Ghost Writer - Pandora Pine Page 0,47
Brooks and he’s bent on revenge.”
Ten’s mouth dropped open as if to say he hadn’t been expecting those words. “Bent on revenge? Why? On who? Are you and Wolf in danger?”
Cope could feel the trepidation pouring off Tennyson. “We’re safe. I wasn’t so sure about that last night, but I feel better about it this morning. Wolf was his usual sunny self, so I’m not worried so much about that now.”
“You know you’re all welcome to stay with us if things get hairy.” Ten lifted an eyebrow. “You didn’t answer my question about revenge.”
“Brooks wouldn’t tell me. That’s why I’m going through the Globe’s archives. Jude and I figured he might be associated with the sexual abuse scandal in the Catholic Church, so I’m checking to see if there are any murders that match up with what little we know.”
Tennyson was silent. He nibbled his bottom lip while he seemed to be thinking things over. “If he has the ability to communicate with you beyond hymn lyrics, why isn’t he?”
“I’m not sure. Jude had an interesting theory that typing the lyrics is a compulsion.” Cope still wasn’t sure what he thought of that explanation, but with Brooks only handing out sparse information, Jude’s reasoning behind the lyrics was as good as any.
Ten’s eyes widened. “I’ve come across a spirit or two like that in my time. They’re not easy to work with and tend to be unstable.”
“I didn’t get that vibe from him.” Cope hoped Brooks would be able to separate himself from his compulsion long enough to communicate.
“Anything is possible,” Ten agreed.
“Any advice on how to handle this spirit?” At his wit’s end, Cope would take all the advice he could get.
Ten crossed his arms over his chest. “I’d like to meet him if he would be up to speaking to another medium. See if there’s anything I could pick up from him. When it comes to working with him, be delicate. If you push too hard, you could scare him away.”
“Believe it or not, Jude has been the soft touch with him.” Cope saw Jude stand up from the other side of their shared workstation. He knew the mention of his husband’s name would catch Jude’s attention.
Dropping a wink at Cope, Ten obviously knew Jude was standing behind him. “I believe it. Jude is so good with all the kids, Everly especially. He’s so patient and kind, even when my little miss is melting down. It doesn’t surprise me at all that he’d be good with sensitive spirits.”
“I don’t have the benefit of your gifts, but I can tell something terrible happened to him.” Jude gave his head a shake. “I was telling Cope last night I had to write lines in school because I’d misbehaved. The one emotion that stood out to me was shame over being chastised in front of the whole class. That’s not a feeling that goes away.”
“No, it isn’t. It’s a tough emotion, but why do you think that makes him reluctant to open up to us?” Nothing so far about this case made any sense even though Cope was scrambling to put the pieces together.
“That’s easy.” Jude shrugged. “Shame makes people hide. It’s something we stuff down into the deepest, darkest corners of our soul because we know if it ever sees the light of day, our friends and family will run from us in disgust. The thought of that reaction is too much to bear.”
Cope could hear the pain in Jude’s voice. “If anyone can convince Brooks that our home is a safe space, it’s you.”
Jude shined his fist against his shirt. “Told you I was Employee of the Month.”
“Oh, God, you’ve given him an ego. If you want me to come over and help out, I’m only a call away” Ten hopped off Cope’s desk. “Employee of the Month, my ass,” Ten mumbled as he left.
“Thanks, Ten.” Jude was all smiles as he sauntered over to Cope’s side of the desk. He was silent until the psychic was out of earshot. “I knew I was the best uncle ever.”
“Oh, please.” Cope rolled his eyes. If he admitted the truth, that Jude was the best uncle ever, he’d be dealing with Jude’s swollen head for the rest of the day. Probably the rest of the week.
Jude’s glittering eyes turned serious. “You know I’d rather take a bullet than see anything happen to those kids.”
Cope nodded. He knew enough to be still and let Jude explain himself fully.
“I remember the time we