Free The Final Rule by Adrienne Wilder Page B

secret.”
    “Well?” Jon said.
    “I’d rather not say before we eat.” George rearranged the bacon on his plate. “You’d lose your appetite.”
    The food made it around the table. For the second time in a week, Ellis was able to eat a full meal. When they were done, George led Ellis and Jon into the living room. They sat on the sofa; George took up the recliner.
    “He died of an aneurism,” George said. “Daniels thinks it probably happened when he vomited. That the artery was weak and the strain caused it to rupture.”
    “What about the black stuff?”
    “She took samples and sent it to a lab in Atlanta.”
    “Why did she do that?” Ellis said.
    George scrubbed his hand over his jaw. “Her equipment isn’t state of the art.”
    “So she can’t tell you what it is?”
    “No.” George blew out a breath.
    “Can she at least tell if it was normal? And by normal I mean something that would normally come out of a person when they vomit?”
    George looked away for a moment. “No. She said it wasn’t organic. And all the samples were inconclusive. But it doesn’t support,” He poked a finger at Jon. “Your hare-brained theory.”
    “It doesn’t debunk it either.”
    “Something happened last night.” Ellis squeezed Jon’s hand. “He needs to know.”
    “What do I need to know?”
    “Jon sleep walks.”
    “Lots of people sleep walk.”
    “Not like this.”
    “That’s a little vague, don’t you think?”
    “He talks. And the things he dreams about aren’t normal. He knows things he shouldn’t know.”
    “Like what?”
    Jon blew out a breath. “The other day you said I was lucky I woke up and was able to find Ellis.”
    “And you were.”
    “I woke up because Rudy made me.”
    “It’s normal to dream about loved ones.” George sat back.
    “Rudy also showed me what Ellis was going to do. That’s how I was able to tell you where we’d find him.”
    “It was a logical guess that turned out right.” There was the slightest waver to George’s voice.
    “Last night was different,” Ellis said. “The sleep walking wasn’t the same. Jon went outside. He didn’t even react to the cold. And when he talked it wasn’t him.”
    “I wish you’d quit this.” George stood. “You’re never going to deal with losing Rudy if you keep—”
    “It said go to the Grove and we’d understand.”
    “This is ridiculous.”
    “If it’s so ridiculous then what would it hurt?”
    “You’ve got to stop this, Ellis. For your own sanity.”
    “I think we should go. The coroner couldn’t tell you what was wrong with Russell. Jon found me because Rudy told him in a dream where to look. And last night I talked to something that wasn’t Jon, but was in his body.”
    “I’ve heard enough.” George waved them off.
    “I’m going to go. With or without you. I need to know if there really is something or if it’s all a delusion like you think.”
    “It can only be a delusion.”
    “Then let’s prove it.”
    George flicked a look back and forth between them. “If we go and there’s nothing there, this nonsense stops. You,” He pointed to Ellis. “Will start seeing a counselor.” He pointed at Jon, “And you will not say another goddamned thing about this or so help me—”
    Jon held up a hand. “I understand.”
    “Fine. Get your coats. We’re taking my car.”
    ********
    Jon checked his gun and then returned it to the holster on his belt. At the moment, Ellis had a love hate relationship with the .38. Mostly it was hate, because it reminded him of what he’d done.
    “Do you think you’re going to need that?” Ellis nodded at the gun.
    “I hope not. But I’d rather have it than not.”
    Considering how the week had gone, it only made sense to keep it on hand.
    He handed Jon his jacket. “Thanks.”
    Ellis put his on and they went outside to join George in the car.
    “I really think this is a waste of time.” George started the sedan. “The Grove is nothing but an empty