Free PENITENCE: An Andi Comstock Supernatural Mystery, Book 2 (95,893 words) by Ann Simas

her.
    I’m going to miss the snow, Andi, but you know what? I’m not cold at all. I don’t think I’ll ever be cold again. Isn’t that wonderful?
    Andi agreed that it was and then, just like that, the smell of smoke was gone. From her recent Smokie visits, she deduced that warmth was a common theme among the newly departed. She recorded the communiqué, then went back to work and made decent progress on Bunnicula for the next three hours. She got up only once to refill her coffee cup. At eleven, Brent stuck his head in the door to inquire how the vampire rabbit was faring.
    “He really has his teeth in the game,” Andi responded, deadpan.
    Brent laughed and went on his way.
    Andi’s phone pinged . Stacy, texting to say the meet with Denise Naylor was on for six-thirty that evening. Did Andi want to join her for dinner before that? Andi texted back a yes , to which Stacy responded with the name of a restaurant on the north end of town, near where the Naylor’s house was located. Andi loved Thai food, so the choice was good by her. She sent off an OK and turned back to her computer.
    The pungent odor of smoke filled the inside her office. Andi got up and closed the door, which would signify to her co-workers that she didn’t want to be disturbed.
    “Hello, Clem.” She wondered why she could identify him by the scent of his smoky odor, and realized for the first time how unique it was from any other Smokies that had stopped by to chat.
    I did something bad, Andi, and I don’t know how to fix it.
    “I’m going to help you, remember?”
    I don’t see how. At this point, it seems hopeless. I’ve put things in motion to kill my wife and I’ll be forever earthbound because of it, repenting my sin.
    “I’m going to ask you some questions, Clem. Really think about them before you answer, okay? I mean it when I say I’m going to help you.”
    Go ahead, but I don’t see how that’s possible.
    “Did you ever mention to anyone else that you suspected Denise was having an affair?”
    No.
    “Don’t be so quick to answer. Not anyone? Not a good friend, or a work associate, or someone you don’t even know that well?”
    This time, he didn’t answer immediately.
    I might have said something to someone I met up with on the running paths.
    Andi debated. Did she ask if it was Vaughn, or let Clem come up with Vaughn’s name on his own.
    Clem took the decision out of her hands. It was Vaughn. He moved into our neighborhood about a year ago. He’s a big-shot software developer, or was. He sold his company and he and his wife moved here with their kids to be close to her family. How did you know?
    “Vaughn’s wife, Sherry, passed by here when she was cremated. I knew her from school.”
    Oh, my God! I remember now, she was murdered. After a lengthy pause, he went on. Did she tell you she’d been murdered? Is that the way this works? People fuck up in real life and in the afterlife, they come to you for help?
    “Your guess is as good as mine about that,” she said. “I’ve been working in this building since last spring. Every time there’s a cremation, I smell smoke and I hear a voice. Generally, it’s just a pleasant comment or two in passing. Sherry was different, she asked me for help and I gave it to her.”
    I read about the murder in the newspaper, and after that, Vaughn told me what happened, but he never mentioned your name.
    “No, and that’s the way I want it. I don’t need or seek credit for any part I played in outing her killer.”
    And now you want to help me the same way.
    “Yes. I’m going to talk to Vaughn today and see if he has any information that you may have forgotten you gave him.”
    Good, good. I was a basket case for the last few months, Andi. I don’t remember half of what I said or did, thinking that Denise was screwing some guy on the side.
    Andi decided to withhold an editorial comment about the necessity of communication in a marriage. The guy was anguished enough by his