You're Not Alone

  ***

  I was sitting in the living room with the locket in my hands. Holding it made me feel close to Matthew, yet at the same time I felt unsettled. I knew I put it in his coffin. How did it get here? What was going on in my apartment, and who or what was messing with my psyche?

  I reached in my back pocket and pulled out the business card Mr. Princeton gave me. I dialed the number.

  “Hello?” I was stunned by the softness of her voice. I found my body calming for the first time in months. How can one word do that, I thought? It took me totally off guard, and I found myself not being able to answer. “I can help you,” the voice on the other end said soothingly in some kind of European accent I couldn’t distinguish. “I’m sorry for your loss and all the difficulties you are facing.”

  I stared at the phone. Oh, this had to be generic. Probably everyone that called her wanted to contact the dead, so I shouldn’t think anything more about what this stranger just said to me other than it was what she said to everyone who contacted her.

  “What is it you’re holding in your hand? I can feel it.”

  “A… a locket.”

  “There’s a picture of him in it.” She didn’t ask. It was a statement.

  I opened the locket. The photograph inside now was a picture of Matthew sitting on the wooden raft that was anchored on the Saint Lawrence River just off shore near our cottage. I

  sucked in a surprised breath. “Yes.”

  “It’s very strong. What’s your name?”

  “Quinn.”

  “Well, Quinn, you must know my name. I give my card out to very few people. Who did you get it from?”

  “Mr. Princeton.”

  “Eddie!” she exclaimed. “How is he? What is he up to? Probably more bones and artifacts. I just love that man.”

  “Um, he’s fine. I had dinner with him last night. He gave me your card. He thought you could help me.”

  “I am free tomorrow—morning or evening. The spirits are strongest during those times. What works for you?”

  “Ten in the morning?”

  “That will be fine. Where do you live?” I gave the address to her. “It will be okay, Quinn. Don’t be scared when you hear them. I don’t believe they mean you any harm. I’ll see you tomorrow morning.” She hung up before I could say anything.

  I looked at my phone. What the hell just happened?