Southern Bound - A Paranormal-Mystery (Max Porter Mysteries Book 1) Read Online Free PDF Page A

guest chair.
    "You and I are to have lunch," he said, disdain dripping from every word.
    Max tried to look at the desk, to keep his eyes off Drummond, but he caught sight of the ghost disappearing into the bookcase. "It's a bit early for lunch," he managed to say while staring at the books.
    Modesto stood, straightening his suit, and stepped between Max and where Drummond had been. "There is no need for rudeness. You and I are to have lunch this afternoon."
    "I've got a lot of work to do. Instead, can we —"
    "What makes you think our employer is any less specific with me in his instructions? Now, please acknowledge that you understand what I've said, so I know you will meet me."
    "Okay, sure."
    "Twelve-thirty."
    "I'll be working on —"
    "I don't really care."
    When Modesto left, Max slumped into the desk chair and let out a long sigh. This was how he had lost his job in Michigan — an early morning request to join the boss's assistant to lunch. False accusations came with that lunch. Before the entrees hit the table, his job had disappeared.
    He should call Sandra. She would ease his mind. She knew what to say. But if he called her, she would also know that something else had happened, and he wasn't ready to explain about ghosts. Besides, there was no reason to think he had lost this job. He had moved the table, true. But could they really know that?
    "Not unless they're bugging the office," Max chuckled. His eyes darted to the dark corners of the room. No, he refused to let paranoia attack. He had no control over this lunch, so best to just go to the library and get some work done. Whatever happens after that would happen regardless.
     
    * * * *
     
    At 12:30 exactly, Mr. Modesto arrived and brought Max to the Village Tavern — a small restaurant adjacent to the university campus. Max loved the place the instant he stepped inside. It reminded him of visits to New York City — the dark, cramped restaurant that utilized every last inch of space, the jostle of people all grumpy with hunger, the clatter from the busy kitchen underscoring the delightful aromas drifting throughout. When they had money again, Max wanted to bring Sandra here to celebrate.
    After they were seated, Mr. Modesto folded his hands on the table and said, "Tell me everything you've learned."
    Max frowned. "I'm confused. I assumed I would be writing a report for our employer," he said, fully conscious that he had just used the phrase Modesto always applied to their boss.
    "You will write a report, too. However, our employer desires a faster reply at the moment. So, tell me what you will eventually write down."
    "Okay," Max said, holding back a sarcastic — you asked for it.
    Halfway through their filet mignons, Max entered into the work he had explored in the last few days — the Moravian congregational government. "It's fascinating stuff," he said. "They divided their government into three branches just like America would do shortly afterward, but these branches acted very differently." Modesto appeared to pay attention in a polite manner but showed no surprise as Max explained the system. "The first branch was the Elders Conference. They dealt with the spiritual affairs of the congregation and ensured that all the various officials worked well together. The Congregation Council handled broader issues that affected the long-term — like an overseer. And last was the Aufesher Collegium which dealt with secular matters such as town administration."
    "And this system worked?" Modesto asked, but something in his voice told Max he could care less. Max didn't mind, though. He'd babble for a week if it kept his mind off of ghosts.
    "Well, it worked for them. They used their three-branch government to regulate all aspects of life so nobody would profit at somebody else's expense. They sought harmony for everybody."
    "But it didn't always work that way, did it?"
    "Of course not."
    "And do you have any examples of this not working?"
    Max took a bite of his