Ghostly Liaison (29 page)

“Sorry. The only surefire way to put a stop to it is to let him go. I know you said he’s an old friend—”

“Was,” Rob interrupted. “Not anymore.”

“Then fire him. Problem solved.”

Firing him might have solved Rob’s business problem, but it didn’t give them the proof they needed to accuse Carl of murder. And Rob hadn’t seen fit to tell Dean Parker about her ability, of which she was thankful. Who would believe her anyway?

Rob thanked the man and settled his account before they left. He opened the passenger door for her and stood there while she climbed inside. He lowered his head and kicked at the gravel while he swung the door back and forth.

“I’m sorry he didn’t have better news.”

“He didn’t have any news. If I fire Carl, we might as well give up, and I’m not ready to do that yet.”

“If you fire Carl, won’t he come after you?”

He shrugged. “Probably. But after next week, he won’t have any reason to. Not after I tell him he’s no longer in my will. So I guess I’m stuck with him until it’s all finalized.” He shut the door, trotted around the truck, and got in on his side. “Where would you like to eat?”

It never failed to amaze her how his mind worked. She was freaking out and he was hungry. Typical guy. “You can just take me home.”

“I’ve seen the food at your place. Pizza it is, then.” He pulled out his phone and actually ordered a pizza with the works while she sat there.

“What are you doing?” she asked.

“Listen, I may not have a degree, but I’m not stupid. Well, sometimes I am, but I learn from my mistakes and I’ve made several this past week I’m not about to repeat. I’m not letting you out of my sight.”

“I never said you were—” His words sank in and irked her. “What do you mean you’re not letting me out of your sight?”

“Exactly what I said. Carl is out there. He’s not getting another chance.”

“And you think I can’t take care of myself? He may have attacked me before, but I know better now. I’m not stupid, either.”

“I know that. But there’s safety in numbers. He won’t try anything if we stick together.”

“So you think. You can’t let him run our lives like this.” Not to mention spending more time with Rob. If he planned on sticking around, there was no telling what she might end up doing.

“Better than being dead. We can discuss it over dinner. Buckle up. Gotta make it to your house before the pizza does.”

She slammed the buckle into its slot and crossed her arms across her chest. How dare he act all manly macho? She wasn’t some weak-assed woman who fainted at the sight of blood.

Amazing how a little anger could clear up her muddied mind.

* * * *

Rob winced at her quietness. Bridget could be a stubborn woman and maybe he’d overreacted a little, but he wasn’t letting her get her way. If he could prevent her from getting hurt again, he would. She was too important.

He pulled into the driveway and turned off the engine.

“You might as well get your pizza and go home.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make it sound like you couldn’t take care of yourself. It’s just that I’m worried. I don’t trust Carl.”

“Or me.” She unbuckled her belt and reached for the door handle.

“Bridget, wait.” Surprisingly, she stopped. “I trust you. Can’t we talk about this inside?”

“No. Go home.”

Home? But Barnaby wasn’t there. He sighed. How did he screw this up so royally?

She stared at him and her face softened. “I’m sorry. I forgot. You can stay on the couch if you like, but not because I need protecting.”

Well, it wasn’t his intention to use the Barnaby card, but he’d take whatever would get him to stay. “Thank you. Does this mean you’ll share my pizza?”

“Well, if you insist.” She smirked.

He smiled, thankful she couldn’t stay mad at him. A big point in his favor, and one he wouldn’t overlook.

As he climbed out of the truck, the pizza-delivery guy pulled in behind. Rob paid for the pie and he and Bridget ate a nice dinner, but every time he broached the subject of Carl, she’d either tune him out or talk of something else. If it were anyone else—like say, his sister—he’d be frustrated beyond belief. For some reason he couldn’t get mad at her.

The paneling job sat untouched as they watched TV in relative silence. She didn’t seem angry any longer, more like cautious, so he made sure not to give her any reason to kick him out. At nine o’clock, she announced she was turning in. It seemed a little early, but maybe she just needed some alone time. She brought him blankets and wished him good night in such a rush, almost as if she were afraid he’d kiss her again or something. Not that it hadn’t crossed his mind.

One of these days she would see the error of her ways and realize he was the best thing for her. Until that day, he would patiently wait because life without Bridget was unthinkable.

After spending the last few hours watching a soccer game at a house down the street, Charlie materialized in the living room and found Rob asleep on the couch. The light from the television illuminated the room and her brother’s peaceful face. He must have fallen asleep watching the tube, since he slouched against the armrest on the couch and two blankets and a pillow sat on the love seat. But what was he doing here in the first place?

She popped into her old bedroom. Bridget was curled on her side, tucked inside the covers, definitely asleep. Charlie eyed the backpack on the floor next to the door.

Ever since Rob had heard her over the phone, she’d wondered if she could do it again. She’d been solid when that occurred. That meant she only had to touch Bridget for Rob to hear her. She wanted to talk to Rob. No, she would talk to him.

Waking Bridget would defeat her purpose—this convo needed to stay private—but could she touch Bridget and not wake her? Charlie put her fingers against Bridget’s neck. Warmth spread across her hand and her feet landed on the floor. Charlie smiled. She reached for the backpack.

“Dammit,” she whispered. The bag was too far from Bridget’s head. Ooh, but not her feet. Still touching Bridget’s neck, Charlie lifted the sheet and exposed one foot. At least Bridget didn’t wear socks. She had enough clothes on, though. Even in the privacy of her own room, she stayed covered. How was she not hot? When Charlie had lived and breathed, she went to bed in the buff. Now that made for a blissful slumber.

With the way Bridget was curled, even that foot might not be close enough. Only one way to find out. Charlie solidified, causing Bridget to stir. After ensuring her roomie still slept, Charlie reached for the bag.

Still too far. Ugh. Keeping one hand on the foot, she slowly tugged the pant leg until Bridget’s leg straightened. Bridget moaned and Charlie froze. Once Bridget quieted, Charlie sat on the floor and nudged her toes around the strap.

Ahh, success.

Staying solid meant she only had one hand to search inside the bag. And without any decent light, she relied on touch alone. After pulling out several wrong items, she finally hit pay dirt.

She turned on the phone and stared at it. Rob had been a name in her cell phone, not a number. She accessed the address book. Not a single number was recorded, not even Rob’s. How could Bridget not have her brother’s name programmed in her phone?

Going another route, she accessed the call list. A sea of numbers filled the screen. Well, duh. What did she expect? How the hell did this woman ever know who called? How was this normal?

The last outgoing number must be Rob’s—Bridget hadn’t called anyone since and it did seem a little familiar. She grinned as a marvelous idea popped into her head. After pushing several buttons, she laughed. Now a listing appeared in Bridget’s address book and the ringtone wouldn’t be boring anymore.

Teach you, Miss Bridget!

Charlie pushed send on the new listing. A few seconds later, “Cherry Pie” sounded from the living room. Now there was a song she never thought she’d hear again. A song which only proved one thing.

“Bridget? What’s the matter?” Rob’s voice sounded gruff and groggy.

“I was right. You do love her.”

Bridget stirred and Charlie froze. Shit, she better keep her voice low or her communication would come to a quick and brutal end.

“Charlie? Where are you?”

“I’m in Bridget’s room, where else? Man, I can’t believe this is actually working. You can really hear me?”

“Yeah, sis, I can. Damn, I’ve missed you.” His voice cracked and her heart ached at the sound.

If she didn’t cheer up the conversation, she’d end up blubbering like an idiot. “Same here. Those one-sided conversations were getting a little old.”

“Tell me about it.” He chuckled and then fell silent for a moment. “I’m so sorry, sis. I should have known you wouldn’t take your life.”

The memory of him screaming at her dead body made her chest tighten. “Hey, I get it. You thought I relapsed because of Nick. Once a druggie, always a druggie.”

He sighed through the phone. “That’s no excuse.”

“Don’t carry this guilt around, okay? Please? It wasn’t your fault.”

“We’ll get him, Charlie. I promise. I won’t let you down again.”

“Robbie, you never let me down. You’re my big brother. I love you.” Man, what she wouldn’t give to hug him right now.

“I love you, too. Have you seen Barnaby?”

“Yeah. He’s sleeping. I’m so glad he’s going to be all right. I was scared.”

“Me, too. You didn’t see anyone put the hamburger in the yard? Like, maybe, Carl?”

“Oh, please. You think I’d keep that bit of information to myself? I wasn’t even around until you and Barnaby showed up. So, what are you doing here? Is your house too lonely?”

“Partly, yes.”

Just as her own home felt empty without the dog. “And the other part?”

“Carl. I’m afraid he’ll come after Bridget again.”

“I was right, though. You love her.”

His chuckle held no mirth. “What was your first hint?”

He deserved to be happy and she would do all that she could. “I should kick her butt into gear.”

“Leave her alone, okay? She’ll come around.”

“When? When you’re an old man?”

“If that’s what it takes.”

The man was a fool. Maybe she should kick his butt into gear. “Robbie, there’s something you need to know. She’s afraid—”

“Stop it. I’m not talking to you about her.”

“I was just going to say—”

“No. She’ll come around on her own, you hear? Stay out of it.”

Well, if she couldn’t get through to Rob, then he left her no choice. Maybe if someone had pushed her where Nick was concerned, she wouldn’t have wasted so much time.

They talked a bit longer. Reminiscing with her big brother was great. If she could only sit beside him on the couch and see him, touch him, it would have been perfect.

“I wish I knew about this phone thing before Nick went beyond. It would have been nice to talk to him, too.”

“And how do you suppose that would have happened? Bridget can’t be in two places at once.”

“I’d have figured something out.”

Bridget rolled over. The phone fell through Charlie’s fingers and landed on the floor.

“Shit.”

“Charlie? You still there?”

She stood, grabbed Bridget’s foot, and picked up the phone. Bridget kicked out. Uh-oh. Better wrap this up.

“I gotta go, Robbie. If you hear Bridget scream, don’t worry, she’ll be yelling at me. Love you! Hope I can do this again.” Charlie hit the End button and dropped the phone into the backpack.

* * * *

Something crawled on her foot. Oh, God! A spider? Bridget kicked out. Her heart thumped wildly as pain sliced through her head. She sat up and grabbed her chest.

“Relax, will ya? It’s only me.”

Of course. Charlie. Damn woman would eventually give her a heart attack if not an aneurysm. “What are you doing? Isn’t landing on me enough for you? Now you have to play footsies?” Although to admit the truth, Charlie was a whole bunch better than a spider.

“Be quiet. You want to wake up Robbie? What’s he doing here anyway?”

No, she certainly did not want that. He might come in to investigate and then Charlie would disappear as would her headache. On second thought… Still, Charlie usually didn’t wake her without a reason.

Bridget kept her voice low. “I don’t think he wanted to be alone.” And she didn’t have the heart to push him out. She had to face it—she liked having him around. “Is that why you woke me?”

“I just wanted to talk. Didn’t think you’d hit the bed so early.”

Bridget pointed at the clock. “It’s one in the morning. How is that early?”

Charlie waved a dismissive hand. “Just wanted to give you an update on Barnaby so you could maybe call Rob about it. Instead I find a couple of old geezers. Nick and I used to stay up all night.”

“Yeah, I’m sure you did. So how is he?”

Charlie shrugged. “Robbie? How would I know?”

“Not Rob. Barnaby.” Bridget fingered the pillow and nearly threw it at the ghost. Why bother? She’d only hit the wall.

“Oh. Yes. Well, he’s sleeping still. But he sure looks a lot better than before. More peaceful. I heard Kate say it’s a miracle he’s doing so well. I like to think I had something to do with that.”

“You did. You saved his life.”

Charlie straightened. “Yeah, I guess I did. Now maybe I can save yours.”

“I didn’t realize I was dying.”

“Not from death, you idiot. From loneliness. You got a man out there, a freaking fantastic one I might add, who loves you and you’re throwing him away.”

Bridget fell back into the bed and pulled up the covers. She was not having this conversation. “Good night.”

“Do you ever wonder why you survived?”

“I wonder every day.”

“And?”

Hell’s bells. Had she said that out loud? Now she’d never shut Charlie up. “And nothing. There’s no reason I lived and Suzie didn’t. Period. Now let me sleep.”

“No, not period. I thought you were smart. You died and came back. Came back with a wonderful gift. Why can’t you see that?”

Bridget sat up on her elbows and stared at her so-called gift. “This wonderful gift is a pain in my head and ass and I wish it would go away.”