Read Online Ghost Walking (A Maggie York Paranormal Mystery Book 1) by Ally Shields - Free Book Online Page A

hinder her progress.”
    Coridan’s stance had gone from casual to bulldog as he talked, his chin jutting out. Why was he so bent out of shape? Were he and Maggie an item? Brandt felt a twinge of regret. It might explain her coolness. Still, he hadn’t heard a relationship hinted around the office. But then he wasn’t exactly part of the gossip line.
    He ignored the hotshot crack. “I just talked with her this morning. She seemed fine. Why the attitude? Is your interest personal?”
    “You bet it’s personal. She’s my partner and deserves a chance to get past this. It won’t happen if you keep hounding her.”
    Hounding? Coridan’s reaction seemed over-the-top. But he could see how York would bring out a man’s protective instincts. Maybe he’d feel the same if she were his partner.
    “Look, Coridan. I have no intention of adding to her trauma. But I’m treating her like any other victim and asking her to help to the extent she can. That meant a trip to the scene. It’s over, and I don’t foresee going back. Satisfied?”
    The other cop snorted. “Far from it. She can’t help you. She doesn’t remember anything. Just leave her alone.” He spun on his heels and walked away.
    Brandt shifted the gun bag on his shoulder. Coridan didn’t understand human nature very well. By warning him off, he’d just upped Brandt’s interest. And given him more questions to think about.
     
    * * *
     
     
    Maggie had run two miles that morning and was on her second cup of coffee when Annie called. “Hey, girlfriend.” Maggie set down her mug. “Thanks for keeping me company last night. It was good to do something fun for a change. I’m in a great mood today.”
    “It was fun, but you’re making me feel guilty for calling. I, uh, started the research on Brandt, and it didn’t take long to find one part of the story. It’s not good.”
    Maggie’s heart plummeted. She’d hoped to hear something that dispelled her suspicions. “OK.” She reached for the coffee pot and rewarmed her mug. “Tell me the worst.”
    “It’s an article from a Boston newspaper in January of this year about a BPD detective arrested for possession of heroin. The officer was Joshua Brandt, a seven year veteran of the major crimes unit.”
    Shocked, Maggie nearly spilled her coffee. That was the last thing she’d expected to hear. Drugs? He didn’t look or act the type.
    “There’s a grainy photo of the arrest,” Annie continued, “but it’s him. I’m sorry, Maggie. It looks like your hunky cop is a druggie.”
    Maggie blinked, thinking hard. “So what’s he doing here…still a cop and not in jail?”
    “Maybe he made a deal to get off with probation, or they dropped the charges in return for his cooperation. Don’t they do that sort of thing?”
    “Sometimes. But our captain would never hire a felon, convicted or not. And there’s no way he wouldn’t know about this.”
    “I’ll keep digging, but it doesn’t look good.”
    No, it didn’t. Maggie sighed deeply, disappointed, even feeling betrayed. She’d been drawn to Brandt, opened up to him. Just more proof that she couldn’t trust anyone, even herself. Her instincts were off.
    “Thanks, Annie. Call me if you find anything else.”
    Maggie disconnected and dropped into a chair at the kitchen table. She propped one elbow on the table and rested her chin on her palm. And she thought about his deceiving steel-blue eyes.
     
    * * *
     
     
    Maggie spent the weekend practicing the skills Dalia had taught her. She was getting better at meditation and visualization, although she preferred to think of it as focusing. The large crystal sat on her nightstand, and two of the sachets were under her pillow to encourage good dreams. To her surprise, something must have worked. The nightmares stopped.
    Monday and Tuesday she returned to work with Dalia during the morning and talked with Annie every day. While her reporter friend dug for details, Maggie checked online police records