Guaranteed Cornona Free!
The first time Detective Jake Sumner spied the old house, he
sensed the good bones. Little did he know the purchase of the property included
an unusual tenant far from resting in peace. Can the new psychologist in town
help him treat a ghostly trauma case or is his growing attraction to Katherine
Fleming best left buried?
With the aid of a mysterious white cat and a mystical
mirror, Katherine and Jake join forces to solve a murder. Can they stop a
killer from claiming the next victim or will their investigation only lead them
six feet under?
Excerpt
“Yeah,”
Jake murmured. “It’s not her thing.”
“I
don’t understand,” said Katherine. “Where is she?” Without warning, the
temperature plummeted. Katherine shivered, hugging her arms to her chest. “Why
is it so cold?”
Jake’s
lips pressed together in a thin, tight line. His gaze fixed on the mirror.
Click…click…click…click.
The
lamp flicked on and off. Katherine’s pulse soared. “Detective?”
Jake
glowered at the lamp, his face red with anger. He grabbed Katherine’s arm. “I’m
sorry. I was wrong. I shouldn’t have brought you here—”
The
French doors slammed shut. From outside came a muted thud as the front door
closed as well. Katherine shrugged off Jake’s grip. “W-what are you doing? This
isn’t funny.”
“It’s
not me.” He peered at the mirror. “I’m sorry, Dr. Fleming. This is a bad idea.
We should go now.”
Don’t
leave me.
“W-who
said that?” Katherine turned around to face the mirror. Her eyes widened in
horror as the black splotches slid toward the center of the glass. “Trick.”
Katherine clutched at her shirt. “It must be a trick.”
The
blotches whirled together. A misty shape formed. Arms…legs…now torso…now
head…an image of a person appeared from inside the gilded frame. Facial
features blurred beyond recognition, but the body was definitely female.
Katherine’s legs refused to move, a scream died on her lips. Shaking, she
raised a trembling arm. Instead of mimicking her movement, the reflection
remained rooted in place. “T-that’s not me.”
A
plaintive whisper filled the air. Help.
A
blast of frigid wind whipped the curtains and knocked Katherine into Jake. With
the sound of breaking glass, a vaporous arm separated from the mirror and
reached toward her.
Help me…
“Out
now!” Jake dragged Katherine across the room. He yanked open the parlor doors
and shoved her into the foyer.
Please…
The
unearthly plea followed Katherine out of the house.
Pllleeeaaassseee…
Jake
slammed the front door shut behind them. The muted cry faded away.
Good Bones
Chapter 1
The irony of living on a dead-end street didn’t hit
Katherine Fleming until days later. For the moment, only morning coffee called.
She reached for the pantry door and her hand froze halfway. Didn’t she finish
the last drop yesterday? Her eyes went to the shopping list on the
refrigerator. The big red letters of BUY
COFFEE mocked her. Running low on caffeine first thing in the
morning usually resulted in a snarly growl or two, but not today. Today was
Saturday—all hers. Forget the budget
and celebrate. “Treat yourself at the coffee shop downtown.
“Darn right, I will.”
Katherine snatched her key, stuffed the shopping list and
charge card in her pocket, and bounded down the stairs from the second floor to
the lobby. She paused outside the entrance in the shallow recess with the
intercom buttons for each apartment. Although the calendar technically said
winter, her nose caught the faint scent of budding greenery. A smile played
around her lips. The past few years of frigid Chicago cold suffered during
graduate school were now only an unpleasant memory. Up north, folks still
shivered. Spring was week away and always arrived with a burst of pastels, soft
gentle tones to ease Earth back to life after winter dormancy.
Not in north Florida. Floral fireworks of azaleas and crepe
myrtles would explode open any day in neon shades of hot pink, coral, and
brilliant crimson. Within a few weeks, the hibiscus at the corner would
transform into a riot of sunny orange blossoms lasting through summer. Katherine
heaved a contented sigh. She couldn’t wait.
When Katherine arrived at the Sandy Shoals Counseling Center
in mid-January, her boss, Dr. Jeremy Ingalls, teased about her eagerness for
warm weather.
“Wait until July,” he warned with a grin. “I was born here.
The short walk across the parking lot will leave you drenched in sweat and
misty-eyed for six-foot snow drifts. The air is so humid it’s like breathing
through a hot, wet sponge.”
Diana Weller, the office manager, shook a playful finger at
him. “Don’t scare her away on the first day. You’re trying to grow the center,
remember? Besides, you returned from New York to practice here, so how bad can
it be?”
“Bad.” Jeremy winked. “Why do you think I escaped for
fifteen years?”
Katherine gave a mental shrug. Who cares what the summer will bring? Today,
cotton ball clouds dotted
brilliant blue skies while a gentle breeze wafted through bare tree branches
speckled with tiny lime green buds.
Spring beckoned.
She turned the corner and ambled toward the shopping
district. Finding the apartment had been pure luck. It was a perfect location.
Close enough to the city center for walking, far enough down the street to
muffle all the traffic noise, and, most importantly, within her limited budget.
Strolling along the sidewalk, memories of weekend walks with
her grandfather returned. Katherine’s mind began the familiar back and forth as
echoes of his gentle prodding rang in her head.
Play
the game with me, Kathy.
I’m
going for coffee.
Aw
c’mon, kiddo, humor Grampa. You know you can’t resist.
Her lips twitched in an unconscious smile. He was right. She
never could. Okay, but
just once.
Atta
girl. Who do you see?
Katherine peered down the street. A man in his mid-twenties
lounged against the bus stop sign on the corner. A young woman speaking on her
cell phone strolled up and stopped next to him. She wore a snug low-cut
t-shirt. The tattoo of a dolphin peeked out above her left breast. A gold
dolphin pendent hung low around her neck, drawing anyone’s eye to her ample
cleavage, including the man. His gaze flicked to her. His stance straightened
as he squared his shoulders. The woman ended the call and dropped the phone in
her purse. She glanced at him. Her gaze met his for an instant and then she
turned away, but her head inclined slightly in his direction. She tugged at the
hem of her shirt, flattening the material over her breasts. Her posture eased,
a hip jutted out as she angled her body toward him.
Grampa’s mental voice nudged gently. Well?
The
placement of the dolphin tattoo draws immediate attention to her breasts. Her
dress and body language suggest inflated value placed on physical attributes
which can mask deeply rooted feelings of intellectual inferiority. The man will
make his intentions known before he gets off the bus. He’s not looking for deep
commitment, but she’ll accept. I predict a short passionate relationship
followed by an equally passionate breakup. She’ll blame him for the reason it
ended badly. In truth, she’s blinded by appearances and isn’t mature enough to
see past them at this point.
A bus arrived at the stop. The man stepped aside for the
woman to enter first. She smiled at him and casually flipped back her hair. He
followed and took the seat next to her.
Not
bad, kiddo.
“Thanks, Grampa,”
Katherine murmured, brushing aside a tinge of melancholy. Although he had
passed away several years ago, his absence was still deeply felt. The imaginary
talks in her head proved only a pale substitute.
Katherine strolled past the bus, fighting the temptation to
jump onboard and offer the woman her card. The well-meant gesture was sure to
prove pointless. People wouldn’t accept counseling help unless they first
recognized a problem. She wasn’t there yet.
Pity. Katherine stifled a sigh. Another client would be
nice. Diana booked her calendar with anyone who called for an appointment and
didn’t specifically request Jeremy, but Katherine was a new counselor. It took
time to build a reputation and get those important referrals. The inheritance
from her grandfather had funded her education, but she had plenty of open
slots, and regular living expenses now. Fortunately, enough money remained in
the budget for the occasional indulgence.
The Saturday morning crowd had thinned by the time Katherine
entered the coffee shop. She paused at the door and recognized a familiar face
at the pick-up counter. April Ortiz waited for her order behind a man in a gray
t-shirt. She was one of Katherine’s first clients, but she hesitated to
approach. April had made excellent progress, but canceled her last appointment two
weeks ago and hadn’t rescheduled yet. A patient might find it awkward to run
into her counselor in a social setting.
April looked from the counter and spotted Katherine at the
door. Instead of dismay, she brightened and motioned her over with an excited
wave of the hand.
“I did it,” April blurted even before Katherine said hello.
Katherine’s eyes widened. “I thought you weren’t going until
next month.”
“I meant to call and tell you, but I’ve been so busy. He phoned
two weeks ago after an unexpected opening and I said to myself I’m ready to do
this. Can you believe it?”
April gave an excited hop on her toes. “I’ll buy you a mocha latte to
celebrate. With whip and extra sprinkles.”
“Thanks, but that’s not necessary—”
April leaned around the man and called over the counter to
the server. “Add another mocha latte to the order, please. Both to go.”
Katherine bit back a smile. The experience certainly hadn’t
changed April’s take charge attitude. No wonder she had sought help. “I’m so
proud of you. I know how hard it was to let another person assume control.”
“I didn’t expect him to be so gentle and finish so quickly,”
April crowed, “especially with my history. We were done before I knew it.” She
beamed at Katherine. “You wouldn’t believe the total satisfaction when he
touched me deep inside and I didn’t flinch.”
The shoulders of the man in the gray t-shirt stiffened. His
head which had faced front toward the counter angled slightly in their direction.
“Nervousness is expected,” said Katherine, “after such a
long time and considering he was a stranger.”
“No kidding, but I never felt anything more than a few
butterflies. I kept reminding myself I had your recommendation and you’d only
send me to a caring man who was a real pro and had a lot of experience. Still,
I can’t say it wasn’t awkward. He was so nice though, and helped me feel
comfortable. Before I knew it, I was flat on my back and staring at the
ceiling.”
“So, spill it,” said Katherine. “I’m dying to hear the details.”
“He asked me to open. I did. No hesitation. No screaming.
Then he slipped in a finger. At least, that’s what he said, but I didn’t feel a
thing. To be honest, by that time I had my eyes closed.”
The man in the t-shirt shuffled on his feet, edging a fraction
closer.
“Number 27 order up!” The man startled at the barista’s
call. He snagged a cup of coffee and a plate with a bagel and cream cheese, but
instead of taking a seat he lingered at the counter fiddling with the napkin dispenser.
“He began with only the slightest bit of pressure,” continued
April, “but something inside me definitely moved. I kept thinking, ‘This is so
weird. I can’t tell if he has his whole hand in there or just poking round with
his long pointy doo-dad.’”
The man’s hand jerked and pulled out a fist-load of napkins.
“Was there any pain? asked Katherine.
April snorted. “With
all the drugs he slipped me? I was flying high. I was sore for a few days
afterward, but he gave me a bunch of painkillers. I tell you, the whole
experience was amazing.” She sighed. “He was awesome. Is it weird to have a
crush on your dentist?”
The man’s lips twitched in a smile. He tossed the napkins on
top of the bagel.
“Yes,” said Katherine
with a straight face. “Particularly since he’s four inches shorter than you, gay,
and nearly old enough to be your grandfather.”
April grinned and jabbed her in the shoulder. “What do you
mean, yes? You’re a psychologist. You’re not supposed to tell anyone they’re
weird. I knew a gal my age was too young to have a real degree. Where’d you get
it? Off the internet?”
“Yup, got a two-for-one special. I’m also High Priestess in
the Awesomely Enlightened Temple of Awesomeness. Besides, I didn’t say you were weird, but
it’s definitely unexpected to have warm-and-fuzzy vibes for a dentist coming
from a person with a dental phobia a few short weeks ago. Not to mention,
working up the courage to have an impacted wisdom tooth pulled. It proves how
far you’ve come.”
April hugged her. “I couldn’t have done it without you,
Doctor Fleming. You’re one helluva psychologist.”
Katherine flushed with pride at the heartfelt praise. There
was no better feeling than helping a person in need. Call me Katherine. You
walked the walk. I only showed you the path.”
April’s phone chimed with an incoming text. She glanced at
the display. “It’s from Parker at
the station.” April worked at GAB-TV, a local cable access channel. “Aw, crap,
a guest canceled. I need a last-minute replacement pronto for Chit Chat with Parker Pratt.
We tape today for tomorrow morning’s broadcast.” She grimaced. “God, I hate
that title.”
“Have you suggested he
change it?”
“I can’t, Parker owns
the station and his wife, Connie, is the business manager. I’m only a glorified
go-fer. Also, they’re both sweethearts and Parker is an institution. He knows
everybody and all the gossip in this town. He used to have his own talk radio
show before they bought the cable station. Parker still does a daily podcast,
too; mostly local news and community service plugs. Man, finding a new and
interesting guest Parker hasn’t already interviewed is a pain. Viewers are getting
sick of the Goat Lady gushing over her artisanal cheeses.”
Katherine chuckled. “Come back for more counseling. I’ll
help you work up the courage to quit.”
April regarded her with shocked disbelief. “And leave show
biz?” She drew in a sharp breath. “I have a brainstorm. God, I’m a genius. Are
you free this afternoon?”
Katherine’s eyes narrowed. “Why?”
“To do a guest spot.
You’ll be perfect.”
“Me?”
“Sure—the interview only lasts half an hour.
Talk about counseling. You’ll follow Miss Harmony, the pet psychic. Parker
tapes after her call-in show.”
“Pet psychic?”
April clasped her hands together in prayer. “Please, please,
pleeeese. Imagine all the good you can do. A sufferer with that thing…what’s
the thing you mentioned once?” Her brows knitted together. “You remember, that
thing where a person is too afraid to leave the house.”
“Agoraphobia.”
“Yeah, talk about
that. A poor tortured soul may finally work up the courage to get help all
because Dr. Katherine Fleming happened to appear on Parker’s show. Keep in
mind,” she added out of the side of her mouth, “this all comes with a boatload
of free advertising.”
Katherine regarded her askance. “You’re good.”
“I gotta be. This is a local cable access program airing at
seven on Sunday mornings; interesting guests are hard to book. At that time of
day, our entire viewer demographic is nut jobs, shut-ins, and people in tinfoil
helmets afraid to surf the web because the government will infiltrate their
minds—right up your alley.”
Katherine chuckled. “You win, April. I’ll do it. It sounds
fun.”
“Bless you,” she gushed.
“Number 28 order up!”
The man in the t-shirt moved away from the counter, and they
grabbed their coffees. “Thanks for the latte,” said Katherine.
“No problem. The studio is on 12th
Street. You can’t miss it. Be there at 3:30. I’ll give you a tour and run
you through the procedure. We tape the spot at 4:00. See you then, Katherine.”
April dashed to the door while Katherine lingered to put the
appointment on her phone calendar. She headed to the exit with her mocha latte
and spotted the man in the t-shirt at a seat near the front window. Katherine
leaned over and whispered in his ear, “You have a very dirty mind.” She
scampered out the door, but not before noticing the flash of a dimpled grin in her
direction.
****
Jake Sumner froze at the woman’s whisper. He swallowed a
mouthful of coffee and turned around with a grin, but she was gone before the
thought occurred to apologize for eavesdropping. Pity, Dr. Katherine Fleming
certainly was cute. He could have asked her to join him…Jake shook his head.
Forget
it, buddy. You’re about to get rid of one shrink. You sure as hell don’t need
another probing parts of your life that need to stay buried.
He craned his neck, catching the last sight of her as she
rounded the corner. Not a bad view from the rear angle either. Despite the
mental words of warning, his interest had definitely been piqued.
Chit
Chat with Parker Pratt, eh? Maybe I’ll catch the show.
End
Chapter One
L. A. Kelley writes science fiction and fantasy adventures with humor, romance and a touch of sass. All her books are certified corona free.
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