One Touch Beyond
by Kim Cox
genre:
Mystery & Thrillers
description:
Since the news of her first case, Lana Malloy has no problems getting business. Her Private Investigating/Mediator business is booming. At one pro-bono job, Lana helps a widow communicate with her late husband and learns of a frightening ability she wasn’t aware she possessed—an ability that could give the spirit the upper hand if she’s not careful. Knowing this next case will be more difficult than anything she’s ever faced, Lana struggles for control when she encounters an angry ghost who doesn’t want to leave and who doesn’t want the occupants of the house to stay. Will Lana be able to control the situation or will the ghost sense he can overtake her? Does she have other abilities she can rely on to save her?
chapters
chapter 1:
Get Out or Die! - novella from anthology
Lana walked Dan out, glass from figurines, picture frames and a mirror splintered beneath their feet. "Look. I know you don't want to leave, but please, take Ellie somewhere else just for tonight. I'll call you tomorrow and let you know what's going on. I hope by then I can reason with him."
"It really is Uncle Adam, isn't it?" Dan asked.
"Yes, it is."
"This means that my father did . . . my father is . . . "
"There's still no real proof."
"Why else would--"
"I don't know. Give me twenty-four hours to find out. I'm want to sleep here tonight, try to calm Adam down, and see if he'll talk to me. Hopefully by tomorrow, regardless of what happened between him and Sean, he'll realize you're not his father."
Dan's sullen face appeared doubtful. "Do whatever you have to do."
Behind them, the sounds of crashing continued. Lana smoothed her wrinkled clothes, patted down her hair and trekked back into the once beautiful home, trying to force a calm she didn't quite feel.
You can do this. The crashing stopped as she entered the chaotic room. "Adam!" she called out. "Let's talk." Only silence answered her plea. Was he ignoring her? Or was the energy his angered fueled within his spirit faded? Run out?
Lana took a break and used the downstairs bathroom to splash water on her face. As she brushed her hair, the faucets turned on by themselves. Hot water splashed into the sink, steam filling the room. Lana turned off the water and opened the door to let out the fog. Then, she read Adam's large script, GET OUT OR DIE!