“The baby,” Ten and Everly said at the same time. “I didn’t know there was a baby until a few minutes ago. Maybe she would have talked to me the other day if I’d been able to see him sooner.”
“You can’t blame yourself for that, honey. We don’t control how our gifts work.” Ten was constantly amazed by his daughter’s capacity for empathy. This would only grow stronger with age and maturity.
“Yeah, I know.” Everly sounded distraught. “Tell Miss Marie I wanted to be there, okay?”
“You got it. I love you.”
“I’m still angry at you, but I love you too. Bye.” Everly’s face disappeared from the screen.
“I wonder where she gets her sense of drama?” Ten asked with a grin.
“Must be fromyou. I don’t have a dramatic bone in my body.” Ronan folded his arms over his chest.
The car erupted with calls of “bullshit!”
“You’re the most dramatic person I know,” Fitz said as he turned into Salem Elementary School’s parking lot. “More dramatic that Aurora, andthat’ssaying something.”
“Oh, please.” Ronan waved a hand in the air. “You’re all just jealous that I’m a better detective than all of you. I’m handsomer too.”
“What the hell mirror does he use?” Jude asked Fitz, who was making gagging sounds.
“Probably the Wicked Queen’s deranged mirror.” Fitz hopped out of the SUV and rushed to help Joseph Whittaker get out of Max Preston’s truck. Jude was right behind him.
“You think I’m handsome and smart, right?” Ronan didn’t sound quite as confident as he had seconds ago.
Ten patted Ronan’s shoulder. “Yes, snookums. You are the smartest, handsomest dumbass in the whole world.” Ten pressed a kiss to Ronan’s cheek. “Now, I’m going to need you to be on your best behavior at school today. Make me proud, okay?” Ten cackled and hopped out of the SUV.
“Asshole!” Ronan called back.
Ten followed behind Max and Joseph after the front door to the school was unlocked. No one spoke as they made their way from the lobby to the classroom beside Marie’s. Max stopped at the door that led to the corridor behind the walled-off classroom.
“I haven’t been here since my last day as principal,” Whittaker said. “I wanted to say goodbye to Marie one last time.” His voice was rough with emotion.
“Are you going to be okay to do this?” Ronan asked.
Whittaker gave Ronan a sharp nod. “For Marie, yes.”
With those words, Max stuck the key in the door and unlocked it, holding it wide open for Ronan, who’d turned on his phone’s flashlight. Whittaker was right behind Ronan, with Max holding on to his right arm. Fitzgibbon stayed outside like he’d done the first time. Ten felt a touch of claustrophobia in the veteran captain.
Ten was the last one to enter the classroom. He could feel Whittaker’s grief threatening to overtake him. When he came through the half door, Joseph was sitting in Marie’s chair, weeping into his hands.
“I can still smell her perfume,” Whittaker said between sobs. “It’s like she’s still here.”
“I don’t smell anything, do you?” Ronan asked. Jude shook his head and walked around the classroom, sniffing like a bloodhound.
“I do.” Ten nodded. “Spirits will often use scent to get their loved ones to recognize it’s them trying to make contact. Marie knows you’re here, Joseph.” He hoped, for Whittaker’s sake, that Marie would make herself visible to him.
“Is my Marie here?” Joseph asked, wiping his eyes on the sleeve of his shirt.
“I haven’t felt her presence yet.” Ten moved to the center of the room. He took a few deep breaths, hoping to calm his thundering heart. “Marie, are you here?”
There was no response.
“Marie, I’ve brought Joseph Whittaker with me. He would like to see you again. There isn’t a lot of time left.” Ten hoped making reference to Whittaker’s impending death would bring her forward to speak with them. It didn’t work. The room was still as silent as the grave.
“It’s me,ma belle. I’ve missed you so much.” Whittaker took a shuddering breath. “Not a day has passed where I haven’t thought of you and our child.” Tears cascaded down his face.
The air in front of Tennyson began to shimmer. Seconds later, a young woman materialized in front of him. Her dark hair, parted in the middle, reached her shoulders, while an uncertain look darkened her eyes. “Mon cheri, at long last.” Marie set a hand against Whittaker’s face. “How handsome you are.”
