Suddenly Psychic (Glimmer Lake #1)(27)

She pulled the zipper and the bag opened. There was another bag around the bones, but they were visible through the plastic, brownish grey, still looking like they’d been bathing in mud.

Val scrunched up her nose. “Still gross.”

“But less gross,” Monica said. “They’re dry at least.”

Robin tried to hold her breath, but it was impossible. “Slightly less… gooey.”

“Oh my God, did you have to say gooey?” Val had a hand over her mouth. “I can’t touch those.”

“Just like… a finger,” Monica whispered. “Just try a finger.”

“His finger or hers?” Robin asked.

Val stomped her foot. “That question is gross too!”

“When Jackson had a compound fracture, you held his arm together all the way to the hospital, Val. This can’t be grosser than that,” Monica said.

“It was equally gross, but Jackson is my kid and I’m legally required to handle his gross bones.” Val pointed at the skeleton. “I am not legally required to touch his!”

Robin reached out for Val’s hand, took it, and held it over what remained of the body. “One finger,” she said. “Just try. You need to know.”

Val took a deep breath and nodded. She reached out with two fingers and touched the least gooey part of the skull she could find, closing her eyes.

Robin held her breath for what felt like a minute but probably was only a few seconds.

Val withdrew her hand and shook her head. “Nothing.”

“Okay, so now you know—whatever this weird thing is—it doesn’t work on bones.”

Monica quickly zipped up the body bag and reached for what looked like a white garbage bag that lay at the foot of the body. “I’m hoping the chains are in here.”

“Would they be?” Robin said. “Or would Sully have sent them from his office?”

“They’re here.” Monica reached in and pulled out a clear plastic bag with a white sticker on the front. “It’s just one of those giant Ziplocs.”

“Is it sealed?”

“Nope.” Monica pulled it open. “I am not very impressed with our local chain-of-custody procedures, I can tell you that much.”

“This isn’t exactly a hot case,” Val said, peeking over Monica’s shoulder. “Okay, let me touch those. Not nearly as gross.”

“Really?” Robin said. “Because these were around Dead Guy’s legs. They’re probably the reason—”

“Shut. It.” She held up a hand. “The less I think about it, the better.” She nudged Monica out of the way and reached into the bag. “Here goes.”

Robin didn’t know what Val saw when she touched things, but she knew whatever happened in the next moment wasn’t good. It was like her friend’s whole body seized.

“Hold her!” Monica got behind Val and held her around the waist. “Hey, honey. I got you. I got you, Val.”

Robin ran to catch Val’s shoulders. The woman was stiff as a board. It was like she’d received an electric shock and her entire body had frozen.

“Val,” Robin said firmly. “Let go of the chains.”

“She’s not letting go.”

“See if you can get her fingers loose.”

Monica reached around and pried Val’s fingers from around the rusted chain while Robin eased Val back and away from the drawer.

“Okay, I got it.” Monica carefully put the chains back in the bag and sealed it while Robin caught Val, whose knees had given out as soon as she let go of the rusted metal.

“You got her?”

“Yeah.” Robin eased Val down to the linoleum floor. “Monica, can I have your sweater?”

“Yeah.” She threw a cardigan at Robin, who laid it under Val’s head.

“Bag,” Val murmured.

“What?”

“Gonna puke.” She was swallowing hard. “Get me a bag.”

“Right.” Robin shot to her feet and dove for the row of cabinets by the sink. She couldn’t find anything plastic, but she found a paper bag like the ones they had on airplanes. “Do these actually work?”

“Robin!” Monica held out her hands, and Robin tossed the bag to her. Monica caught it and got it to Val’s mouth just in time.

Robin grabbed a few more bags and placed them next to Monica while she took care of Val. Next, she stood and tried to put everything around the bones back as they’d found it; then she pushed the metal drawer back into the wall of bodies and shut the door.

She walked over and grabbed a paper towel from behind the sink, wet it, and brought it back to Val, who was on her second bag.

“We’re gonna have some cleaning up,” Robin said quietly.

“She’s almost done.”

Robin knelt next to Val and rubbed her back.

“Have you ever thought about how many bodily fluids we’ve dealt with over the years?” Monica asked. “Between poop, puke, and blood, moms have to have the sturdiest stomachs in the world.”

Val spat and reached for the paper towel. “Speak for yourself.”

“Was it bad?”

“Yeah.” Val’s eyes were haunted. “Let’s get out of here.”