Lance pulled up his pants and turned around. "I can't wait to ask him what he did. Was he aware of it all and forced himself back into his body? I've never heard anyone talk about doing that. I always assumed it happened so fast that a soul didn't have a choice."
"I don't know, but I want to be around for that conversation when it happens." Christine handed a tube of cream to him. "Put some of this on the scratches on your face and arms from time to time."
"Thanks." He took the tube and smiled. "I bought a ring for Angus." The words came out of nowhere, but he found relief in finally admitting it to someone. The secret had burned inside him for long enough.
"You proposed?" Christine looked excited.
"Not yet. I've had a few chances, but the timing was never right. But trust me, once he's awake and alert enough. Once I get him back home, I'm not waiting for the right moment. I want us married. I want to call him my husband."
"I have no doubt that he'll say yes when the time comes. I don't think you two getting engaged will surprise anyone. You have the relationship we all long for. I've never seen a couple more right for each other. I don't think I've ever seen you fight."
Lance laughed. "Oh, we fight plenty, but we made a promise to each other to never bring our arguments into public. I'm sure Ray and Bethany have heard us arguing in the bedroom, but once we step out the bedroom door, we don't say anything more. There are a few nights we've given each other the silent treatment while watching TV."
"I respect that. I hate it when people argue in front of me. Sadly, I see parents arguing all the time. They don't even wait to leave the exam room. Arguing in front of me is one thing, but I hate they do it in front of their kids, especially when it's about that kid."
"I'm glad I work with the dead. No drama there." He laughed. "Well, there wasn't until I started to see the dead." He moved toward the door.
"You don't regret it, do you?" She followed him out.
"No. It's been life-changing, but mostly in good ways. I wouldn't have Angus if it hadn't happened, and I wouldn't have met you. Hell, most of the friends I have now I met because of it. As trying as it can be, I don't regret it."
They paused once they were outside Angus's room. Lizzy was still enjoying conversations with the ghosts around Angus's bed.
"I have to get back to work, but I'll check in on you later." Christine touched his arm gently. "Call me if you need anything."
Lance smiled. "Thanks. I will." He watched her turn and head down the hallway, thankful he had such a good support system around him. They'd get him through this. He took a deep breath and entered the room, ready to face the crowd of ghosts. He wanted a nap, but that would just have to wait.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Franks sat across from a very nervous looking Avery Corpus. The teen was fidgety in his chair as he looked around the small interview room. They'd asked to have him come in so they could get a formal statement about the shooting of his parents.
Amy sat down beside Franks, casually setting her coffee cup down beside a thick file. "Thanks for coming in to speak to us. We've already read you your rights. Do you have any questions for us?"
"No. None I can think of." Avery shrugged.
"Then let's go through things, just like you did before." Amy smiled.
Avery nodded. "Yeah, but I don't know what more I can tell you."
"We like to get a formal statement. Sometimes emotions are too high at the scene and things get forgotten." Franks leaned back in his chair folding his arms across his chest. "Why don't you just start from the beginning?"
"You mean when they started fighting?" Avery asked.
"Go back a bit before. What was everyone doing?" Amy asked.
"Like I said, I'd picked the girls up from school and when we got home, Dad was there, which wasn't normal. I heard them yelling at each other from outside the house, but the moment we walked in, they stopped. The girls got a snack, then went to their room, I stayed in the kitchen to do homework." Avery took a deep breath. "Mom and Dad started arguing again. Quiet, like they knew I was listening, but were mad enough at each other they couldn't keep from making comments back and forth to each other. The fight got louder as they both started accusing each other of things. They didn't come right out and say it to me,but I could tell they were accusing each other of having affairs. Dad with someone named Tiffany, and Mom with someone named Jeff. I was surprised at Mom doing it, but I had already guessed Dad might be seeing someone."
"So the fighting slowly got worse. You mentioned before they were physical?" Franks asked.
"Sorta, Mom pushed Dad, and Dad raised a fist at Mom, but didn't follow through. At one point the girls came out and I hurried to get them back to their room. I didn't want them to see them fighting like this. It was bad enough they could hear it." Avery closed his eyes. "I was so mad at my parents for doing this around us. Mad to learn they were cheating on each other. I just stared at them, but I don't think they even realized I was there once the fighting got worse."
"Then what happened?" Amy asked.
Avery shifted in his chair, his gaze dropping to the table. "That was when Dad left the room and came back with the gun. I saw him walk into the living room, lift the gun and shoot Mom, then put the gun to his head and shoot himself." Avery wiped tears from his eyes with the back of his hand.
Amy slid a box of tissues toward him. "Need a break?"
Avery shook his head. "No, let's just get this done." He pulled a tissue out and wiped his eyes again.
