Page 48 of Light As A Feather
“He’s the reason I’m like this.”
His eyes flick to the streak of white through my hair. “What do you mean?”
“Sol made a deal with him. Her afterlife for my life.”
“How could a ghost even have that kind of sway?”
I shrug because I genuinely don’t know, and I hadn’t even questioned it before.
“I think we should get Hale involved, have her talk to Solaneen. We need to have a better idea of what we’re really dealing with before we act on it.” Ozzie pulls out his phone. “When do you think we can come by the house?”
“As soon as possible, ideally. The three of us under that roof feels like a ticking time bomb.” I scrub a hand over my face. “He asked me to kill her, Oz. His entitlement to her…I don’t fucking like it. I don’t know how much longer I have until his patience runs out.”
“Why would he think you’d be willing to do that?”
“No fucking clue. I wouldn’t even consider it. My only guess is that he can’t do it himself. If he could have, we wouldn’t even be having this conversation because she never would have made it back to me.”
There’s a long silence as he considers my words. “He’s not going to stop until she’s dead.”
“Or someone stops him,” I add, because that is the only option worth considering.
Mendez nods solemnly. “There’s one thing I just don’t understand, something that feels important…”
“What?”
“Why her?”
I bristle at the comment, even though I know he doesn’t mean anything by it. Sifting through my emotions, I reach for the most useful response. “She’s always been able to communicate with the dead—well, for as long as she canremember. I imagine that’s unique enough to catch a lonely spirit’s attention.”
“Yeah, maybe. But a lot of people can. For such an intense, unrelenting attachment, I just think there has to be more to the story here.”
“He’s a predator, Oz. What more is there to know?” The bite in my voice is unwarranted. His analytical approach and my emotions when it comes to Sol create an uncomfortable friction. But it’s one that will only benefit us. I’m too close to this to have a clear head. It could drive me to the point of madness if I let it. But I’m holding on to procedure and level-headedness as much as I can.I won’t fail her again.
“I’ll be interested in hearing her side of the story. It’d be beneficial to observe them too. Hopefully, he’ll allow us to do that.”
“Doubt he could resist. He seems to show up when I get too close to Sol for his liking. I can’t imagine he’ll stand aside while you all take her attention. But who knows? If need be, I think I know how to provoke him.” There’s no stopping the barrage of mental images of Sol spread out on that countertop while I drive her toward the edge. She falls apart so prettily. I don’t need an excuse to touch her, but if it makes their job easier, I will absolutely use the opportunity to both our advantage.
What I asked Hale to look into pops in my head, but there’s no point in bringing that up until I hear back from her. It could be nothing, it could be something. The last thing we need is to introduce more what-if’s to this scenario.
“Maybe riling him up wouldn’t be so bad. It would give us a better idea of what he might be capable of. But let’s keep that in our back pocket.”
“You have something in mind for a plan of attack?”
“I think we need to approach this like we would a client. We shouldn’t attempt anything without a real plan. And we can’t dothat until we know for sure what we’re dealing with. Like I said, I think an interview with Hale first will help us immensely.”
“Okay. I’ll do whatever it takes. You think the others will be up for this? I can pay.”
“Get the fuck out of here with that.” He rolls his eyes and shakes his head at me. “We’re family. Nobody wants your money; we want to see you happy. I think we’ve all earned it.”
“Thanks, dude. You’ve always been a good friend. I appreciate it, really. Next job, I’ll forgo my cut.”
“That’s really not necessary.”
We both stand.
“It’s the least I can do. Plus, don’t speak too soon. You don’t even know what I’ve gotten you into.”
“We got this.” He shakes my hand, clapping me on the back. “We’re going to help your girl, and then we’re going to open a bottle of that obnoxiously expensive whisky I know you keep in your office.”
