Lost Souls by J. Bishop (the giving tree read aloud txt) 📗

chilled his skin, and Mason realized he wasn’t alone. Someone was trying to get his attention. Despite the boundaries he’d erected and tried to uphold, he tuned in, but whatever was there, did not engage.

Mason stared into the bathroom, listening and waiting, when his phone rang from the other room and he jumped again. Get a hold of yourself, Mason, he said to himself. You’re tired, and they’re sensing an opening. That was one of the main reasons Joanna had kicked him out and broken up with him. Mason didn’t come alone when it came to relationships, and not many women liked to share with the living, much less the dead.

The phone kept ringing, and Mason returned to the living room and grabbed his cell from the side table and saw that it was Mikey. He sat and answered. “Hey.”

“Hey,” she said. “How are you?”

“Worn out.”

“Why don’t you go to bed?”

“I will. Just need to unwind.”

“You should rest, Mason. Especially now that you’re helping Trick.”

“Now who’s hovering?”

“It’s my job to look out for you. God knows you won’t do it for yourself.”

Mason didn’t have the energy to argue. “Fine. I’ll go to bed after we talk.”

“How’d your day go? Anything interesting?”

Mason told her about the visit to the apartment and subsequent interviews. “We didn’t learn much of value. No smoking guns. Maybe we’ll learn more after talking to Cissy.”

“I can check their social media tomorrow. That might reveal something.”

“That would be helpful. Thanks.” He stifled a yawn.

“I still can’t believe you’re doing this, after what Trick did.”

Mason rubbed his eyes. “Despite our rocky history, I owe him.” He picked some lint off his pants. “And as much as I’d like to blame him for his indiscretions with Cara, I know I played a major role in sinking that relationship.”

“She was your wife, Mason.”

Mason thought back. “Only because of a paper we signed. Cara and I were…I don’t know…like the proverbial oil and water. She wanted one thing and I wanted another, and the more we fought for ourselves, the faster it went down the toilet.”

“It didn’t give him the right to sleep with her.”

“No. Maybe not, but Trick has his own scars, and so did Cara. When I left, it affected them both. They talked and supported each other, and one thing led to another.”

“It was still wrong.” She hesitated. “And why do you owe him? You were partners. You were expected to help each other. I’m sure you did things for him, too.”

Mason chuckled. “I did, but this was a little different.” He thought back, remembering two big reasons why he owed Trick. He kept one to himself but told her the other. “We’d been partners barely two months, and I’d inadvertently interrupted a bank robbery. I seemed to have a knack for showing up at the wrong place at the wrong time. I tried to play stupid, but they saw my badge and the robber put the gun to my head. I figured that was the end when Trick walked in. He acted like he knew the man, and they were old friends. It confused the guy enough that he hesitated before shooting, and Trick tackled and disarmed him.” Mason recalled that day with fondness and fear. “How do you think he got his nickname?” Mason picked up his tea. “So, yeah. I owe him. You wouldn’t be talking to me otherwise.”

“Well, when you put it that way…”

Mason rested his head back. “You just steer clear of him, okay? He likes the ladies, and I saw the way he looked at you.”

“Dear God. I’m a grown woman. I can take care of myself.” She paused. “He is pretty cute, though. He’s got that hot cowboy vibe. It’s attractive to a young innocent such as myself.”

Mason straightened. “Mikey─”

She laughed. “I’m kidding. Well, not about the hotness thing, but don’t worry. He’s not my type, plus his history with you makes it weird. He’s more like a brother than a lover.”

“He’d break your heart. He has a history of it. That’s the only reason I’m warning you off. You’ve had enough to deal with. You don’t need more.”

“Thanks for the concern, but don’t worry. I’ve got something else for you to fret over.”

Mason groaned. “I’m afraid to ask.”

“I called Remalla. Told him about this case.”

Mason gripped the phone. “You what? What for? I didn’t want you to do that.”

“Why not? Come on. You need information, and Rem and Daniels can get it for you. They’re cops and if you want to talk about owing someone, they owe you. Did you forget what you did for them?”

Mason held his head. “I’m sure they have enough on their plates.”

“On the contrary, Rem said he’d do some digging for you. He asked if you could meet him and Daniels for lunch tomorrow at that diner where we ate before. Rem loves their grilled cheese sandwich.”

Mason hesitated. He hadn’t known Rem and Daniels long, but their involvement in stopping Mason’s former friend, Victor D’Mato and his ugly activities, had forged a fast friendship between them. “You’re sure they’re okay with it?”

“You need to learn to ask for help every once in a while. They had no problem asking you when they needed it. It’s time to call in a favor or two.”

Mason had to admit, the information they could access would be exactly what he needed. “All right. I’ll let Trick know and we’ll meet them for lunch.”

“Good. I’ll tell Rem.”

“Rem, huh? Not Remalla?”

He heard her sigh. “That’s his name. It’s what people call him.”

Mason nodded, wondering when she’d figure it out. “Fine. If something comes up, though, we can reschedule.”

“Stop worrying about it. Let them help, okay? But first, you need to go get some rest. You have a busy day coming up.”

He sipped his tea. “Okay. You’ll be at the office tomorrow?”

“Bright and early.”

“I’ll see you then.”

“See you.”

He hung up and put the phone on the table, thinking about Remalla and Daniels, and wishing they hadn’t been pulled into this. While Trick