1 Broken Hearted Ghoul Read Online Free PDF Page A

his child. Debbie is a very nice person.”
    He glanced up at me. It was just a random movement of his head that let me know he was considering my words. “She’ll get tougher. As for her letting Mr. Tappman go, I believe you had the same problem once or twice when you first started, hmm?”
    I acknowledged that he was right. Some of the zombies whose time was up were pathetic. I used to feel sorry for them, until I had to face Abe with a job unfinished. Going back out after them again was even worse.
    “Do you think you’re tough, Skye?”
    “Tougher than some. Not so tough as others.”
    “Good. I have a new assignment for you.”
    “Does it involve being tough? Should I leave Debbie at home?”
    “No. Take her with you. She has to learn.” He handed me a scrap of paper. “Go to this address, and pick up Mr. Howard Welk. His time is up.”
    “I met Debbie’s husband yesterday.” I managed to grab the paper without touching him. I’d learned that touching him was an unpleasant experience. I couldn’t really explain it, but even thinking about it made me shiver. “He’s not a zombie. Was there some mistake?”
    Abe stopped moving, and looked at the door behind me. It slammed shut without so much as a nod from him. “Why don’t you think he’s a zombie?”
    I was a little startled by his response. Was it supposed to be a secret?
    “You’re the one who told me I’d always know when I was close to my own kind. I stood right next to him. He’s not like me, or the others. Or you, for that matter. Not even like Brandon.”
    “What did he feel like?”
    I thought about meeting Terry. “I don’t think he’s human. I don’t know what he is. Debbie thinks he’s a zombie.”
    His head lifted. “Did you tell her?”
    “No. I wouldn’t know what to say.”
    “Good. Keep it to yourself. Go get Debbie, and take her to that address.”
    The door opened. I guessed that was my cue to leave. “Okay. I’ll let you know how it goes.”
    “Thank you for taking the time with Debbie’s training. I think she’s going to be good at this, don’t you?”
    “Abe—what happened to Mr. Tappman? Where did he go after he went into the mortuary?”
    “Exactly what you might imagine. I’ll see you later, Skye.”
     

Chapter Five
     
    There were so many questions I wished I could ask him. Not the least of which was why he seemed to have a soft spot for Debbie. He didn’t call her in because she wasn’t tough enough with Tappman.
    Not only was she the only person I knew that he was letting her work off someone else’s service, she was also the only one he’d moved around from position to position until he could find the exactly the right spot for her.
    If I didn’t know better—and I really didn’t—I’d swear he had a thing for her. That was both disturbing and amazing at the same time.
    When I’d first showed up for my service, Abe had said something like, “You go out and bring in others like yourself when their time is up.” He didn’t ask what I thought of the idea, or if he could find something I’d like better.
    What was it with him and Debbie?
    And in that same vein, what was it with Debbie’s husband? Why hadn’t Abe healed him? Maybe it was because Debbie in his service, not Terry. That kind of made sense.
    Abe hadn’t denied that Terry wasn’t a zombie. All he seemed to be worried about was if Debbie knew about it. I wished I had enough nerve to ask what was going on.
    Admittedly, it was none of my business, but I couldn’t help being curious. Many times, it was what drove me as a police officer, and it was one of the few things that I didn’t lose when I became a zombie.
    Of course, there was always the chance that Debbie’s position in Abe’s organization would play some part in my life. It looked as though Debbie was going to be my partner, at least for now. Whatever plans Abe had for her could affect me.
    Was that a good enough excuse to nose around and ask questions?
    I didn’t