The Lost: Book Two, The Eddie McCloskey Series (The Unearthed 2) Read Online Free

at him through the windshield of his patrol car. The last thing Eddie needed was a Dewey. His only alternative was to ask Ana to drive him home. He didn’t really want to talk to her but reason trumped anger so he turned to her.
    “Ana, I’m more than a little pissed at you right now but I need a ride.”
    She approached him tentatively, like she didn’t trust him and that tugged at his heart. She was so young, adorable really. She had no idea the trouble she’d caused him.
    “You read the book, didn’t you?”
    She nodded.
    “Come on, give me a lift.”
    * * * *
    Her car was, like her, petite. Unlike her it was old and rust adorned it like acne. She had a death grip on the steering wheel and drove cautiously like she was trying to pass her driver’s test. All the while stealing sidelong glances at him.
    She could no longer stay quiet. “I came to say I was sorry. I was so caught up in the excitement of this thing, and then I find out the person working next to me is an expert in all this paranormal stuff …”
    “Why didn’t you just come to me? Why go to Kindler?”
    It took her a long time to get it out. “I’m just a little yokel and you’re this mysterious guy who’s been places and done and seen things I could only dream of. I was intimidated by you. I’m sorry, Ed.”
    “Call me Eddie, alright? Only my brother called me Ed.”
    At the mention of his brother, her mouth sagged into a pitying frown.  She had read the book so she knew about Tim’s murder. The mere mention of his brother darkened him, made him extremely sad and murderously furious at the same time.
    A couple bends in the road later, she said, “Okay, I’m not stalking you but I know where you live. It’s a small town and everybody knows everybody’s business.”
    Eddie nodded as he did the math in his head.  Ten minutes to the house. Five minutes to talk to his boss, Victor. Fifteen minutes to pack. Another fifteen to get back to his car, hopefully via Ana. With luck, Whitmore wouldn’t be skulking in the shadows and he’d be tail lights, off to another wondrous adventure someplace else that didn’t involve the past or the paranormal.
    Ana turned the music down. “Eddie, this is Kindler’s thing. This is his town. He’s the guy with the juice. Once I found out who you were, I had to tell him.”
    “Ana, you can’t investigate while constantly looking over your shoulder for approval. Your results will be skewed.”
    “I know, I just got ahead of myself…”
    She slowed and pulled into the short drive of the house he was staying in. He occupied the second floor, which had a kitchen and a bathroom that wouldn’t have fit on an airplane.
    Fortunately the owner of the house was an absentee landlord, so Eddie didn’t have anybody in his business.
    She parked and they got out.
    “Can I come in? I feel real bad about this,” Ana said.
    “Yeah. You’re going to drive me back to the bar anyway.”

Seven
     
    Insid e Ana peeled off her jacket, revealing a hodgepodge of thrift store clothing: a mustard colored t-shirt with the Think Global Buy Local slogan Victor the boss always parroted on the phone; a thermal under the t-shirt; grey stretch pants that hugged all the right places; knee-high striped socks; and worn, unlaced sneakers that threatened to trip her every step.
    Eddie didn’t usually go for the hipster look because it always seemed so affected. But it worked for Ana.
    She tossed her purse and keys on the living room table like she lived there. Eddie couldn’t help checking her out while she wore a hole in the carpet by pacing.
    “Eddie, you gotta believe me, I had no idea Mr. Kindler would involve the police in this …”
    “Victor still at the store?” Eddie asked.
    “He left when I did.”
    “Got his phone number?”
    “I’ve got his cell.” Ana bent and pulled her phone out of her sock. Of course she kept it there. She read off Victor’s number.
    Eddie interrupted her. “I don’t have a phone. Mind