Page 14 of Cadaver Lab: Mind Over Murder

In light of murder accusations and lawsuits it was ridiculous to be here and pretend all was okay when everyone in this small town full of big gossip knew the story, which no doubt grew larger and more lurid with every telling.

“We should have canceled book club for tonight,” Natalie said.

Harper shook her head. “No. It’s fine. I’m fine.”

Natalie should dive right in and set it all up on the table before the club members arrived in ten minutes. She didn’t, because Harper did not look fine.

“You’re sure you’re okay?”

“Yes.” Harper flipped back a chestnut strand of hair that had yet again fallen in front of her face. The move didn’t help her disheveled appearance all that much. “It’s just…”

“Just what?” Natalie prompted.

“I’ve got this weird feeling.”

“What kind of weird feeling?”

“Like someone’s following me.”

Natalie widened her eyes. “You mean like you’re under surveillance?”

Did the Mudville sheriff’s department even have someone who could do that? The deputies and the sheriff had all been born and raised in this town. People would notice them.

Maybe Pompous Doug’s widow had hired a private investigator…

Pressing her lips together, Harper shook her head. “No. Not like that. It’s more… sinister. It feels like I’m being… I don’t know. Stalked. Hunted.”

Harper’s new choice of words hit an entirely different chord with Natalie. Because she had felt the same. In Utica when that dark entity had been in her hotel room. And now that she thought about it, yesterday in Liam’s lab.

She’d tried to write the incident off as just Gabe playing a practical joke. But she believed him when he said it wasn’t him. Besides, Gabe’s presence had never given her that feeling before.

Sinister.

That was the perfect word for the dark sensation. Harper had hit the nail right on the head.

Natalie swallowed hard, hating to scare Harper. The woman already looked freaked out. But she needed to know.

“Do you feel it now? The… presence?” she asked.

A frown creased Harper’s forehead as she considered. “No?”

“Is that a question?” Natalie asked.

“It’s just…weaker, I guess? Almost muted. Dampened. I felt it really strongly on my walk over here. I’d think it was one of my haters in town, following me to, I don’t know, creep me out or intimidate me or something, But I felt it at home too, inside the house, during dinner. And I know it wasn’t Gabe or Millie because they weren’t even home.”

“If it makes you feel any better, I don’t see any spirits in here now.”

Harper blew out a short, sharp breath. “That does make me feel a little better. Thanks. And I’ll feel a lot better once we break open these sweets.” She smiled. It might have been forced, but at least it was something.

“I’m here and I brought libations,” Alice announced.

“On your trike?” Natalie couldn’t resist the question.

“As a matter of fact, yes. So you two youngin’s can go out and get it. There’s a gallon jug in each basket.”

Natalie stilled, remembering some of the other times Alice had provided gallons of unidentified libations for the book club. “You didn’t make magic mushroom lemonade again, did you?”

“No. It’s sweet tea.”