Free Ghost Killer by Robin D. Owens Page A

business sense,
     but his gut reaction had been that she was claiming him as her man. Oh, yeah, he liked
     that.
    “I’m Jessica LuCette.”
    Caden walked back to her, face bland. A kid shouldn’t have to hide his feelings like
     that from his mother. Zach and his older brother Jim hadn’t . . . only when the General
     was around. But this granddaughter of Mrs. Flinton didn’t support her son.
    As the General hadn’t supported Jim and Zach, and enough about the ancient history
     of his childhood. This was here and now and they had this boy to save. Zach snagged
     his cane and limped heavier than usual around the car. Yeah, pity came to Mrs. LuCette’s
     eyes and he used it to distract her from any judgments she might have made about Clare.
     Zach didn’t think she’d seen the hug between her son and Clare.
    The women had finished shaking, so Zach put his hand out. “Pleased to meet you.” Her
     grip was sturdy and short.
    Zach smiled ruefully. “We’re ready to check in.” Mrs. LuCette turned for the door.
     Caden, after a wide-eyed look at them, followed her.
    Zach used some of his professional charm on her, and got her chatting about Cruisin’
     the Canyon. He didn’t bring up the murder-suicide or any other rough topics. She didn’t
     volunteer anything about her family or Caden, and he didn’t ask.
    He lifted out the suitcases, slammed the trunk, and rolled his own to the door, because
     he didn’t think he’d need his free hand for his weapon.
    So far, the town had been quiet, but not as slow as it would be in winter. Some of
     the businesses had closed already; most would shut down at the end of the month until
     late May or June.
    Tourists from local towns or Denver might have driven down to see the fall color and
     stay. Clare had told him that Bachelor Loop was well known to have beautiful shows
     of golden aspen. From experience, an accident like the one they’d stumbled on—which
     a tingle at the back of his neck that snaked down his spine told him was no accident—would
     only close the road for a couple of hours.
    No accident, but a murderous ghost. He rubbed his nape. He was really going there
     with cause and effect. A bullet of belief had lodged in him that a supernatural entity
     caused those deaths. He gave a passing thought to other freaky deaths he’d seen in
     his career, then rolled his shoulders. Those were past. This was
right now
, and he had to help Clare, protect her.
    He sure didn’t like the sound of a ghost that ate people, particularly ghost seers.
     Clare was a rookie in the business. Sure, he’d seen her help specters pass on, and
     she’d handled herself well, but he didn’t like that a novice swimmer was being thrown
     into the deep end of the lake.
    As soon as the door closed behind them and they were in the clean, tidy, and rustically
     furnished pine-paneled room, he said, “Show me this ghost-killing knife.” He was curious,
     and he wanted to see what would do the job.
    *   *   *
    With her bag still standing on its end, Clare unzipped a large compartment and pulled
     out the silk bag. She sat on the bed and picked at the fancy knot that tied two red
     silk tassels together. Zach stood leaning easily on his cane and watching her, which
     made her even more nervous.
    “It feels like the sheath for the blade is about six inches long, and the handle is
     at least five. That’s over the knife-carrying limits for Denver, right?” She cleared
     her throat.
    “Certainly, but we’re not in a big city and don’t know whether the blade is sharp
     enough to do anything except dispatch ghosts.”
    “Oh. I hadn’t thought of that.” The knot finally wiggled loose and she straightened
     the drawstring. Then she opened the bag, reached in, and gripped a handle.
    She froze.
    “What?” asked Zach.
    Forcing her lips to move, she said, “The handle feels
right
in my hand but also . . .”
    “Also?” Zach prompted.
    She wet her lips. “Bone. It feels