Loose Ends Read Online Free PDF

welcoming.
    “Choose the right,” she sang softly, repeating the words from a childhood Sunday school song. But just as she moved towards the right, the glimpse of a white, translucent leg disappearing at the end of the one on the left had Mary jogging down that narrow passageway. “Sure hope it’s the same ghost.”
    She turned at the end of the row and was greeted by a dead end. “I know I saw her come this way.”
    Mary turned and flashed her light around the small enclosure, carefully studying the growth in front of her. A shape incongruent with nature caught her attention and she reached forward through the hedge and clasped cold metal. She pushed the brush aside and found a wrought iron fence. Jiggling the latch several times to loosen the rusted mechanism, she forced it open and strained against the plant covered gate. Finally it started to move and Mary put her weight against it. The gate inched slowly forward and Mary squeezed through.
    “Crap, this rust is going to stain,” she muttered as the gate caught at her clothing.
    But her concern about the damage to her wardrobe was instantly erased when she slipped past the gate and stepped into a different world.
    “Whoa.”
    The temperature was suddenly warm. Downright balmy, like summer, she thought. I have now entered the Twilight Zone.
    The garden was manicured and little lights were placed strategically along the paved walkway. She could hear water flowing ahead, beyond a privacy wall. She followed the path and skirted the wall.
    The water was turquoise blue, reflecting the color of the swimming pool. Patio furniture surrounded the pool, waiting for a party. Moving forward she saw the ghost sitting on the edge of the pool, her feet slapping against the surface of the water. She heard her laugh – an echo of a laugh from a long time ago.
    Mary moved forward to see if the ghost would speak with her, but before she could move, the story started to unfold before her eyes. The ghost laughed and leaned back, her voice was too low for Mary to hear. But she could see her whispering, an intimate conversation like she was talking to a lover. The ghost slid into the water, floating for a moment.
    That’s strange , Mary thought, she’s not dressed for swimming.
    Slowly the translucent woman drifted under the water, her eyes open, her smile dreamy. Mary watched, transfixed, as she drifted in the pool of blue. Then her eyes widened and her smile turned to fear. Bubbles rushed to the surface of the pool as the ghost struggled against the unseen force that held her under.
    Mary moved to help, but stopped, remembering she was seeing a vision of the past. Finally, after a few of the longest minutes in Mary’s life, the bubbles stopped and the body drifted to the bottom of the pool.
    Instantly, the scene changed. Mary was staring at an abandoned pool, cracks in the sides, weeds growing up from the dirt collected on the bottom.
    Gone was the furniture, patio lights and neatly manicured gardens. In their place was darkness, neglect and the frigid sensation of death. A cold spot. Mary shivered before the cold wind reminded her she was back in the present.
    She flashed her light beam around the area and then down into the pool where the body had drifted moments before. Only cracked concrete was visible.
    Mary took a deep shuddering breath. This had not been an accidental drowning. Someone had indeed murdered this woman.
    She turned and found herself face to face with the phantom. Wet hair was plastered against her ice-blue face. Her clothing dripped with water, her eyes intense. Mary gasped and stepped back, her heart thudding against her chest.
    She took a quick calming breath, “How, how can I help you?”
    Mary could feel the grief emanating from the ghost in front of her. Tears filled the ghost’s eyes. Instinctively, Mary reached out – only to find her hand moving through the ethereal body.
    “Let me help you,” she repeated.
    The ghost shook her head slowly. “Why