“I’m doing just fine, thanks for asking. Sean has been taking good care of me.”
Sean looked up and rolled his eyes. Clay huffed out a short chuckle. This routine had become part of their rapport. After working with him for a while, Clay had learned that any sort of praise annoyed Sean because Michael tended to use it sarcastically to make a point. “Except for running across the street to get Clay some clothes, I’ve literally been doing nothing,” he said.
Jackie walked up and put a hand on his shoulder. “Well, thank you anyways, Sean.” He smiled. Jackie turned smoothly on the balls of her feet and flicked her ponytail around. “Sally sends her best. She had to stay home and handle some business.”
“Thank you,” Clay said.
“She also said not to worry about the project, just let her know when you’re feeling better, no rush,” Jackie added.
Clay nodded in agreement, “Will do,” while thinking that Sally had become very agreeable. Thank you, Jackie.
𓂓
Knowing from experience she would need to take this slow, Martha had intentionally withheld a critical aspect of her motivation to meet these people. She would need to find out more about the Geist from the video. If a lingering spirit remained in their midst, it must be a powerful one. Given that, she would first need to reveal the identity of the spirit. It would be better to understand the reason for its presence, and then help it move on. Best not to say anything about it until I know more.
“I understand your hesitancy. This is a lot to take in, especially if you have no experience with it,” Martha said as she pulled out one of her books.
Officer Street nodded silently, turned to Martha, and watched as she flipped through the old book. He scanned her shelves, looking for anything familiar. He recognized only one book—a Bible. “Are you a God-fearing woman?”
Martha glanced up and followed his gaze to the holy book. “I wouldn’t say that. But I do respect all beliefs. You don’t have to fear God to understand the major tenets of that book. For example, there is a distinct peace one finds in faith. A certain strength derived from altruism. The universal belief in a better place after death. Christians call it Heaven, the ancients called it The Beyond, accessible if one lived a good life.”
Officer Street nodded. This answer, although vague, seemed to satisfy something deep inside him. “They will all be back at the hospital this afternoon. Clay is recovering there overnight,” Officer Street said.
“My afternoon is open,” Martha said, still studying the book.
“How does this normally work, are you paid in advance or...” Officer Street asked.
Martha closed the book with a snap and returned it to the shelf. Turning in her chair, she waved her hand in the air. “No need to worry about that now.” Her curiosity outweighed any interest in financial gain. She had never before encountered a Geist capable of amalgamation. Besides, a favor to the police could open doors for her when she needed information, or better yet, earn her the benefit of the doubt should she find her reputation in question.
Officer Street gave her an approving nod. “Okay.”
“Besides, if these folks have a Geist this powerful in their midst, they will need our help,” Martha said as she stood up, tightening her shawl around her shoulders in preparation for not just the trip to meet Clay and the others, but also the journey, she sensed, that loomed ahead. “But first, we should swing by the scene of the accident. I need to see for myself what, if anything, is there.”
“Okay, it’s not far,” Officer Street replied.
“What is the name of the street?”
“Haynesville Woods Avenue.”
Martha froze, eyes wide.
“You know it?” Officer Street asked.
Martha pulled in a short quick breath. “I’ve been to that neighborhood to visit a woman I know.”
Officer Street gave her an amused smile to calm her agitation. “Another psychic?”
Martha paused and met his eyes, saw the smile in them, and relaxed a bit. “Hardly. She claims to be an astrologist.”
“You believe in that stuff too?” Officer Street asked as they readied to go.
“No, I do not. If that tells you anything,” Martha snapped back, a little too quickly. A mild look of disgust on her face.
Officer Street recoiled just a bit, eyes wide.
Noticing his shock, she chuckled and laid a hand on his arm. “Sorry, I thought you a better judge of character than that.”
He shrugged.
Martha chuckled again. “That stuff gains traction with people because, by choice, they allow it to.” She paused as they made their way out of the office. “But like I said, respect all beliefs. Just remember, when it comes to beliefs, our own minds can be the most powerful weapon used against us.”
“Well said. But how do you know astrology isn’t my thing?” Officer Street asked.
Martha stopped on the porch and gave him an assessing look over the rim of her glasses. “Come now, Officer. We’re not going to start off by playing games with each other, are we?”
Officer Street huffed out a short laugh. “No, I guess not.”
𓂓
Jackie stood at the foot of the bed and tilted her head, giving Clay a flirtatious grin. “How about you wiggle those little peanuts for us.”
Elena squealed with joy. “Yeah, wiggle ‘em!”
Clay chuckled and wiggled his toes. Elena giggled then walked over to Sean to show him something on her device. Jackie pulled a chair up to the side of the bed and sat down cross-legged, resting her hands on her knees. She looked down, unsure what to say. She wanted to thank him and learn more about him. Thinking back, she could hardly remember being drawn to a man like this. It was a confusing yet intoxicating mix of emotions—something she couldn’t remember experiencing around anyone except Evan. She felt a pang of guilt about that thought. What is going on? Suddenly, she felt embarrassed that she had dressed so cute. She shivered and pulled her button up tighter.
Clay appeared to ignore her as she fussed with her shirt, which gave her time to relax into new company before starting conversation. “It’s nice of you and Elena to come back, but you didn’t have to. I’m fine, really.”
She looked up with a slightly confused, somewhat dejected look.
