Page 26 of Deadly Avarice
“I do. I’ve got the papers and everything.”
“And what does the rest of the family think? Will they want to be there when your granddaddy’s soul is returned?” I’d been through enough scenarios to want a heads-up regarding what type of ticking time bomb I might be walking into.
“There’s some reluctance, but more agreement than disagreement. I’m not saying Granddaddy will be happy when he’s brought back, but he’ll understand.”
I wasn’t so certain but didn’t disagree. Janet knew her relative far better than me. I’d get a good feel for her granddaddy’s soul when I brought him back. A retrieved soul couldn’t lie to me anymore than they could lie to those asking them questions.
“How soon can you do it?” Janet asked. “I mean, we want this situation resolved ASAP. Can you come tomorrow?”
My eyebrows rose. The area code was the same one Detective Cardoza had called from. “I’m sorry, but I’ve already got another job booked for tomorrow. I could—”
“What about the day after?” Janet eagerly pressed.
I stared at my phone, eyebrows no longer raised but scrunched in what was quickly becoming irritation. This wasn’t a life-or-death situation. “From your area code, I’m assuming you’re in Louisiana. Is that correct?”
“It is.”
“And your granddaddy’s burial site?”
“Less than ten miles from my home.”
“In Louisiana,” I pointed out again.
“Surely it’s not that far. You’re just a state away.”
While that was true, it wasn’t just a quick jaunt across state lines. I figured it would be at least a three, maybe four-hour drive—one way. Clearing my throat, I said, “There’s a good chance I’ve got another job coming up soon that’s in your neck of the woods. Scheduling on the same day would be best.” I couldeasily handle bringing Thomas Speedler’s soul back again along with Janet’s granddaddy.
There was a pause and when Janet spoke again, her tone lost some of that sweet Southern drawl. “And when do you expect that to be?”
“I…” Truth was, I wasn’t certain. “Hopefully within the next two weeks, but—”
“Two weeks?” Janet asked in disbelief. “That long?”
Considering many clients booked months in advance, I didn’t think it was so difficult a timeline. “If it looks like that job is going to be pushed further out, then I’ll head your direction anyway.” It was the best I could offer and, to be honest, the best I wanted to offer given Janet’s increased huffiness.
“I’ll pay you more if you can get here sooner.”
I physically pulled back from the phone, glaring at the options staring back at me.What the hell?I rarely had someone this eager, or maybe desperate. While the money wouldn’t hurt, it also didn’t drive my decisions. Allowing cash to guide my life decisions wasn’t something I was willing to do and thankfully wasn’t desperate enough to need to do.
“I’m sorry, but—”
“I’ll triple your pay. Name a price.”
My hands gripped into tight fists and my shoulders flexed as my emotional irritation took physical form. “The price will not change, nor will the timeline,” I flatly answered.
Janet huffed and I swear I could hear her nails clicking along the side of her phone. “Fine. I suppose I will simply have to accept your terms.”
“You’re welcome to seek another necromancer who can—”
“That’s a load of shit. There are no other necromancers that can do what you can.” Janet cut me off, all her earlier Southern charm and hospitality gone, her tone boiled down into something hard and grating.
“I’m not certain that’s true,” I truthfully answered.
“Whatever,” Janet flippantly answered before I heard her inhale. When she spoke again, she was all charm and grace, although there was a biting, bitter edge to it now. “I’m sorry if I sound harsh. I simply hate what this is doing to my family.”
Those words didn’t exactly ring hollow, but they also didn’t leave me with a warm and fuzzy feeling. I was starting to think that Janet Meeker might be theproblemwhere her granddaddy’s will was concerned. If that was the case, then this job probably wouldn’t be that pleasant and certainly wouldn’t garner me any five-star reviews.
Well, it wouldn’t be the first time and most assuredly wouldn’t be the last. With that in mind, I answered, “I’ll contact you as soon as I have potential dates.”
