Corpse Whisperer by Chris Redding

want to put this ‘gift’ I have behind me. I want to forget about it most days.”
    “How’d you meet Mark?”
    There, he’d asked it. It was out on the table.
    She laughed. “Mark seems like he’s always been here.”
    “You been together long?”
    She smiled. “Are you asking if we’re lovers?”
    “Yep.”
    “We aren’t. But you don’t like me very much.”
    “I never said that. I just don’t trust you.”
    “That isn’t conducive to starting a relationship.”
    He shrugged, moving closer to her. “But you’ve grown on me.”
    Her head tilted back to look up at him. “Like a fungus?”
    With trepidation, he reached out and brushed a hair from her face. She didn’t flinch. In fact, for a moment, she turned towards his hand. “That didn’t hurt? Or make you faint.”
    “I see colors when you touch me.”
    “What kind of colors?”
    He tried again, letting his fingertips brush her cheek.
    “Like I’m inside a kaleidoscope.”
    “Is it bad?”
    “Not completely.”
    Her eyes fell closed as his fingers went to her lush lips. “How about now?”
    “Purples and reds with an underlying warm feeling.”
    “Do you like it?”
    Her “Yes” came out as a whisper.
    Then she pulled back. “We can’t do this.”
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter Twelve
    All of Grace’s effort finally moved her away from his touch. Her self-control was about to snap. She might even have thrown herself into his arms.
    Then Dolores would be doomed. Grace would lose focus and then the murderer would succeed.
    Instead, Grace walked away, catching her breath. “Because of Dolores?” He shook his head. “She knows we’re over. Jeez she was gonna have someone else’s baby.”
    His voice held a note of desperation. “I have a job to do. Whatever I may think about my talent, I’ve been given it. And I have to follow it.” She whirled and bit her lip. “I have no choice.”
    He looked down then back at her, his shoulders slumped with fatigue. “Grace. This murder isn’t going to happen. I just can’t believe that you time traveled back here. Besides. Why should you put your life on hold?”
    Her heart hurt in her chest. Just when she thought she was getting through to him. Her eyes fell closed and she drank in the warmth from the sun. A shiver passed through her despite the heat.
    He took a step towards her. She opened her eyes and moved away from him. If he put his arms around her she’d surrender. Her head would rest on his chest and she’d be content to let someone else prevent murders.
    “Then you should go, Zach.”
    “I don’t think you’re crazy.”
    “Some part of you does.” She turned away from him. “Go.”
    “No.”
    His strong statement had her looking over his shoulder. “I’m seeing this through with you. I have a few cases to type up reports on and then I’ll be back after lunch. I’ll take a half day. We’ll see this through.”
    She shook her head. “How do I know it isn’t you that’s going to kill her?”
    “You don’t. You have to trust me. And deep in your heart, I think you know I shouldn’t be on your suspect list.”
    “They way you trust me?”
    The irony had her chuckling.
    A frown creased his face. “Touché’.”
    “Go, Zach and don’t worry about us.”
    “Oh, cut the melodrama.”
    “Look, I’ll be out of here when this is all done, anyway.”
    She knew that for sure. She couldn’t stay in a town that thought her a freak. Would she ever settle somewhere? Unfortunately dead people were everywhere.
    “Look, I’ll be back.” He turned towards his car. “You can count on that.”
    She didn’t watch him drive off, but went in to check on Dolores.
    ***
    Zach raced through his morning and was heading out the door when a call came in he had to take. A spouse he’d been hired to tail was going on a business trip, or so they said. He hoped she went to the airport