Page 85 of The Search

“Shut up, brat. I don’t care what you say. You’re not a ghost, only a figment of my imagination. I created you, and as soon as I no longer need you, you’ll fade. I’m already on the way. You haven’t appeared for months.” She kept her eyes on the skull. “I thought when Sarah found your body and we brought you home that maybe you’d moved on.”

“And that made you happy?”

“Yes, of course.” She closed her eyes. “No, I’m lying. I’ve missed you, baby.”

“I’ve missed you too.”

She cleared her throat. “Then why haven’t you come to see me?”

“You were all confused about me. You know, for a smart woman, sometimes you don’t think so clearly. I thought I’d stay away until you and Jane got everything straight.”

“How diplomatic of you.”

“I want things right for you, Mama. I would have stayed away longer, but I got worried.” She fell silent a moment. “Something’s going to happen.”

“You said that before.”

“Because it’s true. Something bad.”

“And I’m supposed to believe you?” Her hand was shaking as she placed another tab. “Joe? Jane?”

“I don’t think so. Maybe. You know I can’t see what’s going to happen. I just get glimpses or feelings.”

“A fine ghost you are. Get me all excited and then tell me you don’t know any details.”

“Sarah . . .”

“What?”

“There’s darkness all around Sarah. Death. So much death.”

“She just got back from Barat. There was plenty of death there.”

Bonnie shook her head. “Something’s going to happen.”

“Then go visit her dreams.”

“Mama.”

“What can I do? Tell her my daughter who we just buried is worried about her?”

Bonnie nibbled at her lower lip. “It’s not only her. Some of the darkness has to be near you or I wouldn’t be able to feel it.” She cocked her head, listening. “I have to go now. I hear Joe’s car.”

“I don’t.” Eve wiped her hands on a towel and moved toward the window. Joe’s car was just turning the far curve in the road. “How do you do that?”

“There are some advantages to being a ghost. I love you, Mama.”

“And I love you, baby.” She turned her head. “But you can be very—” The end of the couch was empty. No small jean-clad form, no bright, mischievous face. No Bonnie.

She closed her eyes as disappointment surged through her. Most of the time dreaming of Bonnie brought her a sense of peace, but this time she had a nagging feeling of disquiet. Why?

Something’s going to happen.

Darkness.

She had thought she had left darkness behind. These last months with Joe had been filled with joy and light. The only cloud had been Jane’s attitude, and Eve had been sure that could be remedied. If there were something menacing coming, she wouldn’t believe the fates would let it come to them.

She was whistling in the dark. When Bonnie had been murdered, she learned there was no justice in the world. She could only cling to the people she loved and hope.