Page 66 of Possessed By Shadows

Chapter 21

Iwasn’t a man who by nature was quick to violence.

“Could be a member of his ghost hunting team,” Officer Michaels offered.

But I had the strong urge to punchhimin the face. Kellerson looked thoughtful. “Seems odd to be packing up all the stuff Caine just unpacked. This guy isn’t dressed like he’s homeless or tweaking.”

“And the whole Lukas not coming back thing,” I said pointing to the time stamps.

“No one has heard from Lukas in almost a week,” Micah added. “Not even the team he’s supposed to be ghost hunting with.”

We had gotten a text back from Jason finally, indicating that they’d delayed set up due to the storm, but planned to be on site starting today. He also stated he hadn’t heard from Lukas. The fact that he didn’t care either meant he was an efficient team leader, or just so used to my brother not showing up, that he kept things running anyway.

“Can any of your people figure out who this guy is? Do some face scan search or something?” I asked. The cops had that sort of software now, right?

“We’ll have to kick it through the chain of command and see what shakes out. The fact that it’s on the infrared makes it a little harder,” Michaels said.

Chain of command. Shakes out.

Well, if the whole me getting mad thing made the shadows rise, we’d be seeing that happen again any second. Of course, nothing happened. So much for that superpower.

“We will add it to his file. Talk to a few people. Sounds like his team will be at the school today,” Kellerson said. She seemed to be trying to sound reasonable even when neither of them appeared to have much interest in helping.

“Does that mean you’ll be interviewing the ghost hunting team?” Micah asked.

“We planned to anyway. Since there is an official missing person report,” she told him. “Gotta do it in-between callouts though. Busy day since it’s after a storm.”

“Glad my brother missing for a week is so low priority for all of you. Especially since we have evidence of his abduction now,” I growled at them.

Michaels gave me an unfriendly glare. “Not really evidence. Conjecture.”

“We’d need the actual hitting him over the head and dragging him off on video to call it abduction? Sounds like your job is pretty worthless if you can’t connect the basic dots.”

Michaels stood now, getting in my face, but I was beyond pissed at their uselessness.

“My tax dollars go to this bullshit?” I demanded.

“Mr. Caine,” Kellerson said. Michaels’ hand was on his weapon. He was going to shoot me in my own home for demanding he look for my brother? “We have a limited scope when it comes to missing adults.”

“PR bullshit. Super. That’s great,” I said. “Fucking useless.” I began packing a bag and making plans. If they weren’t going to help find Lukas that meant I would have to.

Micah was talking to them, but I was focused and done with them all. I packed food, water, flashlights, and even the weird cleansing pack that Dion had given me, then headed for the door.

“Alex,” Micah called.

“No,” I said. “I’m done. Done waiting for someone else to do something. My brother is out there, possibly dead, and no one cares.” I stomped out the door, letting it slam behind me and made my way out of the yard glaring at the garden of creepy gnomes my brother had chosen toguardour space from the night noises. They’d been useless, like I felt right that minute.

I was halfway to Canal Street when Micah caught up. He grabbed my hand, but didn’t try to slow me or even say anything. “I’m sorry,” I told him, and kept walking.

I’d start under the bridge. Was that guy still there? Would I see him like Lukas did? Would the ghosts do anything? Could they? Would they stare at me because they could see me, and I could see them, and still be useless?

Other than the black-eyed child, or djinn, or whatever it was that occasionally used me as a meat suit, I wasn’t sure the weird stuff I felt was real, or that I could do anything if it really was real. The thing that had grabbed me in the house in the bayou had done something. Sucked out my soul? Shoved me out, then been unable to use me?

Maybe I should have stayed in the garden and asked for the black-eyed child. That thing seemed to have power. Not that I had anything to offer it to help. Other than giving up my meat suit for its use. Last resort, I thought, and really hoped it wouldn’t come to that.

“Alex,” Micah whispered, still holding my hand, but letting me lead.

“I have to find him,” I said.