Page 26 of Dead Heat

Nana Pratt grasped the neckline of her terrycloth robe. “Dogs with wings?” She glanced skyward. “I’m glad I missed them.”

“They were flying overhead and landed in the cemetery. Where were you?”

“In the kitchen making a list of everything you’ll need to order from Hewitt’s. If you leave it too long, you might have to wait. Those retired vultures swoop in and buy up everything before the working folk have a chance to get their act together.”

I squinted at her. “Weren’t you one of those retired vultures?”

She puffed out her chest. “Maybe when I was alive, but now I’m on your team.”

“I’m very fortunate. Listen, I appreciate all the work the two of you are doing, but make sure to take time for yourselves.”

Nana Pratt scoffed. “Time for ourselves? We’re dead, dear.”

“I realize that, but you could also use this time for reflection.”

Her nose scrunched. “I don’t understand.”

“You lived a long life. You experienced joy and tragedy and heartache. Don’t you ever just sit and reflect on how it impacted you?”

“I don’t have to think about it. It’s the reason I’m still here. If it hadn’t impacted me, I’d have crossed over with all the other ghosts.”

“I’m with Ingrid. I don’t need to contemplate anything. I just need to stick around and make sure my family is okay.”

I could see my words would have no effect on them, not today anyway. “West and I have agreed to tell Chief Garcia and Officer Leo about the supernatural world.”

Nana Pratt whooped. “I thought that’s what your conversation was about. How exciting. Can we be there?”

“West is hosting.”

Her face fell.

“We could still attend, though,” Ray said. “If you command us to accompany you, we won’t have a choice.”

“The meeting will be challenging enough without the extra pairs of eyes. I think it’s best if you two sit this one out.”

“On that note, could you order me to go to the library?” Ray asked. “I’d like to research your friend’s rune and the internet isn’t cooperating.”

“On one condition—you have to go after hours.” Hailey Jones was already functioning on the edge of sanity. If the librarian saw books floating through the air, she’d sign herself into an asylum.

“Deal.”

“Ooh, could I go, too?” Nana Pratt asked.

“You want to do research?” That was typically Ray’s domain.

“I’d like to find a new book to read. I’m a little bored with the psychology books Ray keeps forcing on me.”

Ray gave an indignant sniff. “I’m not forcing them on you. All you have to do is say no thank you.”

“Not everybody wants to learn about how the brain gets washed during sleep.” She grimaced. “It’s disgusting.”

“It’s incredible,” Ray said. “There are fluids that…”

Nana Pratt groaned.

“Sorry, Ray. She doesn’t want to hear about your bodily fluids.”

“Her loss. The human brain is fascinating.”

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