Page 6 of Ghostly Bother (Ghostly #9)

Watching Brayden work, Lance made mental notes of everything Eden had told them.

That information would be just as important to Angus as the autopsy results would be.

There wasn't much for him to pass on. Eden hadn't given them much.

While he believed she wanted to know who killed her, he got the feeling she was more concerned with covering up her own secrets than finding her killer.

"Did you know her?" Carrie asked Lance.

He shook his head. "Not other than what I'd hear on the news or from Angus.

I know Sam met with her several times trying to increase our budget, but she refused.

I hate to see anyone die, but getting a new mayor might be good for this city.

We've all seen how fast the area is growing.

It didn't seem as if the mayor was ready to deal with the financial needs that went along with the growth.

It will be interesting to see who ends up replacing her. "

"The change will be good, but it's going to be crazy around here for a while. I can't believe the media attention this is getting," Carrie commented as she took a sample that Brayden cut from the body. She labeled it and set it aside with the others to be sent off to the lab.

"I agree." Brayden didn't look up from where he was working. "It must be a slow news week to draw this kind of attention. There had to be a dozen media vans parked by the police station when I drove by this morning."

"The chief gave a brief update this morning. They were probably there for that." Lance shrugged. "I haven't gotten any information from Angus yet but saw on the news this morning that they were doing a briefing at nine and another at four this afternoon."

"They're probably hoping to have the autopsy report by then." Brayden stepped back from the table. "Want me to write it up, then you can review and sign?"

"That would be great." Lance looked down at the body, making a mental list of everything so they were sure nothing was missing. "Get everything to the lab. The sooner we close this case, the better."

"I'll close up the body. Send Kyle in to get the stuff for the lab. He can run them upstairs instead of waiting for them to come collect things." Carrie was already moving into place to return organs to the body and stitch it up.

"We've got two more autopsies to get done today, but let's get this report written up, then break for an early lunch. We can get to the other two this afternoon." Lance wanted to call Angus and let him know Eden had taken off and they could skip lunch if he wanted to.

"Sounds good. I'll get this to you as soon as I finish." Brayden stepped out of the room to take off his protective gear.

"You okay alone?" Lance asked Carrie.

"Yep, I'll be done soon. I'm going to run an errand during lunch, but I'll be back within an hour so we can get through the afternoon." Carrie continued to work as she spoke. "Want me to grab you something to eat on my way back?"

"I'm good, but thanks. Angus and Franks may drop by with something. If not, I've got stuff in the breakroom I can pop into the microwave." He paused at the door, looking back at her. "Thanks for all you do, Carrie. This place couldn't run without you."

"Thanks, that's nice to hear." She glanced his way. "We all do our part."

"We do, but we also tend to take each other for granted. I just wanted you to know that you're noticed and appreciated."

"Thanks. Now get out of here so I can finish." She waved her gloved hand at him.

He laughed as he stepped out of the autopsy room to the small area where he could take off his gloves and gown. He tossed them in the biohazard can, then washed his hands.

"Want me to go look for Eden?" Jeremy asked as he floated into the room.

"Nah, she'll be back soon enough. She's the type of person who will want to know everything that's going on.

I expect she's gone home for a while, but she'll come back.

" Lance kept his voice low so nobody but Jeremy could hear him talking.

He had no idea how he hadn't been caught talking to the ghost so far.

He was ready for someone to tease him about talking to himself, but so far, it hadn't happened. "Media still outside?"

"Yeah, but they must not be bothering Gretta too much.

She didn't lock the doors. The chatter among the media is that this was an inside job.

They think someone from the Mayor's Office decided things would be better off without her around.

Of course, no one has any evidence of anything.

Right now, it's a bunch of guessing with no facts.

" Jeremy shrugged. "Anyway, I'll be gone this afternoon.

Isaac and I are following his son around to see if we can get any information on who's supplying him with the drugs. "

Lance nodded. He'd almost forgotten about the ghosts assisting the now deceased senator to find a way to keep his son from continuing to buy and use.

With the assistance of the police, they hoped the ghosts could give them insight into who was involved in the drug trade, and possible locations where it was happening.

Those involved met once a week, usually at Lance's house to talk over what they'd learned throughout the week.

Lance usually sat in on the meetings, but he left it up to the ghosts and police to handle things.

He had enough on his plate and didn't want to be involved other than as a voice for the ghosts so they could convey what they'd found to Captain Marshall.

Angus's mother, Lizzy, who could also see and hear the ghosts, also helped be a voice for the ghosts since Captain Marshall couldn't see or hear them.

"That's fine. Hopefully, it will be quiet around here once we send off Eden's autopsy report.

I'd tell you to be safe, but…" Lance laughed.

"I know, I'm already dead. But thanks for the thought." Jeremy grinned. "I'm off to meet Isaac. I'll see you tomorrow."

Lance nodded as Jeremy floated through the wall and was gone. He quickly dried his hands, then pushed through the doorway and into the hall, heading toward the front office. He found Gretta and Kyle at the front desk. "No problems?"

"Other than the phone ringing off the hook, it's been quiet. The Neilson family called to find out when we were releasing their father's body. I told them I'd call them as soon as we were done. Other than that, it's all media inquiries." Gretta took a sip from her coffee mug.

"Mr. Neilson is up as soon as everyone is back from lunch. I'm not going out if you want me to watch the front desk for a bit while you go," Lance offered.

"Nah, I'm good. I brought food from home." Lance leaned on the front desk. "Kyle, I'll let you and Carrie decide who's assisting with what this week. I'm good as long as one of you is by my side."

"I think we're going to trade off, but we'll see how things go. Sam approved my day off on Friday. I'm headed to Oklahoma for an art show this weekend. He told you about that, didn't he?" Kyle looked worried.

"He did, and I'm fine with you going. We only need one assistant here, and we have Brayden too, so we're more than covered. If things are slow, take Thursday as well if you want. You driving?"

Kyle nodded. "I'm too cheap to pay for a flight when I can drive." He shrugged. "We'll see what things are looking like later in the week and I'll decide from there. Thanks for letting me do that."

"Not a problem." Lance straightened. "I need to call Angus.

You two yell if you need anything." Lance left them and headed back to his office.

It was going to be a long day. Hell, it would be a long week with Sam gone, but if he could keep the Medical Examiner's Office out of the media's attention, things would go much easier.