Page 44 of Dead Serious Case 5 Madame Vivienne

They look at each other and then back at me. “We like it here.”

“And we may as well make ourselves useful,” Dave says. “You want us to put the dead guy back in the fridge for you?”

“Thanks.” I nod, frowning as I look around. “Terry’s not floating around here anywhere, is he?” I ask warily. The latest edition to my merry little band of ghosts, having died by electrocution, still has an alarming tendency to either accidentally shock people or set fire to things.

“No.” Ian grins as he and Dave lift Mr Endecott. “Which is probably a good thing or he’d probably end up toasting this dude.”

Wow, it’s a good thing there aren’t any security cameras in here. I’m not sure how I’d explain two ghosts lugging a dead body across the room. Although security footage would have been helpful earlier. It would be my word against Byrnes if I made a complaint against him and unfortunately, all my witnesses are dead.

Something about the whole encounter sits like lead in my belly and I know I can’t keep this from Danny. So I strip off my gloves and wash my hands before retrieving my phone.

“Tris?” Danny answers on the third ring. “Is everything okay? You don’t usually call when you’re at work.”

“Yeah, I’m fine. I, uh… Well, I’ve just had an unexpected and unwelcome visit from Byrnes.”

“What?”

“He showed up in the mortuary. I’m not even sure how he got in.”

“What did he say?” Danny asks.

“He wanted to know what we’d discussed with Mr Hadley,” I answer with a tired sigh. “I told him it was none of his business, but he–”

“He what?”

“He was…” I trail off, trying to figure out how best to explain it. “He was quite threatening without actually threatening me. Or, well, I guess he did. He basically said he doesn’t care that we weren’t here when Viv died. He thinks I got someone to murder her for me so I could inherit or something. I don’t know what he’s been sniffing, but I don’t think he’s going to let this go.”

“Has he gone now?” Danny says tightly and I can hear the barely concealed anger in his voice.

“Yes, but I can’t guarantee he won’t be back. I’m pretty sure he sees me as someone he can bully answers from.”

I’m met with absolute silence on the other end of the line and even from here I can tell how pissed he is. He never goes silent.

“Danny?”

“I’ll take care of it,” he says flatly. “He won’t be bothering you again.”

“Danny,” I sigh. “Don’t. Whatever it is you’re about to do, just don’t, okay? I’m fine, really. I don’t want you getting in trouble at work. That’s not why I called you.”

“I know, baby.” Danny’s tone softens. “Are you heading home soon?”

“Yeah.” I nod even though he can’t see me. “I just have one more to do.”

“Okay, then I’ll see you back at home. Keep Dusty close.”

“Can’t.”

“What?”

“She was really pissed at Byrnes and took off after him.”

“Fuck.”

“Yeah, I mean, I don’t think she’s going to go allSixth Senseon him, but she wants to snoop a bit and see what he’s up to.” I’m almost certain that’s what Dusty’s going to do. At least, I hope that’s it. If she’s trying to get a celestial promotion, the last thing she needs to do is rough up a fleshie.

Oh. My. God.

I can’t believe I just used the word fleshie. Bloody Roger and Bertie. Thank god it was only my inner monologue and no one actually heard that little faux pas slip past my lips. The last thing I need is for that to catch on with my noncorporeal friends.