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“And if I wanted to prevent a haunting, what would I do? I have enough problems without haunting being one of them.”
“Avoid the park,” Dr. Anstino advised. “Beyond that, I truly have no idea. But there is good news for those suffering from haunting. The haunted is not responsible for what the haunter does, and purple dragons can tell when someone has become the victim of a haunting. But if you’re concerned, steer clear of Death Mile for a while. That’s all I can tell you.”
* * *
Monday, April 27, 2167
Death Mile
Dragon Heights, Wyoming
I purchased several cheap crystals for Garnet, all quartz in a variety of colors, and a small basket that would be perfect for turning into a little nest for Tourmaline. As the hummingbird appreciated things that sparkled, I got him a disco ball on a string that I’d hang from one of his nests.
Then, because I had a functioning sense of self-preservation, I fled the hospital and its neighboring morgue, gave the park a wide berth, and angled for the Pearl Ward. I almost made it before a police-marked SUV pulled up and the passenger window rolled down.
“What’s a beauty like you doing in a place like this?” Erik asked. “Doug, you can walk or sit in the back, but she gets shotgun.”
A dark-skinned man with at least a foot on me got out of the SUV, chuckled, and escorted himself to the back seat. “Nice to meet you, Kinsley.”
“Nice to meet you, too, Doug. If you have the shit seats in the back, I’m so sorry. No matter what Erik says, I can sit in the back. I can even wear cuffs. I probably deserve to be apprehended for having a criminally cute kitten.”
“I can ride in the back. We have cushions over the shit seats to spare those who aren’t in cuffs from the shit seats,” he replied with a ready smile.
When given the choice between Erik and braving Death Mile on my own, I headed for the vehicle and climbed inside. “Still, I’m sorry for stealing your seat.”
“I’m not, so don’t worry about it.”
“Where am I taking you?” Erik asked. “We escaped from the morgue earlier than expected, so we can spare a few minutes to drop you off.”
“Anywhere that’s not here,” I confessed. “I met a coroner today. He told me about hauntings, and I have decided Death Mile is definitely not for me. I bought some presents for my pets, assuming those damned dragons give them back. What’s someone like you doing here?”
With a little luck, Doug wouldn’t realize those damned dragons were my parents and I loved them dearly.
“I was at the morgue about a case. This is the best route back to the Diamond Ward. Doug drew the short straw to accompany me. My regular partner is out with the plague.”
“My condolences, Doug. If you need to knock him down a peg or two, just count the months until cold season. Have you had to thaw him out from any snowbanks yet?”
“One or two,” Doug replied with a chuckle. “Was it Charles or Ambar you met?”
“I’m not sure. His name is Dr. Anstino. I bought him a coffee in exchange for a scary story and a newfound fear of the park in Death Mile. I don’t even know if he was yanking my chain, but I decided I did not want to find out.”
“That would be Ambar. He was telling the truth. Hauntings are up, and a lot of them are tied to criminal cases. We’ve learned to take a closer look at the deaths that happened before a haunting. The spirits aren’t ready to rest, and a lot of them are out for revenge.” Doug made a soft sound in his throat. “Look to the right. See that dark stone building? That’s actually a morgue, but most don’t realize it’s a morgue. That’s where the worst cases go for reconstruction for viewings. Purple dragons run it. The bodies that head there have already been autopsied or are otherwise through the investigative process. If the purples learn something with their magic, they go under oath and review by the blacks before the bodies are laid to rest.”
Dr. Anstino’s commentary about the victims being immune from immediate prosecution made sense in that context. If the spirits possessed and controlled the body during subconscious or semiconscious states, the victim wouldn’t have any way of preventing crimes from happening. “He hadn’t mentioned that.”
“This morgue has a pretty gruesome job, and most funeral directors hesitate to inform the families just how much work it takes to restore a mangled body to viewable status. The purples handle their duties with grace.” Doug let out a low chuckle. “So how did Erik meet someone like you?”
“At least until recently, I was a better shot than him, and he wanted to improve his firearm skills. I took pity on him. That, plus he offered food. I’m just dense and didn’t realize he was looking for a date while I was looking for the greasiest junk food money can buy.”
Doug burst into laughter. “That’s not what I was expecting, but I could see Erik doing that. He’s not exactly slick with the ladies.”
Erik huffed, but then he chuckled. “There is a reason for that. I already have a relationship with the best lady on the market, so why would I want to be slick with any other ladies? I’m just private about my private life. Now that she’s here in Dragon Heights, I don’t have to be as private with my private life. It’s much easier to convince people there is a woman in my life when I can point at the woman.”
“Point at me, and I will bite you, and I don’t mean in the fun and kinky way,” I warned.
“I will gesture respectfully and with much love instead of point,” Erik replied with amusement in his tone. “But as I’m driving, I will keep both hands on the wheel where they belong. Would you rather I dip into a bow? I can add all sorts of flourishes to a bow.”
Erik would, and I’d deserve it for having made a mess of our lives. “I will accept that once and only once, so choose your timing well for your flourished bow.”