Page 72 of Ghost of a Chance
“Why would someone else want to hang around?Paul is the only logical—”
“Sherlock.”
“We haven’t ruled Paul out.He could have picked it up for some research into an older discounted theory.I mean that makes more sense than it not being him when this book’s been haunting me.”
This wasn’t something that Jasper seemed ready to let go of.But she was going to start looking into anyone else who might have had this book.Idly she picked up the book, really examining it.Before, she’d assumed that Jasper had checked this, that this information was confirmed.It was time to do her due diligence.
It was obviously used.As she flipped through, she returned to the sketch of the tree in the corner.There wasn’t a name in the top corner, just a stamp for a used bookstore.Pity.She wrote her name in all of her books—not that she lent them out, she just liked claiming them in a way.
Her stomach rumbled.In the chaos of their investigation, neither of them had much to eat.They both ordered patty melts and onion rings.
“Once we get the professor’s notes on what Paul was studying, we can probably figure this out,” Jasper said.
“Yeah, that will help.There has to be something we’re missing,” she said.Jasper nodded, his face grim.
He’d shut down and retreated.She was disappointed too, and this was just supposed to be a publicity thing for her.This was his life.He’d been living with a ghost since his roommate died.It had to be a blow to realize it might not be his close friend at all.
She wanted to discuss it more, but Jasper wasn’t responding to anything she said with more than a grunt.
She lost her patience with him.He kept forgetting they were in thistogether.Earlier that thought would have sparked joy inside of her.Now it felt like a warning to not let herself get in too deep.“I get it’s difficult to hear that it might not be Paul, but taking it out on me isn’t going to change anything.He wasn’t using this book for his class.He probably was just studying for a standard test, which wouldn’t have used this book at all.Is there any other reason he’d have it?”
Jasper put his sandwich down and leaned across the table toward her.“If I knew that then I wouldn’t have dragged us to campus today.”
“Don’t be an ass.You said yourself you blocked out a lot after he died.I’m asking to jog your memory.”
“Nothing’s coming to mind,” he said, taking a huge bite of his patty melt.
She rolled her eyes and looked away from him.“I guess we’ll have to go back to the night he died.You said you left him at the apartment, but we know he made his way to the lab.We should retrace your steps that night as well.Might trigger something.”
He finished chewing, then nodded.“Sorry.I was being a dick.It’s just, if it’s not Paul, then I have no idea what’s going on.Am I being haunted by some random ghost?”
Probably.Her experience with them in real life was nonexistent, so she had no idea what kind of things would motivate them.“You’re forgiven.Remember I’m on your side and want to solve this as much as you do.”
“I’m grateful for that,” he said.“I’ll have to go through my socials to remember what I was doing that night.Do you really think it will help?”
“It can’t hurt.Maybe Paul talked to someone who gave him the book.We ruled it out as a class text but there are still options,” she said with fake optimism.
* * *
Jasper knew he shouldn’t take it personally.But if it wasn’t Paul in the book then he had bigger problems.
Kirsty had been nice enough after he apologized.He rarely lost his temper but after the professor had ruled out the connection to Paul, he’d been left with nothing.Nothing.
This was worse than when he brought the book to the studio and the lights had exploded.There was literally no reason for anyone else to haunt him.
Kirsty’s suggestion that they retrace his steps was his best remaining chance at closure.Even if it confirmed the sinking feeling in his gut.
He wanted to apologize.If only he could.He finished up his food and then leaned back looking around the diner.Victor had worked here when they’d been in college.
Maybe it was time to really talk to Victor instead of hiding from his guilt and grief.Taking out his phone he DMed Victor and then started scrolling back to five years.He hadn’t really posted much after Paul’s death.The three of them had a running daily Snapchat streak with each other and it had made him ache to open the app knowing that he wouldn’t have a message waiting from Paul.
“I’m going to run to the bathroom,” Kirsty said.
He nodded absently.It was like he’d cracked open Pandora’s box.Memories were flooding him and it was hard to keep it together.
Kirsty slid back into the booth across from him.
“Just had a thought…but what if I ticked off someone else that night?What if there’s something I’m missing?”
