A Ghost of a Chance by Cherie Claire

Author:Cherie Claire
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Cherie Claire
Published: 2017-01-10T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fourteen

I’m standing in the doorway of an exquisite art gallery filled with local artwork, much of it hand-blown glass and delicate ceramics. In the state I’m in, another night of little sleep and haunting dreams, I don’t trust my clumsy self to enter the store. Alicia hands me a coffee as she passes me at the door and I know there will be a hallowed place in heaven for this petite public relations goddess.

“Bless you,” I manage and she looks back with a cute smile.

“What’s the matter with you, now?” Winnie asks. “Not enough rest?”

I look at my new friend with longing, wanting so much to tell her everything. “Winnie, it’s not what you think.”

She waves her hand in the air and saunters off. “I’m not thinking anything.”

Bless the shop owner’s heart as well, for he’s brought in an array of baked goods and tiny quiches, which Irene studies intensely and asks, “Do you have anything gluten free?” and Winnie rolls her eyes.

After we all grab a bite and the owner explains how the beauty and history of Eureka Springs makes for the perfect art colony, dating back to FDR’s time when Cora Pinkley-Call started the Ozark Writers’ and Artists’ Guild, we head to the back of the store where a staircase leads down to a variety of fine art. I grab Winnie before she descends.

“I really was exhausted last night and on my way to bed.”

“God, Vi, I’m not your mother.”

When she turns, I grab her sleeve again. “That woman was the mayor’s cousin.”

She’s bending but she’s not all there. “Whatever.”

“You don’t know this but there was an incident on my morning tour.” This stops Winnie from leaving and she looks back curiously, like any good journalist. “That woman was part of it and the mayor’s furious at me and Merrill came to explain what happened.”

Winnie pulls up close. “What did happen?”

“You’re not going to believe me.”

She gives me the mom stare.

“O-kay.” Here goes. “I saw a vision of three dead girls covered in blood by the side of this lake. And I screamed. The police came and found a bone of a person sticking out of the bank, most likely someone long dead. That woman and a bunch of protestors showed up because they’re trying to save the town’s springs which have become polluted over time and then the TV station arrived.”

Winnie puckers up her face and I’m not sure she’s with me. “It looks like those bones are from an old murder case,” I continue. “Kinda like what happened in the cave.”

I’m grimacing, waiting for the backlash, that Winnie imagines I’m either mentally deranged or pulling her leg but instead she opens her mouth like a freshwater trout. “No frickin’ way!”

“Unfortunately way.” I pull her aside knowing we only have a few minutes before they will call for us. “Please don’t tell anyone although it’s probably in the newspaper this morning.”

Winnie pinches my arm. “You have to tell me more.”

I give her the Scouts honor sign and we head downstairs to view a bunch of Ozark scenes encapsulated in oils and watercolors.

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