Read Online The Lingering Dead by J. N. Duncan - Free Book Online

groups of papers going into each folder. “How long you been here, Cynthia?”
    â€œOh, an hour or so, I guess,” she said. “Just putting together what we have on Thatcher’s Mill for you all to take and read on the plane. Not sure how much of it is useful, but it’s what I’ve been able to pull up on short notice.”
    â€œI’ll call McManus and get him and the geeks on it before we go,” Jackie said. Cynthia nodded and pulled another stack of papers from the printer. “Cynthia, you might want to go to my apartment and see if you can—”
    â€œI don’t know what it is, Jackie,” she replied. “All I can tell you is, that thing isn’t dead and it isn’t human.” She looked up at Jackie with a wan smile on her face. “And yes, it freaks me out, too.”
    â€œHmm, yeah. You could say that,” Jackie said. “Could you tell if it has malicious intent?”
    She shrugged. “It isn’t human, Jackie. I don’t know.” She stepped over and brushed her fingers across Jackie’s hand. “And I’m sorry last night didn’t work out.”
    Jackie rolled her eyes, but could tell the feeling was genuine. “Could be worse.” Though how was not something Jackie could imagine.
    Cynthia laughed. “Isn’t that always the case? Well, anyway. I hope it does. Your auras are a good match.”
    Auras. What the hell did that mean? They both glow red or something? Jackie did not feel like talking about it now. She had to figure out how she was going to ride on a plane with Nick without throwing up.
    â€œCynthia, how long have you known Nick?”
    She stopped and set the papers down on her desk, and stared at Jackie for what seemed like a minute. “I’ve known and loved him for years, Jackie. He’s one of the best people I’ve ever known. If you can’t trust him, then there’s nobody you can.”
    Not quite what she was going to ask, but still enough to impress. It was just weird how these people all seemed interconnected. She nodded.”. Thank you.”
    â€œAnd, Jackie?” she said. “If you have any questions about anything, you know, psychic, please ask me anything. I’m more than happy to help you come to grips with all of this. I can’t imagine how hard this has been.”
    Jackie gave her a fleeting smile. “If you can figure out what the hell that thing is on the other side, that would be great.” She turned away, knowing there was no answer to that one yet, and walked back toward her office to figure out what she would need to take on this trip.
    An hour later, they were on their way to Midway Airport. Shelby kept glancing into the review mirror.
    â€œIf I didn’t know better, I’d think we were being followed,” she said.
    Jackie sat up in the backseat and looked out the back window. “Really? Where?”
    â€œThat blue Jeep a couple cars back,” Shelby replied. “We’re almost to Midway, so we’ll see in a minute.”
    Jackie’s first thought was FBI, but it was not a government vehicle, and from what Belgerman had told her, the investigation into her actions involving the death of Detective Morgan were done and/or shelved. Chicago PD had been pissed about the whole thing, but it all quieted down once it was made public that she was no longer an active agent. For all they knew, she had been fired.
    They pulled off of Sixty-Third Street into the hangar area for private aircraft. The Jeep slowed up behind them in the turn lane but then continued on after they crossed traffic. Jackie got a good look at the driver as they pulled away.
    â€œShit. I know that guy,” she said, disgusted.
    â€œFBI?” Shelby wondered. “Chicago PD?”
    â€œNo.” Jackie shook her head in disbelief. “It’s a fucking reporter.”
    â€œWhat?” Shelby and Cynthia chimed in