Read Online Elizabeth Basque - Medium Mysteries 01 - Echo Park by Elizabeth Basque - Free Book Online Page A

we’d barely begun. “Michael, I asked you here because I think you might have some unfinished business here on Earth. I’d like to help you, if you’re willing. Carla needs some help, too. She has the same problem as you do. You are both still here.”
    We’d all opened our eyes now. Julie couldn’t see Michael or Mack. Nor Carla, for that matter.
    Time for the old television remote trick. “I can see you, Michael, but Julie—this is Julie, by the way, she’s a good friend of Carla’s and here on Carla’s behalf—Julie can’t see you. It would be easier if you took shape a little, if you’re willing?” I gestured to the remote.
    Michael understood, but he still hesitated. He looked back at Mack, who nodded for him to go ahead.
    He moved to the remote and touched it. The television protested with a flurry of snow on the screen. The temperature in the room dropped a good ten degrees.
    Julie sucked in air as he materialized. Carla took it upon herself to draw the same energy, perhaps as much for Julie’s benefit as her own. The electricity seemed to be working. I knew from Mack’s face he wanted to be a part of this, too, although I wasn’t sure why. I moved the remote toward him.
    When Mack’s form started shimmering, and he materialized, he smiled down at Julie like a dad would. Old Salty still had some compassion, I thought, amused. Mack tried to appear unassuming, reassuring, but Julie just wasn’t used to this…to ghosts. Carla was different for obvious reasons.
    “ Pleased to meet you, Miss Julie,” Mack said pleasantly enough.
    “ Uh, likewise,” Julie managed.
    Carla and Michael just stared at each other. I sensed that they were both re-living that fateful evening together. Julie looked from her friend to her friend’s killer. She understood, as well, and she suddenly stood, letting go of my hand…
    “You’re the one who killed her.” Her voice was icy now, just like the room. “You killed them both in cold blood. How could you? She’s just a child!”
    Michael started to back away, but Mack gave him the evil eye and the young man stayed put.
    “I…I’m sorry,” he blurted. “I didn’t mean to. Really, you don’t understand.”
    “ What is there to understand?” Julie demanded. Here was a side of her I hadn’t seen before. She’d never been outspoken or aggressive. She was turning into a mama tiger. “She didn’t do anything wrong. You took her life—our lives, our friendship! I hate you!” Angry tears now flooded from her eyes.
    Michael stood, or floated, frozen, unable to speak. He knew she was right. He couldn’t find any words. What could he say?
    That was where I came in. “Julie, of course you’re upset. Probably you, too, Carla. This is partly why we’re all here.” Except for Mack. But maybe there was a reason for his presence here, too.
    I reached for Julie’s hand again, but she moved away from me. I felt a strong anger in her. That could be bad. She couldn’t really do anything, like hurt Michael physically, or kill him. But there were other ways of damaging a soul.
    “You! Why did you do it?” she demanded. “What reason could there ever be? Can’t you see what a wonderful girl she is? Or was? She’ll never grow up. She’ll never have that chance. Because of you .”
    I had to act. “We can’t undo the past, Julie. All we can do is find a way for all concerned to move forward.” I moved between Julie and Michael. “It’s all right, Michael, I’m going to help you.”
    He was relieved, a little, but this only made Julie angrier. “You’re going to help him? Why?”
    Even Carla could see things were getting out of control. She moved to Julie’s side. And all the while, Mack hovered in the background, interested, but serious. I nodded to Carla.
    “ Jules,” the girl-ghost said, “you need to calm down. It’s okay.”
    Julie suddenly swirled around at Carla. “Don’t you dare talk to me like I’m your loser mother, like I need to be taken