Page 7 of Ghost
Ray turned to Stryker. “Are you closewith your parents? Can we ask them some questions?”
“No. My father took offwhen I was a kid, and my mother grew up in the foster care systembefore marrying some rich asshole and expediting my signing up forthe service and shipping out, but she died a little under a yearago.”
“What’s your legal name?”Ray could feel his detective juices flowing and coming to life. Helived for a good mystery.
“Zaine Rogers.”
“Might as well sit and havea beer. This may take a bit to hash out before we devise a plan tosolve the mystery,” Ray said. “Anyone got a notebook I canuse?”
“We? Plan? You’re leavingin a few days, right?” Ghost asked.
Shit.
“He’s a detective throughand through.” Elias chuckled. “Give him a puzzle he can sink histeeth into, and he’s the best chance we have of finding the truth.Why don’t you stick around, buddy?”
“Or you could go to yourconference and come back here afterward,” Julia suggested as shepulled a notebook and pen from a drawer in the kitchen. “Do youhave to rush back to Seattle?”
“I’d appreciate yourexpertise in helping me put this mystery to rest for my family,”Brick said, his tone of voice changing. Deeper, clearer somehow.“This has become a priority for myself and others on my team. Imust see it through to the end, wherever that may lead.”
Brick’s earnest way spoke volumesabout the man, as he looked Ray straight in the eyesasking forassistance. This man was more accustomed to handing out orders andhaving those orders followed to the letter on missions across theglobe. Now, he was asking Ray for his help with something verypersonal to him. How could he say no?
“We can work somethingout,” Ray agreed, sealing his fate.
So much for leaving Marshall in thedust as quickly as possible. Damn, he was so screwed.
CHAPTER THREE
Ghost
Great. Just fuckinggreat.
The lumberjack was sticking around.Ghost’s mind raced as he took another drink from his beer andwatched the team rally around to discuss the case of Great-AuntSophia’s mystery child.
He felt like an asshole forwishing Ray would hurry up and leave when he was so obviouslyneeded to help Brick solve a mystery that’d been plaguing the teamleader for years. He sighed. For now, he’d put on his happy face;he was good at faking being fine, so that part shouldn’t be aproblem. The real concern was his growing attraction to the hulkingman, who made Ghost’s heart beat faster with every look. Part ofhim was exhilarated, another shit scared.How messed up am I to be to be attracted to something thatscares me? Jeez, I need therapy.
A few team members saw a therapist intown; maybe he should look into it.
There was no way on earth he’d everfeel comfortable in this man’s presence, let alone be able to actsomehow on his attraction to him. He’d never allowed himself tobehave impulsively or veer too far off the walled path he’d createdto keep himself safe throughout life. Ghost glanced around thetable, finding almost everyone’s attention placed on adding to thedetective’s growing must-do list, everyone except Conor, who wassmiling while staring straight at Ghost. He knew. Shit. Ghostsuddenly needed air.
Without warning or a word, he pushedhis chair back, scraping the legs harshly against the tile, andstood, effectively silencing all discussion around him.
“Um, I’m going for a walk,”he explained before taking off for the patio door like the houndsof hell were snapping at his heels.
Ghost had to put some space betweenhimself and Ray, even if it was a short hiatus. He could return tothe ranch instead, because there was no way he’d be able to stayhere with Ray under the same roof. He’d still be able to practicehis ability out at the ranch.
Ghost rounded the firepit, not reallypaying attention to what direction he was heading, and foundhimself stepping onto the dock. It was quiet near the water with noone else around, and that was exactly what he needed: peace. Hetried to calm his thoughts; the day had kept coming at him from allangles.
Staring out across the water, he wasseconds away from taking a dip into Fire Lake when something—orsomeone—distracted him. He spun on his heels only to find he’d beenfollowed.
“Going for a swim?” Conorasked with his typical smile.
“Funny. The man’s gotjokes,” Ghost grumbled as he maneuvered around the uninvited guest.“Why are you following me?”
“I thought you might wantsomeone to hash it out with.”
“Hash what outwith?”
“Really? You can’t pretendwith me, and I suspect you know that, and that’s why you left thekitchen in such a flurry.”
