Read Charmed to death: an Ophelia and Abby mystery for Free Online Page B

breaking up the shiny black clods. But the scene barely registered in my brain. The same nagging headache from last night throbbed behind my left eye, distracting me. A headache probably helped along by sleeping on those damn rocks.
    While Darci drove, her constant stream of conversation provided background noise for my thoughts. Her words passed right over my head. As long as I nodded occasionally and grunted once in a while, she didn't question my inattention. Thoughts of my dream, my conversation with Abby, beat in rhythm with the throb in my head. Why was the dream different this time? Was Brian asking for my help from beyond the grave? I believed what Abby told me about the men, but would I recognize Brian's killer when I met him? I pressed my closed eyes gently with my fingertips to stop the throbbing.
    "You haven't heard a word I've said." Darci's eyes darted in my direction. "What's the matter? Got a headache?"
    I continued to massage my tired eyes. "Yes."
    "Hmm—I wondered why you looked crappy this morning."
    "Thanks a lot, Darci."
    "You're welcome," she said, smiling. "While we're on the subject, you've been grouchy too. More than usual. What's up? Is it the headache or is there something else I need to know about? More psychic stuff, another adventure coming up, maybe?"
    I groaned, ever since last fall, Darci envisioned herself as a Dr. Watson to my Sherlock Holmes. Should I tell her about Abby's prophecy? No, since our "adventure" last fall almost led to murder—mine—the risk would be too great. If Darci found out I was searching for a killer, she'd insist on helping me. And I'm not sure I could protect her.
    "Darci, you don't need any more adventures. You were lucky you weren't with Rick and me that night in the machine shed. You could've been killed."
    "But I hated missing out on all the excitement."
    "Trust me, getting shot isn't all that exciting."
    "Speaking of Rick—"
    "I didn't know we were."
    Darci smiled. "You mentioned him. What's up with him?"
    "Nothing's up. I haven't heard from him for a couple of months."
    "That's too bad."
    "It's okay. I knew from the beginning that he wasn't the one for me. He has his life in Minneapolis and he loves it. He told me once he couldn't imagine doing anything else." I shook my head. "I don't see him giving it up, ever. We were two people thrown together under unusual circumstances."
    "Ships passing in the night," she said thoughtfully.
    "Trite, but true." I replied, my tone noncommittal.
    "What about Ned?"
    "Dang, Darci, are we going to spend the whole trip discussing my love life?"
    "From what I hear, there isn't much to discuss."
    I laughed. "Yeah, you're right. Ned and I are only friends. I don't see it going any further than that. There isn't the chemistry."
    "Not like with Rick, huh."
    "What did I miss?" I asked, ignoring her question.
    "What?" Her eyebrows drew together.
    "You said I hadn't heard a word you said. So what did you say?"
    "Oh." Darci's face brightened. "I asked you if you'd read that article in People ? The one about the skeleton found under the pile of rocks near a small town in Massachusetts?"
    "A skeleton?"
    Darci gave a long sigh. "I guess you didn't."
    "Okay, I didn't read the article. Why don't you tell me about it?"
    She wiggled in her seat and gripped the wheel tighter. "Well, I think the name of the town was Brookton," she said squinting her eyes. "Anyway, some guy's dog fetched home a human skull. Can you imagine that?"
    It was my turn to sigh. "No, I can't, and I'm not sure I want to."
    "Come on, it's a really interesting story."
    Staring at the flat black fields flying by the window, I decided, ever since last fall, Darci's interests had taken a macabre twist. But she didn't give me the chance to point it out to her.
    "Naturally, a search was conducted. They finally found a woman's skeleton, without the skull, of course—"
    "Of course," I interrupted, turning to look at Darci. "The dog had it."
    "Right," she said, nodding her head