Dead Is a State of Mind Read Online Free

cleared, I saw Poppy picking up a small piece of paper off the floor.
    "Look at this," she said to us. "It's a funeral card. For a guy named Gage Atwood. He died last year around this time."
    Rose peered at the card. "Amazing," she murmured.
    "Whoever he is, he seems pretty ticked off," I said, looking at the shards of broken glass littering the floor.
    "Can we check your dad's records for Gage Atwood?" Rose asked Nicholas. "It might help us if we find out how he died."
    They left the Tranquility Room, leaving me with a troubled-looking Poppy.
    "I'm sorry what I said before—about Dad." I said quietly. The truth was, we didn't know whether he was living or dead. But either way, he was gone.
    "It's okay," she said, grabbing a tissue from a box on a small side table. It was a funeral home, after all. The place was littered with them. "I just need to be alone for a few minutes."
    "Here?" I looked around the room. I could still feel a presence. "I don't know if you're alone, exactly."
    "I don't mind," Poppy said.
    "Are you sure it's okay to leave you?"
    "He threw a vase at you, not me." She waved me off. "Go ahead. I'll see you at Slim's."
    I left her in the wrecked room but stood in the hallway out of sight for a few seconds before leaving. It sounded like Poppy was trying to talk to the ghost. I checked my watch and finally decided she'd be safe enough. Rose, Nicholas, and Mr. Bone were there if she got into any real trouble.
    If I'd had any idea what was going to happen, I would never have left her alone with a ghost. Not for a second. So much for my psychic skills.

Chapter Four
    Slim's was your basic fifties-type diner. Red-leather booths, lots of stainless steel, and a permanent greasy smell. One of the servers was Flo, a fixture at Slim's, who waited on you if and when she felt like it. If you ever had the nerve to hand her a pink uniform, she would have handed you your head on a platter, with a little garnish of parsley.
    Flo was in her early twenties, with serious tats. Her uniform consisted of blue jeans and a variety of T-shirts. Today's shirt read, COME TO THE DARK SIDE. I HAVE COOKIES.
    The diner was crowded, and I spotted a bunch of kids from school clustered around Duke at a booth in the back. I wasn't in the mood to worship the new guy—fortunately, there were still a few empty tables by the door. I sat down to wait for Poppy. The door jingled and I looked up. It was a stranger, a girl about my own age. She had long dark hair and gorgeous full lips, but it was her unusual amber eyes that sent a shiver through me. She hurried to the counter to pick up a to-go order.
    "Three rare steaks, right?" I heard her ask Flo.
    The jukebox abruptly kicked on, although no one had put in any money. None of the regular clientele even looked up. Everyone at Slim's was getting used to the jukebox's weird ways. It played whatever it wanted, whenever it wanted to play it. The song it had decided on this time was "Lovers and Liars" by Matchbook Romance. Sometimes I felt like the jukebox—which I liked to call Lil—was trying to send me messages with its song choices, but I didn't always quite get what it was trying to tell me. As I pondered the meaning, the mysterious girl slipped past me out of the diner and into the night.
    Duke spotted me sitting alone and broke free from his clinging admirers.
    "Daizee," he said. He practically had to bodycheck Penny to get her off his arm. He came rushing over.
    "Hi, Duke." He was everywhere these days.
    "Would you like to join us? I'm reading tea leaves for some of my new friends."
    "Uh, thanks, but I'm waiting for my sister."
    "I would be honored if you would introduce us," he said. He looked so hopeful that I couldn't say no.
    "Sure," I said. "She should be here any minute."
    Just then, Poppy walked in and plopped down in a chair. I noticed she had a rather large bandage on her hand.
    "What happened?" I asked anxiously. I was ready to kill that ghost for hurting my sister, except for the