“I told you, it wasn’t your time. And you didn’t really want to die.”

“Don’t tell me what I want to do. Who’s the mother around here?”

“I think all these years of ghostdom qualify me to have my input.” Bonnie sighed. “You’ve been very challenging, Mama. You still won’t admit I’m anything but a dream.”

“Because your so-called ghostly powers seem to be rather limited. Ghostdom? What kind of word is that? And if you didn’t want me to die, why did you let me eat that stew? It would have saved me a bellyache.”

“I’ve told you I can’t stop things happening… it doesn’t work that way.”

“Convenient. That means you’re never to blame.”

Bonnie giggled. “That’s right. It’s one of the good things about being a ghost.”

“Are there bad things, baby?”

“Look at you. You’re tearing up. Yes, the bad thing is trying to keep you from being so unhappy. I thought maybe you were on the right track, but here you are all depressed and hurting and hundreds of miles away from Joe.”

“Joe lied to me. About you. Your grave. Why didn’t you tell me it wasn’t you?”

“If I’m a dream, how could I do that?” She grinned. “Gotcha.”

“Why?” Eve insisted.

“You know the answer. It doesn’t matter to me where my body is. I’m always with you.” She paused. “And you were happier thinking I was there. So why not let you think it? ”

“You sound like Joe. It’s important to me. I want you home, Bonnie.”

“I am home.” She sighed. “But you’re too stubborn to believe it. You make it very hard for me. And I don’t like this depression. You’re a fighter, but you weren’t fighting last night until I nudged you. That’s not to happen again, Mama. Things are very… cloudy. You may have to fight hard and I may not be around.”

“Is that supposed to make me feel less depressed?”

“I’ll always come to you like this, but you can’t rely on me, Mama. But you have Joe and Jane and Grandma. Isn’t that lucky?” She made a face. “I could feel you freezing up when I mentioned Joe. Get over it, Mama.”

“Bullshit.”

“Okay, we’ll talk about something else. I want you to feel good in the morning.” Eve always felt better after the dreams. They had started two years after Bonnie had died, and at times Eve felt as if they had saved her sanity. A psychiatrist would probably have sent her to the nearest funny farm if she told him that. Well, screw them. There was nothing that wasn’t positive about the dreams. “If my ribs are still this sore, there’s no way I’ll feel good in the morning.”

“They’ll be a little better.” Bonnie leaned back in the chair. “This is a nice place. I like all those bayous. Why didn’t we ever come here?”

“I don’t know. I guess I never got around to it.”

“Well, Panama City was nice, too. I loved the water.…”

“I know you did, baby.”

“There are lots of things to love. Now tell me about Jane’s new puppy. Sarah gave him to her?”

“Yes, and he’s a complete rascal. Of course, Jane thinks he’s the smartest animal in the universe. She’s talking about going out to the coast and having Sarah help her train …” Chapter 5

« ^ »

" YOU’RE IN A BETTER MOOD THIS MORNING.” GALEN STUDIED EVE’S EXPRESSION AS

he helped her into his car after they’d left the hospital. “And you look much healthier. Did you sleep well?”

“When I wasn’t dreaming.”

“Nightmares?”

She shook her head. “No, good dreams.” She gazed up at the brilliant blue sky.

“It’s a pretty day.”

He nodded. “You could probably still use a day of rest. Why don’t you sit out on the balcony and just watch the world go by?”

The church, dark and looming, filling her entire vision as she lay on the balcony floor.

“I want to get to work. Did you find out any more about Marie’s death?”

“Officially food poisoning. Case closed.”

“I see.”

“I don’t. I paid a small bribe to a clerk at the coroner’s department to get a look at the provisional report.”

“And?”

“Food poisoning.” He paused. “The only thing in the least unusual was slight abrasions on her upper arms.”

“Caused by what?”

“No conclusions. But I was wondering… ropes?”

“But that’s not what the coroner said.”

“No.” Galen shrugged. “At any rate, the body has been released and the funeral is tomorrow.”

“Her son is coming here?”

“I assume he will. This is his mother’s hometown. Why?”

“I want to see him and express my sympathy.”

“What?” He grimaced. “I believe it’s very bad form to offer condolences to the family of someone who tried to murder you.”

“I don’t believe she tried to kill me, and I think her son would like to know what she told me about their relationship. It could help at a time like this. I’d like to go to the funeral.”

“Okay. I’ll find out when and where. I’m surprised you’re willing to delay the start of your work on the skull.”

“Support means a good deal to the bereaved. This time is a nightmare. No one knows that better than I do.”

“So I’ve heard.” Galen’s voice was sober. “Your Bonnie.”

“My Bonnie.” They had pulled up in front of the house and she got out of the car.

“Melton called the hospital and arranged to meet me here at one, then go with me to the church. Are you coming with us?”

“I wouldn’t miss it.” Galen watched Eve unlock the front door, and then preceded her into the foyer. He glanced around the foyer and then started up the stairs. Eve followed. “Skeletons are my cup of tea. Mind if I take a look around your bedroom? I was here earlier and did a little cleanup job, but I’d feel better if I just checked it again.”

“You cleaned up that mess?”

“Well, your housekeeper wasn’t able to do it. I didn’t want you to have to come home and face it.”

“Thank you. That was a very kind thing to do.”

“I am kind.” He threw open the bedroom door and looked around. “My mum always said if you want to get along in the world, you have to do unto others as they do unto you.”

“That’s not quite the way the quote goes.”

“Makes more sense Mum’s way.” He went onto the balcony and looked out over the bayou. “Seems okay. You rest. I’ll just check the bathroom and the downstairs, and then cook you a light lunch.”

“I’m not an invalid. I’ll do it.”

“Are you trying to eliminate my job? How can I be the queen’s chief poison taster if you do everything yourself?” He headed for the door. “By the way, I moved into the bedroom next door. I checked and I can hear practically everything that happens in this room through those paper-thin walls. I hope you don’t snore…” Eve heard him running down the steps a few minutes later. She gave one more glance at the church before leaving the balcony. It was difficult to pull her gaze away.

She supposed it was natural the ancient structure would command attention, and it was the last thing she’d seen when she’d thought she was going to die. That had guaranteed it would capture her imagination.

Eve forced herself to turn and go back into the bedroom. That wide expanse of bed was very tempting. It was ridiculous to be this sore and tired. She’d thought when she left the hospital that she’d spring back much sooner. She should ignore the tiredness and hit the shower. She’d be okay once she got going.

Well, maybe just a short nap…

“The shoes were made by the Norton Shoe Company.” Carol Dunn tossed the report on Joe’s desk. “It’s a southeast company with branches in Alabama and Louisiana. Size nine.”

“Distribution?” Joe asked.

She shook her head. “Pretty heavy in both states, and to a lesser degree here in Georgia.. With this kind of flimsy sole, they’re not a high-ticket item so they sell pretty well.”

“That’s just great.” He frowned. “What about the tire tracks?”

“Firestone Affinity HP fifteen-inch. Standard on the new Saturn L-three hundred.”

“Thanks, Carol.” Joe scanned the report. “I owe you.”