness.
Chapter 12
Logan Bane
Bane pulled up to the police station he’d once thought of as his home away from home. His brothers in arms had turned their back on him two years ago when they’d thought he was on the take. He hadn’t been then, but things had changed. He no longer held allegiances with anyone. It was better that way. Safer.
He got out of his car and hit the lock button before hurrying across the street. They’d wanted to question him about the accountant. He knew this day was coming, and it was only a matter of time. Too many people had seen the them fighting.
Tucker St. James promised his sister would work fast. Logan was keeping his fingers crossed.
He pulled the door open when the same chill surrounded him from the diner. Had Ryley sent her ghost to follow him? Or was he losing his mind, too? Both were viable options.
He headed for the attending officer behind the bulletproof glass. The brunette smiled as he approached. Logan had known her intimately a time or two during his career wearing the badge.
“Logan. Well, isn’t this a nice surprise.” She smiled and batted her eyes.
“It’s good to see you, Jenna. It’s been a while.”
She leaned in and gave him a saucy grin. “We can change that.”
He dropped his gaze to her lips. “As tempting as that is, I’m here to be questioned about a murder. Save your reputation and pretend you don’t remember me.”
“Hard to forget those steamy nights.” She winked and picked up the phone, hitting an extension. “Logan Bane is here to see you.”
“Right. I’ll send him into interrogation room one,” Jenna said before hanging up. She buzzed the door, and he pulled it open. “You know the way, right?”
He tapped the counter in passing. “I think I can find it.”
“You were good at finding things,” she said and turned back to the window because someone else entered the station.
Detective Jake Crews was waiting in front of the interrogation room door with a file clutched to his chest. “Harassing the staff, or arranging
