“I’m aware,” Oscar said. “I already have a call in to the newspaper to recant the details of the story, and Jane Pinkerton will be suing for defamation of character, among other things.” Oscar buttered a biscuit. “Neither of us really liked Felix. Heck, Harlon didn’t either. For all the good that Harlon did for that man, Felix always took, took, took, and never paid it forward.”
“Listen, I appreciated your rescue last night, but I could use a lift back into town to the bar. If you’re too busy…eating, I can call a cab. I just need the address.”
“Of course. Eat first. You’ll need your strength to deal with the idiots that believe the story. It might be wise if you missed work for a day or two.” He glanced at her. “You are the boss. I’m sure you can make that happen.”
“Let’s just hope my father doesn’t see this article. This little write-up could mean the end for me. I see ghosts. I can’t help it, but I do. What you read in my file about the trial wasn’t everything there was to be told. I left out the parts about how my father used me and took me to see one of his criminal mastermind buddies, Eli Floyd, because they knew I could talk to the dead. He killed the man in front of me and wanted me to perform like a monkey in the circus to extract information from a dead man.”
“I don’t understand,” Oscar said, wiping his mouth of crumbs. “They killed a man before they got the information they wanted.”
“It’s a long story. Let’s just say I’m more than just psychic. Under the right circumstances, I have the talent of seeing what the dead want to remain hidden before forcing them into the light.”
“And you kept that part out of your testimony because you didn’t think anyone would believe you?” Oscar asked.
She nodded. “I knew they wouldn’t. Even at a young age, I was a smart girl.”
“You’re expecting your father to blackmail you?” he asked, stabbing a pancake and putting it on his plate. He gestured with his fork to the stack of cakes. “You have time for one.”
She slid one onto her plate and doused it with syrup. “I didn’t think he’d stoop to blackmail considering I didn’t have anything he wanted…until now. That article means he shows up and either kills me or takes whatever I’ve got.”
“Even if he were to tell the papers or authorities what really happened, what makes you think anyone would believe him?”
“That’s not what he’d blackmail me with.” She ignored the acid rising in her stomach.
“Then what? Did you kill a man, and he help cover it up?”
“No. Well.” She paused. “Yes, sort of. I tried to kill him, but I missed. He was beating my mother and almost killed my brother, and I shot him. Had I known to aim better, I would have killed him dead.” She shook the memories that formed. “That’s why you shouldn’t bet on me. I’d do it again, and the next time I wouldn’t miss.”
Oscar was momentarily silent before his gaze met hers. “Have you seen Mr. Wilson?”
“Yes, he appeared at my home and in my car on the way to Ms. Pinkerton’s office.”
Ryley’s phone vibrated, and she glanced at the screen. It was a message from her brother, demanding she call him back. “Excuse me.”
She typed out a message to her brother she was fine, and she’d seen the paper and that she’d stop by his office later today.
“Everything alright?” Oscar asked, taking the last bite of his pancake.
“My brother saw the paper. He’s worried.”
Oscar nodded. “Well, eat your pancake, and I’ll take you back into town.”
“Thanks for your hospitality, Oscar, but you can see now why I’d taint what you and Mr. Wilson have been doing. I don’t think I’d ever be a good fit.”
“You’re the perfect fit. Everyone has secrets, Ms. St. James. Even old Mr. Wilson and the men that came before him. You’re the perfect replacement to carry on his legacy. Let me feed Ringwald, and we’ll leave.”
“I forgot about the dog. Where is he?”
“He’s in the barn. He’s skittish around newcomers, so it may take some time to warm up to you.”
“Story of my life. People love me or hate me.”
Ryley finished eating, and Oscar took her to the bar. Kent had told her she looked like hell and suggested she take a few days off, and she agreed, only because she had a ghost to track and deal with.
Ryley arrived home, changed, and went in search of answers that a certain PI needed to give her. Quid pro quo. She wasn’t walking away without answers to the sleazy affair pictures he’d taken for both parties. Damn client privacy. She had a vengeful ghost to send into the light.
Chapter 25
Logan Bane
Logan’s office had a view of the downtown sidewalk and street. His business name and emblem were etched on the big window.
After being kicked off the force, he’d gotten a sweet deal on the office space. Of course, it might have had to do with the scents of coffee and hot dogs that drifted up through the vents, making it a hard sell.
The quick mart store below had the worst coffee in town, but it was convenient.
As a detective, he’d been off duty and getting a coffee when a robbery occurred in the store below. He’d saved the owner’s life that night and put a dangerous criminal behind bars. There were times he missed working the street. He missed the camaraderie with his coworkers whom he’d considered friends. He’d been naïve to think those days would last. Naïve to think his brothers in blue would have his back.
One case gone bad where a killer
