Nearly Departed by Max Schlienger (life books to read txt) 📕

Alena stiffened, but she didn’t pull away. Her gaze met his after a few seconds, and Dennis saw a glimmer of hope for himself in those brilliant hazel eyes. “The haunted chair lady is here?”

“In the room behind Bobo, yeah.”

“Would you mind introducing me?”

Dennis’ face broke into a hesitant smile. “No, not at all. Come on.” They walked past Bobo, who watched curiously, and into Elspeth’s room. Both she and Spinner looked up, and the detective drew away from holding Elspeth’s hand.

“Who’s this?” he asked suspiciously.

“This is my wife, Alena,” answered Dennis. “Alena, this is Malcolm Spinner and Elspeth Palin.”

“What a pretty girl,” Elspeth said approvingly. “You didn’t tell me you were married, Dennis. I might have suggested a different approach with Evy.”

Alena arched an eyebrow. “Evy?”

“The girl in the chair,” Dennis clarified.

“Ah.” Alena’s face was expressionless. “Well, it’s nice to meet both of you.”

Elspeth chuckled quietly. “The girl’s a skeptic, Dennis. I presume you told her about Evy’s... condition?”

“He did,” replied Alena, “but I’m sure you’ll forgive me if I don’t believe it.”

“Of course, dear. I wouldn’t believe it myself, were I in your position.” She looked at Spinner, who made an uncomfortable noise. “Of course, you could be like Malcolm and be horribly afraid.”

“Not afraid,” Spinner mumbled. “Just don’t like her.”

Alena looked around the room, her face still unreadable. “Well,” she said, “Dennis and I will give you some space. I’ll have him back to you in a minute.” She took Dennis’ hand and led him from the room. Again, Bobo watched them pass, flashing a surreptitious thumbs-up sign when Alena wasn’t looking. She kept walking until she came to another door, through which Dennis saw the prone figure of her friend Antonio. The young man’s usually expressive face was a mess of dark bruises, but he appeared to be sleeping soundly.

“Dennis,” Alena began, “I’m really not sure what to think. I haven’t believed in ghosts since I was a kid, but it looks like I’m the only one here who doesn’t.”

“It’s just the one ghost, actually,” said Dennis. “Let’s not make assumptions.”

“God, Dennis, it would just kill you to be serious, wouldn’t it?” Her laughter did more for Dennis’ spirits than anything else in recent memory.

“If you think that I’m bad, you should try talking to Bobo.” He shuffled his feet. “Honestly, though... Are we okay?”

Alena looked up at him with just a hint of a smile on her face. Her eyes moved back and forth a few times, shifting focus between each of Dennis’ own. “Yeah,” she said. It was a warm wash of soothing relief. “Yeah, we’re okay.” She put a hand on Dennis’ chest. “Wait here for a minute, I have something for you.” With that, she was gone, into the room where Antonio slept. She returned a minute later, digging through a blue suede purse. “Here.” She held out her hand and let a band of silver metal fall into Dennis’ palm.

“My ring?” he asked. He hadn’t realized that he wasn’t wearing it.

“You must have taken it off when you went to see Elspeth for the first time. I found it by the bathroom sink.” She helped Dennis slide the ring onto his finger, and then stood on her toes to give him a quick kiss. “Go help your friends. You can tell me everything when you get home.” She started to pull away, but then fell forward into a tight embrace. “Be careful, Dennis.”

“I will,” he promised.

Bobo was still staring as Dennis walked back towards Elspeth’s room. He stood up and flashed an approving grin. “Blimey, mate, you didn’t tell me your wife was hot.”

Dennis smiled proudly. “Yeah, she’s really something.”

“No more hotel rooms, I take it?”

“No more,” replied Dennis. “And no more sleeping over with witchdoctors, either.”

“Ace. Maybe tonight I can actually get some shut-eye.”

Dennis heard the sound of someone – probably Spinner – loudly clearing their throat, and he peered through the doorway. “Hello?” he called. Elspeth beckoned them in. She looked healthier, Dennis thought, for all the difference a few minutes could have made. She was sitting up, at least.

“I owe you an apology, Dennis.”

“It’s fine, really,” Dennis replied. “I did agree to the date, after all.”

Elspeth shook her head. “Not that, dear. I was talking about Doctor Harding.”

“Oh.” Dennis glanced at Spinner, who nodded almost imperceptibly. “I’m not sure I understand.”

“It seems we’ve gotten you into a bit of trouble. Rest assured, though, it’s not as bad as it sounds.” Elspeth smiled up at Spinner. “Malcolm here has an idea, as well.” The detective stepped forward eagerly.

“Here’s what we’re going to do,” he started. “We’re going to wait for him to leave his office, and then we’ll go in with –” the explanation was cut off by the sound of Dennis’ phone buzzing. He pulled it out and shook his head at the display.

“Speak of the devil,” Dennis said. “It’s Sam. What should I do?”

“Answer it?” replied Bobo.

“No, wait!” Spinner protested, but it was already too late. Dennis motioned for quiet and pressed the phone to his ear.

“Hello?”

“Dennis, thank god,” came Harding’s voice. “It was getting late, and I started to worry. Is everything okay?”

“In a manner of speaking,” Dennis said warily. “I’m here with Elspeth and Spinner.” The detective put a hand over his eyes and groaned.

“What’s going on, Dennis? What have they told you?” More than you did, Dennis thought. “Furthermore, what have you told them? Are you safe?”

“I’m fine, Sam.” He examined his fingernails casually, as though the gesture might somehow translate through the airwaves. “We’ve been discussing old history.”

“Listen to me,” Harding pressed. “I don’t know what lies they’ve told you, but you need to get out of there, and fast. Spinner is a very dangerous man, and it sounds like he’s pulled Elspeth into his scheme.”

Dennis growled into the phone. “Stuff it, Sam. She remembers everything.”

“The woman is delusional, Dennis! She’d say anything if it fit with her fantasy!”

“I wasn’t talking about Elspeth.” He could picture the wheels