“Do you trust me, Ben? I know we’ve only just met, and you’ve been alone for a very long time.”
“Sure. You’re a nice person. I can tell.”
What she had to do next might change his mind. First, she introduced Kat.
“Hello, Ben. It’s nice to meet you,” Kat greeted him. “This is my husband, Zack. He’s the police officer in charge of finding out who hurt you.”
“He can’t see me, can he?” Ben waved a hand in front of Zack’s face.
Suppressing a smile, Kat replied, “No, but we’re going to see if we can fix that.”
“Is Adriel going to use her wings?” He turned to Adriel, “Are you? Can I touch them?”
The question floored her. “You can see my wings?”
“Well, sure. Can’t you?”
If only I could, Adriel thought. “You can try.” She exchanged a slightly panicked look with Kat, who squeezed her hand in support.
“Oh, boy. You’re the best, Adriel.” Ben scrambled closer, stretched out his hand while she waited to see what would happen next. Adriel’s eyes widened when she felt him make contact.
Ben sighed. He stroked a single finger down the leading edge of a phantom only he could see. “Thank you,” he turned shining eyes on Adriel.
“Um, guys? This is weird,” Zack should have been used to weird by now, but sometimes it just sneaked up on him. “I saw a flicker.”
Okay, Adriel thought, that makes this easier. “Did you see anything?” She asked Kat.
“Ben, can you do that again? If it’s okay with Adriel.” Kat shot her a questioning look.
“Of course. Ben, go ahead.” Eagerly, he laid his whole hand against the living softness.
“I can see him,” Zack involuntarily reached out, then snatched his hand back when it passed through what looked like solid flesh and bone. Right hand still resting in Adriel’s, Kat couldn’t resist the temptation to try. It was a tossup between who looked more surprised when her questing fingers brushed the silky hair back from Ben’s face. So many years had passed since he’d felt the simple touch of another, he leaned into the brief contact.
In surprise, Kat dropped Adriel’s hand with the intention of pulling Ben into the hug she sensed he craved. She got the second shock in as many minutes when her hands passed right through him.
“Zack, could you touch Adriel and then try to touch Ben’s shoulder? Is it okay with you, Ben? Don’t let go of Adriel’s wing.”
“Sure.”
Zack did as Kat asked, and when his hand touched striped cotton, he yanked it back like it was burned. “Whoa. Adriel, how are you doing this?”
“I’m not. Maybe we’d better get on with this, because I don’t know how long it will last.”
Zack took Ben through all the same questions Adriel had already asked. A few minutes of gentle probing satisfied Zack he had drawn out every nuance. He nodded to Adriel. It was time to take it up another level.
“How are you feeling, Ben?” Adriel searched him for signs of stress. Seeing none, she continued, “I need you to let Kat look inside your memories for clues to who might have hurt you.”
“Didn’t never see him. Just the car.”
“I know. Since we found your…”
“You mean my bones?”
Instead of trepidation and fear, his expression was one of keen interest.
“Yes. That’s exactly what I mean.”
“It’s like a Hardy Boys mystery. The case of the missing something or other. What do I have to do?”
“Let Kat look inside your memories.”
“Like mind reader stuff? Neato keen. Will it hurt?” A little fear now, but mostly excitement.
“No. While she’s looking, I’ll try to protect you from seeing anything scary. All you have to do think about something you really love. Just concentrate on one thing and we’ll do the rest.“
“Okay. I’m ready.” He scrunched up his face in concentration and Adriel couldn’t help but smile at his enthusiasm.
Kat opened the connection while Adriel stood as shield. Both were able to see his memories: Pam as a young girl, without the pall of grief, figured highly in his mental playback. His parents, a day at the fair, the scratchy tongue of a kitten licking his face, the first day of school, learning to ride a bike—these were the highlights of a young life cut way too short. The simple joy he had lived within was so strong and so deep.
Working forward to the time of his death, Adriel did her best to shield him from the sights and sounds. The thunk of the car, any pain he might have felt she took into herself. He’d been completely honest with her about not having seen his killer, but there were clues he was too young to comprehend.
Leaving the shields in place, Adriel watched as Kat pulled back, and then slowly withdrew.
“Ben, it’s okay, you can relax now. It’s all over.”
“You’re done? Nothing happened.” He sounded relieved and disappointed at the same time. “Did it help?”
“Yes, we know where to begin now.” Maintaining contact with Adriel, Kat pulled Ben into a one-armed hug. “Thank you for talking to us.”
Ben turned his head toward the road. “Someone’s coming.”
She glanced in the direction he was looking and saw Callum strolling toward them. Out of the corner of her mouth Adriel said, “He looks upset.”
Ben flashed a cheeky grin. “Right. See you later, Alligator.”
He was gone. Alligator? Mortals say the strangest things.
To Kat and Zack, Adriel said, “I’ll meet you inside. This won’t take long.” She got a look at the speculation on Kat’s face, “It’s not what you think.”
***
Callum barely noticed Zack and Kat as they walked past him to enter the cabin. His focus was squarely on Adriel, who rose from the grass and walked to meet him.
“Do you have any idea what you’ve done?” Hot anger sparked the air around him.
“Not really.” Her lips twitched. Of course she did.
“I can’t stop thinking about Pam, and it’s all your fault.” In the way his hand rose then fell, Adriel read the urge to poke her. She let the grin slide over her face, then
