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CHAPTER TWELVE

The thing about accidents was that, when you watched one happen, it seemed to go in slow motion, taking forever for all the pieces to fall together and then settle. When you were in an accident, everything moved at breakneck speed, a blur of fear and screams and prayers.

As the car spun, I did my best to drive into the skid, to keep from flipping the car. I tapped on the brakes as lightly as I could, steering into the turn. A few seconds later, we came to rest, my rear right tire on the sidewalk, and the front of the car jutting out into traffic. The other car had spun in the other direction, and now, I could see that the driver had hit a post office box head on. Smoke was coming from the hood of their car.

Both air bags had deployed and I felt like I’d been hit by a massively hard pillow. I slowly floundered through the billowing material as I reached for the seat belt to unlock it. Then, I turned to Brenda.

“Are you all right?” I wasn’t even sure if I was all right, but my first thought, now that the car was stopped, was for my passenger.

She was breathing hard, but she nodded.

“Just shaken up,” she said. I think everything’s okay.”

My door didn’t want to open at first, but I managed to jimmy it open. By that time, pedestrians who had been braving the snow, along with a couple store owners, were at our car. Others were heading to the car who had hit us.

A man offered me his hand as I stepped out. “She’ll need to climb over the seat and come through the driver’s door. I think the front door was damaged when the other car hit the back door. I think it’s stuck, he said.”

He helped me to the side, then leaned in and helped Brenda scramble over the center console. Then, once she confirmed she could stand, he fetched our purses and my tote bag. “You’re not going to be driving this baby home,” he said.

“Right…” I glanced over at the other car. By now, the fire truck and a medic unit had pulled up and they were trying to open the car door to get to the other driver. I froze. There was a man standing next to the car, staring at it with a dazed look. His head was covered with blood from a head wound, and blood slicked down his shirt. He looked over at me, then headed my way. I froze as he crossed the intersection and approached.

I’m so sorry, he said. I couldn’t stop. Why won’t they listen to me? I’m all right.

At that moment, I realized I could see through him. He was translucent. A sharp piece of metal was protruding from his chest and blood was seeping out, surrounding the wound.

I shivered and tried to project my thoughts toward him. I know you didn’t mean to do it. Do you know what happened? Turn around.

Obviously he didn’t know, but as he turned around I had the feeling he soon would because they managed to open the driver’s door, prying it away. There was a moment of silence as the medic leaned in, then he stood back, shaking his head.

The driver frowned, looking puzzled, but as they gently removed the body from the car, he let out a gasp and turned back to me.

That’s…me…

I know. I’m sorry, but you didn’t survive the crash. I wasn’t sure what else to say to him.

My wife! My kids! What will they do? He gave me an anguished look. Please don’t sue them—they didn’t do anything. This was my fault.

I promise you, I won’t sue them. I only want coverage for my car and if we have any injuries. Do you want me to tell your wife anything?

Looking relieved, he nodded. Please…I love her. I love the kids. I’m so sorry this happened. He paused, then added, Can you tell her to look in a safety deposit box at the Midnight Point Credit Union? Box 225. The key’s in my sock drawer. There are documents there she’ll need. He paused, the whispered, What do I do now?

I scrambled, trying to think of what to say, but then I saw an older woman walking in the middle of the street, directly toward us. There was a remarkable resemblance and, as she drew closer, I saw that she, too, was transparent. She had a shocked look on her face.

Will! Oh, honey, it’s too soon. You shouldn’t…I thought it would be so much longer before I saw you again. She smiled sadly and held out her hands. Come with me, my dear.

He stared at her for a moment, then let out a soft sigh. Mom. You came for me?

Of course I did. I told you I’d be watching over you. Now take my hand, and let’s get out of here. She turned to me. Thank you. Please, talk to Marlene. She’s going to need support now, as well as my two grandbabies.

And with that, she turned and silently led Wilson away. They walked off into the snowstorm, and a moment later, vanished into the mists.

“Maisy? Are you all right?” Brenda startled me.

I shook my head to clear my thoughts and said, “I was talking to the driver. He didn’t survive. He lost control of the car.”

“He talked to you?”

“He didn’t realize he’d died. But his mother came to get him, and he’s gone now, so all is well. I guess. Except for his family. He asked me to give his wife a message, so now I’ll need to contact her and explain that I can talk to the dead.”

“That’s not all that easy of a conversation to have.”

“No. I know that in Midnight Point people will believe me more than they would in a different town, but still… Having some woman show up on your doorstep, telling you she talked to your late husband seconds after he died? That’s a hard stretch for a lot of people. Especially for someone who’s grieving.”

Brenda started to say something but at that moment, the medics headed our way, along with one of the cops. I was surprised they hadn’t immediately come over to my car, but then again, we were standing calmly in the street—as calmly as we could—and neither of us looked hurt. Triage ruled, and given Wilson’s car was mangled, he had been the higher priority.

“Who was driving?” the cop asked. “I’m Deputy French.”

“Me. I’m Maisy Tripwater. This is Brenda Kline.”

“Are either of you hurt? The medics should check you over,” the deputy said. “They’ll be here in a moment. Unfortunately, the driver of the other car didn’t make it.”

“I figured as much,” I said, then stopped as the sheriff’s car pulled up. Stuart hopped out and, seeing me standing there, hurried over.

“Maisy! Are you all right?”

I tried to smile, but only managed to shiver. “Yeah, I think we are, but I’m not sure. He came sliding across the intersection, through the red light. I was in the middle of a left turn?—”

“We have witnesses to corroborate what she says,” Deputy French said. “I’ve already talked to several pedestrians who saw the whole thing happen. The other driver didn’t survive.”

Stuart caught his breath. “I’m so sorry. Maisy, why don’t you let the medics check you out? We want to make certain you’re okay.” He motioned to the medics’ EMT unit.

“Thanks,” I said. “Brenda, you go first.” As the medic took her aside to sit down on the end of the EMT unit, I turned back to Stuart. “Listen, I have to ask something.”

“Anything,” he said, smiling. His eyes were warm, and his care, genuine.

“I talked to Wilson and he has a message for his wife. I want to know how best to deliver that. I don’t feel I can just show up on her doorstep.”

“You mean, he was alive after the crash?” Stuart asked.

I shook my head. “No. I mean… I talked to his spirit. Right after the crash, he came over to me.” I told him what happened. “So, I need a message delivered to his wife. I assume, living in Midnight Point, that she believes in ghosts, but…”

“Well, he was a dog shifter—a German shepherd. I assume his wife is probably a shifter as well, though I could be wrong. I’m about to send a man out to deliver the news. Do you want me to give her your name and card? That might be best.”

I thought about it, then nodded. “Yes, that will work. I leaned on the trunk of my car, writing a short note on the back of a blank sheet of paper. I wasn’t about to hand over my business card. The last thing I wanted was for her to think I was some demented form of ambulance chaser. You’re now single, come and see me for a new romance, and all that. I wrote that I had been in the crash, and that I had some information that I would like to pass on to her. I added my name and number.

“Here,” I said, handing it to Stuart. “Please see she gets this.” I sighed, looking at my car. “I doubt if the insurance will do anything but total my car. I know I sound mercenary, given someone died but…”

“But it’s a pain in the ass, and you shouldn’t have to deal with this sort of thing?” he asked.

I nodded. “Just being practical.” A sudden thought hit me. “Crap, I need to call my aunt so she can come get me.”

“I can drop you off,” Stuart said.

“What about Brenda? She and I needed to have a conversation, but I think that might end up waiting for a day or two.”

“We can take her home, too. But first, you see the medic.” He pointed over to where the medic team was. Brenda was walking back over to us.

“Are you all right?” I asked.

She nodded. “I think so, but they’re suggesting I let them take me to the ER. My blood pressure’s a little high, but that’s probably the adrenaline rush. I have a bruise on my stomach from the seat belt—it was cinched a little tight, and they want me to get an ultrasound to make sure there’s no internal bleeding. So I’m taking a ride with them to the hospital. The other team will stay here to give you a look-over.”

“I’ll get you Wilson’s insurance info so you can contact them.” I sighed, turned back to Stuart. “I’ll go get checked before they head out. Can you get me his insurance info?”

“Of course,” he said. “Are you still at your aunt’s?”

“Yeah, I’ve decided to stay there for a while, instead of finding a new house. I’m comfortable there, and my aunt likes having me around. To be honest, it’s been lonely since Dan died. As much as I loved our home in Seattle, I have to admit it’s nice to be in a place where every little thing doesn’t remind me of Dan.”

I drifted off, staring at the ground. Stuart reached out, placing his hand on my shoulder.

“It’s hard,” he said. “I lost my fiancée five years ago. Shana had a seizure, and she hit her head when she fell. She broke her neck. She was epileptic, and no one was with her.”

I looked up, holding his gaze. “I’m so sorry,” I said. “I didn’t know that.”

He nodded, his expression grim. “I found her the next morning, when I didn’t hear from her. If I’d gone over the night before, maybe…The doctors say there wasn’t anything I could have done, but I’ll always wonder.”

“I understand. I keep thinking that if I hadn’t asked Dan to go grocery shopping, he would still be alive.” I gasped, clapping my hand to my mouth. I’d had never uttered those words aloud before. I didn’t even realize that I’d been feeling guilty, until now when they came tumbling out. “I suppose I’d better go get checked out.”

Stuart gently turned me toward the medic. “Go on, I’ll wait here. If you need to go to the hospital, I’ll take you.”

He escorted me to the remaining medics, who took my blood pressure, checked me over, and pronounced me fit, but shaken up. I could have told them that.

“I’m fine,” I said. “I want to go home.”

The tow truck had arrived and was hauling my car to the garage for assessment. I’d call the insurance company when I got home. Wilson had been taken away, and his car was being prepared for towing. I slung my purse and tote over my shoulders and followed Stuart to his car.

“I never expected to have to look for cars this weekend,” I said, feeling all out of sorts. Now that the shock was wearing off, my grumpy side was rising.

“Used or new? If you’re looking for used, Kenner’s Car Lot is the best. Virgil Kenner is a good egg, and he’s honest. He’ll treat you right.” Stuart closed the passenger door as I fastened my seat belt.

“Thanks,” I said as he started the car. “And thank you for driving me home.”

“I’m sorry about what happened. I’ll get a truck out sanding the roads as soon as I get back to the office. Wilson’s tires were practically bald. He shouldn’t have been driving on them.” He paused, then asked, “So, how does it feel, being back in Midnight Point?”

“This incident notwithstanding, I’m glad, actually. I didn’t realize how much I missed it. Astra is thrilled to have me home, and I’m starting to pick up my life again. The past two years since Dan died, I think I’ve just been existing. In a way, losing my job was a blessing. I wish I hadn’t come home that night to find my house destroyed. But at least they saved Miss P.—she’s my Maine Coon.”

“That’s a lot to deal with in one day,” Stuart said. “For what it’s worth, I’m glad you came home. It’s good to see you, Maisy. I mean that.” He parked in the driveway. “Say, if you need someone to go car shopping with…”

I hesitated. Talking to Stuart felt natural. Letting him drive me home after the accident was perfectly fine. But car shopping with him?

I knew he probably meant it as a friend, but he had a girlfriend, and I had no intention of stepping on her toes in any way. Stuart had been my high school sweetheart. We hadn’t ended on a fight or anything like it and I didn’t want Paula thinking that I was looking to win him back.

Truth was, the thought of dating Stuart again just didn’t feel appealing. I liked him, but any chemistry I’d felt in the past was gone.

“Thanks, I’ll let you know,” I said, unlocking my seatbelt and stepping out of the car. “Please remember to give Wilson’s wife my note?”

Stuart leaned my way, in order to see me better. “I gave it to Deputy French. She’s headed over to talk to his wife. Her energy is soothing, and I think the news will come from her better than it would from me. I told her it was important that she give Wilson’s wife the message.”

“Thanks,” I said. I shut the door.

He waited and I realized he was waiting for me to make it inside safely, even though it was still light. Grateful for his concern, I waved and headed toward the porch, thinking about the afternoon and all that had transpired.