Advocate For The Dead (Complete Novel)

Chapter 12: Darnell Dean

Everything always looks better in the morning. I woke up focused, refreshed, and ready to tackle the pieces of the puzzle once more. My anger at Sheriff Deacon may have been misplaced the night before. All the pent up emotions from our earlier encounter coupled with the message laden rock through my window had led me to draw conclusions that may have had little basis in fact. Now in the morning light, I briefly considered going to Deacon's house to confront him, but I realized there were other things that might be more important.

     One was finding out where Summer had gone. I hadn't seen her since the discovery of Carla's body. I didn't have to search hard. She was waiting for me outside my office, looking even more lost and forlorn than she had been before.

     "Good morning Summer."

     "Good morning," she replied. "I'm sorry I took off."

     "It's okay. Considering the circumstances, I probably would have too."

     I opened my office door and we went inside. Closing it behind us, I watched as she sat down in the chair opposite my desk. She must be getting used to her spirit form now.

     "When I saw her swinging back and forth, I panicked. I've never seen a dead body before."

     "It can be a shock."

     "In that instant, I remembered her. Not only did I see a dead body, but it was someone I knew and cared about."

     "What did you remember about her?"

     "She was kind to me. She never said a harsh word. If there was a beautiful person in the world, on the inside and out, it was she. I remember she brought me flowers. And in that tree house she kissed me. But it wasn't dirty, you know?"

     "Yeah, I know."

     "Mr. Winter, do you think it's wrong for girls to want to be together?"

     "Do you?" I countered.

     She thought for just a second. "No I don't."

     "Well, there you go."

     "That's not really an answer," she smirked, not letting me off the hook.

     "I don't think it's wrong to want someone. It's part of what makes us human. I can't say why one person is attracted to another, but I imagine it's because we see the person we want to be in their eyes. Maybe when you looked at Carla you saw who you could be."

     "Now that's an answer," she smiled.

     "I got it from my answer book," I joked.

     "I bet. So where to today?"

     "Well, I thought maybe you could help me with something."

     "Oh really?" she asked, leaning forward in the chair.

     "Yeah. Carla's dad and I have never gotten along. But I need to find out some things. And to do it, I have to get inside his house. I thought maybe you could go there for me. Find what I need."

     She perked right up. Something ghosts like is that feeling of being needed. They are so lost and disconnected from real living that to be included in something is one of their greatest joys.

     "What is it you want in his house?"

     "Your eyes."

     "My eyes?"

     "Yes, I want you to observe. Keep track of what he does, who he talks to, where he goes."

     "You want me to play detective?"