Givin' Up The Ghost (An Indigo Eady Paranormal Mystery) by Gwen Gardner

drawn, the skin tight over his cheekbones.
    Self-conscious about wearing yesterday’s braid, with strands
and wisps escaping haphazardly, I smoothed my hair down the best I could,
glancing sideways at Badger. It couldn’t be helped. Coffee came first. Always.
Then I would try to look good for, er, the interview. That’s right, the
interview. 
    I looked around the table. Every face was drawn and haggard.
We were a ragtag group, for sure. With a common goal. But would solving this
murder make any of us feel better? Would Simon’s guilt be absolved? Would mine?

    Badger, Simon and I walked the five blocks and took the
elevator to the fifth floor of Shoreline Construction, stopping at the desk to
ask for Andy.
    Heated from the walk and the warmth of the lobby, I unwound
the thick scarf from my neck. An aquarium lined one wall, and the room was
tastefully decorated. The receptionist wore a pink suit with pearls and eyed us
like she was the gatekeeper of the Emerald City and might not let us through.
We were underdressed in jeans and boots, but she reluctantly filled out our
visitors passes anyway, stamping, Must Be Escorted , quite loudly while
eyeing us with suspicion.
    “She’s new here,” Badger whispered.
    Andy came from down the hall, extending his arm to shake
Badger’s hand.
    “Badger!” he said, “It’s great to see you, come on back.”
    “Hi Andy, these are my friends, Simon and Indigo. You’ve
probably met Simon – his dad is Richard Eady. And Indigo is his cousin.”
    “Yes, of course,” said Andy. “I remember you. I’ve worked
with your dad a couple of times, too. Great guy.”
    Simon smiled politely and shook hands, but I waved my
bandaged hand as a greeting. Andy led the way down a series of white hallways
lined with pastel flower paintings. A few people said hello or waved to Badger.
    Andy had a corner office with full-length windows and an
incredible view overlooking Sabrina Park.
    I’m sure I was gaping, because Andy came and stood next to
me. He jiggled the change in his pockets, surveying the view. “Amazing, isn’t
it?”
    “It’s remarkable.” The gorgeous park, from this height, revealed
the impressive panorama. An island in the middle of the Sabrina, eight
footbridges connected the two sides of the river. Meandering paths wound
through rich green grass and trees, while the river flowed around it.
    It included an amphitheater, soccer and cricket fields, and
boat rental huts. All were closed for the winter, but it must be awesome during
the summer. I longed for warmth and normal things like that. A flame of hope
filled my chest briefly, but flickered out when I turned back into the room.
Normalcy was a rare commodity for me.
    Like Bart’s home office, a big desk sat in the center, with
a drafting table near one of the windows. But there the similarity ended. The
view was rather spoiled by the interior. Every available surface was covered
with stacks of paper and other debris; empty coffee mugs, empty paper cups,
fast food bags and occasionally, a waft of rotting food. The room was
completely at odds with Andy’s appearance, which was neat in business casual
clothing, and clean cut brown hair.
    Andy hastily cleared seats for us, apologizing for the mess.
“Sorry about this. I don’t allow the cleaning service in here. They always seem
to lose or throw something away that they shouldn’t.” He indicated we should
sit and seated himself behind his desk. “So, what can I do for you? Have you
heard from your dad?” He leaned forward, hands folded, elbows on his desk.
    Badger leaned back in his chair and took a deep breath. “The
police have found his body,” he began. “They notified us last night.” Clearly
uncomfortable with the conversation, he crossed his right ankle over to rest on
the opposite knee, then uncrossed and switched sides. 
    Andy’s blue eyes widened and he looked momentarily stunned,
but he recovered quickly. “Wow. Not what I was expecting to hear.” He