The muscles in Tucker's shoulders relaxed. “I’m glad you still feel that way.”
“You’re my brother, and besides, you know all my secrets. Speaking of which, I need you to draw up a will to include the new property and stuff from Mr. Wilson’s last will and testament. I have no plans of letting Felix Wilson get his grubby little hands on it.” If she could ever wish ghosts on anyone, it would be Felix. And she’d release the most frightening, vengeful spirit she could find.
“Gladly,” Tucker said, biting into a fry.
“So, what kind of service did this new psychic want from you? Is he setting up a shop?” Ryley gestured to the slips of paper. “It looks like our town is in need of some type of haunted, psychic intervention.”
“Nothing of the sort. He’s just passing through. His sister just had a baby, and the guy wanted to set up a living trust.”
“That’s…different.”
Tucker shrugged. “The guy said he lives a dangerous life and just wanted to be prepared should something happen to him.”
“That’s very adult-ish of him. Most people think they’re going to live forever.”
“Like I said, this guy can see ghosts. I’m pretty sure he realizes that we’re all going to die one day.”
They ate in comfortable silence. Eating together was something they tried to do a couple of times a week. Not easy, because Tucker didn’t have a life since he was always at work and since Ryley wasn’t normally awake during the sunlight hours. They still found a way to make it work. That’s what family did, and they were the only family they had left.
“Your client has brains. Just be careful he doesn’t start looking into our old ghosts. He might decide to find another lawyer.”
“Remind me of that when we finally get the notification our father is dead.” Tucker frowned. Worry flashed in his eyes.
“What?”
Tucker sighed. “I don’t know how I’ll protect you from Dad’s ghost when that day comes. I’m not like you. I can’t see them.”
It was a good point. Most ghosts weren’t inclined toward physical violence. It cost a lot of energy to physically hurt a living person. Usually, a ghost like Kitty, or her dad, who died with anger issues didn’t really care about what it drained from them. They were just out to hurt someone.
Ryley suppresses a shiver from the thought. “Let’s just hope we get a final viewing, and I can touch him and send him into the light regardless if he wants to go.”
Tucker nodded. “So, what exactly did Mr. Wilson leave you in his will? It must be important if his attorney Jane Pinkerton is worried enough about you to come to the hospital.”
“Everything, I guess.”
Tucker pulled the grilled cheese apart and took a bite as if he had to think about his words carefully. “You know if you need me, I’m here. Even if it’s just to talk.”
The stress building in Ryley’s shoulders eased. “I know you are, and I appreciate that more than you’ll ever know.”
“Good. Then you won’t balk when I suggest you stay at my house until Dad is found. I’m sure you might have some reporters parked in front of your apartment, too.”
“Actually, I don’t need a place,” Ryley said and raised her hands to stop Tucker’s objection. “I think tonight I’m going to stay at Rosalind Crews’s house again to see if I can get Kitty to talk.”
“You think that’s a smart idea considering she almost crushed you with bottles?”
Ryley wasn’t sure it was Kitty that pushed her or made the bottles fall. It was just easier to believe than any other scenario that suggested there was more than one issue she had to deal with. One vengeful ghost was enough.
“I’ll be safe. I always am.” They talked about his day and enjoyed the quiet time to catch up. Once they’d paid, and Tucker left as she climbed into her car. The passenger seat was already occupied.
Stretch had claimed the space.
“Your brother is looking sexier every day.”
“Ew. And don’t talk about my brother like that. It’s just…ew.”
Stretch chuckled. “Would you rather me tell you about how the PI looked when getting in the shower? Or maybe you want to know what the cop has been up to? Both are fascinating conversations.”
“Neither.” Ryley started the car and pulled out, taking the turn to head toward her house to grab clothes. “Now, if you come across a ghost named Kitty, that’s trying to kill me, be sure to ask who killed her before she succeeds. That’s the only answer I need to know.”
“Yeah, about that.” A frightening scowl marred the thin, ghostlike flesh on Stretch’s brow. “I’ve seen some things I wish I hadn’t. The reapers are hanging around your pal, like she’s about to increase their flock by one or more. I hate those shadows. Makes my skin scrawl.”
“She’s not my pal.” Stretch’s news was as welcome as screen doors on submarines. “In fact, after the stunt she just pulled, she’s at the top of my naughty list right now.” Which just firmed up Ryley’s resolution to kick her ass into the light.
“Can I help?” Stretch’s whispery, hopeful tone sent shivers down Ryley’s back.
“I’ve got this. But thanks.”
“You’re no fun,” Stretch said as she twirled her hair around her see-through fingers, like a habit lingering from her mortal existence.
If Ryley was honest, it was a freaky, creepy display.
Chapter 31
Ryley pulled into her apartment complex where a news van was parked, and she kept driving, pulling back out again and heading toward the seedier part of town where dinner was probably being prepped if not served by the non-profit. Surely, they wouldn’t turn her away even if they had seen the newspapers.
She parked and got out, locked her car door and headed inside. There was a larger dinner crowd than there had been at lunch. Several tables were filled, with more people standing in line and coming in the door. Peter was at the serving station. She moved
