One Heart by Chace Verity

Author:Chace Verity [Verity, Chace]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: anonymous
Published: 2022-09-29T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter 18

Vincent

An extra large triple-triple from Monahan’s (the good one) didn’t have enough caffeine and sugar to make Vincent feel less like he had been hit by a Zamboni. It was going to be a long night at work.

He hadn’t been able to take a nap after the zoo. His attention had been absorbed by the new book in his possession. The primer about ghosts had awakened his curiosity. After reading a few sections about rage ghosts, he had dug through his personal collection for more texts on the subject and enlisted Aunt Gale’s help in checking the books at her house.

At least he had been able to swap shifts with Samina. Vincent was initially supposed to close the upstairs bar tonight, but he was now the opener. He’d be able to get out earlier and head for the haunted playground with Kit.

Did the newbie necromancer feel confident about dealing with a rage ghost? Not really. But Kit had taken care of multiple specters so far, and the zombie noticeably changed with each ghost he ate. A large meal like the phantom haunting a children’s playground would surely unlock more memories and get them one step closer to solving Kit’s murder.

“Hey, Vince.”

Vincent took a large gulp of his coffee and hid it behind the bar. His mind screamed at him to act natural, but his face twitched as he greeted his boss.

“Hi, Gio,” he said, his voice cracking in the most embarrassing manner possible.

Fortunately, Gio didn’t seem to notice. The sleepy-eyed bar owner half-heartedly inspected the POS machine. “Samina not here yet?”

“She still has a few minutes before she needs to be here. It’s dead up here, anyway.”

Vincent pressed his lips together, debating if now was a good time to talk about another not-alive subject. He had initially planned to launch his inquisition while cashing out in Gio’s office later, but maybe it would be safer to talk while there were a couple of patrons around.

The nervous bartender drew his hand to his neck, wishing he had his pendant on him for emotional support. “Can I ask you something?”

“You? Sure.” Gio fiddled with a stack of coasters, his gaze drifting to the television in the corner. “Thought you knew everything here. You probably know more about this place than I do.”

“It’s not about Allers. It’s about Kit.”

“Kit Clayton? Still missing, isn’t he?”

Gio’s relaxed, bored tone stabbed Vincent right in the heart. Anger and fear bled out in unquantifiable waves. How could the man before him be so calm?

Vincent gripped the collar of his black polo shirt. “I was wondering what you remember about the last time you saw him.”

“Huh?” Gio kept staring at the television. “Would have been at work. You know I don’t remember shit that happens here. It all runs together.”

“But you saw him after work one night in December. After his last shift here. We were both the closers that night.” Vincent stepped away from Gio, closer to the knives used for slicing fruit. “He told me he had to meet up with you.

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