Read Online Acheron Highway: A Jonathan Shade Novel by Gary Jonas - Free Book Online Page B

dead folks back into their graves.”
    “He’d have to be damn powerful,” Brand said.
    Again, we ignored him.   “Don’t worry,” I told Miranda.   “I won’t let you down.   I promise.”
    I meant it, but I wasn’t sure how I could deliver.   I had not been able to save Naomi, so how the hell was I supposed to save Miranda?   I felt lost and while I wanted to help her, I felt as if I were trying to do so from a continent away.
    “I trust you,” she said.   “But I don’t want to go home.   I feel safer with you.”
    “We could have been killed tonight.”
    “But we weren’t.   You were so calm.   So brave.”
    Brand, who kept watching us, rolled his eyes.
    I didn’t want them to know that it wasn’t bravery.   I just didn’t care.   If I died, no big.   If I lived, oh well.   Of course, that doesn’t strike confidence into the heart of a client.   Then again, my client didn’t have a heart, so maybe it didn’t matter.
    “I’m crashing at Kelly’s tonight,” I said.
    Kelly glanced at us in the rearview mirror.   “You’re both welcome to stay at my place tonight,” she said.
    “Thank you,” Miranda said.
    I stared out the window, watching the streets of Denver roll past.   All those people living their lives, oblivious to what was going on around them.   How many of them knew dead people were rising?   How many of them knew there was real magic?   How many of them could even imagine a beautiful woman walking around without a heart?
    I pulled out my cell, scrolled through recent calls, and placed one to Walter.
    “Do you have any idea what time it is?” he said.
    “No hello?”
    “It’s after midnight.”
    “So you should let it all hang down.”
    “What do you want, Shade?”
    “We didn’t set a time for tomorrow.”
    I heard a loud crash in the background.
    “Shit.”
    “Is everything OK?” I asked, thinking dead people might be breaking into his house.
    “My damn grandson just got home and he’s drunk off his ass as always.   Hang on.”   The next bit was muffled, so I’m guessing Walter put his hand over the phone.   “I hope you weren’t driving, you ignorant little bastard!”
    I didn’t hear Ryan’s reply.
    “What did you say to me?” Walter shouted.   I heard a ruffle as he moved his hand.   Then I heard a thump and footsteps.   The next thirty seconds were all raised voices arguing, but I couldn’t make out the words.
    Walter came back to the phone out of breath.   His tone was even more gruff.   “Goddamn kids these days.   Do me a favor and shoot Ryan when you come by tomorrow.”
    “I try not to shoot people,” I said.
    “Then what good are you?   Be here at three.”   He hung up.
    Brand looked over the seat at me.   “Maybe you should aim better.”
    “What?”
    “Never mind.”   He faced forward then turned to Kelly.   “Why do you keep this clown around, anyway?”
    “Because it irritates you,” Kelly said.
    It’s nice to be useful.
    #
    Kelly’s place had an extra bedroom, which she never used.   We got Miranda set up in there; then I joined Kelly and Brand in the living room.   Kelly had a blanket folded at the end of the couch with a pillow on top.
    “You’re good to go,” she said.
    “Thanks.”
    “You OK?”
    Brand rolled his eyes.   “Do we have to let him talk about his feelings and shit?   I’m ready for some bedroom Olympics.”
    Kelly punched him in the arm and knocked him sideways several steps.   He grinned.
    “Go to bed, Brand.   I’ll be there soon.”
    “Whatever.”   Brand looked at me.   “Don’t—” He stopped when Kelly shot him a look.   He laughed.   “Don’t forget that you’re buying breakfast tomorrow.”
    “Nice save,” Kelly said.   “Go.”
    When he left the room, Kelly sat on the sofa and I sat down beside her.
    “So,” she said.   “How are you doing?”
    “Brand is right.   We don’t need to do the sharing thing.”
    Esther popped into the room.