Read Dark Passing (The Ella Reynolds Series) for Free Online Page B

“You’re doing a fine thing helping Jennifer like this.”
    “I haven’t done anything yet.”
    “You will. I can see it in your eyes. Determination. You’re a good girl, like Mary.”
    I took another sip of my hot chocolate despite the burning heat, so I could avoid the uncomfortable gratitude.
    “You should go upstairs and rest; then you can have dinner with me tonight. I’d be glad for the company.”
    “Oh… Um, okay.” I took my hot chocolate and my notebook back upstairs, unlocked the door to my room, and sat the mug on the coaster on the nightstand. Lying on the bed, I read my notes, but nothing popped out at me. My eyelids grew heavy and I set the notebook to the side, deciding to take a nap before I looked at the case file.  Sleep had nearly carried me away when I heard a whisper.
    “Help me.”
    I bolted upright, my eyes darting around the room. “Hel-hello? Mary?”
    Nothing. I didn’t feel anything in the room. Maybe I was dreaming.
    I shook my head. Not again. I just imagined it. No one said help me. I went to bathroom, splashed water on my face, and patted it dry. Too much stress, too soon. My gray eyes in the mirror were frightened and wide. I can do this.
     

 
    I must’ve gotten worked up talking about Mary with Martha. There was no way I’d really heard someone say, “Help me.”
    I had no problem believing Mary—or her ghost anyway—was at Jennifer’s house, but she couldn’t be in Martha’s too. At least I didn’t think so. Honestly, though, I didn’t know much about ghosts. I made a mental note to do some research and to see if I could get Grant to talk to me again next time I was home. Grant didn’t frighten me. Strangely enough, I thought of him as a friend. My cell phone rang and I scrambled out of bed, picking it up just before the voicemail. “Hello.”
    “Where are you? Are you okay?”
    “Gabriel?” Shit. I forgot to call him. “I’m in Jackson. I forgot to call you.”
    “Is Lloyd on his way? Do you know how late it is? Did you find anything today?”
    “I’m staying here for a little while. I can’t have Lloyd drive me back and forth every day while I investigate, so I got a room at a bed and breakfast in the center of town. The lady who runs it is really nice.”
    I was met with silence.
    “Hello, Gabriel? Are you still here?”
    “You’re staying in Jackson? How long?” Gabriel’s voice sounded odd, which put me on edge.
    “As long as it takes.”
    There was another long pause.
    “What?” I snapped. He obviously wanted to say something, so his saying nothing at all totally infuriated me.
    “I don’t like it.”
    “Well, I don’t recall asking for your permission.” I cringed as soon as the words left my mouth.
    He gave a bitter laugh. “Why doesn’t that surprise me?”
    “What’s that supposed to mean?”
    “Every time I move one step closer, you run as fast as you can in the other direction. Eventually, I’m going to get tired of chasing you.”
    “Is that a threat?” Annoyance clouded any reasoning that might’ve allowed me to see his point. If he wanted to leave, I wasn’t holding him back. I’d manage.
    He sighed. “No, not a threat. A frustrating as hell fact.”
    “Well, I’m sorry to be such a bother.” My head throbbed. Afternoon naps never sat well with me. I knew I was being irrational and there was nothing he could say that would make me happy right now. I needed to get off the phone before I said something I’d regret.
    “Where are you staying?”
    “Why?” Absolutely nothing in me wanted to cooperate with him.
    “Because I can’t fight with you over the phone.”
    “I don’t want to fight with you in person.”
    “Damn it, Ella, stop being difficult.”
    “I’m tired and my head hurts. I’m eating; then I’m going back to bed. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.” I hung up before he could protest. Gabriel wasn’t going to run my life, no matter how well intentioned he was. I left my phone on my bed and went