Chris Redding - Corpse Whisperer

The corpse grabbed her arm with cool fingers.

Grace Harmony took a deep breath, the antiseptic hospital smell filling her nostrils. What?

The lifeless womans eyes flipped open. Help. Her voice came out as hollow and raspy, a lone word uttered in a subway underpass. Grace cringed as the chill moved along her skeleton, settling in the marrow.

She glanced at the door. No one would come to save her.

Let me guess. Youve been murdered.

Yes, the corpse said, the last part sounding like a snake.

The noise sent a shudder through Graces body, but only briefly. Talking to dead bodies had ceased to scare her.

Dragging in a ragged breath, Grace braced herself for the time slip, the trek down the dark tunnel. Whats your name?

Dolores Holten.

Colors danced and flashed before Graces eyes as if they were a precursor to a migraine. Numbness deadened her limbs. She catapulted down a black shaft; only the passing of lights indicated movement. Her breath caught in her throat as her nose filled with a burning electrical scent. A sneeze that would have relieved her didnt come.

Something squeezed her body, but not for long. Then she slammed into a wall and she was back in time.

Graces skin warmed, her eyes tearing from the bright sun, the tunnel gone. Blinded for a moment she looked around for any clues to her location, the day and date.

Sunny day. Driveway of some house. Maybe a week or so before Dolores died she estimated. That had been the last time the rain hadnt fallen.

Shed been down this street, twice. The first time looking for an address in her pursuit of a new apartment. Something had distracted her and shed never made contact with the landlady. Was that where she was now?

Shed been here during the fire that supposedly killed Dolores.

Miss?

Grace turned to the voice and found the dead woman, very much alive. There was no evidence of the fatal fire that had charred her skin and taken the breath from her lungs. Grace schooled her face not to show surprise. Usually she didnt come face to face with the victim as soon as she rewound.

Coughing, Grace wiped her eyes. Sorry, got something in my eye and I missed what you just said.

You pay rent and utilities. My ex-husband can fix most things so Ill give you his number, if anything goes wrong. Shouldnt, I just put new appliances in there.

Can I call you Dolores?

The woman cocked her head and a lock of auburn hair fell into her face. Her brown eyes narrowed, and one hand found her hip. Thats my name, but I dont remember telling you.

Grace smiled, which put most people at ease. You introduced yourself right off.

Dolores nodded. I guess I did. She patted her flat stomach. Im pregnant so I think Im losing my memory already.

Shed said ex-husband, but mentioned nothing about her current husband. No one at the fire scene had told Grace about Dolores pregnancy. Maybe the neighbors hadnt realized.

Rent and utilities. I can handle that.

You got a job? Dolores asked.

Yes, I do. Im a paramedic for Centre Community Hospital.

You new in town?

Tension stabbed her muscles.

She stole a glance at her watch which sported the date and time in five countries. Grace only needed to know about this moment, standing in Glen Hills, New Jersey. Ive been here a month. When can I move in?

Id like to get some references first, but. Dolores eyed her then swept her gaze up and down the short length of Grace. You look like a trustworthy sort. I need two months rent for security. You can move in when you get me that check.

I can write it now.

Yeah? No hitting up the parents for money? Dolores cackled, but the sound didnt annoy Grace.

She laughed with her. No, Ive been on my own for quite some time, now.

Dolores stopped laughing. Yeah? You older than I think?

Yes, I look younger than I really am. Still get carded.

No parties.

I dont party. I do work odd hours so I will be in and out at strange times.

Dolores looked at a bird lazily circling in the sky. I was married to a cop. Might as well still be married to him, so your car in and out of the driveway will not disturb me.

She rubbed her hands down her worn jean shorts then held one out for Grace. Sorry about the mess, Ive been gardening.

Her green T-shirt sported many dirt spots and flower pots littered the sidewalk.

Grace looked over at the colorful plants. The warmth of the sun sneaked into her bones. She could do this, one more time. Her shoulders shifted back. Yes, I see that. Your flowers look lovely.

Thank you. So youre Grace Harmony. Thats quite a moniker to go through life with.

Grace chuckled. My parents had a sense of humor, she said over her shoulder. Let me get you that check.

Zach Holten pulled into the driveway of his ex-wife as a red two-door sports car pulled away. He glanced at the license plate out of habit, having it memorized before the car drove out of sight.

Not that he could track down the owner as easily as he once did. The bitterness of his forced career change swirled bile into his mouth.

Dolores, clothed in messy shorts and a T-shirt, knelt over a box of flowers. She didnt look up when he disembarked. Good, he didnt want her thinking this was a social call. Shed thought of excuses daily for him to be here. This time she sounded serious so he used his lunch break to pay her a visit.

Lunch break. He stifled a chuckle. Now that he ran his own private investigating business he could lunch whenever he wanted. He possessed no radio. His phone had an answering machine so he could leave his office anytime.

He took a deep breath as he walked across the lawn that needed a mow. Hey, he said.

She smiled up at him, but didnt touch him, to his surprise. Hey yourself. Beautiful day.

You seem to be taking full advantage of it.

Like the flowers? she asked pointing to some red and blue things.

He didnt know anything about flowers except that women loved them. He could only pick out roses; the rest were a mystery to him. Nice.

Dolores continued digging and humming.

He knelt down, careful not to get his work pants dirty. Lors, Id offer to help, but. . He indicated his outfit.

No problem. I never liked how you planted flowers.

He smiled. That was honest.

She eyed him. Yes, its my new policy. Especially where youre concerned. Im going to tell you what I think.

Thats good. Then I dont have to guess.

She laughed, putting her gloved hand on his. You can read suspects, but not me.

His gaze took in her hand. Shed left a smudge of dirt that he wiped off. Guess its tough when the printing is too close to your face.

You want some lunch? she asked.

If you have some. If not I can pick some up on the way back to the office.

She pulled off her flowered gloves then stood. Im hungry, too. Starved in fact.

You have a tape worm?

He followed her into her house. His house since he still made the mortgage payments. His residence until hed walked out three years ago.

Her hips swayed as she walked in front of him. Once her movements made him hot; now her attempts at seduction annoyed him. Thered been that one night, but hed made the situation clear to Dolores.

Sit, she commanded before she crossed to the refrigerator.

Im sure I can find stuff.

She shook her head. Itll give me something to do while I think of how I tell you my news.

Her being nice meant she wanted something. His defenses slammed closed, his teeth clenched. She wasnt getting anything from him.

He sat at the scarred Formica table on a chair with ripped upholstery. She hadnt replaced it yet and he had some hot memories from this piece of furniture. What news? Would she get to it already?