a reason to live(78)
“You look like you’re on vacation,” Max answered, his tone stating he still needed convincing. “Or has the Bureau changed their dress code?”
Parker looked down at his clothes and grinned.
“I was off duty when I received Jack’s call.”
Max indicated his hoodie with a tilt of his chin. “You from Oklahoma?”
“Savannah, Georgia, originally,” Parker answered, “but I worked a case in Tulsa last year. I was visiting a friend; flirting with his wife to keep him on his toes.”
Max turned to Shane and raised a brow. “And he still calls you friend?” Max asked.
“Considering she wouldn’t be alive if it weren’t for me, he stops short of punching me.”
“Arrogant,” Shane muttered, looking at Max. “I like his confidence. He’ll do.”
“Just as long as he refrains from flirting,” Max answered.
“I’ll hold off on flirting with your women until after we’ve apprehended Heller.”
“Fearless too,” Shane muttered, looking at Jack. “You put up with this?”
Jack grunted. “I’m not stupid enough to leave him alone with Jenn.”
“Smart man,” Max grinned.
Clapping Parker on the shoulder, Jack jerked his head toward the door. “Let’s grab coffee at The Bean and discuss Heller before you head out.”
“The coffee’s that bad here?” Parker asked as they all headed for the door.
“It’ll shrink your balls. So unless you’re givin’ up on having a family . . .”
“Lead the way.” Parker grimaced.
***
“According to this website, the ghost of a gold miner has been sighted at the old cemetery by locals and visitors for years,” Mia stated, her face buried in her phone. “Seems the best time to catch a glimpse of him is from just before sundown until midnight.”
Jenn hauled a dry erase board into the living room and began writing down everything we had found on the internet.
“According to Ghost Hunting 101, you should investigate the area in daylight to check for any dangerous obstacles you can’t see in the dark.”
“Write down we need flashlights,” I said to Maxine.
“It says to notify the local police and let them know you’re conducting research,” Mia continued.
“I think we can mark that off the list,” Maxine mumbled.
“That goes without saying. We have to keep this on the down low. If his men catch wind of our plans, they’ll rat us out,” Jenn stated.
“Never go alone,” Mia continued reading from the website, then looked up and asked, “Who would go alone?”
One by one, we all looked at Jenn.
She shrugged.
“I’m getting a clearer picture why Jack locks you up,” I giggled. “You’re a little nuts.”
Jenn grinned and nodded.
“Okay, here is the list of what to bring,” Mia announced. “Digital camera, digital voice recorder, flashlight with extra batteries, a first aid kit—”
“That was the first thing on my list, daughter-in-law,” Maxine muttered, smiling. “Though I keep one in my purse at all times since you married my son.”
Jenn snorted and I turned my head to cover my smile.
“NOTEBOOKS,” Mia emphasized loudly between her teeth, “pens, pencils, a watch, appropriate clothing for the weather, and for the advanced ghost hunter, a video camera with tripod, EMF detector, compass, motion detector, thermostat, and handheld radios.”
Jenn was scribbling fast then she paused. “You know, I think Jack has some extra radios around here, but I doubt I can get my hands on an EMF or thermostat.”
“How big is this cemetery?” I asked as my phone buzzed in my pocket. I raised my finger to pause conversation and pulled out my phone, expecting to see a text from Shane. I found my mother’s number instead. I’d been texting her since we left Trails End so she wouldn’t worry.
I need to know where you are so I won’t worry.
I mumbled, “I thought I told you where we were heading,” as my fingers flew across the keyboard.
Sorry, Momma, I thought I told you I’m in Gunnison, Colorado.
Yes, but you didn’t tell me where?
We’re staying with the Sheriff. He’s a relative of Maxine’s.
Is he staying with you all the time?
No. But Shane said that Richard can’t get out of Alaska easily, and if he did, he wouldn’t be here for days.
I’m sure he’s right. I just worry. Stay safe. No need to call me and run up your bill. I’ll see you soon enough.
Love you, Momma! See you when I get back.
“Sorry,” I said when I put my phone away. “Where were we?”