Chapter 9
A ghost named Cole

The first thing I noticed wasn't Keane's voice interrupting us, it was how Nick's whole body stiffened and his hand wrapping around my wrist, protectively pulling me towards him. But he stopped the gallant act midway when he realized that the intruder was Keane. His hand dropped from my wrist with speed as if he had been burnt and I could help but feel slightly hurt by the act.

-"Evie?" A new familiar voice piped in from behind Keane.

In my mixture of emotions, from going to hot passion to shock from being busted, I had failed to noticed that Keane was not alone. Behind him stood Sophie.

-"Sophie?" I cleared my throat. "What - What are you doing here?"

-"Well I was at your apartment, I needed those shoes, remember those that you borrowed? Anyway I was looking for them when I ran into this guy here." She pointed to Keane with a giant smile. "He said he was a friend of yours and he was coming to see you, and he asked me if I wanted to tag along." Her eyes roamed over Keane with a lustful gleam. "You never told me you had a hot English friend!"

Keane gave a low chuckle and I couldn't help but roll my eyes.

-"I hope we aren't interrupting." Keane said with a grin.

-"No, no, we were just out for a walk!" I spoke quickly and a bit to high-pitched.

-"Ah, well I see you both found the old greenhouse. Nice spot, secluded, " he paused giving Nick a knowing look, "from prying eyes."

Nick had been silent during the whole exchange but he finally spoke up.

-"What are you doing here, Keane?" Nick asked curtly, as he starting to walk back towards the path. Everyone followed.

-"I found Evie's ghost."

-"You did?" Nick and I both said at the same time.

-"Yes." Keane grinned.

-"Good," Nick said. "Does that mean I am not grounded anymore and I can go back to work?"

-"Not quite." Nick was about to say something but Keane held up his hand to silence him. "Let's discuss this over lunch, I am famished."

oOo

We soon found ourselves in a short limousine car that had brought Keane and Sophie here. Although I was quite suspicious of what exactly Keane's plans were, I was quite thankful for the short outing. Even though the large estate Nick and I were staying at was quite luxurious and spacious I needed to get out, especially get some time away from my own thoughts, which was all I had the past three days.

My thoughts had revolved around my past actions and how I should have never trusted Keane. The other thoughts were even more annoying. They all centered on Nick.

Since the night in the hospital I had been left to wonder if he had actually meant to kiss me like he did or had I just been at the right place at the right time ... But after today's ridiculous little game that I couldn't back down from, because I have a "I must win complex," I was starting to wonder if there was more between us then I had suspected.

But that was ridiculous right? We had just met and he trusted women just as much as I trusted Keane. None at all.

-"So I can see why you volunteered to babysit, you just wanted to hog all these men to yourself." Sophie whispered next to me.

I glanced at Nick and Keane who were sitting in front of us, deep in conversation; I thought it safe to talk openly.

-"Seriously? When have you known me to hog men, Soph?"

She let out a small laugh.

-"Never."

-"I am just here because Aaron asked me too, that's all. I am being nice." I tried to look away from Nick, but it was hard to. "I am just doing him a favor ..." I repeated.

-"Uh huh." Sophie laughed again. "Well I am glad I found your friend Keane. I can't let you have all the fun, now can I?"

I glanced at her and noticed she kept her eyes on Keane.

-"Sophie, don't count on him, he is bad news. Trust me on this, just stay away from him."

Sophie made a slight frown.

-"He seemed nice enough on the drive here."

-"He isn't. Do yourself a favor and stay the hell away from him." My tone turned heated.

-"Okay, okay, calm down girly." She squared her shoulders a bit. "I can tell when there are unresolved feelings in the mix."

I glared at her.

-"There is not." I grounded out, crossing my arms over my chest like a small pouting child, but she had struck a nerve. Sophie was right.

-"So where are we going?" Sophie asked the men.

They both looked at Sophie as if they had forgotten she was here.

-"Just a small place I enjoy eating at when I am in town." Keane said nonchalantly.

The car turned to an awkward silence until Nick spoke.

-"Sophie, you work with Evie?"

-"Yep. I teach English ..." She replied unenthusiastically.

-"You don't like it?"

Nick gave her a smile and I felt the need to help Sophie out.

-"Sophie's a photographer," I started. "Well, rather be a photographer ..."

-"Is that so?" Nick asked.

Sophie nodded emphatically.

-"I've been saving up to take a trip abroad, so I can really get some great shots…you know, expand my portfolio. I was thinking Italy or Spain, but maybe I should try England." She said staring at Keane with a secret smile.

I didn't respond but inwardly shook my head at Sophie's lack of subtlety.

When the car slowed to a stop, I looked out the window and found we'd arrived at our destination. The driver opened our door. Sophie was the first to get out and as she did, I could have sworn that if our driver had been a cartoon character his eyes would have bulged out and his tongue would have unraveled to the ground.

I wondered, at that moment, what it must be like to have such control over the opposite sex. Sophie was pretty, and never had a problem in find a new date every weekend, but I think it was more in how she carried herself that attracted more men.

I was just as pretty, maybe ... But I guess I didn't have any self-confidence. It was a disheartening thought, so I quickly dropped it. Keane scooted out of the car and Nick was next. But after scooting on the seat and getting out, my eyes couldn't help but lock right onto his backside. He wore dark blue jeans that were rather tight and left little to the imagination. The man had a perfect butt.

-"Evie?" Sophie asked from the outside, catching me staring at Nick's butt.

-"Sorry." I mumbled and hurried out of the car.

But thanks to my distracted thoughts I nearly tripped over my own feet as I got out. Nick's steel grip took hold of my arm, stabilizing me while I tilted my head and looked up into his smug face. Apparently, Sophie had not been the only one that had figured out where I had looked.

I quickly looked ahead and shrugged out of his grip.

Nick didn't seem bothered by it and followed behind us. Keane opened the restaurant door for us as Sophie mouthed an exaggerated "thank you." I followed her inside, eyeing him suspiciously for a moment, wishing I could read his thoughts, but Keane ignored me. Nick grasped the door from him and Keane headed for the hostess, giving his name.

I hated this, not knowing what was going.

Silencing a sigh of disappointment, I turned my attention to the vaulted ceilings, red walls, and black lacquered tables in the restaurant. Nick came and stood beside Sophie and my eyes automatically locked onto his face. Hundreds of candles lit the place and threw shadows against the angular lines of Nick's face. Talk about a Kodak moment.

-"Evie," Sophie said, getting my attention for the second time. When I turned, I found the hostess waiting for me so she could lead us to our table.

I nodded and brought up the rear. Keane sat down without a glance, while Nick withdrew a chair from the table and Sophie took it, her posture as regal as a queen's. I pulled out my own chair and took a seat even though Nick frowned at me.

I felt so conflicted. Between holding up my guard from Keane and the mixture of emotions Nick brought out of me, I was starting to feel exhausted. But I had to keep my guard up, even if it sent Nick the wrong message. I didn't want him to think I was upset at him, but Keane was danger and if Nick was his friend it meant I had to be cautious of Nick as well.

I turned my attention to Sophie who was chatting away about something. Her hands were so expressive; it looked like she was translating Homer's Odyssey into sign language. What is she talking about? I wondered. My loss on the conversation must have reflected on my face because Nick gave me a small smile with a shrug. He lifted his menu but kept his soft gaze on mine. A strange sense of warmth suffused me, and I couldn't help feeling close to Nick somehow. Sophie suddenly faced me, and I took this opportunity to get back into the mix.

-"What are you going to have?" I asked.

She frowned and glanced at the menu.

-"I don't know. I haven't had a chance to read it."

Finally silent, I didn't miss the look of relief on Keane's face and I tried hard to hide my amusement. My attention turned to my own menu. My appetite was almost non-existent, so I browsed the menu with indifference. I couldn't help but wonder if my less than stellar appetite had to do with the butterflies that swarmed in my stomach every time Nick looked at me.

Butterflies or not, I guess I had to order something. As soon as I decided on an albacore roll, the waiter appeared. After taking our orders, the waiter disappeared as quickly as he'd come.

-"Right then, let me brief you," Keane started right away, before Sophie had a chance to take over the conversation again. "Tomorrow morning we have a flight to Chicago. We leave at eight a.m. We are going to the location of Cole's murder."

-"Cole is the ghost," I whispered to Sophie, wanting to make sure she was included, suddenly extremely happy that she was here. I trusted her implicitly, and if I was getting into anything that might be considered dangerous, I needed my best friend looking out for me.

-"Was he the ghost who came to the school?" she asked.

-"Yes," Keane answered.

-"How can you know that?" I asked Keane without blinking.

-"I have my ways."

-"Well, please share them with us." I leaned back as everyone turned to look at Keane expectantly.

Keane gave a heavy sigh.

-"I can still communicate with spirits. After hearing of your experience it didn't take me long to find the ghost that appeared to you, well his name anyway, from there I just looked into city records and found him."

-"And what exactly did it say?" Nick asked.

-"Cole Walsh was killed in the 1920s in Chicago. I suspect he came to Evie to ask for help, to find who killed him."

Sophie clapped her hands together with a wide smile.

-"A murder mystery! I love it!" After a good thirty-second pause, her smile dropped, and her eyes narrowed as she faced Keane's. "Why don't you just ask Cole who killed him?"

I couldn't keep the snicker from my lips. That was a great question. Keane frowned and took an extraordinarily long swig of his water.

-"Well, Sherlock and Watson. Cole is in Chicago and it takes a lot of energy for a spirit to travel, and he came to Evie for help, not I. And I will assume that Cole never saw the person who killed him. The reports from the newspaper of that era say he was shot from behind."

-"Oh, that would explain it," Sophie said with an enthusiastic nod.

-"Once we're at the location…" Keane continued.

-"Why Evie though?" Nick asked suddenly.

Keane looked at me then at Nick. He gave a small smile, not a good smile, but one that said he knew something Nick didn't and he was about to tell one of my secrets.

-"Evie is very spirit empathic."

Nick's brow furrowed.

-"Like Ana?"

-"Not quite. Ana is special ..." Keane's face softened as he spoke of this girl. "She is unique. There is no one like her. She can not only speak to spirits she can enter their world. Evie can't do that. She is a lot like Zak, if you wish to compare her to someone. People who are as empathic as him is rare." Keane's eyes narrowed on me. "But she possesses a few more things that Zak doesn't." He finished cryptically.

-"Like?" Nick asked curiously.

I hated these two talking about me as if I wasn't here.

-"Is Cole's house still there?" I asked abruptly, interrupting Nick.

-"Yes, and I've ensured the current residents will be absent."

Sophie leaned forward, her eyes wide.

-"How did you do that?"

-"With the help of a little mental persuasion." When everyone looked at Keane expectantly he merely shrugged. "They just magically won a vacation out of town that needed to be taken on this weekend. I'm hoping it will only take a day."

I let out a sigh of relief. Well, at least he hadn't disposed of them. I was worried he might have done something drastic.

-"We will do a ..." Keane paused seeming to search for the right word. "A séance in the living room." Keane finished.

-"What will I have to do?" I asked, twisting a napkin in my lap.

Once I caught myself, I forced my hands to the table, not wanting anyone to realize how nervous I was. I knew how powerful Keane was, just from the small things I had seen him do; I hated to think what he could do that I didn't know about. Keane looked around himself and gave an arrogant nod—to whom I had no idea. Within moments, a waiter was at his side, bent on refilling his wine glass. Both Nick's and my glasses were still full.

-"You won't have to do much. I'll carry the bulk of the work. You'll just need to focus on Cole's spirit, and if this works, you'll find yourself as a spectator in 1922 when someone shot Cole in the head. All you have to do is find out who did it, and Bob's your uncle."

-"What?" I frowned.

-"Bob who?" Sophie asked.

Keane chuckled, and his whole body shook with the effort.

-"It's something we Brits say—similar to…and that's it."

-"'The only thing separating Americans and Brits is a common language'," I quoted with a grin, forgetting exactly who'd said it. Maybe Churchill? I wasn't sure. What a great history teacher I was ... I'd have to check my quote dictionary when i got home.

-"I don't understand, why would this ghost even care, he's dead. Move on!" Sophie tilted her wineglass back and took a long gulp.

-"It's not so simple." Keane said patiently. "This ghost traveled from Chicago to seek out Evie, there has to be a reason. I am only assuming it's what he wants. But we will find out when we get there.

-"Well, what if the killer doesn't say his name?" Nick asked.

Keane ran his fingers up and down the stem of his wineglass.

-"That's why I suspect Cole sought out Evie. She is mildly psychic." Keane grinned. "Isn't that right Evie?" He didn't wait for a reply. "She can pick up on things that most of us can't." He faced me. "Evie, you'll have to use your ability and your intuition."

Reality suddenly came crashing down on me like a breaking window, a shard of glass ramming itself into my stomach. I wouldn't call myself psychic and Keane knew that. I had dreams of things that sometimes did happen, or I would see a brief glimpse of someone's past or future if I shook their hand for example, but it was rare. In fact it had not happened in quite some time.

My visions were unreliable at best and now to have so much hanging on them…it left me uneasy. I guess this was different, though, because essentially, I was becoming one of my visions.

-"We'll have more than one go at it," Keane said, as if he was aware of my inner turmoil. "If we don't get it the first time, we'll have more opportunities. I'm hoping we'll have it by the end of the weekend, but again, it's not crucial if we don't. You can take as much time as you need, Evie." Keane said softly, giving me a brief glimpsed at the man I had trusted so long ago.

I relaxed.

oOo

The following day all four of us were loaded up on a plane bound for the windy city. Sophie was the same chatterbox and talked animatedly the whole trip, until it was time to get seated. Since our tickets were bought at the last minute we were all scattered throughout the plane, well almost all of us. By strange luck I was sitting next to Nick.

We hadn't spoken at all yesterday after Keane took us to lunch. When we got back from eating, Nick had taken off to his room and had locked himself in there for the rest of the night.

-"So you're a psychic." Nick said bluntly, minutes after the plane was set in motion down the runway.

He was not one for beating around the bush that was for sure.

-"Not really ..."

-"You can see some people's past and future, that's a psychic in my book."

I sighed.

-"It's not like that."

-"Why didn't you tell me when I first came to meet you?" Nick grounded out angrily.

-"I haven't had a vision in years!" I cried out, omitting the few times I had seen a woman and given her a dire warning. When some of the people around us looked towards Nick and I after my outcry, I lowered my voice. "And it's really none of your business."

Nick grumbled something inaudibly and I stared at the seat in front of me in frustration.

-"How do you know Keane?" Nick asked through his teeth.

My breath caught in my throat.

-"How - What makes you say I know him?" I squeaked out, my eyes guiltily looking down.

-"Because it's obvious you don't trust him and some of the things he said at lunch yesterday sort of gave it away."

I noticed Nick's hands were clinging tightly to the seat arm rest, so much so that his knuckles were turning white.

-"I -" Pausing, trying to gather my thoughts, I quickly searched my brain for something that would sound believable. "We met years ago ..."

Nick gave a curt nod and to my relief didn't ask any more questions. But as the silence between us stretched on, the more upset I grew. How dare he? He had no right to be upset at me for this, I hadn't done anything wrong, so why was he so mad?

The flight was a short one, barely an hour. When we landed in Chicago and were about to disembark the plane, but before I could stand, Nick put his hand on my arm and I felt the most peculiar tingling sensation. Surprised I looked at Nick, but he showed no indication of having felt anything.

-"I am just worried about you, Evie. This whole thing ... it feels weird, like something is not right."

-"Don't you trust Keane?" I asked, suddenly curious by his odd statement.

Nick was silent for a moment as people slowly filed down to the exit.

-"Yes and no. He has done a lot for Zak and he means the world to Ana ... and she trusts him. He's been a good friend to me the last two years too, but I think he is up to something and whatever it is, I won't let you be in the middle of it."

With that Nick stood up and left me to ponder his words. I didn't know who this Ana was, but she seemed to mean a lot to all these guys. She especially seemed to mean a lot to Keane and she could be the answers to finally getting him off my back.

oOo

My palms were sweaty and itchy.

As we sat in the living room of what was once the home of Cole the ghost, I thought about the task at hand and wanted to throw up. Forcing my less than attractive thoughts to the back of my mind, I focused on Nick's profile. Tracing his strong nose and chin with my eyes helped to calm me.

On the way from the airport to the small duplex, Keane had gone over what we would be doing, but I had not been listening. I had been lost in my thoughts but now that I stood here, I wish I had listened a bit better.

With my attention centered on Nick a feelings of calmness exploded through me and was soon replaced with more primitive and unwholesome thoughts. Remembering all the kisses we had shared, the way his arms had tightened around me, the feel of his powerful body pressed against mine ... I exhaled, hoping the images of us making out like two horny teenagers would float on my breath and right out of my head. I made myself take note of my surroundings, figuring that might combat my newly awakened sex drive, which was in overdrive.

-"Evie, are you ready?"

I turned at the sound of Keane's voice and found him watching me. I nodded. Keane directed me to sit on the floor. We both sat cross-legged, facing each other. Nick sat on the couch behind Keane, keeping a watchful eye on me. Keane extended his hands out to me and with a last glance to Nick; I took a deep breath and slipped my hands into his. A familiar current of energy coursed through me, one that I had not felt in years.

Keane had said because we were both people with a certain powers and I was rather sensitive to feelings, it was normal for me to feel our energies mingling together when we touched. Keane grasped my hands tightly and closed his eyes, I did the same. In the car he had explained that we needed to create a shield around us, all I had to do was envision a circle of energy around us. A shield against what, I didn't know and didn't want to ask.

-"When will Cole be here?" I whispered.

-"He is here." Keane replied.

My eyes popped open. Glancing around, I didn't see anything. My gaze returned to Keane, who still had his eyes closed.

-"He's sitting in between us, right in front of you."

Keane's words jolted through me, and it was all I could do to stay seated. I wasn't sure how comfortable I was with this whole ghost thing. I closed my eyes again and Keane tightened his grip, as if he were letting me know I'd be safe and more so, that I shouldn't be afraid of a ghost.

-"Okay, Evie. Remember what I told you in the car. We will be able to see the events that happened on that day in 1922. I'll be there with you the whole time." Keane paused, waiting for me to acknowledge my understanding. When I did, he continued. "I want you to focus on Cole being here in this house, and there's a man who will come through the door. I want you to scrutinize that man, until you know his face. Then use your abilities to find out who he is."

I tried, I really did. I concentrated like I've never concentrated before and…nothing. I opened my eyes and found Sophie inspecting her nails. Nick had stood up and was now pacing back and forth. Keane's eyes were still clamped shut, trying to get this strange spell to work. I closed my eyes again and focused on the ghost, trying to imagine a man shooting him in the head. All I could focus on was the intense heat of Keane's hands on my own.

-"Evie." Keane's voice interrupted my thoughts, sounding annoying at the fact that he knew I wasn't focusing.

-"Nothing is happening," I answered with a sigh.

-"Try again."

I closed my eyes and focused again, trying to get through the darkness of my eyelids. I wasn't sure what would happen or what I should be looking for but, undoubtedly, I wasn't finding it.

Two hours later, I still hadn't managed to see anything. Sophie was napping on the sofa, Nick was texting and Keane seemed quite over the whole thing as well—stifling a yawn and tapping his long fingers on his thighs. I still couldn't see Cole the ghost but I was sure he also would wear a face of frustration.

-"I think you should give her a break." Nick said from my side.

Keane nodded and with relief he let go of my hands. I wiped the sweat from my palms on my thighs. Tears of frustration stung my eyes, and I averted my gaze, not wanting anyone to witness the pathetic display.

-"Evie, you did well," Nick said, his voice was soft, and soothing. "I think you are just out of practice."

-"Practice?" I asked, not sure what practicing could help.

-"Yeah, it's like any skill, if you don't use it, you get rusty at it." Nick assured me, helping me stand up.

Keane gave a curt nod.

-"Yes, I agree, she is powerful, I can feel it. We shall resume after you rest for a bit."

Keane left the room with his phone in hand, seeming in a hurry to make a call.

-"Sorry." I mumbled facing Nick.

-"For what?" He asked curiously.

-"This whole trip depends on me ... if I can't do this, it was all for nothing.

Nick grabbed my hand and gently rubbed his thumb over mine, causing my skin to goose bump.

-"Don't be silly. When we go on an investigation there is never a guaranty that we will have any sort of activity, this is no different. But I know you can do this."

oOo

-"Evie, are you focusing?" Keane asked.

-"Yes," I snapped. "If I focus anymore I'm going to focus myself right into a coma!"

I hadn't meant for my words to sound so harsh, but by the small smirk on his face, I knew he didn't believe that I was telling him. He squeezed my hand.

-"Maybe we should try something else." Keane stood up and motion to Nick. "You sit with her."

-"What?"

-"Just ... humor me. Sit, I will still direct the energy, but I think you will be a better anchor for her."

Nick sat down and took my clammy hands in his.

I didn't say anything but nodded and closed my eyes again, focusing as hard as I could. I tried to envision the room around me, as it would've been ninety years ago, but still nothing. Of course, I didn't really know what was in style ninety years ago, so I couldn't make much of a mental picture for myself. I imagined a room with one of those old model radios—the kind that were about four feet tall, with a matching couch and loveseat with giant flowers, something that my grandmother would have owned. And a picture of Clark Gable. Was good ol' Clark even around in the twenties?

Some history teacher I was...

My head began to thud, as if rebelling against the idea of concentrating anymore, and my butt had grown numb hours ago. In fact, my entire body felt strangely numb. Deciding I'd had enough, I opened my eyes.

I was alone. I turned my head, expecting to find Sophie, Keane and Nick hiding behind a wall, ready to jump out and scare me, but it was eerily quiet. Where the hell had they gone?

Panic began to slowly spiral through my stomach, working its way up my throat until I thought I might retch. Needing to calm myself, I forced my attention to the hardwood floors, taking note of every fleck in the wood. The floors gleamed in the light as if someone had just cleaned them, which was odd, I could have sworn this place had carpeting.

My gaze shifted to the curtains, and that was when I realized I'd actually done it. I was in 1922 and in 1922; this house had curtains instead of blinds. I breathed in through my nose, out through my mouth, repeating the process until the nausea faded into oblivion. After realizing Keane couldn't be accounted for, I had to suppress the tide of anxiety welling within me. I guess I'd have to find out who killed Cole alone.

I perched on the edge of the sofa while my eyes traced the large floral pattern of the sofa and matching loveseat, trying to find a sense of calmness in the pink blooms. My attention shifted to the coffee table where a newspaper lay in dishevelment, its insides gutted across the table.

It was The Chicago Daily Times. I grabbed the section looking most intact. In large black print it read: What's Wrong with the Criminal Court? The strangest feeling of euphoria washed over me as I considered I was living history first hand. Strangely enough, the feeling made my stomach heave again. Not wanting to throw up, I started to breath slowly, inhaling counting to four and exhaling counting to four.

I wouldn't let Nick down.

Now, the only problem…where was Cole? I dropped the newspaper and stood up, deciding it was time to play detective. I needed to find Cole and fast. I wasn't sure how long I'd be able to last in this vision.

As I walked through the living room, I noted the black and white pictures of Cole with a pretty woman and a smiling baby. In the kitchen, I paused to take in the room. A white refrigerator and a white enamel kitchen range but my investigation was soon halted. At the sound of the front door opening, my heart dropped as if it had been on the top story of the Empire State building.

What would Cole do when he saw me?

Steeling my courage, I ventured into the living room where I watched Cole hang his fedora-looking hat on a coat rack. He walked as if he were en route to the hangman's platform. He turned, and his cold eyes drilled into me. I tried to come up with a plausible explanation as to why I was in his house, uninvited. He came closer, and if looks could kill, I'd have been pronounced dead on the spot. Cole didn't say a word and before I could duck out of the way, he walked right through me! It felt like a great wind blowing through my entire body.

I braced myself against the wall, having a serious case of jello legs. Okay, so I was the ghost in this situation. I couldn't say I was comfortable with that thought but forced it out of my mind; I couldn't let it interfere with my mission.

After getting my wits back, I followed Cole into the kitchen. He made himself a chicken sandwich, the whole time banging and slamming this and that. It didn't take a genius to figure out that he was upset about something. Then the front door opened, and I peered around the corner of the wall. A woman walked inside. I recognized her from Cole's family photo as his wife. She was pretty with short bobbed hair, wide set eyes, and a trim body.

Tears stained her cheeks, and the mascara smudges under her eyes gave her the classic raccoon eyes. She took her shoes off at the door. Her small feet covered with a sheer stocking barely made a sound as she marched right into the kitchen where Cole ate his sandwich. She didn't even bother putting her purse down or taking off her coat.

Before I could comprehend it, she pulled a pistol from her bag and aimed it at the back of his head. There was no hesitation before she pulled the trigger. I moved as if waist deep in molasses and tried to push Cole out of the way. As soon as I touched him, the brightest of lights seemed to penetrate through him until it completely engulfed us both. I glanced down and the white ray of light shone right through me, like I was a projection.

I had to close my eyes from the brightness or the light. As soon as my eyes closed, a jolt sailed through me as if all the life was leaving my body. The hairs on my skin stood to attention. I suddenly felt extremely tired, drained. I felt myself drop. I hit something hard and my eyes blinked open. I was on the floor, the yellow linoleum tile underneath my cheek.

Pushing myself onto my hands and knees, I glanced at the wall before me. It looked like someone had thrown buckets of red paint against the otherwise pristine white of the wall. Then I made the mistake of looking at Cole. Half his face was gone; pieces of bone, brain and other head debris decorated the floor behind him.

Hyperventilating, I pushed myself away from him and clasped my eyes shut, hoping the darkness would erase any residue of the hideous scene before me.

You're okay, Evie, you're okay. Just breathe.

I tried to calm myself but couldn't shake the image of Cole's brain spread out on the floor like a spilled dish. I pried my eyes open, glanced down at myself and noticed my figure disappearing. My feet were already transparent and the rest of me was becoming cloudy, as if a fog was twirling up my legs, erasing me as it went. A scream of pure, unadulterated terror cut through the air like a razor blade and it took me a second to realize the scream was mine.

-"Evie!"

I heard a deep voice and felt a sharp slap to my face.

-"Wake up, Evie! For fuck's sake, wake up!"

I woke up with a start, blood pumping in my ears until it sounded like a chorus of demons singing. I was on the floor with Nick hovering over me. I sat bolt upright and glanced around, trying to get a grasp of what the hell had just happened. I noted Nick and Keane both close to me along with Sophie right behind Keane but I could definitely feel someone else in the room. I turned and found Cole, in his real body, staring at me with his mouth hanging open. Cole was no longer a ghost. And, luckily for him, it appeared as if he'd never been shot at all. His head was in remarkable good condition.

-"What the…" I began when it dawned on me that maybe I'd changed places with him and I was now the ghost.

A shriek of horror welled up within me, but was gobbled up by Sophie who engulfed me in her arms.

-"Thank God you're alright! I thought you were going to die!"

I pried her arms from my neck.

-"What the fu…" I interrupted myself, thinking I should inspect my arms to sure there was nothing ghostly about them. I looked as fleshy as Nick and Sophie…and Cole. Then I got angry. "What the flipping hell crap-shit was that?"

As soon as I met Keane's gaze, I knew it was bad—shock on the face of a powerful being is not a good thing.

-"I don't know. You started to scream and then Cole's ghost disappeared and was replaced with…the real Cole," he said.

I looked up at the person in question and found he was the only one of us wearing a smile.

-"I'm Cole," he said as if we were on a dating game and I'd just selected him.

-"But, he's…he's dead," I insisted.

Nick frowned.

-"Was dead. It seems you brought him back to life." Nick was so matter of fact, he might as well have just given the weather report, but his dull tone was no match for the look of awe and shock on his face.

-"I did what?" I squealed. But that wasn't possible! My thoughts scattered as I tried to find a logical reason as to how this could be. How in the hell did I, manage to bring back a dead person? I couldn't even balance my checkbook! "But that wasn't supposed to happen. I did what you told me to do!" I wailed at Keane, my voice cracking.

Keane put his hand on my upper arm. Instantly, the anxiety seeped from my body, replaced with a soft calm. Ah, weird, supernatural-being magic.

-"You did everything perfectly, Evie. I think I underestimated your abilities." He almost sounded ... happy.

-"Well how are we going to send him back?" I asked, still shell-shocked.

-"Hell, I'm not going back!" Cole said from the corner. "This is better than I'd hoped for. All I wanted to know was who killed me, and you did one better, you brought me back to life!"

Keane matched away with a shrug while Nick helped me onto my feet. Cole's wife had killed him. I wasn't to sure I should say anything about that right now. I wobbled on my feet and Nick escorted me to the couch. Sitting down with me, he put an arm over my shoulder and talked to me in a hush tone.

-"Are you alright? You scared me ..." He whispered.

-"I think I'm okay. Just a bit shocked." I whispered back.

-"So, is this a success, then?" Sophie asked, seeming oblivious that I had just brought someone back to life. "Do we go back to New York tomorrow?"

But that was a good question. Was this a success or would Keane send Cole back? Did this break some sort of rule in the universe? I had no idea. And if Keane did want to send Cole back, how would he? I didn't think he'd just kill Cole; Keane might have been ruthless but a cold-blooded killer? That didn't seem the right thing to do.

But Keane was no help; in fact he was nowhere to be found. He had just disappeared and left us all to figure out this mess.

-"I don't know what to do ..." Nick said, quickly standing up and looking around for Keane. "I can't believe this, he left!"

-"I'm not going back," Cole interrupted, and his gaze rested on me. "That little fox brought me back an' I'm obliged to ya, ma'am." He inclined his head toward me.

Little fox?

Nick rushed about, even going upstairs to look for any signs of Keane, but he was gone.

-"Fuck." Nick mumbled.

-"What do we do now?" I asked Nick.

-"I don't know. I thought it was going to be a simple thing where Keane did his thing and we would be home by dinner ... now I got some resurrected guy and a missing warrior ..." Nick ran his hand through his hair.

-"What are we doin' sittin' around here?" Cole asked. He stood up, and swayed as if he was dizzy and not used to the weight of his body. I guess being a ghost for nearly ninety years will do that to you. It was of course just a matter of time before Sophie chimed in.

-"Yeah! We should go out!" She said in her always cheerful voice.

-"I'm not sure that's such a good idea…" Nick started, looking at me as if I had an answer for this very odd situation we were in.

Cole neared the door and waved his hand dismissing Nick's worry.

-"There's a whole city alive out there that I haven't seen in nearly one hundred years…" Cole began.

Sophie was right beside him. I faced Nick's stiff body and smiled, thinking I needed a drink. Yeah, that's exactly what I needed—a drink or five.

-"What harm could it do?" I asked.

-"Shit," Nick grumbled and apparently realizing it was three against one, reached for his coat, but not before started to furiously dial on his phone, no doubt to his ghost hunting buddies.

A/N:

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