Page 76 of The Aura Answer
“Is everyone all right?” he finally had the sense to ask, now that he was assured he wasn’t deaf or dead.
“Not Layman,” she whispered. At his questioning look, she spoke a little louder. “The bullet missed Larraine and hit Layman. He slammed against the railing and it broke.”
Shaking her head, Evie crossed the rotunda to stand over them.
Or maybe over Rhodes, who refused to stand up despite the sheriff’s urging. “Mayor Block’s spirit says you’re a fool who has never been able to hit the broad sign of a barn, and if you’re the best Layman can find to help him, he deserved what he got. I think he’s trying to spit on you.”
Rhodes only groaned and sobbed.
Larraine wandered over to join them. “Mr. Gladwell, you’re an excellent example of the kind of citizen we need in this town. I hope you will be staying.”
Well, no, he needed a job and money and...
The mayor didn’t wait for his reply but turned to the weeping judge. “That’s where cheating gets you, Rhodsie. You were never more than second best and probably worse. I’ll have to agree with our spectral ex-mayor, you’re pathetic. I can understand wanting to shootme, but poor Sammy? Why?”
“Blackmailing pigs,” Rhodes retorted. “Both of you.”
The sheriff belatedly began reading him his rights.
Nick figured a judge ought to know them by now.
Not releasing Gracie, he stood and attempted a dizzy bow to the mayor and Bertie’s mother. “Ladies, this is not how I wished to introduce you to Albert Walker’s exhibit, but if you will excuse the dishevelment, may I show you his crowning masterpiece, the one he intended to adorn your mantle, Mrs. Walker?”
Evie leanedagainst Jax and wiped tears from her eyes as Mrs. Walker studied Bertie’s masterpiece. She whispered to the sad wraith clinging to his work, “You did good, Bert. Your mom loves your gift.”
Bertie nodded.I wasn’t a real good son. What did that person mean about shooting my brother? He’s not stupid like me.
She’d hoped he hadn’t heard Larraine and Rhodes talk about Sammy. “Sammy’s on the other side, waiting for you. Would you like to join him? I think your mom will be all right now. Judge Satterwhite won’t let her lose her home. And your art will give her some nice spending money.”
Bertie studied the police carting away a judge and people coming up the stairs to see his work and everyone talking excitedly.Seeing my brother isn’t stupid, is it?he asked hesitantly.
“Visiting family is never stupid, wherever they are. For good or bad, they’re part of who we are.” Evie opened herself up the way she’d learned as a child in this courthouse.
Bertie hesitated, then let go, and vanished.
Jax rocked her on the bench as she cried a little for a lost soul who had never been given much of a chance.
“Teddy Jr. gave Bertie pain pills. Is that enough for an overdose?” she asked, closing her eyes so she didn’t have to see auras right now. Fear and agitation and excitement created dizzying, gyrating rainbows.
“If Bertie had been off drugs for a while, his system wouldn’t take the levels he was used to. And if Teddy had a bad batch laced with fentanyl—that stuff can kill non-users instantly. He’ll plead not guilty and make a deal—unless his father refuses to help him. No guarantees there. Why don’t I take you home, let you rest before the parade?”
“Can’t. Block’s still here. I hope the fall didn’t kill Layman. I really don’t want to deal with his polluted spirit.” She shivered at the thought.
He texted someone while she rejuvenated with the happy energy of excited people finding themselves and their homes in Bertie’s artistry.
“Alive, barely,” Jax reported. “They’ll take him to some fancy hospital far, far away. No ghosts here.”
She nodded. “OK, here goes. I need to see what Block wants, and if he’ll go away.”
“Can’t it wait?” Jax asked in concern. “You’re more drained than I’ve ever seen you. That can’t be good.”
“Layman still owns us. Block is still here for a reason. He was never an evil man. He just thought his vision of what the town should be was more important than anyone else’s. As history shows, it’s not exactly an unusual attitude.” She sucked in more of Jax’s love and concern. She wished she could plug herself into an electric outlet. People energy would have to suffice.
She opened her eyes and located Block’s spirit hovering near the broken railing, looking a little more gray than usual.
Pretending she was still talking to Jax, she addressed the late mayor. “So, if Layman dies, his heirs inherit the town? How can that work if Toby can’t inherit it?”
Block drifted from the railing to watch his son talking to Verity, who had reappeared once Layman had been carted off in an ambulance.I’m not dumb either, he said with sarcasm that indicated he’d overheard her saying he wasn’t evil.I tied those mortgages up every which way but loose. You’ll find the signed documents inside the cover of the black book. My partner isn’t the man I thought he was.
