Secret Hollows by Terri Reid Read Free Book Online Page B

weather.”
    Mary put her hand out the window. “Keep it up, Braveheart .”
    “However, I have a set of weights down in her basement I’d be happy to let you use,” Ian continued. “So you can get started getting her in shape.”
    “Hey, you’re a good sport, Scotty,” Ernie said. “Yeah, that’ll work.”
    “But I was going to sleep in,” Mary grumbled.
    “Aye, darling, and so was I,” Ian responded. “And I suppose neither of us will get our wish today.”

Chapter Eight
    Mary lay on the weight bench staring up at the basement ceiling, sweat dripping from her face. “Enough,” she said, panting. “I can’t lift another pound. My arms feel like rubber.”
    “No pain, no gain, sister,” Ernie said.
    Summoning up enough energy to turn her head, Mary glared at him. “Nobody likes a smart-mouth ghost,” she said and then she exhaled sharply, blowing her sweaty bangs off her forehead.
    Ernie laughed. “Hey, you did good , kid. I didn’t think you’d have the strength to last this long. Those skinny arms actually have some muscle in them.”
    “Thanks a lot,” she replied sarcastically.
    “Hey, I’m not going to sugar-coat things for you, sister,” he said. “You got to get in shape and I’m supposed to do it.”
    Mary used the bar to pull herself up into a sitting position, grabbed the towel lying on the bench and mopped up some of the sweat. “You still haven’t told me why I need to get in shape.”
    “No, I haven’t, have I?” he replied.
    Mary waited for Ernie to continue. “And?” she finally asked.
    “And I’ll see you tomorrow at the gym,” he replied as he started to fade out. “Don’t be late.”
    “But…,” she started, and found herself staring at an empty room.
    “Damn, you’re hot when you’re sweaty,” Mike said, appearing behind her.
    She would have jumped, but she was just too tired. “Hi Mike,” she said wearily.
    “But you’re not much fun,” he added.
    “Did you ever hear of a gym in downtown Freeport?” she asked. “Owned by a guy named Ernie?”
    “No, but I grew up in Lena and only came to Freeport when we had major shopping,” he said. “Why? What’s up?”
    “Well, Ernie, the sadistic gym manager, came to me yesterday and had me follow him to his old gym on Spring Street,” she explained. “Actually, it’s pretty cool. It’s got a boxing ring and a bunch of equipment for training. He told me he had to train me. He needs me to be the champ he never trained.”
    “So, are you giving up being a private eye to start a boxing career?” Mike asked, raising his hands into fighting position and floating around the basement.
    “I really don’t think so,” Mary said drily. “But, if this is what he needs to move on, I guess it won’t hurt.”
    Mike grinned. “Oh, yeah, it’s gonna hurt,” he said. “But, really, I think it will be good for you in the long run.”
    She stood up, winced and slowly moved toward the staircase. “How is it going to be good for me?” she asked.
    “Mary, honey, I love you. But you’ve really let yourself go lately.”
    “What?” she asked, more than a little miffed. “Let myself go?”
    He raised his hands in a defensive manner. “Okay, before you kill the messenger, let me ask you. When was the last time you went running?” he asked, and as she opened her mouth added, “ and that jaunt in the park with Bradley doesn’t count.”
    She closed her mouth and thought for a moment. “Well, it’s been cold,” she said.
    “Yeah, and really, there are no places in Freeport where you could work out, right?” he replied sarcastically.
    “Well, I’ve been busy on cases,” she argued.
    “Yes you have,” he agreed. “And on more than one case you’ve had the crap kicked out of you. But…”
    She sighed. “But?”
    “But, if you were still on the force, you’d be doing daily physical training and keeping your skills at their best,” he said.
    “Not everyone on the force does daily PT,” she