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"So what are your plans?" Lance asked Scott as they sat in his office Monday afternoon. "Will you go into the light after your funeral?"

"I'm not sure. Do you know how long it will be before they bury my mother and the baby that was with her?" Scott sat in the chair across from him.

"I can't give you an estimate for that. DNA can take time, especially in a case like this where there is no pressure to rush things. It could be weeks or even months before that happens." Lance wished he had better answers, but he knew the system. This would be set aside so they could run tests on active investigations.

"I don't know what I'll do. I want to go into the light to see if my mother is there, but I also feel like I should stay here for her burial." Scott sighed. "Jeremy has introduced me to others around. I could just hang out and visit people. There's plenty to do. It's just a matter of do I want to stick around here longer than I need to?"

"You're welcome at my place anytime, and you know Jeremy enjoys your company here." Lance leaned forward, resting his arms on his desk. "But I get that desire to move on. Especially in your case. You've waited so long to see your mother again. Whatever you decide, I'll support you. If you choose to go soon, I promise to make sure your mother gets a respectable burial. I'm sure Jared and your attorney will also."

"Thanks." Scott looked tired, which was unusual for a ghost.

"Have you seen any old friends who haven't crossed over?" Lance asked.

"A few. I visited with some last night and there are a few others I've been told about but haven't seen. I'll probably look them up this afternoon. I'm told two of them hang around the golf course." Scott laughed. "They did that when they were alive. I guess there's no need to change habits. Only they can't play now. They just sit and watch and visit—"

"Sorry, don't mean to interrupt." Senator Gifford walked through Lance's door. "I didn't know you had company. I'll come back later." He turned to go.

"No wait. You're okay. I think you've met before. Scott Mayburn, this is Senator Gifford." Lance introduced the two.

"Yes, we met several times." Scott smiled. "Good to see you again. Please, come in. We were just visiting. I can go and let you two talk. "

"No, it's quite alright. You can stay. What I have to talk about isn't something I mind you hearing. I'd heard you died. I'm sorry about the whole ordeal with your mother." The senator appeared to lean against the filing cabinet.

"Thanks. I'm just sorry the truth took so long to come out. I should have said something sooner. I just didn't know how," Scott said.

"Well, everyone knows now, and your mother will be put to rest respectfully. No point in dwelling on the past. I'm learning it does me no good." He looked to Lance. "Which is why I'm here. I have a current situation I'm hoping you and your boyfriend might be able to help me with."

Lance raised a brow, unsure what Angus could help a ghost with. "Sure, we can try." He refused to make promises until he heard what the senator wanted.

"Would it be possible for me to drop by later tonight and talk to you and him about it? It would be easier to just explain what I'm thinking once." The senator glanced at Scott. "You can help if you like."

"I might be looking for a way to entertain myself for a while." Scott smiled. "You have me curious."

"Do you mind if Scott comes tonight as well?" the senator asked Lance.

"I don't mind at all, Senator." Lance smiled, curious as to what the senator was up to.

"Stop calling me Senator. That's who I was when I was alive. Now, I'm simply Isaac." He shrugged. "I'm tired of being important. Now I can just sit back and be myself. Do you know how long it's been since I could do that?"

Scott laughed. "I felt that way when I sold the Mayburn. I no longer had to worry about image or what people thought. I could hide away in my home and not worry about everything going right. It was a nice change."

"Well, gentlemen, I have one more autopsy to do before I can call it a day. If you'd like to meet me here around five-thirty, you're welcome to ride with me. Otherwise, I'll see you at my place when you get there."

"Care to head across the street to the bar and see if there's a game on?" Scott asked Isaac.

"Sure." Isaac straightened and turned his attention back to Lance. "And I'd welcome the ride. I'm still not used to hijacking rides in unknowing driver's cars to get where I need to go. I feel as if I'm intruding."

"Then I will see you then." Lance got up and left the two ghosts in his office to do whatever they wanted. As he prepped for autopsy, he wondered what Isaac wanted help with. He wanted to text Angus and give him a heads up to expect company, but there wasn't time. They didn't have any plans tonight, so it shouldn't be a problem to have the ghosts as company. He could still cook Angus dinner while they talked.

"Thought you might have forgot about us." Brayden grinned as Lance walked in.

"Sorry, had a phone call," Lance told them. They didn't need to know it was with the dead who hung around the morgue. He looked around for Jeremy but didn't see him. He had to be in with Sam and Kyle. They were working on the accidental shooting victim that Lance had brought in.

"What do we have?" Lance walked over to the table. Carrie and Brayden had done all the prep. Now all Lance had to do was watch Brayden as he did the autopsy.

"Female who died while trying to give birth at home. She was found alone in her bedroom. The baby survived, but the woman appears to have bled out." Carrie sighed. "Family didn't even know she was pregnant. They hadn't seen her in a couple of months. Her roommate found her when she got home from work and heard the baby crying. She said she was told the woman was only seven months along, but the baby was up to weight and healthy. They couldn't find any records that she's seen a doctor in the last year."

Lance shook his head. This wasn't the first time he'd seen this. While most births experienced no problems, there was always a risk. To try and deliver without anyone else around was insane. "I'm glad the baby made it, and the roommate found the child in time." He couldn't imagine coming home to something like that. He nodded to Brayden. "Go ahead and get started."

The autopsy took about ninety minutes and was the first time Brayden had dealt with a post-partem case. It was a good learning case for him. Calling it a day, Lance went back to his office and gathered his things. He had about a half hour before Scott and Isaac would be back, so he sent Angus a text to let him know they'd have company when he got home. When he didn't hear back, he worried Angus might be working late and the talk with the ghosts might have to wait. It was times like this he missed having Bethany and Ray around because they could always help him entertain when ghosts dropped by.

He signed off on several reports Brayden had done and then shut off his computer. He wandered out of his office and smiled as Gretta was finishing up. "Still like the job?"

She looked up and laughed. "I love it. This is the best place. It's professional but relaxed. You're all like family here. I don't have to worry about the CEO or bigwigs watching every move I make. But do you know the one thing I love about this place more than any other?"

Lance shook his head.

"That I'm not stuck in high heels all day. I can wear comfortable shoes and not have anyone blink an eye. It's so nice that I've thought about throwing every single pair of heels I own into the trash." She wiggled her small black ballet slipper at him.

"I wouldn't go throwing them all away. You may need a pair at some point, but I'm glad we can keep you comfortable. I don't know how you women wear those shoes in the first place." He'd seen enough bodies in his career to know that more women came through with foot and toe issues than men did. Shoes mattered .

"True. You headed home?" She turned to put a few files in the cabinet.

"I am. You okay? Need help with anything?" he asked.

"Nah, I'm about to head out too. Mack's here if a call comes in while I'm still here, but it's been quiet. Go and have a good night. I'll see you in the morning."

"Night." He waved as he walked out. He found Scott and Isaac waiting outside and he pulled his phone out before speaking to them. "Catch a game?"

"We never made it over there. We got talking and just hung out here. We didn't realize how much we had in common," Isaac told him as they made their way to Lance's car.

There was about thirty years difference in the men, but they'd both been in the same social circles with Scott running the Mayburn. Lance figured that their paths crossed often, and they would know the same people.

Lance unlocked the car as both men floated into the back seat. He smiled as he climbed in, listening to the two of them continue their conversation as if he wasn't even there. He drove in silence, letting them enjoy each other's company. He was glad they'd connected. Up until now, he hadn't seen Scott with anyone other than Jeremy, and while they got along, they had very little in common.

He pulled into the garage and shut off the car as the men floated out, aware what was going on but still in deep conversation. "Angus isn't home yet. Make yourself at home. I'm going to go shower and wash the death off me," Lance told them as he bent to pet Haunt who was excited to see him along with two ghosts. "I apologize in advance for the needy dog. She's been lonely lately and is excited for any visitors."

"Take your time. I like dogs." Isaac took a seat on the couch and Scott sat in the recliner.

"Thanks. If Angus comes home, he won't see you." Lance straightened. "I'll hurry."

"It's not a problem. We're both getting used to not being seen." Isaac laughed.

Lance grinned as he hurried to the bathroom and showered, hoping to be done before Angus walked into the house and did something to embarrass himself thinking they had the place to themselves.

He walked out ten minutes later to find Haunt on the couch beside Isaac and the two men still talking. He went to the kitchen and got himself a drink before going back in to take a seat with them. "Angus sent me a text. He's about fifteen minutes out."

Scott smiled. "We're in no hurry. We just don't want to keep you from things."

"I'll start cooking in a bit, but when I do, we can move the conversation into the kitchen. For now, tell me how communicating with Megan went after you left last night," Lance asked.

Isaac laughed. "I'm afraid I kept her up late talking once we got back to her apartment. It's not easy with only yes or no questions, but we managed. I'm glad I limited it to Friday nights only. I think she'd take advantage if I allowed more, but it's nice to be able to have that contact with her. As long as she doesn't use it as a crutch for her grief, we'll keep doing it."

"I'm so glad. I think she'll be okay. My brother, Jackson, has a ghost with him as well. An old buddy from his unit. I taught them to communicate the same way. Once Jackson is back, he'll understand if you and Megan are still speaking every week." Lance smiled. "I can't wait for him to get back."

"I can imagine. I know Megan is looking forward to it as well. I don't think she ever stopped loving him. She forced herself to move on, but her heart never did." Isaac glanced over as the door to the garage opened and Angus walked in.

"We have guests," Lance warned him. "Scott and the senator are both here. Go ahead and change, then the senator has something he'd like to discuss with us."

"Hello, gentlemen. Give me five minutes and I'm all ears." Angus leaned down to give Lance a quick kiss hello, then left for the bedroom. He was back in less than five and took a seat. "So, what's up?"

Lance shrugged. "First, the senator has asked to be called Isaac now. No more Senator. As for why he called this meeting, I'm not sure."

Isaac sat forward. "You saw my son last night at dinner, Lance. He's troubled. He has a severe cocaine problem. I hate to say I never knew how bad it was until I died and witnessed how much he's using. I thought he was just snorting a line here and there on weekend, but he's been shooting up. I can't do much about it as a ghost, but I did realize something. I can go places I never could before, and I can inform you, the police, of where this activity is taking place, who is dealing, and help give you a way to catch them."

Lance was impressed. He repeated everything to Angus, watching his reaction as everything came together.

Angus nodded. "I could see how this could work. You'd need to be aware that your son might end up being arrested due to information you shared with us. Are you prepared for that?"

"I'd rather him in jail than forcing my family to go through another death so soon after mine. That's where he's headed if he stays on this path. I'm already worried it's too late. I've been following him around for the last few days. He's no longer working, though I don't think his mother is aware of that. He's twenty-six and living with his parents. We gave him everything he could want, though we did assume he still held the job with a local landscaper. Now that he's not working, he's using all day and comes home in time to make it appear he's been at work." Isaac shook his head. "I was so caught up in my life, I missed what was going on in his."

Lance again told Angus everything.

"How would this work? You can't tell anyone a ghost gave you the information," Scott pointed out.

When Lance repeated that, Angus smiled. "Ah, but we can. You'd be an informant. I don't have to tell where I get my information if I'm protecting someone. But we have it even better than that. My captain knows about ghosts. He doesn't know about Lance's ability, but he does know that my mother can see them. I think he'd be willing to work with us on this and try and cut down the drug trafficking in the area. It's gotten horrible over the last few years and the public is looking for us to find a solution."

"My first priority would be cutting off my son's ability to find his drugs. Take out his dealers. But I have no plans on moving into the light until my wife joins me. I'd be more than happy to keep doing this. I can go places the police can't. It's not dangerous for me. They can't kill me again." Isaac grinned. "Scott could join me and keep me company if he's sticking around."

"I haven't decided yet, but this makes me consider it. I worried I'd get bored hanging around the golf course, but this would be almost like having a job again." Scott nodded. "I've missed working."

"Exactly. I was an active man as senator. I can't just float around waiting for my wife's time to come. This gives me something to do. I'm still helping my community. Is this something you could set up?" Isaac asked.

Lance left it up to Angus to decide. He was the one who would have to get the captain on board and work with the narcotics units when they had information. He explained everything and sat back.

"Well, I can't make any decisions on my own. I'll do what I can with any information I get, but what I'd like to do is arrange a night to have the captain come to dinner here and we can discuss things. I'm not even sure the captain can give this his okay, but it's worth a try." Angus glanced at Lance. "Of course, this only works if you'll agree to speak for the ghosts. I can have Mom help too, but I'm guessing you'll be their main point of contact."

"I don't mind at all. This is a good cause. If you can get it approved and use the information in a way that gets drugs off the streets, I'm all in." Lance would help no matter what, but he had his own reasons for seeing the good in this. The morgue received a lot of overdoses. Those found on the street, in homeless encampments, or even abandoned in homes. He'd seen too many deaths because of the drugs coming into the area. The morgue had implemented new procedures due to the growing use of fentanyl.

"Then I'll set up a meeting with Captain Marshall. He's been begging to meet my mother, so I'll invite my parents over as well. That will give the ghosts two points of contact to work with. Mom travels a lot, but she's always wanting to get more involved in my cases. This gives her a safe way to be involved in a way that isn't very dangerous for her." Angus smiled at Lance. "And keeps you from having to handle all of this."

"I really don't mind, but I agree, it's a good way to help your mother feel involved when she's in town. As long as you can do this legally, I think it's a great idea. I just don't know what the rules are about confidential informants. Will this information be able to stand up in court?"

Angus shook his head. "Informant information isn't usually admitted to a court case. We're going to have to take the information we get and build a case, but just having names and locations will make things easier for the narcotics unit. They'll know who to tail, areas to stake out. We don't have to explain how we knew where the crime was going to happen if we actually catch them committing the crime." Angus looked to the area where the ghosts were sitting. "I can't promise we'll save your son, but we'll try."

"That's all I can ask." Isaac sighed. "I turned a blind eye to it when I was alive, refusing to see how serious his addiction had become. I won't ignore it now. Even if he ends up in jail, it will be worth it. My wife will continue to coddle him, but now that I know how bad his addiction is, I refuse to sit by if I can do something."

"We'll do all we can to help you," Lance promised. "There are other ghosts who will be happy to help. Together, I'm sure we can accomplish anything." He wished Ray and Bethany were around, but he knew Jeremy would help, as would a few other ghosts he'd met in the past year. What he liked most about the idea was he wouldn't need to worry about his ghostly friends being hurt. Unheard and unseen, they could do things the living couldn't. He wondered why they hadn't thought of this before. It could change so many things. Exchanging a smile with Angus, he was sure he felt the same way.