Giving Up the Ghost Read Online Free PDF

told her.
    "Which is why I need you to help me, Gabbie."
    "Oh, no!" She raised her palms to ward off his preposterous demand.
    "I can tell you're resourceful, and you're good with people. Precisely the type of woman
capable of finding out who did the deed."
    "I can't, Cam. I won't!"
    "Come on, Gabbie. I need you. You're my link to this town. To the world."
    "Look," she said, "I'm terribly sorry that someone killed you, but I've come to Chrissom
Harbor to recover from the traumas in my own life. I can't get involved in a murder investigation."
She stood, ready to flee.
    "Don't go!"
    She hesitated when she saw the anguish in his face.
    "I hate to be melodramatic, but I'll shriek and carry on until you agree to find out who
killed me." He proved his point by letting loose an ear-piercing scream.
    Gabbie clapped her hands over her ears. "Stop it! I get your message, but honestly,
there's nothing I can do."
    "Just talk to those people." His words came faster and faster. "They'll know you're
staying here at the cottage. It's human nature for you to show an interest in my death. Wonder
aloud if I had enemies, if my death wasn't an accident. And if someone acts weird or his story
doesn't jive, tell Darren. Only don't let him know I started you off on this. He'll cart you right over to
the local nut house."
    "Cam, I really don't--"
    "It's easy enough. All you have to do is go to Logan's Place. It's that log cabin-looking
restaurant-bar on the far end of Main Street. Everyone in town goes to Logan's, sometime or other.
In fact, Jill often eats there Monday nights with her husband and daughter."
    "No, no, no." Gabbie covered her ears and walked out of the den. He followed her to the
doorway, and called after her as she started up the stairs, "Jill works part-time as bookkeeper for
Reese Walters, and she does volunteer work, teaching reading to immigrants."
    Both amused and exasperated, Gabbie returned to the hall and shook her head at him.
"I'll think about it. It's the best I can offer."
    "All right." He gave her a heartbreaking smile. "I appreciate whatever you're willing to
do. Even if it's only to have dinner at Logan's tonight, to hear what people have to say about me."
His grin was mischievous. "The food's really good."
    Suddenly she was hungry and not in the mood to prepare dinner, not even an omelet.
Going to Logan's wasn't a bad idea. She could meet some of the townsfolk and find out what they
were saying about Cam.
    "I might go to Logan's, after all." When that brought on a huge smile, she quickly added,
"But that doesn't mean I'm going to play detective. I still have to think that over."
    "When will you let me know?"
    "As soon as I've decided. Please don't nag. I'm here to teach English, remember? I'll be
lucky if I keep one chapter ahead of the kids."
    Cam dismissed her concerns with a flick of his wrist. "A piece of cake. I can tell you're a
pro."
    Gabbie bit her lip. The anxiety she'd been holding at bay, swept over her like a
tsunami.
    "I'm glad you have confidence in me because I'm terrified. I haven't taught in a
classroom in years."

CHAPTER SIX
    Logan's Place resembled the kind of log cabin Abe Lincoln was supposed to have
grown up in, except that the restaurant-bar blazed with still-hanging Christmas lights. It stood back
from the corner, allowing patrons to park on all four sides of the rectangular-shaped building.
Gabbie pulled into one of the few available spots. When she tugged open the rough-hewn wooden
door, she was enveloped by the heavenly aroma of shrimp scampi.
    She stood in the tiny vestibule, feeling like Alice in Wonderland as she debated which of
the two doors to open next. The one to the bar, Gabbie decided. She opened it a crack and peered in.
Several patrons sat on stools or leaned against the long bar. The drone of the six o'clock news from
the overhead TV reached her ears.
    Maybe later. She opted for the larger, brighter dining room, where couples and families
sat at tables covered with red and