The Lingering Dead Read Online Free PDF

anymore.”
    He nodded. “Of course.”
    She pushed away from him, the blade scoring the soft flesh of his neck enough to draw blood. Several red tears of blood welled up from the split in the skin. “Show me you’re an adequate lawman, Elton. Perhaps I’ll include a bonus in your paycheck.”
    Carson gulped and managed a feeble laugh. “Don’t really want your money, Charlie.”
    Charlie grinned back. “See? Nice and direct and honest.” She reached down and wiped the blood up with a finger, bringing it up to her lips and sucking it clean with deliberate slowness. “Take care of that boy.”
    â€œConsider it done,” he said and pulled a handkerchief from his pocket.
    Charlie stopped him and traced her finger back across his neck once again, sealing the wound up as she went. She smiled at Carson as his eyes fluttered shut and then slapped him hard once across the face. “Next time I come in here and you’re smoking, you’re going to be eating those fucking things. Got it?”
    He rubbed gingerly at his cheek. “Yeah, damn it. I got it.”
    â€œGood.” Charlie spun on her heel and walked out, annoyance gradually turning to excitement. It was time to give Becca the present she had had made for her.
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    Up the hill at her house, Charlie clomped down the stairs into the basement, where Becca was helping Ma-ma wash the week’s clothes. The stench of soap and bleach was strong in the air. Ma-ma was pinning clothes up on the lines back by the trap doors, which were open, letting the cold November air clear the room. Becca ran a dark, sudsy piece of cloth over the washboard and dunked it into the tub of soapy water.
    â€œSis! I thought you were going to be gone until afternoon.” She smiled and waved her fingers at her.
    Charlie returned the smile. The charm was finally starting to hold. The girl was more resilient than most, which boded well for when the time came to try. She had to be tough, but more importantly, she had to believe and she had to love. Charlie walked over to Becca and kissed her on the cheek.
    â€œYou guys are almost done. I didn’t think you’d finish before lunch time.”
    Ma-ma walked over and squeezed Becca’s shoulder. “Your sister knows how to work up a storm. Make sure you get some lotion on those hands, sweetie. That bleach will do the devil’s work on your skin.”
    Charlie looked up at her mother. “Turkey leftover sandwiches for lunch, Ma-ma. Twenty minutes.”
    â€œOf course, dear. Just the way you like them.”
    Rebecca fed the garment through the roller to squeeze out the water and then handed it over. “Here, Ma-ma.”
    When she reached to grab the next article of clothing from the basket, Charlie grabbed her hand. It was still wet, but she could feel the dry skin forming on the knuckles. “Ma-ma’s right. That bleach is trashing your hands.” She brought it up to her mouth, pressing her lips to the base knuckle of the index finger. When she pulled it away, the skin was smooth and untarnished. Becca stared up at her with wide eyes. “Come on,” she said. “You can finish up after lunch. I have something for you.”
    Rebecca beamed. “Really? What is it?
    Charlie took her hand and pulled Rebecca to her feet. “Come on. I just know you’ll love it.”
    They hurried up the stairs, hand in hand, through the kitchen filled with the smell of freshly baked bread where Charlie grabbed her travel satchel, and then up the stairs again to their bedroom. They sat down on the impeccably made bed, with its Victorian lace pillows and hand-crocheted blankets, where Rebecca fidgeted with excitement.
    She folded her legs up cross-legged on the bed, bouncing with anticipation. “What is it, Charlie?
    From out of the satchel, Charlie withdrew a paper-wrapped package, tied in a bow with a piece of twine. She slapped at