The Resurrection of Josephine Read Online Free PDF Page A

say.” Rumer shook her head and Martin did the same. He was amazed at the way his old friends, and his new ones, had taken to each other. Rumer had spilled the story about Josephine and Lola, and everyone had listened with rapt attention. When she was done, Dev had suggested a trip to the cemetery, and had been at the gate before anyone could object.
    They'd had a heated discussion about the pros and cons of putting themselves in Josephine's path. Dev and Fletch had surprised them all by saying they'd gone there last night, but hadn't gone inside. Martin knew there was no way to deter them, and he told Rumer so.
    They'd stopped by the trio's house to pick up a few ghost detecting items, and here they were, ready to do some hunting.
    "She's not a ghost,” Martin said, pointing to the machines.
    "She should have an energy signature,” Fletch said. “We'll find her."
    Fletch and Dev headed for the gate, and Martin was surprised to see Quinn and Noah fall into step behind them.
    "Quinn? You hate the ‘ghostly stuff.'” Martin held up his hands in a questioning gesture. “Where are you going?"
    "I've changed in the last year,” she replied with a laugh. “Besides, it's broad daylight, and I doubt she can hurt us."
    Martin shrugged, then looked at Noah. “No powers?"
    "No,” Noah said. “But I want to see what we're up against."
    The four of them entered the cemetery without saying another word, and when Rumer went to follow, Martin grabbed her arm. “Tell me about yourself."
    "What?” She turned to him and frowned.
    "You've been in my bed, and I don't even know what you do for a living."
    Her laughter was soft, with a tinge of nervousness. “I'm a nurse, which is how I met Noah. He's a paramedic, as you already know."
    "Yeah, I do,” Martin said, trying to keep the mood light. He turned his gaze on where the foursome was now winding their way through the crypts and around religious statues and stone benches. He knew Fletch and Dev loved this.
    "What about you?"
    "We're ghost seekers,” Martin said with a laugh. “We don't make a lot of money, but enough to keep us going. We visit various haunted places and either prove, or dispel, their hauntings. I also do séances for people, when asked. Quinn's a reporter for a TV station."
    "Yeah, I've seen her on the news,” Rumer said. Martin noticed that while she was taking to him, she too was focused on their friends inside the graveyard. “I want to go in there, to confront her."
    "Bad idea,” Martin replied, fighting down the panic in his stomach. Memories of Josephine's icy grip made him want to hurl his breakfast all over the sidewalk. “Trust me on that."
    The four of them gathered in a small group, and Martin took a step closer to the gate. “They've found something."
    "Yes,” Rumer replied. She bounced on the balls of her feet, then wiggled her hands. “I'm going in."
    "No!” Martin grabbed at her, but she shook him off, turning before she got to the gate.
    "You stay here, but I'm leaving. I won't let that bitch have any sort of hold over me, including keeping me from going where I want to go."
    She marched inside the gate and Martin rushed after her, stopping before he stepped onto the grounds. As she walked, he looked toward his friends, then gasped.
    A dark form, made entirely of energy, floated near them. It swayed back and forth, and Martin charged for the fence, clutching the iron slats. As Rumer neared the group, the form took the shape of a woman, filmy, but still visible.
    Martin yelled at Rumer to come back. “You're giving her energy, get back here!"
    "No!” She continued to walk, and the form coalesced into a more solid form.
    "Oh hell!” Martin pushed away from the fence, and then took off across the graveyard, hot on Rumer's heels.
    Rumer could see the form, floating. She watched it take shape, the face of a very beautiful woman smiling at her. The woman's gesture made Rumer shiver in disgust.
    Martin grabbed her and tried to pull her back;