That Old Flame of Mine by J. J. Cook Read Free Book Online Page B

any sense, her being found in a closet. She was one of the smartest, calmest people I’ve ever known. I don’t believe she panicked. If I were you, I’d check into that son of hers. He’s wanted her money and that house for years. Where was
he
when she was killed?”
    Stella had no answers for her. Flo kept talking as they climbed the staircase to a quaint room in one of the old turrets in front. “I hope you’ll be comfortable here tonight. You’re welcome back anytime. They can check out that cabin from now till doomsday. Unless they take an exorcist up there, things are always going to be strange.”
    Tired and glad that she was finally alone, Stella put on her nightclothes and stared out at Main Street without turning on the light. The room was much smaller than the one she slept in at the cabin, but the lights weren’t turning on and off, and she didn’t have that odd feeling that someone was watching her.
    It was crazy. Her father and his big, Irish family had told stories about ghosts and other creatures since she’d been a child. She didn’t believe those stories either. It was easier to believe there were snakes in the wiring—although she might prefer a ghost or two. She really didn’t like snakes.
    She finally lay back on the elaborate four-poster and stared at the ceiling. She went over and over the fire in her mind. Stella sighed. She wasn’t looking forward to figuring out what had caused it. She’d helped with several investigations but had never done one alone. She hoped she was up for the challenge.
    She closed her eyes and was soon dreaming about Eric Gamlyn. He was riding in the same seat she’d taken beside Ricky in the fire engine that day. He was barking out orders to his volunteers. They were fighting a fire in town. He ran into a burning building just seconds before the whole thing collapsed.
    Stella woke up abruptly. She’d been crying. It was morning. Sunlight was streaming through the tower windows. The smell of coffee filled the bed-and-breakfast. She could hear the sounds of a TV, a hair dryer, and maybe an electric toothbrush coming from somewhere.
    She washed her face, shaking her head at her red eyes. Too many ghost stories right before bed, not to mention hot pepper and chocolate. She didn’t believe in ghosts. The man in her dreams, with his long blond hair and broad shoulders, only looked like the real Eric because she’d seen that picture of him.
    Stella thought about the shadowy intruder who’d disappeared so quickly after John had arrived. She hadn’t been able to see his face, but she could tell he was a tall, large man—like Eric Gamlyn.
    “Stop it right there.” She stared at herself in the tiny bathroom mirror. “Don’t get carried away with this. Think about the snakes slithering around in the wiring instead. It’s creepy, but at least that makes sense.”
    Her cell phone rang. It was her mother calling from Chicago. “How are things going? Is your team shaping up?”
    Stella told her about the fire. “They don’t have an arson investigator, Mom. They want me to do it.”
    She could hear her father’s comments in the background as he listened to their conversation. “You’ve got plenty of training, Stella. Don’t worry about it. Another few weeks and you’ll be home. I’m sure they’re happy with all you’ve done for them.”
    “Your father’s right,” Barbara Griffin told her daughter. “Anything else going on?”
    “Just the usual. Oh yeah. Except for the ghost in my cabin.”
    “Ghost? What makes you think there’s a ghost?”
    “Not me. Local folklore. It’s the ghost of the old fire chief. He doesn’t want anyone living in his house.” Stella laughed to take the edge off her words.
    “I’m sure there’s a rational explanation for it. We both know the only ghosts are the ones from our past that we can’t leave behind.”
    “If you’re saying that because you’re worried about me and Doug, don’t be. I haven’t even thought