Forty-Four Book Nine: 44, #9

PROLOGUE

As he stood in the shadow of the church, he saw them as they really were.

Heathens. Sinners. Transgressors.

So willing to surrender to the dark impulses that devoured their souls. So willing to ignore Him, to ignore the path to salvation.

He looked out at the busy city, remembering that day when he was chosen.

Blood may be necessary, the voice whispered to him. Do this work in His name.

That was long ago and he had remained loyal, embracing all that had been asked of him, embracing what he now was.

Even with the bitterness that remains on my tongue, the black river that flows inside me, he said softly to the night, I will forever be a servant of God.

Up above the tall buildings, a bright star gave him strength. He walked on, his task in hand, searching the streets for the ones who refused to see.

CHAPTER 1

I slammed on the brakes and lost control, my heart leaping up my throat.

Damn it! I yelled as the Jeep 360-ed into the intersection.

Fortunately there weren’t any other cars around, although that didn’t keep my eyes from bulging with terror. I couldn’t remember if I was supposed to turn into the spin or away from it, but somehow whatever I did worked and I righted the Jeep and got on track.

I pulled into the Safeway parking lot and cut the engine.

What the hell? I said, glaring in the rearview mirror at the man sitting in the shadows. You can’t do that! What’s wrong with you?

I just sat there staring, my heart still drumming like all three Haim sisters were beating on it at the same time. I took several deep breaths.

Okay, first off there are some rules, I said after I finally began to feel myself calming down. Rule One: Don’t get us killed.

The moment it came out of my mouth I realized how stupid I must have sounded. Us? What was I talking about? He was already dead.

I didn’t mean to scare you, he said, his voice sincere. It’s just that I didn’t think you saw me back here.

I was mostly angry, but there was also a trace of fear in the mix. I wasn’t sure how he had crept up on me like that. He didn’t just materialize while I was driving. He must have been there the whole time. I was usually better at seeing them come and go, from a nice, safe distance.

I sighed and gave him a once over. In the mirror I could see that he had dark hair and a serious case of five o’clock shadow. He was wearing a buttoned-up wool coat and a scarf. He appeared to be in his 30s.

It’s just that I’ve been trying to get your attention for a while and you haven’t noticed me, he said. To tell you the truth, you kind of gave me a jolt, too.

A slight grin flashed across his translucent face and I relaxed a little. I realized I still had a death grip on the steering wheel and eased up.

I’m sorry, he said. Won’t happen again.

Okay. So now that you’ve finally got my attention, what do you want?

His smile faded fast.

I need your help. I’ve been asking around and they say you’re good.

I was pretty sure he wasn’t talking about my béchamel sauce.

Good at what exactly? I said.

At finding killers, the stranger said, his eyes narrowing. I need you to help me find the man who killed my wife.

CHAPTER 2

He struck the match on the back of my headrest and lit a cigarette, a soft plume of smoke rising up to the ceiling and pooling there.

I’m Charles by the way, he said. "Charles, uh, Charlie Modine."

I guess you know my name, I said.

He moved his head up and down and took another puff.

You’ll have to come back during business hours, I said. I’m late for dinner.

I know. I just need five minutes. I promise.

All right, I said. Go.

I watched someone skate across the parking lot and collect shopping carts while the ghost sat back in the seat.

Have you ever had someone that you love ripped away from you? he said. That’s how it was with me. When my wife was murdered. When he killed her.

He took a long drag.

That ever happen to you, Abby?

I didn’t answer. I wasn’t going to talk about the worst day of my life with this stranger, but that didn’t mean I wasn’t thinking about it, about Jesse and that icy mountain road, his Land Rover flying through the air and hitting a tree just after he told me he loved me.

Along with the smoke, Modine’s sadness and mine now filled the car.

It’s the worst thing in the world, he said.

He was right. It had been six years, but the pain was always there. I bit my lip hard and looked out the window.

I didn’t even know what love was until I met her, he said. We were like in some fairy tale. She had me feeling that every single day was magical. I never thought that it was going to end. She was everything to me. Everything.

He looked away abruptly, his eyes on the small flakes swirling around outside. He cleared his throat and continued.

And then he killed her and took it all away. It was like one of those waves you don’t see coming, washing away your entire world. In a second, everything was gone, like it had never even been there in the first place.

That’s exactly how it had felt when Jesse died. I never saw it coming either.

I don’t know, Modine said. Maybe I’m still hanging on to the last threads of that fairy tale, but this… this man who did this… he can’t just get away with it. That’s not how the story ends. It can’t be. I need to find him. And I need your help to make it right.

I’m sorry for your loss, I said. But I’m not exactly a private investigator. I wouldn’t know where to begin looking.

He breathed in more smoke and then let it out slowly between us.

Oh, no, I guess I wasn’t clear. I’ve already taken care of the leg work, he said. See, that’s just it. I found him. I tracked the worthless SOB right here. He’s right here, in your town. All you have to do is help me get justice for my wife.

My phone rang, piercing the quiet as Modine waited for my answer. I picked up when I saw it was Ty.

Where you at? he said. I was starting to worry.

I’m just a few minutes away, I said.

Okay. Go slow, but hurry.

When I hung up, the ghost was gone.

I started the Jeep and carefully made my way out of the lot, knowing that it was only a matter of time before I would see Charles Modine again.

CHAPTER 3

When they promoted Ty to manager back in November, our weekends pretty much went out the window since he usually didn’t get home until almost three. But we made the best of it, eating at a table in the back of the kitchen.

There you are, Ty said.

Here I am.

He pulled out a chair, handed me a napkin, and pointed down to the pesto pizza.

Now that’s what I’m talking about, I said.

I could hear people arguing a few feet away above the clash of pots and pans about the daily schedule. Between bites I told him about my backseat visitor.

I’m glad you’re okay, he said.

Me, too. It was just bad timing, maybe a little careless, but I don’t think it was intentional on his part.

Still, it was poor behavior.

Yeah, I told him as much, I said.

Did he tell you how his wife was killed? Ty grabbed another slice. Or what happened to him?

No, we didn’t get into that. He looked to be in one piece, so I don’t think he died violently or in an accident.

Ty nodded.

Do they always appear the way they looked just before they died? Does an old man ever have the ghost of a younger self?

No, I don’t think that’s how it works. At least not the ones that come my way.

An employee I’d never seen before came over and smiled nervously. The name on her badge read Trixie.

Sorry, Ty. But we just ran out of the new stout, she said, pushing hair behind her ear. What should we do?

I’ll take care of it in a minute, Ty said. Thanks.

What about the fire pit? Should we burn some more wood? There’s only two people out there right now.

Yeah, keep it going strong.

She nodded and backed away.

They’re eager and hard workers but I swear, sometimes the questions, the endless questions… he said. I really have to force myself from saying something I know I’ll regret.

It’s not so hard, I said. Just count to 10. Didn’t they teach you anything in Montana?

I guess I was absent that day. Hey, how was the rest of your day, besides the backseat driver?

It was super busy but strangely relaxing, I said. Oh, and I found out I have Sunday off. Mike had scheduled too many of us, so I volunteered to stay home.

I have to add that to the list.

What list?

The list of things I love about you. Let’s see, so far I have beautiful, smart, fun to be around, epic cooking skills, and kind to ghosts. Now I can put down selfless beyond all reason.

I gave him a little laugh.

Yeah, I said. Sometimes you have to take one for the team. Hey, if I fall asleep wake me when you get home tonight.

I don’t know, he said. You need your sleep.

Another new face came over and apologized for the interruption. At least they were polite.

Ty, he said. We have a situation at the bar. There’s a guy being unruly. I think he’s had one too many. He’s calling people names.

Not that, Ty said, getting up. If there’s something I can’t abide, it’s a name caller. I’ll be right there.

He shook his head and pounded his fist into his hand, scrunching his face in a mock scowl. Then he looked at me and smiled the kind of smile that could turn diamonds into jelly beans, or the other way around.

Don’t forget about counting to 10, I said. And don’t forget to wake me. Hey, wait.

Before he went out to fight the good fight against general unruliness and name calling, I gave him a long pizza kiss.

CHAPTER 4

Why are you harassing me?

Oh, dear me, Lyle said in a soft voice. Ma’am, I assure you, that was never my intention.

Just give me my money back, the gray-haired woman said, sliding the half-eaten brownie on the counter and then crossing her arms over her chest.

Of course, ma’am. But first I need to write something down for our records so we can address the issue. Can you tell me what the problem was?

The problem was that it tastes like it came out of the wrong end of a horse. Write that down. Do you need me to spell it for you? It tastes like H-O-R-S-E-S-H—

Got it, Lyle said, holding up his hand.

He shook his head, wrote something, apologized, handed her the money, and then glanced over at me. The woman seemed a little high on caffeine or something else, her hair and eyes wild, but she wasn’t alone in her opinion. Two other customers had returned muffins from the same supplier earlier in the day.

What’s with that bakery? David said as he moonwalked behind me. I say we get our money back. I’m going to find Mike and see if he wants to do that. Abby Craig, can you take over for me?

You mean just talk and laugh and watch other people work?

He formed his hand into a claw and made a hissing sound.

I’m just messing around, I said and smiled. I’ll step in if Mo needs me. But I’m coming to find you in five if you don’t come back. Remember, I know where you live.

Now, see here, he said, sliding off his apron and switching accents in mid-sentence. Gurl, yo mind is polluted if you think I woo leaf you hanging like dat.

Ever since his agent called and told him he was up for a mob role in a new series, David punctuated most conversations with some sort of gangster speak, sounding like Edward G. Robinson’s and Tony Montana’s love child.

I’m still only giving you five minutes. I thought I saw Mike drive off a little while ago anyway. I’m not waiting around while you go in the back to do who knows what.

Okay, okay, little dictator.

He winked before disappearing into the storage room.

Back Street had been packed since I started my shift at eleven, and even with five of us working non-stop, we couldn’t downsize the line that snaked out to the exit. People liked hot drinks on their way to the mountain and then on their way back and the lingering non-alpine types kept the place busy the rest of the time.

The music for January was heavy on relaxation and rebirth, all in on flute and soft guitars, but I didn’t mind it so much. At least it was a change from those mind-numbing Christmas songs. Mo, however, was of a different opinion and told Mike that she was going to quit the next time she heard Yanni. In the end they compromised. The flutes would rule the day but at night Mo would have full DJ control.

I rang up the next order