Page 14 of Ghost
“Life as the law’s kid wasless than ideal, let’s say.”
“I guess it would be hardbeing the grandson and son of the sheriff. Anything and everythingwould get reported back to the lawman,” Ghost said, adding a littleextra flare to the word “lawman,” and smiled. “Never being able toget away with shit.”
“It was like living under amicroscope,” Ray said, hoping that would be enough information forGhost to let it go. “Were your foster parents decent?”
“Decent at collecting theirchecks. Decent at doing the bare minimum and drinking half the dayaway. Decent at forgetting I existed until child welfare got a callfrom some concerned neighbor.”
“Shit, that sucks. I’msorry, man. Growing up like that must have been tough, but now Iunderstand your need to disappear.”
“I survived,” Ghost saidemotionlessly.
Ray recognized a roadblock when he sawone. Ghost wasn’t willing to discuss his upbringing, and hewouldn’t push it. At least they were starting to talk instead oftiptoeing around each other.
“I’m glad you did,” Raysaid softly.
“Really. Why?” Ghost cockedhis head curiously.
“Ah, ’cause I wouldn’t havehad a chance of meeting you if you hadn’t.”
“You know that’s corny,right?” Ray could tell Ghost was enjoying their banter by theslight smile on his face.
“Yeah, but I’m good withit. I’m a geek at heart.” He held up his hands admitting toit.
Ghost’s laughter lit up his entireface, making Ray smile. It wasn’t a usual thing for him, but itseemed to be happening more lately. In less than twenty-four hours,Ray felt lighter than he had in recent history, an odd feeling ofcompanionship but something he could easily become addictedto.
“Tell me, Detective, whatare your spidey senses picking up when you look at me?”
Ray thought about it and decided to gowith the truth.
“I see a man in hiding.Someone who’s been hiding his entire life.”
“Well. That’s not too hardto figure out, considering my history.”
“True, but there’s more toit. Something you’re afraid of admitting. Something that likelykeeps you up at night. You’re driven to help Brick and this teamfight the Noah Group and are even willing to sacrifice yourself forthat endeavor. You’d do whatever it took to protect the peoplewho’ve become your family, but a part of you is still waiting forthe day you’ll be rejected by them. So inside, you can never trulybe comfortable and accept this life. You don’t like touchingpeople. I’ve noticed several times that you avoid physicalskin-to-skin contact.”
As Ray spoke, Ghost’s eyes grewwider.
“You have a great deal togive, but you’re unsure who to give it to or even how. You blameyourself for something, I’m not sure what it is, but I don’tbelieve it has anything to do with your ability to camouflageyourself. You’re a good person, but don’t see yourself as one andpunish yourself for something in the past you believe you can neveroutrun.”
Silence stretched out betweenthem.
Ghost swallowed nervously. “You gotall that from knowing me less than twenty-four hours?”
“I’m good at what I do,”Ray said. “ I could be off base, but I’m not too far off based onyour reaction. Don’t worry; I’d never share anything personal withanyone else. This is you and me talking.”
The last thing he wanted to do wasscare the guy off, but he wanted to be truthful.
“How long have you had thisability to read people so well?” Ghost asked.
Ray didn’t pretend not to know whatGhost was referring to. “Since childhood. I can get a sense of aperson pretty quickly after meeting them.”
Ghost nodded. “You were made to be adetective. You have a sixth sense. It’s impressive.”
Ray respected the fact that Ghostdidn’t try to bullshit him by denying what he’d said, but he alsoknew when not to push it.
“It’s getting late. Maybewe can pick this up tomorrow if you don’t mind,” Ray said. He’dsaid enough about himself for one night. Hell, Ghost probably knewmore about him now than anyone else.
“I’d like that,” Ghost saidas he stood and took the two empty beer bottles. “I’ll see you inthe morning, Detective.”
