Free Resurrecting Harry by Constance Phillips Page A

long time, Erich agreed with Martin. He caught Will’s eyes on him and realized his eavesdropping was clear. He grabbed a dishrag and began washing down the counter without losing focus on the conversation.
    “Martin, I believe in Harry.” Bess’s tone was whispery but filled with metal. “If this can be done, he will come through. If not with Gail, then someone else.”
    “So, not only do you accept every word he said as fact, but you believe all that malarkey the papers printed about him too?”
    “That will be quite enough!” Anger dotted Bess’s expression. “I won’t allow anyone to speak ill of Harry.”
    The distaste in his one-time-friend’s voice hung heavy in the air and stung as if it were a slap. Martin was entitled to his anger. Yes, Harry publicly called Gail a fraud, but this was different. He’d never lied to Bess and thought she understood the premise of the coded message. It was only meant as a defensive measure against those like Gail who’d manipulated Harry’s grief, plain and simple.
    Still, Bess’s reaction made him proud. He appreciated her loyalty and respect. She may have accepted some level of friendship from Martin and Gail, but she wouldn’t let them tarnish what existed between her and Harry.
    Martin reached across the table and gripped Bess’s hand. “I’m sorry, my dear. I just wish you’d see the simple facts. Harry preached that every spiritualist — including Gail — was a fraud. The man I knew would never readily admit he was wrong.”
    “All that tells me is that you didn’t know him the way I did. He made a promise and will do all he can to keep it, and I think he’d enjoy the irony of Gail being the medium.”
    Don’t do this, Bess. Erich had ignored Jaden’s warning and entered into the deal to be close to her, even for just one more day. He’d hoped to feel her body pressed to his and taste her glossed lips once more. Hearing the certainty of Bess’s conviction, Erich realized Jaden was right. He had to put an end to this whole mess.
    If he let Bess reach for Harry the way she, Gail and Martin now planned, every bit of the soul that gave Erich life would slip away. In his second death, the promise Bess thought Harry made would never be fulfilled. Jaden hadn’t been wrong yet. Certainly, his prediction for her future was also correct.
    The séance could not happen.
    His life depended on it, but so did hers. Not her ability to live and breathe, but the way she lived. She deserved a life of her own that was tied to keeping Harry’s memory alive.
    Will’s voice pulled him back to the diner, even though he spoke to Bess and the Coopers. “The last thing I want is push the three of you out the door, but it’s time for me to lock up and call it a day.”
    Erich swallowed a smirk. Many a day Harry and Will had sat at the counter, talking well into the evening hours, even though the shop closed at three o’clock on the dot. Often their conversations centered on Martin’s flamboyant arrogance. Will must’ve been sick of Gail and Martin’s conversation with Bess too.
    Several silver coins fell from Martin’s hand to the tabletop. “I trust this will cover my bill and Mrs. Houdini’s.” He then crossed the short distance between him and Erich, extending a hand. “I don’t believe we’ve been introduced. You must be the Erich that Bess has been talking about. I’m Doctor Cooper.”
    A matter of habit and good manners, Erich took Martin’s hand and shook it firmly. “Erich Welch. I hope they’re kind things that she’s said about me.”
    Martin laughed. “Of course, it was good. Come, Bess. We’ll give you a ride home.”
    The laugh struck Erich in a condescending way, no matter how Martin had meant it, and as he reached for Bess’s arm, a rage bubbled up from Erich’s gut. He wanted to push Martin aside and lay claim to Bess, or at least protect her from the faithless scoundrel.
    His wife? Harry’s wife? Was there a distinction? The questions